GoPro Hero 4

Where does a company go after defining and dominating an entire industry segment year after year with few changes to its basic formula? For GoPro, the answer is: smaller, simpler, and more fun. The $399.99 Hero4 Session marks the first major redesign in the company's vaunted lineup of action cameras, packing largely the same experience into a pint-sized, dead-simple-to-use package. Despite some performance deficiencies compared with the same-price Hero4 Silver, I can easily see the Session gaining a sizable following—it's the point-and-shoot equivalent of the GoPro family, making top-notch action footage more accessible than ever. And with no fussy enclosures and one-button operation, the Session is just plain fun to use. The feature-rich Hero4 Silver remains our Editors' Choice, hitting that sweet spot of price and performance, but casual shooters will be more than satisfied with the Session's output.


Design, Features, and Setup
Despite the completely new form factor, there's a distinct GoPro flavor to the Session. It's still boxy by most standards (a roughly 1.5-inch, 2.6-ounce cube), and the lens looks like it was lifted straight off of the larger Hero4. The Session is pocketable, but it still produces a rather unsightly bulge. On top is a multi-function Shutter button and around back is a Power/Pairing button. That's it as far as on-body controls go, though there is a slim monochrome LCD that shows shooting mode, battery life, and a handful of menu options. A small door on the side pops open to reveal the micro USB port and microSD card slot. The Session supports cards up to 64GB, but no card is included with the camera.

Unlike every other GoPro, the Session is waterproof right out of the box, without the need for any extra housing. In addition to the added convenience and peace of mind, that also means your microphones won't be obstructed when shooting in wet conditions. That said, the Session is only waterproof to 33 feet, while the Hero4 Silver with waterproof housing is rated to 131 feet.

The Session's unique design also accommodates a new mounting system with a quick-release latch. And thanks to the cubic dimensions, the camera is more versatile when it comes to mounting position—you can simply unlatch the mount and turn the Session 180 degrees to capture a different perspective. Of course, the camera still uses GoPro's proprietary mounting hinge in lieu of a more standard threaded tripod mount. GoPro includes a number of mounting accessories, one of which swivels easily forward and backward, while a new ball joint mount allows for finer adjustments in any direction.

Setup and use is incredibly straightforward, but you will need to use a mobile device to get the most out of the Session. To pair with a mobile device, simply download the free iOS or Android app, then press the Pairing button on the back of the camera. Once paired, you'll be able to view a live feed from the Session and tweak video and photo settings. Unfortunately, you can't view a live feed once the Session is actually recording, so there's no way to be sure about precise framing—this isn't a huge issue, though, as the wide-angle lens reliably captured all of my test subjects without issue.

Performance and Use
The Session features a number of shooting modes, ranging from 1440p at 30fps to 480p at 120fps. I shot mostly in 1080p60 or 720p100 for slow-motion shots. Unfortunately, the Session does not support 4K shooting—you'll need to grab the Hero4 Silver or Black editions for Ultra HD. Still images are captured at 8-megapixels, with options for time-lapse, burst, or single shot modes.


For such a compact device, the Session performed admirably in my tests. In bright outdoor light, video looked excellent, with vibrant colors, crisp details, and accurate exposure. Footage was lifelike and well-balanced, but close inspection on larger monitors reveals a few shortcomings. Compared with the Hero4 Silver, the Session is prone to more noticeable compression artifacts that can rob shots of finer detail in small areas. These issues become more pronounced under indoor or low-light scenarios, where distracting noise starts to overtake shots. That's true of even the best action cams, though, and shouldn't be the deciding factor in your purchase.

Like the Hero4 Silver, the Session doesn't have any sort of image stabilization system. You can see the shaky quality in my test footage. I wasn't taking care to hold the camera very steady, but a stabilization system, like the one that Sony uses in its POV Action Camera, would go a long way to remove the jittery look.

Audio quality is improved compared with even the Hero4 Silver thanks to a new dual-microphone design and native waterproofing. Unlike other GoPros, the Session can record strong audio tracks even in wet shooting conditions, whereas older models can only capture muffled tracks in their waterproof housings. The dual-mic design also helps cut down on wind noise, though it doesn't eliminate it completely.

GoPro also implemented a new QuickCapture mode that sets the Session apart from its peers. It's essentially always on, ready to shoot at the press of a button. From standby, the Session will power on and start recording a video after about 3-5 seconds from when you press the Shutter button. Holding the Shutter button down activates a time-lapse, still image mode. This worked reliably every time I tried it, even after leaving the Session idle overnight and using it the next morning. That makes capturing candid, unexpected moments that much easier, and I just found it to be a lot more fun to use in casual, everyday scenarios. It reminded me of the always-on HTC Re, but with better video quality.

Battery life is rated at two hours, and I largely found that to be accurate. The Session had no problem lasting through an afternoon of capturing random 30-second clips, and idle battery life appears strong.

Conclusions
GoPro breathes new life into its industry-leading line of action cams with the Hero4 Session. It's not only a departure in design, but it also seems to target a more casual audience with its always-ready, user-friendly operation. Video quality remains near the top of the pack, but falls short of the Hero4 Silver, especially if you want to shoot in 4K. Priced at the same $399.99 as the Silver, the Session will be a tough sell to serious videographers—the primary advantages here are more versatile mounting options and ease of use. More discerning adventure junkies should turn their attention toward the better-equipped Hero4 Silver, which remains our Editors' Choice, or the beefed up Hero4 Black. Still, for more casual shooters, the no-fuss operation, native waterproofing, and compact design make the Session a very appealing entrant into the crowded action cam space.