Small, NOT exactly: GoPro HERO4 Session Unboxing and Sniff Test

Mine just came in the mail so I decided to do an Unboxing and Sniff Test for you. The first thing I realized is how it't not small at all. In fact it's thicker than the Hero4 Black edition I currently own.

I thought I was going to find that the cube was much smaller and compact and would be a nice addition to the top of my DSLR for first person shooter videos. It turns out it's not exactly small which leads you to believe this may be the future for cameras from GoPRO.

Check out the video to see exactly what's in the box and to get my thoughts on the new product before we test it out.

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[Yates__]

This video would have been better with Todd in it.

[bsgtrekfan]

Part of me likes having a case.I mean this thing looks pretty solid but with the other original Go-Pro's if you drop it hard or scratch the case - boom $20 and a new case. However this one....if something happens than boom - new one far from what I can tell lol.

[Vincentjune]

I suspect the difference is the outer casing on the older model when doing things like skydiving and wind surfing. Or even if you were cycling. It's profile to the slipsteam would be a bit like that of a square truck on a motorway and catch every scintilla of wind blowing. Where the cube thing would sit nicely, and stay put, not dragging teh helmet back and then out of the set position. Just a thought.

[MrKdr]

Jared, Gopro has no intention of changing the existing gopro line up. The session is simply another option for people who need versatile camera mounting options. The image quality is about the same as Hero 2.

[libertylki]

Yeah I bought the Session the other day, I've watched countless videos on it but when I actually received it I thought it was going to be a LOT smaller

[LeviStutzman]

I think the Session is a good step. But right now I think the specs are just too 'Eh' for me to really get excited about it.

[odedriftin]

I find your videos to be a great mix of entertaining and informative, GOOD JOB! I also wanted to ask you if you have any recommendation for a digital SLR camera+lens on a 700 U.S.D budget. Thanks

[adam]

Wired did a really good comparison between the Session and the previous Hero4 and the Session was poorer in pretty much every category. Interesting...

[Some_person.]

I love how you said I'm gonna sniff it so seriously XD!!!

[shannonwriter]

GO PRO 4, BEST VIDEO EVER, YO MY FRO BRO U I WAS GOING TO SAY GIRL, thanks for all the great content, u and your team.

[tuskenraider]

It would be great if they would already make the GoPro app to support the Apple Watch and you'd have a live view or at least have the rec/stop buttons right there on the wrist.

[cgcgcg]

Yay! GoPro Session: Bringing back 3x4 video ratios since 2015.dot.dot.dot..

Also, Mr. Polin, as inconvenient as it is, you don't need two of them for longevity, you just need a couple of the smaller 18650 style "emergency" phone battery backups.*

Unless, of course, they've gone and fudged that up, too.

[markstanley]

Have to disagree with comment "a new generation of which direction Gopro are going". I think the Session has been brought out to compete against Polaroids Cube, and to some extent the Contour Roam which is waterproof straight out of box without extra housing. Its not to replace the design of their Hero range. However, the price point of the Session is completely off. Needs to be much cheaper.
It is basically a B Roll action camera (which is why the quality of video isn't quite as good as Hero range) designed to be put in places the standard housing can't or struggles to go. More steamlined for places like a motorcycle helmet or bottom of skateboard or snow ski etc.
Also, comparing sizes... you need to compare Hero with case on, not bare. Very rarely is Hero used absolutely bare, Frame at minimum.

[ChlyDoris]

Id definatly prefere the cube for mounting on my motorcycle helmet!

[Sleepingsaloon]

Jared Polin  when you keep talking about the size of this camera compared to your hero 4 I'm not sure you're making a fair comparison.  You are comparing the hero 4 in its non waterproof configuration to the session in a waterproof configuration.  I understand you don't have the option to remove the housing on the new session but they are action cameras and are usually used with the case.  Just a thought

[jdogmcnasty]

Question? In your videos with the GP angle you put a faux viewfinder in the display, did you make that? Was it hard? Mind you im very limited with PS, my wife does all the post processing. I nail it, she tweaks as she sees fit. Thanks, you rock

[tarunkant]

Where's 'Jared Polin! FROKNOWS PHOTO...DOT COM' line?

[MrRED]

Jared, my concerns are with stills, it shoots at 8 megapixels and cmon... 8? the gopro hero 3 black was 12 so why now go to 8? Id spect more megapixels for stills. By the way, why dont you ever speak about Sony Action cam? they have 4k camera, shame they are 8.8 on stills but i think they work better than gopros, they have zeiss glass and steadyshot which is unbeliveable.

[Bennydrift]

SNIFF test says it all... I will wait for the next generation as I don't feel the quality will be worth the trade off

[EmoEmu]

This seems rather silly. If they have a door on the side anyways, then they should have let us swap the battery through that. I would rather have had that option over in-camera USB-recharging. Seems like a money-grab to get us to buy multiples Sessions.