Last Updated: June 10, 2022
GoPro vs DSLR: How To Pick The Best Option
Thinking about a new camera, but not sure which is the best option for you?
Should you grab the small and easy-to-carry GoPro, with all the cool accessories?
Or the high-quality image producer that is the DSLR?
It’s a tough choice and there is actually a lot more to it than just that.
In this detailed comparison, I will go through all the ins and outs of each camera to help you make the best decision for your next camera purchase!
And, to help you get to the most relevant information fast, there is a handy navigation/links below – just click on the heading that most interests you.
Table Of Contents Show All
Image Quality
Comparing the latest GoPro Hero 8 and some high quality (but reasonably priced) Nikon DSLRs you can see where these two types of cameras really differ.
Image quality.
The GoPro was designed and built as a video action camera and capturing quality images is secondary. The GoPro sensor is half the size of the Nikon DSLRs
The lens quality difference will also be significant (one is tiny, the other is large and can create stunning blurred background effects for example, as seen in portraits). But this is hard to compare because the lenses can be changed on a DSLR and not on the GoPro.
Another interesting measurement is the ISO setting with the DSLRs able to go a lot higher, giving them superior image capture ability in low-light. Of course, at the top end (25600) you will most likely experience some image noise, but still, the better lens (wider) with lower ISO means you can often shoot hand-held with no shake with a DSLR.
GoPro Hero 9
- Image Formats: JPEG & RAW
- Sensor Size: 20MP
- ISO Range: Auto, 100-3200
- Bursts: Up to 25 photos/second
GoPro Hero 5 Session (Low-End)
- Image Formats: JPEG
- Sensor Size: 10MP (3648 x 2736)
- ISO Range: Auto, 100-800
- Bursts: Up to 30 photos/second
Nikon D7200 (Mid-Range)
- Image Formats: JPEG & RAW
- Sensor Size: 24MP (6000 x 4000)
- ISO Range: Auto, 100-25600
- Bursts: Up to 6 photos/second
Nikon D3400 (Low-End)
- Image Formats: JPEG & RAW
- Sensor Size: 24MP (6000 x 4000)
- ISO Range: Auto, 100-25600
- Bursts: Up to 5 photos/second
WINNER: DSLR
Nikon D3400 w/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Black)
- Snap Bridge Bluetooth Connectivity
- 24.2mp dx format CMOS sensor
Video Formats
This is where the game switches leaders.
The GoPro action camera is all about video. And it has been optimized for taking action video with as small a camera as possible. That is one of the reasons many people love this as a travel camera!
As you can see in the table below, the GoPro has a huge variety of video formats and frame rates available. Which is super important when you are capturing action.
Low frame rates are going to be less detailed and harder to work with (slow down) in post-production. Therefore, it is no surprise to see them taking the frame rates (fps) up to 120 in some formats.
In comparison, the DLSRs are rarely entering the 4K range (that is changing lately, but only just) and they only go as high as 60 fps, which is not bad, but for action-lovers
To get something that is really great at video in the DSLR family is going to cost you quite a lot.
GoPro Hero 9 (High-End)
- Formats:
5K – 30/25fps, 4K – WideWide Lens @ 60, 30, 24 fps- SuperView Lens @ 30, 24 fps- Linear Lens @ 60, 30, 24 fps2.7K – WideWide Lens @ 120, 60, 30, 24 fps- SuperView Lens @ 60, 30, 24 fps- Linear Lens @ 60, 30, 24 fps- Narrow Lens @ 60, 30, 24 fps1080p – WideWide Lens @ 240, 120, 60, 30, 24 fpsSuperView Lens @
GoPro Hero 5 Session (Low-End)
- Image Formats: JPEG
4K @ 30, 25 fps
2.7K (2704 x 1520) @ 48, 30, 25, 24 fps
1440p (1920 x 1440) @ 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps
1080p (1920 x 1080) @ 90, 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps
960p (1280 x 960) @ 100, 60, 50, 30, 25 fps
720p (1280 x 720) @ 120, 60, 50, 30, 25 fps
Nikon D7200 (Mid-Range)
- Formats:
1080p (1920 x 1080) @ 60, 50, 25, 24 fps
720p (1280 x 720) @ 60, 50 fps
640 x 424 @ 30, 25 fps
Nikon D3400 (Low-End)
- Formats:
1080p (1920 x 1080) @ 60 fps (1080 Full HD)
Video Resolutions Compared
WINNER: GoPro
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Video Stabilization
If you are going to shoot a video on the move then you will want to have some form of stabilization.
You have probably already seen enough “shaky” videos to last you a lifetime which is why manufacturers have been working hard on solving this.
You can get built-in stabilization (software-based / EIS) with the GoPro which has improved substantially since they first started doing it. The version of HyperSmooth 2.0 they have built into the Hero 8 is quite impressive (see video above)
To get to perfect you really need to either get a gimbal or buy a really expensive camera with built-in stabilization (even better in both the body and the lens).
