GoPro HERO5 Session User Manual

USER MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS

Your HERO5 Session 6

Getting Started 7

QuikCapture 11

Camera Icons 12

Changing Modes + Settings 15

Capturing Video 16

Capturing Photos 18

Capturing Time Lapse Content 20

Controlling Your Camera with Your Voice 22

Playing Back Your Content 25

Offloading Your Content 27

Accessing All Modes and Settings 28

Video Mode 30

Photo Mode 42

Time Lapse Mode 46

Protune 52

Customizing Your Camera 57

Important Messages 61

Resetting Your Camera 62

Mounting Your Camera 63

Removing the Door 68

Maintenance 69

Battery 70

Troubleshooting 72

Customer Support 74

Trademarks 74

Regulatory Information 74

YOUR HERO5 SESSION GETTING STARTED

1

2

3

4

1. Camera Status Screen

2. Shutter Button [

3. Microphone

4. Camera Status Light

6 7

]

5. USB-C Port

6. microSD Card Slot

7. Menu Button

5

6

4

7

3

CHARGING THE BATTERY

For the best experience with your new camera, we recommend fully
charging the battery before first use.

1. Open the door. 2. Charge the battery using the

Note: The battery c annot be removed from the camera.

The camera status lights turn on during charging and turn off when
charging is complete. When charging with a computer, be sure that the
computer is connected to a power source. If the camera status light does
not turn on, use a different USB port.

The battery charges to 100% in about 2 hours. For more battery
information, see Battery

PRO TIP: For fastest charging, use GoPro’s Supercharger (sold
separately). You can charge your camera with a USB-compatible wall
charger or auto charger.

(page 70).

included USB cable.

GETTING STARTEDGETTING STARTED

2. Connect your camera to your smartphone/tablet or computer. If an
update is available, the app provides instructions for installing it.

You can also update your camera manually using the microSD card and a
card reader/adapter (sold separately). For details and information about
the latest software version, visit gopro.com/update.

PRO TIP: To see your current software version, press the Menu button.

INSERTING + REMOVING MICROSD CARDS

• Insert the card (sold separately) at a downward angle with the label
facing down.

• To remove the card, press it into the slot with your fingernail and it will
pop out.

Use brand name memory cards that meet these requirements:

• microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC

• Class 10 or UHS-I rating

For a list of the recommended cards, visit gopro.com/workswithgopro.

NOTICE: Use care when handling memory cards. Avoid liquids, dust, and
debris. As a precaution, power off the camera before inserting or removing
the card. Check manufacturer guidelines regarding use in acceptable
temperature ranges.

UPDATING YOUR CAMERA SOFTWARE

To get the latest features and best performance from your GoPro, make
sure your camera is always using the most current software. When you
connect to the Capture app or Quik for desktop, you are automatically
notified if an update is available.

1. Download these apps:

• Capture from the Apple

©

App Store© or Google Play

™

• Quik for desktop from gopro.com/apps

8 9

Your camera scrolls through several settings, including the version number.

POWERIN G ON + OFF

HERO5 Session
the Shutter button [
video or time lapse.

The camera automatically powers off to
conserve battery power when you press the
Shutter button to stop capturing or after a
period of inactivity.

PRO TIP: When carrying your camera in a bag or pocket, place the camera
upside down in a frame (with the Shutter button covered) to protect the
camera from accidentally capturing video or photos. To prevent the frame
from marking the surface of the camera, leave the latch on the frame open.

™

powers on when you press

] to begin capturing

WARNING: Us e caution w hen usin g your GoPr o as part of
your active l ifestyle. A lways be awar e of your surr ounding s to
avoid inju ry to yours elf and othe rs.

Abide by al l local law s when usin g your GoP ro and rela ted
mounts an d access ories, in cludin g all priva cy laws, whic h may
restrict recording in certain areas.

GETTING STARTED

DI SP LAYI NG STAT US IN FO

Press the Menu button to cycle through status information about
your camera.

654

1

3

1. Remaining microSD card
memory for each mode

2. Mode

3. Settings

4. Protune status (not shown)

5. Spot Meter status (not shown)

Note: The icons an d settings that appear on the c amera status screen vary by mod e.
Those shown ab ove are for Video mode.

10 11

6. Video Stabilization status
(not shown)

7. Wireless status

8. Battery status

9. Voice Control status

7

82

9

QUIKCAPTURE

QuikCapture is the fastest way to capture video or time lapse content
with HERO5 Session. Because the camera is powered on only when it is
recording, you also conserve battery power.

CAPTURING VIDEO WITH QUIKCAPTURE

1. With the camera powered off, press the Shutte r button [

Your camera powers on, beeps several times, and begins recording in

the video capture mode that you last used (Video, Video + Photo, or
Looping). The camera status lights blink while the camera is recording.

2. To stop recording, press the Shutter button again.

The camera stops recording, beeps several times, and automatically

powers off to maximize battery life.

CAPTURING TIME LAPSE CONTENT WITH QUIKCAPTURE

1. With the camera powered off, press and hold the Shutte r button
[

] for a few seconds until recording begins.

Your camera powers on, beeps several times, and begins recording in

the time lapse capture mode that you last used (Time Lapse Photos,
Time Lapse Video, or Night Lapse). The camera status lights blink while
the camera is recording.

2. To stop recording, press the Shutter button again.

The camera stops recording, beeps several times, and automatically

powers off to maximize battery life.

].

CAMERA ICONS

CAMERA ICONS

Auto Low Light

Auto-Rotation

Beeps

Burst Photos

Color

Date/Time

Delete

Exposure Value
Compensation

Field of View

Frames per Second

Interval

ISO Limit

12 13

Language

LEDs

Looping

Megapixels

Night Lapse Photo

Night Photo

Photo (Single)

Protune

Rate

Sharpness

Shutter

Spot Meter

Time Lapse Photos

Time Lapse Video

Video

Video + Photo

Video Format

Video Resolution

Video Stabilization

White Balance

Wireless

NAVIGATING YOUR GOPRO

CHANGING MODES + SETTINGS

Your HERO5 Session has three modes:

• Video

• Photo

• Time Lapse

Each of those modes has three capture modes.

Mode Capture mode Description

Video

Photo

Time Lapse

14 15

Video
Video + Photo
Looping

Single
Burst
Night

Time Lapse Photo
Time Lapse Video
Night Lapse Photo

Capturing Video

Capturing Photos

(page 18)

Capturing Time Lapse
Content

(page 16)

(page 20)

CHANGING MODES + SETTINGS

You can change almost all video and photo settings using the buttons on
the camera. To access all settings and modes, see Accessing All Modes and

Settings

(page 28).

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Press the Menu button repeatedly to move to Camera Settings, then
press the Shutter button [

3. To change the mode, press the Shutter button repeatedly to display
the mode that you want (Video, Time Lapse, or Photo).

4. Press the Menu button to move to the next field.

5. Press the Sh utter button repeatedly to display the capture mode that
you want.

6. Press the Menu button to move to a setting, then press the Shutter
button to display the option that you want.

7. When you are finished, press the Menu button to move to [ ],
then press the Shutter bu tton to confirm the selection.

] to select it.

