Evaluate: GoPro 12 Hero Black Creator Version (Not Sponsored!)

I bought my first GoPro in 2021 and nonetheless personal this motion digicam. I used it on holidays and through sports activities actions and put in it on my FPV drones. As the most recent GoPro Hero 12  Black considerably improved, I believed it was time to improve and retire my three-year-old GoPro 10. This 12 months’s huge development is its superior battery life, almost twice so long as final 12 months’s mannequin. Is it sufficient cause to go together with the brand new Hero12? In all probability Sure! Additionally, the benefit of the brand new 8:7 sensor is taken under consideration.

GoPro’s motion cameras have had Bluetooth for a very long time, however it’s for distant management solely. The brand new Hero 12 can join Apple Airpods, Samsung Galaxy Buds, or one other pair of wi-fi earbuds. This new characteristic provides you a wi-fi mic, however the audio high quality won’t be the identical as utilizing the Media Mod package and knowledgeable exterior microphone.

Key Options & Specs

• 1/1.9 (6.3 x 5.5mm) CMOS sensor with native 8:7 facet ratio
• 5.3K at as much as 60p, 4K at as much as 120p
• 8x slow-motion (2.7K at 240p)
• ‘HDR’ video mode
• Vertical video help (9:16 ratio)
• 10-bit video, and new GP-Log video choice
• 24.7MP nonetheless photographs from video
• 27MP photographs, together with Uncooked + JPEG
• Hypersmooth 6.0 AutoBoost picture stabilization
• Extremely-wide 177° discipline of view with elective new Max Lens Mod 2.0
• Waterproof as much as 10m (33ft)
• Normal 1/4-20 mounting thread on the underside

Creator Version: All-In-One Digicam for Vloggers & Creators

Along with the bottom package, which incorporates the Enduro Li-Ion Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle, Thumbscrew, and USB-C Cable, the Creator Version Bundle contains the Media Mod case with Constructed-in Microphone, Gentle Mod, and Volta Battery Grip. These equipment make it simple for content material creators to set off on their subsequent journey and seize high-quality 5.3K video and crisp, clear audio. The package is available in a pleasant purse to retailer the whole lot safely.

Media Mod Body for GoPro 9-12

The Media Mod is a sturdy polycarbonate enclosure that matches the HERO 9, 10, 11, and 12 and encapsulates the digicam aside from the back and front. It’s essential to take away the inventory battery door to load the digicam into the body.

The highest nook (reverse the lens) homes a directional microphone for enhanced audio capabilities. The included wind muff is really useful for outside use. The Media Mod case has two chilly footwear, one on the facet and one on prime. Underneath tiny rubber flaps, you’ll discover a USB-C sort interface, a micro-HDMI port, and a minijack socket for a third-party microphone.

The Gentle Mod has 10 LEDs that produce as much as 200 lumens in 4 depth ranges for crispy particulars. The fill gentle could be hooked up to the Media Mod’s prime chilly shoe mount and has a 1 to 6-hour runtime.

3-in-1 Volta Battery Grip

If you happen to plan to make use of your GoPro12 in different methods apart from being put in on an FPV drone, the Volta battery grip is a must have accent. It’s a tripod, a battery extension pack, and an exterior distant that converts any suitable GoPro from an odd motion digicam into an all-in-one vlogging powerhouse.

The Volta Grip measures 19 × 16 × 6.8 cm and weighs nearly half a kilo. It has two foldable legs. The GoPro fingers on prime could be rotated to acquire the specified shot angle. A second GoPro mount on the facet permits you to connect exterior equipment akin to a microphone or fill gentle. The Volta’s entrance panel has buttons for recording, mode/energy, Bluetooth pairing, and battery standing. The Volta can management solely GoPro cameras with built-in Bluetooth connectivity.

With a 4,600mAh built-in battery, the Volta Grip triples the runtime of the GoPro 12, permitting customers to shoot as much as 3-4 hours of movies with out charging or changing the battery.

The underside of the GoPro Volta Grip has an ordinary 1/4-inch 20 tripod thread, which permits it for use with a monopod.

At a look

Since Hero9, GoPro’s first twin show digicam, all new cameras had precisely the identical design; solely the model quantity modified on the facet. With a shy attempt to make a distinction, the brand new GoPro had some blue dots painted. The digicam measures 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm (2.8 x 2 x 1.3″) and weighs 154 grams, together with the battery. Being the identical dimensions is nice for anybody with current GoPro equipment. All GoPro’s extensions work on the Hero 12 Black, together with the Media Mod, Show Mod, Gentle Mod, Max Lens Mod, and the brand new Max Lens Mod 2.

With out a devoted case, the GP12 is as waterproof as its predecessor, which is nice for a 10m (33ft) dunk. The digicam’s physique has a sturdy look and may most likely take gentle knocks with out breaking.

As we’re used to, the GoPro Hero 12 has solely two buttons: Energy and Shutter. It has a 1.4″ entrance stay view monitor and a 2.27″ rear mounted touchscreen LCD. It has a sliding watertight door that protects the battery bay and hides the microSD card slot and USB-C port. Along with flip-down GoPro mounting fingers on the backside, there’s a 1/4-inch tripod thread.

Once I powered on the GP12 for the primary time, I observed a slight distinction within the menu system in comparison with my current GoPro 10. Now, there are fundamental and superior modes, relying on how deep you wish to go together with the settings.

