GOPRO HERO12 BLACK

An excellent action camera - and a powerful tool for editors

- Basil Kronfli

But for a few cosmetic tweaks, the GoPro Hero12 Black could easily be mistaken for its predecessor, the Hero11 Black, with its dimensions, sensor specs and shooting resolutions serving up a hefty dose of déjà vu. Dig a little deeper, however, and it becomes clear that there are a handful of meaningful updates: a new mounting option, Bluetooth mic support, dual-channel audio, and HDR video are the headliners.

Key features

The Hero12 Black is just as waterproof as older GoPros - it's good for a 10-metre (33ft) dunk and can be mounted on any action cam mount, thanks to its flip-out feet. GoPro's Mod accessories work with the Hero12 Black, including the Media Mod, the Display Mod, the Light Mod and the new Max Lens Mod 2. Newly added is a 1/4-inch tripod thread, which is a boon for anyone who uses GorillaPods or other mini tripods designed for mirrorless cameras and DSLRs.

When it comes to video, there are three main upgrades: HDR video, a new GoPro Log capture mode, and easier access to vertical and 8:7 video. HDR video goes all the way up to 5.3K (16:9) or 4K (8:7) at up to 30fps; if you want higher frame rates, you'll need to dial it down to 4K (16:9, 60fps). The Hero12 Black also shoots 10-bit footage, although it doesn't quite match the DJI Osmo Action 4 for bitrate. For me, though, the 12 Black's extra resolution is more important, especially if you plan on cropping post-edit.

Practically speaking, the maxedout shooting resolutions are the same as those of the Hero11 Black: 5.3K at up to 60fps and 4K at up to 120fps, 2.7K at up to 240fps and 1080p at up to 240fps. This significantly outperforms DJI'S Action 4 maximum resolution, although the Hero12 Black's noise handling is inferior. If you want to shoot a lot of night content, the 12 Black might not be for you.