September is a busy time not only for pupils, students, and teachers but also for GoPro employees, as this is the month when the latest HERO sports and leisure camera is unveiled every year. As the headline suggests, the year 2023 is no exception, as on the 6th of September, the industry leader unveiled its newest and most capable product yet – HERO12 Blackwhich will go on sale on the 13th of September and will cost exactly the same as the previous model – €449 for the standard version or €679 if you choose Creator Edition bundle.

Thanks to our long and successful cooperation with the manufacturer, GoPro Latvia representatives also provided me with a copy of the camera and allowed me to unpack it and test it. In the following paragraphs, I’m inviting you to take a closer look together with me at the changes, improvements, and all the new features that will be available from the 13th of September as that is the date that you will be able to purchaseGoPro HERO12 Black.

Packaging and assembly

GoPro is an environmentally sustainable and green company. The packaging and materials used in the equipment fully confirm the statement above. As with the previous model, the main packaging is wrapped in a paper sleeve instead of film to protect it from mechanical damage and dropping during transport. But with HERO12 Black, the manufacturer has taken the next step towards a greener tomorrow, by packaging the camera and including accessories in a fully recyclable box made from paper, bamboo, coconuts, and sugar cane.

The GoPro HERO12 Black comes with:

1. HERO12 Black camera
2. 1 x Enduro 1720mAh battery
3. Universal mounting bracket with screw
4. Curved mount with 3M adhesive (for helmet etc.)
5. USB A-C cable

Photo gallery

Design and configuration

When it comes to the design of the HERO12 Black, I can find three visual differences from the outside compared to the previous model. First, the number 11 has been replaced by 12. Secondly, the grey rubber casing of the body features numerous blue dots, giving the camera a more youthful look. It is possible that the camera body is also made of recycled materials, but I couldn’t find any confirmation of that. Third, the red circle has disappeared from theQuikCapture button.

The dimensions of the lens and the two displays, the position and appearance of the buttons, battery door, and mounting brackets remain unchanged, but the universal 1/4″-20 thread is integrated between the two bottom mounting fingers. This is great news for everyone, as not only is the new model guaranteed to be compatible with absolutely all HERO11 accessories, including the Media Mod, but HERO12 will also be able to be directly attached to various photo accessories using the universal thread without any unnecessary adapters.

On the subject of technical specifications, there are even fewer changes. The 8:7 image sensor used in HERO11 remains unchanged, as does the GP2 processor. Although the processor has been significantly optimised in HERO12 (more on that later), the maximum video resolution and FPS remain at the same level as the two previous models – 5.3K60 and 4K120. So you’ll have to wait at least another year before you can shoot 8K video like the most capable smartphones today.

GoPro HERO12 Black news and improvements

2x longer filming time without overheating

The first, and in my opinion the most significant improvement to HERO12 Black for the majority of GoPro users, is the optimization of power and energy. It’s no secret that the HERO10 and especially the HERO11 heated up so fast at the highest resolutions and FPS that GoPro’s self-protection mechanism stopped filming and shut down the camera in just a few minutes, or even faster if the camera was in direct sunlight and without the slightest wind flow.

It was this shortcoming that many GoPro users and technology reviewers considered to be the HERO11’s most serious problem, even leading some to switch to competing devices just to be able to record for longer periods without interruption, sacrificing GoPro’s unrivaled image quality and HyperSmooth stabilization. While GoPro representatives were reluctant to comment on this shortcoming, the HERO12 promotional material suggests that solving overheating problems has been a top priority in the new model.

According to GoPro’s tests at 25°C with minimal (0.6m/s) airflow, the new HERO12 Black can shoot 5.3K/60 and 4K/120 for about an hour without overheating, which is 2 times longer than HERO11. Finally!

Power optimization has also helped to extend the recording time from the same Enduro battery by an average of 15%, allowing the new model to reach 81 minutes in 4K/60 mode, and up to 102 minutes on 4K/30 or 1080p/60 settings before the battery runs out.

As a true IT guy, it’s better to see it once than hear it seven times. Correct? So I improvised and created a small but steady airflow by placing two 140mm fans with reduced speed on a table and placing the HERO11 and HERO12 cameras opposite them at a distance of about 50cm. For maximum lensing, I performed a Factory Reset on both cameras before the test, formatted the memory cards, set the same screen brightness with a 1-minute blanking interval, and switched to 5.3K60 resolution in Wide mode.

As the test shows, the improvements are obvious. While HERO11 overheated and turned off after about 45 minutes, HERO12 recorded for over an hour and turned off not because of overheating, but because the battery was running down. I assume that the airflow from the fans was higher and more favorable to the cameras than in the GoPro test (0.6m/s or 2.2km/h), so HERO11 lasted longer, while HERO12 hit the battery limit. However, I am sure that if I had reduced the speed of the fans even more or increased their distance from the cameras, I would have been able to reproduce the GoPro results.

