I purchased my first GoPro in 2021 and still own this action camera. I used it on vacations and during sports activities and installed it on my FPV drones. As the latest GoPro Hero 12 Black significantly improved, I thought it was time to upgrade and retire my three-year-old GoPro 10. This year’s big advancement is its superior battery life, nearly twice as long as last year’s model. Is it enough reason to go with the new Hero12? Probably Yes! Also, the advantage of the new 8:7 sensor is taken into account.
GoPro’s action cameras have had Bluetooth for a long time, but it is for remote control only. The new Hero 12 can connect Apple Airpods, Samsung Galaxy Buds, or another pair of wireless earbuds. This new feature gives you a wireless mic, but the audio quality will not be the same as using the Media Mod kit and a professional external microphone.
Key Features & Specs
- 1/1.9 (6.3 x 5.5mm) CMOS sensor with native 8:7 aspect ratio
- 5.3K at up to 60p, 4K at up to 120p
- 8x slow-motion (2.7K at 240p)
- ‘HDR’ video mode
- Vertical video support (9:16 ratio)
- 10-bit video, and new GP-Log video option
- 24.7MP still photos from video
- 27MP photos, including Raw + JPEG
- Hypersmooth 6.0 AutoBoost image stabilization
- Ultra-wide 177° field of view with optional new Max Lens Mod 2.0
- Waterproof up to 10m (33ft)
- Standard 1/4-20 mounting thread on the bottom
Creator Edition: All-In-One Camera for Vloggers & Creators
In addition to the base kit, which includes the Enduro Li-Ion Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle, Thumbscrew, and USB-C Cable, the Creator Edition Bundle includes the Media Mod case with Built-in Microphone, Light Mod, and Volta Battery Grip. These accessories make it easy for content creators to set off on their next adventure and capture high-quality 5.3K video and crisp, clear audio. The kit comes in a nice handbag to store everything safely.
Media Mod Frame for GoPro 9-12
The Media Mod is a robust polycarbonate enclosure that fits the HERO 9, 10, 11, and 12 and encapsulates the camera except for the front and back. You must remove the stock battery door to load the camera into the frame.
The top corner (opposite the lens) houses a directional microphone for enhanced audio capabilities. The included wind muff is recommended for outdoor use. The Media Mod case has two cold shoes, one on the side and one on top. Under tiny rubber flaps, you’ll find a USB-C type interface, a micro-HDMI port, and a minijack socket for a third-party microphone.
The Light Mod has 10 LEDs that produce up to 200 lumens in four intensity levels for crispy details. The fill light can be attached to the Media Mod’s top cold shoe mount and has a 1 to 6-hour runtime.
3-in-1 Volta Battery Grip
If you plan to use your GoPro12 in other ways besides being installed on an FPV drone, the Volta battery grip is a must-have accessory. It is a tripod, a battery extension pack, and an external remote that converts any compatible GoPro from an ordinary action camera into an all-in-one vlogging powerhouse.
The Volta Grip measures 19 × 16 × 6.8 cm and weighs almost half a kilo. It has two foldable legs. The GoPro fingers on top can be rotated to obtain the desired shot angle. A second GoPro mount on the side allows you to attach external accessories such as a microphone or fill light. The Volta’s front panel has buttons for recording, mode/power, Bluetooth pairing, and battery status. The Volta can control only GoPro cameras with built-in Bluetooth connectivity.
With a 4,600mAh built-in battery, the Volta Grip triples the runtime of the GoPro 12, allowing users to shoot up to 3-4 hours of videos without charging or replacing the battery.
The bottom of the GoPro Volta Grip has a standard 1/4-inch 20 tripod thread, which allows it to be used with a monopod.
GoPro Hero12 Black: At a glance
Since Hero9, GoPro’s first dual display camera, all new cameras had exactly the same design; only the version number changed on the side. With a shy try to make a difference, the new GoPro had some blue dots painted. The camera measures 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm (2.8 x 2 x 1.3″) and weighs 154 grams, including the battery. Being the same dimensions is great for anyone with existing GoPro accessories. All GoPro’s extensions work on the Hero 12 Black, including the Media Mod, Display Mod, Light Mod, Max Lens Mod, and the new Max Lens Mod 2.
Without a dedicated case, the GP12 is as waterproof as its predecessor, which is good for a 10m (33ft) dunk. The camera’s body has a sturdy appearance and can probably take light knocks without breaking.
As we are used to, the GoPro Hero 12 has only two buttons: Power and Shutter. It has a 1.4″ front live view monitor and a 2.27″ rear fixed touchscreen LCD. It has a sliding watertight door that protects the battery bay and hides the microSD card slot and USB-C port. In addition to flip-down GoPro mounting fingers at the bottom, there is a 1/4-inch tripod thread.
When I powered on the GP12 for the first time, I noticed a slight difference in the menu system compared to my existing GoPro 10. Now, there are basic and advanced modes, depending on how deep you want to go with the settings.
GoPro Hero12 Black: Battery life
Battery life is one of the new Hero 12’s astonishing specs. One Enduro battery is all you need to film an hour of 5.3K@30p vlog. You can record a few hours at a lower resolution without turning the screen on. Shooting stabilized 4K@120fps is the fastest way to drain the battery, in my experience. When shooting Time-lapses, I’d recommend an external power source if that’s the primary objective for the day.
GoPro introduced the Enduro battery a few years ago, but it was optional until the Hero 12. According to the company, Enduro is a revolutionary high-performance battery that can be used as a replacement or spare for the one included with HERO10 and Hero10 Black. It dramatically improves performance in cold temperatures while also extending recording times in moderate temperatures.
