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How to Prevent the GoPro HERO9, HERO8, & HERO7 Cameras from Filming Vertically by Using Landscape Lock

The HERO8 and HERO7 cameras have sensors that can detect the rotation of the camera. Here's how to lock it in place to prevent automatic rotation.

GoPro HERO7 Rotation

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 1 month ago // Categories: Photos, Video
Tags: GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO7 Silver, GoPro HERO7 White, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black

GoPro HERO9 Black Bundle for $399.98

GoPro is running a deal on the HERO9 Black, their current flagship camera. It's a bundle that includes the HERO9 Black, a 1-year subscription to GoPro, a Magnetic Swivel Clip, a spare battery, a Floating Hand Grip, and a 32GB SD card. It's all for $399.98.

The HERO9, HERO8, and HERO7 cameras have sensors that can detect the rotation of the camera. Using that information, they can then rotate the screens depending on which way up the camera is held. If you put the camera upside down, the screens will also rotate to be upside down. And if you stand it up vertically, it will rotate 90 (or 270) degrees. On the HERO7 Black, it does it with both the front and back screens. On the Silver and White, which don’t have a front screen, it applies to the back screen only. And it applies not just to the playback but also using the menu system.

The rotation information is also embedded into the photo and video files’ metadata, telling the playback app which way up to play the video or which way to display the photo. So when you go to play back the video, it might play upside down (ie. rotation of 180°) or vertically (portrait orientation, or rotation of 90° or 270°), depending on how you filmed it.

By default, that behavior is enabled. And it can be convenient. But there are times it can also be inconvenient. You can end up with footage recorded at a different rotation than what you want. And once you start recording, you can’t change the rotation until you stop the recording. So if you’re bouncing around and the camera detects that it’s now more vertical than horizontal, it can flip into that mode. If you hit record without looking, that vertical rotation will stay locked in until you stop the recording.

Overall, it’s not a major problem, because rotation is pretty easy to fix in post. It’s very easy with still images, and still quite easy with video. Most video editing apps include the ability to rotate footage by 90 or 180 degrees. You can also do it in apps like Youtube (under the Enhancement features). And once you do that you won’t notice any difference–the resolution and framerate all remain the same. But it’s not always convenient to do that, especially if you’re trying to browse through multiple clips. And it adds yet another thing you have to do to fix it.

Something I do find mildly annoying, though, is that the cameras can sometimes be slow to register the orientation. We’re only talking a couple of seconds, but it’s still slower than I’d like.

You can, however, take some control over this. Somewhat counterintuitively, though, you have to lock the orientation rather than enable the auto rotation feature. And the option isn’t where you might first think to look.

Landscape Lock

You find the option under Preferences > Touch Display > Landscape Lock.

GoPro HERO7 Landscape Lock

That’s not the first place I’d think to look. It’s true that the rotation does affect the touch display, but it also affects the playback metadata in the video. And “landscape lock” isn’t necessarily the first thing I’d think of for its name when scrolling through the settings. Something like “auto rotation” or “rotation lock” seem more obvious to me as to what it does, but “landscape lock” is still accurate and, admittedly, even more precise.

GoPro HERO7 Landscape Lock

HERO7 Black

On the HERO7 Black there are three options:

  • Off (which is the default)
  • Up locks it into the traditional way you’d use a camera. That is, landscape orientation, right-way up.
  • Down locks it upside down but still in landscape orientation.

GoPro HERO7 Landscape Lock

HERO7 Silver and White

On the HERO7 Silver and White, there are two options:

  • On locks the rotation to right-way up. It’s the same as the Up option on the Black (there’s no option to lock it in upside-down mode on the Silver and White, although you can still film upside-down if you’re using the auto-rotation).
  • Off (the default). This is the auto-rotate option.

GoPro HERO7 Landscape Lock

Wrap Up

This option of being able to lock the rotation on the HERO7 cameras falls into the convenience category. The setting doesn’t fundamentally change the core photo or video data. It’s just an informational value in the metadata. But being able to lock the orientation does come in handy, especially for viewing, browsing, and editing, and I tend to use the Up option (or On on the other models), especially when shooting video, where I rarely shoot in portrait orientation. I’m much more likely to be shooting in portrait orientation with stills, so the auto rotation is less of an issue for me there.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • GoPro HERO7 Lock Screen
    How to Lock the Screen on a GoPro HERO7
  • superview vs wide fov 300x200 - What is GoPro SuperView?
    What is GoPro SuperView?
  • GoPro 128GB SD Cards
    Can I Use 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, or 512GB Cards in GoPro Cameras?
  • ProMount Gopro Arca-Style Quick Release Plate
    Arca-Style Quick Release Plates for GoPro Cameras
  • SD Cards for GoPro HERO7
    GoPro SD Card Recommendations for GoPro HERO7 Black, Silver, & White
  • GoPro Batteries and Chargers
    How to Charge GoPro Cameras & Batteries
  • Running a GoPro HERO6 Black Without Internal Battery
    Can You Run a GoPro HERO9, HERO8, HERO7, or HERO6 with External Power but Without an Internal Battery?
  • gopro hero7 black video resolutions 300x200 - Video Modes of the GoPro HERO7 Black
    Video Modes of the GoPro HERO7 Black
  • How to Connect GoPro Remote to HERO7 Black
    How to Connect a Remote to the GoPro HERO7 Black
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 20, 2021

Categories: Photos, Video
Tags: GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO7 Silver, GoPro HERO7 White, 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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