CAPTURING VIDEO

CAPTURING VIDEO

In Video mode, HERO5 Session has three capture modes:

Video: Captures video. Available in all resolutions.

Video + Photo: While recording video, captures a photo at
regular intervals. Available in 1440p24, 1080p30, 1080p24, and
720p30.

Looping: Lets you continuously record and save only the
moments that you want to save. Available in 1080p30, 960p100,
720p120, and 720p60.

PRO TIP: When the camera is off and you press the Shutter button, the
camera powers on and captures video in the mode that you used most
recently (Video, Video + Photo, or Looping).

CAPTURING VIDEO

The fastest way to capture video content in the same mode you used last
time is to use QuikCapture
video capture mode or settings, follow the steps below.

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Select a capture mode (Video, Video + Photo, or Looping) and settings:

a. Press the Menu button repeatedly to move to Camera Settings,

then press the Shutter button [

b. Press the Shutter button repeatedly until you get to the Video

icon [

c. Press the Menu button to move to the next field, then press the

Shutter button repeatedly to select a capture mode.

d. To change a setting, press the Menu button to move to the

setting, then press the Shutter button repeatedly to display the
option that you want.

e. Press the Menu button to move to [ ], then press the Shutter

button to to confirm the selection.

16 17

(page 11). But if you want to change the

] to select it.

].

3. Press the Shutter button. Your camera beeps and the status lights
blink during recording.

4. To stop recording, press the Shutter button again. The camera
stops recording, beeps several times, and automatically powers off to
maximize battery life.

PRO TIP: When the camera is off and you press the Shutter button, the
camera powers on and begins recording in the video mode you used most
recently (Video, Video + Photo, or Looping).

HILIGHT TAGGING

You can mark specific moments in your video during recording with HiLight
Tags. HiLight Tags make it easy to find the best highlights to share.

To add a HiLight Tag, press the Menu button. HiLight Tags are visible
during playback in Capture or Quik for desktop.

PRO TIP: You can also add HiLight Tags during recording with the Capture
app, Voice Control, or the Smart Remote.

CAPTURING PHOTOS

CAPTURING PHOTOS

In Photo mode, HERO5 Session has three capture modes. Photos are
captured at a resolution of 10MP.

Photo: Captures a single photo.

Burst: Captures up to 30 photos in 1 second, so it is perfect for
capturing the definitive moment in fast-action sports.

Night: Captures photos when the lighting is dark. The shutter
remains open longer to let in more light in dark environments.

CAPTURING PHOTOS

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Select a capture mode (Photo, Burst, or Night) and settings:

a. Press the Menu button repeatedly to move to Camera Settings,

then press the Shutter button [

b. Press the Shutter button repeatedly until you get to the Photo

icon [

c. Press the Menu button to move to the next field, then press the

d. To change a setting, press the Menu button to move to the

e. Press the Menu button to move to the check mark, then press the

3. Press the Shutter button. Your camera beeps once, then beeps once
for each photo that is captured. The camera status lights blink while the
camera is capturing photos.

Note: To capture continuous p hotos at a rate of 5 ph otos per s econd, select the
Photo capture mod e, then hold down the S hutter button. Photos are capture d until
you release th e button.

18 19

].

Shutter button to select a capture mode.

setting, then press the Shutter button repeatedly to display the
option that you want.

Shutter button to select it.

] to select it.

4. To power off the camera, press the Menu button to move to Exit
Photo Mode, then press the Shutter button to select it.

CAPTUR ING PHOTOS IN THE MOD E THAT YOU USED LAST TIME

To take a photo using the capture mode that you used most recently
(Photo, Burst, or Night), use the shortcut below.

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Press the Menu button to move to Enter Photo Mode, then press the
Shutter button [

3. Press the Shutter button. The camera beeps once, then beeps once
for each photo that is captured. The camera status lights blink while the
camera is capturing photos.

4. To power off the camera, press the Menu button to move to Exit
Photo Mode, then press the Shutter button to select it.

] to select it.

CAPTURING TIME LAPSE CONTENT

CAPTURING TIME LAPSE CONTENT

In Time Lapse mode, HERO5 Session has three capture modes:

Time Lapse Photo: Captures a series of photos at specified
intervals. Use this mode to capture photos of any activity, then
choose the best ones later.

Night Lapse Photo: Captures a series of photos at set intervals
when the lighting is dark. The shutter remains open longer to let
in more light in dark environments.

Time Lapse Video: Creates video from frames captured at
specific intervals. Time Lapse Video is available only in 4K, 2.7K
4:3, and 1080p resolutions and is captured without audio

CAPTURING TIME LAPSE CONTENT

The fastest way to capture time lapse content in the capture mode that
you used last time is to use QuikCapture
change the time lapse capture mode or settings, follow the steps below.

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Select a capture mode (Time Lapse Photos, Night Lapse, or Time
Lapse Video) and settings:

a. Press the Menu button repeatedly to move to Camera Settings,

then press the Shutter button [

b. Press the Shutter button repeatedly until you get to the Time

Lapse icon [

c. Press the Menu button to move to the next field, then press the

Shutter button repeatedly to select a capture mode.

d. To change a setting, press the Menu button to move to the

setting, then press the Shutter button repeatedly to display the
option that you want.

20 21

].

(page 11). But if you want to

] to select it.

e. Press the Menu button to move to the check mark, then press the

Shutter button to confirm the selection.

3. Press the Shutter button. Your camera beeps once, then beeps once
for each photo that is captured. The camera status lights blink during
capture.

4. To stop capturing, press the Shutter button.

CONTROLLING YOUR GOPRO WITH
YOUR VOICE

CONTROLLING YOUR GOPRO WITH
YOUR VOICE

You can control your HERO5 Session with your voice using a set of specific
commands (see list below).

Note: Voice Control per forma nce may be impacted by distanc e, wind, and noisy
conditions. Keep the product clean and clear of debris.

USING VOICE CONTROL

Voice Control works best in close proximity to your GoPro.

Note: When you first tur n on your camera, your GoPro a llows you to select a voice
control language. You can change your voice control language later through the
Capture app.

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Press the Menu button repeatedly to move to Voice Control, then
press the Shutter button [

3. Turn on Voice Control:

a. Press the Shutter button to select On.

b. Press the Menu button to move to the check mark.

c. Press the Shutter button to confirm the selection.

4. Say a command from List of Voice Commands

5. Turn off Voice Control:

a. Press the Shutterbutton to select Off.

b. Press the Menu button to move to the check mark.

c. Press the Shutter button to confirm the selection.

PRO TIP: To extend the voice control of your camera in windy and noisy
environments, use Remo (Waterproof Voice Activated Remote). For details,
visit gopro.com.

22 23

] to select it.

(page 23).

LIST OF VOI CE COMMANDS

Two types of commands are available with Voice Control:

• Action commands let you immediately capture video or photos. For
example, if you just stopped recording video, you can say the command
to take a photo or begin capturing time lapse—without having to first
change the mode.

