GoPro Hero 12 Black | Complete Beginners Guide & Best Settings

This video provides a complete guide to what you need to know for getting started with the GoPro Hero 12 Black action camera.
I unbox the GoPro Hero 12, show you around the camera, and then I go through all of the menu settings and options for the various modes and presets. I also provide you with all of the best settings for getting the best footage from the Hero 12 Black.
This video also includes numerous sample clips.
🎶 All music tracks in this video are from Track Club. Get a FREE, FULL-ACCESS 1 Month Trial of Track Club using my link: bit.ly/3t28y0I
🎥 GoPro Hero 12 Black Action Camera: amzn.to/44WtUtz
🅌 SanDisk Extreme 512GB MicroSD card: amzn.to/3Zkplb
🚪GoPro USB Pass-Through Door (Hero 9, 10, 11, 12): amzn.to/3EIVmQO
⚡Anker External Power Bank: amzn.to/3s3ODKh
☑ GoPro Volta: amzn.to/44XGSaz
Table of Contents:
0:00 - Introduction
0:49 - Unboxing the GoPro
4:34 - GoPro physical features
6:53 - Inserting the battery
7:11 - Inserting the microSD card
8:39 - More physical features
10:55 - Powering on and firmware upgrade
15:20 - Home screen icons
19:53 - All main menu settings
33:46 - Video modes & best settings
50:17 - Photo modes & best settings
58:34 - Time lapse modes & best settings
1:15:28 - Closing thoughts
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CAMERA GEAR I USE:
- GoPro Hero 11 Black: amzn.to/3SuQipa
- GoPro Hero 10 Black: amzn.to/3hZjsvz
- GoPro Hero 9 Black: amzn.to/35QlGbq
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- Favorite Wireless Microphone System: amzn.to/3nQjMz2
- SanDisk 256GB Extreme MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter: amzn.to/2Cu9dhc
- ANKER USB-C Charger I USE: amzn.to/3O6ce7u
MY FAVORITE GOPRO ACCESSORIES:
- Media Mod (Hero 9, 10, 11): amzn.to/3qaBjEx
- Dual Battery Charger + Battery (Hero 9 and 10): amzn.to/3jmy5c6
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- Anker External Power Bank: amzn.to/3s3ODKh
- Anker USB-C Wall Charger: amzn.to/37fCnN9
HIKING GEAR WE USE:
- Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trek Poles: amzn.to/2OCkA9r
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[@GoPro]

Thanks for sharing your ultimate guide to GoPro HERO12 Black 💪

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thanks for the continued innovation, GoPro!

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

why your company can't make an algorithm of how to set up in different ways and supply customers with a copy. I buy Shimano fishing stuff and Shimano has a website on how to use each of the stuff and they are so good explaining easily that dogs will understand.

[@Marks_Vlogs]

next gppro 13 -please make the touch screen larger - front screen touch screen too - improve the night sensor most important, this need to see more light at night -add a freebies sticker fpr your gopro skin, like blue sticker, a grafiti perhaps

[@ramlinman2004]

I just bought the hero 12 and was filming in a state park, some teens walked by and yelled "GOPRO TURN OFF" and my camera shut off 😂...in my old age I always take a deep breath give a little chuckle and try to remember I was a teenager once.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

😂 The risks of the verbal commands being turned on are real.

[@padrian2297]

Thanks for sharing. Great video and very informative. Easy to follow :)

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you. I appreciate your feedback!

[@gregsepicadventures]

Excellent! I'll be using all these modes in Lassen Volcanic National Park this week. Thank you!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Great, sounds like a fun trip!

[@RandySchroder-oe9mt]

Very nice job! Super helpful and informative.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you! Glad you found this helpful!

[@briankeller8858]

Of all the videos I’ve watched, yours is the BEST! Thank you!!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you. I appreciate it!

[@williamcampbell7329]

Excellent intro video. The video presets are very helpful. Can't wait to try them.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[@ponymoore6140]

Excellent tutorial - thank you.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome!

[@Randy2747]

I just ordered a gopro 12 black and have no idea how to use it. Your video was the first to come up in the KZbin search and I am so thankful! You explained everything in a lot of detail and easy to understand!! Thank you you've earned another subscriber! Can't wait to check out more of your content. Thank you once more have a great day.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you for your feedback! I hope you enjoy your Hero 12. It’s a great camera and a lot of fun to use. I appreciate your support!

[@barlysandadventures6666]

Thank you for this information, just bought the 12 & literally set it up as I followed the video , brilliant , just 1 question what are you’re recommend setting for the northern lights , thank you again 👍

[@micktmax]

Great video thanks. Easy to follow instructions.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you.

