How To Use GoPro on FPV Drones – Greatest Settings, Equipment, Suggestions and Tips

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Whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled FPV pilot, capturing gorgeous and easy footage is essential to showcasing your expertise and sharing your adventures. This information will stroll you thru GoPro digital camera settings, and I’ll provide suggestions and greatest practices that will help you get probably the most out of your GoPro when filming your FPV flights. We’ll cowl the perfect GoPro settings from body price, shutter velocity, FOV, stabilization, to paint grading, guaranteeing you will have all of the data wanted to create cinematic movies that really seize the essence of FPV flying.

To be taught extra about HD Motion Cameras for FPV, take a look at this submit.

GoPro Choices for FPV

GoPro Hero 13

Product Web page:

Earlier than 2020, GoPro was the clear chief in motion cameras for FPV drones. Nonetheless, lately, DJI has considerably closed the hole, making it tougher to advocate one over the opposite.

For those who prioritize the perfect log profile and probably the most flexibility in post-production and coloration grading, the GoPro Hero 13 stays your greatest guess. Its flat coloration profile provides loads of room for tweaking colours to your liking.

Nonetheless, for every part else, the DJI Osmo Motion 5 Professional is extremely aggressive. It’s lighter than the GoPro, has a extra trendy design, boasts considerably longer battery life, and delivers spectacular outcomes straight out of the field with minimal effort. Its built-in stabilization is top-tier, the audio high quality is clearer, and it handles dynamic vary and low-light conditions barely higher than the GoPro. Plus, it’s even barely cheaper. See my purchaser’s information right here: https://oscarliang.com/gopro-13-dji-action-5/.

GoPro Hero 12

Product Web page: https://amzn.to/3Erf2bR

GoPro Hero 11

Product Web page: https://amzn.to/3RZnEL7

The GoPro Hero 11 provides two thrilling new options for FPV pilots: 10-bit movies and a 8:7 side ratio picture sensor. This sensor permits for 16:9 and 9:16 cropping, making it splendid for social media use. The digital camera movies in 5.3K and 4K at 60fps and a couple of.7K at 240fps, and options Hypersmooth V5 stabilization and horizon locking. Equipment and ND filters from earlier fashions are suitable.

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GoPro Hero 11 Mini

Product Web page: https://amzn.to/3XqMQNu

The Hero 11 Mini is a smaller, lighter model of the Hero 11. It’s barely higher for FPV drones as a result of its lowered weight (about 20g lighter) and $100 cheaper price tag, whereas retaining the identical capabilities and efficiency.

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GoPro Bones

Discover the GoPro Bones right here: https://amzn.to/3LpHsaW

The GoPro Bones is actually a stripped down GoPro Hero 10 – it’s lighter and extra compact which makes it extra suited to FPV drones. It provides the identical picture high quality and efficiency because the GoPro 10. It has built-in warmth sinks, and might be powered direct connection from the drone eliminating the necessity for a separate battery. Take a look at my evaluate for extra particulars: https://oscarliang.com/gopro-10-bones/

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360 Cameras

GoPro additionally provides 360 cameras, take a look at this comparability information for extra element.

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Greatest GoPro Settings

These tables beneath present my greatest settings for the newest GoPro Hero 11 and 12, however must also work properly on older fashions. Video stabilization is important for a cinematic look in your movies, you will have three choices: Hypersmooth, Reelsteady and Gyroflow. Hypersmooth is built-in, thus extra handy however provides much less management, whereas Reelsteady and Gyroflow requires additional rendering however permits for personalisation. Between Reelsteady and Gyroflow, the previous is paid whereas the latter is free. Personally I want Reelsteady, I believe it provides higher lead to most conditions. Study extra about picture stabilization right here right here: https://oscarliang.com/stabilize-fpv-videos/. However Gyroflow additionally produces first rate end result, be taught extra right here: https://oscarliang.com/gyroflow/

For Reelsteady & Gyroflow

* Solely use Auto in case you are NOT utilizing ND filter; In any other case, set a hard and fast shutter velocity for cinematic look.

** The Huge lens setting below 8:7 side ratio (or 4:3 in older fashions) are full sensor picture that gives a wider area of view than Hyperview/Superview in 16:9. Reelsteady in GoPro Participant will mechanically stretch it to 16:9 Hyperview/Superview after rendering.

*** In particular conditions, set ISO Max larger for additional flexibility (e.g., 400 or 1600 in low mild).

For Hypersmooth

* Solely use Auto in case you are NOT utilizing ND filter; In any other case, set a hard and fast shutter velocity for cinematic look.

**  In particular conditions, you may need to improve ISO Max for additional flexibility (e.g., 800 and even 1600 in low mild). 100 to 200 usually works properly throughout day time.

