Abe from the "production" department always have a good overview.

http://abekislevitz.com/gopro-hero8-black/

There is a strange thing here that you need to use the app if you want to level the horizon (like a proper gimbal). The app manages this with the IMU sensor data in the bitstream I guess. There is a dynamically amount of cropping to achieve a level horizon.

So why not make the hypersmooth in the camera do the horizon leveling? Perhaps they run out of DSP cycles. A future update to the Hero9 perhaps.

If the GoPro 8 USB-C port follows the HDMI Alt Mode specification (https://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/HDMIAltModeUSBTypeC.aspx), then it's possible that you could get HDMI output with a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter cable.

It could be that that's essentially what the GoPro Media Mod does to enable HDMI output. Of course they could also be doing something proprietary to force you to buy the Media Mod.

Dim light (no camera movement), just to assess IQ (of the camera, not the user):

GoPro - HERO8 Black 4K Waterproof Action Camera Special Bundle, $350

Need to log in to see this price.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gopro-hero8-black-4k-waterproof-action-camera-special-bundle-black/6376592.p

Another place for Hero 8

https://www.target.com/p/gopro-hero8-black/-/A-76579086

So, they got rid of the frame and the removable front glass.

Just to sell you this USD30 add on.

"Keep your HERO8 Black safe and scratch-free with Rollcage. The protective sleeve safeguards the camera body from scratches and impact, and the integrated, replaceable lens protects the camera lens from scratches, dirt and debris."

You gotta give it to GoPro. They manage to invent new stuff to sell every time.

It should be noted that the Hero8 cost cutting measures include:

• Supplied with USB2.0 cable (Hero7/6 was supplied with USB3.0)

• Only one adhesive mount (curved) included (all GoPros up until Hero7 had both flat and curved mounts).

This is in addition to the other cost cutting production changes like non-removable front glass and the new finge rmounts which toss out the frame and one of the doors.

I guess this might be answering my last question.