Summary of GoPro’s "HyperSmooth" and Its Version Differences

HyperSmooth Versions and Feature Comparison Chart

Below is a chart summarizing the different versions of GoPro's HyperSmooth with their respective features. This should give you a clear overview of the differences between each version.

As shown in the table, GoPro's HyperSmooth has evolved by introducing new features, often initially available for specific resolutions and frame rates. In the following generation, these features usually become available for more settings.

In this sense, if a new HyperSmooth feature is introduced, the best approach might be to wait for the next generation to get the expanded functionality.

Features of HyperSmooth by Version

HyperSmooth (1.0)

First introduced with the GoPro HERO7 Black, "HyperSmooth" was the first time GoPro gave its stabilization feature a specific name. Although GoPro had stabilization before, this was the first named version.

This version, which can be called HyperSmooth 1.0, improved the stabilization performance, but no major new features were added.

HyperSmooth 2.0

Upgraded in the GoPro HERO8 Black, HyperSmooth 2.0 introduced user-selectable stabilization levels.

Previously, GoPro's stabilization was simply on or off, but HyperSmooth 2.0 allowed users to select between "High" and "Boost" levels of stabilization.

In HyperSmooth 2.0, the available stabilization levels are:

1. Boost
2. High
3. On

(plus Off, making it four modes total). However, certain resolutions and shooting modes restrict which stabilization levels you can choose¹.

HyperSmooth 3.0

Upgraded with the GoPro HERO9 Black, HyperSmooth 3.0 introduced "Linear + Horizon Leveling" mode, which added horizon leveling to the stabilization feature.

The horizon leveling mode can compensate for tilts of up to 45 degrees (up to 32 degrees in standard stabilization mode), keeping your footage level even if the GoPro itself tilts².

Additionally, a minor update allowed the Boost mode, which was previously restricted to certain resolutions, to be used at all resolutions and frame rates.

HyperSmooth 4.0

HyperSmooth 4.0, introduced with the GoPro HERO10 Black, improved the horizon leveling feature even further.

HyperSmooth 4.0 allowed "Linear + HL" (horizon leveling) to be used in even more resolutions and frame rates³.

Additionally, the stabilization mode names were changed from "On, Off, High, Boost" to "Off, Standard, High, Boost."

HyperSmooth 5.0

GoPro HERO11 Black introduced HyperSmooth 5.0, which has been widely praised as "the perfected version of HyperSmooth."

In addition to more powerful stabilization, a new feature called "Auto Boost" was added. In previous versions, using Boost mode cropped the image, but Auto Boost only activates Boost when it detects rapid motion, maximizing stabilization while maintaining as wide a field of view as possible.

With Auto Boost, the user can now select between "Off," "On," "Boost," and "Auto Boost."

Also, the horizon leveling feature, first introduced in HyperSmooth 3.0 and enhanced in HyperSmooth 4.0, was further upgraded to allow full 360-degree horizon leveling. This means that even if the GoPro rotates completely, the horizon in the footage remains perfectly level.

HyperSmooth 6.0

HyperSmooth 6.0, featured in the GoPro HERO12 Black, added several pro-level features.

While not a major overhaul, HyperSmooth 6.0 simplified the stabilization modes, reducing them from "Off, On, Boost, Auto Boost" to just "On, Off, Auto Boost." It also made Auto Boost available in all resolutions and frame rates for both 16:9 and 4:3 modes, allowing for the best stabilization without needing to adjust settings.

HyperSmooth 6.0 continues to be used in the GoPro HERO13 Black, further indicating that this version is close to the final, perfected version of HyperSmooth.