GoPro Hero 12 Black Review: GoPro’s Best Yet

GoPro certainly has the reputation of being the leader in action cameras, but does the GoPro Hero 12 Black live up to the hype?

As a professional photographer and filmmaker, I’ve been using GoPro cameras for many years, and I think they’re awesome for a very specific type of shot.

I use them regularly in commercial video production and I love taking them along on family adventures.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Packing tons of cool features in a tiny, durable package, the Hero 12 is well worth the upgrade.

Upgrading from the Hero 11 to the Hero 12 was an easy decision as I also love testing out the latest tech. Also, some intriguing new features caught my attention.

In this review of the GoPro Hero 12 Black, you’ll learn what I love about this camera, what I think could be improved, and who I think this camera is for. Read on to find out!

GoPro Hero 12 Black Specs

GoPro Hero 12 Black on a tripod mount (and a pair of skis!)

• CMOS Image Sensor: 27MP
• Media/Memory Card Slot: microSD, max 512GB
• Still Image Support: RAW, 27MP
• IP Streaming: H.265, 1920×1080
• Display: Fixed touchscreen LCD, 2.27″, 368×552
• Exposure Control: Shutter 1/8s to 30s (Photo), ISO 100-3200 (Photo)
• Recording: Video up to 5312×2988, MP4 H.265/HEVC
• Shooting Modes: HDR, Night, Time-Lapse, Burst, Interval
• Features: Stabilization, Creative effects, Bluetooth
• General: Battery 1720mAh, USB charging, 14-95°F operating temp., 2.8x2x1.3″, 5.4oz

Build & Appearance

As you would expect, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is very durable and well-built.

It’s an action camera after all, right? It is certainly built to go anywhere. I’ve taken it in the ocean and through the mountains and it doesn’t miss a beat.

A few modifications from past versions are obvious when you pick up the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

First up, the new speckled blue exterior sets it apart from all the plain black GoPros of the past.

More functionally, it now offers a 1/4-20 mount on the bottom between the two traditional mounting fins. I appreciate this because so many of my photography mounts are 1/4-20 compatible.

From a traditional tripod mount to a friction arm, having this threaded mount option gives me lots of flexibility.

Outside of these two changes, the GoPro Hero 12 Black remains similar to past generations in terms of screen and button layout.

This familiarity and easy-to-use interface is what keeps me coming back to GoPro. I love the simplicity and functionality.

One big change with this camera is the availability of the Max Lens Mod 2.0. This updated accessory now allows capture of up to 4k 60fps.

The super-wide perspective of the Max Lens Mod 2.0 also makes cropping in at various resolutions and frame sizes very easy (i.e., vertical video).

Overall, the nice improvements combined with the similarity make the GoPro Hero 12 Black an awesome camera in terms of build and appearance.

Ergonomics & Handling

GoPro Hero 12 Black with the shorty selfie stick

The ergonomics are one of the best things about the GoPro series in general and they are more refined than ever on the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

The Hero 12 Black is a compact action camera that can fit almost anywhere but still deliver impressive photos and videos.

I find the interface on this camera even easier to use than ever. The modes and options have been simplified and some new features have been added.

The exterior of the camera still features two screens: a front screen and a rear touch screen. The touch screen is more responsive than ever and works well even when wet (something past GoPro cameras struggled a bit with).

One complaint I have about the front screen is that it doesn’t show an accurate representation of what the camera is actually seeing. The real view of the camera is wider than the front screen displays, so it’s more for aiming the lens than for judging what’s being captured.

In the menu, you’ll notice that the custom functions have been simplified and you can now save custom functions more easily. Otherwise, the menu is very similar to past models.

I do appreciate that the user interface is relatively easy to figure out, but to dial in the best settings, you’ll want to learn the menus and what all the custom functions mean.

A couple of features that I’ve been using more on this camera (not necessarily new) are voice control and quick recording.

When the camera is powered on, you can give it commands: “GoPro Start/Stop Recording.” This allows you hands-free start/stop and works well when an athlete is wearing gloves.

The quick record function allows you to press the record button when the GoPro is turned off: when pressed, it will turn on and start recording in the last-used video mode.

This is really handy when you want to start recording as quickly as possible but don’t want to leave the camera on, which can drain the battery.

Aside from the camera, you’ll need some mounts to get the most functionality out of your GoPro. The more creative a location you can think to place it, the more interesting shots you’ll be able to capture.

More on mount and tips below.

Focus Performance

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 1/4400 f/2.5 ISO 100

Not having to deal with autofocus is one of the great things about the GoPro. Everything from about 12 inches to infinity will be sharp and in focus.

The beauty of an action camera is simply hitting the record button and knowing you’re going to get the shot. I love this about the GoPro.

One side note is that you can purchase macro adapters to attach to your GoPro that will change the focus distance to very close (just a few inches). These adapters can be fun accessories but I don’t find them to be very practical.

Low Light Performance

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 30s f/2.5 ISO 800 Stacked Exposure

With each new generation of GoPro, the low-light performance gets a little better. The GoPro Hero 12 Black is the best yet.