• Mode commands are useful if you want to quickly select a mode and
then use the Shutter button to capture.

Your camera does not need to be in a specific mode to capture video or
photos. You can use the action commands from any mode. Your camera
captures video or photos based on the settings you previously selected.

Action Command Description

GoPro start recording Starts capturing video

GoPro HiLight Adds a HiLight Tag to video during

That was sick Adds a HiLight Tag to video during

GoPro stop recording Stops capturing video

GoPro take a photo Captures a single photo

GoPro shoot burst Captures burst photos

GoPro start time lapse Starts capturing time lapse

GoPro stop time lapse Stops capturing time lapse

GoPro turn off Powers off the camera

recording

recording

CONTROLLING YOUR GOPRO WITH

PLAYING BACK YOUR CONTENT

YOUR VOICE

PLAYING BACK CONTENT ON A COMPUTER

Mode Command Description

GoPro Video mode Changes the camera mode to Video

GoPro Photo mode Changes the camera mode to Photo

GoPro Burst mode Changes the camera mode to Burst

GoPro Time Lapse mode Changes the camera mode to Time

For the most updated list of commands, visit gopro.com/help.

PRO TIP: If you are recording video or time lapse, you must stop recording
before issuing a new command.

24 25

(does not capture video)

mode (does not capture photos)

mode (does not capture burst photos)

Lapse (does not capture time lapse
photos)

To play back your video and photos on a computer, you must first offload
these files to a computer.

1. Download and install Quik for desktop from gopro.com/apps.

2. Transfer your files to your computer. For more information, see

Offloading Your Content (page 27).

3. Use the app to play back the files.

PLAYING BACK CONTEN T ON A MOBI LE DEVIC E

1. Connect your camera to Capture. For more information, see Accessing

All Modes and Settings

2. Use the controls on the app to play back your footage on your
smartphone/tablet.

PRO TIP: While playing back your video on a computer or mobile device,
you can add HiLight Tags to mark the best moments. In Capture or
Quik for desktop, tap the HiLight Tag icon.

PLAYING BACK VIDEOS A ND PHOTOS ON A N HDTV

To play back videos and photos on your HDTV, connect the GoPro HDMI
adapter (sold separately) to the USB-C port of your camera.

1. Connect the GoPro HDMI adapter to the USB-C port of your camera.

2. Select the input on your TV that corresponds to the TV port into which
you plugged the cable.

3. Power on the camera.

4. Use the Mode button to navigate files.

5. Use the Sh utter button [

(page 28) .

] to open a file in full-screen view.

OFFLOADING YOUR CONTENT OFFLOADING YOUR CONTENT

OFFLOADING YOUR CONTENT TO A COMPUTER

To view your video and photos on a computer, you must first transfer these
files to a computer. Transferring also frees up space on your microSD card
for new content.

1. Download and install Quik for desktop from gopro.com/apps.

2. Connect the camera to your computer using the included USB cable.

3. Press the Shutter button [
importer in the app.

] to power on the camera and open the

4. Follow the on-screen instructions in Quik.

PRO TIP: To offload files to a computer using a card reader (sold
separately) and your computer’s file explorer, connect the card reader to
the computer, then insert the microSD card. You can then transfer files to
your computer or delete selected files on your card.

UPLOADING YOUR CONTENT TO THE CLOUD

With a subscription to GoPro Plus, you can upload your content to the
cloud and then view, edit, and share it from any of your devices. From your
mobile device, use the Quik
it with your friends.

Note: When you uplo ad your content to the cloud, your o riginal files remain o n your camera.

™

app to edit content from the cloud and share

2. Connect your camera to a power outlet. When the battery is charged,
automatic upload to the cloud begins.

Note: Once you set up Au to Upload, you do not need to con nect your camera to the
Capture app to use th is feature.

The files in the cloud are optimized for the web, so might not be full
resolution. To offload files in their full resolution, connect your camera
to the Quik app for desktop and offload the files to your computer.

3. To access content in the cloud from your mobile device, connect to the
Capture app and tap [ ] next to the image of your camera.

4. Download the desired content to your phone, then use the Quik app to
edit and share.

PRO TIP: After you subscribe to GoPro Plus, you can use Quik for desktop
to offload your files to your computer. Quik then uploads the files to your
GoPro Plus account.

1. Subscribe to GoPro Plus:

a. Download the Capture app to your mobile device from the Apple®

App Store© or Google Play™.

b. Follow the app’s on-screen instructions to connect your camera.

c. If this is the first time you are connecting to the app, follow the

on-screen instructions to subscribe to GoPro Plus. Otherwise, tap
[ ] next the image of your camera and follow the instructions.

26 27

ACCESSING ALL MODES AND SETTINGS ACCESSING ALL MODES AND SETTINGS

To access all modes and settings, connect your camera to a GoPro
remote (sold separately) or the Capture app. Settings are saved after you
disconnect the camera.

CONNECTING TO THE CAPTURE APP

Capture lets you change all modes and camera settings using a smartphone
or tablet. Features include full camera control, live preview, playback and
sharing of content, and camera software updates. To learn more, visit
gopro.com/apps.

Note: When your cam era is connected to the app or remote, it re mains on in standby
mode after capturing video or photos.

1. Download Capture to your mobile device from the Apple© App Store©
or Google Play™.

2. Follow the app’s on-screen instructions to connect your camera.

PAIRING WITH THE REMOTE

The Smart Remote lets you change capture modes and settings, power
your GoPro on/off, start/stop recording, and add HiLight Tags.

Note: HERO5 Sessi on is compatible with the Sm art Remote and th e Wi-Fi Remote.

CONNECTING AFTER PAIRING

After connecting your camera to the app or remote for the first time, you
can connect in the future through the Connection Settings menu. On the
camera, press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

1. Press the Menu button repeatedly to get to Connection Settings, then
press the Shutter button [

2. Press the Shutter button to select Turn On Connection. The Wireless
icon [

] appears on the camera status screen.

TURNIN G OFF WIREL ESS FROM TH E CAMERA

When you turn off your camera with the Capture app or a GoPro remote,
wireless remains on so that you can quickly reconnect. To save battery
power, turn off wireless when you are finished using it.

] to select it.

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Press the Menu button repeatedly to get to Connection Settings, then
press the Shutter button [

3. Press the Shutter button to select Turn Off Connection. The Wireless
icon [

] disappears from the camera status screen.

] to select it.

1. On the camera, press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Press the Menu button repeatedly to move to Connection Settings,
then press the Shutter button [

3. Press the Menu button to move to Connect New Device, then press
the Shutter button to select it.

] to select it.

4. Press the Shutter button to display GoPro RC.

5. Press the Menu button to move to the check mark, then press the
Shutter button to confirm the selection. The camera automatically
begins pairing.

6. Put the remote into pairing mode. For more information, see the user
manual for your remote at gopro.com/help.

28 29

VIDEO MODE: CAPTURE MODES

VIDEO MODE: CAPTURE MODES

Video mode contains three capture modes: Video, Video + Photo, and
Looping. Each capture mode has its own settings.