Video modes: Resolution, Frame rate, Aspect ratios, and Stabilization
The Hero12 is GoPro’s first camera with a 1/1.9″ CMOS sensor with a native 8:7 aspect ratio, which lets you capture a taller image, ideal for TikTokers. Another significant upgrade of this new model is the HDR video and GP-Log encoding with available LUTs. The 10-bit color combined with these features gives professionals full control over color and dynamic range.
This action camera’s video quality is absolutely stunning, especially in bright lighting conditions. It can shoot up to 5.3K@30fps or 4K@120 resolution, providing beautifully detailed video with vivid colors.
The Hero 12 Black features HyperSmooth 6.0, which GoPro states can analyze footage up to four times faster than the older v5.0 algorithm. As you can see in the test footage below, HyperSmooth 6.0 produces almost gimbal-like smooth POV footage. The “Auto-boost ” mode adjusts the amount of stabilization based on the motion of the footage.
Hero12 has multiple FOV profiles, including a ‘Wide’ fisheye-style lens, a ‘Linear’ wide-angle view without the fisheye effect, an ultra-wide ‘SuperView’, and an even wider ‘HyperView’.
Pricing and availability
The Hero12 Black was officially released on September 13, 2023. The ‘Creators Edition’ bundle in this review is priced at $599.99 and includes several accessories, such as a microphone attachment, LED light kit, and a battery grip/tripod control. The basic kit with an included Enduro battery can be ordered for $299 during their summer sale. Additionally, it is recommended that you purchase the company’s cloud service, which includes an extended warranty. 1-Year GoPro Premium Subscription for Hero12 costs $49.99.
Hero12 vs Hero11: What did GoPro change? How much do those tiny dots matter?
The biggest differences between the latest two-generation GoPro Heros are the battery life, HDR video, Stabilization, Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS module. I compared the most important specs in the table below.
| Hero12 Black | Hero11 Black | |
| Video resolutions | 5.3K@60p, 4K@120p, 5.3K @30p 8:7, 4K@60p 8:7 |
5.3K 60p, 4K 120p, 5.3K 30p 8:7, 4K 60p 8:7 |
| HDR Video | Yes | No |
| Aspect ratios | 16:9, 4:3, 8:7, 9:16 | 16:9, 4:3, 8:7 |
| Image stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | HyperSmooth 5.0 |
| Color Video Bit Depth | 10-Bit (inc GP-Log), 8-Bit | 10-Bit, 8-Bit |
| Video Format & Bit Rate | H.265 HEVC, Up to 120Mbps (5.3K, 4K) | H.265 HEVC, Up to 120Mbps (5.3K, 4K) |
| Photo Resolution | 27 Megapixels | 27 Megapixels |
| Wireless Audio | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| 1/4-20 Mounting Threads | Yes | No |
| Battery life | 5.3K@30p: 70min 4K@120p: 58min |
5.3K@30p: 35min 4K@120p: 28min |
| Release date | September 2023 | September 2022 |
| Release price | $399.99 | $499.99 |
Is the GoPro 12 the best camera for FPV and CineWhoop drones?
As the DJI O3 Air Unit and Walknsail Moonlight offer onboard 4K recording, many FPV pilots stopped using an additional camera such as the GoPro 12. Any extra payload reduces battery life and flight performance.
The O3 and WM can record 4K@60fps, but the GoPro12 can go up to 120fps for slow-motion and offers a 5.3K video mode. Its built-in HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization is superior to the one found in any other action camera I tested so far.
Weighing 154 grams, it is suitable only for larger FPV drones (5-10″). Making the GoPro 12 “naked” (removing the battery, screens, and stock case) will make it around 50 grams, which allows it to be installed on much smaller drones (2-3.5″).
What should be improved on the upcoming GoPro 13?
Traditionally, GoPro releases a new, upgraded version of its Hero Black action camera every autumn. Since GP9, the manufacturer hasn’t changed much in terms of design, which is great because we can use the accessories and batteries of the previous model over four generations of GoPro Hero cameras.
I expect that the 13th generation Hero Black will break this tradition and come with a completely new design, and I hope it will be the first action camera with an optical zoom lens. Also, to make the action camera more attractive, I would expect an 8K recording and GPS module that equipped the GP11 but was removed from the GP12. Because superstitious people avoid anything with the number thirteen :), I also expect a change in the product name; maybe they will name it GoPro AI or some other fancy name.
The new GoPro13 should definitely be on a diet because these days, 4K action cameras, such as the Insta360 GO3, weigh less than 40 grams.
Are there any GoPro 12 alternatives worth mentioning?
DJI released the Osmo Action 4 this year with a bigger 1/1.3-inch sensor that can record video up to 4K@120p. In contrast, GoPro can have a resolution of 5.3K. The DJI OA4 also excels in terms of waterproofing, as it can submerge in water for up to 18 meters.
While the GP12 Black has two displays, only the rear display is a touchscreen. The DJI Action 4 features two touchscreens, making it easier to use when taking selfies for vloggers.
A similar-sized battery powers both action cameras. The Osmo Action 4 has a 160-minute battery life when shooting at 1080p@24fps, while the GP12 can last up to 180 minutes when recording at similar settings.
While the DJI Osmo Action 4 uses RockSteady 3.0 stabilization, the GoPro HERO 12 Black HyperSmooth 6.0 for GoPro. The results are about the same when you compare them side-by-side.
The latest models from each brand have the same price, making it even more difficult to decide between them. If you can’t decide which action cam best suits your needs, check our GoPro 12 vs. DJI Action 4 comparison guide.
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Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products including drones, gimbals, power station, action cameras, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions.
