GoPro Hero 10 Review and Features

By Tim Munene Last updated Apr 12, 2023

GoPro Hero 10 Review

The Hero 10 Black comes with two slogans. The first is ‘A New Era,’ which is a big declaration for a firm that’s been at the forefront of action sports cameras for more than a decade.

The slogan ‘A New Era’ represents the massively overhauled GP2. The GP2 is effectively the engine that powers the entire GoPro Hero 10.

The GP2 delivers significant advances to frame rates and overall performance, but standard features such as stills and video modes remain mostly unchanged from the Hero 9.

The new camera’s second catchphrase is ‘Speed with Ease,’ which is warranted given how much faster and smoother it performs.

So is this processor as good as GoPro claims? Let’s find out in our in-depth review of the GoPro Hero 10.

Technical Specifications

Sensor Type: CMOS Sensor
Sensor Size: 1/2.3″
Sensor Resolution: 23 Megapixels
Max Shooting Resolution: 5.3K (3840p)
Display: Front: 1.14″ Live View Monitor and Rear: 2.27″ Fixed-Type Touchscreen
Image Capture Speed: 120 fps
Image Stabilization: Yes
Lens Mount: Max Lens Mod
Optical Zoom: None
Video Format: HEVC (H.265) and MP4
Video Output: 1x USB Type-C 3.1
Native ISO: 100-6400
Shutter Speed: 1/25 – 1/2,000 sec
Audio Input: None
Audio Output: None
Storage: 1x SDHC or SDXC
Microphone: Built-in directional microphone
Battery: 1720mAh Li-ion
Dimensions: ‎2.8 x 2.0 x 1.3 inches
Weight: ‎5.6 ounces

Other Key Features

Battery

The Hero 10 features the same battery as the Hero 9, which is bigger than all prior GoPro batteries at 1,720mAh.

However, the Hero 10’s more demanding twin displays and high frame-rate settings consume most of that capacity.

Some tests indicate at least 70 minutes of recording time by filming a continuous [email protected] clip with HyperSmooth Stabilization on and the screen brightness set to 50%.

This is significantly less than Hero 9 but close to Hero 8. Therefore, it’s clear the old adage is true, ensure you have a spare battery or two with you at all times.

Design

Apart from a blue logo on the Hero 10, the latest GoPro is almost identical to the Hero 9.

The power and record switches are housed in a slightly darker hard plastic frame, and sliding up the flap on the side reveals a battery, micro SD card slot, and Type-C 3.1 connector.

A small 1.14″ screen sits on the rubberized front, while the rear 2.27″ touchscreen controls pretty much everything on the device.

It’s all pretty familiar compared to Hero 9, which isn’t a bad thing. What’s more, GoPro has brought back the flip-out feet that debuted first on the Hero 8, making mounting the camera a breeze even without a housing.

Image and Video Quality

Since Hero 10 has the same sensor as Hero 9, expectations for picture quality improvements in photographs and video are limited.

However, GoPro says that the new GP2 processor improves low-light performance, in particular, owing to new processing algorithms.

This is actually true, and you’ll be pleased to find out that grain has been reduced throughout stills and video taken in dim lighting.

Color reproduction appears balanced throughout stills and video, with a fair chunk of punch and pop combined with natural tones.

The contrast levels appear more nuanced in extreme scenarios with a backlight or a powerful light source.

Still, photos taken with the Hero10 are decent, but the camera’s capabilities are limited.

While the GoPro claims that its night mode has improved, if you’re planning any night photography, you most likely will have to attach the Hero 10 to a tripod.

Performance

While the GP2 engine on the Hero 10 makes it a more polished and enjoyable camera to operate than its predecessor, several areas of its performance remain characteristic of GoPro.

Unfortunately, one of these areas concerns battery life and overheating.

Price

The GoPro Hero10 costs $500, or $400 for GoPro subscribers.

A combo that includes the camera, a 32GB SD card, two batteries, and a tripod costs $450 with a GoPro subscription (formerly known as GoPro Plus) and $550 without a subscription.

This remarkable combo is also available for $400 to existing GoPro members.

Final Thought

The Hero 10 may have the same exterior as the Hero 9, but what matters is what’s on the inside. It has a new CPU that lets it shoot video at up to 5.3K at 60 frames per second, which is twice as fast as the Hero 9.

It can also capture still images with a resolution of 23 megapixels. However, it’s the image stabilization that truly sets it apart from previous GoPro cameras.