GoPro HERO6 Black Announced – Custom Designed GP1 Processor, 4K60p and Full HD 240 FPS Capable Camera

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by Johnnie BehiriSeptember 28^th, 2017

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Putting to an end many ongoing rumours, the GoPro HERO6 Black has been just announced, bringing new and exciting capabilities to outdoor and action content creators. The new HERO6 Black can do 4K60p, 2.7K 120 fps and 240 fps in full HD, which ensures that slow motion action cam shots will be everywhere soon. 

GoPro HERO6 Black

According to GoPro, the new custom GP1 processor was designed to enable twice the video frame rates and bring improved image quality, greater dynamic range, better low-light performance and on top, dramatically improved video stabilization.

The GP1 processor also enables the HERO6 Black to analyze visual scenes and sensor data for improved automated QuikStories. For those who are not familiar with GoPro’s App, QuikStories was created in order to easily bridge between your HERO shooting device and the ability to automatically create stories, upload them and then share them with your audience. The app is now improved and, according to GoPro, the HERO6 Black has been optimized to work with QuikStories with 3x faster WiFi. This means that footage will rapidly be transferred from the new camera to your phone, where the GoPro App will automatically create QuikStory videos for you.

Here is what we know about the new GoPro HERO6 Black:

• Powered by GoPro’s Custom-Designed GP1 Processor
• New 4K60, 2.7K120 and 1080p240 recording formats 
• HEVC (H265) encoding on selected recording formats (see the below list)
• Maximum Video Bit Rate when using an H265 recording format: 78Mb/s (Protune mode)
• Maximum Video Bit Rate when using an H264 recording format: 60Mb/s
• The new GP1 processor is doing its’ internal calculations in 12 bit but the video output is 8 bit
• QuikStories Enabled, GoPro App Compatible
• Most Advanced Stabilization of any HERO camera (can not be activated in 4K/60, 2.7K/120 and 1080/240)
• All-New Touch Zoom
• 3x Faster Offload Speeds via 5GHz Wi-Fi
• Waterproof to 33 Feet (10m)
• Compatible with Karma and existing GoPro Mounts
• Improved Dynamic Range and Low-Light Performance
• RAW and HDR Photo Modes
• Voice Control in 10 Languages
• GPS, Accelerometer and Gyroscope
• WiFi + Bluetooth

HEVC is  slowly but surly being deployed by a greater number of camera manufacturers. GoPro is one of them. To learn more about this new codec, please head to GoPro’s site by clicking here

HERO6 Black recommended video and Field Of View settings as suggested by GoPro: 

GoPro has also taken the opportunity to announce several improvements to the Karma Drone. The improvements are HERO6 Black-compatible and include: 

• Two new auto-shot paths: “Follow” and “Watch”
• Follow: Using GPS, Karma can now automatically follow the Karma Controller while you’re on the go, keeping you framed in the shot.
• Watch: Automatically keeps the Karma Controller in frame while hovering in place
• Cable Cam: Set up to 10 waypoints for more complex shots
• Look Up Tilt: Allows camera to tilt upwards to look above the horizon

Current Karma owners may unlock new features via firmware update, available today.

GoPro FUSION

FUSION, GoPro’s first consumer-related 360° camera was already announced in April, but now GoPro is revealing and sharing more details in regards to its technical capabilities:

• 5.2K30 and 3K60 Spherical Video
• 18MP Spherical Photo
• GoPro App Compatible
• OverCapture Allows for traditional video creation from 360° footage
• Advanced stabilization
• 360° audio
• Waterproof to 16ft (5m)
• Time Lapse Video + Photo, Night Lapse and Burst Modes
• Works with most GoPro Mounts
• Includes Fusion Grip Mount
• Voice Control in 10 languages
• GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Compass
• WiFi + Bluetooth

GoPro’s “Overcapture” software will enable you to watch and edit the 360° video, and you will be able to reframe 360° shots into normal 16:9 shots of your choosing. We’ve heard about GoPro planning this functionality before but now it’s confirmed – in the meantime, competitors like Insta360 already incorporated that exact feature into an already shipping product and software: the Insta360 ONE.

Additional New Products Announced:

• Shorty: The ultimate pocket-able extension pole and tripod, perfect for any activity.
• The Handler: An updated floating handgrip with a quick-release mounting feature.
• Bite Mount + Floaty: A versatile bite mount with an easy-to-spot float, ideal for POV.

Pricing and availability:

The GoPro HERO6 Black is available now for $499, and the GoPro FUSION is also available now for $699.

Does this new announcement interest you? Will you be considering to buy the new HERO6 Black camera to deploy in your productions? Please share with us your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Full disclosure: Johnnie, together with other media representatives was a guest at GoPro’s HERO6 Black launch event in Munich, Germany. GoPro paid transport and accommodation for that two-day roundtrip.  There was no other payment involved whatsoever.