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GoPro Hero5 Session Review: Why I chose the Session over the Black

170703 Update: Added section with GoPro every-day carry hacks, tips and tricks

I recently purchased a GoPro Hero5 Session and love it! It lacks a screen and battery life, if I’m honest, sucks donkeys. But the lack of a screen has been unexpectedly freeing: instead of staring at the back of a camera, I find myself being able to better focus (no pun intended) on my subject and surroundings, allowing me to more smoothly move the camera. And with it’s uber-wide field of view, and built-in digital stabilization, I’ve been surprisingly pleased with my blind captures. Image quality isn’t as good as my favourite point and shoot and low light pictures are blurrier and grainier than a decent smartphone. But the GoPro Hero5 Session wins with its tiny, pocketable, waterproof and user-friendly design. There’s really no excuse to not carry it literally everywhere you go.

GoPro Hero5 Family Features:

  • 4K @30fps video
  • Waterproof to 33ft
  • new Linear mode
  • Electronic Image Stabilization
  • Voice Control

Hero5 Black vs Session:

  • 2” touch LCD vs None
  • 12MP vs 10MP stills
  • 1080p SlowMo: 120 vs 90 fps
  • GPS vs None
  • RAW stills vs None
  • 3 noise-cancelling mics vs 2

Why I chose the Session over Black

  • smaller & lighter
  • stealthy & less intrusive
  • no LCD = no questions or fuss

Pros:

  • size & form factor
  • ease of use
  • robust & waterproof
  • build quality

Cons:

  • door falls off
  • no LCD
  • limited dynamic range
  • battery life
  • fixed wide angle lens
  • disappointing in low light

Wishlist:

  • Include Black’s RAW and Wide Dynamic Range modes
  • Better Low-Light video and still quality


GoPro Hacks, tools and tips for every-day carry

Verdict:

  • tiny size and bullet-proof build makes it able to get shots that would otherwise be impossible

THANK YOU! + NotSo Fine Print

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Thanks for reading and happy shopping!


Amazon.com links:


THANK YOU! + THE NotSo FINE PRINT

I hope you've found this article useful as I hope to make your life easier and more fulfilled.

Most links and images above will take you to your local Amazon website. But if you can't find what you're looking for, you can click here for my Amazon.com Shop where you'll find my most current recommended finds. You can also use these links to shop at Adorama, B&H Photo and Ebay. As affiliates we get a small percentage of qualifying purchases but rest assured you won't pay a cent more than buying it elsewhere. Thank you for starting your shopping off with us 🙂

Lastly, I'd love to hear from YOU. Please don't be shy and hit me in the comments!

Thanks for reading and happy shopping friends 🙂