GoPro Hero6 black
The new GoPro Hero6 black was released on Sept. 28th 2017!
The launch confirmed already leaked images: GoPro Hero6 will feature 4K resolution with 60fps, 1080p with 240fps, but there’s more:
GoPro Hero5 black vs GoPro Hero6 black (notice the colored logo)
GoPro Hero6 black – Specs
Photo Resolution
GoPro Hero6 black holds a 12MP sensor (4:3 format), currently I’m not sure which type it is. I guess it’s the same Sony IMX377 also used in YI 4K+ Action Camera. Other cameras recently turned to a 8MP 16:9 size sensor, I guess for video optimisation (Sony FDR-X3000, Xiaomi Mijia). But in terms of photos it’s great to have the 4:3 option and larger photos. Of course RAW photo is available.
Video Resolution & Frame Rate
- 4K – 60fps (compared to 4K 30fps max on Hero5)
- 1080p – 240fps (compared to 4K 30fps max on Hero5)
Hero6 offers 4K resolution with 60fps. YI Technology already offers a 4K 60fps action camera – YI 4K+ Action Camera – using the Ambarella H2 processor, which became available after GoPro Hero5 was released. Might be the reason this feature wasn’t introduced in Hero5 already due to a earlier release date.
But GoPro Hero6 tops: YI 4K+ which offers 4K with 60fps but max. frame rate in 1080p is 120fps, similar to Hero5 & YI 4K. In contrast Hero6 will offer 240fps in 1080p. But with the increase of frame rates there also comes a limitation on the lower end. Hero6 only offers 50&60fps in 720p with no other option.
GoPro Hero6 black: 4K 60fps & 1080p 240fps (vs Hero5)
Processor & Sensor
GoPro moved away from Ambarella chipsets and now uses their own – GP1 processor. No word on the sensor so far, my guess it’s again a Sony sensor, most likely the 12MP IMX377 also used in YI 4K+. It’s not the IMX317 used in Xiaomi Mijia and Sony FDR-X3000 which is 8MP. The max. pixel amount is smaller as this model is a 16:9 format sensor.
Image Stabilization
Whereas GoPro Hero5 black offers image stabilization up to 2.7K resolution and 60fps, Hero6 tops this off. It’s the first GoPro camera to offer EIS in 4K resolution at 30fps.
Body
GoPro Hero6 uses the same body as Hero5, so it is compatible with all accessories including batteries which are 1220 mAh.
GoPro Hero5 black vs. GoPro Hero6 black – Battery
Codec & bitrate
Hero6 will shoot in MP4 with H.265/HEVC codec but h.264 is also listed as some settings (in terms of resolution/frame rate) require the HEVC codec. In contrast to Hero5 the max. bitrate was pushed to 78 Mb/s, but only in ProTunes setting. Without this setting it is the same as Hero5: 60 Mb/s. This seems a little low, since many other cameras like YI 4K+, even YI 4K, and also Xiaomi Mijia offer 100 Mb/s as standard.
QuickStories
This is a feature which I think will become more important with action cams. The ability to analyze your recorded footage to get you a short auto edited highlight video from your footage for easy sharing on social media. GoPro Hero6 will do so via Quick App on your Smartphone, let’s see how good it can analyze your recordings to get you the best shots into your highlights. Hero6 has a lot of sensors (GPS, accelerometer,…) that could benefit detection.
GoPro Hero6 – 4K 60fps, 1080p 240fps
other findings
Besides the few options in 720p there seems to be another step back. Interestingly the option photo+video disappeared:
GoPro Hero6 black: no photo+video option
Price
Unfortunately GoPro Hero5 doesn’t get cheaper so far, price stays at 399 USD, whereas GoPro Hero6 is 499 USD. In the meantime the price was reduced to 299 for Her5 and 399 for Hero6.
GoPro Hero6:
GoPro Hero5:
GoPro Fusion
Along with Hero6 black another model was announced: GoPro’s 360° VR camera with 5.2K resolution, but will be released later on. More infos here: GoPro Fusion.
