Best GoPro For Water Activities

GoPro is a manufacturer of devices so good, to the extent of their brand has become synonymous with outdoor and sports products themselves. Portable video cameras from the brand set the bar for action cameras.

GoPro Cameras are reliable, durable and easy to handle during every outdoor engagement you might wish to take on – and their water proof versions are predistined for cool footage while havin fun in the water.

In addition, the cameras are easy enough to be used by amateurs and have features usually reserved for higher-end models incorporated into them.

Are you searching for a straightforward, waterproof camera to take fun selfies, photos and videos and capture moments of your next water sports adventures?

We screened the different options and provide to you a consistent overview of the best action cameras for water activities. With these cameras, you can document all the steps on your next bodyboard, paddleboard or surfing session in 4K.

Cameras like the GoPro Hero9, which we consider to be the best overall action camera for water activities, or the GoPro Hero 7, our Best Budget Winner amongst Waterproof GoPros, are definitely the ideal recording companions for all your activities on and in the water.

However, as all the cameras will cost a significant amount, it might be worth to have a deeper look at our comparison to find the perfect GoPro camera for your particular application. Below, we will highlight all you need to know before settling on the best Gopro for Water Activities.

Best GoPro for Water Activities – Review

GoPro HERO9 Black – Best Overall

Review

The standout variation between GoPro Hero8 and the GoPro Hero9 is incorporating a front-facing LCD screen.
If you are to utilize it mounted on your chest, handlebars, or helmet, the Hero9 only has some comparably slight advantages especially in low-light conditions compared to its predecessors, though if you desire to use it as a webcam, for selfies, or vlogging, it provides additional value thanks to the front-faced LCD Display.

Though the unit is versatile, it is perfect for water sports, especially since it is waterproof up to 10m and outfitted with 5K video capability with a wide range of capture speeds. 

It has a 20-megapixel sensor and can shoot up to 5K videos, which is probably overkill but fantastic.

The rear screen (2.27 inches) is bigger than the one on Hero8, and the improvements have benefitted its Hypersmooth 3.0 video stabilization. With the removable lens cover, you can add a Max Lens Mod accessory to your GoPro Hero9, adding extra GoPro Max-style features like the ultra-wide 155-degree Max SuperView mode and the 360-degree horizon lock. It is an excellent kit helpful in capturing memorable moments in high definition.

The GoPro Hero9 Black expands various now-familiar Hero8 Black tools and adds a significant dollop of hardware enhancement. However, it is not powered by the modern GP2 chip, meaning it is not as slick, smooth, and powerful as other flagships above, though it was a winner in the action camera category in the 2021 T3 Award.

In terms of style, the Hero9 Black resembles the Hero8, aside from being slightly bigger on every axis, and – considerably – is the pioneer in this range to incorporate the all-instrumental front-facing screen for vlogging. In addition, the slick mount “bunny-ears” and the 10m caseless waterproofing is carried across, as a movable lens cover adds upgrade potential.

The great news is a considerable enhancement in the sensor (23.6 megapixels) compared to the Hero8, leading to 5K/30 video and 20-megapixel stills. With the 30% more efficient battery, you have enough juice to benefit from the power. Additionally, this is the pioneering Hero to provide built-in horizon leveling. While it does not allow as large tilting as the Hero10, it remains impressive. Scheduled capture and hindsight tools have been incorporated into its array of features.  

What we do not like

It is impossible to fit old batteries, though the new batteries provide excellent improvement. Unfortunately, the mods are also not widely available yet.

Summary of Pros and Cons

The GoPro HERO9 is a great waterproof GoPro model thanks to its reasonable price and its array of features which can get you acquainted with the GoPro experience.

GoPro Max – Best 360° footage

Review

GoPro’s main priority has been and will always be providing you with a high-quality experience, from the presentation (how the camera looks) to the handling. This is a proper 360-degree camera that has revolutionized video editing from it.

It allows you to shoot using one of the two 180-degree cameras individually and features improved stabilization over the Hero8. In addition to utilizing the HyperSmooth tech of the more regular camera, it utilizes ultra-wide lenses for automatic leveling of the horizon. Therefore it makes the footage smooth while guaranteeing it remains level.

The GoPro Max has an improved mic compared to the Hero8. However, it offers identical performances to a shotgun mic mod that one may buy for the Hero8 and features a total of six mics, providing 360-degree audio. You also have the option of shooting in 360, using the two cameras, and then reframing any captured footage in a more user-friendly way than the means provided by the fusion using the GoPro mobile app.

Additionally, you can use the TimeWarp feature to slow down and speed up footage as you pan around your 360-degree footage. It also features in-built mounting arms, meaning you will never require a case to mount it to handles.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. The aforementioned hyper-stabilization of 360 degree footage is also something to note, along with the customizable video quality which gives you greater control over your footage. There are also the multi-function capabilities to consider, which provide this model with incredible versatility.

What We Do Not Like

We would appreciate a 4K single-camera shot and the app user experience requires some work. However, provided everything you can accomplish with the Max, it is a massive step forward in the future film-making direction.

Summary of Pros and Cons

The GoPro Max is the perfect GoPro model for all kinds of videographers who love to make 360° shots and want hyper-stable footage alongside with a great the breadth of functions.

GoPro Hero7 Silver Camera Sport – Best Budget

Review

Following the efforts of GoPro to branch into the drone scene coming down crashing, the brand is reestablishing itself in what it is best at. The modern GoPro Hero7 Black is a reestablishment of form and adds appreciated new capabilities to the top action cameras in the market.

