GoPro Hero12 Black Long-term Review: Where were some of these features before!

Pros:

• Excellent video quality, now with HDR too

• Outstanding video stabilisation courtesy of HyperSmooth 6.0

• Captured footage can be repurposed for different platforms

• Ease of use - camera and Quik app both

• Compatible with bluetooth earphones/headphones

• Smart integration of photo and video, some useful new tricks

• Some common sense additions to further improve usability

• Improved battery backup in high-res modes

• Better priced than its predecessor at launch

Cons:

• Not a major upgrade over the GoPro Hero11

• Low-light performance needs further improvement

• Struggles to focus on distant objects in still photography at times

Rating: 4.25/5
Price: Rs 45,000 (at launch), Rs 37,990 (currently)

Summer vacations in India are fast approaching, and the memories from there need to be shared with your social circle and half the world. Of course, your smartphone camera will be working overtime to capture those moments, but it wouldn’t hurt if it can get some able and superior support in videography. Also, you wouldn’t want to risk your phone in situations that involve adventure sports or dipping or diving in water. That’s where an action camera like a GoPro comes handy.

While the brand is synonymous with those use cases, the GoPro Hero11 went beyond that and metamorphosed into a content creation tool without compromising on its action DNA. It was a major upgrade over its predecessors and packed a lot of new features, including a larger sensor with an unusual 8:7 aspect ratio that lets you repurpose the same content for different platforms. The GoPro Hero12 Black was launched in September last year and we got a chance to spend a good amount of time with it across various geographies.

Yes, we were excited at the time of launch and yet kept our expectations more real. The company had brought about a lot of major changes in the 11 and we didn’t expect too many upgrades here. At the same time, there had to be some to justify its existence. Let me tell you upfront that most of the changes are evolutionary, but there are some that make you wonder why they didn’t think about implementing them before and how we managed without them so far. Time to look at what the GoPro Hero12 Black brings to the table and if it’s worth the asking price.

Trademark build and design
The Hero12 Black sports a trademark GoPro design and looks pretty much like the Hero10 or 11, with the exception of the blue specks sprinkled on the body. Its compact yet rugged build can withstand a few drops and survive immersion in up to 10 metres deep water. The camera still weighs just 154 grams with the battery; same as its predecessor. You get a 2.27-inch touchscreen LCD at the back, a 1.4-inch preview screen up front and two buttons - the camera shutter to start the recording or click photos and the Mode button to access the menu.

The battery, microSD card slot and a USB-C charging port are located under a flap to protect them from the elements. The flap is still a bit of a task to open. At the base of the camera are the mounting fingers that let you hook up the camera with various mounts and accessories. Right between the two fingers is a small but very useful addition, a tripod connector to screw in any standard tripod.

Easy to use UI and Quik app both
GoPro cameras have always been extremely easy to use, and it feels even simpler in the Hero12 Black. While the experts can find a bunch of tweaks a level deep in the settings, for the rest it is as easy as point and click or record. The user interface is quite simple, and one can just swipe on the screen horizontally or click the Mode button to choose between photo, video and time lapse modes. Swiping down on the screen brings up more settings, and swiping up from the bottom shows the captured footage.

The video settings have been further simplified on the Hero12, and one can easily choose the resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate and different wide angle modes among other things. The chosen mode and video settings are visible on the preview screen at the front too, along with the remaining battery and storage space at the chosen settings. The Quik app, available on Android, iOS and now on Mac too, is also very easy to use, and exploring it for a couple of minutes will give you a hang of most of its basic features.

No change in the sensor, no complaints either
The GoPro Hero12 is fitted with the same processor and sensor used in the Hero11. The default aspect ratio of 8:7 has also been retained, and rightly so. That squarish frame may seem odd to begin with, but the implementation is exceedingly smart. It allows you to shoot videos in that aspect ratio and then crop it horizontally in a 16:9 format if you wish to use it for YouTube or vertically in a 9:16 ratio for Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.

A single video can take care of multiple needs, thus simplifying the life of content creators present on multiple platforms. Clipping the video in different ratios is almost as easy as cropping an image thanks to the Quik app. It lets you edit the captured footage, publish it, share it or store it on the cloud. It can also turn your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your GoPro. The app is available free for basic needs, but spending Rs 499 per annum can unlock its full potential; something I would highly recommend.

