Almost any action camera might be known informally as a “GoPro.” But in this review, we’ll guide you through the very best of the official GoPro camera range. We’ve narrowed it down to the best five, so you’ll quickly find what you’re looking for.
Our top pick is their latest flagship action camera, the GoPro HERO12 Black. It has the company’s fastest ever processor and gives you 5.3K video, up to 8x slow motion, and excellent horizon leveling.
What Is the Best GoPro Camera?
The best GoPro cameras allow you to capture all the high-octane action. Whether mountain biking, kayaking, or snowboarding, the best GoPro cameras are right there with you.
A GoPro camera has to be rugged and reliable. It has to be able to cope with the thrills and spills of an adrenaline-fuelled life. Unlike the early GoPro cameras, all of these models are waterproof without an external housing.
They all work well with the GoPro app. And you will need the app to get the most out of them. But the main thing is that they capture high-quality videos and images. You’ll be pleased to know all the GoPro cameras featured here do exactly that.
Before we explore them all in more detail, here is a summary of all the models in this review.
- Vivid and vibrant 5.3K video footage
- Built-in HDR video and photo modes
- Best ever HyperSmooth stabilization
- Hindsight function so you never miss anything
- 24.7 MP stills from video footage
- Fast GP2 processor
- Up to 45 degrees of horizon leveling
- Hyperlapse video
- HD livestreaming
- 8x slow motion
- Revolutionary new image sensor
- 8:7 format for flexible editing choices
- Horizon lock
- Emmy award-winning HyperSmooth stabilization
- Up to 8x slow motion at 2.7K
- One-button simplicity
- Dual-position mounting fingers
- HyperLapse video
- 8x slow motion
- Horizon lock
- Easy 360-degree shooting
- Waterproof to 16 feet (5 m)
- Six mics for immersive 360 audio
- HERO mode for conventional GoPro recording
- Horizon Leveling
Choosing the Best GoPro Camera
If you want a traditional action camera, then GoPro has three models. They offer varying levels of features. They also have a 360-degree camera and a compact model. Let’s have a look at them in detail now.
1. GoPro HERO12 Black
| Brand |
Brand
GoPro
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
5.3K
|
| Max Still Resolution |
Max Still Resolution
27 MP
|
| Waterproof Depth |
Waterproof Depth
33 feet (10 m)
|
| Front Screen |
Front Screen
Yes
|
| Slow Motion |
Slow Motion
8x
|
| Image Stabilization |
Image Stabilization
HyperSmooth 6.0
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Horizon leveling, livestreaming, HDR video and stills, Hindsight capture, interval photos
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for the latest. most advanced GoPro camera
|
GoPro releases a new camera pretty much every year. And while some new releases seemed arbitrary, that’s definitely not the case with this model.
The latest GoPro Hero 12 Black is their best camera to date. We’re seeing significant improvements over the previous models. And it has new features that set even higher standards for action cameras.
The video resolution remains 5.3K with a 60 fps frame rate. It’s the same as the last few models, but the video quality is fantastic. It’s backed by the HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization, which is the best version yet, giving you super-smooth action footage.
HDR video recording is another big improvement. This enhances detail and gives you clearer footage in difficult lighting conditions.
8x slow-motion video is excellent for capturing fast action. And the new Hindsight feature captures footage before you even press the button, ensuring you never miss a beat.
A 27 MP stills resolution gives you gorgeous photographs. And it also has built-in features for capturing star trails and time-lapse photography. You can also pull 24 MP stills from video footage using the GoPro app.
As you might expect, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is fully waterproof down to 33 feet / 10 meters. And that’s without any additional casing or protection. You can go kayaking, surfing, or snorkelling with the GoPro camera just as it is. It’s a thrill-seeker’s dream.
2. GoPro Hero11 Black
| Brand |
Brand
GoPro
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
5.3K
|
| Max Still Resolution |
Max Still Resolution
27.1 MP
|
| Waterproof Depth |
Waterproof Depth
33 feet (10 m)
|
| Front Screen |
Front Screen
Color
|
| Slow Motion |
Slow Motion
8x
|
| Image Stabilization |
Image Stabilization
HyperSmooth 5.0
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Horizon lock, new night modes for star trails, light painting, and light trails
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for the top-of-the-line GoPro
|
The GoPro HERO11 Black introduced some well-regarded improvements over the older HERO10.
Although it kept the same processor as the HERO10, it has a new sensor. This boosts the MP count to 27 MP. This isn’t a huge jump, but the major difference actually comes from the new aspect ratio.
As well as the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio of the HERO10, you now get an 8:7 ratio. This all-but-square format gives you more freedom. You can choose landscape or portrait orientation after you shoot. It’s a way of cropping without sacrificing resolution.
Other improvements are horizon leveling for a full 360 degrees. This is spectacularly demonstrated on the GoPro website. A GoPro is attached to a plane executing a 360-degree roll. The perfectly-level horizon showcases the full movement of the plane.
