New-release GoPro Hero4 Silver adds one feature that makes it easier to capture adventures

IT’S not the most expensive new GoPro that is the one to watch. One simple addition to the mid-range action camera makes it much simpler to use.

Cheaper GoPro is the one to beat

GoPro Hero4 Silver

GoPro / 4.5/5 / $549 / gopro.com

Capturing adventures with a GoPro has always been fun. Now, with one simple change, it’s suddenly a lot easier.

GoPro’s Hero4 Silver sits in the middle of the new range, below the Hero4 Black that shoots 4K video, and above the introductory Hero.

But, just like the bear’s porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold, the Hero4 Silver will be just right for many due to one key feature: it is the first GoPro with a built-in touchscreen.

Being part of the camera, it is more convenient than pairing your camera with a smartphone or attaching an accessory.

For framing shots, or checking you are pointing the Hero4 in the right direction, the screen takes a lot of the guesswork out of using an action cam.

The Hero4 Silver has a range of video modes (including 1080p at 60 frames per second and 720p at 120fps), can shoot 12-megapixel stills at up to 30 photos per second, and has faster wi-fi and longer-lasting battery than the previous model.

Along with the Silver’s screen, another addition is a highlight tag to mark key moments. When, after 20 attempts, you’ve nailed the ski run or captured your dog catching a frisbee at just the right moment, you tap the button on the side of the camera to add a bookmark so you can find it when you import the footage into GoPro Studio on your computer.

Two other shared features across the Black and Silver Hero4s are night modes and a quick-start feature.

Night Photo lets you shoot with up to a 30-second exposure, while Night Lapse captures a series of photos at intervals ranging from half a second to 60 seconds, with a shutter speed of up to 30 seconds.

QuickCapture mode keeps you ready for action while minimising battery drain by leaving the camera switched off.

If you press and release the shutter button in this mode, the camera turns on and goes into video mode. If you hold the shutter button, the camera turns on and enters Time Lapse mode to shoot a series of still images.

The GoPro app is a quick way to see and share the footage you’ve just captured, but you should remember to disable wi-fi when you don’t need to use it.

Using an action cam still takes a bit of practice. While testing the Hero4 on a jetboat, bumping, zipping and spinning across the water, I managed one rather unflattering selfie and lots of random footage that failed to capture the excitement of the trip.

If you’re a newcomer to action cams, the huge choice of mounting options can be overwhelming. Our tip for a good optional mount is the 3-Way with built-in tripod ($129) that will help with everything from selfies to steady-tracking.

The action cam market has exploded because it’s so fun to capture video as proof of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. This action cam makes doing that easier.