GoPro Tips & Tricks HomepageGoPro Tips & Tricks

David Coleman Photography

  • Reviews & Tips
  • GoPro
  • Lightroom
  • Places
  • Photos
  • Comparison Reviews
  • GoPro Models
    • HERO9 Black
    • MAX
    • HERO8 Black
    • HERO7 Black
    • HERO7 Silver
    • HERO7 White
    • HERO (2018)
    • Fusion
    • HERO6 Black
    • HERO5 Black
    • HERO5 Session
    • HERO Session
    • HERO (2014)
    • HERO+ LCD
    • HERO4 Black
    • HERO4 Silver
    • HERO4 Session
    • HERO3+ Black
    • HERO3 Silver
  • GoPro Accessories
    • Memory Cards
    • Batteries & Charging
    • Housings & Cases
    • Filters
    • Mounts & Grips
    • Sound
    • Stabilizers
  • GoPro Tips & Tricks
    • Troubleshooting
    • Protune
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Timelapse
    • Apps

How to Remove the Fisheye Effect from GoPro Videos

That distinctive fisheye look isn't always what you want. Here's how to remove it from GoPro videos with the free GoPro Studio app.

GoPro Video Fisheye Removal-5

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 2 months ago // Categories: Apps, Video
Tags: GoPro HERO4 Black, GoPro HERO4 Session, GoPro HERO4 Silver, GoPro Studio

Deal: GoPro HERO9 Black 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 Magnetic Swivel Clip, a spare battery, a Floating Hand Grip, and a 32GB SD card. It's all for $399.98.

I’ve written about how to remove the fisheye effect from GoPro photos before. But it doesn’t work the same way with GoPro videos.

Using GoPro Studio

GoPro Studio is no longer available and isn’t compatible with some of the latest 64-bit-only operating systems (such as macOS Catalina). And Studio wasn’t updated for this method to work with the GoPro HERO5 (or later) models. But if you already have GoPro Studio installed, are using an operating system that remains compatible with 32-bit apps, and are using a GoPro HERO4 or earlier, this method should still work.

To remove that distinctive ultra-wide-angle look from video footage, the best and quickest way us to use the free GoPro Studio app.

There’s no real trick, as such–it’s a feature built into GoPro Studio. But it doesn’t come in the part of the process you’d necessarily expect it to. That is, rather than doing it in the editing screen where you adjust colors and tones and audio and titles, etc, you do it in the first step of preparing the video file for editing.

In the GoPro Studio workflow, you apply it when going from Step 1 to Step 2. So when you’re first opening the file in GoPro Studio, click on the Advanced Settings button at the bottom.

GoPro Video Fisheye Removal-1

And then choose the Remove Fisheye option.

GoPro Video Fisheye Removal

You won’t see any difference in the version you see in the main part of this screen–it doesn’t show up in the preview panel. Then click on the Add Clip to Conversion List button, and you’ll see it appear in the right panel.

GoPro Video Fisheye Removal-3

You can, if you like, add more than one version to the conversion list, one with the original fisheye and one without.

Once you run the conversion list and move to Step 2, the editing part of the workflow, you’ll get the converted non-fisheye version amongst your clips, and you can now see the results.

And now you can continue on with your editing just as you normally would or export the clips to continue editing in something else like Final Cut Pro.

Here’s the before/after footage. The most obvious result is that the horizon is straightened. There’s also some of the frame lost on the side as the field of view narrows a bit.

[youtube=https://youtu.be/Bcbh8c0fbK0&w=678&rel=0]

It’s worth noting that this only works with GoPro footage that hasn’t been otherwise edited.

It’s also worth noting that this only works with GoPro video footage. The option isn’t available when working with still photos in GoPro Studio. So for still photos you’ll need to use something else–here’s how to do it in Lightroom.

Other Alternatives

This isn’t the only way to correct the fisheye in GoPro footage.

If you’re using Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere, there are wide-angle distortion correction plugins that do a very good job, like this one.

And you can do it in Photoshop, if you’re so inclined, by using third-party tools available through Adobe Exchange.

