GoPro Hero 5 Black Pros and Cons (A Summary of my 9 Year Ownership Experience)
I’ve had a GoPro Hero 5 Black action camera since it launched in September of 2016.
After nearly nine years of use, I’ve had plenty of time to really put this camera through its paces – on bikes, in the ocean, and everywhere in between.
Why I Got the GoPro Hero 5 Black
My GoPro Hero 4 Black was fantastic but had a couple of major drawbacks: no built-in LCD preview screen and no water resistance without a bulky housing.
The Hero 5 Black promised to fix both of those issues. The idea of having an LCD screen on the back to preview shots and review footage on the spot was a game changer for me. Plus, being able to take the camera underwater without a separate case sounded super convenient. So I was pumped to try it out.
Pros of the GoPro Hero 5 Black
Here are the things I really liked about the Hero 5 Black after 9 years of use:
- Compact Size
The Hero 5 is still a small, compact action camera. It’s slightly bigger than the Hero 4, but not by much. It’s easy to carry around, mount on helmets, bikes, or anywhere you want without feeling bulky or heavy. - Built-in LCD Screen on the Back
This was the main reason I bought the Hero 5. Even though it was fixed and nonadjustable (unlike the super-handy flip up lens on the Insta360 GO 3), it definitely made framing shots easier and saved me from guessing if I got the footage I wanted. - Water Resistance Without a Case
Unlike the Hero 4, the Hero 5 is water resistant right out of the box. I’ve taken it in the ocean, dropped it in water, and never worried about a separate waterproof case. It’s a huge convenience if you’re into water sports or just want to shoot in wet conditions without extra gear. - Durable Lens Cover
I’ve smashed the lens cover on my Hero 4 before, and it needed replacement. The Hero 5’s lens cover is way tougher. I’ve dropped the camera on concrete, fallen off my bike with it, and taken it through rough conditions, but the lens cover still looks great with no scratches – just a few smudges here and there. - Separate Charging Port Door
The side door for charging is a small but smart improvement. You don’t have to open the battery compartment to charge the camera, which is handy if the camera’s mounted somewhere and you don’t want to unmount it just to plug it in. - Decent Photo and Video Quality in Good Lighting
When you have good lighting, the Hero 5 can take solid photos and videos. It’s not the best camera out there, but in bright daylight or well-lit environments, it performs reasonably well.
Cons of the GoPro Hero 5 Black
Now, let’s get into the things that really frustrated me about this camera:
- Needs Really Good Lighting
This is a big one. The Hero 5 performs well only if there’s plenty of light. If you’re shooting indoors or in low light, the footage looks grainy, rainy, and just generally poor quality. It’s not forgiving with shadows or dim settings, which limits when and where you can use it effectively. - Poor Image Stabilization
Even though the Hero 5 technically has image stabilization, it’s basically useless by today’s standards. Whether I was biking, walking, or running, the footage was shaky and unusable without applying stabilization in editing software. Even then, it didn’t look great. If smooth video is important to you, this camera will disappoint. - Laggy and Confusing LCD Screen Interface
The rear LCD screen is nice to have, but the menu system is clunky and slow. It’s not very intuitive, and navigating through settings takes longer than it should. The front screen (which is tiny and displays only basic info) has the same problem – laggy and frustrating to use. - Faded and Worn Exterior
After almost a decade, my Hero 5 looks pretty tired. The buttons have gotten laggy, the body has faded, and the overall feel is worn out. I’m not sure if saltwater exposure contributed to this, but even though it was stored in a drawer most of the time, it didn’t age gracefully. For the record, my GoPro Hero 7 Black suffered the same fate. - Side Button is Slow and Unresponsive
The side button used to toggle power and menus has become sluggish over time. You really have to press it hard and wait for a response, which is annoying when you want to quickly start or stop recording. - Audio Quality is Poor
This was a major disappointment for me. The built-in microphones on the Hero 5 produce some of the worst audio I’ve ever gotten from a GoPro. If you want clear sound, you’ll need an external mic or a separate audio recording device. - Not Much of an Upgrade Over the Hero 4
Overall, the Hero 5 didn’t feel like a big step forward. Aside from the water resistance and LCD screen, the image and video quality didn’t improve much. In fact, I found the Hero 4’s footage looked better in many situations.
Final Thoughts on the GoPro Hero 5 Black
After nearly 9 years with the GoPro Hero 5 Black, I can say it’s probably the most disappointing GoPro I’ve owned.
While I loved the convenience of the built-in LCD screen and water resistance, the poor image stabilization, laggy interface, and bad audio quality really held it back.
It’s still a compact, durable camera that works well in bright light, but if you’re looking for smooth video and great sound, this isn’t the one.
