How To Use GoPro on FPV Drones – Best Settings, Accessories, Tips and Tricks

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced FPV pilot, capturing stunning and smooth footage is key to showcasing your skills and sharing your adventures. This guide will walk you through GoPro camera settings, and I will offer tips and best practices to help you get the most out of your GoPro when filming your FPV flights. We’ll cover the best GoPro settings from frame rate, shutter speed, FOV, stabilization, to color grading, ensuring you have all the knowledge needed to create cinematic videos that truly capture the essence of FPV flying.

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To learn more about HD Action Cameras for FPV, check out this post.

GoPro Options for FPV

GoPro Hero 11

Product Page: https://amzn.to/3RZnEL7

The GoPro Hero 11 offers two exciting new features for FPV pilots: 10-bit videos and a 8:7 aspect ratio image sensor. This sensor allows for 16:9 and 9:16 cropping, making it ideal for social media use. The camera films in 5.3K and 4K at 60fps and 2.7K at 240fps, and features Hypersmooth V5 stabilization and horizon locking. Accessories and ND filters from previous models are compatible.

GoPro Hero 11 Mini

Product Page: https://amzn.to/3XqMQNu

The Hero 11 Mini is a smaller, lighter version of the Hero 11. It’s slightly better for FPV drones due to its reduced weight (about 20g lighter) and $100 lower price tag, while retaining the same capabilities and performance.

GoPro Hero 10

Product Page: https://amzn.to/3VibzU2

The Hero 10 features the powerful GP2 processor and Hypersmooth (V4.0) stabilization. It offers up to 5.3K 60FPS resolution and horizon lock.

GoPro Bones

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

The GoPro Hero 10 Bones is a lighter, more compact version of the Hero 10, designed specifically for FPV drones. It offers the same image quality and performance, built-in heat sinks, and can be powered direct connection from the drone eliminating the need for a separate battery. Check out my review for more details: https://oscarliang.com/gopro-10-bones/

GoPro Hero 9

Product Page: https://amzn.to/2LRcDQ4

The Hero 9 features Hypersmooth V3.0 stabilization and a removable lens protector. It’s slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessors, but offers improved image quality and no cropping in 4K Superview.

Older GoPros

Older GoPro models might not have the latest features and image quality, but they can still be a cost-effective option for FPV pilots on a budget. Look for 2nd hand or refurnished deals on these older models.

• GoPro Hero 8 Black: https://amzn.to/2uQr2De
• GoPro Hero 7 Black: https://amzn.to/37Mw6qN
• GoPro Hero 6 Black: https://amzn.to/31fvN56
• GoPro Session 5: https://amzn.to/2RNbNDO

360 Cameras

GoPro also offers 360 cameras, check out this comparison guide for more detail.

Best GoPro Settings

These tables provide the best settings for the latest GoPro Hero 11, but should also work well on older models. If a resolution isn’t available, choose the next best option. Video stabilization is essential for a cinematic look in your videos, with two options: Hypersmooth and Reelsteady. Hypersmooth is more convenient but offers less control, while Reelsteady requires extra rendering but allows for customization. Personally I prefer Reelsteady, I think it gives better result in most situations. Learn more about image stabilization here here: https://oscarliang.com/stabilize-fpv-videos/

For Hypersmooth

* Use Auto only if not using an ND filter; otherwise, set a fixed shutter speed for a cinematic look.

**  In specific situations, you might want to set ISO Max higher for extra flexibility (e.g., 800 or even 1600 in low light). 100 to 400 works well for most cases.

For Reelsteady

* Use Auto only if not using an ND filter; otherwise, set a fixed shutter speed for a cinematic look.

** The Wide lens setting under 8:7 or 4:3 aspect ratios are full sensor image that provides a wider field of view than Hyperview/Superview in 16:9. Reelsteady in GoPro Player will automatically stretch it to 16:9 Hyperview/Superview after rendering.

*** In specific situations, set ISO Max higher for extra flexibility (e.g., 400 or 1600 in low light).

For Lowlight/Night Shooting

Settings are mostly similar to those above, with a few differences. ND filters aren’t needed/recommended for lowlight and night shooting. These settings assume you are using a GoPro Hero 11 with Reelsteady for stabilization.

