The time period “GoPro” has grow to be an eponym for motion cameras as a complete, like “Coke,” “Kleenex,” and “Band-Help” earlier than it. Certain, there are many different sports activities digicam manufacturers on the market in 2023, however none that come near matching the function set of GoPro. And after reviewing the GoPro Hero 12 Black, a feature-packed 5.3K digicam, I can inform you that the model retains discovering new methods to high itself.
The GoPro Hero 12 Black launched Sept. 13, 2023, and it is out there for by way of GoPro and Amazon. The Hero 12 guarantees drastically higher battery life, improved video stabilization, a brand new wide-angle lens accent, and new instruments for content material creators — together with vertical seize, which helps you to document vertical-frame video for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
GoPro shared its new digicam with me for testing forward of its launch, and to this point I have been very impressed. After spending a couple of weeks with the latest GoPro digicam, I undoubtedly suppose it is definitely worth the improve for most individuals (with a few notable exceptions).
Is the brand new GoPro Hero 12 Black price it?
Let’s reply probably the most burning query proper from the bounce: does this new motion digicam justify the $399.99 price ticket? Completely, it does. (I ought to word that the wide-angle Max Lens Mod 2.0, mounting equipment, and cloud storage value further.)
For reference, I’ve beforehand examined the perfect journey cameras for Mashable, and I just lately examined the Hero 12’s predecessor, the GoPro Hero 11 Black. I’ve additionally examined dozens (a whole bunch?) of merchandise in my profession, together with many who didn’t dwell as much as the model’s launch-day guarantees. Though I am not knowledgeable videographer, I’ve spent sufficient time with filmmakers to know the necessities, and I can inform you with confidence that that is a formidable motion digicam.
Unboxing the GoPro Hero 12 Black with the Max Lens Mod 2.0 attachment.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
The equipment included with the GoPro digicam I examined for this assessment.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
I might undoubtedly advocate upgrading to the Hero 12 except you simply purchased the Hero 11 otherwise you just like the GPS options of the Hero 11. Should you rigorously test the spec comparisons between the Hero 11 and 12, you may discover that the newer mannequin loses help for GPS information. And as GoPro Hero 12 opinions on Reddit word, that is one of many key methods GoPro achieved superior battery life.
Hero 11 clients complained about overheating and quick battery life, and GoPro’s really useful answer was to disable GPS. With the Hero 12, GoPro has made that call for you. For the overwhelming majority of customers, this is not a necessary function, however motorsports fanatics and hikers might miss this information.
How does the Hero 12 evaluate to the Hero 11?
I’ve examined each of GoPro’s latest motion cameras, they usually each left me wishing I might pursued my childhood dream of changing into knowledgeable stuntman or skydiver.
Should you simply dropped $400 on the Hero 11 Black, then it may not be price upgrading so quickly, because the Hero 12 gives solely incremental upgrades in some areas. Nevertheless, with new instruments for professionals and social media content material creators, it is completely definitely worth the improve in case you have an older-model GoPro or depend on this digicam for skilled use. In addition to the aforementioned vertical seize, the Hero 12 gives twice the runtime in comparison with the Hero 11, in addition to timecode encoding and the power to sync with Bluetooth audio units.
Shut-up view of the GoPro Hero 12 Black.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
What’s new with the GoPro Hero 12 Black digicam?
The GoPro Hero 12 Black comes with a couple of key upgrades in comparison with its predecessor:
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Improved battery that doubles the runtime
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Improved HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization and horizon lock
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New modifying instruments for skilled content material creators
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Vertical seize mode for social media
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New tremendous wide-angle video mode (with Max Lens 2.0 attachment
The headline right here is the improved battery, which GoPro guarantees will present customers with two instances the runtime. In response to a press launch, the brand new GoPro “delivers 70 minutes of steady recording at 5.3K60 (Hero 12 Black’s highest efficiency setting), over 95 minutes at 5.3K30 and over 155 minutes of steady recording at 1080p30, all with HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization on.” Should you spend money on a second battery, meaning you’ll be able to document just about uninterrupted for nearly 2.5 hours.
In my testing, the digicam lived as much as its battery life guarantees, though I do count on some degradation the extra I take advantage of the digicam and batteries. As famous above, the improved battery life comes on the expense of GPS information, which the Hero 12 now not helps. That is a good tradeoff so far as I am involved.
What concerning the improved video stabilization? GoPro already has Emmy-award-winning video stabilization know-how, which will get even higher with the latest GoPro. This digicam additionally options horizon-lock, which implies as a skateboarder or skydiver spins, the horizon and point-of-view of the video will stay regular, and it is undoubtedly a neat little trick, as you’ll be able to see within the video under.
I took the Hero 12 on a biking journey throughout New York Metropolis, and the ensuing video footage was as clean as promised.
Reviewing the GoPro Hero 12 Black’s video capabilities
Utilizing the GoPro digicam is extremely simple, and GoPro has up to date its fast controls to make its consumer expertise as foolproof as attainable. You will wish to flip down the digicam’s quantity settings (it beeps means too loud) except you are in a really noisy surroundings, however in any other case I’ve no gripes to report. For superior customers, there is a extra in-depth menu the place you’ll be able to modify settings to your exact wants.
Sadly, the GoPro app Quik wasn’t fairly as spectacular. I did have some issue modifying inside the app. As you’ll be able to see, there are fairly simple choices for importing and accessing your footage.
