GoPro launches a cheap action cam with a unique new feature that could give your 4K action shots a lift

• New Lit Hero updates the Hero 2024 with built-in LED lights
• There's also 4K video upgrades and now magnetic mounting
• It's available now for $269.99 / £239.99 / AU$419.95

It's September, which means two certainties in consumer tech: the latest iPhones and GoPros hit the market. Sure enough, the iPhone 17 series is here, and now it's GoPro's turn with two new models that join the action camera king's range: the Max 2 and the Lit Hero.

We've already tested GoPro's long-awaited 360 camera ahead of its launch – check out our Max 2 review for more details. As for the Lit Hero, it's an intriguing upgrade from last year's Hero 2024, continuing GoPro's smallest and cheapest entry-level Hero series.

The Lit Hero is a reasonable update with a unique new feature – built-in LEDs. The quad LED unit has three brightness levels and can cast a little fill light on your subjects. It looks especially handy for selfies.

Built-in LEDs look much more convenient than fiddling with GoPro's light mod, especially in a tiny action cam like the Lit Hero, which weighs just 2.9oz / 83g. Honestly, it's one of those moments that leaves me asking why hasn't anyone does this before?

Despite the predictable timing of two new GoPro action cams, there's a bigger surprise – this is the first year in a decade without a new flagship Hero Black model. It looks like those anticipating the Hero 14 Black will have a longer wait. We've been speaking with GoPro about the future of its flagship Hero Black series – stay tuned for that article coming shortly.

As for the Lit Hero, it costs $269.99 / £239.99 / AU$419.95, which means it's a little pricier than the Hero 2024, but less than the Hero 13 Black. Let's take a look at the other upgrades that the latest entry-level model brings.

A compelling entry-level action cam?

We could appreciate what GoPro was attempting with the Hero 2024 – to create a tiny and simple-as-can-be action cam. However, we felt there was one cut back too many for us to fully recommend last year's model.

Through a series of upgrades in an equally small and lightweight package, the Lit Hero looks to boost the series.

In addition to the quad LED light unit, the Lit Hero doubles 4K video frame rates up to 60fps. Lower that frame rate to 30fps and it's possible to shoot in a new 'tall' 4:3 aspect ratio in addition to the standard 16:9, making for better quality social cuts.

The Lit Hero also inherits GoPro's 3-in-1 mount design from pricier models such as the Hero 13 Black, which means magnetic mounting features. Quick mounting is a welcome upgrade for what is a simple action cam by design.

Elsewhere, it's as you were. Like the Hero 2024, the Lit Hero is waterproof up to 5m, has a non-removable Enduro battery, and it shoots 12MP photos, albeit boosted in low light with those LEDs.

We'll be sure to share our GoPro Lit Hero verdict soon after for our usual in-depth testing.

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