The Best Action Camera goes to the OG!
GoPro has always been at the forefront of action camera technology, and their latest flagship model, the HERO12 Black, is no exception. With its improved battery life, HDR video recording, and a host of other new features, the HERO12 Black is the ultimate camera for capturing your adventures in stunning detail.
Up to 2x Longer Runtimes
One of the biggest complaints about action cameras has always been their limited battery life. The HERO12 Black addresses this issue with a redesigned power management system that delivers up to twice as long as previous models. This means you can spend more time shooting and less time worrying about changing batteries.
In fact, during my 3-day trip to Singapore, I only I needed to charge the GoPro HERO12 Black once!
HDR Video: True-to-Life Color + Precision
HDR video is all the rage these days, and for good reason. It captures a wider range of colors and dynamic range than traditional video, resulting in more realistic and lifelike footage. The HERO12 Black is the first GoPro to offer HDR video recording, and it’s available in both 5.3K and 4K resolutions.
It is important, however, to use a supported MicroSD card for this one. In my case, I used a Sandisk MicroSD XC Card with Video Class Speed of V30 and UHS speed of 3, which is suitable up to 8K video. When you’re buying one, choosing the right MicroSD card is vital in the process. While I used a Sandisk MicroSD Card, the guide by Kingston is a huge help.
Maximizing What 8:7 Has to Offer
The HERO12 Black’s powerful image sensor delivers an ultra-immersive, extra-large 8:7 aspect ratio that utilizes the full height of the sensor, capturing more of the sky and horizon in every shot. You can also mount the HERO12 Black horizontally and capture 9:16 videos natively with the new Vertical Capture Mode.
The sensor allows you to choose between four aspect ratios, including 9:16, even when your camera is mounted horizontally. This gives you more flexibility when framing your shots and editing your footage. This is particularly helpful for me as I need to be able to shoot a video that may be used for IG Reels or TikTok. What is particularly interesting here is that you can shoot at full 8:7 ratio and change the aspect ratio at post. What an amazing combo!
Maximizing 8:7 User Interface
Easy Controls transform the HERO12 Black into a simplified point-and-shoot camera experience. You can choose from three framing options: Vertical, Widescreen, or Full Screen. You can also toggle up to 8x slo-mo and create Night Effects after a few taps.
Unlike vlogging apps like the Osmo Pocket 3 or the Insta360 Go3, the HERO12 Black is really meant to be nimble point and shoot camera. As the OG in the action camera category, GoPro does not need any validation on how amazing their products are. The jump from the HERO10 Black to HERO11 Black was apt and gamechanger, and they enhanced the experience even further with this latest iteration. However, I do not recommend that you upgrade from HERO11 to HERO12.
Insanely Smooth Footage
HyperSmooth continues to set the bar for in-camera stabilization, and the HERO12 Black introduces HyperSmooth 6.0. AutoBoost now analyzes up to 4x more data when compared to HyperSmooth 5.0, and Linear + Horizon Lock built-in digital lens keeps your footage steady even if your camera rotates a full 360° during capture.
The built-in Horizon Lock is the total gamechanger here. While this isn’t exactly a 360°, it can intelligently reposition itself to the intended horizon to help you nail the shot you wanted.
The Ultimate POV Camera
If there is one attachment that I highly recommend (and I truly love) is the Max Lens Mod 2.0. It comes at a steep price of PhP7,490 on top of the PhP24,990 GoPro HERO12 Black, but this price is all worth it.
Max Lens Mod 2.0 delivers industry-leading resolution at 4K60 with the widest FOV at 177°—wider than any action camera, including spherical cameras shooting in single-lens mode—a major increase from the 155° FOV of Max Lens Mod 1.0. It also features 36% wider FOV for widescreen capture, 48% taller FOV for vertical capture, and the most immersive video in up to 4K60 resolution.
Other Features that are worth talking about
Pro-Focused File Outputs
In addition to adding HDR video, the HERO12 Black features more pro-friendly video options including GP-Log encoding with available LUTs and 10-Bit Color.
Go Hands Free to Get the Shot
Let the in-camera Power Tools do the hard work on settings, leaving you with more creative freedom to stay immersed in the activity and still nail the shot.
Interval Photo NEW
Snap photos at fixed intervals, from 0.5 seconds all the way up to 120 seconds. Unlike Time Lapse, which is designed to deliver a fluid video with unified exposures, Interval Photo captures independent shots that are optimized for that very moment.
My Thoughts on the GoPro HERO12 Black
The HERO12 Black is the most powerful and versatile GoPro yet. With its long battery life, stunning HDR video, and a host of other new features, it’s the perfect camera for capturing your adventures in stunning detail.
I know there are tons of options in the market right now. There’s DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and its closes rival, the Insta360 Go 3. However, at the end of the day, nothing beats the OG or the one that really got all major brands getting in to action camera segment.
GoPro HERO12 Black Price and Availability
GoPro HERO 12 Black is priced at PHP24,990, while the Creator Edition is priced at PHP36,990. You can get the Max Lens Mod 2.0 for PHP7,490.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
