No matter how sturdy and good today’s smartphone cameras get, they can be barely as good as GoPro. GoPro cameras have always been adventure seekers’ first choice to record their experiences. Their sturdiness, compact nature, and great picture quality have helped many creators to ramp up their content game. However, one thing these cameras had always lacked was a good battery life. GoPro has solved this with the all-new Hero 12 Black. Despite being compact, the new Hero 12 promises a longer battery life than last year’s flagship. But is it the only update, or there’s more to it? Let’s find out.
The new GoPro Hero 12 remains as compact and lightweight as before. You can easily mount it on helmets or anywhere on your body without feeling its weight. The device comes with a 1.4-inch colour display at the front, which acts as a viewfinder while recording vlogs or taking selfies. GoPro continues to offer a shutter button at the top of the device, making it easier to click photos and videos.
The left of the camera houses a small camera door for a microSD card, battery, and a Type-C port for charging and data transfer. The right is plain and holds the Mode button so you can switch between different modes. GoPro has also added a traditional ¼-inch tripod mount at the bottom of the camera along with its mounting fingers. It will make attaching a tripod to the camera easy without needing a special mount.
The camera comes with a 2.27-inch touchscreen at the rear. Having a bigger screen makes framing and accessing controls far easier. GoPro says the UI has also been simplified for new users so they can capture impressive images and videos without having to fiddle with too many settings. Creators and professional users can also switch the Advanced Controls settings from the camera menu to get access to more camera settings and shooting modes.
While GoPro cameras have always been great for adventure enthusiasts, GoPro wants to make them friendly to all users. The introduction of a new 8:7 aspect ratio can make this possible, as users get the versatility to crop videos in 9:16 and 16:9 aspect ratios. This is perfect for recording Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even long-format videos. The Hero 12 also supports HDR recording for improved colours and details. GoPro says the HDR now also works in 4K and 5.3K resolution.
The camera can record 5.3K at 30fps and 4K videos up to 120fps. It can capture 27.5MP photos, and 24.7MP frame grabs from videos. For better image stabilisation, the Hero 12 comes with GoPro’s latest HyperSmooth 6.0 feature. GoPro says it makes video capture even smoother, no matter how turbulent the sport is. It also has the Horizon lock feature, so the frame stays in level, even when your camera rotates a full 360 degrees. The camera comes with 10-bit colour support for enhanced colour depth and smoother gradations. Professional creators can also use GoPro’s GP-Log encoding with LUT to max out the dynamic range.
GoPro has also introduced a Max Lens Mod 2.0 that expands the camera field-of-view up to 177 degrees at 4K 60FPS. With this Mod, you can shoot in three additional modes – Max Wide, Max Super Wide, and Max HyperView to give your content a more immersive feel.
The new Hero 12 Black continues to work with the GoPro Quick app, which is a perfect tool for editors on the go. The app is as simplified as before, so even armatures can use it without any issues. This year, GoPro has also introduced a Timecode Sync feature to make editing video shot on multiple GoPro cameras simultaneously easy. GoPro says you can easily use timecode clips in Adobe Premiere Pro and other applications that support multi-camera editing.
One of the most interesting features of the new GoPro Hero 12 Black is the support for Bluetooth headsets. This means you can now use your TWS earbuds or AirPods to record audio while vlogging or even shooting interviews. You can even use your headset to use GoPro’s voice activation over wireless earbuds and take shots without needing your phone or the remote accessory.
GoPro also claims major battery improvements with the new camera. The new Enduro battery is said to offer 2 times more performance than the older models, which should allow the users to have longer recording times.
GoPro remains an irreplaceable device, and the Hero 12 proves it again. The new camera isn’t just great for adventure enthusiasts, but it is also a great device for everyday creators. It has great video recording capabilities along with tons of intuitive Modes that can ramp up your content creation game. The improved battery life, along with Bluetooth audio paring capabilities, makes the Hero 12 Black a winner among other action cameras.
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