Touch Zoom is a new addition to the GoPro Hero6 Black that took many people by surprise. It wasn’t anywhere to be found on any of the early, leaked specs lists. And while it’s a nifty feature, it’s one that is reimagined rather than something completely new. In this quick tutorial we’ll show you how to use the GoPro Hero6 Black Touch Zoom feature.
What is Touch Zoom on the GoPro Hero6 Black?
GoPro’s Touch Zoom enables you to zoom in and out of a scene with your finger. It’s really is that simple. It’s a really useful tool, actually.
In previous GoPro cameras you’ve had a similar ability to crop closer into a scene by adjusting the camera’s field of view. GoPro offers three field of view settings on its cameras: Wide, Medium or Narrow.
Standard GoPro FOV values
- Wide FOV = 17.2mm
- Medium FOV = 21.9mm
- Narrow FOV = 34.4mm
These options are selected by tapping the FOV option through the menu or on the bottom right of the screen on the Hero5 black. Accessing these options became far easier and quicker with the GoPro Hero5 Black and it’s introduction of a touchscreen.
Now on the GoPro Hero 6 Black they’ve taken ease of use and adjustment to the next level with the ability to zoom in and out with your finger so you can set the zoom in exactly the position or focal length you want. Touch Zoom gives you much more precise control.
However, it’s worth noting that the Touch Zoom feature isn’t available in all resolutions and frame rates. You can find a full list below.
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How to set up the GoPro Hero6 Black Touch Zoom feature
- Select the resolution 1080p and frame rate 60fps
- Click the FOV option in the bottom right of the screen
- Select ‘Wide” then on the right of the screen you’ll see the zoom slider
- Touch the slider and move the tab up and down to zoom in and out
- Once you have selected the zoom you want tap the screen to exit.
GoPro Hero 6 Black Touch Zoom – Zoomed out
GoPro Hero 6 Black Touch Zoom – Zoomed in
The GoPro Hero6 Black Touch Zoom feature uses digital rather than optical zoom. What this means is that the digital image on the sensor is being cropped and enlarged rather than the image size on the sensor being increased, as is the case with a traditional zoom lens.
The outcome is that whilst the image is enlarged you will see that the quality of the footage is reduced over a standard Wide video capture.
- GoPro Hero6 Black sample video in 1080p at 240fps
- GoPro Hero6 Black sample video shot in 4K at 60fps
- How to shoot a time lapse video with a GoPro Hero6 Black
Resolutions and frame rates that support GoPro Hero6 Black Touch Zoom
-
- 4K | No
- 4K 4:3 | No
- 2.7K | 24, 30, 60fps | Linear, Wide | YES
- 2.7K 4:3 | 24, 30, 60fps | Linear, Wide | YES
- 1440 | 24. 30. 60fps | Linear, Wide | YES
- 1080 | 24,30,60, 120fps | Linear, Wide | YES
- 720 | 24, 30, 60fps | Linear, Wide | YES
Any other resolutions and frame rates not in the list above are not supported when using the Touch Zoom feature.