GoPro 4K Video Stabilization: How to Fix Shaky GoPro Video Footage

[Newly Updated] It is widely believed that the new arriving Dji Osmo Action prevails over GoPro Hero 7 Black in image stabilization performance. This core advantage of Dji Osmo Action camera is attributed to RockSteady, the electronic image stabilization (EIS) combined with complex algorithms. However, neither Hypersmooth nor RockSteady can be used in shooting high fps videos, e.g. 1080p@120fps and some 4K videos. Read below to learn more about video stabilization skills and tips.

Seriously, the anti-shaking ability of GoPro camera is always complained by sports enthusiasts, if there is no 3-axix gimbal. Read on to see what situations will cause shakiness in video shooting and how to fix shaky videos in an easiest manner.

- "I have a full suspension bike and the GoPro Hero 5. When I'm riding downhill, the vibration and shake on my 4K GoPro footage is so unbearable that it's not even worth showing anyone. The trail jumps around like crazy with every little rock and when the trail is smooth, the surrounding scenery tears real bad so I can barely tell what it is. Worse than that, it seems that it's losing focus all of sudden."

Since most GoProers shoot videos in movement or sports, GoPro videos are more likely to jerk and shake. Among them, 4K videos take on more risk – 6 out of 10 ultra HD videos will go shaky, because the built-in video stabilization even in Hero 6 is useless in many situations at 2160p. For example, 4K @50fps and 4K @60fps videos filmed in low light, riding, surfing, running and skiing, as well as slow motion videos will certainly go wobbly in bare GoPro videography.

If your 4K GoPro video already has shakiness, you can turn to post-processing: remove the shakes through (GoPro) video stabilization software – VideoProc. It will analyze original video, track motion vectors, get absolute motion vectors, move the entire frame, and get a relatively subject stabilized image through certain motion compensation. It will deliver gimbal-style super-stabilised 4K video that is better than the result from HyperSmooth mode of GoPro Hero 7 Black.

Part 1: How to Remove Shakes in GoPro 4K Videos Easily with VideoProc?

After downloading and installing VideoProc on your PC or Mac, you are free to go. Here's the rundown of guides and tips for stabilizing different GoPro videos.

Step 1: Add source video to the GoPro 4K video stabilization software

Launch VideoProc, the 4K video editor software that is also capable of Hero 5/6/7/8 video trimming and cropping, click Video icon on the main interface, and tap +Video to add a shaky GoPro footage from your hard drive. It allows you to add more than one video for post stabilization at a time.

Step 2: Find the video stabilization feature.

Click "Toolbox", and find "Deshake" that is made for GoPro / DJI / iPhone video stabilization.

Step 3: Make settings for the best (smoothest) result.

Double click Deshake icon or click gear icon to access to setting window for possible GoPro video enhancement.

There are four parameters to consider:

Note: These above are just suggestions. For more ideal GoPro or 4K video stabilization effect, you'd better turn up and down the values on this video stabilization software by yourself to have a try since footages differ from one another.

After all settings are well arranged, click Done.

Step 4: Make settings for best result.

Tick "Nvidia/Intel/AMD under" under "Hardware Acceleration Engine", and then VideoProc embedded with Full Hardware Acceleration Tech will provide optimal utilization of your hardware for fastest processing speed.

Step 5: Set Output Folder.

Click Browse button next to Output Folder to define where to save the resulting file.

Step 6: Start deshaking the GoPro video.

Click RUN button on the video stabilization software app to start stabilizing your GoPro footage (supporting 4K @60fps, @12/15/24/25/30/50fps; 720p / 1080p up to @240fps).

Free Download VideoProc to Fix Shaky Footage Easily in Post-Production!

Part 2: Which Is the Best Way to Stabilize Shaky GoPro Videos?

Indeed, there are more than one way to achieve GoPro 4K video stabilization. Auxiliary equipment (wearable GoPro shake stabilizer ), GoPro built-in stabilization, and video stabilization app or software can all take effect.

1. If you want to prevent shakiness effectively, mount an accessory like a gimbal or GoPole before filming.
2. If you want to do a full set of professional non-linear video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro CC (Warp Stabilizer) is a good choice.
3. 3. If you simply need to stabilize your shaky GoPro / DJI / 4K 60fps videos without gimbal, and perform basic editing such as cutting, merging, splitting, resizing GoPro 4K video without quality loss, VideoProc is enough for you. Besides, it is always the fastest and easiest-to-use solution.
4. Please note that both GoPro's in-camera stabilization and the deshaking feature of video editor will end up with image cropping.

Part 3: Why Digital GoPro Video Stabilization Will Cause Image Cropping / Zooming?

No matter you are using post-processing or built-in GoPro feature for GoPro 4K video stabilization, there is a quirk: Without dimension being changed, your image will be slightly zoomed in however, and some of the image around the edges will get lost.

The reason? Different from the extremely expensive optical stabilization, digital stabilization reduces or eliminates jitters through translation, rotating and cropping in three main steps: solve block motion vectors (BMV) estimation, solve absolute motion vectors (AMV) of a reference frame, and eliminates interference displacement and executes compensation.

The image cropping in post-processing stabilization is inevitable; by far, there is no universal adaptive algorithm, but different algorithm level in different video editors may bring different results.

Part 4: Video Tutorial: How to Stabilize Shaky GoPro 4K Video with VideoProc

Part 5: External reading:

[1] List of video editing software [Wiki]: Most modern transcoding software supports transcoding a portion of a video clip, cropping and trimming.

[2] Comparison of video editing software [Wiki]: A comparison of non-linear video editing software apps, and a more complete list of video editing software.

[3] 10 Tips to Use Warp Stabilizer in Premiere Pro: How to shoot for Warp Stabilization, basic settings - apply Warp Stabilizer, the order of the effects matters...