VIDEO

This capture mode is for traditional video capture. The default settings are
1080p30 Wide, with Video Stabilization turned on. For more information,
see these topics:

HERO5 Session Video Resolutions (page 36)

Video Stabilization (page 39)

Interval (Video) (page 40)

Auto Low Light (page 40)

Protune (page 52)

VIDEO + PHOTO

Video + Photo captures photos at set intervals while you record video. The
default settings are 1080p30 Wide, with the interval set at 5 photos per
second. Photos are captured at 10MP with a 4:3 aspect ratio. For more
information, see these topics:

HERO5 Session Video Resolutions (page 36)

Interval (Video) (page 40)

30 31

LOOPING VIDEO

Use Looping to you continuously record video, but save only the moments
that you want. For example, if you select a 5-minute interval, only the
previous 5 minutes are saved when you press the Shutter button to stop
recording. If you record for 5 minutes and do not press the Shutter button
to stop recording and save, the camera records a new 5-minute interval by
recording over your previous 5 minutes of footage.

This capture mode is useful when you are recording events that contain
long periods of inactivity that you don’t want to save, such as fishing or
recording from a car dashboard.

The default settings for Looping are 1080p30 Wide, with the interval set
at 5 minutes. Looping is not available in 4K, 2.7K, 2.7K 4:3, and 1440p.
For more information, see these topics:

HERO5 Session Video Resolutions (page 36)

Interval (Video) (page 40)

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

VIDEO RESOLUTION

Video resolution (RES) refers to the number of horizontal lines in the video.
For example, 720p means that the video has 720 horizontal lines, each with
a width of 1280 pixels. Higher numbers of lines and pixels result in greater
detail and clarity. So, a video with resolution of 4K is considered higher
quality than 720p because it consists of 3840 lines, each with a width of
2160 pixels.

4K

2.7K 4:3

2.7K
1440p

1080p

960p

720p

32 33

Use this table to help you determine the best resolution for your activity.
Also consider the capabilities of your computer or TV to be sure your
hardware can support the selected resolution.

Video Resolution Best Use

Stunning high-resolution video with professional

4K

2.7K

2.7K 4:3

1440p

1080p

low-light performance. 8MP stills available from
video. Recommended for tripod or fixed position
shots.

16:9 resolution video downscales to provide
stunning, cinema-quality results for professional
productions.

Recommended for body-mounted, ski-mounted
or surfboard-mounted shots. Provides large
viewing area.

Recommended for body-mounted shots. Aspect
ratio of 4:3 captures a larger vertical viewing
area, compared to 1080p. High frame rate yield
the smoothest, most immersive results for high­action capture. Great for sharing to social media.

Great for all shots and for sharing to social
media. High resolution and frame rate yield
stunning results. This resolution is available in all
FOVs and its high FPS option (90fps) enables
slow motion during editing.

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

Video Resolution Best Use

Use for body-mounted shots and when

960p

720p

FRAMES PER S ECOND (FPS)

Frames per second (FPS) refers to the number of video frames that are
captured in each second.

When selecting a resolution and FPS, consider the activity that you want
to capture. Higher resolutions result in greater detail and clarity, but are
generally available at lower fps values. Lower resolutions result in less
detail and clarity, but support higher FPS values, which are important for
capturing motion. Higher FPS values can also be used to create slow­motion videos.

ASPECT RATIO

GoPro video resolutions use two aspect ratios: either 16:9 or 4:3. Standard
televisions and editing programs use 16:9. Footage shot in 4:3 is 33%
taller, but must be cropped to 16:9 for playback on a TV. (If footage is not
cropped, it appears with black bars on the sides of the image.)

34 35

slow motion is desired. Aspect ratio of 4:3
provides large viewing area and smooth results
for high action capture.

Good for handheld shots and when slow motion
is desired.

FIELD OF VIEW (FOV)

The field of view (FOV) refers to how much of the scene (measured in
degrees) can be captured through the camera lens. Wide FOV captures the
largest amount of the scene, while Narrow FOV captures the least.

The FOV options that appear are based on the selected resolution and fps.

FOV Best Use

SuperView delivers the world’s most immersive

SuperView

Wide

Medium

Linear

Narrow

field of view. Good for body-or gear-mounted
shots. More vertical 4:3 content is automatically
stretched to full-screen 16:9 for stunning wide­screen playback on your computer or TV.

Large field of view that is good for action shots
where you want to capture as much as possible
within the frame. This FOV results in a fisheye
look, especially around the edge of the scene.
(You can crop that out during editing, if needed.)

Mid-range field of view that has the effect of
zooming in on the center of the shot.

Mid-range field of view that removes the
fisheye effect found in the Wide FOV. Good for
capturing aerial footage or any other shot where
you want to remove the distortion.

Smallest field of view. Good for capturing
content at a distance. Its most significant effect
is that it zooms in on the center of the shot.

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

HERO5 SESSION VIDEO RESOLUTIONS

Video
Resolution
(RES)

FPS
(NTSC/

1

PAL)

FOV

Screen
Resolution

4K 30/25 Wide 3840x2160 16:9

2.7K

2.7K

48/48 Medium 2704x1520 16:9

30/25

24/24

SuperView, Wide,
Medium, Linear

2704x1520 16:9

2.7K 4:3 30/25 Wide 2704x2028 4:3

60/50

1440p

1080p 90/90 Wide 1920x1080 16:9

1

NTSC and PAL refer to the vide o format, which depends o n your region. For more

information, se e Video Format (page 57).

48/48
30/25
24/24

Wide 1920x1440 4:3

Aspect
Ratio

Video
Resolution
(RES)

1080p 60/50

1080p

960p

FPS
(NTSC/
PAL)

30/25
24/24

100/100
60/50
30/25

FOV

SuperView,
Wide, Linear

SuperView,
Wide, Medium,
Linear, Narrow

Screen

Resolution

1920x1080 16:9

1920x1080 16:9

Wide 1280x960 4:3

Aspect
Ratio

720p 120/120 Wide 1280x720 16:9

720p

60/50

30/25

SuperView,
Wide, Medium

1280x720 16:9

For more information about resolution, FPS, or FOV, see these topics:

Video Resolution (page 32)

Frames per Second (page 34)

Field of View (FOV) (page 35)

36 37

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

High Resolutions/High Frame Rates

When capturing video at high resolutions or high frame rates in warm
ambient temperatures, the camera may become warm and use more power.

In addition, lack of airflow around the camera and using the camera with the
Capture app further increase camera temperature and power consumption,
and decrease camera recording time.

If the camera gets too hot, a message appears on the screen indicating
thatthecamerais shutting down. For details, see Important Messages
(page 61).

When recording in high-performance video modes, capture shorter video
clips when in stationary use, and/or limit your use of features that increase
power consumption, such as the GoPro Capture app. To control your
camera remotely at higher temperatures, use a GoPro remote or Remo
(Waterproof Voice Activated Remote) (both sold separately) instead
of Capture.

