hero9-black thumbnailvshero8-black thumbnail

Comparisons: GoPro HERO9 Black and GoPro HERO8 Black

Compare the latest 2020 model, GoPro HERO9 Black, with the 2019 model, GoPro HERO8 Black, in terms of shooting performance and body specifications.

Key Factors

  1. Front Display

    The HERO9 Black features a front color LCD screen.

  2. Shooting Quality

    The HERO9 Black supports 5K video recording. However, other specifications are almost identical.

  3. Body Size and Weight

    The HERO9 Black is larger and heavier.

Front Display Differences

The HERO9 Black is the first model in the GoPro HERO series to feature a color front display. With the color LCD, you can preview your shots without needing to look at the back screen, enhancing usability.

In contrast, the HERO8 Black has a traditional monochrome display that only shows the number of shots available.

Slight Differences in Video Quality

The major difference in video quality between the HERO9 Black and the HERO8 Black is that the HERO9 Black supports 5K video recording. For other resolutions, the recording capabilities are essentially the same. So, if you don't need to shoot in 5K, either model will work just as well in terms of video specs.

However, for still photography, the HERO9 Black offers a significant upgrade with its 20MP sensor compared to the HERO8 Black's 12MP sensor. If you plan to use your GoPro for both video and photo shooting, the HERO9 Black is the better choice.

Differences in Body Size and Weight

Due to the inclusion of the color LCD front display, the HERO9 Black is slightly larger and heavier, weighing over 150 grams.

While GoPros are generally lightweight, and the benefits of 5K video and the front color display are considerable, it's worth noting the weight difference if that's a concern for you.

Compare by shooting performance

FeaturesHERO9 Black thumbnail
GoPro HERO9 Black
HERO8 Black thumbnail
GoPro HERO8 Black
5.6K--
5.3K--
5.2K--
5K30 fps -
4K60 fps 60 fps
3K--
2.7K120 fps 120 fps
1080p240 fps 240 fps
Still Image Resolution20.00 MP12.00 MP

Compare by specifications

FeatureHERO9 Black thumbnail
GoPro HERO9 Black
HERO8 Black thumbnail
GoPro HERO8 Black
Release date2020/09/17 2019/10/25
ChipsetGP1 GP1
Image Sensor Size1/2.3” 1/2.3”
Aperturef/2.5 f/2.5
StabilizationHyperSmooth 3.0 HyperSmooth 2.0
10 Bit Colorxx
Loop Recording
Live Streaming
Waterproof10 m10 m
Max Storage Size256 GB256 GB
Body Size71.8 * 50.8 * 33.6 mm66.3 * 48.6 * 28.4 mm
Weight158 g126 g

Comparison of HERO9 Black with Other Models

Comparison of HERO8 Black with Other Models