Congratulations to Javier Sotomayor, November 2023 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Open." Javier Sotomayor - Entry #879 Dave Koch - Entry #877 Peter Wingfield - Entry #874 Here's what Javier has to say: Hello First of all I wa ...
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GoPro has a wide range of cameras with varying features and design specifications, with the latest models being more complex and advanced. Understanding GoPro 8 vs 9 features and usability variations can help you choose a model that suits your needs best.
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GoPro has had a series of camera models for over 15 years. The GoPro 8 and 9 are one of the latest GoPro camera models, together with the GoPro 10 and 11 versions. Although both cameras have amazing features, they are different models and have some variations.
Although released in 2019, GoPro Hero 8 is part of the current cue of GoPro cameras available worldwide. The camera is relatively similar to its antecedents, though its body looks sleeker and larger. It also has cleaner lines and a clearer lens than the Gopro 7.
The GoPro Hero 9 was released in 2020, lying between the 8th and 10th models in the lineup of GoPro versions. Being a later model than the GoPro 8, it’s more advanced in design and usability. However, the camera still retains almost all the features and design specifications of the previous GoPro models.
The GoPro 9 was released in 2020, a year after the release of the GoPro 8. Although this is a relatively short period, there are major differences between the two camera models.
Although the GoPro 9 might have more functional capabilities compared to GoPro 8, they have related features, making them have the following similarities.
Although the two models share the same design and basic features, the GoPro 9 is a more advanced model, resulting in the following performance and usability differences.
GoPro 9 is slightly larger than GoPro 8, measuring 2.8 x 2.2 x 1.3 inches against the 2.6 x 1.9 x 1.1 inches of the GoPro 8. The GoPro 9 is also heavier, weighing around 5.6 ounces against the 4.4 ounces of the GoPro 8 when the SD card and the battery are inserted.
However, the GoPro 9 touchscreen display is smaller than the GoPro 8 screen by about 1.95 inches, a difference of around 16 percent.
The GoPro 9 has a larger battery capacity of 1720mAh, while the 8 model has a battery capacity of 1220 mAh. Although the 9 model has more advanced features that consume more power, it still offers a longer battery life.
The GoPro 9 has a new feature that allows you to schedule a shot for up to 24 hours. The camera switches to sleep mode to maintain the power up to the scheduled time and then turns on to make a shot at the set time.
The camera remains on standby mode as long as you have disabled the automatic power Off in the settings. This feature does not work with the GoPro 8 camera.
The compartment door for the GoPro 9 is better built and stays locked compared to the GoPro 8 door, which tends to open anytime you touch it. The front-facing screen of the GoPro 9 is colored, which enhances the live viewing experience.
The display screen is also brighter and sharper, although you might not easily notice until you place the two cameras side by side. On the other hand, the GoPro 8 has a smaller front screen with a black-and-white display. However, the screen is touchscreen.
The GoPro 9 comes with a maximum resolution of 5K, which is superior compared to the 4K maximum resolution in the GoPro 8. Typically, the 5K resolution allows you to capture more detailed and smoother videos than the 4K. However, the two cameras have the same video bitrates of 100Mbps.
The GoPro 9 Lens Mod features a wider field of view with better horizon leveling, allowing you to capture wider-angle real estate exterior photos. This approach works by clipping this mod in place of the lens port, a feature that cannot work on the GoPro 8 model because its lens is permanently fixed.
Without an image stabilization system, there might be camera shakes, making the images appear blurry and low-quality. The hyper-smooth system in GoPro cameras provides electronic stabilization, especially in higher resolutions.
The GoPro 9 has a hyper-smooth 3.0, which is higher than the GoPro 8, which has a hyper-smooth 2.0. As a result, the GoPro 9 allows you to adjust the stabilization settings more accurately, resulting in better electronic stabilization in all resolutions.
The major distinguishing factor between the GoPro 8 and the GoPro 9 is the resolution. The sensor of the GoPro 9 comes with a higher resolution of 23.6 megapixels, which offers more clear and more detailed images than the GoPro 8, which has a 12 megapixels sensor.
The 23.6 megapixels sensor can produce photos that measure 5568 by 4192 pixels per the RAW file resolution. On the other hand, the 12 megapixels sensor of the GoPro produces photos that measure 4000 by 3000 pixels.
Although the GoPro 8 lacks some of the advanced GoPro 9 features, it can be an ideal choice in the following scenarios:
GoPro 9 comes with superior features and capabilities that make it a good choice in the following situations:
The GoPro 9 is better due to the longer battery life that allows you to capture photos in remote places without worries about the camera shutting down.
The detachable lens feature makes the camera more versatile, as you can change the lens and use it in varying applications. The camera resolution is also higher, and the resulting photos and videos look high-quality even when displayed on large screens.
Based on the contrast between GoPro 8 vs 9, you are now conversant with the higher resolution and versatility of the GoPro 9 and the simplistic and sturdy design of the Gopro 8. Generally, Gopro 9 is more advanced and has superior features.
