GoPro reliably updates its iconic Hero action camera annually, just after school gets back into session. The small, tough, waterproof video cameras are well-suited for recording point-of-view footage for action shots, and are good matches for vloggers too. This latest is the Hero12 Black. It brings refinements and improvements to the line, while retaining the same form and basic feature set as the Hero11 Black from last year.
Small, Tough Video Camera
The GoPro formula is tried and true—its Hero cameras are built to survive rough-and-tumble handling and support an ultra-wide video for dramatic point-of-view recording. The Hero12 Black fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just a few ounces, but is tough enough to handle drops, and waterproof to 33 feet.
For the first time, this Hero comes with dual mounting options. It keeps the long-running built-in clips to connect to GoPro mounts, but adds a standard tripod socket. This adds some flexibility in how you mount the camera, and takes away that awful feeling you get when you realize you forgot the GoPro adapter for your tripod when getting to a location.
Front and rear screens continue, so you can monitor your frame from either side, but only the rear display supports touch. Voice commands work too, and you can use a Bluetooth mic or AirPods to send them wirelessly, so you don't need to be within earshot of the camera to start or stop a video.
5.3K60 Video, Now With HDR
The Hero12 uses the same 8:7 aspect image sensor and ultra-wide lens as its predecessor, but the video engine has been improved to capture high dynamic range (HDR) footage. Action fans can push to 120fps at 4K and 240fps at 2.7K for extreme slow motion, and while social media mavens can use the squarish sensor and full 5.3K resolution to record clips that can be cropped vertical or landscape for delivery to different platforms.
Video is recorded with 10-bit color, and the GP-Log profile is included so advanced editors can add a creative look in the editing room. Timecode is included too, so you can sync footage form multiple cameras in pro editing software like Final Cut or Adobe Premiere. The lens supports a selectable angle of view, and Hypersmooth digital stabilization eliminates the need for a gimbal or tripod for many use cases. It does stills too, you can use its Photo mode to get 27MP shots, or grab 24MP frames from 5.3K video clips.
The Hero12 works with a new add-on lens, the Max 2.0, for even wider views. Sold separately (for around $100) the lens broadens the view to an incredible 177 degrees. Support for the Media Mod accessory continues.
Longer Battery, Easier to Use
The camera ships with the Enduro battery, the same version used by the Hero11. GoPro says its processing engine is more efficient this time, though, so its rated for longer runtimes—70 minutes at 5.3K60, 58 minutes at 4K120, 90 minutes at 5.3K30, and up to 155 minutes if you drop down to 1080p30.
The Hero11 introduced an Easy Mode to make it simpler for non-experts to navigate its features. When we reviewed it last year we found it helpful, but lamented some useful features were missing. GoPro listened and the Hero12's Easy Mode supports more video modes, including Star Trails, and makes it uses plain language to describe different aspect ratios: 16:9 is labeled Widescreen, 9:16 is described as Vertical, and 8:7 is called Full Frame.
The camera works with GoPro's Quik editing app, though you can opt to edit footage in your favorite software if you prefer too. At launch Quik is a mobile app for Android and iOS, but a desktop version is coming. GoPro is bringing Quik to macOS on Nov. 1 and a Windows version is slated for next summer.
If you opt to add a GoPro subscription, priced at $24.99 for the first year and $49.99 every year thereafter, you'll get unlimited cloud storage for your videos, along with automatically edited highlight reels and direct uploads from camera to cloud. The latter is worth paying for, as it saves you from having to offload memory cards every time you come home with new footage, and also gets you discounts on accessories. The Max Lens 2.0 costs $20 less if you have a subscription, $79.99 instead of $99.99, for example.
Pricing and Availability
The Hero12 Black is priced at $399.99 is available to order now. A Creator Edition bundle is an upgrade option for $599.99. It adds the Media Mod cage and microphone, the Video Light Mod, and the Volta Battery Grip. The new gear is expected to ship to customers and be in stores next week, on Sept. 13.