GoPro Hero 5 Black vs Hero 7 Black

If you want a lightweight and versatile camera for walking around shooting real estate exterior photos handheld, then the GoPro camera might be the right choice. This Hero 5 black vs Hero 7 black guide reveals their strengths and weaknesses, helping you choose the right camera for your needs.

GoPro Hero 5 Black vs Hero 7 Black General Overview

GoPro H5 and H7 are a part of a lineup of 21 variations of GoPro cameras. These cameras are developed as action cameras, making them versatile and ideal for use in both stills and videos. They are compact and lightweight cameras with a rugged and waterproof design, making them suitable for use in trying conditions.

GoPro Hero 5 Black Overview 

GoPro Hero 5 was released on October 2nd, 2016, as a newer version of Hero 4. Some of the advancements in GoPro Hero 5 included WDR and RAW photo modes, high-quality electronic video stabilization, and simpler controls.

GoPro Hero 7 Black Overview

GoPro Hero 7 was released on September 27th, 2018, as a lineup of three variations that included H7 white, H7 silver, and H7 black. The H7 white is the entry-level camera, while the H7 black is the flagship. The release of H7 was an upgrade to H6 released one year before. 

Comparing GoPro Hero 5 and Hero 7 Black 

Since both GoPro H5 and H7 are variations of the same camera brand aiming to develop action cameras, they share a lot in their physical design and functionality. However, they are distinct versions with noticeable differences in appearance and features. 

Similarities 

Keeping in mind that GoPro aims to develop lightweight, compact and sturdy action cameras, both GoPro H5 and H7 share the following similarities in their design, usability, and functionalities.

• Both versions come with three built-in microphones and a port for connecting an external microphone. 
• In case you'd like to record high-quality audio, both cameras come with a Protune feature that allows you to record an audio file separately and save it in WAV format, with the same name as the video. 
• Both cameras come with a built-in GPS chip that allows you to add the GPS coordinates to the metadata of the video or photo. 
• You can use both cameras to capture fast-moving scenes using the continuous capture or the burst mode.
• Both cameras can shoot in RAW or JPEG format. Usually, you will have the JPG format as the default format in both cameras. 
• In both cameras, you can use the touchscreen at the back to choose which region of the screen will help in calculating the automatic exposure. 
• Both H5 and H7 come with a touch zoom capability. However, it’s a digital zoom that works as an advanced crop and might affect the image quality.  
• Both cameras allow you to choose between PAL and NTSC video formats when capturing property videos. 
• The cameras use an identical 1220 mAh lithium-ion battery that has a battery life of around 1 to 2 hours when shooting video. In most cases, GoPro H5 offers a better battery life due to its minimal features. 
• You can control both the cameras remotely using voice control or the GoPro's mobile app with a Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi connection. 

Differences

Considering that GoPro H7 is a later version than H5, it has some design and feature improvements that make these two versions have the following differences in their usability and shooting capability. 

WDR and SuperPhoto

It can be challenging to shoot high-quality real estate interior photos when some areas are brightly lit while others are dimly lit. GoPro H5 uses the less effective wide dynamic range to help improve the overall image exposure and capture clearer details in both the well illuminated and less illuminated regions. 

On the other hand, GoPro H7 uses a more advanced SuperPhoto feature that automatically combines different enhancements to improve the quality of the image. It analyzes the picture and applies multi-frame noise reduction, local tone mapping, or HDR to try and improve the quality of the processed picture. 

As a result, photos shot under high-contrast lighting situations using the GoPro H7 tend to have better contrast and exposure than ones shot using the H5. However, the SuperPhoto feature is slow and doesn't work with some shooting modes and the RAW file format. 

Image Stabilization System 

The quality of the image stabilization system is one of the key features that you'll want to consider in a camera, especially if you will be shooting handheld. The GoPro H5 features an in-camera electronic image stabilization mechanism, known as the standard stabilization system.

On the other hand, the GoPro H7 comes with a modern and more advanced image stabilization system known as the HyperSmooth stabilization system. This makes it possible to capture more smooth and more stable videos with a GoPro H7 than H5 when shooting handheld.

Resolution

The camera resolution is how well a camera can classify and present the image details such as textures and patterns. Although both GoPro H5 and H7 can capture 4K videos using a 16:9 aspect ratio, H5 has a maximum of 30 frames per second while H7 can capture up to 60 frames per second.

H7 also offers a larger 4K video resolution of 4:3 aspect ratio, measuring 4000 by 3000. On the other hand, H5 supports the smaller 480p resolution absent in H7. However, the other resolutions of 720p, 960p, 1080p and 1440p overlap.

Major Distinguishing Factor 

The major distinguishing factor between GoPro H5 and H7 black is the video codec. Keeping in mind that these cameras mainly save their video files in MP4 format, H5 only uses the older H.264 codec to compress and encode its videos.

On the other hand, H7 is more versatile and can compress and encode its videos using the older H.264 codec and the more efficient HEVC (H.265). This newer HEVC codec allows H7 to compress higher-quality videos into smaller file sizes.

When to Use GoPro Hero 5 Black 

Although GoPro H5 is an older model that doesn’t have advanced features like H7, its design makes it suitable for use in the following situations:

• The fewer features give it a longer battery life than H7, making it suitable for shooting in places without power connection, such as real estate exterior photos and videos.
• The rugged design makes it ideal for use when shooting in trying conditions such as underwater or in snowy situations. 
• The corrugated texture helps to improve grip, making it suitable for use when shooting in moist conditions.

When to Use GoPro Hero 7 Black 

Keeping in mind that GoPro H7 is a newer and more advanced version, it comes with superior features and build quality, making it suitable for use under the following circumstances:

• The high-quality image stabilization system makes it ideal for use when shooting handheld. 
• If you have limited memory storage, H7 is the better choice as it can compress the videos to smaller sizes. 
• It is the best camera to use when shooting in high-contrast lighting, such as in uniformly lit interiors 

Which Camera Is Better?

The GoPro H7 black is better due to the advanced features that allow it to do what H5 does and much more. Its extra features allow it to capture images with good exposure and contrast, with minimal camera shake effect. 

It also compresses videos to smaller file sizes, saving your memory storage. However, GoPro H5 might be a better choice if you are just trying out GoPro cameras or if battery life is your main concern. 

Verdict 

The compactness, sturdiness, and versatility of GoPro H5 and H7 suit both beginners and experienced real estate photographers. The GoPro Hero 5 Black vs Hero 7 black details the differences between these cameras and which camera can suit your photography needs.