38 39

VI DE O S TAB ILIZ ATIO N

This setting adjusts the footage to offset for motion during capture. The
result is smoother footage, especially in activities with relatively small but
fast motion including cycling, motorcycling, and handheld uses. The options
for this setting are On (default) and Off.

Video Stabilization is not available for 4K or frame rates higher than 60 fps.
For Wide FOV, the image is cropped 10%. This setting is not available for
Video + Photo or Looping video.

PRO TIP: The more narrow the FOV, the greater the effect of Video
Stabilization.

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

VIDEO MODE: SETTINGS

INTERVAL (VIDEO)

The Interval setting determines the amount of time that passes between

each captured frame.

Video + Photo Intervals

Available photo intervals for Video + Photo range are 5 (default), 10, 30,
and 60 seconds. The quality of the photo depends on the selected video
resolution and FOV.

Looping Video Intervals

Available intervals for Looping are 5 (default), 20, 60, and 120 minutes. You
can also select Max as the interval. With this option, the camera records
until the memory card is full, then overwrites the content.

AUTO LOW LIGHT

Auto Low Light allows you to shoot in low-light environments or when
quickly transitioning in and out of low-light conditions. When possible, the
camera automatically adjusts fps to achieve the optimal exposure and best
results.

Auto Low Light is available for frame rates higher than 30fps.

When Auto Low Light and Video Stabilization are both on and Auto Low
Light activates because of dark lighting conditions, Video Stabilization is
temporarily turned off to deliver optimal image quality in the dark scene.

40 41

PROTUNE

Protune is available for the Video capture mode. For details about Protune

settings, see [

PRO TIP: Easily create GoPro-style videos using GoPro Studio (included
in Quik for desktop). Learn more and download this free software to your
computer at gopro.com/apps.

] Protune (page 52).

PHOTO MODE: CAPTURE MODES

PHOTO MODE: CAPTURE MODES

Photo mode contains three capture modes: Photo, Night, and Burst. All
photos are captured at 10MP. Each capture mode has its own settings.

PHOTO

Photo captures either single or continuous photos. For continuous photos,
hold down the Shutter button to capture 5 photos/second, up to 30 photos.

The default FOV for Photo is Wide, with all advanced settings turned off. For
more information, see this topics:

Field of View (FOV) (Photos) (page 44)

Protune (page 52)

NIGHT

Night captures photos in dim to dark light. The shutter remains open longer
to let in more light in dark environments, so Night photo is not recommended
for handheld shots or mounted shots where the camera might move during
exposure.

The default settings for Night are Wide FOV, with the Shutter set to Auto.
For more information, see these topics:

Field of View (FOV) (Photos) (page 44)

Shutter (Night Photo) (page 45)

Protune (page 52)

42 43

BURST

Burst captures up to 30 photos in 1 second, so it is perfect for capturing
fast-moving activities. The default FOV for Burst is Linear, with the Rate
set to 30 photos in 1 second. For more information, see these topics:

Field of View (FOV) (Photos) (page 44)

Rate (page 45)

Protune (page 52)

PHOTO MODE: SETTINGS

PHOTO MODE: SETTINGS

FIELD OF VIEW (FOV) (PHOTOS)

Your camera includes several FOV options for photos. All photos are
captured at 10MP.

FOV Description

Largest field of view. Good for action shots to

Wide

Medium

Linear

Narrow

44 45

capture as much as possible within the frame.
This FOV results in a fisheye look, especially
around the edge of the scene. (You can crop
that out during editing, if needed.)

Mid-range field of view. Has the effect of
zooming in on the center of the shot.

Mid-range field of view that removes the fisheye
distortion. Good for capturing aerial footage or
any other shot where you want a more traditional
perspective.

Smallest field of view with reduced fisheye
distortion. Good for capturing content at a
distance. Its most significant effect is that it
zooms in on the center of the shot.

RAT E

This setting applies only to Burst. Available rates:

• 30 photos in 1, 2, 3, or 6 seconds

• 10 photos in 1, 2, or 3 seconds

• 5 photos in 1 second

• 3 photos in 1 second

SHUTTER (NIGHT PHOTO)

Within Photo mode, this setting applies only to Night Photo. Shutter lets
you determine the amount of time that the shutter is open. The default
option is Auto.

Settings Examples

Auto Sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, twilight, night

2 seconds, 5 seconds

PRO TIP: To reduce the amount of blur when using Night photo, mount
your camera on a tripod or other surface that is stable and cannot move.

PROTUNE

Within Photo mode, Protune is available for all capture modes
(Photo, Night, and Burst). For details about Protune settings, see Protune
(page 52).

Dawn, dusk, twilight, traffic at night, Ferris
wheel, fireworks, light painting

TIME LAPSE MODE: CAPTURE MODES

TIME LAPSE MODE: CAPTURE MODES

Time Lapse mode contains three capture modes: Time Lapse Video,
Time Lapse Photo, and Night Lapse Photo. Each capture mode has its
own settings.

TIME LA PSE VIDEO

Time Lapse Video creates video from frames captured at specific intervals.
This option lets you capture a time lapse event and immediately share it
as a video. Time Lapse Video is available only in 4K, 2.7K 4:3, and 1080p
resolutions and is captured without audio.

The default resolution for Time Lapse Video is 4K, with the default interval
set at 0.5 second. For more information, see these topics:

HERO5 Session Video Resolutions (page 36)

Interval (Time Lapse) (page 49)

TIME LAPSE PHOTO

Time Lapse Photo captures a series of photos at specified intervals. Use
this mode to capture photos of any activity, then choose the best ones
later. You can also capture photos over a long time frame, then convert
them into a video using GoPro Studio (included with Quik for desktop).

The default for Time Lapse Photo is Wide, with the default interval set at

0.5 second. For more information, see these topics:

Field of View (FOV) (Time Lapse Photo) (page 48)

Interval (Time Lapse) (page 49)

Protune (page 52)

46 47

NIGHT LAPSE PHOTO

Night Lapse Photo captures a series of photos at set intervals when there
is minimal light. The shutter remains open longer to let in more light in dark
environments.

The default settings for Night Lapse Photo are Wide FOV, with the Interval
set at Continuous and Shutter set to 2 seconds. For more information, see
these topics:

Field of View (FOV) (Time Lapse Photo) (page 48)

Shutter (Time Lapse) (page 51)

Protune (page 52)

TIME LAPSE MODE: SETTING

TIME LAPSE MODE: SETTINGS

TIME LA PSE VIDEO RESOLUTION AND FOV

In Time Lapse mode, resolution and FOV apply only to Time Lapse Video.

Video resolution refers to the number of horizontal lines in the video. Higher
resolutions result in greater detail and clarity. So, a video with resolution of

2.7K is considered higher quality than 1080p because it consists of 2704
lines, each with a width of 1520 pixels.

The field of view (FOV) refers to how much of the scene (measured in
degrees) can be captured through the camera lens. Wide FOV captures the
largest amount of the scene.

Available resolutions for Time Lapse Video are 4K, 2.7K 4:3, and 1080p.

FIELD OF VIEW (FOV) FOR TIM E LAPS E

Your camera includes several FOV options for time lapse.

