With so many GoPro models on the market, it can be overwhelming to pick the right version for your needs. That’s why we’ve taken the time to do the research for you to determine which is best for your days at the shore.
GoPro cameras are an excellent option for water sports in general, and they are particularly appealing for the harsh conditions you’ll sometimes find at the beach. Whether your priority in a waterproof action cam is outstanding video quality and video resolution, good low light performance, unbeatable battery life, or something else entirely, one of the best GoPro cameras is sure to serve you well.
Overall Best Pick- The GoPro Hero8 Black
- GOPRO HERO8 BUNDLE: GoPro HERO8 Black Camera plus Battery plus Sleeve Lanyard features amazing HyperSmooth 2.0 video stabilization combines with a tough waterproof design to make this one of the most versatile HERO cameras ever; with the optional Media Mod, you can add more lighting, pro audio and even another screen.
- PRO-QUALITY 4K60 plus 1080p240 VIDEO: Stunning video resolution, impressive frame rates and super slo-mo combine with HyperSmooth stabilization to make HERO8 Black a top pick for pro shooters; live stream in 1080p as you broadcast via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card to check out later.
- RUGGED plus WATERPROOF plus ADVANCED WIND NOISE REDUCTION: Share experiences you can’t capture with your phone. HERO8 Black is rugged, waterproof to 33ft (10m) and down for adventure. Enjoy crisper, clearer audio quality with a new front mic location and improved algorithms that actively filter out wind noise.
- HYPERSMOOTH 2.0: The HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization—On, High and Boost—so you can pick the best option for whatever you do. Get an ultra wide view, or boost it up to some of the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Plus, HyperSmooth works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling.
- COMPATIBLE WITH GOPRO MOUNTS plus ACCESSORIES: Wear it. Mount it. Love it. With over 45 compatible mounts and accessories, including mods to customize your HERO8 Black, you can capture incredible new perspectiv
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The way technology works, it’s always the latest and greatest models from any given brand name that gets all the attention. And then, of course, when a new “latest and greatest” comes along, that other model – that was just the toast of the town – is thrown to the curb.
That’s a bit of how the story goes with the GoPro Hero8 Black. This is not some underdog pick for our favorite GoPro to take with you for beach adventures – this is a waterproof high-end action camera suitable for underwater photography in salt water and much, much more.
Away from the beach, you could use it for mountain biking and plenty of other action sports. However, at this point, it is no longer at the top of the GoPro lineup, so it tends to be forgotten.
We don’t think that should be the case.
In fact, we think this is the best pick for most people, unless you happen to have specific demands that warrant the selection of another model (we’ll talk about those other models in the next section). For now, let’s touch on the best features that make the Hero8 Black such an excellent action camera.
Take 4K Videos
If video resolution is one of your primary shopping points, the Hero8 Black is not going to disappoint.
You can take 4k video with this camera, meaning the images will be impressively crisp and clear when you get back home and do whatever editing you would like to perform. While it’s true that recent GoPro models have gone up to 5k video, that’s an upgrade that isn’t necessarily essential for everyone.
For the casual GoPro camera user who wants excellent videos but doesn’t need the absolute highest resolution available, the 4k video you get from the GoPro Hero8 Black is more than good enough to get the job done.
Capture Stable Images
The stability achieved by this camera is a step above the GoPro Hero7 thanks to the use of Hypersmooth 2.0. There are even three modes to pick from on the stabilization settings, so you can dial in exactly what you need depending on what it is you are doing. For example, if you are bouncing up and down on some rough waves at the beach, using the highest setting for stabilization will likely result in a much better finished product.
Clear Audio
Another place this camera has been upgraded from the GoPro Hero7 is in terms of the audio it captures. The new microphone used in the Hero8 is wind resistant, which is a perfect feature to have added to a camera that you plan on taking to the beach. Wind is a near constant companion at beaches around the world, meaning going with the Hero8 over the Hero7 makes a ton of sense for those who want to get audio that lives up to the quality of their video.
Many Other Benefits
We’ve already managed to build a pretty strong case for this particular GoPro, with benefits like taking beautiful 4K video, grabbing clean audio, and shooting stable videos thanks to advanced technology. We could keep going on from there to talk about the fun time lapse option, the built-in mount, solid performance in low light, and on and on.
One of the best compact cameras available on the market today, featuring reliable battery life and waterproof design for underwater use, we think you’ll love what the GoPro Hero8 Black adds to your beach days.
While this won’t be the right pick for everyone, it does have an excellent blend of features and affordability, making it an outstanding choice in most cases. If you order this GoPro model ahead of your next beach trip, you should be able to capture anything that you want to record for the world to see.
Other GoPro Models to Consider
Not sure that the Hero8 is the right pick for your needs and budget? Here are three other options that could grab your attention instead:
Best for Newest Features- GoPro Hero10 Black
- Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine changes the game—snappy performance, responsive touch controls and double the frame rate for amazingly smooth footage. Designed specifically for the demanding nature of the GoPro, the GP2 “system on a chip” is by far our fastest ever.
- High-Res Photos plus Videos, High Frame Rate: Step up to the sharpest-shooting GoPro ever. Upgraded to incredible 23MP photos and 5.3K video resolution at 60fps, HERO10 offers double the frame rate for amazingly smooth motion. Plus, there’s 8x slo-mo at 2.7K and you can pause videos and grab 15.8MP still photos from 5.3K video that look amazing.
