Help Me, Tom's Guide: Should I Get the GoPro Hero4 Black or Hero5 Session?

Tom's Guide forum member pablogaxiola35 is looking to record some sweet first-person footage from his Airsoft battles, but is having trouble deciding which camera best suits his needs, the GoPro Hero4 Black, or the GoPro Hero5 Session.

Both GoPro cameras take great video, but I'd be inclined to go with the Hero 5 Session. First, let's take a quick look at each:

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	Hero4 Black	Hero5 Session
Price	$285	$199
Video Resolution	4K (30 fps)	4K (30 fps)
Still Photos	12 MP, 30 fps	10 MP, 30 fps
Video Stabilization	No	Yes
Size	1.53 x 2.79 x 2.8 inches	1.5 x 1.5 x 1.43 inches
Weight	5.3 ounces	4.5 ounces
Water Resistance	131 feet	33 feet

As you can see, both shoot the same resolution video, while the Hero 4 Black has a slightly higher resolution when it comes to stills. The Hero 4 Black can also dive deeper than the Session, but that's because the Hero 4 Black comes with a more durable waterproof housing. Unless your Airsoft bouts include SEAL training, this shouldn't be a big factor.

MORE: Which GoPro Is Right For You?

More importantly, the Hero 5 Session's smaller dimensions means a lower profile when mounted to your rifle, and built-in video stabilization will result in smoother footage as you're running around. Even better, it's voice-activated, so you don't need to take your hand off the stock to start recording.

I would also recommend a Picatinny rail mount for attaching the GoPro to your Airsoft; This side mount from Rail Dogs is all metal, and has received good reviews on Amazon.

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.