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How GoPro’s Auto Setting in Burst Mode Photos Works

Among the Burst Mode options on newer GoPros is an Auto setting. It prioritizes better exposure over forcing the number of shots. Here's how it works.

How GoPro's Auto Setting in Burst Mode Photos Works

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 3 months ago // Categories: Photos
Tags: GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black

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When the GoPro HERO6 Black was released in mid-2017, it included a new feature that’s not well explained in the instruction manual. It relates to the Burst Mode for taking a rapid sequence of photos. Newer models, such as the HERO9 Black and HERO8 Black also include this feature.

For the most part, the Burst mode options on the HERO6 Black are identical to its predecessor, the HERO5 Black. They both have these options:

  • 30 photos spanning 1, 2, 3, or 6 seconds
  • 10 photos spanning 1, 2, or 3 seconds
  • 5 photos in 1 second
  • 3 photos in 1 second

But there’s one new setting available: Auto.

If you read the manual (p.59) you’ll find this explanation for the setting:

Auto (up to 30 photos in 1 second).

That’s it. That’s not especially helpful, and it wasn’t clear to me at first what that meant. So I did some experimenting to figure it out.

Basically, it works like this. Most of the time, you’ll get the same results using the 30/1 setting or the Auto setting. The Auto only comes into play if the shutter speed drops below 1/30 second.

It’s conceptually similar to the low-light option when shooting video. It’s a fallback that priorities exposure quality over slavishly hitting a prescribed number of frames.

Here’s an illustration of what I mean. These burst mode sequences were shot simultaneously on two cameras.

The first example is the result from using the 30/1 setting. Sure enough, it took 30 photos. Each had a shutter speed of 1/30s, the slowest that was possible to still fit in 30 photos in one second. But because of the low light where a shutter speed slower than 1/30 was really needed, they’re all under exposed.

GoPro HERO5 Black Burst 30 1 678x1017 - How GoPro's Auto Setting in Burst Mode Photos Works

Here’s a sequence shot simultaneously on a HERO6 Black with the Burst Mode: Auto setting turned on instead.

GoPro HERO6 Black Burst Auto 678x382 - How GoPro's Auto Setting in Burst Mode Photos Works

This time, the camera put a priority on taking properly exposed images. That required slowing the shutter speed to 1/12s. That, of course, meant that there was no way to take more than 12 photos within a second.

So what the Burst Mode: Auto setting did was prioritize a better exposure, even if that means slowing the shutter speed below 1/30s and therefore not being able to take the full 30 photos within the time limit.

Things Worth Knowing

There are a couple of related things worth mentioning.

Because the aperture of the GoPro lens remains constant at f/2.8, it means that only the other two sides of the exposure triangle can be changed to adjust for proper exposure: ISO and shutter speed.

In Burst Mode, the exposure isn’t calculated for each individual shot. It’s calculated up front and the same exposure settings are applied to all the following photos in the sequence.

In Short

So, in short, the Burst Mode: Auto setting takes as many photos as it can in 1 second while still using correct exposure, even if that means using a slower shutter speed than 1/30 second and therefore taking fewer than 30 frames in that second.

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By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on October 5, 2020

Categories: Photos
Tags: GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black

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.

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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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