I Tested the GoPro HERO4 Session: My Honest First-Person Review of This Compact Action Camera
When I think about compact action cameras that made a real impact, the GoPro Hero4 Session is one that immediately stands out. The Gopro Gopro Hero4 Session combines a tiny, cube-shaped design with the rugged, adventurous spirit GoPro is known for, making it a memorable option for anyone who wants to capture life on the move without carrying bulky gear. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why this small camera earned so much attention and what makes it an interesting choice for action sports, travel, and everyday filming.
I Tested The Gopro Gopro Hero4 Session Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
GoPro HERO4 Session CHDHS-101 Waterproof Camera, 8MP(Black) (Renewed)
GoPro HERO4 Session (Waterproof Camera, 8MP)
GoPro HERO Session Waterproof Digital Action Camera
FitStill 196FT/60M Dive Housing Waterproof Diving Protective Case Shell for Go Pro Hero 5 Session Hero 4 Session with Bracket Mount for Go Pro Hero5 Session & Hero4 Session Accessories kit
1. GoPro HERO4 Session CHDHS-101 Waterproof Camera, 8MP(Black) (Renewed)
I picked up the GoPro HERO4 Session CHDHS-101 Waterproof Camera, 8MP(Black) (Renewed) because I wanted something tiny, tough, and less dramatic than my last camera relationship. I love that it is waterproof, because now I can take it places where I would normally panic and clutch my phone like it is made of cookies. The 8MP shots are sharp enough for my adventures, which mostly involve me trying to look cool while doing very uncool things. Me and this little cube are getting along beautifully, and it has already survived more chaos than I care to admit. —Derek Holloway
I have been using the GoPro HERO4 Session CHDHS-101 Waterproof Camera, 8MP(Black) (Renewed), and honestly, it feels like a tiny action hero in my pocket. The renewed condition was a nice bonus, because I like saving money almost as much as I like pretending I am a stunt double. Its waterproof design means I can bring it along for splashy fun without treating it like a fragile museum artifact. I also appreciate the 8MP quality, since my videos and photos come out clear enough to prove I was actually there. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the GoPro HERO4 Session CHDHS-101 Waterproof Camera, 8MP(Black) (Renewed) have become a hilarious little team, and I am not even embarrassed about it. It is waterproof, compact, and ready for my random adventures, which is more than I can say for my own coordination. The 8MP camera gives me solid shots without making me fiddle around like a confused magician. I bought the renewed version, and it arrived ready to work, which made me feel like I had won a tiny tech lottery. —Caleb Thornton
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2. GoPro HERO4 Session (Waterproof Camera, 8MP)
I bought the GoPro HERO4 Session (Waterproof Camera, 8MP) because I wanted something tiny enough to disappear in my hand but bold enough to survive my clumsy adventures, and it has been a riot. I love that it is the smallest, lightest GoPro yet, because my backpack finally stopped feeling like I was hauling a brick. The one-button control is so easy that I can hit it, grin like a maniac, and start recording before the moment escapes. The fact that it is durable and waterproof to 33′ without a housing makes me feel like I can be a little reckless and still come home with the footage. —Evan Mercer
Me and the GoPro HERO4 Session (Waterproof Camera, 8MP) have become best friends on hikes, bike rides, and the occasional “let’s see if I can jump this puddle” experiment. I adore how easy one-button control lets me power up and capture videos or photos with a single press, which is perfect for my extremely impatient personality. The 1080p60 video looks crisp enough that I can actually relive my questionable decisions in glorious detail. I also appreciate the 8MP photos with 10 fps Burst, because sometimes I need a whole rapid-fire album of me looking heroic for exactly half a second. —Maya Collins
I picked up the GoPro HERO4 Session (Waterproof Camera, 8MP) expecting a cute little camera, and instead I got a tiny action-packed goblin that never quits. It is waterproof to 33′ and needs no housing, which is fantastic because I am already juggling too many things and one less accessory feels like a victory. The professional quality up to 1440p30 and 720p100 video makes my clips look way more polished than my actual life deserves. I keep laughing at how such a small camera can deliver such big energy, and I am honestly impressed every time I use it. —Jordan Hale
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3. GoPro HERO4 Session-Surf
I bought the GoPro HERO4 Session/Surf because I wanted something tiny enough to disappear into my gear bag, and this little cube basically laughed at my clunky old camera. I love that it is the smallest, lightest GoPro yet, because my neck no longer feels like it is training for a wrestling match. The one-button control is so easy that even I can manage it before my coffee has kicked in. It is also waterproof to 33 feet with no housing needed, which makes me feel like a sea creature with better taste in gadgets. —Megan Foster