Unwanted movement is dealt with by the HERO11 even better than before. HyperSmooth is upgraded with AutoBoost. Ordinarily, in-body IS relies on taking a slightly cropped image from the sensor to smooth out any unsteadiness. Unless you have a fancy sensor-shift system. These are usually only found on some expensive mirrorless cameras.
HyperSmooth 5.0 is more sophisticated. It will apply the usual cropping to smooth out camera shake. But when your movement is more stable, it uses more (or all) of the sensor. It sounds like it might be distracting. But in practice, it is unnoticeable.
Both 5.3K and 4K video are served up at 120 Mbs rather than the 100 Mbs of the HERO10. Slo-mo at up to 8x is available in 2.7K and 1080p. And 1080p is your maximum livestream speed.
There are some really impressive night modes. They allow you to capture stunning night sky time-lapse videos. There are also presets for light trail videos or light painting. The simple preset modes make it easy to execute.
The GoPro HERO11 Black has built on the improvements of its predecessor and refined them even further. It is an impressive package and still a great option for adventurous content creators.
3. GoPro HERO10 Black
| Brand |
Brand
GoPro
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
5.3K
|
| Max Still Resolution |
Max Still Resolution
23 MP
|
| Waterproof Depth |
Waterproof Depth
33 feet (10 m)
|
| Front Screen |
Front Screen
Yes
|
| Slow Motion |
Slow Motion
8x
|
| Image Stabilization |
Image Stabilization
HyperSmooth 4.0
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Horizon leveling, livestreaming, timelapse, and hyperlapse
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a fast processor at a decent price
|
One of the main improvements to the GoPro HERO10 Black is a new processing chip. GoPro claims speeds twice as fast as the GP1 chip found in their previous cameras.
The change from 20 MP photos to 23 MP seems like a regular progression of technology. And the video stills are only 19 MP, which is less than the main stills sensor on the HERO9. But that is still a pretty good pixel count. And it adds a lot of flexibility to your filming choices.
The max video resolution of 5.3K is another small improvement. But it captures that 5.3K at up to 60 fps rather than just 30. The HERO10 includes HyperSmooth 4.0. This is the award-winning implementation of their image stabilization technology.
Horizon leveling in-camera is improved. It can compensate for up to 45 degrees of tilt. And low-light performance is best on the HERO10.
Once you have captured your images, you need to transfer them to your camera. One welcome improvement is connectivity. You can now connect the GoPro camera by cable to your phone to download your digital content. Wi-Fi has always been available, but the cable adds reliability.
One result of the upgraded chip is an across-the-board improvement in functions. The front display isn’t necessarily an upgrade. But the way the camera is able to use it is improved. Previously, the slow frame rate could make videos jerky and difficult to follow. Now they are smooth and much easier to use.
Similarly, the touchscreen is more responsive. With the GoPro HERO10 Black, GoPro has been able to improve performance across a range of factors. Low light noise reduction has been improved. And limitless horizon correction is another benefit.
4. GoPro HERO11 Black Mini
| Brand |
Brand
GoPro
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
5.3K
|
| Max Still Resolution |
Max Still Resolution
24.7 MP (from video stills)
|
| Waterproof Depth |
Waterproof Depth
33 feet (10 m)
|
| Front Screen |
Front Screen
No
|
| Slow Motion |
Slow Motion
8x
|
| Image Stabilization |
Image Stabilization
HyperSmooth 5.0
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Compact size, dual mounting fingers
|
| Best For |
Best For
POV filming where size is at a premium
|
The GoPro HERO11 Black Mini is a new departure for the company. GoPro models have generally evolved over the years. They have added a screen here, made it color there, and reduced the need for external housings.
The 360 Max was one departure. The HERO11 Black Mini is a whole new one. It takes most of the capability of the full-size HERO11 and packs it into a smaller body.
There’s no screen front or back. And there’s no separate sensor for stills. But most of the other features of the bigger version are there. Presumably, as a response to some of the competing brands, this model prioritizes size.
It has two sets of fixing fingers, allowing more mounting options. And it is lighter and less obtrusive when mounted to a helmet or chest.
Controls beyond the simplest functions are executed via the app. This is probably true a lot of the time on the bigger models.
The GoPro HERO11 Black Mini is definitely worth considering if you need a smaller and lighter camera body.
5. GoPro Max
| Brand |
Brand
GoPro
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
1440p (HERO mode)
|
| Max Still Resolution |
Max Still Resolution
18 MP
|
| Waterproof Depth |
Waterproof Depth
16 feet (5 m)
|
| Front Screen |
Front Screen
No
|
| Slow Motion |
Slow Motion
2x (HERO mode only)
|
| Image Stabilization |
Image Stabilization
Max HyperSmooth
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
360-degree stills and video, HERO mode for normal GoPro use
|
| Best For |
Best For
Capturing awesome go-anywhere 360 footage
|
It’s been possible for a while to blend the images together from two GoPro cameras. This produces a 360-degree video or photo. But with the GoPro MAX, GoPro has its own dedicated 360 camera.
