GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera with Remote Gray Review

The GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera with Remote Gray delivers stunning 4K video and 12MP photos in a rugged, waterproof design, perfect for adrenaline-fueled adventures. With voice control, advanced stabilization, and a convenient remote, it offers pro-level performance in a compact, user-friendly package—ideal for capturing every thrilling moment.

Key Takeaways

• 4K video quality: Capture stunning ultra-HD footage in any environment.
• Voice control: Hands-free operation with simple, reliable voice commands.
• Waterproof design: Dive up to 33ft without needing a housing case.
• Remote included: Easily control camera settings from a distance.
• Stabilized footage: Built-in stabilization ensures smooth, shake-free videos.
• Simple sharing: Auto-upload to cloud for quick, seamless content sharing.

Why the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera with Remote Gray Still Holds Up in 2024

Let me paint a picture: You’re hiking a mountain trail at sunrise, your backpack bouncing, your breath visible in the crisp morning air. You pull out your camera to capture the golden light spreading across the valley—only to fumble with settings, miss the shot, or end up with a shaky, unusable video. We’ve all been there. That’s where the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera with Remote Gray comes in. It’s not the newest model on the market, but after years of real-world use, it still earns its place as a reliable, rugged, and surprisingly intuitive tool for adventurers, vloggers, and weekend warriors alike.

When I first got my hands on the Hero5 Black, I was skeptical. Could a camera this small really deliver professional-quality 4K footage without constant tinkering? After testing it on ski trips, underwater dives, and even just filming my dog sprinting through the backyard, I found myself saying, “Wow, this just works.” It’s not perfect—no device is—but for the price and performance, it strikes a rare balance between simplicity and power. Whether you’re a first-time action cam buyer or upgrading from an older model, this review breaks down what the Hero5 Black does well, where it stumbles, and why the included remote adds real value to your kit.

Design and Build: Rugged, Simple, and Ready for Anything

Compact Yet Sturdy Construction

The Hero5 Black feels like it was built to survive a tumble down a cliff—because it probably has. Measuring just 62 x 44.6 x 33 mm (about the size of a small matchbox), it’s compact enough to fit in a pocket or mount almost anywhere. The body is made from a matte-finish polycarbonate with a grippy texture, so it doesn’t slip out of your hands when wet. Unlike earlier GoPros that required a separate waterproof housing, this one is waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet) right out of the box. That’s a game-changer for snorkeling, kayaking, or getting caught in the rain during a hike.

I tested this claim during a stormy beach walk. My camera got drenched, and I even dropped it in a shallow tidal pool. After a quick rinse and a few shakes, it worked perfectly. No fog, no leaks, no drama. That kind of reliability is worth its weight in gold when you’re far from home.

User-Friendly Interface and Touchscreen

The 2-inch touchscreen on the back is a major upgrade from earlier models. It’s responsive, even with slightly wet fingers, and the interface is clean and intuitive. You can swipe through modes (video, photo, burst, time-lapse), adjust settings, and preview shots without needing to connect to your phone every time. That said, the touchscreen isn’t as smooth as a smartphone—there’s a slight delay when swiping, and it can be hard to use with thick gloves. But for most everyday use, it’s perfectly adequate.

One tip: I recommend setting up your favorite shooting modes (like 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 120fps) in the quick menu so you can switch between them with one tap. That way, you don’t waste time scrolling through menus when the action happens fast.

Included Remote Gray: A Small Device with Big Benefits

The remote that comes with the Hero5 Black is a simple, wrist-mounted controller with three buttons: power, shutter, and mode. It connects via Bluetooth and has a range of about 30 feet (10 meters). While it won’t replace your smartphone app for advanced settings, it’s perfect for situations where you don’t want to touch the camera—like when it’s mounted on your helmet, bike, or drone.

I used the remote during a mountain bike ride. With the camera on my helmet, I could start and stop recording without taking my hands off the handlebars. It’s also great for group shots: hand the remote to a friend, and they can start recording when everyone’s in position. Just remember to charge it separately—it uses a micro-USB port and lasts about a day on a single charge.

Video and Photo Performance: 4K That Feels Pro, Even on a Budget

4K Video: Crisp, Smooth, and Surprisingly Stable

The Hero5 Black shoots 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps), which is the sweet spot for most users. Footage is sharp, with excellent color reproduction and dynamic range. Even in mixed lighting—say, a forest with dappled sunlight—the camera handles shadows and highlights well. I compared it side-by-side with a newer 5.3K GoPro, and while the difference is noticeable in extreme close-ups, for most social media or YouTube content, the Hero5’s 4K holds up beautifully.