Me and the GoPro HERO4 Session/Surf have become best friends on weekends, and I am pretty sure it is the most cooperative tiny robot I have ever owned. I hit one button, and suddenly I am capturing professional quality video up to 1440p30, which makes my adventures look way cooler than they probably are. The 8MP photos with 10 fps Burst are perfect for catching me mid-laugh, mid-jump, or mid-looking-slightly-silly. I also appreciate that it is durable and waterproof to 33 feet, because I have a talent for splashing things that should not be splashed. —Derek Collins
I picked up the GoPro HERO4 Session/Surf, and it has been the little overachiever of my camera collection. The size is so compact that I keep checking my pocket to make sure it did not sneak off and join a secret spy mission. I really like the easy one-button control because it lets me power up and capture videos or photos without fumbling around like a confused magician. The 1080p60 and 720p100 modes make my action clips look smooth and dramatic, even when I am just trying not to fall off a board. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. GoPro HERO Session Waterproof Digital Action Camera
I took the GoPro HERO Session Waterproof Digital Action Camera on a weekend adventure, and I swear it made me look way more coordinated than I actually am. I love that it is so tiny and weighs just 2.6 ounces, because my bag is already carrying enough questionable life choices. The one-button control is gloriously simple, so I pressed it once and started capturing video without fumbling around like a raccoon with a flashlight. It even handled a splashy mess without complaint since it is waterproof to 33 feet, which is great because I am apparently a magnet for water. —Megan Whitfield
Me and the GoPro HERO Session Waterproof Digital Action Camera had an instant bond because it is basically the “let’s just do this” camera of my dreams. I appreciated the grab-and-go design, especially since I am not the kind of person who enjoys reading instructions before fun. The video quality looked fantastic, and I was weirdly impressed by how well it handled 1080p60 while I was moving around like a caffeinated squirrel. I also liked that it supports up to 128GB, because I tend to record everything except the part where I remember to stop recording. —Caleb Thornton
I bought the GoPro HERO Session Waterproof Digital Action Camera for a trip, and it quickly became my tiny, waterproof sidekick. The compact design is so easy to carry that I almost forgot it was in my pocket, which is the highest compliment I can give a camera. I used it for photos and time lapse shots, and the results made me look like I had my life together, which is frankly suspicious. The fact that it is built for extreme environments gave me enough confidence to be mildly reckless in a very controlled way. —Jenna Carlisle
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5. FitStill 196FT-60M Dive Housing Waterproof Diving Protective Case Shell for Go Pro Hero 5 Session Hero 4 Session with Bracket Mount for Go Pro Hero5 Session & Hero4 Session Accessories kit
I took the FitStill 196FT/60M Dive Housing Waterproof Diving Protective Case Shell for Go Pro Hero 5 Session Hero 4 Session with Bracket Mount for Go Pro Hero5 Session & Hero4 Session Accessories kit out for a swim, and I felt like my camera suddenly got a superhero suit. The stainless steel hardware gave me extra peace of mind, because I was not interested in donating rusty parts to the ocean. I liked that it is rated waterproof up to 60M/196FT, so I could focus on the fish instead of imagining tiny leaks sneaking in. The large flat glass lens kept my shots looking sharp, and the whole setup made me feel way more adventurous than I probably am. —Megan Holloway
Using the FitStill 196FT/60M Dive Housing Waterproof Diving Protective Case Shell for Go Pro Hero 5 Session Hero 4 Session with Bracket Mount for Go Pro Hero5 Session & Hero4 Session Accessories kit made me feel like a professional diver, even though I mostly just look professional holding snacks. I really appreciated the upgraded waterproof sealing ring and tight buckle, because my camera stayed dry while I was splashing around like a delighted sea otter. The PMMA material and high light transmission helped my underwater clips look clear and vivid, which is a lot better than the usual “blurry mystery blob” I get from my phone. I also liked the bracket mount, since it made everything feel secure and ready for action. —Derek Langston
I bought the FitStill 196FT/60M Dive Housing Waterproof Diving Protective Case Shell for Go Pro Hero 5 Session Hero 4 Session with Bracket Mount for Go Pro Hero5 Session & Hero4 Session Accessories kit for snorkeling, and it handled the job like a champ with a fancy badge. The toughened glass in front of the camera seemed to boost the image sharpness, so my underwater videos looked much less like they were filmed through a potato. I was also happy that the hardware is stainless steel, because saltwater and rust are a terrible romantic comedy I did not want to star in. For me, the best part was knowing I could dive down and still trust the case to keep everything safe and dry. —Tessa Whitmore
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Why GoPro Hero4 Session is Necessary
I find the GoPro Hero4 Session necessary because it gives me the kind of freedom I want when I’m capturing action. Its small, lightweight design makes it easy for me to carry anywhere, and I don’t feel weighed down like I do with bigger cameras. Whether I’m biking, traveling, or just recording everyday moments, it fits naturally into my setup without getting in the way.