There are also some third-party alternatives like this premium plugin (ie. costs money) for Final Cut X from the folks at Crumblepop.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • 01 havecamerawilltravel com 300x200 - How to Remove the GoPro Fisheye Effect from Photos
    How to Remove the GoPro Fisheye Effect from Photos
  • 03 havecamerawilltravel com 300x200 - GoPro Linear FOV: Pros, Cons, and Examples
    GoPro Linear FOV: Pros, Cons, and Examples
  • GoPro HERO4 Silver Video Resolutions 300x200 - GoPro HERO4 Silver Video Resolutions, Framerates, & Shooting Modes
    GoPro HERO4 Silver Video Resolutions, Framerates, & Shooting Modes
  • GoPro Split Files 300x193 - Why Do GoPros Split Videos into Segments?
    Why Do GoPros Split Videos into Segments?
  • gopro LRV and THM files 300x200 - What are GoPro LRV and THM Files For? GoPro's Video File Formats Explained
    What are GoPro LRV and THM Files For? GoPro's Video File Formats Explained
  • gopro collage 300x200 - GoPro HERO4 Menu Icons Cheat Sheet
    GoPro HERO4 Menu Icons Cheat Sheet
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 4, 2021

Categories: Apps, Video
Tags: GoPro HERO4 Black, GoPro HERO4 Session, GoPro HERO4 Silver, GoPro Studio

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. David says

    November 14, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    There’s no way to do it in the camera because the HERO (2018) doesn’t have the Linear field of view as an option. You can, however, remove it, or at least greatly reduce it, using computer software. There are several options outlined above in this post for both videos and photos.

    Reply
  2. Tema says

    November 14, 2018 at 1:36 am

    hello
    i want to remove fisheye effect from the GoPro Hero 2018. can you help me?

    Reply
  3. Eugene says

    April 19, 2017 at 2:11 am

    So, you guys need to get on your stuff. GoPro Hero5 Black produces videos, but GoPro Studio can’t remove fisheye on Hero5 videos. Waiting for an update?! How about an update, then selling the product.

    Reply
    • David says

      April 19, 2017 at 8:28 am

      I agree it needs an update, but I’m not GoPro and have no role in developing GoPro Studio.

      Reply
  4. David Bellard says

    March 2, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    David,

    What I have noticed is the the remove fisheye feature in GoPro Studio actually cut off the ends of the video, so that parts of the left and right side of the video is missing. Is there a fix for this?

    David Bellard

    Reply
    • David says

      March 2, 2017 at 9:10 pm

      No, it’s unfortunately the comprise for narrowing the field of view.

      Reply
  5. Tony says

    October 10, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Hey David,

    I have HERO5 footage and the remove fisheye setting in ProPro Studio is not working for me. It works on footage I recorded with me HERO3+. Please let us know if you have any issues removing fisheye on your HERO5 footage using GoPro Studio.

    Thanks!

    Tony

    Reply
    • David says

      October 10, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      I’ve just tested it and am seeing the same issue. It’s working normally for HERO4 Black footage but not having any effect at all with HERO5 Black footage shot with same settings on Wide FOV. Looks like Studio needs to be updated to recognize the HERO5—I’m using Studio v.2.5.9.3372 on Mac.

      Reply
      • Tony says

        October 10, 2016 at 2:03 pm

        I have GoPro Support Case 02784169 opened and I will let them know that you are having the same issue.

        Reply
        • David says

          October 10, 2016 at 2:04 pm

          Great–thanks. Would love to hear if/when you get a fix or resolution.

      • Tony says

        October 21, 2016 at 3:16 pm

        Response from GoPro Support:

        Studio has not received an update since the HERO5 release which is why this function currently is not working. For the time being please stick with “Linear” FOV as a workaround. We will let you know once there is a new update with our Studio.

        Reply
        • David says

          October 21, 2016 at 3:19 pm

          Thanks for the update, Tony. Hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of editing your comment to take out the identifying info.

  6. Chesterdawg says

    September 30, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    I don’t have a GroPro yet but am looking at the Hero 5. My ? is being a still photographer using Lightroom will I be able to edit/remove the wide/fisheye view and also do other edits? What about using Adobe Elements (12 I think) Premire (again I think its for video editing).

    My main concern is getting rid of the wide angle perspective. I don’t want lessen the size of subjects. I will use this on my motorcycle riding in the mountains (Blue Ridge Pkwy) and want the viewer to get a good feel of the speed of the motorcycle but also the view from a “normal” lens.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • David says

      October 3, 2016 at 9:54 am

      I plan to update this post later today or tomorrow with some examples shot with a HERO5 Black.

      Reply
    • David says

      October 3, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      This should help.

      Reply

Questions & Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Search My Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Get in Touch

Member

© 2009–2021 David Coleman · Have Camera Will Travel LLC · all rights reserved


Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


Privacy & Disclosure · Cookie Declaration · Disclaimer · Terms of Service · Copyright · Contact


GoPro, HERO, Session, Karma and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro, Inc.


XML Sitemap