How many gopro batteries do I need

If you frequently use 5.3K resolution and 60 fps, bring four batteries. The optimal number of batteries you want is three. You already have two batteries supplied with the camera, so buying one or two additional batteries will not be a problem…

GOPRO BATTERY CHARACTERISTICS

The batteries in the GoPro are Lithium-ion batteries. The capacity of these batteries varies depending on the GoPro model. For the HERO4 Black and Silver range, it is a 1160 mAh battery. From the HERO5 Black to the HERO8 Black, the batteries are 1220 mAh. The GoPro MAX has a 1600 mAh battery. Finally, for the Fusion, the most demanding of the GoPro cameras, the battery goes up to 2620 mAh.

The milliampere-hour (mAh) is a unit that measures the amount of electrical energy that a battery is capable of delivering after a full charge. It is more commonly referred to as a “battery capacity”.

GOPRO BATTERY COMPATIBILITY

GoPro batteries have changed over time and between models. For example, the batteries in the GoPro HERO4 Black, Silver and earlier models are no longer compatible with GoPro cameras released after the HERO4 range. However, the HERO5 Black, HERO 2018, HERO6 Black and HERO7 Black batteries are compatible with each other.

With the release of the HERO8 Black, GoPro has changed the design of the official battery. This new battery for HERO8 has the same characteristics in terms of capacity and power, only the blue stripe makes it distinguishable! After several tests, we have come to the conclusion that the HERO8 battery is compatible with the HERO5/6/7 Black and vice versa!

Note that the battery of the GoPro MAX or Fusion, the famous 360° GoPro, are not compatible with each other and with the other GoPro. These batteries are larger and bulkier than the others. We have seen previously that their capacity is higher: they require a lot of energy! The GoPro Session, HERO7 Silver and White batteries are not removable. You will not be able to replace your battery.

GOPRO BATTERY CHARGING TIME

How many gopro batteries do I need

Regarding the charging time, GoPro indicates the following times:

  • 4 hours if you use a computer usb port
  • 2 hours if you use a suitable USB wall charger (5V 2A output)

Note that the charging time of the fusion batteries is logically longer.

What do I need to buy a GoPro?

What accessories should I buy for my GoPro?

  • GoPro Head Strap + QuickClip.
  • PolarPro Aqua Filter 3-Pack with Hard Case for GoPro HERO6 & HERO5 Black.
  • GoPro Rechargeable Battery for HERO5 Black and HERO6 Black.
  • SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Ultra Class 10 UHS-I Memory Card with SD Adapter.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE BATTERY LIFE

THE GOPRO MODEL

The GoPro model is one of these factors. Technical tests have been carried out by GoPro. During these tests, the conditions are optimal for the batteries. In addition, WiFi, GPS, Protune and voice control are disabled. These results should therefore be taken with a grain of salt. The time you will measure with your GoPro may be less than that indicated depending on the conditions outside.

We chose to look at battery life when filming in 1440p at 60fps. GoPro states that the HERO8 Black and HERO7 Black have a battery life of 70-77 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes). While the HERO7 Silver and White can shoot for up to 107 minutes (1 hour and 47 minutes) on a single battery. For your information, the HERO6 Black has the same battery life as the HERO7 Black. In 1440p 60 fps, the GoPro MAX has a battery life of 108 minutes against 80 minutes for the GoPro fusion.

THE MODE USED

The mode used also determines the battery life. The VIDEO mode is more power hungry than the PHOTO mode. So if you use your GoPro only for taking pictures then the battery life will be long. The ACCELERATED mode (a mode for generating TimeLapses) can also cause your battery life to drop. The VIDEO ACCELERATE sub-mode generally reduces your battery life to 60 minutes. On the GoPro HERO8 Black and HERO7 Black, the TimeWarp mode is very power hungry and makes the camera heat up!

THE PARAMETERS USED

The video settings used greatly influence the battery life. As a general rule, the higher the performance, the less battery life. For example, according to GoPro’s experiments (with Wi-FI, GPS and voice control disabled), the HERO8 Black is capable of shooting 47 minutes of 4K 60 fps footage. By lowering the frame rate to 30 fps, the battery life increases to 67 minutes! Similarly, the HERO7 Black can shoot 4K video at 60fps for 50 minutes compared to 90 minutes (1.5 hours) in 4K 30fps

When shooting in 1080p, the number of frames per second will also affect battery life. At 240fps, the GoPro HERO8 Black’s battery lasts for 50 minutes, while at 60fps it can last up to 81 minutes (1h21). These results are similar to those of the GoPro HERO7 Black!

There is also a difference in battery life when shooting in 4:3 or 16:9. For example with the GoPro HERO8 Black, the battery life when shooting in 4K / 30 fps is 67 minutes in 4:3 compared to 74 minutes in 16:9. The 4:3 aspect ratio uses the entire sensor of the GoPro, so you will have a wider angle of view but less battery life.

ENABLED OPTIONS

The additional options activated (WIFI, GPS, Stabilisation, Protune, Voice Command) will necessarily consume more energy. Thus the autonomy can decrease. For example, a WIFI connection will require a lot of energy and therefore greatly reduce your battery life. The HyperSmooth2.0 stabilization with the Boost activated strongly reduces the battery life. I therefore recommend that you use it sparingly. GPS, Protune and voice control are much more energy efficient.

We have tested the battery life with various options activated for you. The test consists of filming in 1080p at 25 frames per second with a HERO7 Black. The camera was placed on a table in our office.

Video only : 1H51

Video + GPS + WIFI : 1h37

Since the HERO5 range, the battery of your GoPro will not discharge even if the wifi is activated.

OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE

The outdoor temperature affects the battery life of your GoPro. In winter, sub-zero temperatures can drastically reduce battery life with a loss of 50% of its capacity. If you are having problems with the cold winter weather, I suggest you read the article on how to increase the battery life of your GoPro in cold weather.

BATTERY AGE

Finally, the autonomy of a battery depends on its age. Indeed, these small energy accumulators are not eternal. They wear out as they are used. A lithium-ion battery retains 80% of its autonomy after 1000 charging cycles.

THE FINAL WORD

Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know about GoPro batteries. Are you having problems with your battery? I advise you to read the article Why does my battery drain by itself?

#HERO9, HERO10, HERO11

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