Still photography also doesn’t see much of a change with the GoPro Hero12 Black letting you click images in up to 27MP resolution in Photo mode with a broad FOV. You can store them as a JPG or a RAW file to be edited with any popular photo editor. We will talk about the image quality in a bit. This camera also lets you extract high quality images from videos. You get anything between 16MP to 24MP images from 5.3K videos depending on the aspect ratio used.

Video quality and stabilisation gets even better, and there are some new tricks too
The video quality of the Hero11 was already very good with the addition of 10-bit colour. GoPro has now added HDR support for videos on the Hero12; it was only available for photos on the 11. The high dynamic range in videos enables better details and contrast in the captured footage, and the colours look a touch more vibrant too. The difference is more conspicuous when shooting in sub-optimal lighting. You can record HDR videos in 5.3K and 4K resolution on this camera, and the quality of output is excellent, especially in good lighting.

You can shoot in multiple resolutions with different aspect ratios. Beyond the default 8:7, you can record footage in 4:3, 16:9 and 9:16 aspect ratios at various resolutions and fps. You can choose a resolution from 1080p, 2.7K, 4K and 5.3K with frame rates ranging from 24 to 240 fps. Mind you, not all frame rates are available for all resolutions. For instance, you can shoot at 240 fps only in 1080p or 2.7K, while you can only go as high as 60 fps at 5.3K resolution. 4K is the most versatile option offering a choice of four fps - 24, 30, 60 and 120.

Speaking of high frame rates, when shooting at 120 or 240 fps, you can slow down the footage 4 to 8 times. The slow motion footage looks smooth and stutter-free. But most importantly, everything is wonderfully stabilised, and at times, beyond belief. The HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilisation on the Hero11 was already brilliant, and the new HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation on the Hero12 promises to take it a notch higher if not more. Frankly, I couldn’t tell the difference but it gave me absolutely no reason to complain either.

The captured footage looks smoother than videos shot on some of the flagship smartphones around, and certain footage I captured had no business looking that smooth given the bumpy conditions it was shot in. And of course, you have the Horizon Lock feature to keep the frame steady even if you turn around a full 360 degrees. Even if your hand shakes and the camera tilts, the horizon stays level throughout the video giving you that additional stability.

Among the new additions, the 8:7 aspect ratio can now be used in TimeWarp, Time Lapse, Night Lapse and Night Effects modes too for a taller field of vision (FOV). There’s also a very interesting addition to Night Effects. While the Hero12 does exactly what the 11 did with Light paintings, Star trails and Vehicle light trails, it also automatically creates a high quality still image from the recorded footage, saving you the time and trouble of creating one later using editing apps.

The photo and video integration goes beyond Night Effects on the GoPro Hero12 Black. Often you miss out on a photo opportunity while recording a video, and at times a still image can capture the moment better than a video. The Interval Photo feature ends that dilemma and offers you the best of both worlds. You can set it to click photos at fixed intervals, ranging from half a second to two minutes, while you focus on recording the video. It works well on most occasions.

Two more things I would like to touch upon are Scheduled + Duration Capture and Hindsight. The former lets you schedule a recording up to 24 hours in advance and capture footage for 15 seconds to 3 hours. The GoPro Hero12 Black turns on at the scheduled time, records the footage and shuts down. A great way of capturing star trails without burning your midnight oil or battery. Hindsight is an interesting addition that tends to capture up to 30 seconds of footage before you start recording. So in case you hit the record button a little late, you still get the benefit of, well, hindsight.

You can check some of our captured footage here:

https://gopro.com/v/EBOPkLOPmkrJe

Compatibility with Bluetooth earphones/headphones
Why wasn’t this available before - was the first thought that came to mind. And how did we manage without it till now - was all I could think of after my TWS earbuds and the GoPro Hero12 Black teamed up pretty well. Despite all other enhancements, this for me is the best feature of the GoPro Hero12 Black. You can simply pair any Bluetooth earphones or headphones with this camera and record your live commentary from a distance (but within the Bluetooth range) and also issue voice commands. Something so simple and useful.

One strong use case can be mounting the GoPro on top of your vehicle to capture the action, while you do the commentary from inside your car with the windows rolled up to keep the audio cleaner. Similarly, when capturing footage of birds or animals, you can place the camera at the desired spot and issue voice commands from a distance without distracting your subjects. You can use this setup to remotely start and stop recording and save battery by not leaving the GoPro on all the time. The possibilities are endless.

