Test: GoPro Hero 9 Black action cam

Anyone familiar with the previous models will immediately notice some striking differences: a second colour display on the front makes it easier to set the right camera position with a mounting system. The Hero 9 is also slightly larger, partly to accommodate the larger battery. This has massively improved the battery life and rectified one of the biggest criticisms of the previous Hero 8 model. In our test, after an hour of video and photo action in cold air and water temperatures of around 6 degrees, there was still around 20 per cent battery left in the tank. The image and photo quality of the GoPro Hero 9 is beyond reproach. 20 megapixel still images are output, video recordings can be filmed in 8x slow motion in full HD, and still images of up to 15 megapixels can be extracted from the videos. The image stabiliser is also excellent, producing crystal-clear and shake-free images even in very choppy conditions and when fixed to a pole.

The new "Hindsight" function should also be of interest to wingsurfers. The camera records continuously, but only saves the last 30 seconds. This means that if you press the shutter button again after a successful jump or manoeuvre, you have the action in the can. If there is no presentable action, you simply let the camera continue and the GoPro overwrites the footage immediately - this saves storage space and a lot of time when reviewing the video sequences.

Conclusion:

The price of the GoPro Hero 9 Black is quite high at 480 euros, but in return you get unbeatable photo and video quality along with some interesting features for wingsurfers. Due to the limited mounting options on the wing, action cams such as the GoPro Hero 9 are particularly useful in conjunction with helmet mounts, which can be used to film wingsurfers travelling ahead, for example.

Best photo and video quality

Price

-

Further information at www.gopro.com