GoPro Hero 5 in 2022: Still Worth It?

Is the GoPro Hero 5 still worth it in 2022? It's been 6 years since this camera was released, in 2016, and I remember this camera being an absolute beast at the time. But a lot has changed since the Hero 5 and Hero 5 Session's launch date, and the question remains; is it still good enough today?

Well, yes it is.

I was absolutely blown away by the image coming out of the Hero 5. Underwater particularly, the colours are amazing, the skin tones look real, the water has an attractive deep blue, and the corals and marine life are true to colour. I honestly expected far less from this old action camera, but it's really held it's own, and in many ways it's much better than I remember it being!

Even in low light, the image is stable and it's not falling apart. There are a few imperfections and noise on the sunrise image, where we attached the Hero 5 Session to a DJI drone, but even still it's a semi useable image (particularly given how dark and gloomy that day was in reality).

I did film all shots in GoPro's Log mode, ProTune, and then edit them afterwards, but even still the cameras ability to record colour information like this is impressive. The 1080p 60fps slow motion footage also looks really really clean which is very impressive.

Now you may be asking, is the Hero 5 Session different from the Hero 5? And yes it is, but the image and video specs offered are very similar. The differences are in;
- battery life, and the presence of a removable battery;
- size and design;
- having an LCD screen on the Hero 5 and not on the Session; and
- being able to access settings easily.

The only practical difference is access to higher frame rates on the Hero 5, which honestly I never go higher than 50 or 60p anyways, and having access to a few more lens options like superview, which similarly I don't use and advise against. So while there are a few differences, the image you're looking at is no different to the image I'd have used even with the few extra settings.

Having a screen would have been great while filming though, and additionally being able to change settings without having to create a QR code and scanning it in camera (as the GoPro App no longer supports the Hero 5 Session), would have been very nice from an ease of use standpoint.

As with all cameras, the best results and image come from filming in a flat profile, like log. On GoPro this is called ProTune, and these are my best settings for the GoPro Hero 5. Mind you, these are the exact same settings I use on all of my GoPro's from the 3 up to the 10.
- Medium Sharpness
- -0.3 Exposure Comp
- ISO limit 400
- Flat colour mode
- Camera Raw White Balance
- Protune Mode
- 1080p 60fps

Additionally you may find this video helpful, as the same colour correction is done for all GoPro ProTune images, and the same settings are used (mostly aside from a few new ones like hypersmooth):

Further, I would not advise attaching a GoPro to the bottom of your drone. While it worked this time, I have heard many stories of it interfering with GPS and other sensors.

[kamvas]

This video is not a waste of time, for people like me that get second-hand deals on a overseas country, allows me to appreciate the quality of the product I´m also, I got it from my brother in law for a good price, so this is the review I needed. An honest review. Thank you

[snells-window]

Recently just sold a few seconds of underwater footage off my Hero 3 black to a tv production. Got more than enough to buy a new hero 10! Still use my hero 3's a lot and still getting great results

[richieyyz]

My first GP was a Hero 5 Session. It did the job and it was so tiny.
I have upgraded since to a 7 Black and now the 9.
I love the front facing screen on the newer camera and of course the biggest plus is the stabilization. I use it a lot when cycling and the stabilization is so good. Oh and of course we all love 4K and higher on the new cameras as well.

[RafaSanchesTV]

One of the best GoPro! I bought 2 this year!

[mari.kalla]

thank you for making this video very helpful!

[WillsGoneWalkabout]

Bloody ripper Tom. I pulled out my Hero 3+ the other day and it still performed very well.

[partizan]

Diving underwater in the rain is awesome.🔥🔥🔥

[Velogtag]

Hi where were the underwater videos recorded ?Would visit i love diving

[respeare]

If one of the new GoPro is a session form factor I’ll clearly consider buying it

[HuntmasterSpearfishing]

Love that you duct taped this to a drone!!

[underwaterimaging]

This is fantastic, also epic footage!

[antoinesimeon]

Never been more glad to have "wasted" 5mins of my time.
Then again I'd watched it on 2X speed, so that'd be 2.5mins.
In all honesty, it's a good informative and entertaining video. Thanks mate!

[LLroomtempJ]

a friend gave me her hero 5 session a few months ago. i use it to record bike races. it is generally good, but i find the image stabilization to be substandard. when i compare the race video i capture to the race videos my peers capture, the difference is noticeable over bumpier terrain

[benjwalker]

even tho i dont have any camera 😔, im amazed on how you make a video about go pro hero 5, excellent video, i love your video 👍❤

[joshuafitzpatrick]

How did you create a QR code with the video image setting? I want to shoot in ProTune and since we can't use the app I want to get the most out of the image. Thanks

[ChrisdeJongh]

I'm still using my GoPro 5 Session (I got it when it released back in 2016) for Instagram clips and the small size (and minimal weight on helmet) makes it easy to flip for portrait videos. I have an old android phone with the old version of the GoPro app still installed so I can still easily change the settings. Going to give your settings a bash and see how it comes out.

[DavidTheAppleTechGuy]

What do you mean the app is dead? They still have the gopro app

[firefly]

Can you tell me about the qr code? Otherwise my Session 5 seems unusable. No other apps will recognize it, including the original gopro app and gopro quik I haven't used it in about a year and now I can't connect.

[Vultaggioo]

You can buy the GoPro hero 5 session in the USA for the low price of 600$+

[damienbovingdon]

where are u buying it for $80 and the 6 for 5 dollars more?