GoPro has officially unveiled the HERO12 Black with 5.3K and 4K HDR capture, GP-LOG with available LUTs, 2x longer run times, and wireless audio support for Apple AirPods and other Bluetooth devices.
The new GoPro HERO 12 Black will retail for $399.99 USD and it builds on the performance of its predecessor. Along with the 5.3K and 4K HDR capture, GP-LOG with available LUTs, it also features a redesigned power management system for 2x longer run times, and improved HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization.
GP-LOG + available LUTs
I think the most important part of this announcement is that finally there is a LOG recording mode with downloadable LUTs that you can use.
Currently the only LUT available is GPLOG_Auto_WB.cube.
Video & Photo Capture
The GoPro HERO12 Black features an 8:7 Aspect Ratio 1/1.9” sensor that can be cropped into vertical 9:16, widescreen 16:9, traditional 4:3 or full-frame 8:7 aspect ratios. It is now available across all video resolutions as well as TimeWarp, Time Lapse, Night Lapse, and all Night Effects modes.
The HERO12 Black can capture High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photo and Video. Video can be captured in 5.3K and 4K in 10-bit. You can also capture 4K at up to 120fps and 2.7k at up to 240fps.
Photos can be captured as 27 megapixels and you can also take frame grabs from the video at 24.7 megapixels.
There is also a Vertical Capture mode, even when the camera is used horizontally, it will capture 9:16 video because of the cameras unique 8:7 aspect ratio sensor.
Interval Photo joins a suite of Power Tools designed to help you capture video and photos in unique ways. Interval Photo enables photo-capture at fixed intervals, from every 0.5 seconds all the way up to every 120 seconds.
There are also Night Effects with Still Images, allowing you to capture Light Painting, Vehicle Light Trails, and Star Trails.
HyperSmooth 6.0
HyperSmooth 6.0 features a next-generation AutoBoost that automatically boosts video stabilization as needed while maintaining the smallest cropping margin possible. HyperSmooth 6.0 also enables horizon-leveling even with full 360° camera rotation in the Linear + Horizon Lock digital lens or in all lens settings when using the Max Lens Mod 2.0 accessory.
According to GoPro, HyperSmooth 6.0 can analyze your footage up to 4x faster than HyperSmooth 5.0.
Horizon Lock is very impressive because when it is activated, it doesn’t matter if the camera goes upside down or spins 360 degrees, the horizon will stay level.
Max Lens Mod 2.0
The new (optional) Max Lens Mod 2.0 accessory, enables the HERO12 Black to achieve the market’s widest 177° field of view at up to 4K 60p. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 can capture video and photos in three field-of-view settings—Max Wide, Max SuperView and the all-new, hyper-immersive Max HyperView. This utilizes the HERO12 Black’s extra-large 8:7 sensor to enable perspectives that are 36% wider when capturing widescreen video and 48% taller when capturing vertical video, when compared to HER012 Black’s standard lens.
The Max Lens Mod 2.0 is also claimed to feature 2x more scratch-resistant glass than its predecessor along with a durable hydrophobic lens coating for helping disperse water drops.
Wireless Bluetooth audio support
The HERO12 Black features wireless Bluetooth audio support for Apple AirPods and other Bluetooth audio devices such as earbuds, headphones and microphones. This is handy for vlogging, scene narration and issuing voice commands to control your HERO12 Black from a distance.
2x Longer Run Times
With the improved power management system the HERO12 Black can operate for 70 minutes of continuous recording at 5.3K60 (HERO12 Black’s highest performance setting), over 95 minutes at 5.3K30, and over 155 minutes of continuous recording at 1080p30, all with HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization on.
Updated User Interface & new Quik desktop app
GoPro has updated the user interface of the HERO12 Black and it now includes simplified controls plus a new Vertical Capture Mode that captures vertical 9:16 aspect ratio video while the camera is mounted horizontally.
There are updated “Easy Controls” for users looking for maximum convenience and streamlined “Pro Controls” for advanced users looking for maximum control and efficiency.
GoPro has also expanded its software and GoPro subscriber benefits with the launch of the new Quik desktop app. The Quik desktop app will be available exclusively to GoPro subscribers at no additional charge. Quik desktop brings the speed and convenience of the Quik mobile app to desktop users but with an expanded list of features and capabilities that take advantage of a desktop computer’s processing power and screen size.
Quik desktop and Quik mobile apps will sync with one another so that you can start an editing project on one app and seamlessly transition to the other for maximum convenience and flexibility. Quik desktop will be available for Mac on November 1st and Windows in Summer 2024.
Wireless Timecode Sync
The HERO12 Black features wireless timecode sync so that you can sync up an unlimited number of HERO12 Black cameras for easy multi-camera editing in Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premier, etc.
Other Features
The HERO12 Black’s mounting fingers now feature 1/4-20 mounting threads, making it compatible with standard camera mounts and accessories.
There is also an Auto-Upload to the Cloud, Auto Edits + Unlimited Backup which is available for GoPro subscribers. The HERO12 Black auto-uploads to your GoPro cloud account while the camera is charging, and you’ll receive an automatic highlight video after the upload is complete. There’s no limit to the amount of GoPro footage you can upload to your GoPro cloud account and all footage is claimed to be stored at 100% source quality.
The HERO12 Black is waterproof to 33 feet with no additional housing required and it has been built to take a beating. GoPro subscribers can get a “no questions asked” damaged camera replacement.
GoPro is also launching a new 48-inch-long extension pole that collapses to just 10 inches and is designed to work with HERO12 Black’s new 1/4-20 mounting threads. Mounting fingers are also included to ensure compatibility with all GoPro cameras.
Included with the new extension pole is a detachable, wearable, and waterproof Bluetooth shutter remote that makes it easy to control HERO12 Black’s shutter even when the pole is fully extended. This new remote will be compatible with the HERO12 Black, HERO11 Black, HERO11 Black Mini, and HERO10 Black. The all-new Extension Pole + Waterproof Shutter Remote will be available in October 2023.
Price & Availability
As I previously mentioned, the GoPro HERO12 Black will retail for $399.99 USD. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 costs $99.99 USD, or $79.99 USD for GoPro subscribers. Both products will be available in stores worldwide on September 13th.