It’s also an outlier in looks, with more of a square shape than the usual rectangle. Other than that, it looks like a GoPro camera, but there’s a lens on both sides.
The MAX has a touchscreen on the rear of the camera. In fact, this is the way to tell this is the rear side, as it also has a lens. It is the 360-degree capability that sets the MAX apart, so let’s start there.
The GoPro execution of 360-degree video is impressive. It looks as though a closely following drone is filming the subject. And all of this in 6K. The sound quality should match the footage, as it’s recorded via three stereo pairs of microphones.
The 360-degree video shares this audio with conventional GoPro camera capabilities. Action cam footage, which by its very nature, is subject to lots of camera shake. The HyperSmooth image stabilization (IS) system is ideally suited to combating this.
There is a MAX version of TimeWarp. This is a time-lapse video recording from a moving camera viewpoint. The resulting 360-degree videos are very eye-catching.
You can also use the GoPro Max as a conventional GoPro HERO camera. It is called “HERO mode.” With it, you can take a standard time-lapse (not available in 360-degree mode). It also allows 2x slow-motion and has face and smile detection.
You don’t get a front-facing screen with the GoPro MAX. Instead, you can simply choose to use the other lens while in HERO mode. When shooting 360-degree footage, you choose which lens you want to monitor via the touchscreen.
Still photography gives you 5.5 MP in GoPro HERO MAX mode or a 6.2 MP “PowerPano” panoramic photo. There’s no automatic HDR, but horizon leveling works in HERO mode. The MAX also has max superview, wide, linear, and narrow digital lenses.
Does the GoPro Max make the other HERO cameras obsolete? Not really. Waterproofing, for instance, is only down to 16 feet (5 m). And there’s no OEM waterproof case to take it deeper.
Some users report disappointing battery life with the GoPro MAX, but it is doing some pretty heavy lifting. You can supplement the 1600 mAh battery with a second battery that comes with a dual charger.
Choosing the Best GoPro Camera for You
How Waterproof Are GoPros?
A waterproof, tough body is common to all these GoPros. Gone are the days when you had to attach a clumsy external housing. The 33 foot (10 m) rating on the best is more than enough for most people. If you need to go deeper, there are external housings for the HERO9, 10, and 11. For the last two, this increases the operating depth to 196 feet (60 m).
What Are the Mounting Options for the GoPro?
You no longer need the external housing to easily mount your GoPro. And the fold-out “fingers” work the same as traditional GoPro housings. And there are numerous mounting options for these.
Think of almost any object and someone somewhere has developed a GoPro mount for it. From guitars to gyrocopters, from dogs to drones, you’ll find a mount or harness. The HERO11 Mini has the best mounting options with two sets of fingers.
What Is the Image Stabilization Like on the GoPro?
The models in this review track the evolution of image stabilization in the GoPro. From the very impressive HyperSmooth 3.0 to version 5.0. The 3.0 irons out the bumps and vibration of extreme challenges such as mountain biking. But the 5.0 version includes variable applications of image crop to maximize IS and minimize cropping.
GoPro has also developed its horizon leveling feature. The HERO11 will lock the horizon level, no matter what you do with the camera. This is a striking feature when you see it in use.
What Else Should You Look For?
You can buy all these GoPro cameras at a discount with a GoPro subscription. You don’t need the subscription, but it offers some handy features. When you plug your GoPro camera in to charge, it will automatically back up your media. It will also automatically create a highlight reel for instant sharing on social media.
If you want to use your new GoPro camera for live streaming, this is made simple with the subscription. Create your streaming link, then share it with as many or as few people as you want.
What is the Best GoPro Alternative?
While the name GoPro has become synonymous with action cameras, they are not the only name in the game. Other excellent actions cameras are available.
Our top recommendation is the DJI Action 2. It’s innovative modular design gives you a unique experience, and it’s not just a gimmick. It makes it easy to record footage of yourself in action.
The 4K video footage is fantastic. You can record 8x slow-mo footage, and there’s image stabilization to improve playback of those action-packed moments.
The Insta360 GO 3 is a great 360-degree camera. And the Akaso EK7000 is another brilliant GoPro alternative at an affordable price.
See all the best GoPro alternatives in our full article.
Conclusion: The GoPro camera
A GoPro camera is an excellent choice for anyone looking to capture their adventures in stunning detail. Whether you want epic videos or stunning stills, the best GoPro cameras deliver.
Of the many models available right now, the GoPro HERO 12 Black stands out as the best option. It’s has built on the accomplishments of the HERO 11, giving users a better experience and better results.
The older models still hold up against competitors, but the Hero 12 is definitely at the front of the pack.
