With the arrival of the Hero 5 on the heels of the release of the GoPro Omni 360 VR Camera System there is one question on many minds. Will GoPro come out with a Hero 5 Version of the Omni? The Hero 4 has been a favorite with the 360 crowd with homemade 360 Rigs and rigs like the 360Rize and such. It is easy to say that the Hero 4 Black is the number one choice right now for 360 rigs. The abilty to connect these cameras together and fire them into record mode, within 0-5 frames, using the Smart Remote make them well suited for 2D 360 videos.
For those doing 3D 360 videos the ability to have full sync between camera is an absolute must have. For those users right now only Hero 3 and 3+ with after market add-on boards, like the MewPro will provide that type of sync.
Before we speculate, let’s compare specs and see if it will even work.
Let’s line them up. First the Hero 4.
System NTSC/PAL
Recording Media microSD/HC/XC Up To 64 GB
Video Format 4K
H.264
3840 x 2160p / 30 fps / 25 fps / 24 fps
High Definition
H.264
2704 x 2028p / 30 fps / 25 fps
High Definition
H.264
2704 x 1520p / 60 fps / 50 fps / 48 fps
High Definition
H.264
2704 x 1520p / 30 fps / 25 fps / 24 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1440p / 80 fps / 60 fps / 50 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1440p / 48 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1440p / 60 fps / 50 fps / 48 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1440 / 30 fps / 25 fps / 24 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1080p / 120 fps / 90 fps / 80 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1080p / 60 fps / 50 fps / 48 fps
High Definition
H.264
1920 x 1080p / 30 fps / 25 fps / 24 fps
High Definition
H.264
1280 x 960p / 120 fps / 60 fps / 50 fps
High Definition
H.264
1280 x 720p / 240 fps / 120 fps / 60 fps
High Definition
H.264
1280 x 720p / 50 fps / 30 fps / 25 fps
Standard Definition
H.264
848 x 480p / 240 fps
Aspect Ratio 16:9
4:3
Still Image Resolution JPEG: 12 Megapixel, 4000 x 3000 (4:3)
JPEG: 7 Megapixel, 3000 x 2250 (4:3)
JPEG: 5 Megapixel, 2560 x 1920 (4:3)
Channels 1.0-Channel Mono
Audio Format AAC with AGC
Exposure Control
Interval Recording .5 sec
1 sec
2 sec
5 sec
10 sec
30 sec
60 sec
Features
Waterproof Depth Rating 131.0′ / 40.0 m (Waterproof Housing)
Input/Output Connectors
Outputs 1x Mini-USB
1x HDMI D (Micro)
Battery Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 3.8 VDC, 1160 mAh,
Providing up to 1.5 Hours per Charge
Charging Method USB
Weight 3.10 oz / 88 g camera only
5.36 oz / 152 g with housing
Sensor 1x 12 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
Recording
Recording Media microSD
Video Format MP4
3840 x 2160 / 24 fps / 25 fps / 30 fps
2704 x 2028 / 25 fps / 30 fps
2704 x 1520 / 24 fps / 25 fps / 30 fps
/ 48 fps / 50 fps / 60 fps
1920 x 1440p / 24 fps / 25 fps / 30 fps
/ 48 fps / 50 fps / 60 fps
/ 80 fps
1920 x 1080 / 24 fps / 25 fps / 30 fps
/ 48 fps / 50 fps / 60 fps
/ 80 fps / 90 fps / 120 fps
1280 x 960 / 50 fps / 60 fps / 120 fps
1280 x 720 / 25 fps / 30 fps / 50 fps
/ 60 fps / 100 fps / 120 fps
/ 240 fps
854 x 480 / 240 fps
Aspect Ratio 16:9
4:3
Still Image Resolution RAW: 12 Megapixel
JPEG: 12 Megapixel
Channels 2.0-Channel Stereo
Audio Format WAV
Display
Display Type LCD
Touchscreen Yes
Screen Size 2″
2nd Display
Display Type LCD
Touchscreen No
Exposure Control
Burst Photo 30 photos / 1 sec
Features
Image Stabilization Digital
Waterproof Depth Rating 33.0′ / 10.0 m (Camera)
Built-in Mic Yes
Built-in Speaker Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Input/Output Connectors
Inputs 1x 1/8″ (3.5 mm) Stereo Mini
Outputs 1x HDMI D (Micro)
Microphone Input Yes
Headphone Jack No
General
Battery Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Battery, 1220 mAh
Charging Method AC Adapter
USB
The GoPro Omni
Resolution Support Individual Camera Resolution:
2.7K25/30
1440p50/60
Spherical Resolution
2.7K – 7940 x 3970
1440p – 5638 x 2819
Recording Format Video:
Codec: H.264
Format: MP4
Bit rate: 45 Mbps / 65 Mbps (ProTune)
Audio:
48 kHz PCM
Media 6 x microSD cards
Connectivity 6 x mini-USB (for camera charging and data offload)
1 x wireless remote control
Power 6 x Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, 1160 mAh, 3.8 V, 4.4 Wh 1 x 12 VDC, 7 A, 2.5 x 5.5 mm input
Dimensions Omni rig unit: 4.7 x 4.7 x 4.7″ / 120 x 120 x 120 mm
Packaging Info
Package Weight 24.0 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) 26.0 x 17.5 x 9.0″
On the surface, it appears that the new GoPro Hero 5 could substitute for the GoPro Hero4 in the Omni. But looking a little closer there are some obvious issues. First, the design would demand a complete overhaul. Second,
Second, The Hero 4 plugs into the Omni creating a perfect Master/Slaves Camera relationship, with the built in circuitry it creates the necessary synced recording.
Third, the Hero 5 has a built-in LCD screen. This creates probably the biggest issue. The Omni has some overheat issues now and with an LCD screen on the back, unless it can be switched off, will increase the heat issue to a critical level.
The final analysis, The differences between the Hero4 and the new Hero 5 are not that great. Image quality seems close to identical. The built-in LCD would need to be turned off. And perhaps most importantly the functional and beautiful tight space of the GoPro Omni would be drastically altered to allow for the necessary connections for synchronization. Add to that the fact that the Omni is proving it’s popularity worldwide and is in back order as we speak; it would be unlikely that GoPro would change this leader of the growing 360 VR video market.
So, in my opinion, don’t wait. If you want to shoot professional 360 VR videos, order an Omni and don’t look back. The future of 360 VR is very bright.