The key takeaway – HERO12 is unlikely to overheat when running, cycling, rollerblading, or skateboarding.

HDR with logarithmic encoding

HERO12 Black’s HDR mode has been enhanced with GP-LOG support for an even wider color dynamic range, preserving more detail in the darker areas of the image without overexposing the brighter areas. This will help content creators to capture events and landscapes more vividly than before. The biggest GoPro geeks might complain that with the experimental GoPro Labsfirmware, it could also be activated on the HERO11 Black, but on the new model, it’s already included in the street software.

9:16 shooting without rotating the camera

At a time when TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels are taking the world by storm with vertical video, GoPro’s 8:7 sensor and HERO12 camera provide a simple setup to capture 9:16 video without having to rotate the camera.

HyperSmooth 6.0

The latest iteration of HyperSmooth 6.0 is even better, thanks to AutoBoost improvements and a built-in 360-degree Horizon Lock for the smoothest and most fluid shooting experience.

Timecode Sync

Timecode Sync will make video post-processing much easier for professional film crews and others who use two or more GoPro cameras to capture their adventures. This feature perfectly synchronizes timecode between multiple cameras via QR codes, making multi-camera video editing much easier.

Multiple parallel Bluetooth connections

The GoPro HERO12 Black can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices and accessories at the same time, and now you can also connect an external wireless microphone or AirPods headphones.

Interval photo support

In Photo Interval mode, you can specify how often the camera should take a photo – a great tool for hands-free photography during dynamic activities.

Media Mod functionality improvements

Directional audio recording from both front and rear microphones simultaneously.

Improved user interface (UI)

You can now easily access night modes in the settings and switch camera settings to capture videos suitable for different social networks:

• Widescreen 16:9 – for sharing on YouTube, playing on TV, etc.
• Vertical 9:16 (Mobile) – for instant publishing on TikTok and other vertical video platforms.
• Universal 8:7 – uses the entire sensor area and allows you to choose the format you need for post-processing.

Max Lens Mod 2.0

Along with the new camera, an improved version of the Max Lens Mod 2.0 lens will be available. It supports 10-bit colours and even wider angles in Max SuperView mode. It is smaller and lighter than the original Max Lens Mod, and it repels water and is twice as scratch-resistant. Max Lens Mod 2.0 will cost €99 and will only be compatible with HERO12 Black.

Desktop version of the GoPro Quik app

GoPro users are familiar with Quikapp on their smart devices, but the Quik video editor is expected to be available on Desktop very soon – the Mac version could be out this autumn, but Windows users will have to wait until next spring.

Goodbye to GPS support

Yes, unfortunately, there is a downside to all the new features and improvements – the HERO12 Black no longer has GPS functionality and the camera does not support recording GPS indicators in video metadata. This change is unpleasant news for those who are used to including a distance map, speed, altitude, etc. telemetry data in their videos of moto or bike races or boating adventures. Now you’ll either have to stick with the HERO11 or use another gadget to capture telemetry data and use it inside your GoPro footage.

When is the new GoPro HERO12 Black worth buying?

I have to say that apart from the impressive improvements against overheating, which for many users (including me) has been the most annoying shortcoming of GoPro cameras, the HERO12 is not that different from the HERO11. But in many scenarios, buying a new model is a very sensible choice. I think HERO12 is worth choosing in the following situations:

1. If you’re ready for your first GoPro camera, the HERO12 Black lenses are the most mature action camera with the best image quality and the most functionality for a fixed price of €449.
2. If you are a HERO10 or older camera owner and would like to share your adventures with both YouTube and TikTok followers. HERO12 Black’s built-in 8:7 sensor allows you to share the same footage on both horizontal and vertical social networks.
3. If you’re a HERO10 or HERO11 user who has repeatedly failed to capture bright moments because the camera has shut down prematurely due to overheating[this has often robbed me of good shots as a fisherman].
4. If you regularly use multiple GoPro cameras for filming and struggle to sync your footage during processing, the HERO12 Black with Timecode Sync will be your lifesaver.
5. If you use HERO8 or an older GoPro, I want to use it during the autumn and winter months. With the Enduro battery, the new camera won’t shut down even at -10°C.

GoPro HERO12 Black can hardly be called a revolution in the action camera market. It is very likely that this version has received the fewest technical improvements from model to model in the entire history of GoPro HERO. But the most important and painful flaw of previous models has been solved – overheating, which almost everyone has heard about and experienced at least once Model 10. and Model 11 user.

I believe that with the HERO12 Black release there will be a lot of ongoing discussion, but maybe these small improvements are enough? Maybe that is the message of the manufacturer?

“With HERO12 Black, GoPro has reached the very perfection. Try to make it better!”

Anyone interested in this product can already reserve their GoPro HERO12 Black by placing an order on the Dateks.lv website. You will be able to get HERO12 in your hands starting from 13. September at. 16:00! 16:00. You can choose between standard version for €449 or Creator Edition for €679.