For Lowlight/Evening Flying

Settings are principally just like these above, with just a few variations. ND filters aren’t wanted/beneficial for lowlight and night time capturing. These settings assume you’re utilizing a GoPro Hero 11 with Reelsteady for stabilization.

* Enhance/lower ISO MAX on your specific setting.

Decision

Go together with 4K for the absolute best picture high quality and bitrate. Chances are you’ll use a decrease decision if you would like larger body price equivalent to 120fps or 240fps as a result of 4K or 5.6K sometimes solely permits 60fps. Take into account that larger resolutions lead to bigger file sizes and require extra processing energy for enhancing and rendering.

FPS

FPS (frames per second) is the body price, it will possibly considerably influences your video’s feel and look.

Many pilots want 60FPS for smoother playback on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, whereas others might want 30FPS. Though 24FPS is standard in filmmaking, it won’t look nearly as good for FPV movies as a result of speedy drone actions. For slow-motion footage, take into account larger FPS choices like 120FPS or 240FPS, which can require decreasing the decision in older cameras.

Side Ratio

The native side ratio for the newest GoPro picture sensor is 8:7, whereas older fashions have a 4:3 sensor. Selecting the native side ratio makes use of the total sensor data. It lets you export the video vertically or horizontally in a while for various social media platform. Utilizing a non-native ratio ends in cropping on the prime and backside of the sensor so it ends in a smaller FOV when you have export it in a unique side ratio in a while. When utilizing Hyperview and Superview, the picture is dynamically stretched from 8:7 or 4:3 to 16:9.

For those who plan to make use of Reelsteady, it’s greatest to pick out 8:7 or 4:3, because the software program will export a 16:9 clip for platforms like YouTube. When utilizing the built-in Hypersmooth stabilization, select 16:9.

Lens

Lens settings decide the sector of view (FOV) of the picture. The obtainable lens choices is determined by the digital camera and chosen decision/FPS/stabilization settings, which embody Linear, Huge, Superview, and Hyperview (from the narrowest to the widest FOV).

FPV movies sometimes use the widest FOV doable, as a wider vertical area of view provides picture stablization extra picture to work with. A wider FOV additionally appears to be like higher for FPV movies. Except you’re utilizing Reelsteady for video stabilization (wherein case, select Huge), it’s beneficial to pick out Hyperview (or Superview if Hyperview isn’t obtainable).

Hypersmooth

As mentioned on this article, there are two methods to stabilize GoPro movies: Hypersmooth and Reelsteady. Hypersmooth is constructed into Hero 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 fashions and works properly for many functions. Nonetheless, FPV pilots usually want Reelsteady, because it tends to provide higher outcomes for FPV movies and is extra versatile.

For those who plan to make use of Reelsteady or Gyroflow, be certain to TURN OFF Hypersmooth within the digital camera; in any other case, go away it ON. The Increase or Auto settings will not be splendid for FPV, as they will crop the picture a bit an excessive amount of and trigger extreme zooming out and in. These settings, nevertheless, are well-suited for sports activities movies.

10-Bit

Presently, solely the GoPro Hero 11 Black can shoot in HEVC 10-bit, capturing 64 occasions extra colours than its predecessor which is in 8-bit. Whereas the distinction will not be vital on a regular laptop display screen, 10-bit recording brings motion cameras nearer to skilled filming high quality. You’ll be able to nonetheless choose to make use of 8-bit if desired.

Bit Charge

Bitrate is important to attain high-quality footage. A better bitrate data extra data from the picture sensor.

The most recent GoPro gives two choices: low (both 45 or 60Mbps) and excessive (100Mbps). I all the time advocate setting the bitrate to excessive. Though this implies greater file sizes, it’s a small sacrifice for preserving picture high quality.

Shutter Velocity

Shutter velocity impacts the publicity of your picture by controlling how a lot mild enters the sensor. It additionally influences the looks of your picture, with sooner shutter speeds producing sharper photographs and slower speeds introducing extra movement blur. A average quantity of movement blur is fascinating in FPV movies for a “cinematic” look.

For those who’re not utilizing an ND filter, you may simply set the Shutter Velocity to Auto, the digital camera will deal with it so that you can get a super publicity. Chances are you’ll set Shutter Velocity to a hard and fast worth which provides you with a extra constant look, however you must use ND filters to get a appropriately uncovered picture. This submit explains in additional element why you must use ND filter and methods to choose the right ND.

The overall rule of thumb is to set the shutter velocity to 1/60 for 30fps, 1/120 for 60fps, 1/240 for 120fps, or 1/480 for 240fps. Utilizing a decrease shutter velocity than the urged worth might lead to overexposure and extreme movement blur.