As you might expect, such a small camera isn’t going to set any records with low-light performance, but it does have some fun features to play with.

The above image was created using the night-lapse mode, which captures a series of photos and stacks them together to create a cool night image.

In addition, there are light painting modes and night effects that can be very fun to experiment with.

Getting a professional quality night timelapse set up can take a lot of work, but I love the simplicity of capturing one with the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

In addition, you can plug a USB-C power bank into the camera to get longer run times during cold nights.

The light painting allows you to create some artful images at night by using a flashlight or other light source to draw shapes across your image.

While these features are fun and produce interesting results, the images are still relatively dark. If you try to brighten the photos through editing, it will reveal a lot of digital noise.

The small sensor of the GoPro Hero 12 Black is just not designed to handle very dark conditions. Despite this, it’s still fun to learn and play with!

Image Quality

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 1/570 f/2.5 ISO 122

Image quality from the GoPro Hero 12 Black is quite good if you set your expectations properly.

This is not a pro-level mirrorless camera; it’s an action camera. Image quality is going to be similar to what you might get on a high-quality iPhone.

The images are sharp and the dynamic range is quite good, especially when you enable HDR mode.

I love the wide perspective that’s achievable with the Max Lens Mod 2.0. This allows you to capture a stunning 177-degree field of view in max hyperview.

I also appreciate the flexibility of the 8×7 sensor on the GoPro Hero 12 Black. It allows you to crop in a variety of ways for different media outlets.

Instagram might need a vertical 9×16 format, while YouTube is a horizontal 16×9. Both formats are achievable when you combine the Max Lens Mod 2.0 with the 8×7 sensor format.

While the photo performance of the GoPro is good, especially when you shoot in RAW, I find myself mostly using the video modes.

An advantage to the video mode is the ability to extract 24-megapixel stills when shooting in 5.3k. This allows you to shoot a short video clip without having to worry as much about getting the exact timing of the photo correct.

In the app, you can scrub through the video frame by frame to find the perfect moment.

In other video modes, the GoPro Hero 12 Black delivers excellent performance. The 4k 120 fps slow-motion video is great for capturing fast action.

The timelapse modes also provide easy ways to capture a changing scene over time. My favorite is to capture clouds moving across a landscape.

Overall, the image quality of the GoPro Hero 12 Black is very solid. I mix the footage into my other more professional video and it works well to tell a story from a unique perspective.

I’m willing to accept the small quality sacrifices if it allows me to put a camera in a unique location that will add to the story.

GoPro Hero 12 Black Sample Images

Here are some sample images I took using the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 1/120 f/2.5 ISO 147

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 30s f/2.5 ISO 800 Stacked Exposure

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 1/1800 f/2.5 ISO 100

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 1/950 f/2.5 ISO 144

GoPro Hero 12 Black | 1/1800 f/2.5 ISO 100

Overall Performance

Overall performance of the GoPro Hero 12 Black is very good. I’ve found the interface to be faster and more responsive than past models.

In addition, the battery life is significantly better than in past models. Even in cold conditions, the GoPro Hero 12 Black does much better than I expected.

If you’re not maxing out the performance of this camera, the battery will last even longer! GoPros have had notoriously bad battery life but now they’re finally getting things in order.

I also appreciate that the battery size hasn’t changed for several generations. It’s nice to be able to keep batteries from older models and use them with the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

The overall performance of this camera is just what I expected. It doesn’t lag or glitch and performs all of the functions well.

There are a lot of camera manufacturers that advertise impressive features, only for users to find out they’re only available in limited ways. GoPro does not do this.

When new features are released, they are fully functional. In addition, GoPro is constantly improving its cameras with firmware updates that improve their functionality.

If you haven’t used a GoPro before, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is a great option.

Other Useful Features

The GoPro Hero 12 Black offers a variety of aspect ratios

Other features new to the GoPro Hero 12 Black are Bluetooth connectivity, timecode, and log video. Some of these features are for more professional users but are very helpful.

First up is Bluetooth connectivity. This is a cool feature that allows you to connect Bluetooth headphones to your camera for narrating videos.

This is great for people who want to mount their GoPro on a vehicle and narrate from the inside of the vehicle. It can allow for cleaner audio in certain situations.

Next up is timecode compatibility. This is targeted toward a more professional filmmaking crowd. The GoPro Hero 12 Black can be synced with other GoPros or devices to ensure they’re all matched up with an accurate time. This makes syncing footage much faster and more accurate.

Lastly, log video is now available on the GoPro Hero 12 Black. There were a lot of people asking for this because it allows you to do more color correction on the final GoPro video. It’s the video equivalent of shooting a RAW photo that can be edited later.

GoPro footage is often very sharp and saturated, so having a nice flat log file to work with gives editors more latitude. GoPro offers LUTs to correct log footage to be closer to a finished image.

While these features may seem a little obscure, I appreciate that GoPro is constantly making an effort to offer the features users request.

