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

Whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled FPV pilot, capturing beautiful and easy footage is essential to showcasing your abilities and sharing your adventures. This information will stroll you thru GoPro digicam settings, and I’ll provide suggestions and finest practices that will help you get probably the most out of your GoPro when filming your FPV flights. We’ll cowl the very best GoPro settings from body charge, shutter pace, FOV, stabilization, to paint grading, making certain you might have all of the data wanted to create cinematic movies that actually seize the essence of FPV flying.

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To study extra about HD Motion Cameras for FPV, try this put up.

GoPro Choices for FPV

GoPro Hero 13

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

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.

In case you prioritize the very best log profile and probably the most flexibility in post-production and coloration grading, the GoPro Hero 13 stays your finest wager. Its flat coloration profile provides loads of room for tweaking colours to your liking.

Nonetheless, for every thing else, the DJI Osmo Motion 5 Professional is very 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 ideally suited for social media use. The digicam movies in 5.3K and 4K at 60fps and a pair of.7K at 240fps, and options Hypersmooth V5 stabilization and horizon locking. Equipment and ND filters from earlier fashions are appropriate.

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 diminished weight (about 20g lighter) and $100 cheaper price tag, whereas retaining the identical capabilities and efficiency.

GoPro Bones

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

The GoPro Bones is basically 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 will be powered direct connection from the drone eliminating the necessity for a separate battery. Try my evaluate for extra particulars: https://oscarliang.com/gopro-10-bones/

360 Cameras

GoPro additionally provides 360 cameras, try this comparability information for extra element.

Finest GoPro Settings

These tables beneath present my finest settings for the most recent GoPro Hero 11 and 12, however also needs to work effectively on older fashions. Video stabilization is important for a cinematic look in your movies, you might 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 personalization. Between Reelsteady and Gyroflow, the previous is paid whereas the latter is free. Personally I choose Reelsteady, I believe it provides higher lead to most conditions. Be taught extra about picture stabilization right here right here: https://oscarliang.com/stabilize-fpv-videos/. However Gyroflow additionally produces respectable end result, study extra right here: https://oscarliang.com/gyroflow/

For Reelsteady & Gyroflow

* Solely use Auto if you’re NOT utilizing ND filter; In any other case, set a hard and fast shutter pace for cinematic look.

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

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

For Hypersmooth

* Solely use Auto if you’re NOT utilizing ND filter; In any other case, set a hard and fast shutter pace for cinematic look.

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

For Lowlight/Evening Flying

Settings are largely just like these above, with just a few variations. ND filters aren’t wanted/advisable for lowlight and evening capturing. These settings assume you might be utilizing a GoPro Hero 11 with Reelsteady for stabilization.

* Improve/lower ISO MAX in your specific surroundings.

Decision

Go along with 4K for the absolute best picture high quality and bitrate. It’s possible you’ll use a decrease decision if you need greater body charge corresponding to 120fps or 240fps as a result of 4K or 5.6K sometimes solely permits 60fps. Understand that greater resolutions lead to bigger file sizes and require extra processing energy for enhancing and rendering.

FPS

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

Many pilots choose 60FPS for smoother playback on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, whereas others might choose 30FPS. Though 24FPS is fashionable in filmmaking, it may not look nearly as good for FPV movies as a result of fast drone actions. For slow-motion footage, think about greater FPS choices like 120FPS or 240FPS, which can require decreasing the decision in older cameras.

Facet Ratio

The native side ratio for the most recent 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 info. It lets you export the video vertically or horizontally afterward for various social media platform. Utilizing a non-native ratio leads to cropping on the prime and backside of the sensor so it leads to a smaller FOV when you’ve got export it in a unique side ratio afterward. When utilizing Hyperview and Superview, the picture is dynamically stretched from 8:7 or 4:3 to 16:9.

In case you plan to make use of Reelsteady, it’s finest 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 relies on the digicam and chosen decision/FPS/stabilization settings, which embrace Linear, Broad, Superview, and Hyperview (from the narrowest to the widest FOV).

FPV movies sometimes use the widest FOV attainable, as a wider vertical subject of view provides picture stablization extra picture to work with. A wider FOV additionally appears to be like higher for FPV movies. Until you’re utilizing Reelsteady for video stabilization (through which case, select Broad), it’s advisable 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 effectively for many functions. Nonetheless, FPV pilots typically choose Reelsteady, because it tends to supply higher outcomes for FPV movies and is extra versatile.

In case you plan to make use of Reelsteady or Gyroflow, be certain to TURN OFF Hypersmooth within the digicam; in any other case, go away it ON. The Enhance or Auto settings is probably not ideally suited 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 is probably not vital on a normal pc display, 10-bit recording brings motion cameras nearer to skilled filming high quality. You may nonetheless choose to make use of 8-bit if desired.

Bit Fee

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

The most recent GoPro supplies two choices: low (both 45 or 60Mbps) and excessive (100Mbps). I at all times 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 pace impacts the publicity of your picture by controlling how a lot mild enters the sensor. It additionally influences the looks of your picture, with quicker shutter speeds producing sharper photos and slower speeds introducing extra movement blur. A reasonable quantity of movement blur is fascinating in FPV movies for a “cinematic” look.