What really impressed me was the built-in stabilization. GoPro calls it “SuperView” and “Linear,” but the real star is the electronic image stabilization (EIS). It uses software to smooth out bumps and shakes without the need for a gimbal. During a bumpy ATV ride, my footage looked surprisingly smooth—no jelly effect or wobble. It’s not as good as a dedicated gimbal, but for a camera this small, it’s a solid compromise.

Slow Motion and High Frame Rates

If you love slow-motion shots (and who doesn’t?), the Hero5 Black delivers. It can shoot 1080p video at up to 120fps, which gives you 4x slow motion when played back at 30fps. I used this to capture a friend diving into a lake—the splash, the ripples, the droplets hanging in the air looked cinematic. For even smoother slow motion, you can go to 240fps, but that drops the resolution to 720p. It’s great for quick clips, but not ideal for long scenes.

Pro tip: Use a high-speed microSD card (Class 10 or UHS-I) to avoid dropped frames. I learned this the hard way when my 64GB card couldn’t keep up during a 120fps session. A 128GB UHS-I card solved the problem.

Photo Quality: More Than Just Snapshots

While video is the Hero5’s strength, it also takes decent still photos. It shoots 12-megapixel images in JPEG or RAW (GoPro’s .GPR format). The JPEGs are vibrant and ready to share, while RAW gives you more flexibility in post-processing. I used RAW mode for a sunset shot at the beach, and the extra dynamic range let me recover details in the shadows without losing the warm sky colors.

The burst mode (up to 30 photos per second) is great for action shots. I caught my dog mid-leap over a log, and the camera nailed the timing. Just keep in mind that burst mode drains the battery fast—I lost about 10% charge after a 10-second burst session.

Audio and Voice Control: A Surprising Strength

Built-In Microphones That Actually Work

Many action cameras struggle with audio—either the mic is too far from the source, or it picks up wind noise. The Hero5 Black has three built-in microphones that automatically switch to reduce wind noise and enhance voice clarity. During a windy hike, I was amazed at how well it captured my friend’s commentary without the usual “whoosh” of wind. For even better audio, you can plug in an external mic via the USB-C port, but the built-in mics are a solid starting point.

One caveat: if you’re recording underwater, audio won’t be captured (water blocks the mics), but that’s true for all action cameras. Just keep that in mind for diving or swimming shots.

Voice Control: Hands-Free Operation

This might sound gimmicky, but GoPro’s voice control is actually useful. You can say, “GoPro, start recording” or “GoPro, take a photo,” and the camera responds instantly. It works in 10 languages and handles background noise well. I used it while rock climbing—my hands were busy, so saying “GoPro, take a photo” let me capture the view without fumbling with buttons.

It’s not perfect: sometimes it mishears commands, especially in loud environments. But when it works, it’s a lifesaver. Just remember to turn it on in the settings—it’s off by default to save battery.

Battery Life and Charging: Real-World Expectations

How Long Does It Last?

The Hero5 Black uses a 1220mAh removable battery. In real-world use, you’ll get about 70–90 minutes of 4K recording, depending on settings. If you’re shooting 1080p at 60fps, you can push it to 2 hours. That’s enough for most day trips, but not for a full day of continuous filming.

I recommend carrying at least one spare battery. They’re cheap (around $20) and easy to swap. The battery compartment is on the side of the camera, so you don’t need to remove any mounts to change it. Just pop it out, insert a fresh one, and you’re back in action.

Charging Options: USB-C and the Remote

The camera charges via USB-C, which is faster and more convenient than micro-USB. A full charge takes about 2 hours with a standard 5W charger, or 1.5 hours with a 10W charger. The remote also charges via micro-USB, but it’s a separate process—there’s no way to charge both at once.

One tip: Use a portable power bank to recharge on the go. I kept a 10,000mAh bank in my backpack and was able to recharge the camera once during a long hike. Just make sure to turn off Wi-Fi and GPS to save power.

