Hero11 Black and Black Mini: in 2022, GoPro sees double for its flagship action-cam

As is often the case when autumn comes around, GoPro is renewing its range of action cameras. On the 2022 vintage menu, not one, but two action-cams: the Hero11 Black and the Hero11 Mini.

An unsurprising design

Two cameras different in size, but almost completely similar in their guts and their functionality. This year, GoPro therefore keeps on the Hero11 Black a chassis that we know well, since it is the same since the Hero9 Black. To differentiate it from the previous model, you just have to look on the left side of the machine where you can see the number 11. The case is still shock resistant and waterproof without a box up to 10 m deep. The Hero11 comes with the new Enduro battery, which is more efficient, especially in low temperatures.

A new 27 Mpx sensor with an 8:7 ratio

The small polygon will therefore confuse neither seasoned users nor neophytes: GoPro makes GoPro. The real novelties of the Hero11 are to be found under the hood of the beast. In 2022, the camera has a 1/1.9″ sensor with an unusual 8:7 ratio and a definition of 27 Mpx. A sensor that is wider and above all higher than before, whose almost square format allows a wide range of frames.

Videos up to 5.3K 60p

Broadcasting on smartphones prompted GoPro to develop this type of sensor. It allows, among other things, not to lose too much data when you opt for a crop for the mobile. The video definition remains the same as for the Hero10, the camera being therefore capable of filming up to 5.3K and 60 fps. For lovers of slow motion, you can also film in 4K up to 120 fps and even 240 fps in 2.7K.

An ever wider viewing angle

The field of vision also widens to reach 12 mm (in eq. 24×36) against 16 mm previously. This Hyperview mode will give a certain effect to your sequences, but will not be flattering for shapes and faces. The quality of the videos is announced to be higher, in particular with 10-bit color recording.

360° horizon tracking

It is especially at the level of stabilization that we expect GoPro at the turn. With the Hero10, the firm inaugurated a correction of the horizon up to 45°, assisted by the stabilization called Hypersmooth 4.0. Since then, some manufacturers have tried to reach or even surpass GoPro, such as DJI, whose recent Osmo Action 3 enables 360° horizon maintenance in 2.7K. GoPro is responding to the Chinese manufacturer by offering 360° horizon keeping on the Hero11 Black as well, up to 5.3K and 30p.

The Hypersmooth is also evolving. With version 5.0, the image is, according to GoPro, always more stable, and we gain an additional level of stabilization: autoboost. The latter automatically adjusts the stabilization when the camera detects shakes. The rest of the time, it allows you to film with the widest possible angle of view. The timelapse mode has also been optimized and now offers automated capture modes, such as light painting, or star trails. The capture of photos in raw is always available, as well as in HDR.

The GoPro ecosystem highlighted

Beyond the camera itself, GoPro highlights its ecosystem and its Quik application. Once connected to a wifi network, the camera can offload its content directly to the user’s cloud storage; just turn it on, no extra steps. Likewise, with the retrieved footage, GoPro’s AI can make automatic edits of what it deems to be the best moments in the videos. All these functions are available on subscription for €49.99/year.

GoPro Quik

GoPro Quik is a video editing application for iOS and Android created by the famous company GoPro, creator of high quality mobile cameras. Create video montages, add music and images.

• Downloads:
  244
• Release date :
  08/11/2022
• Author :
  GoPro
• Licence :
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Video

• Operating system :
  

  Android, iOS iPhone / iPad
  

A second bonus camera

In addition to the Hero11 Black, GoPro is therefore launching the Hero11 Black Mini. Reminiscent of the Hero5 Session with its small cube look, the Hero11 Mini is in fact a Hero11 Black relieved of its two monitors. Less wide (5.2 vs 7.2 cm) and less heavy (133 vs 154 g), it is however a little deeper. Instead of the rear monitor, a hooking system has been installed, thus multiplying the fixing possibilities.

In terms of functionality, if we put aside the touch navigation that will only go through the mobile application, the camera only has two buttons and a tiny monitor to display the state of the battery or the format used, the Hero11 Mini has exactly the same video skills as the Hero11 Black. Only the photo part has been redacted, while the battery loses its removable format.

Its smaller size and the absence of an LCD monitor make the machine ideal for those who find the “classic” GoPro models too big or fragile. However, it remains larger than a Hero5 Session or a DJI Action 2, which should limit the risk of overheating too quickly.

Price and availability

GoPro is releasing the Hero11 Black on September 14, 2022 at a suggested retail price of €549, up from €529 for the Hero10 Black when it launched in 2022.

The complete GoPro subscription is displayed at €49.99 per year and allows you to obtain several advantages such as an extended warranty, price reductions, unlimited storage, automatic editing of sequences or even editing options on the Quik app. Buying the camera by subscribing for a year to GoPro brings down the price of the Hero11 to €449.

Finally, a Creator Edition kit includes several additional accessories for €845 (€660 with subscription):

• The Volta Power and Control Handle
• A lighting module
• A mic
• A microSD card

As for the Hero11 Black Mini, it is launched alone at €449.99, and at €349.99 with the GoPro subscription. It will be marketed from October 25, 2022.