FOV Description

Largest field of view. Good for action shots to

Wide

Medium

48 49

capture as much as possible within the frame.
This FOV results in a fisheye look, especially
around the edge of the scene. (You can crop
that out during editing, if needed.)

Mid-range field of view. Has the effect of
zooming in on the center of the shot.

FOV Description

Mid-range field of view that removes the fisheye

Linear

Narrow

INTERVAL (TIME LAPSE)

The Interval setting determines the amount of time that passes between
each captured frame.

Time Lapse Photo and Time Lapse Video Intervals

Available intervals for Time Lapse Video are 0.5 (default), 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and
60 seconds.

Interval Examples

0.5-2 seconds Surfing, biking or other sport

2 seconds Busy street corner

5-10 seconds Clouds or outdoor scenes with long durations

10-60 seconds

distortion. Good for capturing aerial footage or
any other shot where you want a more traditional
perspective.

Smallest field of view with reduced fisheye
distortion. Good for capturing content at a
distance. Its most significant effect is that it
zooms in on the center of the shot.

Lengthy activities, such as construction
or artwork

TIME LAPSE MODE: SETTINGS TIME LAPSE MODE: SETTINGS

Night Lapse Photo Interval

Interval determines the rate at which photos are captured. Night Lapse
intervals are Continuous, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds, and 1, 2, 5, 30, and
60 minutes. Intervals of 4 and 5 seconds are available only when Shutter is
set to 2 seconds.

Continuous (default) causes the Interval to match the Shutter setting. For
example, if Shutter is set to 10 seconds and Interval is set to Auto, your
camera captures a photo every 10 seconds. Photos are captured at 10MP.

Interval Examples

Continuous

4-5 seconds

10-15 seconds

20-30 seconds

50 51

Great for all exposures. Captures as quickly as
possible, depending on the Shutter setting.

Evening city scene, street lighting, or scenes
with movement

Dim lighting with slow scene changes, like night
clouds with a bright moon

Very low light or very slow scene changes, like
stars with minimal ambient or street light

SHUTTER (TIME LAPSE)

Within Time Lapse mode, this setting applies only to Night Lapse Photo.
Shutter lets you determine the amount of time that the shutter is open.
The default option is Auto.

Use this table to help you select the most appropriate setting for your
activity:

Settings Examples

Auto (up to 2
seconds)

2 seconds, 5 seconds

20 seconds Night sky (with light)

30 seconds Night stars, Milky Way (complete darkness)

PRO TIP: To reduce the amount of blur when using Night Lapse Photo,
mount your camera on a tripod or other surface that is stable and cannot
move.

PROTUNE

Within Time Lapse mode, Protune is available for Time Lapse photos and

Night Lapse. For details about Protune settings, see Protune

Sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, twilight, night

Dawn, dusk, twilight, traffic at night, Ferris
wheel, fireworks, light painting

(page 52).

PROTUNE

PROTUNE

PROTUNE™ BENEFITS

Protune unlocks the camera’s full potential, yielding stunning image quality
and cinema-caliber video and photos optimized for professional productions.
Protune gives content creators more flexibility and workflow efficiency than
ever before.

Protune is compatible with professional color correction tools, GoPro Studio
(included with the Quik desktop app) and other video and photo editing
software).

Protune enables manual control of color, white balance, shutter speed, and
more for advanced control and customization of your video footage and
photos.

Protune

Protune is available as an advanced setting for supported capture modes.
The options for this setting are Off (default) and On. When Protune is on,
PT appears on the camera status screen. Protune is not available for Video
+ Photo, Looping, or Time Lapse Video.

Changes that you make to Protune settings in one capture mode apply only
to that capture mode. For example, changing the White Balance for Night
Photo does not affect that setting for Burst photos.

52 53

Color

Color allows you to adjust the color profile of your video footage.

Color Setting Resulting Color Profile

GoPro Color
(default)

Flat

White Balance

White Balance lets you adjust the color temperature of videos and photos
to optimize for cool or warm lighting conditions. Options for this setting are
Auto (default), 3000K, 4000K, 4800K, 5500K, 6000K, 6500K, and Native.
Lower values result in warmer tones.

You can also select Native to create a minimally color-corrected file
from the image sensor that allows for more precise adjustments in
post-production.

Provides GoPro color-corrected profile (same great
color as when Protune is turned off).

Provides neutral color profile that can be color­corrected to better match footage captured with
other equipment, offering more flexibility in post­production. Due to its long curve, Flat captures more
details in shadows and highlights.

PROTUNE PROTUNE

ISO Limit

ISO applies only to the Video capture mode. This setting determines
the camera’s sensitivity to light in low-light environments, and creates a
tradeoff between brightness and resulting image noise. Image noise refers
to the degree of graininess in the image.

In low light, higher ISO values result in brighter images, but with greater
image noise. Lower values result in lower image noise, but darker images.

400 800 1600

Darker image
Lower image noise

The way that ISO Limit is applied depends on the Shutter setting:

• Shutter set to Auto: The ISO Limit that you select is used as the
maximum ISO value. The ISO value that is applied might be lower,
depending on the lighting conditions. Available ISO modes are 1600,
800, and 400.

• Shutter not set to Auto: The ISO Limit that you select is either used
as the maximum ISO value (if you select Max as the ISO Mode) or is
locked at that value (if you select Lock as the ISO Mode). Available ISO
modes are 1600, 800, and 400.

54 55

Brighter image

Greater image noise

Shutter

The Shutter setting in Protune applies only to Video and determines the
amount of time that the shutter is open. The options available for this
setting depend on the FPS setting, as noted in the following table. The
default setting is Auto.

Settings

Auto Auto Auto

1/FPS 1/30 sec 1/60 sec

1/(2xFPS) 1/60 sec 1/120 sec

1/(4xFPS) 1/120 sec 1/240 sec

PRO TIP: For best results when using the Shutter setting, mount your
camera on a tripod or other stable surface to reduce the amount of blur in
your video or photos.

Sharpness

Sharpness controls the quality of details captured in your video footage or
photos. Options for this setting are High (default), Medium, and Low.

PRO TIP: If you plan to increase sharpness during editing, turn this
setting off.

Example 1:
1080p30

Example 2:
1080p60

PROTUNE CUSTOMIZING YOUR CAMERA

Exposure Value Compensation (EV Comp)

Exposure Value Compensation affects the brightness of your video or
photo. Adjusting this setting can improve image quality when shooting in
environments with contrasting lighting conditions. This setting is available
only if Shutter is set to Auto.

Options for this setting range from -2.0 to +2.0. Higher values result in
brighter images. The default setting is 0.

PRO TIP: Exposure Value Compensation adjusts brightness within the
existing ISO setting. If brightness has already reached the ISO setting in a
low-light environment, increasing the Exposure Value Compensation does
not have any effect. To continue increasing the brightness, select a higher
ISO value.

Reset Protune

This option resets all Protune settings to their default values.

56 57

DATE AND TIME

Your camera’s date and time are automatically set when you connect your
camera to Capture or Quik for desktop. This setting lets you manually set
the date and time, if needed.