GoPro and current competitors
| GoPro Hero7 black | GoPro Hero6 black | SJCAM SJ8 Pro | YI 4K+ Action Camera | GoPro Hero7 silver | GoPro Hero5 black | Sony FDR-X3000 | YI 4K Action Camera | Xiaomi Mijia | Firefly 8SE | SJCAM SJ7 Star | THIeye T5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Sensor | 12 MP ? | 12 MP ? | 12 MP Sony IMX377 | 12 MP Sony IMX377 | 10 MP | 12 MP Sony IMX ? | 12 MP Sony IMX317 | 12 MP Sony IMX377 | 8 MP Sony IMX317 | 12 MP Sony IMX 117 | 12 MP Sony IMX117 | 12 MP Sony IMX 117 |
| Processor | GP1 | GP1 | Ambarella H22 | Ambarella H2 | ? | Ambarella A9 | BIONZ X image processor | Ambarella A9 | Ambarella A12 | Ambarella A12 | Ambarella A12 | Ambarella A12 |
| Lens | F/2.8, 170° FOV | F/2.8, 170° FOV | F/2.8, 170° FOV | F/2.8, 155° FOV | F/2.8, 170° FOV | F/2.8, 170° FOV | f/2.8, f=17 mm | F/2.8, 155° FOV | F/2.8, 145° FOV | F/2.8, 170° or F/2.8, 90° version | F/2.5, 166° FOV | F/2.5, 170° FOV |
| 4K Resolution | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps |
| Bitrate in 4K | 78 Mbps | 78 Mbps | 65 Mbps | 135 Mbps | 60 Mbps | 60 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 70Mbps | 70Mbps | |
| 2.7K Resolution | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | n/a | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | - (2.5K in 60fps) | max. 30fps (2.5K in 60fps) | max. 30fps (2.5K in 60fps) | max. 30fps (2.5K in 60fps) | |
| 1080p Resolution | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 600fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps |
| 720p Resolution | max. 240fps | max. 60fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | no | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 200fps | max. 240fps |
| Photo Resolution | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 10 MP | 12 MP | 8 MP | 12 MP | 8 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| RAW photo | yes GPR Format | yes GPR Format | yes .RAW Format | yes DNG Format | no | yes GPR Format | no | yes DNG Format | yes DNG Format | no | no | no |
| Display | 2″ Touchscreen | 2″ Touchscreen | 2,33″ Touchscreen | 2,19″ Touchscreen | 2″ Touchscreen | 2″ Touchscreen | data only | 2,19″ Touchscreen | 2,44″ Touchscreen | 2" Touchscreen | 2″ Touchscreen | 2" live view |
| Battery (Capacity) | 1220 mAh | 1220 mAh | 1200 mAh | 1400 mAh | 1220 mAh built-in! | 1220 mAh | 1240 mAh | 1400 mAh | 1450 mAh | 1200 mAh | 1000 mAh | 1100 mAh |
| Image Stabilization | yes up to 4K 60fps | yes up to 4K 30fps | yes up to 4K 30fps | yes up to 4K 30fps | yes up to 2.7K 60fps | yes up to 2.7K 60fps | yes (optical) up to 4K 30fps | yes up to 2.7K 60fps | yes up to 1080p 60fps | yes up to 1080p 60fps | yes up to 1080p 60fps | yes up to 1080p 60fps |
| Gyro Sensor | "Hypersmooth" | "superior to Hero5" I guess 6-axis | 6-axis | 3-axis | I guess 3-axis | I guess 3-axis | optical stabilization! | 3-axis | 6-axis (3-axis gyro, 3-axis accelerometer) | 6-axis | 3-axis | 3-axis |
| Wifi | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bluetooth | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Remote Controller | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra |
| App | GoPro App iOS, Android | GoPro App iOS, Android | SJCAM Zone iOS, Android | Yi Action App iOS, Android | GoPro App iOS, Android | GoPro App iOS, Android | Action Cam App iOS, Android | Yi Action App iOS, Android | Mi Home App | Firefly Cam iOS, Android | SJCAM Zone iOS, Android | Thieye HD iOS, Android |
| Storage | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 64GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) |
| USB Port | USB-C port | USB-C port | USB-C port | USB-C port | USB-C port | USB-C port | micro USB port | micro USB port | micro USB port | mini USB port | mini USB port | micro USB port |
| A/V Output | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | (will be added) | yes | yes | yes |
| external Microphone | yes via USB-C | yes via USB-C | yes via USB-C | yes via USB-C | no | yes via USB-C | yes via 3,5mm | no | no | yes via mini USB | yes via mini USB | yes via 2.5mm plug |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | micro HDMI | no | no | no | micro HDMI | micro HDMI | no | no | micro HDMI | micro HDMI | micro HDMI |
| Voice Control | yes | yes | no | yes | yes | yes | no | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Special Feature | GPS recording | GPS recording | comes with Touchdoor Case | Facebook Live Broadcasting | GPS recording | GPS recording | GPS recording | Facebook Live Broadcasting | Aluminum Frame Body | |||
| Mounts | GoPro System on frame/case | GoPro System on frame/case | 1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case | 1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case | GoPro System on frame/case | GoPro System on frame/case | 1/4" thread on body 1/4" thread on case | 1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case | 1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case | 1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case | GoPro System on frame/case | 1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case |
| Waterproof | 10m without case 60m with case | 10m without case 60m with case | 30m with case | 40m with case | 10m without case NO case available | 10m without case 60m with case | splash proof without case 60m with case | 40m with case | with case | 30m with case | 30m with case | 30m with case |
| Included Accessories | Frame | Frame | Case & Mounts (Full Box) | Many offers include case | Frame | Frame | Underwater Case | - | - kits will be available later | Case & Mounts | Case & Mounts | Case, 2nd battery |
| Best Price | Amazon:  | Amazon:  | Banggood: 189.99 USD | Amazon:  | Amazon:  | Amazon:  | Amazon:  | Geekbuying: 159.99 USD | Gearbest: 99.99 USD | Banggood: 119.99 USD | Banggood: 149.99 USD | Gearbest: 119.99 USD |
| Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
