So, you’re searching for the best GoPro. First off, great choice. They’re easily the coolest action camcorders going. Now you can capture all kinds of extreme hobbies – from snowboarding to skateboarding, rock climbing to white water rafting – and do it all hands free.
Secondly though, where do you start? There are quite a few to pick from. And the best GoPro camera is really going to differ from person to person. Right, let’s focus and help you snap one up…
The specs
Here’s what the four GoPro cameras look like side by side:
Specifications | GoPro HERO10 Black | GoPro HERO11 Black | GoPro HERO12 Black | GoPro Max |
---|---|---|---|---|
Display | Front & back | Front & back | Front & back | Back only |
Video resolution | 5K (60 fps) | 5K (60 fps) | 5.3K (60 fps) | 5.6K/60 fps (spherical), 1080p/60 fps (rectilinear) |
Photo resolution | 23MP | 27MP | 27MP | 16.6MP (spherical), 5.5MP (rectilinear) |
Slo-mo | 240 fps (2.7K) | 240 fps (2.7K) | 120 fps (4K), 240 fps (2.7K) | 2x / 60 fps (3K) |
Livestreaming | Yes (1080p) | Yes (1080p) | Yes (1080p) | Yes (1080p) |
Motion stabilisation | HyperSmooth 4.0 | HyperSmooth 5.0 | HyperSmooth 6.0 | Max HyperSmooth |
HDR | Yes | Yes (1080p) | Yes (1080p) | Yes (1080p) |
Water resistance | 33ft | 33ft | 33ft | 16ft |
Microphones | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Battery | 1720 mAh | 1720 mAh | 1720 mAh | 1600 mAh |
Weight | 150g | 150g | 150g | 154g |
Size | 2.75" x 1.9" x 1.6" | 2.8" x 2" x1.3" | 2.8" x 2" x 1.3" | 2.7" x 2.5" x 0.98" |
GoPro HERO12 Black
The GoPro HERO12 is the newest model on the block. And thanks to the larger sensor, you can film way more than before. So, you won’t have to try and squeeze in those jaw-dropping mountain ranges while you capture the rest of your group hitting the slalom.
Shaky footage won’t be a problem either. Their award-winning HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation keeps things steady, even when the going gets rough. Meaning the bumpiest biking trails will still come out smooth and clear. And if you want to put The Matrix to shame, the beefy processor can record 8x Slo-Mo at 2.7k – perfect for those epic jumps and gnarly wipe-outs.
GoPro HERO11 Black
Into your water sports? Then the GoPro HERO11 will definitely make a splash. Set it up on your paddleboard, surfboard, or kayak – or take it for a snorkelling session – and dive into the action. Because it’s waterproof up to 10 metres, it can easily handle a good dunking. Letting you focus more on what you’re doing, and less on worrying about your gear!
It’s been making waves in the resolution department too. You’ll be able to film 5.3K video, which if you can believe it, is a whole 91% more than 4K. Woah. And it’ll all be in 60 fps. Keeping those manic moments moving smoothly and completely stutter free.
GoPro HERO10 Black
It might be the oldest of the three, but the GoPro HERO10 is still a good shout if you haven’t got as much to spend.
When you think about a GoPro, the first thing that probably pops into your head is ‘video’. But they’re just as good for snapping pics as they are for filming flicks. The 23-megapixel photos are stuffed with lifelike textures, tiny details, and better contrast. You’ll see the finest shavings from that powder snow on you straight after you’ve bailed. And the water at the beach is looking seriously, seriously blue.
Back at the chalet after an extreme afternoon? Slow things down a bit and set up a time lapse with TimeWarp 3.0. Or, if you want to wait until it gets dark, fire up Night Lapse and capture that stunning starry sky. Your holiday Insta posts have never looked this good.
GoPro MAX
If you want something a little less traditional, that’s exactly where the GoPro MAX comes in. Take your photos and videos to the max with 360° shots and capture literally every moment happening around you. The audio gets the 360° treatment too. So, you can embarrass your mate later on and record their screams while they bomb down the slopes!
Best GoPro accessories
Don’t forget about the accessories. From batteries to mounts and mics, here are some essential bits of GoPro kit…
Rechargeable batteries and chargers
Let’s say you’re out mountain biking and your GoPro goes dead. It’s not like there’s a plug socket anywhere nearby, right? And now you can’t capture those hair-raising downhill routes you were planning on. Uh-oh.
For next time, get yourself a couple of Enduro rechargeable batteries. These little lifesavers work with the HERO10, HERO11 and HERO12 and mean you’ll never run out of juice again.
Charge them before you head out and pop them in your bag. You can do a top up really quickly – 13% faster than standard GoPro batteries apparently - so you won’t have to wait long to hit the trails or the slopes. Plus, if you want to charge even more at once, GoPro make a handy dual charger to refill multiple batteries in one go. Sorted.
The Media Mod
Audio is 50% of any good flick – and with the Media Mod, you can turn your GoPro into an all-in-one action hero. A built-in directional mic picks up crystal clear sound, even when the weather’s getting as extreme as the sports. The removable foam mic cover is made to handle and dampen gusts of wind up to 20 mph. So, nothing is going to get in the way of you narrating that kayaking expedition in your vlog or livestream. Sounds good!
Mounting your GoPro
Want to see things from a different perspective? There are loads of special GoPro mounts that’ll help you shoot from unique angles. Here are a few of our favourites:
Chest mount – Wear your GoPro on your chest and record mountain biking, skiing and more completely hands free.
Head strap/helmet mount – Anyone watching your video will be right in the middle of the action. They’ll see exactly what you did from a first-person view, making it perfect for running, biking and adventure sports.
Suction cup mount – Slap it on your car window, a boat or even a surfboard and get stable footage, even when you’re riding a huge wave!
Floaty – Does exactly what it says on the tin. The Floaty clips onto the back of your GoPro and will bob around in the water. So, it shouldn’t end up at the bottom of the ocean.
Jaws flex clamp mount – Experiment and attach it to branches, poles and bike frames to get creative with your shots.
Tripod mount – Want to take a breather? Pop the GoPro on a tripod for time-lapses or static shots.
FAQs
Which GoPro is best for beginners?
The beauty of any GoPro is that they’re all easy to fire up and start using. Because they’re small, there aren’t a lot of buttons, switches, and lenses to learn about. Which makes recording, scrolling through settings and reviewing your footage pretty simple.
Even the fancier features (like the mobile app and voice control) have been designed to be as user-friendly as possible. So, you could go for any of the models we’ve mentioned above and get to grips with it nice and quick. We’re big fans of this – after all, nobody likes flicking through a massive instruction manual!
Not sure if a GoPro suits you? No worries. Check out our handy article - which action cam is right for me? After all, there are plenty of action hot shots out there.