LANGUAG E

This setting changes the language that appears on the camera screens.

VIDEO FORMAT

Video Format sets regional frame rates for recording and playback on TVs.
Selecting the appropriate option for your region helps prevent flicker when
capturing video indoors.

Setting Description

NTSC (default)

PAL

Viewing video on an NTSC TV/HDTV (most
televisions in North America)

Viewing video on a PAL TV/HDTV (most
televisions outside of North America)

CUSTOMIZING YOUR CAMERA CUSTOMIZING YOUR CAMERA

AU TO -R OTATIO N

This setting lets you determine if you want your captured video or photo to
be upside down or right-side up.

Setting Description

(Auto Image Rotation) Camera automatically
selects Up or Down, based on the orientation of

Auto (default)

Up Camera is used right-side up.

Down

BEEPS

You can set the volume for the sound indicators to be 100% (default), 70%,
or Off. Beeps range from high, medium, low, and mute.

LEDS

58 59

the camera when recording begins. This option
eliminates the need to flip your image during
editing when the camera is mounted upside
down.

Camera is used upside down. This option
eliminates the need to flip your image during
editing when the camera is mounted
upside down.

This setting determines whether the camera status lights are on or off.

VOICE CONTROL LANGUAGE

This setting applies only when using the camera with Voice Control or Remo
(sold separately). Sets the language that you use for voice commands.
You select your voice language the first time you use your camera. You
can later change the language with the Capture app or with Remo. For
details about using your HERO5 Session with Remo, see the user manual
for Remo.

DELETE

This setting lets you delete the most recently captured video, photo, burst
sequence, or time lapse sequence. You also have the option to delete all
files and reformat the memory card. The camera status lights blink until the
operation is complete.

IMPORTANT MESSAGES IMPORTANT MESSAGES

IMPORTANT CAMERA MESSAGES

If your last video file was corrupted during
recording, the camera displays REPAIRING FILE
while it tries to repair the file. When this process
is finished, the camera powers off if it is not

REPAIRING FILE

60 61

connected to Capture or a GoPro remote.

If the camera is connected to the app or remote,
tap the Shutter button on the app or press the
Shutter button on the remote or the camera
when the repair is finished to continue using
the camera.

The Temperature icon and CAMERA TOO HOT
appear on the camera status screen when the
camera becomes too hot and needs to cool
down. Simply let it sit and cool before attempting
to use it again. Your camera was designed to
identify conditions of overheating and shuts
down when needed.

MICROSD CARD MESSAGES

NO SD CARD

SD FULL Card is full. Delete files or swap card.

SD ERROR

PRO TIP: Reformat your microSD card on a regular basis to ensure that
the card can continue to receive information from the camera.

No card present. The camera requires a microSD,
microSDHC or microSDXC card to capture
videos and photos.

Camera is unable to read card formatting.
Reformat the card in the camera.

NOTICE: If you select Yes to reformat the card,
all of the content on the card is deleted.

RESETTING YOUR CAMERA MOUNTING YOUR CAMERA

RESTORING FACTORY SETTINGS

Follow the steps below to reset all settings and the camera’s password. This
option is useful if you are reselling your camera and want to remove
all customization.

1. With your camera off, press the Menu button to turn on the
status screen.

2. Press the Menu button repeatedly until you get to Exit Menu.

3. Press and hold Shutter button [

4. Press the Menu button to move to Yes, then press the Shutter
button to select it.

62 63

] for 8 seconds.

ATTACHING YOUR CAM ERA TO MOUN TS

To attach your HERO5 Session camera to a mount, you need a frame
and a mounting buckle and/or thumb screw, depending on the mount
you are using.

THE FRAME

Your HERO5 Session

Note: To prevent the frame from markin g the surface of your camera, le ave the latch
on the frame ope n when storing your camera in a fram e for a long period of time.

The HERO5 Session camera is waterproof to 33’ (10m) with the door
closed—no additional housing is needed when using the camera in or
around water.

NOTICE: The Standard Frame does not provide additional waterproof
protection for your camera.

™

comes with a Standard Frame.

MOUNTING YOUR CAMERA MOUNTING YOUR CAMERA

Securing the Camera in The Frame

1. Open the latch.

2. Rotate the camera to the desi red orient ation, and then slid e it into the
frame. The b ack of the fra me has a raised edge. Be sure the back of
the camera sits flus h against it.

3. Close the latch.

PRO TIP: During water activities, use Camera Tethers for added security
and use a Floaty to keep your camera afloat (both sold separately). Tether
the frame to the mount by looping the tether over the small bar behind the
mounting fingers. For more information, visit gopro.com.

64 65

ATTACHING MOUNTING BUCKLES TO MOUNTS

1. Flip up the mounting buckle plug.

2. Slide the buckle into the mount until it clicks into place.

3. Press down on the plug so that it sits flush with the buckle.

PRO TIP: If you mount your HERO5 Session upside down, the camera
automatically changes the orientation of your image to be right-side up.

MOUNTING YOUR CAMERA

MOUNTING YOUR CAMERA

USING CURVED + FLAT ADHESIVE MOUN TS

The Curved + Flat Adhesive Mounts make it easy to attach the camera to
curved and flat surfaces of helmets, vehicles, and gear. With the mounting
buckle, the frame can be clicked on and off the secured adhesive mounts.

• During water activiti es, tether you r camera fo r added s ecurity and
use a Float y to keep your ca mera aflo at (sold separate ly). For more
informatio n, visit gopro.com.

WARNING: To avoid in jury, do not us e a tether when m ounting
the camer a on a helmet .

For more information on mounts, see gopro.com.

WARNING: If u sing your c amera with a G oPro mount or strap
intended f or use with a he lmet, alway s select a h elmet that

Curved Adhesive Mount Flat Adhesive Mount

MOUNTING GUIDELINES

Follow these guidelines when attaching mounts:

• Attach the adhesive mounts at least 24 hours before use.

• Adhesive mounts must be mounted only on smooth surfaces. Porous
or textured surfaces do not enable a proper bond. When applying
the mount, firmly press it into place and ensure full contact over the
entire surface.

• Apply adhesive mounts to clean surfaces only. Wax, oil, dirt, or other
debris reduce adhesion, which can result in a weak bond and risk of
losing the camera should the connection fail.

• Attach adhesive mounts in room temperature conditions. Adhesives do
not bond properly if applied in cold or damp environments to cold or
damp surfaces.

• Check state and local regulations and laws to ensure that attaching a
camera to equipment (such as hunting equipment)
is permitted. Always comply with regulations that restrict the use of
consumer electronics or cameras.

66 67

meets the applicable safety standard.

Choose th e right helm et for your pa rticul ar sport o r activity
and make su re that it is the r ight fit and s ize for you. In spect
your helm et to ensure th at it is in goo d conditi on, and fol low
the helmet manufacturer's instructions on safe helmet use.

Any helme t that has sus tained a m ajor imp act shoul d
be replac ed. No hel met can pro tect agai nst injur y in
every accident.

REMOVING THE DOOR MAINTENANCE

In some situations, such as connecting the Karma drone (sold separately),
it might be more convenient to access the ports if the door is removed.

