JudoSurfer

On 10/14/2019 at 9:26 AM, hk908 said:

I signed up for the GoPro plus account post smash and they still replaced it free of charge.

Beyond the superior image quality, additional features, GPS, Live Streaming, and incredible stabilization, GoPro Support is incredible.  They will almost always do not only what is fair, but much more than what is fair.  #1 reason I've given them brand loyalty for the past nine years.  They have always treated me right.

On 10/14/2019 at 1:15 PM, tweak said:

Hero 8 has no ability to replace the glass in front of the lens... I dunno what you do with your cams, but I use mine for, well... action! So if I scratch that thing I want to replace it! I replaced my Hero7 front 3 times already! This makes the Hero 8 a non-starter in my opinion.

@hk908 Yes the stabilisation is rubbish in low light, don't even try it (actually turn it off, or your images will be toast)... it works pretty well in mid day light though.

Lens protectors are available from GoPro and other companies for the HERO8.  You also have the option of using the Protective Case (also comes with skeleton back door for improved audio).  Additionally, Polar Pro has also already released lens covers (although not clear, undoubtedly some other 3rd party manufacturers will).  Then there is also GoPro Plus which allows up to two camera replacements per year.

Yes, EIS is not great in low light, but the camera automatically adjust for this.  You don't need to turn it off (but feel free to if you want).  As far as "mid day light" working "pretty well", it's far more impressive than "pretty well".

On 10/14/2019 at 7:55 PM, IANWHITE said:

Everyone wants the 1 inch sensor!! If DJI can pull this off with their Osmo Action 2, then it'll be some gamechanger,for sure

Larger sensors are not idea for action sequences.  Vlogging, yes, but unless you really like rolling shutter, the smaller sensor is better for action cameras.  One of the reasons Sony explicitly states that their RX0 and RX0 II are not action cameras.

On 10/14/2019 at 5:33 AM, Geoff CB said:

On these small cameras the ease of use and interface cannot be understated. Much prefer the OSMO or DJI cameras due to being much easier to operate. 

What does this mean, "OSMO or DJI"?  Did you mean to write GoPro or DJI,, because each are equally easy to use.

On 10/14/2019 at 4:50 AM, leslie said:

i have 4 and 6, didn't bother with the 7. Can't find the enthusiasm to buy an eight. Some people on here didn't like the 7 at all. the eight uses the same battery as the seven which is handy if you had a seven, but the addition of the external mic and vlog screen will set you back $139 us each... ouch. i'll pass.

With GoPro Plus, the Media Mod and display Mod are $39 each.

Osmo Action has inferior video quality and exposure balance, lacks GPS, ONLY has super cropped stabilization (vs HERO8 On, High, and Boost), does not have auto cloud uploading, has very limited language support for voice commands, lacks stabilization in 4:3, lacks Superview, doesn't offer 2/7K/120fps, has inferior audio, does not offer the much more efficient HEVC (which HERO8 not only has, but has at 100mbps, surpassing h.264 100mbs considerably), lacks live streaming, and has a poorer version of TimeWarp (stabilized Time Lapse).  When it come to actual video quality, Osmo Action doesn't even match HERO7 Black.  Considering the HERO8 has even better dynamic range and quality, the Osmo Action is far from competing with HERO8 Black (even without the Mods).