The Best GoPros To Capture Surreal Action Footage

Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 27 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3 inches (rear touchscreen), 1.4 inches (front) | Size: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 5.4 ounces

Best for: Capturing smooth, high-resolution video in any environment, with HDR.

Pros:

• Better battery life with no change to size and weight
• Added HDR support
• New Bluetooth pairing options

Cons:

• Not a significant upgrade over the Hero11

GoPro hasn’t reinvented the wheel in a while with it’s number series but doubled down on improving what they already have. The GoPro Hero 12 Black is no different. It our testing, it features the same processor, sensor and even weighs the same as its predecessor. It also uses the same 8:7 aspect ratio, GP-Log and ability to add up to four Bluetooth headphones. However, it’s enhanced in two important ways.

First, the Hero 12 Black offers an improved battery life so you can go longer between battery swaps. While I still recommend carrying extra batteries for long hours of shooting, you can record over three and half hours of continuous footage at 1080p 30 FPS, or up to 95 minutes at 5.3K 30 FPS. Second, it lets you capture HDR videos now, which puts it on par with the HDR on your mobile device. Plus, based on our testing, its software features for post-editing give more room for creative freedom.

It also has some new features targeting professionals, like timecode synchronization. It’s simple to connect to Bluetooth devices like microphones and earbuds, too. If you already have a Hero 11 Black, you need not upgrade but for everyone else, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is the best GoPro available today.

Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 23.6 megapixels | Waterproof: Down to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3 inches touchscreen (back), 2.3 inches (front) | Size: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 5.6 ounces

Best for: Shooting video with less advanced features.

Pros:

• Excellent video and still image shooting
• Waterproof and durable
• Less expensive than the GoPro Hero 11 Black

Cons:

• Less capable image stabilization
• Fewer video modes
• Not as many FOV or aspect ratio options

For someone who does not need all the GoPro features, save a few dollars with the GoPro Hero 10 Black, which still captures quality imagery and offers impressive features. You still get the flagship-level GoPro hardware and the ability to capture videos at up to 5.3K (60 fps) or 4K (120 fps), and still images at 23 megapixels (less than with the Hero 11 Black)—thanks to in-house GP2 processor.

However, you miss out on the latest tech like HyperSmooth 4.0 and Horizon lock, and some video modes like Star Trails, Vehicle Light Trails and Light Painting. Image quality and detail is slightly less than on the Hero 11 Black, since that model has a larger image sensor. It’s also compatible with over 30 genuine GoPro mounts and accessories, as well as the free Quik app or premium Quik app (with purchase of a GoPro subscription). Like all GoPros, the Hero 10 Black can film underwater, down to 33 feet and withstand extreme temperatures.

Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: Only captures video | Waterproof: Down to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display Size: 0.6 inches | Size: 2.1 x 2 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 4.7 ounces

Best for: Unobtrusively shooting immersive video.

Pros:

• Very small and lightweight
• Excellent for shooting up to 5.3K (60 fps) video
• Special shooting modes

Cons:

• Shorter battery life than other GoPros
• No front-facing viewfinder display
• Can’t take still images

The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is a scaled-down version of the GoPro Hero 11 Black. It doesn’t feature a front display and lacks the ability to shoot still images in real time (though you can capture 24.6-megapixel stills from video content). However, it’s smaller, lighter and just as durable as other GoPros. You get to choose from several aspect ratios, video resolutions and frames per second settings, plus take advantage of a HyperView, SuperView, Wide, Linear or Linear+Horizontal Lock field of view.

For those that need to record solid audio, it has three built-in microphones and a small speaker. The viewfinder display on the back is also rather small. You also get video stabilization, slow motion capture, time lapse video and 720p live streaming capabilities. Notably, the rechargeable battery life is shorter than with other GoPros.

Video resolution: Up to 6K at 30 fps (360-degrees) | Still image resolution: 18 megapixels | Waterproof: Down to 16 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 1.7 inches touchscreen (front) | Size: 2.5 x 2.7 x 1 inches | Weight: 5.8 ounces

Best for: Capturing 360-degree video or wide-angle video, as well as vlogging.

Pros:

• Captures 360-degree video at up to 6K
• Multiple field-of-view options
• Uses six microphones to record 360-degree audio

Cons:

• Larger and pricier than typical action cameras
• Only good in water 16 feet deep

While not as compact as the latest Hero 12 Black, the GoPro Max 360 exists primarily to capture immersive video using its wide “Max SuperView” cameras to capture a spherical 360-degree field of view. Video captured on this device look surreal, despite the camera being a few years old now. It can also capture panoramic photos or time lapse footage both on land and underwater (to a depth of 16 feet, as opposed to the Hero 12 Black’s reach of 33 feet). Three cameras and six microphones do an amazing job capturing 360-degree video and 360-degree premium audio all around you. You can still capture 270-degree panoramic video that delivers immersive vistas—especially when content is viewed on a large TV or monitor.

This camera stands out for its 360-degree video at up to 6K (featuring stability and horizon leveling). Beyond that, the GoPro Max works well as a vlogging camera or 1080p camera for live streaming thanks to its small, front-facing display (the only display on the device). Like other GoPro cameras, this model supports voice controls and has over 30 optional mounts and accessories available. The Max features GoPro’s excellent HyperSmooth image stabilization and a variety of video shooting modes for virtually any situation or lighting condition.

Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 27 megapixels | Waterproof: Down to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3 inches (rear touchscreen), 1.4 inches (front) | Size: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 5.4 ounces

Best for: Vloggers and content creators.

Pros:

• Complete vlogging kit
• Captures stunning video
• Includes directional audio mic

Cons:

• Expensive

The GoPro Hero 12 Black Creator Edition bundles the camera with must-have GoPro accessories for content creators. This all-in-one kit includes everything you need to get started with vlogging, with components that all seamlessly work together so you can capture exactly what you want to.

The Media Mod provides high-quality directional audio capture with wind reduction. The Light Mod provides LED lighting in challenging environments. Everything mounts easily onto the Volta Hand Grip, so you can face the camera toward you or away from you while capturing video one-handed. Between the camera and Volta’s batteries, you get up to 5 hours of continuous 4K (30 fps) video shooting per charge—this is one extra hour over the last-generation Hero 11 design. The only thing this kit lacks to get you started is a microSD card, and that’s easy enough to purchase separately.