Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The GoPro Hero 12 Black is released, the latest in a long line of action cameras that have revolutionized video capture in extreme conditions. And as usual, there are a bunch of new features and improvements.
There’s no doubt you’ll see tons of incredible images on social media over the next few days. People who ski, surf, bungee jump and all kinds of intense sporting activities. Well this handling will be a little different.
Yes, the way I use GoPros (and I think I’ve had every model released since the Hero 3) is a little different.
The water. There’s no better testing ground for a camera’s low-light capabilities
Of course, I’ve used GoPros as action cams, strapped them to cars and taken them underwater. But I also use them as portable cameras to capture multiple angles of a shot, indoors or outdoors. They are light, small and can be inserted into places where a larger camera cannot go or would be destroyed.
Simply put, I tend to think of them as versatile cameras, not just action cams. Therefore, the improvements that are important to me will focus more on possibilities for uses other than extreme sports.
The water. There’s no better testing ground for a camera’s low-light capabilities than water. This is a real challenge because water can go from dark to bright in the blink of an eye, which can result in very variable results.
I tested this camera with default settings. And I was not disappointed
In the same way that most people turn on their GoPro and start shooting straight away, I tested this camera with the default settings. And I was not disappointed. The result is exceptional.
These are images that come straight from the camera, without calibration or adjustment. Considering that these images were shot late in the afternoon, in a rather murky river, the result is excellent.
And with a few tweaks, it could be even better. It is clear that the improved HDR (High Dynamic Range) gives good results. In terms of capture quality, this is one of the best action cameras on the market, the only rival being the DJI Osmo Action 4.
Significant improvement in battery capacity
But for me, it’s the hardware improvements that appeal the most. First item on this list: battery life. The autonomy of GoPros has long been catastrophic. So it’s good to see that the engineers have worked to almost double it this time. Yes, double! GoPro claims you can now get up to 70 minutes of continuous recording at 5.3K, 60fps (using the Hero 12 Black’s highest performance setting), over 95 minutes at 5.3K , 30fps, and over 155 minutes of continuous recording at 1080p, 30fps, and my tests confirm this.
And this, with the same Enduro battery as that of the Hero 11 Black.
The new GoPro also works with selfie sticks! Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I used to never go anywhere without a few batteries or some way to power the GoPro from an external battery. But now I can get by with just one or two batteries.
The 1/4”-20 thread on the bottom of the body allows it to be attached to a tripod or selfie stick
Yes, this is a game changer! I would still need an external power supply for producing long time-lapses, but for everyday videos and photos, battery power is finally sufficient!
My other favorite improvement point of the Hero 12 Black is the 1/4”-20 thread on the bottom of the body which allows it to be attached to a tripod or selfie stick. Yes, I know, you can do it with a 1/4”-20 adapter, but that would be yet another thing to carry around.
Finally, a 1/4”-20 thread to allow the GoPro to be attached directly to a tripod or selfie stick. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Being able to screw the GoPro directly onto a tripod or selfie stick is something I’ve wanted for years!
Another strong point is that it’s the first GoPro to support recording in a log profile — called GP-Log here. This is a flatter color profile that allows more detail to be extracted from highlights and shadows during the editing process. If you use this profile, don’t panic if the footage seems dull at first; This is what it’s supposed to look like before you start editing it!
GoPro sequences can be very particular, and being able to apply LUTs (editor’s note: abbreviation of look-up table, which are like intelligent filters) on this flatter GP-Log capture allows you to obtain almost nothing. no matter what style and tone you are looking for.
Another benefit of this system is that it can help you match the footage you capture with your GoPro with footage from other cameras. This will allow a really interesting artistic montage of the captured sequences.
ZDNET’s purchasing advice for the GoPro Hero 12 Black
The GoPro Hero 12 Black offers a remarkable improvement. If you have to buy a new action cam, you can’t go wrong. Before you think about whether you should upgrade, ask yourself if you think the new features are worth it. For me, the beefed-up battery, the ability to capture in GP-Log format, and the 1/4″-20 mount make it a compelling upgrade.
Source: “ZDNet.com”