Software and Connectivity: The GoPro App Experience

GoPro App: Control, Edit, and Share

The GoPro app (available for iOS and Android) lets you control the camera remotely, preview shots, and transfer files. It’s not the fastest app—there’s a slight lag when connecting—but it’s reliable. I used it to frame shots when the camera was mounted on a tripod or drone. The app also includes basic editing tools, like trimming clips, adding music, and applying filters. It’s not as powerful as desktop software, but it’s perfect for quick social media posts.

One standout feature is Auto Upload. When you connect the camera to Wi-Fi, it automatically uploads your footage to the cloud (via GoPro’s subscription service). This is great for backing up files, but it does use data—keep that in mind if you’re on a limited plan.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS

The Hero5 Black has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connecting to your phone or remote. Wi-Fi is used for live preview and file transfer, while Bluetooth handles the remote and voice control. The connection is stable within 30 feet, but it can drop if you’re in a crowded area with lots of signals.

GPS is another useful feature. It logs your location, speed, and elevation during recordings. You can overlay this data on your videos using GoPro’s software or third-party tools. I used it to track my hiking route and add a speedometer to a bike ride—fun for sharing with friends, but not essential for everyone.

Comparison Table: How the Hero5 Black Stacks Up

Feature	GoPro Hero5 Black	GoPro Hero7 Black	DJI Osmo Action
Max Video Resolution	4K at 30fps	4K at 60fps	4K at 60fps
Stabilization	Electronic (EIS)	HyperSmooth (EIS)	RockSteady (EIS)
Waterproof	10m (33ft) without housing	10m (33ft) without housing	11m (36ft) without housing
Battery Life	70–90 min (4K)	80–100 min (4K)	90–120 min (4K)
Voice Control	Yes	Yes	No
Remote Included	Yes (Remote Gray)	No (sold separately)	No (sold separately)

This table shows why the Hero5 Black is still a solid choice. It lacks the higher frame rates and advanced stabilization of newer models, but it includes the remote (a $50 value) and costs significantly less. For casual users, the trade-offs are worth it.

Final Thoughts: Is the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera with Remote Gray Worth It?

After years of use, I still reach for the Hero5 Black more often than I expect. It’s not the flashiest camera out there, but it’s dependable, easy to use, and delivers quality footage in almost any environment. The included Remote Gray adds real convenience, and the 4K video—while not cutting-edge—is more than enough for most people’s needs.

It’s not perfect. The touchscreen could be smoother, the battery life could be longer, and the app could be faster. But for under $300 (or less on the used market), you’re getting a camera that can handle rain, mud, saltwater, and rough handling without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re filming a family vacation, a mountain bike trail, or just your dog chasing a ball, the Hero5 Black captures it all with minimal fuss.

If you’re on a budget, don’t need 60fps 4K, and want a camera that just works, this is still one of the best options out there. The GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera with Remote Gray isn’t just a relic of the past—it’s a reminder that sometimes, simplicity and reliability are worth more than the latest specs. For adventurers who value getting the shot over chasing megapixels, it’s a camera that earns its place in your gear bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera stand out from older models?

The GoPro Hero5 Black introduces 4K video at 30fps, improved image stabilization, and voice control, making it a major upgrade over predecessors like the Hero4. Its waterproof design (up to 33ft without a housing) and built-in GPS also enhance versatility for action shooting.

Does the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K camera include the remote in the box?

Yes, this bundle includes the GoPro Smart Remote (gray), allowing you to control the camera wirelessly from up to 600ft away. The remote is ideal for hands-free operation during activities like skiing or biking.

Can the GoPro Hero5 Black record in 4K continuously without overheating?

The camera supports 4K recording but may overheat during extended use in warm environments—typical for compact action cams. For long sessions, consider shorter clips or using lower resolutions like 2.7K or 1080p.

How durable is the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K Action Camera for extreme sports?

The Hero5 Black is rugged and waterproof to 33ft (10m) without a case, making it ideal for surfing, diving, or mountain biking. The rubberized frame absorbs shocks, though a protective housing is recommended for extreme impacts.

Is the GoPro Hero5 Black compatible with newer accessories like the Media Mod?

While designed for Hero5, it works with most Hero5-specific accessories, but newer mods (e.g., Media Mod for Hero9/10) may not fit. Check compatibility before purchasing third-party add-ons.

What battery life can I expect from the GoPro Hero5 Black 4K camera?

Expect about 1.5–2 hours of 4K recording per charge. Battery life varies with settings (e.g., 1080p extends it) and cold temperatures. Carry spares for long adventures.