Pairing my digicam to the Quik app.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
A screenshot of the Quik media library on my iPhone.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Sadly, the app actually struggled with longer video recordsdata. For Quik paid subscribers, GoPro will mechanically create a spotlight reel video after each new journey (extra on this new and needing-improvement function under). Once I tried to edit these spotlight reels, the app continuously crashed or froze. I attempted modifying my video recordsdata into smaller, extra manageable chunks however encountered the identical drawback.
To be honest, I’ve an outdated telephone with low reminiscence, and we’re coping with uncooked 4K footage. Nonetheless, I noticed numerous this whereas utilizing the app:
The spinning wheel of demise, GoPro version.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
After clearing up quite a bit of house on my telephone, I used to be capable of edit smaller video clips with no drawback within the app. You possibly can try a few of my check movies on my TikTok channel.
GoPro Hero 12 Black gives new instruments for professionals
GoPro has a military of content material creators all around the world capturing skilled movies with their cameras, and numerous athletes, surfers, skydivers, drivers, and snowboarders use GoPro cameras to share movies with their followers. For professionals, GoPro has launched some useful new options that may make it simpler to create and edit movies.
Video editors will respect that the brand new GoPro gives timecode syncing if you’re utilizing a number of cameras and Bluetooth help for audio units like microphones. And just like the Hero 11 Black, video footage may be mechanically uploaded to the cloud as quickly as you are finished capturing.
The Hero 12 additionally comes with a brand new lens accent, the Max Lens Mod 2.0 Accent, which helps you to obtain a “177 diploma area of view at 4K decision at 60 frames per second.” This wide-angle lens helps a brand new “Hyperview” setting to seize much more immersive motion photographs. Sadly, I did not have the chance (or skillset) to check out these options whereas flying down mountain slopes or leaping off cliffs, however I used to be impressed with the video I captured biking throughout the Williamsburg Bridge in New York Metropolis.
Lastly, the Hero 12 Black comes with a brand new extra-large 8:7 sensor. With all of those instruments (and lots extra), this digicam is able to producing video not like something that is been captured earlier than with an motion digicam.
GoPro Hero 12 Black gives instruments for social media (and amateurs)
Okay, so professionals are positive to like the brand new feature-set of this GoPro digicam, however what about extra informal customers like myself? Hardcore videographers might look down their nostril at vertical-frame video, however for people who wish to make cool movies for TikTok, this digicam’s new vertical video mode is de facto superior. Even higher, when you can shoot in vertical video, you too can mechanically flip your horizontal-frame video into vertical format, making this digicam a flexible instrument for social media content material creators importing to YouTube and TikTok.
I additionally appreciated that the GoPro Quik app will mechanically flip your video footage into a brief video montage, which is tremendous helpful for those who do not wish to spend hours on video modifying and simply wish to share one thing rapidly with your folks.
Semi-pro tip: While you shoot utilizing the “Full Body” mode, you’ll be able to then use the GoPro Fast app to change between widescreen, vertical, and normal body utilizing the identical video footage.
For early reviewers, GoPro organized a graffiti tour and workshop, and I wished to share the montage the Quik app created. You possibly can see the video GoPro created of this journey under and on my TikTok channel, optimized for vertical video.
This can be a cool function, however not an ideal one. The footage GoPro included within the montage was typically random, and the video included one shot oriented the incorrect means. You do have the power to edit and tweak the montage by choosing new clips, music, or switching between vertical and horizontal video. Nevertheless, as I discussed, the app gave me fairly a little bit of hassle after I tried to edit longer 4K movies.
GoPro Hero 12 Black captures 27MP photographs
Like different GoPro cameras, the Hero 12 does not simply seize 5.3K video — it could actually additionally seize photographs with an astounding stage of element. For sports activities and motion pictures, this digicam will take 27MP photographs. For reference, that is considerably extra element than many widespread DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras.
In fact, you will not be capable to fantastic tune pictures settings like you might with a FujiFilm or Sony digicam, but it surely’s a helpful value-added function if you wish to snap some pics alongside along with your attractive 5.3K video and time-lapse footage.
Listed below are two unedited photographs I took with my GoPro Hero 12 Black:
A photograph from a graffiti tour organized by GoPro.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
The writer on a graffiti tour organized by GoPro.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
What are the most important downsides to the brand new GoPro digicam?
As a lot as I loved enjoying round with this digicam — and as spectacular because the video stabilization and video high quality actually are — I did expertise a few minor ache factors whereas utilizing this digicam.
As a result of GoPro has packed a lot tech into such a compact digicam, the Hero 12 Black overheats if you’re importing video or approaching the top of a session. That is not new or shocking, and the digicam does not get so sizzling that it is unimaginable to carry, but it surely’s noticeable. And, like I mentioned earlier, I additionally encountered some points with the Quik app.
The underside line: The GoPro Hero 12 Black is a beast of a digicam
I’ve barely scratched the floor of this GoPro digicam. As an illustration, I am treating it as a given which you can’t actually scratch the floor of your new GoPro, as waterproofing and sturdiness are to be anticipated with any new GoPro. I carried out some underwater assessments with this digicam, however waterproofing is nothing new with GoPro.
I attempted to mess around with as many options and settings as I may with the GoPro Hero 12 Black, and it continues to impress me the longer I spend with it. It is onerous to imagine {that a} digicam that prices $399.99 can seize professional-quality 5.3K video, however GoPro has overdelivered with its newest motion digicam.