Neither DSLRs in this comparison have it, as you normally have to spend a little more money. So, in that respect, the GoPro is the winner.
WINNER: GoPro
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Size & Weight
This is quite an obvious one, but worth mentioning anyway: size and weight.
GoPros are very small compared to a standard DSLR and with that comes a lot of advantages:
- Portability (you can carry them so easily although you need accessories to do so easily)
- Versatile Placement (you can place them almost anywhere, and they are popular with videographers for that reason – hidden, on moving objects/people, selfies sticks etc)
- Easy to bring with: No need to pack a huge object here, you can almost throw a GoPro in your pocket or bag. No weight, no size, no fuss.
This is more or less the size difference in the images below. The exact specs are further down in this section.
GoPro Hero 8 Black
Nikon D3400
The weights are also vastly different with ranges from 2.5 – 4.2 oz for a GoPro and 0.9 – 1.5 lb for our two Nikons! So, you will want to think twice before taking a DSLR out with you for the day. That is why they suit more the pro photographer/serious amateur more.
GoPro Hero 8 (High-End)
- Weight: 5 oz / 142 g (with battery)
- Dimensions: 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.4mm
GoPro Hero 5 Session (Low-End)
- Weight: 2.6 oz / 73 g
- Dimensions: 1.49 x 1.49 x 1.42 inches (37.9 x 37.9 x 36.1mm)
Nikon D7200 (Mid-Range)
- Weight: 1.49 lb
- Dimensions: 5.35 x 2.99 x 4.21 inches (135.9 x 75.9 x 106.9mm)
Nikon D3400 (Low-End)
- Weight: 0.87 lb
- Dimensions: 4.88 x 2.97 x 3.86 inches (124 x 75.4 x 98mm)
WINNER: GoPro
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Lenses
Nikon D3400 With Telescopic Lens
Another area worth touching on here (which extends the Image Quality discussion earlier) is the lens situation.
The GoPro has a small/fixed lens, so you will never get the quality images you will from a DSLR.
A DSLR lens is larger and allows more light (as well as having a 24MP sensor) and has a lot more options available.
You can add a big zoom which is great for capturing detail or shots from far away (which you can’t do with a GoPro).
You can also add wide-angle lenses, which is great for landscapes and action (and the reason GoPro has that built-in).
With a DSLR you can also get lenses with low F-stops – which famously allows you to create that “blurred background” effect used most often in portraits. (see the blur in the black and white image here). You can also use some cool vintage lenses like the Helios, which can add even more atmosphere to your shots.
You are just never going to achieve that with a GoPro (you can try using software that mimics this effect, but it’s not the same!).
Check Out Nikon Lens Options in this detailed post.
The GoPro
These are however just options within the lens, not different/dedicated lenses you might have on a DSLR. Which, by the way, almost always results in a better result and higher quality image.
WINNER: DSLR
Nikon D3400 w/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Black)
- Snap Bridge Bluetooth Connectivity
- 24.2mp dx format CMOS sensor
Versatility & Accessories
The GoPro is all about the accessories, especially in terms of mounts. This plays more to the ability to put it on anything that moves or carry it around when you are doing sports or out for the day traveling or having fun.
You can see a mount kit you can buy from Amazon below. It comes with a chest mount, head mount, a tripod a swivel mount, lots of stickies for mounting on anything you want etc.
GoPro Mounts
GoPro 3 Way Mount
In comparison, a DSLR is more suited to your traditional tripod or just to be slung around your neck and use as a handheld.
They are also more about image quality so it is no surprise that this includes lens filters to help give you even better results. This can range from simple UV filters to ND or polarizing filters to help give you great results in specific circumstances.
Note: also be sure to check out more affordable Gopro Options
The GoPro has filter kits too, but the options, flexibility and fitting of them is just not at the same level as for DSLRs.
As far as external audio goes, it is usually far easier to get something great for a DSLR. However, that is not to say there are no options for the GoPro. There are lapel mics, attached mini-boom mics and a few other options for external mics for a GoPro if you want to get one.
DSLR Tripod
DSLR Lens Filter Kit
WINNER: GoPro (But it’s close)
* They are really very different cameras with different options/ accessories and purposes)
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Waterproof (Case Or Not?)
GoPro Hero Dive Housing
The GoPro was designed as a waterproof camera, so there is not much competition here.
It is worth nothing that the Hero5 (latest as of 2017) is now waterproof down to 33ft (10m) without a separate housing. In previous versions it came with a housing to make it waterproof, but then you could not easily control the camera via the screen.
With the housing from GoPro you can go down to 196ft (60m).
Dica Pac Waterproof Case
Ikelite Underwater Camera Housing
DSLRs were never really meant to get wet. They are quite open and full of complex and sensitive electronics.