When utilizing a hard and fast shutter velocity, make sure to equip your GoPro with the suitable ND filter for correct publicity. I like to recommend an ND16 filter for sunny days, ND8 for cloudy days, ND4 for early mornings and sunsets, and ND32 for snowy days.

You will get ND filters primarily based on the digital camera mannequin right here:

For those who’re not sure which ND filter to make use of for correct publicity, it’s typically higher to underexpose than overexpose, because it’s simpler to recuperate element in shadows than in overexposed areas.

EV Comp

EV Comp stands for Publicity Compensation. Typically, you may go away EV Comp on the default setting (zero).

When the digital camera adjusts publicity, it appears to be like on the total picture and calculates a median worth for the present publicity, bringing it up or right down to a center gray worth.

Adjusting the EV Comp worth tells the digital camera to both brighten or darken the picture from the optimum publicity it perceives.

For those who’re filming a topic that’s darker or brighter than the background and go away EV Comp on the default setting (0), your picture might seem overexposed or underexposed. On this case, you’ll need to alter EV Comp. Nonetheless, for FPV, we sometimes movie your entire setting, so there’s normally no must make vital changes.

White Stability

White steadiness determines the colour temperature of your footage, it’s essential for capturing correct colours.

Except you’re filming indoors the place mild sources (e.g., halogen mild bulbs) may alter the setting’s coloration unnaturally, the perfect vary for it could be round 4500K to 5500K in outside setting.

Auto white steadiness can work successfully more often than not, however skilled customers normally set it manually to match the scene, as a result of there is likely to be cases the place the Auto settings is simply off which compromises the general look of your footage. Setting it to a hard and fast worth ensures constant white steadiness, and lets you fantastic tune it later in post-production. For instance, you could use 4500K when capturing on a sunny day or 5500K on a cloudy day. For those who’re unfamiliar with adjusting white steadiness in submit, be happy to simply set it to auto and let the digital camera to deal with it for you and save your self some headache.

Some advocate utilizing the ‘Native’ white steadiness and correcting it in submit. Nonetheless, in my expertise, utilizing ‘Native’ can generally lead to a boring coloration that’s difficult to appropriate in a while.

So, right here’s how I usually do it to reaching good trying colours: First, verify what the ‘Auto’ setting appears to be like like. Then, choose a white steadiness stage that emulates the identical look. This manner, the white steadiness stays locked, versus randomly altering all through the video because it does in ‘Auto’ mode.

ISO

Really helpful Setting: At all times set ISO Min to 100, and alter ISO Max primarily based on lighting situations (100, 200, 400, and even 1600 are acceptable values; I normally go along with 400)

ISO is the digital enhancement of sunshine sensitivity in your digital camera’s picture sensor. It helps alter the publicity of the picture by amplifying the sign. A better ISO will increase mild sensitivity, which improves visibility in low-light environments, nevertheless it additionally introduces and amplifies digital noise, leading to a grainier picture.

For the perfect outcomes, preserve your ISO settings as little as doable to reduce noise and keep picture high quality.

When setting ISO Min and Max, you’re establishing a spread of ISO values the digital camera can use, moderately than fixing the ISO worth. For instance, if the minimal ISO is 100 and the utmost is 1600, the digital camera can use ISO values from 100 as much as 1600, relying on lighting situations.

A excessive ISO Max gives flexibility, particularly when utilizing a hard and fast shutter velocity, as ISO turns into the first manner the digital camera adjusts publicity. Nonetheless, if you would like probably the most constant and clear picture doable, it’s greatest to maintain your ISO Max as little as doable given the lighting situations.

When capturing outside in the course of the day with out flying below timber or in shadows, set ISO Max to 100 for probably the most constant picture. For those who do fly in shadowed areas, you may set the ISO Max larger, equivalent to 400, for added flexibility. For those who’re flying out and in of a home, for instance, you may even set the ISO Max to 1600 to account for the altering lighting situations.

Sharpness

The excessive sharpness setting in GoPro cameras might be overly intense and unappealing. By setting sharpness to low or medium, you will have the flexibleness to regulate sharpness in post-production utilizing a video editor to attain the specified stage.

Coloration/Profile

In older GoPro cameras, this selection is named “Coloration”, within the new Hero 12 it’s known as “Profile”.

GoPro provides two coloration choices: Regular (aka Commonplace) and Flat (aka Log). Select Flat/Log coloration in the event you plan to paint grade in post-production, in any other case select Regular/Commonplace.