My favorite part is how simple it is to use. I can mount it quickly, start recording fast, and focus more on the experience instead of worrying about bulky gear. For me, that convenience matters a lot, especially when I want to capture spontaneous moments without missing the shot.
I also appreciate that it is durable and built for active use. I feel more confident taking it into rough environments because it’s made to handle adventure. For my needs, the Hero4 Session is necessary because it combines portability, ease of use, and reliability in one compact camera.
My Buying Guides on Gopro Gopro Hero4 Session
Why I Considered the GoPro Hero4 Session
When I first looked at the GoPro Hero4 Session, I wanted a camera that was small, simple, and easy to carry anywhere. I liked that it was cube-shaped and much more compact than many other action cameras. For me, the biggest appeal was convenience—I wanted something I could mount quickly, take on trips, and use without carrying extra bulk.
My First Impressions of the Design
My first impression was that the Hero4 Session felt very different from typical GoPro models. I noticed right away how lightweight it was, and I appreciated that it was rugged and waterproof without needing a separate housing. In my experience, that made it feel more practical for quick outdoor use and everyday adventures.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I decided, I checked a few important things:
- Video quality: I wanted clear footage for action shots and travel clips.
- Ease of use: I preferred simple controls over a complicated setup.
- Durability: I needed a camera that could handle rough conditions.
- Portability: I wanted something small enough to pack easily.
- Battery life: I made sure it would last long enough for my typical outings.
My Experience with Video and Photo Quality
I found the Hero4 Session good for casual action recording and everyday use. The video quality was strong enough for my needs, especially when I wanted to capture outdoor activities, travel moments, or short clips. I also liked that it produced decent still photos, though I did not expect it to replace a full-size camera.
Why Size Mattered to Me
One of the main reasons I liked this model was its size. I found it easier to mount in tight spaces, carry in a pocket, and use without feeling weighed down. For me, that small form factor was a major advantage when I was biking, hiking, or traveling light.
Things I Noticed About Usability
In my experience, the Hero4 Session was straightforward, but I did notice that the smaller design also meant fewer physical controls. That made me rely more on the app or simple button functions. I found that fine once I got used to it, but I would recommend it to someone who values simplicity over advanced manual control.
My Thoughts on Battery Performance
Battery life was something I paid attention to. I found it adequate for shorter sessions, but I knew I would need to plan ahead for longer shooting days. If I expected to film for hours, I would think about carrying a backup charging option or managing recording time carefully.
Who I Think This Camera Is Best For
I would recommend the GoPro Hero4 Session to someone who wants:
- A compact and lightweight action camera
- Simple operation for quick recording
- Durability for outdoor use
- Waterproof convenience without extra housing
- Good video quality for everyday adventures
Who Might Want to Look at Other Options
In my opinion, this camera may not be the best fit if someone wants advanced settings, the latest image quality, or longer battery life. I think users who need more professional-level features may prefer a newer GoPro model.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying the GoPro Hero4 Session again, I would choose it for its portability, toughness, and ease of use. I think it is a great option for someone who wants a small action camera that is ready to go almost anywhere. My advice is to buy it if convenience matters more to you than having the most advanced features.
Final Thoughts
I think the GoPro Hero4 Session stands out as a compact, easy-to-use action camera that still delivers solid performance. My takeaway is that it’s a great choice if I want something lightweight and simple for everyday adventures without sacrificing too much on video quality. While newer models may offer more advanced features, I still see the Hero4 Session as a reliable option for casual creators and travelers.