GoPro Bares All for the Hero5 Black

GoPros are synonymous with action cameras and for good reason. Ever since the company’s 2002 founding, the miniature, waterproof devices have made appearances in a range of adrenaline-fueled videos, from skydiving over Dubai to snowboarding in Verbier to surfing in Maui.

The company’s Hero line is now in its fifth installment, the first to break free from the polycarbonate housing that enables water, dust and shockproof recordings. For land-based adventurers, that means no more muffled sound from a blocked-off microphone. Divers will be disappointed by the shortened waterproof rating (up to 10 meters instead of the Hero4’s 40), but the company offers a Super Suit accessory that can handle up to 60 meters.

Rival companies poached novice videographers with easier to use action cameras, prompting GoPro to implement a two-inch touchscreen for simply reviewing footage. The device can record 4k video at 30 fps and capture 12 megapixel stills, all of which can be controlled by remote, button or voice.

Users have three apps at their disposal for taking their project to the final cut. Capture assists with recording, allowing you to easily adjust camera settings if you prefer to do it manually. Quik is a simple editing app to put together and upload shots right after a shoot. Splice is the more advanced version of this, but still simple enough to use on a smartphone.