In case you’re not utilizing an ND filter, you may simply set the Shutter Velocity to Auto, the digicam will deal with it so that you can get a great publicity. It’s possible you’ll set Shutter Velocity to a hard and fast worth which gives you a extra constant look, however it’s best to use ND filters to get a appropriately uncovered picture. This put up explains in additional element why it’s best to use ND filter and tips on how to choose the right ND.

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

When utilizing a hard and fast shutter pace, remember 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 may get ND filters based mostly on the digicam mannequin right here:

In case you’re not sure which ND filter to make use of for correct publicity, it’s usually higher to underexpose than overexpose, because it’s simpler to get better element in shadows than in overexposed areas.

EV Comp

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

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

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

In case you’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 wish to regulate EV Comp. Nonetheless, for FPV, we sometimes movie the complete surroundings, so there’s often no have to make vital changes.

White Steadiness

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

Until you’re filming indoors the place mild sources (e.g., halogen mild bulbs) would possibly alter the surroundings’s coloration unnaturally, the very best vary for it could be round 4500K to 5500K in out of doors surroundings.

Auto white steadiness can work successfully more often than not, however skilled customers often set it manually to match the scene, as a result of there may 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 wonderful tune it later in post-production. For instance, chances are you’ll use 4500K when capturing on a sunny day or 5500K on a cloudy day. In case you’re unfamiliar with adjusting white steadiness in put up, be at liberty to only set it to auto and let the digicam to deal with it for you and save your self some headache.

Some advocate utilizing the ‘Native’ white steadiness and correcting it in put up. Nonetheless, in my expertise, utilizing ‘Native’ can generally lead to a uninteresting coloration that’s difficult to right afterward.

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

ISO

Advisable Setting: All the time set ISO Min to 100, and regulate ISO Max based mostly on lighting situations (100, 200, 400, and even 1600 are acceptable values; I often go together with 400)

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

For the very best outcomes, preserve your ISO settings as little as attainable to reduce noise and preserve picture high quality.

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

A excessive ISO Max supplies flexibility, particularly when utilizing a hard and fast shutter pace, as ISO turns into the first means the digicam adjusts publicity. Nonetheless, if you need probably the most constant and clear picture attainable, it’s finest to maintain your ISO Max as little as attainable given the lighting situations.

When capturing outside throughout the day with out flying beneath timber or in shadows, set ISO Max to 100 for probably the most constant picture. In case you do fly in shadowed areas, you may set the ISO Max greater, corresponding to 400, for added flexibility. In case you’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 will be overly intense and unappealing. By setting sharpness to low or medium, you might have the pliability to regulate sharpness in post-production utilizing a video editor to attain the specified degree.

Colour/Profile

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

GoPro provides two coloration choices: Regular (aka Normal) 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/Normal.

• Flat/Log – Retains extra picture element and suppleness, enable better freedom for coloration correction and coloration grading in video enhancing software program
• Regular/Normal – Produces vivid colours and excessive distinction

Flat/Log Colour is good 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 Colour footage is just not designed for direct consumption. In case you’re new to creating FPV movies and unfamiliar with coloration grading, chances are you’ll wish to keep on with Regular/Normal coloration for now.

Studying coloration grading can considerably improve your movies when achieved appropriately. To get began, think about using an expert video editor, corresponding to DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or Ultimate Lower 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, try my newbie’s tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/color-grade-fpv-videos/

Spot metering

Spot metering is a helpful setting that permits the digicam to make use of a particular portion of the display to resolve the publicity degree. This may be useful in difficult lighting situations. As an illustration, with a backlit sky, the digicam would possibly underexpose the bottom, making it look too darkish. By utilizing spot metering, you may power the digicam to show based mostly on the sunshine degree of the realm that issues most to you.

High Suggestions

Getting SD Playing cards

Be sure to get a great SD card that has respectable write pace. With a sluggish card your GoPro recording would possibly cease randomly and even gained’t report in any respect. It’s necessary to grasp the pace class of SD playing cards, and the pace requriement for the actual decision you propose to make use of with the GoPro.

You may find out about this in my SD card tutorial, the place I may also counsel some nice playing cards in 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 seem pixelated. To make sure the very best outcomes, comply with 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 finest 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 greater bitrates for greater 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 greater bitrate than 30fps movies.

Utilizing a GoPro Dummy

Whereas training or tuning your drone, you may not be recording each flight. Utilizing a GoPro dummy can shield your precise GoPro from injury throughout non-recording flights.

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

Utilizing a GoPro dummy lets you preserve consistency in your coaching with out risking injury to your precise digicam throughout crashes.

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

Widespread Points

GoPro Battery Not Absolutely Charging

In case your GoPro battery stops charging at round 80%-90% (and even 70-80%), the difficulty may 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 appropriate charger, corresponding to one with a 5V 2A output. Alternatively, you may strive charging your GoPro battery utilizing your pc’s USB port, which also needs to work successfully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, establishing your GoPro for FPV flying is important to seize beautiful and easy footage. By following the suggestions and suggestions on this information, you may optimize your digicam settings and make sure the finest outcomes in your FPV movies. Bear in mind, observe makes good, so experiment with completely different settings and use the best 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 checklist, added settings for Hero 7.
• Could 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 finest settings for Lowlight/Evening.
• Jan 2025 – Added GoPro 13 to the product checklist.