Vertical capture without the need to tilt the camera by 90 degrees
Here’s another common-sense feature that will be greatly appreciated by the creators of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, and those who like to record in a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. The Hero11 Black could record in that format but one needed to tilt the camera to a vertical orientation to capture the footage. On the Hero12 you don’t need to. You can simply choose that aspect ratio and start recording, keeping the camera horizontal where it is a lot easier to mount.

Noticeable improvement in battery backup in high-res video modes
While GoPro opted for the new Enduro battery in the Hero11, the battery backup was only marginally better than the Hero10. Shooting in higher resolution modes that were introduced then took a heavy toll on the battery. The Hero12 strives to fix that despite using the same 1720 mAh Enduro battery, courtesy of some optimisations to the recording algorithm and power management, and the absence of GPS that was barely being utilised according to the company.

The GoPro Hero12 Black promises double the battery backup as compared to the Hero11 when recording in two of the most demanding modes - 5.3K at 60 FPS and 4K at 120 FPS. During our testing, it wasn’t exactly double, but significantly better. However, it majorly varies depending on the ambient temperature; the battery lasts longer in colder climates. Hence, your mileage may vary depending on where you plan to use it.

It is hard to put a definite battery backup figure, but during my usage it lasted a little over a day when shooting short clips every now and then mostly in 5.3K/60 mode along with dozens of photos at the highest setting. Having used the Hero11 extensively, I can confirm that the overall battery backup of the Hero12 is noticeably better.

Compatible with all the existing accessories, and there’s more
The company hasn’t changed the mounting mechanism on this camera, so all the accessories that worked with the Hero11 work perfectly fine with the Hero12. You get a nice spread for various needs ranging from the Gumby flexible mount, the Suction Cup mount to our favourite 3-way Grip 2.0. Another accessory we tried this time was the Handler - a light and comfortable hand grip that floats on water. It was more than handy during a mid-ocean adventure with the GoPro Hero12 Black.

The Handler has a wrist strap that keeps your precious GoPro attached to your arm even if you happen to let go of it to focus on your swimming or rather not drowning. And if the strap isn’t fastened tight enough and it slips away, even then the Handler and the mounted camera float on water with the orange end of the handle popping to the surface, making it easy to spot from a distance to initiate a rescue operation. This is based on true events.

As I mentioned earlier, the Hero12 Black also has a built-in mount to attach any standard tripod. Another ‘why not before’ moment. Then you have the Max Lens Mod 2.0 which provides an insanely wide FOV. It is a compact accessory that attaches at the front of the Hero12 to offer a 177-degrees FOV. While the number sounds exciting, such a wide field of view may not appeal to everyone, as it can also capture things you may not want in the frame. Even without it, the Hero12 has an ultra-wide 156-degrees FOV when shooting in an 8:7 aspect ratio.

What needs improvement

Low light performance needs improvement
While there is a definite improvement in the quality of footage captured in low light as compared to the Hero11, there is further scope for improvement when the light is lower than ideal. The video stabilisation works well in low light too, but you either get a noticeable amount of noise in the captured footage or the details are subpar. The Hero12 uses the same sensor and processor as its predecessor, but we feel there is still a bit of headroom for better performance.

Low light video:

https://gopro.com/v/DkvmeP1agqOPp

Still photography could have been better
Similarly, still photography has improved on the Hero12 Black, but it can be a hit or miss at times, especially when focusing on distant objects. Capturing nearby subjects/objects yields excellent results in good lighting, but the quality drops significantly in low light. The edge distortion can use a bit more correction too, given the wide FOV here. Again, we know this camera is largely meant for videos, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be great at stills too. And the company is striving for that, just not there yet.

Price and verdict
The GoPro Hero12 Black launched at Rs 45,000 in India, which was a good Rs 6,500 lower than the launch price of the Hero11 Black in 2022. You can currently buy it for Rs 37,990 with a one year warranty. I wouldn’t call it inexpensive but not a bad deal either, especially if you plan to use it beyond your vacations too. If you are a content creator on various social media platforms, then the Hero12 is a great tool that lets you repurpose the footage for different platforms with minimal effort. Needless to say, the quality of captured footage is excellent.

If you are new to action cameras and only plan to use it occasionally, the GoPro Hero10 is still a solid option for beginners if you find one under 25K. If you own a Hero10 or 11 already, don’t bother upgrading to the Hero12. Some of its features and enhancements might be available on those models at some stage through a firmware update, though the company did not commit to a timeline. But if you were thinking of buying a Hero11, it would be wise to spend a little extra and go for the Hero12 Black instead. The new tricks are well worth the small premium.