How I Tested the GoPro Hero 12 Black

I’ve been testing the GoPro Hero 12 Black for over six months now and I use it on most commercial video projects. I enjoy finding unique ways to incorporate GoPro footage when possible.

In addition to using it to produce videos professionally, I’ve also really loved getting to take the Hero 12 on family adventures.

This camera is so easy to use and compact that I love throwing it in my pocket to film family ski trips or waterslide adventures. It’s perfect for these types of activities because it’s nearly indestructible and is easy to operate.

Sure, you could take similar videos with your phone, but the GoPro is much easier because it can be mounted to helmets or in other unique ways.

The other cool thing about the GoPro is that it’s less of a distraction than a phone. Taking out a GoPro to capture family adventures doesn’t distract you from the moment because it doesn’t ding you with notifications.

We all know how phones steal our attention, so I love having a GoPro because it’s so immersive. Just clip it on and tell it to start recording, then enjoy the activity.

After six months of consistent use, I can confidently say that the GoPro Hero 12 Black has a snug place in my camera bag.

Alternatives to the GoPro Hero 12 Black

The action camera market is getting crowded. You might be wondering what alternatives exist to the GoPro Hero 12 Black. Lots.

First up, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is a direct competitor to the Hero 12. While it does have some compelling features and a friendly price (around US$300), the GoPro wins out in my mind because of the Max Lens Mod 2.0 as well as the friendly user interface.

Next, the Insta360 Ace Pro is a strong competitor. It’s a little higher priced at around US$450 but offers some cool features like a large flip screen.

There are also some cheap knockoff versions of the GoPro but my opinion is that these are going to make significant quality sacrifices and be harder to use.

Lastly, you might consider a 360 camera like the Insta360 x3 or the GoPro Max, but the complexity of editing the footage is kind of a turn-off for me.

The best thing about an action camera like the GoPro Hero 12 Black is the super simple interface.

While there are a lot of action cameras on the market, I love the confidence I have in getting the shot with a GoPro. I know what to expect and it just works!

Accessories for the GoPro Hero 12 Black

What is a GoPro without a way to mount it? In the above video, I walk through some of my favorite mounts that I actually use.

There are so many mounts on the market and ways to attach a GoPro that can be gimmicky, but the ones I consistently use are the ones I recommend.

Having the creativity and tools to mount a GoPro wherever you can allows you to capture interesting and captivating shots. With these mounts, I’ve found that if I can dream it up, I can usually find a way to make it happen!

In addition to the mounts, I strongly encourage you to try the new Max Lens Mod 2.0. This lens will snap onto the front of your GoPro and transform it to a super wide perspective that is perfect for capturing POV-style shots.

Value for Money

At around US$350, the GoPro Hero 12 Black offers solid value. It delivers some impressive photo and video specs in a super compact, durable package.

It is a little bit of a one-trick pony in terms of getting a clean/stable wide-angle shot, but if you use your creativity to find a place to mount it, the GoPro can give you some amazing results.

When you’re considering taking a camera on an adventure that might be risky, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is an ideal choice. It’s simple to use, won’t slow you down, and can handle almost anything you can throw at it.

In addition to the camera, I strongly encourage you to check out the GoPro subscription model that will store your footage and create automated highlight videos. The simple user interface makes it easy to skip the computer edit and do things directly from your phone.

For an additional $50 per year, this membership gives you unlimited cloud storage and access to some of the tools that make having a GoPro more fun!

Overall, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is great value! Don’t forget to set aside some money to get some mounts to go with it, especially if this is your first GoPro.

FAQ’s

What is the difference between the GoPro Hero 12 Black and the GoPro Hero 11 Black?

There are incremental upgrades with each new GoPro release. The GoPro Hero 12 Black offers longer battery life, a new 1/4-20 mount, new aspect ratios, compatibility with Max Lens Mod 2.0, Bluetooth connectivity, and many other new features.

Is the GoPro Hero 12 Black waterproof?

Yes, down to 33ft.

Is it worth upgrading from the Hero 10 to the Hero 12?

Yes, I would say the GoPro Hero 12 Black offers enough new features that it’s worth the upgrade. If you get the Hero 12, be sure to get the Max Lens Mod 2.0 to maximize the viewing angle.

GoPro Hero 12 Black Review | Conclusion

GoPro Hero 12 Black

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I love the GoPro Hero 12 Black. This awesome little camera packs a bundle of cool features in a tiny package.

I love using it professionally to mix up the angles I’m able to capture, and I love using it personally to capture/share cool videos of my kids on skis or at the pool.

The simple user interface, rugged design, and compact form keep me coming back to it. I also enjoy the workflow of downloading/sharing videos directly from my phone (no computer needed).

If you’re in the market for an action camera, I strongly encourage you to check out the GoPro Hero 12 Black!

Leave a comment down below if you think I missed anything in the article or if you have a question. Thanks for reading my review!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Packing tons of cool features in a tiny, durable package, the Hero 12 is well worth the upgrade.