LaneSplitr
Wannabie Member
I'm thinking about picking up a Hero4 Session as a B-cam for on the bike shots. You can grab them on eBay for $125-150 easily. Any serious niggles with this device or do you enjoy using it?
Gopro Hero 4 Session Users... What Do You Think?
- Thread starter LaneSplitr
- Start date
BehindBars
bikes <3
I got a Hero5 session last week, and I'm loving it so far. Seeing as they're practically the same aside from resolution I'll give you my experience so far.
How I use it:
I use mine on my helmet, to replace my previous setup (Hero 4 Silver w/ Sena Bluetooth Backpack). The Hero 4 is now mounted on the bars facing towards me, and the Session on the right side of my lid for a POV shot. Audio comes from my Sena 20s linked to the GoPro backpack on the bar mounted Hero 4. Result is a much lighter helmet, less drag, and I can now turn my head without the camera catching my shoulder. Syncing audio and video from 2 cameras takes a little extra work, but easier than expected and for the result its worth the extra effort.
Pros:
As a B-cam, or with a full size camera to support as in my setup, these cameras are excellent. However I wouldn't like to use one as my main camera or on its own, unless purely for insurance purposes with no audio.
Only things that made me pick the 5 over the 4 was the 4k capability for future use, and external mic support, just in case. Though the 4 is still more than capable with 1080p60 which is what I use daily for recording rides. With the loop recording function of the Hero5 Session, it'd also make a nice little dashcam for the car, keep it plugged into the cigarette lighter for power and you're set.
Also consider the bitrate of the 4 Session and 5 Session. The 4 maxes out at 25Mbps, whereas the 5 is capable of 60Mbps, hence 4k capability. Higher bitrate = Higher video quality. 25Mbps of the 4 is still good for YouTube and as a secondary/backup camera. As a reference, I export my videos in HD 1080p60, H.264 @ 30Mbps. Higher bitrate also means longer export times, larger files and longer upload times.
Heres a simple guide to show the correlation between resolution and bitrate:
So do I like it? Yes! I've added a second angle to my videos without adding excess bulk, the quality is great, and aside from the menus it's simple to use.
Is it a primary/main camera? No. Not for motovlogging at least. Mainly due to battery life and the risk of getting caught in rain with the waterproof door open to use a mic.
Hope this helps
Also helps me out as I've just written the script to my next video 
How I use it:
I use mine on my helmet, to replace my previous setup (Hero 4 Silver w/ Sena Bluetooth Backpack). The Hero 4 is now mounted on the bars facing towards me, and the Session on the right side of my lid for a POV shot. Audio comes from my Sena 20s linked to the GoPro backpack on the bar mounted Hero 4. Result is a much lighter helmet, less drag, and I can now turn my head without the camera catching my shoulder. Syncing audio and video from 2 cameras takes a little extra work, but easier than expected and for the result its worth the extra effort.
Pros:
- Lightweight (74g, Hero 4 weighs 147g with housing)
- Low profile mounting options, less drag
- Simple one touch operation, turns off automatically when you stop recording to save battery
- 1080p60 in a far smaller camera
- Waterproof to 10m without a bulky housing
- Supports 3.5mm external mic (Hero5 Session only, with seperate adaptor)
- I find the construction feels more solid and well built (Than my Hero4 Silver), less plasticky
- Menu system can be a pain to work with such a small screen and 2 buttons, compared to touchscreen on my Hero 4 Silver.
- Lack of touchscreen also makes setting up for angles more tricky, requires using wifi for fine tuning
- Built in battery. No more swapping out batteries, get yourself a portable power pack!
- Battery life. Built in 1000mAh battery lasts just under 2 hours in 1080p60 with wifi turned off. Bring a portable battery pack
- Not waterproof if you use a mic or charge on the go, the waterproof door must be removed
- Hero4 Session not compatible with external mic
- USB-C port. If you had a micro USB mic or other accessories, they won't work without the seperate adaptor (Again, Hero5 Session only)
As a B-cam, or with a full size camera to support as in my setup, these cameras are excellent. However I wouldn't like to use one as my main camera or on its own, unless purely for insurance purposes with no audio.
Only things that made me pick the 5 over the 4 was the 4k capability for future use, and external mic support, just in case. Though the 4 is still more than capable with 1080p60 which is what I use daily for recording rides. With the loop recording function of the Hero5 Session, it'd also make a nice little dashcam for the car, keep it plugged into the cigarette lighter for power and you're set.
Also consider the bitrate of the 4 Session and 5 Session. The 4 maxes out at 25Mbps, whereas the 5 is capable of 60Mbps, hence 4k capability. Higher bitrate = Higher video quality. 25Mbps of the 4 is still good for YouTube and as a secondary/backup camera. As a reference, I export my videos in HD 1080p60, H.264 @ 30Mbps. Higher bitrate also means longer export times, larger files and longer upload times.
Heres a simple guide to show the correlation between resolution and bitrate:
So do I like it? Yes! I've added a second angle to my videos without adding excess bulk, the quality is great, and aside from the menus it's simple to use.
Is it a primary/main camera? No. Not for motovlogging at least. Mainly due to battery life and the risk of getting caught in rain with the waterproof door open to use a mic.
Hope this helps
Also helps me out as I've just written the script to my next video
LaneSplitr
Wannabie Member
Wow, very comprehensive look at the Hero5 Session. I'm balking at the price of the 5 a little bit, but the added capabilities of the 4 seem to justify it.
BehindBars
bikes <3
90% of the things outlined above also apply to the 4 as well though, aside from anything noted: (Hero 5 session only).
Have to admit I did seriously consider the 4 for a while since it was much cheaper, but I decided the 5 would be more 'up to date' for longer than the 4 would. The extra capability makes up for the price like you say.
Have to admit I did seriously consider the 4 for a while since it was much cheaper, but I decided the 5 would be more 'up to date' for longer than the 4 would. The extra capability makes up for the price like you say.
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