Battery life

Battery life is among the new Hero 12’s astonishing specs. One Enduro battery is all that you must movie an hour of 5.3K@30p vlog. You may document a number of hours at a decrease decision with out turning the display screen on. Taking pictures stabilized 4K@120fps is the quickest strategy to drain the battery, in my expertise. When capturing Time-lapses, I’d suggest an exterior energy supply if that’s the first goal for the day.

GoPro launched the Enduro battery a number of years in the past, however it was elective till the Hero 12. In keeping with the corporate, Enduro is a revolutionary high-performance battery that can be utilized as a alternative or spare for the one included with HERO10 and Hero10 Black. It dramatically improves efficiency in chilly temperatures whereas additionally extending recording instances in reasonable temperatures.

Video modes: Decision, Body price, Facet ratios, and Stabilization

The Hero12 is GoPro’s first digicam with a 1/1.9″ CMOS sensor with a local 8:7 facet ratio, which helps you to seize a taller picture, ideally suited for TikTokers. One other important improve of this new mannequin is the HDR video and GP-Log encoding with accessible LUTs. The ten-bit shade mixed with these options provides professionals full management over shade and dynamic vary.

This motion digicam’s video high quality is totally beautiful, particularly in brilliant lighting circumstances. It might shoot as much as 5.3K@30fps or 4K@120 decision, offering superbly detailed video with vivid colours.

The Hero 12 Black options HyperSmooth 6.0, which GoPro states can analyze footage as much as 4 instances quicker than the older v5.0 algorithm. As you may see within the check footage under, HyperSmooth 6.0 produces nearly gimbal-like clean POV footage. The “Auto-boost ” mode adjusts the quantity of stabilization primarily based on the movement of the footage.

Hero12 has a number of FOV profiles, together with a ‘Large’ fisheye-style lens, a ‘Linear’ wide-angle view with out the fisheye impact, an ultra-wide ‘SuperView’, and a good wider ‘HyperView’.

Pricing and availability

The Hero12 Black was formally launched on September 13, 2023. The ‘Creators Version’ bundle on this evaluate is priced at $599.99 and contains a number of equipment, akin to a microphone attachment, LED gentle package, and a battery grip/tripod management. The essential package with an included Enduro battery could be ordered for $299 throughout their summer season sale. Moreover, it is suggested that you just buy the corporate’s cloud service, which incorporates an prolonged guarantee. 1-12 months GoPro Premium Subscription for Hero12 prices $49.99.

Hero12 vs Hero11: What did GoPro change? How a lot do these tiny dots matter?

The most important variations between the most recent two-generation GoPro Heros are the battery life, HDR video, Stabilization, Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS module. I in contrast crucial specs within the desk under.

Is the GoPro 12 the most effective digicam for FPV and CineWhoop drones?

Because the DJI O3 Air Unit and Walknsail Moonlight supply onboard 4K recording, many FPV pilots stopped utilizing a further digicam such because the GoPro 12. Any additional payload reduces battery life and flight efficiency.

The O3 and WM can document 4K@60fps, however the GoPro12 can go as much as 120fps for slow-motion and provides a 5.3K video mode. Its built-in HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization is superior to the one present in every other motion digicam I examined to this point.

Weighing 154 grams, it’s appropriate just for bigger FPV drones (5-10″). Making the GoPro 12 “bare” (eradicating the battery, screens, and inventory case) will make it round 50 grams, which permits it to be put in on a lot smaller drones (2-3.5″).

What ought to be improved on the upcoming GoPro 13?

Historically, GoPro releases a brand new, upgraded model of its Hero Black motion digicam each autumn. Since GP9, the producer hasn’t modified a lot by way of design, which is nice as a result of we are able to use the equipment and batteries of the earlier mannequin over 4 generations of GoPro Hero cameras.

I anticipate that the thirteenth era Hero Black will break this custom and include a very new design, and I hope it will likely be the primary motion digicam with an optical zoom lens. Additionally, to make the motion digicam extra engaging, I might anticipate an 8K recording and GPS module that outfitted the GP11 however was faraway from the GP12. As a result of superstitious folks keep away from something with the quantity 13 :), I additionally anticipate a change within the product identify; perhaps they are going to identify it GoPro AI or another fancy identify.

The brand new GoPro13 ought to undoubtedly be on a food regimen as a result of today, 4K motion cameras, such because the Insta360 GO3, weigh lower than 40 grams.

Are there any GoPro 12 options value mentioning?

DJI launched the Osmo Motion 4 this 12 months with a much bigger 1/1.3-inch sensor that may document video as much as 4K@120p. In distinction, GoPro can have a decision of 5.3K. The DJI OA4 additionally excels by way of waterproofing, as it will possibly submerge in water for as much as 18 meters.

Whereas the GP12 Black has two shows, solely the rear show is a touchscreen. The DJI Motion 4 options two touchscreens, making it simpler to make use of when taking selfies for vloggers.

An identical-sized battery powers each motion cameras. The Osmo Motion 4 has a 160-minute battery life when capturing at 1080p@24fps, whereas the GP12 can last as long as 180 minutes when recording at related settings.

Whereas the DJI Osmo Motion 4 makes use of RockSteady 3.0 stabilization, the GoPro HERO 12 Black HyperSmooth 6.0 for GoPro. The outcomes are about the identical if you evaluate them side-by-side.

The most recent fashions from every model have the identical value, making it much more tough to determine between them. If you happen to can’t determine which motion cam most accurately fits your wants, examine our GoPro 12 vs. DJI Motion 4 comparability information.