WARNING: Re move the do or only when y ou are usin g the
camera in a d ry, dust-free envir onment. W hen the doo r is open
or removed , the camer a is not waterp roof.

REMOVING THE SIDE DOOR

When removing the side door, be sure to pull it out in a straight motion, not
at an angle.

REATTACHING THE DOOR

68 69

Follow these guidelines to get the best performance from your camera:

• The camera is waterproof to 33’ (10m)—no housing needed. Ensure
that the doors are closed before using the camera in or around water,
dirt, or sand.

• Before closing the doors, be sure the seals are free of debris. If needed,
clean with a cloth.

• Before opening the doors, be sure the camera is free of water or debris.
If needed, rinse the camera with fresh water and dry it with a cloth.

• If sand or debris hardens around the doors, soak the camera in warm
tap water for 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly to remove the
debris before opening the doors.

• For best audio performance, shake the camera or blow on the mic
to remove water and debris from the microphone holes. To prevent
damage to the internal waterproof membranes, do not use compressed
air to blow into the mic holes.

• After every use in salt water, rinse the camera with fresh water, and dry
with a soft cloth.

• To clean the lens, wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. If debris becomes
lodged between the lens and the trim ring, flush it out with water or air.

Do not insert foreign objects around the lens.

BATTERY

BATTERY

Your HERO5 Session™ camera and battery are integrated. You cannot
remove the battery from the camera.

The battery icon displayed in the camera status screen blinks and shows
a battery low message when the battery drops below 10%. If the battery
reaches 0% while recording, the camera saves the file and powers off.

MAXIMIZING BATTERY LIFE

Extreme cold temperatures can decrease battery life. To maximize battery
life in cold conditions, keep camera in a warm place prior to use.

When you are not using HERO5 Session, rotate it in the frame so the
Shutter button is covered to prevent the camera from accidentally
turning on.

Note: To prevent the frame from markin g the surface of your camera, le ave the latch on
the frame open wh en storing your camera in a frame fo r a long period of time.

If the memory card becomes full or the battery runs out of power while
capturing video, your camera automatically stops recording and saves the
video before powering off.

WARNING: Us ing a wall ch arger othe r than a GoP ro chargin g
device ca n damage th e GoPro ca mera bat tery and co uld
result in fi re or leaka ge. With the exc eption of the G oPro
Supercharger (sold separately), only use chargers marked:
Output 5V 1A . If you do not know the volta ge and cur rent
of your char ger, use the incl uded USB c able to cha rge the
camera fr om your com puter.

BATTERY STORAGE AND HANDLING

The camera contains sensitive components, including the battery. Avoid
exposing your camera to very cold or very hot temperatures. Low or high
temperature conditions may temporarily shorten the battery life or cause
the camera to temporarily stop working properly. Avoid dramatic changes in

70 71

temperature or humidity when using the camera, as condensation may form
on or within the camera.

The integrated battery in the camera is non-serviceable. Contact GoPro
Customer Service for all battery related issues.

Do not dry the camera or battery with an external heat source such as a
microwave oven or hair dryer. Damage to the camera or battery caused by
contact with liquid inside the camera is not covered under the warranty.

Do not make any unauthorized alterations to the camera. Doing so may
compromise safety, regulatory compliance, performance, and may void
the warranty.

WARNING: Do not drop, disassemble, open, crush, bend,
deform, pu ncture, sh red, micro wave, incin erate, or pai nt the
camera. D o not inse rt foreig n object s into any ope ning on the
camera, s uch as the US B-C po rt. Do not u se the came ra if it
has been d amaged —for exampl e, if cracke d, punctu red, or
harmed by wa ter. Disasse mbling or p uncturi ng the integ rated
battery c an cause a n explosi on or fire.

USING TH E CAMERA WHILE CHARGING

You can capture video and photos while the camera is plugged in to a
USB charging adapter, or the GoPro Wall Charger or Auto Charger with
the included USB cable. (You cannot record while charging the camera
through a computer.) When you stop recording, the camera battery begins
to charge.

Note: Because th e door is open, the camera i s not waterproof during chargin g.

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING

MY GOPRO WO N’T POWER O N

Make sure your GoPro is charged. To charge your camera, use the
included USB cable and a computer. You can also use a charging device
manufactured by GoPro.

MY GOPRO WO N’T RESP OND WHEN I P RESS A BUT TON

If your camera freezes, press and hold the Menu button for about eight
seconds until your camera powers off. This reset saves all of your content
and settings.

I FORGOT MY C AMERA’S USER NAME OR PAS SWORD

1. Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen.

2. Press the Menu button repeatedly to get to Connection Settings.

3. Press the Shutter button [
get to Camera Info.

4. Press the Shutter button to display your camera’s username (ID)
password (pw).

HOW DO I TUR N OFF MY CAMERA?

If HERO5 Session is not connected to Capture or a GoPro remote, it
powers off automatically after you stop recording.

When your camera is connected to the app or remote, tap the Power icon
in the app or press the Power/Mode button on the remote to turn off the
camera. Wireless remains on.

If your camera goes out of range of the app or remote, or you close the
app, press the Menu button to display Turn Camera Off, then press the
Shutter [

To turn off connection and power off the camera, press the Menu button,
press it repeatedly to display Turn WiFi Off, then press the Shutter button
to select it.

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] button to select it. Wireless remains on.

], and then press the Menu button to

PLAYBACK ON MY COMPUT ER IS CHOP PY

Choppy playback is typically not a problem with the file. If your footage
skips, one of these situations is likely the cause:

• Using an incompatible video player. Not all video players
support the H.264 codec. For best results, use the latest version of
Quik for desktop.

• The computer does not meet the minimum requirements for HD
playback. The higher the resolution and frame rate of your video, the
harder the computer has to work to play it back. Make sure that your
computer meets the minimum requirements for the playback software..

• If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, record
at 1080p60 with Protune off, and make sure that all other programs
on your computer are closed. If that resolution does not improve the
playback, try 720p30.

WHAT SOFTWAR E VERSIO N AM I RUNNI NG?

Press the Menu button to turn on the status screen, then press it
repeatedly until you get to Exit. The software version number appears in the
upper left of the status screen. To exit the menu and turn off the camera,
press the Menu button .

WHAT IS MY CAMERA’S SE RIAL NUM BER?

The camera’s serial number is listed in several places:

• On the inside of the camera above the microSD card slot

• On your camera’s microSD card (in the version.txt file in the
MISC folder)

• On your camera’s original packaging

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

GoPro is dedicated to providing the best possible service. To reach GoPro
Support, visit gopro.com/help.

TRADEMARKS

GoPro, HERO, Protune, and S uperVi ew are trademarks or registered
tradema rks of GoPro, I nc. in the U.S. a nd internationally. Oth er names
and marks are the property of thei r respect ive owners.

REGULATORY INFORMATION

To see the complete list of countr y certif ication s, refer to the
Important Produ ct + Safety Inst ruction s includ ed with your c amera
or visit gopro.com/help.

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