What Makes the Hero 5 Session Different
The GoPro Hero 5 Session is a small cube-shaped camera that does away with the bulky housing and complicated menus of older GoPros. It shoots 4K video at 30 fps, captures 10-megapixel photos, and is waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters) without any extra case. There’s no rear screen. Instead, the camera runs on a single-button design paired with voice commands, making it one of the simplest action cameras to operate.
If you want a GoPro you can grab and go without fiddling with settings, the Hero 5 Session fits that role well. Here’s how to set it up and get the most from it.
Initial Setup
Charging
The Hero 5 Session has a built-in battery that charges via USB-C. Plug it in using the included cable and allow about two hours for a full charge. Battery life runs about 1.5 to 2 hours of 1080p recording, shorter at 4K. Since the battery is sealed inside, you can’t swap it. Carrying a portable power bank is the best backup plan for long shooting days.
MicroSD Card
Open the side door and insert a microSD card. Use a card rated UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) for reliable 4K recording. A 64 GB card holds roughly 2 hours of 4K footage or about 4 hours at 1080p. GoPro has a list of recommended cards on their website, and sticking to that list avoids compatibility headaches.
GoPro App Pairing
Download the GoPro App (Quik) on your phone. Press and hold the main button on the camera to turn it on. Follow the app’s instructions to pair via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Once connected, you can preview the camera’s view, adjust settings, start and stop recording, and transfer footage to your phone. Since the Session doesn’t have a screen, the app is the easiest way to frame your shot and fine-tune settings.
One-Button Operation
The Hero 5 Session is built around a single button on top of the camera. A quick press turns the camera on and immediately starts recording video. Press it again to stop recording and power down. That’s the QuikCapture feature, and it’s the fastest way to go from off to recording. From pocket to shooting takes about two seconds.
To access other modes without using the app, press and hold the Info/Wireless button on the back. This cycles through a small status screen on top of the camera that shows your current mode and settings. Short presses on the back button scroll through options.
Voice Control
The Hero 5 Session responds to voice commands, which is incredibly useful when the camera is mounted out of reach. Some of the commands you can use:
“GoPro, start recording” begins video capture. “GoPro, stop recording” ends it. “GoPro, take a photo” fires a single photo. “GoPro, shoot burst” captures a burst sequence. “GoPro, start time lapse” begins a time-lapse. “GoPro, turn off” powers down the camera.
Voice control works best in quiet environments. Wind, engine noise, and loud music can make the camera miss your commands. You can turn voice control on or off in the app settings.
Video Modes and Settings
The Hero 5 Session’s top video resolution is 4K at 30 fps. For most everyday shooting, 1080p at 60 fps is the better pick. It gives you smooth motion, good detail, and the option to slow footage down to half speed in editing. If you need ultra-slow motion, 720p at 120 fps stretches the action out nicely.
Video stabilization is built in and makes a real difference for handheld shots and body-mounted footage. It works at all resolutions except 4K. If smooth footage is a priority and you’re not chasing maximum resolution, shoot at 1080p with stabilization turned on.
The field of view options are Wide, Medium, Linear, and Narrow. Wide gives the classic GoPro look with a broad, slightly curved perspective. Linear removes the barrel distortion from the wide-angle lens, which looks more natural. Medium and Narrow crop in progressively tighter.
Photo Modes
The Session captures 10-megapixel stills in single, burst, and time-lapse modes. Single mode takes one photo per button press. Burst mode fires up to 30 photos in 1 second for catching peak-action moments. Time-lapse snaps a photo at intervals you choose (from every 0.5 seconds to every 60 seconds) and works great for sunsets, traffic, or documenting a project over time.
Night photo mode uses a longer exposure for dim conditions. Mount the camera on something stable, since any movement during a long exposure creates blur.
Protune
Protune gives you manual control over color profile, white balance, ISO range, sharpness, and exposure compensation. For most casual shooting, leaving Protune off and letting the camera handle settings automatically produces good results. If you plan to edit your footage in video software, turning Protune on and setting color to Flat gives you a flatter image with more editing flexibility. Keep ISO limited to 800 or lower to reduce grain in dim lighting.
Waterproofing
The Hero 5 Session is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters) without any housing. That covers rain, splashes, pools, snorkeling, and shallow water activities. For deeper diving, you’ll need an aftermarket dive housing that extends protection to 196 feet (60 meters).
After saltwater use, rinse the camera in fresh water and let it air dry before opening the side door. Salt crystals can damage the seal and USB port if left to build up.
GPS and Metadata
The built-in GPS tags your photos and videos with location data. In the GoPro App and Quik desktop software, you can overlay speed, altitude, and route information on your footage. GPS does use extra battery power, so turn it off in the app if you don’t need location tagging.
Practical Tips
Keep firmware updated. GoPro releases updates that fix bugs and sometimes add new features. Connect to the app and check for updates before a big trip.
Use QuikCapture. It’s the fastest way to catch unexpected moments. One press and you’re recording.
Frame with the app first. Since there’s no preview screen, connect the app and dial in your angle before you lock the mount position.
Manage heat. The Session’s small body can warm up during extended 4K recording, especially in direct sunlight. If the camera shuts down, give it a few minutes to cool before restarting.
Format in-camera. Before each big shoot, format the microSD card through the camera or app to clear old data and reset the file structure.