* Increase/decrease ISO for your particular environment.

Resolution

Go with 4K for the best possible image quality and bitrate. You may use a lower resolution if you want higher frame rate such as 120fps or 240fps because 4K or 5.6K typically only allows 60fps. Keep in mind that higher resolutions result in larger file sizes and require more processing power for editing and rendering.

FPS

FPS (frames per second) is the frame rate, it can significantly influences your video’s look and feel.

Many pilots prefer 60FPS for smoother playback on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, while others may prefer 30FPS. Although 24FPS is popular in filmmaking, it might not look as good for FPV videos due to rapid drone movements. For slow-motion footage, consider higher FPS options like 120FPS or 240FPS, which may require lowering the resolution in older cameras.

Aspect Ratio

The native aspect ratio for the latest GoPro image sensor is 8:7, while older models have a 4:3 sensor. Choosing the native aspect ratio makes use of the full sensor information, whereas using a non-native ratio results in cropping at the top and bottom of the sensor. When using Hyperview and Superview, the image is dynamically stretched from 8:7 or 4:3 to 16:9.

If you plan to use Reelsteady, it’s best to select 8:7 or 4:3, as the software will export a 16:9 clip for platforms like YouTube. When using the built-in Hypersmooth stabilization, choose 16:9.

Lens

Lens settings determine the field of view (FOV) of the image. The available lens options depends on the camera and selected resolution/FPS/stabilization settings, which include Linear, Wide, Superview, and Hyperview (from the narrowest to the widest FOV).

FPV videos typically use the widest FOV possible, as a wider vertical field of view gives image stablization more image to work with. A wider FOV also looks better for FPV videos. Unless you’re using Reelsteady for video stabilization (in which case, choose Wide), it’s recommended to select Hyperview (or Superview if Hyperview isn’t available).

Hypersmooth

As discussed in this article, there are two ways to stabilize GoPro videos: Hypersmooth and Reelsteady. Hypersmooth is built into Hero 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 models and works well for most applications. However, FPV pilots often prefer Reelsteady, as it tends to produce better results for FPV videos and is more flexible.

If you plan to use Reelsteady, TURN OFF Hypersmooth in the camera; otherwise, leave it ON. Boost or Auto may not be ideal for FPV, as they can crop the image a lot and cause excessive zooming in and out. These settings, however, are well-suited for sports videos.

10-Bit

Currently, only the GoPro Hero 11 Black can shoot in HEVC 10-bit, capturing 64 times more colors than its predecessor which is in 8-bit. While the difference may not be significant on a standard computer screen, 10-bit recording brings action cameras closer to professional filming quality. You can still opt to use 8-bit if desired.

Bit Rate

Bitrate is essential to achieve high-quality footage. A higher bitrate records more information from the image sensor.

The newest GoPro provides two options: low (either 45 or 60Mbps) and high (100Mbps). I always recommend setting the bitrate to high. Although this means bigger file sizes, it’s a small sacrifice for preserving image quality.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed affects the exposure of your image by controlling how much light enters the sensor. It also influences the appearance of your image, with faster shutter speeds producing sharper images and slower speeds introducing more motion blur. A moderate amount of motion blur is desirable in FPV videos for a “cinematic” look.

If you’re not using an ND filter, you can just set the Shutter Speed to Auto, the camera will handle it for you to get an ideal exposure. You may set Shutter Speed to a fixed value which will give you a more consistent look, but you should use ND filters to get a correctly exposed image. This post explains in more detail why you should use ND filter and how to select the correct ND.

The general rule of thumb is to set the shutter speed to 1/60 for 30fps, 1/120 for 60fps, 1/240 for 120fps, or 1/480 for 240fps. Using a lower shutter speed than the suggested value may result in overexposure and excessive motion blur.

When using a fixed shutter speed, be sure to equip your GoPro with the appropriate ND filter for proper exposure. I recommend an ND16 filter for sunny days, ND8 for cloudy days, ND4 for early mornings and sunsets, and ND32 for snowy days.

