Which action camera is right for you?

GoPro
GoPro Hero 12 Black

Greatest total

GoPro’s newest motion digital camera is similar to its predecessor, however the enhancements made to this mannequin make it a lot nicer to work with, significantly in skilled environments.
Professionals

Longer battery life

Pairs with Bluetooth mics and earbuds

GP Log and Timecode Sync
GoPro
GoPro Hero 11 Black

Greatest worth

$349 $399 Save $50

With the identical sensor and processor contained in the GoPro Hero 11 affords a lot of the identical expertise and picture high quality, however it could possibly now be discovered at discounted costs, making it significantly better worth.
Professionals

Could be discovered for much less cash

Identical resolutions and body charges

GPS inbuilt

GoPros newest flagship motion digital camera has arrived, and this 12 months, the modifications are slightly extra delicate, so that you is perhaps questioning what precisely has modified from the Hero 11 Black mannequin.

Whether or not you are buying in your first motion digital camera, otherwise you’re a present GoPro person contemplating an improve, we have you lined. On this article, we’ll lay out all of the modifications, so you possibly can resolve whether or not to put money into GoPro’s newest digital camera Hero 12 or if the Hero 11 continues to be as much as the duty. Let’s dive in.

Specs, value and availability

The Hero 11 Black was launched in September 2022 and has been out there to buy ever since. It was launched at a value of $499.99, or $399.98 with a GoPro subscription. Nonetheless, it has been diminished within the time since. The Hero 11 Black now retails for $399 with no subscription required.

The Hero 12 Black was introduced on September 6 2023, and is out there to pre-order now, it will hit the cabinets on September 13 2023. It prices $399.99 with no subscription required.

	GoPro Hero 12 Black	GoPro Hero 11 Black
Sensor Measurement	1/1.9-inch 8:7	1/1.9 inch 8:7
Video Decision	5.3K 60fps	5.3K 60fps
Photograph Decision	27MP	27MP
Battery	1720 mAh Enduro	1720 mAh Enduro
Measurement	71x55x34 mm	71x55x34 mm
Weight	154g	154g
Water Resistance	Waterproof as much as 10m	Waterproof as much as 10m
Lens	Replaceable hydrophobic lens protector	Replaceable hydrophobic lens protector

Design

The GoPro Hero 12 Black and Hero 11 Black share the very same chassis, so there is no actual distinction in ports, shows or ruggedness. The Hero 12 does deliver a few new issues to the desk, although.

GoPro Hero 12 Black vs GoPro Hero 11 Black (3)

Most blatant is the brand new end, which is speckled with blue accents, making it look fairly distinct from all of GoPro’s current releases. After all, that is purely an aesthetic selection and does not have an effect on the digital camera in any sensible phrases.

What’s extra sensible, although, is the inclusion of a 1/4-20 tripod thread for the primary time on a GoPro digital camera. It is neatly nestled between the fold-out mounting tabs and means that you could straight join the digital camera to an nearly limitless variety of photographic equipment with out an adapter, fairly helpful!

Each cameras use the very same GoPro Enduro battery packs. However, because of some software program optimisation magic, the Hero 12’s battery ought to final considerably longer on a cost. This can be a massive deal on an motion digital camera, as with restricted chassis house out there, battery life is usually a wrestle.

Options

For essentially the most half, the recording modes are the identical on each cameras. Both mannequin lets you shoot in a normal 16:9 format or a square-ish 8:7 ratio for cropping after the very fact. Nonetheless, the Hero 12 Black provides a brand new vertical recording mode, which implies you possibly can mount the digital camera horizontally however nonetheless seize vertical video clips for platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. That is rather more handy if your required mount does not help vertical orientation, and you don’t need the trouble of cropping in put up.

TimeWarp, Time Lapse, Evening Lapse and Evening Results at the moment are out there in an 8:7 ratio on the Hero 12, whereas 8:7 is restricted to straightforward video modes on the Hero 11 Black.

One other neat addition is the flexibility to pair the GoPro Hero 12 with wi-fi microphones and earbuds. The digital camera can even document audio from its onboard microphones as a separate monitor, and you may combine and match between the 2 throughout the enhancing course of. You too can use it to remotely activate the GoPro utilizing voice instructions, and that may be helpful when it is mounted out of attain.

Additionally new is the flexibility to sync the timecode of a number of GoPro cameras. Admittedly, it is a area of interest function, however in the event you’re working in knowledgeable surroundings with a number of motion cameras, it may show to be a sport changer.

The Hero 12 Black advantages from a freshly redesigned menu structure, and we discovered it a lot simpler to navigate than the Hero 11 UI. For those who’re new to the world of motion cameras, you may have a a lot smoother time discovering your approach across the newest mannequin.

There’s one massive function that is lacking on the GoPro Hero 12 Black, although, and it might be a dealbreaker for some. There is no GPS built-in, so you will not be capable to embrace issues like pace or altitude overlays in your footage. The GoPro Hero 11, alternatively, can do that as commonplace.

Photograph and video efficiency

The GoPro Hero 11 and 12 share the identical 1/1.7-inch 8:7 sensor, and so they shoot on the identical resolutions and body charges, so the ensuing pictures can be very comparable. The Hero 12 does have a couple of methods up its sleeve to set it aside, although.

GoPro Hero 12 Black vs GoPro Hero 11 Black (5)

Firstly, it introduces a brand-new GP Log color profile. This enables for larger flexibility when color grading, and will seize a wider dynamic vary in comparison with the normal GoPro Flat profile, too. There’s additionally HDR video mode, which works all the best way as much as 5.3K30, and is a brand new addition to Hero 12 Black.

There have additionally been enhancements made to the picture stabilisation system. With the introduction of HyperSmooth 6.0, AutoBoost analyses as much as 4x extra information in comparison with HyperSmooth 5.0, which ought to end in smoother transitions between stabilisation ranges making a extra seamless look total.

Verdict

The GoPro Hero 12 Black has sensible, if delicate, upgrades that make it the superior possibility. For those who crave higher battery life, or pro-level options like a Log color profile and timecode sync, it is the plain selection.

GoPro

Nonetheless, it isn’t an enormous improve over the Hero 11 Black, and in the event you already personal one, you most likely will not be in any rush to improve. Particularly in the event you like to make use of the GPS overlays, as these aren’t out there with the Hero 12 Black – and in that case, we would advocate sticking with the Hero 11.

There’s additionally the truth that the Hero 11 Black is more likely to see a discount in value now that it is now not the most recent and biggest. So, in order for you the perfect bang in your buck, Hero 11 is the best way to go.