Although these two action cameras are old versions, they still attract GoPro enthusiasts; if you’re interested in these devices and are hunting for a great deal, this article is for you. We’ll compare these two popular action cameras, ensuring you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
The Features and Specifications of GoPro HERO5 Black vs HERO4 Silver
| GoPro HERO5 Black | GoPro HERO4 Silver | |
| Price | $369.99 | $349.90 |
| Battery | 1220mAh | 1160mAh |
| Dimensions | 62×44.6×32.7mm | 41 x 59 x 30mm |
| Weight | 118grams | 83grams |
| Display | 2 inch touchscreen | 1.5-inch touchscreen |
| Waterproof | (60m with housing) 10 meters without housing | 40m with housing |
| Image resolution | Up to 12mp | Up to 12mp |
| Video resolution | Up to 4k/30fps | Up to 4k/15fps |
| Shooting mode | Auto-Low Light mode, Burst mode, Night Lapse mode and Night Photo | Auto-Low Light mode, Burst mode, Night Lapse mode and Night Photo |
| Night Lapse Photo | Yes | Yes |
| Audio | External microphones (also | External microphones |
| Interface | small LCD screen | small LCD screen |
| maximum bitrate | 60 Mbps | 45 Mbps |
| video stabilization | Great | Great |
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Protune | Yes | Yes |
The Reasons to Buy GoPro HERO5 Black Over GoPro HERO4 Silver
| GoPro HERO5 Black Over GoPro HERO4 Silver | Advantages | |
| Display | 2 inch vs 1.5 inch | Simpler to use |
| Battery | 1220mAh vs 1160mAh | Slightly longer time for using |
| Maximum Bitrate | 60 Mbps vs 45 Mbps | Offer smooth user experience in handling videos and images |
| Video resolution | 4k/30fps vs 4k/15fps | High videos |
| Protune | Two new options for audio vs No | Helpful for recording audio |
| Ports and Connections | New USB-C connector vs mini-USB connector | Easy to use |
| Image Formats | JPG and RAW vs JPG | Keep much original data for easy post-processing |
| Wide Dynamic Range | Yes vs no | Great details in Shadow and highlight area |
The GoPro Hero5 Black has a 2-inch display screen, making it easy to preview and review videos and images, navigate menus, and view playback footage. The GoPro Hero4 sliver comes with 1.5 inches, which is also enough for many users who like compact and lightweight action cameras. With GoPro HERO5 Black, you can record 4k video at 30fps, allowing some lower-resolution footage. While the GoPro HERO4 is 4k video for 15fps.
Both action cameras come with removable batteries. However, the GoPro Hero5 Black includes a 1220mAh battery capacity, slightly longer than the battery of the GoPro HERO4. In terms of performance, these two batteries do not significantly differ. However, factors such as high-rate recording, bright screens, Wi-Fi, and other features can drain the battery quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to have spare batteries on hand for outdoor activities. Here are some batteries compatible with GoPro Hero devices available on Amazon.
The GoPro Hero5 Black, in comparison, has 60 Mbps in maximum bitrate, allowing for improved high-quality videos with many details and clarity and less compressed data. The 60 Mbps from GoPro Hero5 Black can also handle different and complex scenes for a seamless playback experience.
Both cameras may have the same protune options, but GoPro Hero5 Black has two new options for recording excellent audio.
- One is a raw audio track option – create a separate high-quality WAV file alongside the video file;
- An auto mode option – allow users to activate a mode specifically designed to minimize wind noise effects.
Regarding port and connection, both cameras are equipped with USB for power and data transfer. But they use different connectors. The GoPro Hero5 Black has a new USB-C connector, while the GoPro Hero4 Silver uses an old mini-USB connector.
Both action cameras can produce 12MP images; however, the GoPro Hero5 Black has some advantages over GoPro Hero4 Sliver due to its two new features:
- Wide Dynamic Range option for JPGs -can capture some great images with details and clarify, especially in shadows and highlight areas within images;
- RAW image format – can keep much original data captured by the camera, offering greater flexibility and control during post-processing
The Strength of GoPro HERO5 Black and GoPro HERO4 Silver
| GoPro HERO5 Black | GoPro HERO5 Black | |
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Shooting mode | Many | Many |
| WIFI and bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Quality | Excellent | Excellent |
| Voice Controls | Great | Great |
| Video Stabilization | Great | Great |
| Linear FOV | Great | Great |
| Night Lapse Phot | better suited to low-light shooting | Night Lapse Photo |
| Burst Mode | fit for the high-speed sequence of images | fit for high-speed sequence of images |
Both action cameras are equipped with built-in wifi and Bluetooth, allowing for the transfer of data easily and also allowing users to control and download images and videos with smartphones and apps remotely. In addition to these two features, both cameras have GoPro’s Quik app, which is paired with your phone well so that you can use it to offload and edit footage. This action camera’s designed app is also easy to use and allows users to edit interesting videos on the fly. Both action cameras’ linear FOV is one of the tangible differences over other devices. It is useful and enables users to capture some wide-angle videos and photos without the usual fisheye distortion. GoPro Hero 5 and GoPro Hero 4 have good performance in night-lapse photos. With this feature, these two action cameras offer additional interval and shutter speed options that are better suited to low-light conditions.
Which One is the Best?
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current action camera or purchase your first one, the GoPro Hero 5 Black is the best choice. With its impressive video quality, reliable video stabilization, user-friendly screen, and versatile image formats, this action camera offers an outstanding user experience. If you are on a tight budget and are seeking an action camera with basic recording features, the GoPro Hero 4 Silver is a suitable option.
Where to Buy
GoPro Hero5 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera
GoPro Hero4 Silver
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