• Flat/Log – Retains extra picture element and adaptability, permit higher freedom for coloration correction and coloration grading in video enhancing software program
• Regular/Commonplace – Produces vivid colours and excessive distinction

Flat/Log Coloration is right for individuals who plan to paint grade their footage in post-production. It retains extra picture element, offering extra flexibility when adjusting colours and distinction. Nonetheless, Flat Coloration footage shouldn’t be designed for direct consumption. For those who’re new to creating FPV movies and unfamiliar with coloration grading, you could need to persist with Regular/Commonplace coloration for now.

Studying coloration grading can considerably improve your movies when finished appropriately. To get began, think about using knowledgeable video editor, equivalent to DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or Closing Reduce Professional X. I’ve a tutorial that will help you get began with Davinci Resolve: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-use-davinci-resolve/

If you’re new to paint grading, take a look at my newbie’s tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/color-grade-fpv-videos/

Spot metering

Spot metering is a helpful setting that enables the digital camera to make use of a selected portion of the display screen to resolve the publicity stage. This may be useful in difficult lighting eventualities. As an example, with a backlit sky, the digital camera may underexpose the bottom, making it look too darkish. By utilizing spot metering, you may power the digital camera to show primarily based on the sunshine stage of the world that issues most to you.

High Suggestions

Getting SD Playing cards

Make certain to get an excellent SD card that has first rate write velocity. With a gradual card your GoPro recording may cease randomly and even gained’t report in any respect. It’s necessary to grasp the velocity class of SD playing cards, and the velocity requriement for the actual decision you propose to make use of with the GoPro.

You’ll be able to study this in my SD card tutorial, the place I may also recommend some nice playing cards on your GoPro: https://oscarliang.com/sd-cards-fpv/#GoPro-and-Different-HD-Cameras-4K-Movies

Importing to Youtube

YouTube compression can negatively have an effect on your video high quality, inflicting quick movement and detailed parts like grass and leaves to look pixelated. To make sure the perfect outcomes, observe YouTube’s pointers for exporting and importing your movies.

Importing movies with excessively excessive bitrates gained’t enhance high quality, as YouTube compresses them anyway. It’s greatest to let your video editor deal with the compression to keep away from points.

One helpful tip is to “upscale” your video when exporting it in your video editor. Since YouTube retains larger bitrates for larger decision movies, exporting a 1080p or 2.7K video in 4K can enhance playback high quality. For instance, YouTube limits 1080p movies to a 12 Mbps bitrate, whereas 4K movies can have as much as 68 Mbps. 60fps movies additionally retains larger bitrate than 30fps movies.

Utilizing a GoPro Dummy

Whereas working towards or tuning your drone, you won’t be recording each flight. Utilizing a GoPro dummy can shield your precise GoPro from harm throughout non-recording flights.

3D-print a GoPro dummy in TPU and fill it with cash, steel weights or rice to match the load of your GoPro. This ensures constant weight distribution, which impacts your drone’s efficiency and management really feel.

Utilizing a GoPro dummy lets you keep consistency in your coaching with out risking harm to your precise digital camera throughout crashes.

To weight your dummy, think about using “wheel steadiness weights,” obtainable in 5g and 10g items: https://amzn.to/3GDHCYd. Alternatively, you should use cash, chains, rice, or different weights that match contained in the dummy.

Widespread Points

GoPro Battery Not Totally Charging

In case your GoPro battery stops charging at round 80%-90% (and even 70-80%), the difficulty is likely to be associated to the charger. When utilizing a strong third-party charger (e.g., an Apple charger or one with Energy Supply capabilities), and the battery by no means reaches 100%, strive utilizing a much less highly effective, non-Energy Supply or Fast Cost suitable charger, equivalent to one with a 5V 2A output. Alternatively, you may strive charging your GoPro battery utilizing your laptop’s USB port, which must also work successfully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, establishing your GoPro for FPV flying is important to seize gorgeous and easy footage. By following the suggestions and suggestions on this information, you may optimize your digital camera settings and make sure the greatest outcomes on your FPV movies. Bear in mind, apply makes excellent, so experiment with totally different settings and use the proper instruments to reinforce your FPV flying expertise.

Edit Historical past

• Mar 2017 – Article created.
• Mar 2018 – Added sections “Shutter Velocity” and “Importing to Youtube”.
• Jan 2020 – Up to date GoPro listing, added settings for Hero 7.
• Might 2020 – Added settings for Hero 8 and included separate settings for Reelsteady.
• Oct 2022 – Up to date product hyperlinks and settings.
• Jan 2023 – Added “High Suggestions” and “Widespread Points”.
• Apr 2023 – Added greatest settings for Lowlight/Evening.
• Jan 2025 – Added GoPro 13 to the product listing.