GoPro unveiled its latest action camera, the GoPro Hero 12 Black, promising improved backlight management, double the battery life of its predecessor, and the ability to connect wireless headphones.
Introducing the GoPro Hero 12 Black As consistent as a Swiss clock, GoPro seizes the beginning of the September school year, a tradition by now, to reveal its new action camera – the GoPro Hero 12 Black. While at first glance, this new action camera may not appear revolutionary on paper, it conceals a host of well-thought-out optimizations.
Enhanced Backlight Management:
At first glance, the GoPro Hero 12 Black retains the same design as its predecessor, the GoPro Hero 11 Black. It incorporates the same 27-megapixel sensor, allowing for video recording up to 5.3K at 60p or 4K at 120p. However, the true innovation lies in the details; GoPro has optimized its new camera to handle a wider dynamic range, especially in challenging backlit situations.
In practical terms, the camera now features an HDR mode that preserves details in both shadowed and brightly lit areas of the image. Additionally, GoPro introduces a new GP-Log format for the Hero 12 Black. Similar to Panasonic’s V-Log, Sony’s S-Log, or DJI’s D-Log, GP-Log enables recording video sequences in a flat profile with 4:2:2 10-bit color, preserving more detail in highlights, shadows, and colors. This functionality simplifies post-production video calibration with different LUTs.
Extended Battery Life:
The Hero 12 Black boasts significantly improved battery life. Although it utilizes the same Enduro battery as the GoPro Hero 11 Black, optimizations in encoding technology now allow for up to 70 minutes of recording in 5.3K at 60p or 58 minutes in 4K at 120p, compared to the 35 and 28 minutes, respectively, on the GoPro Hero 11 Black in the same modes. This translates to a remarkable 15% to 107% increase in battery life, depending on the chosen video mode.
Bluetooth Headphone Connectivity:
For the first time in GoPro’s action camera lineup, the Hero 12 Black offers Bluetooth connectivity for headphones or wireless headsets. This feature enables users to record audio directly from the connected headphones or gain real-time feedback on audio quality during recording. In addition, the Hero 12 Black can capture audio from both front and rear microphones, enhancing audio recording capabilities.
While the onboard sensor remains unchanged in an 8:7 format from the previous model, this format offers versatile framing options, including 16:9, 4:3, square, and vertical 9:16 formats suitable for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts. It also preserves horizon stability, even during 360-degree camera rotation. The Hero 12 Black features an upgraded HyperSmooth algorithm (version 6.0) with Autoboost, ensuring a wide field of view while benefiting from electronic stabilization.
Enhanced Accessory Compatibility:
In addition to GoPro’s proprietary mounting system, the Hero 12 Black now incorporates a 1/4 thread, making it compatible with numerous third-party accessories.
New Accessories:
Accompanying the Hero 12 Black, GoPro introduces several accessories, including the Max Lens Mod 2.0. This lens enables recording in 4K at 60p with an ultra-wide 177-degree field of view.
The GoPro Hero 12 Black is currently available for pre-order, with in-store availability set for September 13. It will be offered in France with a starting price of €449.99.
In summary, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is a worthy successor that builds upon its predecessor’s strengths while introducing meaningful improvements in backlight management, battery life, audio capabilities, and accessory compatibility. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast or content creator, the Hero 12 Black promises to be an invaluable tool for capturing your most exhilarating moments.