- Unbelievable Image Quality: Shoot with fine detail, realistic textures and stunning contrast, even in low light. Images look their best thanks to a new water-shedding hydrophobic lens cover that repels water while helping to eliminate lens flare and other artifacts.
- HyperSmooth 4.0: HyperSmooth has never been smoother, and it’s easy to dial in the best stabilization at all times. Plus, get even better low-light performance and horizon leveling with a higher tilt limit, so your footage looks perfectly straight when you want it.
- Fast, Reliable Connectivity: Super easy, super fast. Transferring photos and videos from your cloud-connected GoPro to your phone is simple and versatile, with your choice of effortless wireless upload via the Quik app or a lightning-fast wired connection via USB. There’s also unlimited cloud storage with hassle-free auto upload. Just plug in your camera when connected to your home Wi-Fi and the camera does the re
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If you are willing to spend a little more on your GoPro camera purchase, you might opt for the Hero10 Black – which currently sits at the top of the lineup for this well-known brand.
This has all the bells and whistles you would expect for a bigger investment, and some features you might not have even known were available. With 5.3K video to capture more detail, a front facing screen, a free memory card, cloud uploading and time warp 3.0 and more.
Best for 360 Degree Video- GoPro Max
- Three Cameras in One: Maximize your creative freedom. With MAX you can shoot traditional HERO-style video and photos or capture immersive 360 footage. Vlog to the max with shotgun mic performance and a front-facing screen.
- Max HyperSmooth: MAX gives you unbreakable stabilization by using 180° capture as the ultimate buffer.
- Intuitive Touch Screen: Be a smooth operator. With a touch screen, it’s easy to control your camera. Or frame up your shot, play back footage and snap a selfie in HERO mode.
- Live Streaming in 1080p: Shoot in HERO mode and share while you’re there. Live stream in 1080p on social, get Max Hyper Smooth stabilization as you broadcast via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card to check out later.
- Compatible With GoPro Mounts + Accessories: Wear it. Mount it. Love it. Over 35 compatible mounts and accessories help you capture your sto
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The headline with the GoPro Max is the ability to capture 360 video. This is one of those things that won’t mean anything to some people – but it will be absolutely essential for others.
With the Max, you can shoot in 6K, enabling clarity in your videos that is possible with few other cameras on the market today. There is a price to pay for this technology, but it opens up exciting possibilities for the right video creator.
Best for Waterproof- GoPro Hero7
- E-COMMERCE PACKAGING: GoPro HERO7 Silver Camera - This product is in manufacturer E-Commerce packing (see pictures). The product itself is identical to the one found in retail packaging & it is covered under full standard warranty
- 4K30 VIDEO: Get stunning 4K video thats as amazing as the moment itself. You can also shoot time lapse videos to turn longer events into short, shareable moments
- RUGGED & WATERPROOF: Share experiences you cant capture with your phone. HERO7 Silver is tough, tiny, totally waterproof and up for any adventure
- INTUITIVE TOUCH SCREENS: With a touch screen and simple, streamlined capture modes, its easy to jump right in and get great shots. Just swipe and tap
- VOICE CONTROL: Stay in the moment. Control your HERO7 Silver hands free with voice commands like GoPro, take a photo and GoPro, start record
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We also need to give a nod to the Hero7, which we mentioned earlier while talking about how it has been upgraded in some ways to turn into the Hero8. While that’s true, it does mean that you could track down a Hero 7 for a modest price if you decide the features it contains are enough for your purposes.
These can be a little harder to find these days with so many newer models on the market, but it’s worth taking a look around if you would like to save some money on what is still an excellent product.
GoPro Camera Shopping Tips
To help you find the right GoPro camera for your needs, here are some tips to consider when shopping around:
Price
Finding the right GoPro Hero to line up with what you plan to do, rather than automatically buying the latest and greatest, can save you some money in the end.
Video resolution
All GoPro cameras provide excellent image quality.
Yes, as you go up the product line, you’ll have access to even better resolution, but is that required for your uses? Think about how you’ll be using the videos you capture and decide how far you need to go. If a previous model will get the job done, it might be possible to get deals reduced price that will offer nice savings.
Going underwater?
For most uses, any GoPro that you find will be suitable for your wet adventures. Yes, it’s true that you’ll need to look into an accessory like a dive housing if you want to go diving with your GoPro, but you’ll have to get down to significant depths before that matters.
If you are only going to be using your GoPro for surfing, kayaking, and similar activities, you can use any model without a dive housing and be in good shape. However, not all GoPros are waterproof so be sure to check with the manufacturer if this is a make or break feature.
Image stabilization
One of the biggest advancements that has been made over the years of GoPro versions is the improved hypersmooth image stabilization technology. This allows video that would otherwise be rather rough to be evened out and appear quite smooth to the viewer. This is one area where upgrading to a newer version of the GoPro series that has hypersmooth stabilization could be an important choice, as it would lead to a great improvement in the finished product of your videos.
All GoPro Camera Models are a Good Choice
No matter which of the GoPros you pick for your adventures at the beach, this brand name will leave you in good hands.
GoPros are quality cameras with excellent performance, they work nicely with a selfie stick, you can buy accessories like a waterproof case, SD card or extra battery if needed, and the price is reasonable given the capabilities offered.
From stunning underwater photos to amazing slow motion videos and much, much more, a GoPro offers endless entertainment and possibilities.
