On February 4th GoPro released the firmware version 2.0  for the GoPro Hero 4 Black and Silver cameras.  There has now been a large adoption of the firmware in the hands of owners and there is no indication of problems or stability issues with the update.   The update includes a 240fps 720p upgrade from the previous 120fps and it looks and works very good. A 2.7k 60fps mode is also included which is a first for a camera in this price range.

HERO4 Black update v02.00.00 Release Notes:

New Modes + Features

• Adds Time Lapse Video mode
• Adds 720p240 video mode (Narrow FOV only)
• Adds 2.7K60 video mode
• Adds Auto Image Rotation
• Adds 30 photos/6 seconds Burst rate

Performance Improvements

• Changes Protune default video ISO to 1600

Usability Improvements

• Adds Reset option for camera Wi-Fi settings
• Displays Night Lapse shutter time on the camera status screen

LCD Touch BacPac Improvements

• Delivers the ability to add HiLight Tags during playback
• Adds new gesture to display the last photo or video captured
• Automatically locks the display after the camera goes to sleep

General Improvements + Bug Fixes

• Night Lapse stability improvements

HERO4 Silver update v02.00.00 Release Notes:

New Features

• Adds Time Lapse Video mode
• Adds Auto Image Rotation
• Adds 30 photos/6 seconds Burst rate

Performance Improvements

• Changes Protune default video ISO to 1600

Usability Improvements

• Delivers the ability to add HiLight Tags during playback
• Adds new gesture to display the last photo or video captured
• Automatically locks the display after the camera goes to sleep
• Adds Reset option for camera Wi-Fi settings
• Displays Night Lapse shutter time on the camera status screen

General Improvements + Bug Fixes

• Night Lapse stability improvements

As with other slow motion modes on the GoPro this 720p mode only works in the Narrow FOV mode which windows the sensor down so it can do less readout of pixels on the sensor and enable the fast capture rate.  This is a trade off but it does however leave you with no real distortion as the center of the lens is being used.  Low light is not very good but the quality in daylight or strong studio lights is very good. One of the clearest slow motion 720p images in this price range. Artifacts are well controlled and aliasing while still there is very subdued.

You can download v2.0 Firmware for your GoPro 4 camera here!

Samples of the GoPro Hero 4 Black at 240fps 720p:

Slowmo Popcorn Popping by: goprolovers

Marshmallow Inferno by: Tony Lee Glenn

Light Bulb Drop by: George Krieger

Hummingbird by: SocalReggae

Wine Drop On Glass by: SERGEY MALOV

BB Gun Firing on Can 240fps by: Cogito Marketing Co.

Seagulls by: warrenkoch com

Juggling Billiards By: DK Shoots

There you have it, if the Hero 4 Black offered 240fps at 1080p or a better compression for slow motion it could easily climb quite a few steps on our Camera guide. However we do recommend it if 240fps at 720p fits your needs, it is one of the best options available today at this resolution.

What will a Hero 4+ offer? Who knows? However a Hero 5 could offer 4k at 60p and 120fps at 2.7k and true 1080p at 240fps or higher; only time will tell.    Stay Tuned 😉