You can get ND filters based on the camera model here:

• Hero 11 and 11 mini: https://amzn.to/3VkEsiF
• Hero 9, 10, 11 and 11 mini: https://oscarliang.com/product-gm8h
• GoPro 8 – https://amzn.to/2MiJzxq
• GoPro 6 and 7 – https://amzn.to/2TUAKxU

If you’re unsure which ND filter to use for proper exposure, it’s generally better to underexpose than overexpose, as it’s easier to recover detail in shadows than in overexposed areas.

EV Comp

EV Comp stands for Exposure Compensation. In most cases, you can leave EV Comp at the default setting (zero).

When the camera adjusts exposure, it looks at the entire image and calculates an average value for the current exposure, bringing it up or down to a middle grey value.

Adjusting the EV Comp value tells the camera to either brighten or darken the image from the optimal exposure it perceives.

If you’re filming a subject that is darker or brighter than the background and leave EV Comp at the default setting (0), your image may appear overexposed or underexposed. In this case, you’ll want to adjust EV Comp. However, for FPV, we typically film the entire environment, so there’s usually no need to make significant adjustments.

White Balance

White balance determines the color temperature of your footage, it’s crucial for capturing accurate colors.

Unless you’re filming indoors where light sources (e.g., halogen light bulbs) might alter the environment’s color unnaturally, the best range for it would be around 4500K to 5500K in outdoor environment.

Auto white balance can work effectively most of the time, but experienced users usually set it manually to match the scene, because there might be instances where the Auto settings is just off which compromises the overall look of your footage. Setting it to a fixed value ensures consistent white balance, and allows you to fine tune it later in post-production. For example, you may use 4500K when shooting on a sunny day or 5500K on a cloudy day. If you’re unfamiliar with adjusting white balance in post, feel free to just set it to auto and let the camera to handle it for you and save yourself some headache.

Some recommend using the ‘Native’ white balance and correcting it in post. However, in my experience, using ‘Native’ can sometimes result in a dull coloration that’s challenging to correct later on.

So, here’s how I normally do it to achieving good looking colors: First, check what the ‘Auto’ setting looks like. Then, select a white balance level that emulates the same look. This way, the white balance stays locked, as opposed to randomly changing throughout the video as it does in ‘Auto’ mode.

ISO

Recommended Setting: Always set ISO Min to 100, and adjust ISO Max based on lighting conditions (100, 200, 400, or even 1600 are acceptable values; I usually go with 400)

ISO is the digital enhancement of light sensitivity in your camera’s image sensor. It helps adjust the exposure of the image by amplifying the signal. A higher ISO increases light sensitivity, which improves visibility in low-light environments, but it also introduces and amplifies digital noise, resulting in a grainier image.

For the best results, keep your ISO settings as low as possible to minimize noise and maintain image quality.

When setting ISO Min and Max, you’re establishing a range of ISO values the camera can use, rather than fixing the ISO value. For example, if the minimum ISO is 100 and the maximum is 1600, the camera can use ISO values from 100 up to 1600, depending on lighting conditions.

A high ISO Max provides flexibility, especially when using a fixed shutter speed, as ISO becomes the primary way the camera adjusts exposure. However, if you want the most consistent and clean image possible, it’s best to keep your ISO Max as low as possible given the lighting conditions.

When shooting outdoors during the day without flying under trees or in shadows, set ISO Max to 100 for the most consistent image. If you do fly in shadowed areas, you can set the ISO Max higher, such as 400, for added flexibility. If you’re flying in and out of a house, for example, you can even set the ISO Max to 1600 to account for the changing lighting conditions.

Sharpness

The high sharpness setting in GoPro cameras can be overly intense and unappealing. By setting sharpness to low or medium, you have the flexibility to adjust sharpness in post-production using a video editor to achieve the desired level.

Color

GoPro offers two color options: GoPro Color (aka Normal) and Flat. Choose Flat color if you plan to color grade in post-production, otherwise choose Normal.