The Hero7 offers an array of new capabilities compared to its predecessors, from its live-streaming ability to new image-capture functionality. However, what makes this contemporary camera a necessity for an action adventurer is its super-smooth video, thanks to the efforts by GoPro to include an in-built stabilization feature to work without the need for a separate gimbal. For this reason, even several years following its release, it is still among the leading action cameras and the best among GoPro cameras.

Parade a Hero7 next to the GoPro Hero6, its predecessor, and except for the logo, you will have a hard time distinguishing between these action cameras. The GoPro Hero7 is 2.45 x 1.76 x 1.1 inches, about identical dimensions to the Hero6, with the cameras both weighing 4.1 ounces.

The Hero7 features a durable camera with waterproofing capabilities to depths of 33 feet without protective housing. So you also do not need to worry about the camera damaging during paddleboarding, bodyboarding or whatever your favorite water activity is.

The GoPro Hero7 can also shoot still images. By using the wide-angle lens, you will realize a distinguishable fisheye effect, though you have the choice of switching to a linear angle. A nice explanation about when and how to use the fisheye effect properly, can be found here. Like earlier Hero cameras, its wide-angle shots have a 149-degree field of view, with linear shots featuring a field of view of 102 degrees. 

What we do not like

Though the camera can capture sharp-colored and crisp images, its wide field of view results in the sun quickly sneaking into the shot, blowing out some details. 

Summary of Pros and Cons

The HERO7 is still the best entry-level GoPro, largely due to its affordable price-tag. It won’t give you the fullest GoPro experience, but what it offers will be enough to get you excited for more.

GoPro HERO8 – Most Versatile

Review

GoPro did more than only enhance the action camera’s capabilities when launching the GoPro Hero8 Black.

With the launched product, you also get a more practical design. It is heavier and bigger than the earlier model, though the added weight and size imply that you now have room for inbuilt mounting arms, meaning no more extra clip-on frame. Instead, it can mount all on its own to anything.

It is waterproof and capable of shooting with a resolution of up to 4K, with many frame rates and resolutions on offer depending on the type of footage you wish to shoot. The fantastic video performance news is the improvement of the organization’s HyperSmooth stabilization algorithms. It is known as HyperSmooth 2.0 and can be found on all frame rates and resolutions, meaning it is not affected by what you are shooting but remains buttery smooth.

The GoPro Hero 8 is a compact and waterproof camera tailored for action videos. Using it is easy, it is well built, and is durable. In addition, thanks to its astounding video stabilization performance, videos are usually free from camera shake, even for clips taken as you move quickly.

Nonetheless, the video quality requires some work tweaking in order to capture the precise details you want, and visual noise is noticeable when filming in reduced lighting conditions. With the complimentary GoPro app, controlling the camera from the phone is easy and handy when it is strapped on your helmet. 

What we do not like

This waterproof and compact camera is easily portable and does an excellent job stabilizing videos for clear images, even of extreme sports. However, its 4K video quality and FHD are not the best. Therefore there might be some degree of visual noise experienced.

Though the possibility of altering settings via the smartphone GoPro app or the camera’s touchscreen is convenient, you can easily change settings accidentally on the touchscreen. The buttons are also hard to press.  

Summary of Pros and Cons

The HERO8 is perfect for those who aren’t quite sure where there interests lie just yet, and who want to try a bit of everything before committing to a more specialized model.

GoPro HERO5 Black – Best Selling

The footage shot by the GoPro Hero5 Black sturdy POV cameras (or action cams) has traditionally ranked above the competition in the market. So naturally, the cameras are widely used by everyone ranging from amateurs seeking to give their YouTube channels a touch of expert sheen to filmmakers.

Review

From its looks, the Hero5 Black – which ranks above the cuboidal Hero5 session – features a refined matte black exterior while maintaining the size of an average matchbox. Its rear 2-inch touchscreen is bright, while the smaller front screen offers readouts on the remaining battery, shooting mode, and SD card memory.

The Hero5 Black has a big red button above the camera, referred to as its One-Button Control. The camera instantly powers on by pressing the rubbery square and begins recording.

If you have a keen eye, you will realize that this Hero 5 model does not don its forefather’s protective casing. This is thanks to the waterproofing capability of up to 10m of the camera, though the lack of a case makes it feel rather exposed.

One can now remove the camera’s tiny lens cover since GoPro provides various filters to enhance footage captured when snorkeling or diving. You remove the cover by twisting and clicking on a filter.

What we do not like

Buttery-smooth 4K videos are standard with the GoPro Hero5 Black, with the voice activation and touchscreen interface making it more user-friendly. However, it can feel less robust to users who already have some experience with other GoPro’s, due to the lack of plastic casing, and using the touchscreen can be tricky.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Thanks to its touchscreen capabilities, it isn’t hard to see why the HERO5 is appealing to a generation raised on smart technology. For those who appreciate the novelty of a touchscreen (and a healthy dose of great features), this is the GoPro for you. However, we experienced some problems regarding usability with the touchscreen especially when using in the water.

Therefore, especially regarding the price tag, we absolutely prefer the GoPro Hero9.

Conclusion

GoPro is an unrivaled leader in the action camera category, though the ideal GoPro for your particular application might not necessarily be the most contemporary in the range. If you have difficulty choosing an action camera, this guide should help you identify which GoPro camera best suits your needs.

For the more active individual who will be using the camera regularly, the Hero9 is by far the best option. It is outfitted with all the specs needed to capture the best part of your day.

However, if you’re working with a limited budget and are unsure whether this is the way you want to go, then the Hero7 and Hero8 would be a better choice.

Hopefully, these pieces of advice helped with any decision-making processes out there.

 More helpful information

Besides getting the right action camera, it is important that you know how to use them. And a major part is to know how you can wear or attach a the camera while Bodyboarding, Surfing or Paddleboarding. So definitely check out our helpful tips!