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Photos Taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver

GoPro cameras are of course best known for video. But they also have very good capabilities as still cameras, albeit with a limited amount of control. Here are some pictures taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver.

Examples of photos taken with the GoPro HERO 4 Silver

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 3 months ago // Categories: Photos
Tags: GoPro HERO4 Silver

Save $220 on GoPro HERO9 Bundle

GoPro is running a deal on the new HERO9 Black, their newest and best camera. It's a bundle that includes the HERO9 Black, a 1-year subscription to GoPro, a free extra battery, and a 64GB SD card. It's all for $349.98.

GoPro cameras are best known for video. But they’re also very capable cameras for taking pictures. They have small sensors, and they don’t give you as much manual control as some other compact cameras, and their wide-angle lens isn’t a good fit for every scene, but you can get some fun and unique shots with a GoPro that would very hard, or even impossible, to get with a “normal” camera.

I’ve put together below a collection of pictures I’ve taken with the GoPro HERO4 Silver that give some sense of what its photos look like.

The HERO4 Silver has a small 1/2.3-inch sensor that produces up to 12MP images at 4000 x 3000 pixels. It was also the first GoPro to have a built-in screen on the back, and that live view makes it much easier to compose the shot. And it comes with a waterproof housing as standard, so you can put them in places that most cameras can’t go.

The settings for each picture are included in the caption below it, although you only have fairly limited control over the exposure settings. The aperture is a constant f/2.8, which the camera automatically adjusts the ISO and shutter speed. The rest is mostly automatic exposure, although you can apply exposure compensation from -2.0 stops to +2.0 stops. You can also set the minimum and maximum ISO settings to have some influence over the automatic exposure (from 100 to 800 ISO). Starting with the HERO5 Black, some GoPros can now shoot in RAW. But that’s not an option with the HERO4 Silver–only JPGs.

The newer HERO5 Black has the same kind of sensor. Despite a few tweaks in the processing engine, its photo quality is very similar. It does, however, have quite a lot more control over the exposure settings through its Protune features, so if you’re after more control over the exposure, you’ll be better off looking at one of the newer Black models.

You can click on each image to open a higher resolution version.

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₂₃₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₄₀₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Cleaning Leaves at Arlington National Cemetery

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₈₅₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 104 | ¹⁄₆₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₈₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 149 | ¹⁄₅₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₂₉₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 107 | ¹⁄₆₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Example of a Photo Taken using a GoPro HERO 4 Silver as an everyday travel

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₇₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Polar Pro Venture Filters for GoPro HERO4 Black and Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₂₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₇₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 800 | 1.2 sec at ƒ/2.8

Polar Pro Venture Filters for GoPro HERO4 Black and Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 376 | ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

GoPro Protune: Color: GoPro

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₆₁₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Protune ON High Sharpening

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 150 | ¹⁄₂₅ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 460 | ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 426 | ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₂₀₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₄₀₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Example of a Photo Taken using a GoPro HERO 4 Silver as an everyday travel

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₁₁₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₂₃₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Example of a Photo Taken using a GoPro HERO 4 Silver as an everyday travel

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 169 | ¹⁄₁₅ sec at ƒ/2.8

Example of a Photo Taken using a GoPro HERO 4 Silver as an everyday travel

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₂₉₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Example of a Photo Taken using a GoPro HERO 4 Silver as an everyday travel

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 100 | ¹⁄₃₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Example of a Photo Taken using a GoPro HERO 4 Silver as an everyday travel

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 206 | ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/2.8

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 800 | 0.6 sec at ƒ/2.8

Picture taken with a GoPro HERO 4

Photo taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver | ISO 800 | 1.4 sec at ƒ/2.8

Wrap Up: Taking Photos with a GoPro HERO 4 Silver

The HERO 4 Silver is an older model now and has been superseded by several generations of newer cameras, but if you’ve picked up one used or gotten your hands on one from a friend, it’s quite a capable still camera for taking pictures. Hopefully the photos above are useful for some sense of what its photos look like.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • Svalbard with a GoPro HERO5 Black
    Can You Take Pictures with a GoPro?
  • GoPro Travel Camera at the Parthenon in Athens
    Pros and Cons of Using a GoPro as an Everyday or Travel Camera
  • GoPro Silver vs Black 300x200 - GoPro HERO 4 Silver vs HERO 4 Black
    GoPro HERO 4 Silver vs HERO 4 Black
  • GoPro Hero 4 Silver vs 3 Silver 300x200 - GoPro HERO4 Silver vs HERO3+ Silver
    GoPro HERO4 Silver vs HERO3+ Silver
  • Gopro Hero vs Silver Front 300x200 - GoPro HERO (2014) vs HERO4 Silver
    GoPro HERO (2014) vs HERO4 Silver
  • 01 havecamerawilltravel com 300x200 - How to Remove the GoPro Fisheye Effect from Photos
    How to Remove the GoPro Fisheye Effect from Photos
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on October 12, 2020

Categories: Photos
Tags: GoPro HERO4 Silver

I may earn a commission for purchases using links on this page. Learn more.

GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

Comments

  1. John says

    March 11, 2017 at 7:56 am

    The GoPro Hero 4 takes pictures at 12MP. It is hard to tell from these scaled down images what the image actually looks like. I am trying to determine if the image quality is any better than my $40 action cam. I’ll search the web for better examples but maybe you could post 1 image at full res?

    Reply

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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