I finally found time to prepare the video presentation!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_q9nfgVAPs
I have had it since early December 2021 and I mainly use it for recording 4K videos at regular speed and 1080p timewarp, either from the car or as a pedestrian with the GoPro 3-way grip.
Videos:
During the day, the videos are very stable and the image quality is very satisfactory.
For daytime videos in 4K while I am walking, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5mG4fBgVOw
Of course, since it is an action camera, the nighttime videos are decent in low-light conditions and very dark in darker conditions.
For nighttime video from a moving car, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDqMXiNruWk
For nighttime video while I am walking, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD3dwb5LAPQ
HOWEVER, I notice that when I record at regular speeds from a moving car, the gyro sometimes gets stuck in turns and creates a strange and quite intense stuttering, as if I am turning the camera by hand, which I never noticed with the Hero 7.
For daytime videos in 4K from a moving car and for the stuttering, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPbuRR50ykk
UPDATE 1:
Regarding the stuttering, after a lot of searching and several trips with the vehicle and the camera in various settings, I found that the problem is due to the HyperSmooth function's software and that the only time I don't have such a problem is when HyperSmooth is inactive.
Since GoPro has not yet provided a solution through an update, I have 2 options:
1) to continue shooting videos with HyperSmooth at the lowest setting (which is the least problematic), even if it annoys me,
2) to completely disable it and have shaky videos.
UPDATE 2:
Eventually, the stutter was fixed by 90% (it appears extremely rarely and is so smooth that someone has to be incredibly observant to notice it), after resetting the camera to factory settings and with the guidance of a GoPro representative.
At least in terms of remote customer service, GoPro seems to be doing a good job.
Therefore, I am restoring the 5th star because now the videos are great:
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzUeou4CVzY
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LjFWc3__f4
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFCDS67F6ec
Photos:
Whether you take regular photos in normal mode or nighttime photos in Night Mode, the photos come out very beautiful and clear, especially if you place it on a stable tripod.
Although it is an action camera, it has zoom, but it is digital, so it only covers some basic needs.
In comparison, the 15-year-old Olympus 550 SP=550UZ (a family heirloom - a gift from my parents) that I mainly use for distant photos has 100 times better zoom (optical).
Timewarp/Timelapse:
Excellent performance, especially with the function that allows Timewarp recording at 60 fps so that you can slow it down to 30 fps in post-editing (video at half speed), and the option for recording regular video during timewarp by simply pressing the button with the globe that appears on the touch screen.
For daytime Timewarp videos, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnefEP_e-zg
For nighttime Timewarp videos, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWJAbtZpyno
I will upload a link for Timelapse once I complete the related project.
Construction/dimensions:
Very good quality materials, waterproof up to a certain distance, and the door locks and opens with difficulty until you get used to it.
I used it to record with the camera mounted externally on a moving car and under heavy rain conditions for about 30 minutes, and I noticed first, that the door did its job very well (of course, I left it open afterwards to dry any moisture) and second, that the lens is indeed hydrophobic and does not retain water droplets for long.
The relevant video will be uploaded soon.
In terms of size, it is the same as the Hero 9 and slightly larger than the Hero 8.
If you own the Hero 7, place it in the plastic enclosure to get an idea of its approximate dimensions.
Battery:
The battery lasts for about 50 minutes in 4K and about 1.5 hours in Timewarp.
It can record videos while the battery is charging (but it heats up faster) or without the battery using a suitable power bank (out of the 3 I have, only 1 provides enough amperage for this) with the door open (ideal for continuous recording exceeding 1 hour).
As soon as I find time, I will make a comparative video between the factory battery, the Wasabi Power, and the Telesin.
Overheating:
It does generate some heat, but the only time it shut down on me (and I lost footage) was when I connected it to the car's USB and, with the battery inside the camera, it continuously recorded for over 2 hours during a long trip.
UPDATE 3:
As the weather gets warmer, the camera's overheating becomes more intense, and this is due to the battery, especially when there is no airflow in the area where it is located, which is understandable as it is an action camera. A satisfactory solution for this, when the camera is stationary (e.g., for timelapse), is to use it without the battery, powered by an external energy source (power bank), with the door open or even better, with the additional (metal) door that has a slot for a USB-C plug.
Software stability:
In contrast to the Hero 7, which would freeze 1 out of 2 times, I have not encountered any freezes or other issues with this one. On the contrary, it is much faster than the Hero 7 and considerably faster than the GoPro Max.
Conclusion:
The best GoPro released so far.
In terms of positives, the speed, stability, and quality of the footage, as well as the options it offers in various modes.
As for negatives, the limited battery performance (compared to the monstrous battery of the GoPro Max, which seemed to never run out regardless of the mode used) and the limited functionality of the mobile application when the camera is in use (no live preview or other options, it shows a blurry image and the camera's operating time).
However, it lost 1 star due to the strange stutter I mentioned above, so if I notice that it is fixed with an update, I will come back to give it 5 stars (Update: as I did).