• Flat – Retains more image detail and flexibility, allow greater freedom for color correction and color grading in video editing software
• GoPro Color (or Normal color) – Produces vivid colors and high contrast

Flat Color is ideal for those who plan to color grade their footage in post-production. It retains more image detail, providing more flexibility when adjusting colors and contrast. However, Flat Color footage is not designed for direct consumption. If you’re new to creating FPV videos and unfamiliar with color grading, you may want to stick with Normal color for now.

Learning color grading can significantly enhance your videos when done correctly. To get started, consider using a professional video editor, such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or Final Cut Pro X. I have a tutorial to help you get started with Davinci Resolve: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-use-davinci-resolve/

If you are new to color grading, check out my beginner’s tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/color-grade-fpv-videos/

Spot metering

Spot metering is a useful setting that allows the camera to use a specific portion of the screen to decide the exposure level. This can be handy in challenging lighting scenarios. For instance, with a backlit sky, the camera might underexpose the ground, making it look too dark. By using spot metering, you can force the camera to expose based on the light level of the area that matters most to you.

Top Tips

Getting SD Cards

Make sure to get a good SD card that has decent write speed. With a slow card your GoPro recording might stop randomly or even won’t record at all. It’s important to understand the speed class of SD cards, and the speed requriement for the particular resolution you plan to use with the GoPro.

You can learn about this in my SD card tutorial, where I will also suggest some great cards for your GoPro: https://oscarliang.com/sd-cards-fpv/#GoPro-and-Other-HD-Cameras-4K-Videos

Uploading to Youtube

YouTube compression can negatively affect your video quality, causing fast motion and detailed elements like grass and leaves to appear pixelated. To ensure the best results, follow YouTube’s guidelines for exporting and uploading your videos.

Uploading videos with excessively high bitrates won’t improve quality, as YouTube compresses them anyway. It’s best to let your video editor handle the compression to avoid issues.

One useful tip is to “upscale” your video when exporting it in your video editor. Since YouTube retains higher bitrates for higher resolution videos, exporting a 1080p or 2.7K video in 4K can improve playback quality. For example, YouTube limits 1080p videos to a 12 Mbps bitrate, while 4K videos can have up to 68 Mbps. 60fps videos also retains higher bitrate than 30fps videos.

Using a GoPro Dummy

While practicing or tuning your drone, you might not be recording every flight. Using a GoPro dummy can protect your actual GoPro from damage during non-recording flights.

3D-print a GoPro dummy in TPU and fill it with coins, metal weights or rice to match the weight of your GoPro. This ensures consistent weight distribution, which affects your drone’s performance and control feel.

Using a GoPro dummy allows you to maintain consistency in your training without risking damage to your actual camera during crashes.

To weight your dummy, consider using “wheel balance weights,” available in 5g and 10g pieces: https://amzn.to/3GDHCYd. Alternatively, you can use coins, chains, rice, or other weights that fit inside the dummy.

Common Issues

GoPro Battery Not Fully Charging

If your GoPro battery stops charging at around 80%-90% (or even 70-80%), the issue might be related to the charger. When using a powerful third-party charger (e.g., an Apple charger or one with Power Delivery capabilities), and the battery never reaches 100%, try using a less powerful, non-Power Delivery or Quick Charge compatible charger, such as one with a 5V 2A output. Alternatively, you can try charging your GoPro battery using your computer’s USB port, which should also work effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up your GoPro for FPV flying is essential to capture stunning and smooth footage. By following the recommendations and tips in this guide, you can optimize your camera settings and ensure the best results for your FPV videos. Remember, practice makes perfect, so experiment with different settings and use the right tools to enhance your FPV flying experience.

Edit History

• Mar 2017 – Article created
• Mar 2018 – Added sections “Shutter Speed” and “Uploading to Youtube”
• Jan 2020 – Updated GoPro list, added settings for Hero 7
• May 2020 – Added settings for Hero 8 and included separate settings for Reelsteady
• Oct 2022 – Updated product links and settings
• Jan 2023 – Added “Top Tips” and “Common Issues”
• Apr 2023 – Added best settings for Lowlight/Night