HERO12 Black

If you want a compact camera that survives rain, mud and surf while delivering high-resolution footage you can crop and reframe, this is what most action-camera buyers are searching for: 5.3K video, HDR, blistering in-camera stabilisation and simple live-streaming and webcam modes for social-ready clips. It solves the tired ‘shaky, noisy’ action-cam problem by putting cinema-grade detail and seriously smooth motion into a pocketable, waterproof shell. ## What makes it worth it HERO12 Black’s headline is 5.3K60 video plus HDR for both video and photos, which gives you noticeably more detail and better highlight/shadow handling than the many 4K-only rivals; you can also extract 24.7MP stills from video. HyperSmooth 6.0 with AutoBoost delivers industry-leading in-camera stabilisation that keeps footage usable without heavy gimbal cropping. Battery life is improved thanks to GoPro’s Enduro power management — expect much longer continuous recording than earlier generations — and GoPro expanded audio tools (dual-channel/external mic support) make the camera usable for semi-pro vlogs and POV shoots. It’s waterproof to 10m out of the box and supports GoPro accessories such as the Max Lens Mod 2.0 for an ultra-wide 177° field of view. ## Where it falls short HERO12 Black is an incremental update over recent GoPros rather than a dramatic reinvention; GoPro’s Hero13 and some rival cameras (DJI, Insta360) have since added convenience features like magnetic mounts or alternative capture modes, so the Hero12 can feel pricey if you already own an 11. Some advanced accessories are sold separately, and serious pro rigs will still want external mics or gimbals for the best audio and framing. If you shoot outdoors, ride, surf or vlog and want the most stable, high-resolution action footage without learning a lot of camera settings, buy the HERO12 Black; if you already own a Hero11 or need built-in new-gen mounting or every extra pro feature, look at the Hero13 or competing 4K alternatives instead.

£240