Some manufacturers have tried to address this but is difficult because of their design of them.
You can grab a waterproof “cover” of sorts to help protect it in situations where there is a lot of water (think beach, river, rain etc). They often claim to be fully waterproof (even down to 16ft) but personally I am not going to risk so much money on a cover that is under 50 bucks!
What serious photographers do instead use a dedicated underwater housing for their DSLR cameras.
The one shown here is quite typical for the pros and costs quite a lot (around one and a half G) But again, this is for serious DSLR lovers who have already spent thousands on equipment and want that quality image!
WINNER: GoPro
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Ease Of Use (For Beginners)
Both of these cameras have a bunch of settings you can play around with which makes it not so easy to learn.
But, the big question is can you take it out of the box and just press GO. Is it simple for a beginner to just grab it out of the box and get started?
With the GoPro Hero9, it’s pretty darn easy. There is a big red button on top and you just hit that to start shooting. But, you have to make sure you are either in video or photo mode first. That is the only complicated part. And, with the new screen on the back which enables you to control everything, it’s pretty straightforward to figure that out.
A DSLR in comparison looks a whole lot more complicated when you look at all the options.
But, on the positive side, you just need to throw it into Auto (or video) and in most cases, you will be good to go with the default settings.
You do need to learn a few more buttons to get started (the focus, zoom, mode dial) as well, but it’s actually not that difficult – if you don’t give in to the more PRO settings.
The GoPro has perhaps a slight edge in that it looks a lot simpler and less intimidating and you really only need the one button
WINNER: GoPro (Not a huge difference to just shoot in auto)
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Available Settings/Control (For The Pro)
GoPro has tried to provide a bunch of settings in their cameras, including an area they like to call ProTune where you have more advanced stuff. You can set frame rates, amount of wide-angle, color corrections, audio corrections, etc.
But in the end, the camera is really limited to being an action camera with lots of video resolutions and frame rates, lots of burst modes, and built-in time-lapse. This thing is all about capturing motion!.
When compared to a DSLR, the level of control you get is lacking in many areas and difficult to do on the fly (you always have to go through the menus).
With a DSLR you can:
- Fine-tune the focus with the lens (manual or auto) via the screen or viewfinder
- Change all lens and shutter options (shutter speed, ISO, f-stop)
- Easily change modes and settings with the buttons and dials
- Add lots of high-quality filters and stack them
With the GoPro it is more of a set, then go. If you want to change as you are going along, it is not as easy because you have to use the screen or main button (which you can on DSLR too but they have dedicated dials/buttons).
Of course, the DSLR is weaker in the video settings as many of the models lack either 4K or the frame rates many action shooters need.
WINNER: DSLR
Nikon D3400 w/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Black)
- Snap Bridge Bluetooth Connectivity
- 24.2mp dx format CMOS sensor
Price & Model Options
I am not going to give you exact prices here because they change too often, but instead, give you a range and comparison so you can see what you would pay – roughly.
So, the GoPro is really in the lower-end price range, with the simpler Session model being quite cheap. And, if you are willing to accept a more recent trend of GoPro-like devices, you can check out the Yi 4K+ or Yi Lite which are almost exactly the same (but sometimes cheaper).
And, the DSLRs listed above are not the only ones you can get. The prices can get a lot higher, especially when you start buying separate lenses. So, it is far more of an investment.
Which Camera Is For You?
There is no easy answer to this question, so I will try to break it down into columns to help make the decision clearer. In each is a PRO of the camera in question:
GoPro
- Light and easy to carry (although often you need at least a simple mount)
- Video Stabilizer built-in (less shake on the move)
- Video Formats and frame rates (more options for action)
- Waterproof out of the box (Hero5)
- Lots of great accessories for using in various action situations (car, bike, dive, swim, surf, walk/run/hike, etc)
DSLR
- Image / Video Quality (great for 1080p and tripod situations)
- Lens options (quality images, zoom, blurred backgrounds, and more)
- Image settings available (highly configurable, changeable)
In the end, the GoPro is just easier to use and carry and can create great videos up to 4K in almost any situation. They are not PRO-level cameras though and were never meant to be. However, pros often use them as cheap options for difficult video shots like on the hood of a car in an action shot, or on moving objects. They are also great for placing in hidden locations.
The DSLR is the king/queen of quality images. The sensors are larger, the lenses better and the settings available mean you will always be able to get a better image. But, the learning curve for this level of setting is steep. Both DSLR and GoPros have a simple point-and-shoot auto mode though, in case you just don’t want to worry about it.
GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization – On, High and Boost. Get the widest views, or boost to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact-resistant compared to previous models
Nikon D3400 w/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Black)
- Snap Bridge Bluetooth Connectivity
- 24.2mp dx format CMOS sensor
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
