You’ve seen them sitting in the back of junk drawers or listed for $40 on eBay. The GoPro HERO5 Black. In a world where we’re now talking about 5.3K resolution and "HyperSmooth" stabilization that makes mountain biking look like a drone shot, a camera from 2016 feels ancient. Like a relic. Honestly, though, most people dismiss this thing way too fast.
It’s the middle child of the action camera world.
Back when it launched, it was a massive deal because it was the first "naked" waterproof GoPro. No more bulky plastic housings just to go for a swim. But now? People say it's unwatchable because of the shaky footage. They aren't entirely wrong, but they also aren't using it right.
The HERO5 Black Reality Check
Let's get the specs out of the way. It shoots 4K at 30fps. It has a 2-inch touch screen. It’s waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters) without a case. Basically, the foundation of every modern GoPro started exactly here.
Most people get frustrated with the battery life. If you’re lucky, you’ll get about 90 minutes of 4K recording. That is, if you aren't using GPS or the (admittedly weak) electronic image stabilization. If you turn everything on, that battery is toast in under an hour. It’s just the nature of the beast.
But here is the thing: the sensor is actually decent.
It’s a 1/2.3-inch sensor. That’s the same physical size used in many newer models. The difference is the processor. The HERO5 uses the old Ambarella chip, while the newer ones use GoPro’s custom GP series processors. This means the newer ones "cheat" better with software, but the raw light hitting the lens? It’s surprisingly similar.
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Why the Stabilization "Sucks" (And How to Fix It)
If you mount a HERO5 to a pair of handlebars and go down a rocky trail, the footage will make you nauseous.
The stabilization in this model is electronic, not the magic "HyperSmooth" we see today. It crops the image by 10% and tries to buffer the bumps. It works okay for walking, but for "action"? Forget about it.
However, there’s a workaround that pros still use.
- GyrOSC or ReelSteady: The HERO5 actually records metadata from its internal gyroscope.
- If you feed the "raw" shaky footage into post-processing software like ReelSteady (now part of GoPro Player), it can stabilize the footage better than the camera ever could in real-time.
- Suddenly, that "unwatchable" 4K clip looks like it was shot on a gimbal.
What Most People Get Wrong About Build Quality
People think because it’s old, it’s fragile.
In some ways, the HERO5 is actually tougher than the newer ones. The lens cover is replaceable. If you scratch it, you just twist it off and pop a new one on for twenty bucks. You don’t have to send the whole unit back.
But it has a "sticky" problem.
GoPro used a soft-touch rubber coating on the HERO5. Over time—especially if it’s been sitting in a humid environment—that rubber can become sticky or "melt." It’s gross. If yours feels like it's covered in honey, you can actually scrub that coating off with a bit of isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Underneath, it’s just hard plastic.
The Port Door Nightmare
The side doors on the GoPro Black Hero 5 are notoriously difficult.
You have to press a button and slide them at the same time. Many people end up ripping them off or not closing them all the way. If you see a tiny sliver of red on that door, it is not waterproof. I’ve seen countless units killed because someone thought "close enough" was good enough for a pool session.
Also, the 3.5mm mic situation is a mess.
If you want to use an external mic, you have to buy a massive $50 USB-C adapter. It’s the size of a pack of gum. It’s awkward. It makes the camera no longer waterproof. For motovloggers, this was a dealbreaker, but for everyone else, the internal three-mic system is actually pretty "kinda" okay at filtering wind.
Is It Still Worth Buying?
Honestly, it depends on what you're doing.
If you want a "set it and forget it" camera for your kid’s soccer game or a dashcam for your bike, it’s a steal. You can find them for the price of a decent dinner.
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But if you are trying to be a YouTuber? You’ll probably outgrow it in a week. The lack of 4K/60fps is the real killer. In 2026, 30fps looks a bit "stuttery" for fast motion. 1080p at 120fps is still there for slow motion, but the resolution drop is noticeable on a big 4K TV.
The "Webcam" Secret
One thing people forget is that the HERO5 has a micro-HDMI port.
Newer GoPros (starting from the HERO8) removed this. To get HDMI out on a HERO12, you have to buy a "Media Mod." On the HERO5, you just plug in a cable and you have a high-quality 1080p webcam for your Zoom calls. That alone makes it worth keeping.
Actionable Steps for HERO5 Owners
If you have one of these sitting in a drawer, or you just bought one for cheap, here is how you make it actually usable today:
- Update the Firmware: Seriously. Many HERO5s are still running version 1.0. The later updates (v02.70) significantly improved the touch screen responsiveness and fixed a bug where the camera would just "freeze" for no reason.
- Get a Fast SD Card: Don’t use a generic "Class 10" card. 4K video writes a lot of data quickly. Use a SanDisk Extreme or something with a V30 rating. If you don't, the camera will overheat and shut down every 10 minutes.
- Shoot in Protune: If you’re willing to spend five minutes in an editing app, turn on Protune. Set the "Color" to "Flat" and the "ISO Limit" to 400. The footage will look dull at first, but it retains way more detail in the shadows.
- Disable Voice Control: It’s a gimmick that drains the battery. Unless you’re literally hanging from a cliff and can’t reach the button, turn it off in the settings.
- Buy Third-Party Batteries: Don't pay $20 for an original GoPro battery that's been sitting in a warehouse for 8 years. Companies like Wasabi Power or Telesin make fresh packs that often last longer than the aging "official" ones.
The GoPro Black Hero 5 isn't the king of the mountain anymore. Not even close. But for a secondary "crash cam" or a high-end webcam, it’s far from dead. Just don't expect it to do the stabilizing for you. Feed it some light, use an external stabilizer, and you'll be surprised at what this old box can still do.