GoPro launches Hero4 Session, its smallest ever video camera

GoPro’s line of Hero video cameras are already pretty small, but the company has just unveiled the new Hero4 Session, its smallest ever video camera. Despite the compact size, the new model offers 1080p60 video and 8MP photos with a rugged and waterproof case and single button recording. It costs £329.99 and will be available on 12th July.

GoPro says the new Hero4 Session is 50% smaller and 40% lighter (claimed weight of 74g) than its other Hero4 cameras. The size and weight should make it more versatile and easier to mount to even more creative locations, and less intrusive as well. With video cameras appearing more frequently on both race bikes and those of commuters and keen roadies, a more discrete and lighter weight camera will be an appealing choice.

To take advantage of the small size, GoPro has developed a new line of mounts, including the Low-Profile Frame that offers a wide range of adjustment, and locates the camera very close to the surface its fixed to. Then there’s the new Ball Joint Buckle which allows the Hero4 Session to be rotated through 180 degrees. It’s also compatible with any regular GoPro mount. If the camera is mounted upside down Auto Image Rotation will automatically adjust the orientation of the video.

GoPro has simplified operating. Now a single button is used to turn the camera on and start recording. That's it, very similar to the Garmin and Contour cameras. Hit the same button again and it stops recording and switches off. That lack of buttons means you have to use GoPro’s app or its WiFi remote to change any of the settings on the camera.

The Hero4 Session offers a wide range of video recording modes, topping out at 1440p at 30fps, as well as 1080p at 60fps and down to 720p at 100fps. It also shoots 8MP and 5MP images. There are the full plethora of modes such as Auto Low Light, Protune, HiLight Tag, SuperView and Multi-Shot Mode. You can see all the video modes in the graphic below.

The new camera is waterproof without the need for any extra casing, good to a depth of 10m. There’s a new dual mic system, one at the front and one at the rear, and the camera automatically switches to the mic that is best-suited to capturing audio, and should reduce wind noise when filming outdoors. Battery duration from the built-in battery is a claimed 2-hours, and is recharged using a USB lead.

The new Hero4 Session is identically priced to the existing Hero4 Silver, which trumps the new camera with higher resolution video (both 2.7K and 4K) and still camera shooting modes, as well as providing an integrated LCD screen for lining up shots and reviewing recordings. The Hero4 Session however, in its defence, provides the more compact design, with lower weight and longer battery life, plus the improved usability of the single button filming, all of which should ensure it appeals to many people looking to buy a video camera.

More info at the GoPro website.