[@DerekRC]

I'm new to Go Pro. Appreciate the tips. Thank you 👍🏻

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome. Hope you enjoy your GoPro!

[@stevec.5638]

Congrats bro! 🎉

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thanks!

[@gregsepicadventures]

Thanks!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@carnivalthrills380]

I bought the GoPro Hero 12 A Few Days Ago And The Video Resolution Is Amazing I could Now use the 4k 60 Fps On My Computer Now I can't Wait to Film more Videos on This Camera Thanks For The Information I Appreciate it 😊👍👍

[@GreatDayForAHike]

That’s great! Love the Hero 12 and all it can do.

[@morganaluthor]

is the creative edition good for light use? i just want to use it for a trip with my parents also i heard that it is quite dark if it isn't the outdoors with bright light. is the light mount necessary?

[@DarlingThia]

Thanks for this! I’m new to GoPro and your video really helped! I’m going to be on an Alaskan Cruise and am wondering if you have suggestions for camera setting for that?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I appreciate your feedback. That sounds like a fun adventure! Anything you are filming outside in good lighting you have a lot of flexibility to pick your settings, but I recommend 5.3K for the highest resolution and color mode of Natural unless you want to grade the footage in which case I recommend Flat. Any scenes you may want to do slow motion with later on I recommend filming in 5.3K 60 or 4K 120. Any scenes you just want at normal speed I recommend 24 or 30 fps. If you're filming in any low lighting,or dimmer, inside lighting, then I recommend checking out this video for those specific settings that will give best results: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZi4fK2airx9bLssi=NZeLh9dUxQQ9FIHe Have fun!

[@chadwillis.4226]

I’m going to purchase a 12. Going to give it a shot. Thanks.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Hope you enjoy your Hero 12! I’ve been enjoying mine a lot so far.

[@SurvivingMainStreet]

Hi, just watched and created a couple of Presets. Suggestions for a preset for indoor real estate walkthroughs with combination day lighting and interior lighting? I did see your indoor video and can go off of that, but if you were to create a preset for it...?

[@EmbraceTheJourney]

just got my gopro 12 and I headed right over to your channel because you make it very easy to understand. Thanks very much

[@BotGamer-nc8vf]

Can i frame my 9:16 wide video to hyperview in gopro quick app ? Like 8:7 video can be framed in any aspect ratio and in any fov

[@emillu6383]

Hi, just bought the 12. Experiencing issues with playing recorded videos on my iMac. Some video files aren’t even readable. (Image Capture, 5Kplayer both won’t work) Can I ask what software do you use to playback videos? Thanks!

[@Thebeastofthedeep]

Hay I need one they look cool I also I go Mubarak ridding

[@travelwithsupto3311]

Can you help me please ! When i am going to vlog myself with go pro my videos always turn into mirror or flip . How can i solved this issue?

[@octny]

Great review! How do I enable GPS on the HERO 12 Black?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you. GoPro removed the GPS functionality with the Hero 12.

[@jbs001]

Nice video, I was able to follow along easily. One question, my Hero 12 when viewing the back screen, displays the video mode data beneath the name (custom, or epic) in this order: Aspect|Resolution|Frame Rate|Lens Your camera had this below mode name: Resolution|Aspect|Frame Rate|Lens Can you help me find how to make that change? Also In watched your qrcontrol video where you shared 5 or so of your favs, I like the ISO and Shutter Speed mod the best. But I wanted to delete those changes and re-do them to learn the camera and app process better. Thanks and keep making these videos

[@jbs001]

Sorry, meant to request the url for the qrcontrol youtube video above

[@efraindelgado5594]

Thank you for this video, it has been very helpful. Question: How can I remove the fishbowl look on the camera? This is my very first time with video camera, period. I am also using the Max Len 2.0. Thank you in advance for your help.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I appreciate your feedback. You have a few options to remove distortion. You can firstly shoot your clips in Linear on the camera. If you shoot in Wide you can use tools in most video editing software programs to remove the bit of distortion. The GoPro Player app with the ReelSteady add-on will also enable you to remove this. If you shoot in superview or hyperview removing the distortion in post will be more challenging. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 is a great add-on. Enjoy!

[@ninjanexus6244]

The fish eye effect is caused by the max lens 2. There are ways to make it a lighter fisheye effect but to remove it you would have to not use the max lens 2 sadly

[@Msgirl_]

I have some long videos in my icloud quik app, but everytime i try to save on my iphone it says ‘failed and no space on my data’. But i have a lot of space on my phone. So the videos stock in there and can’t edit either. Please help. Thank you!

[@E9ONE1]

Aloha~question...is there anyway I can reorganize video/photo camera modes list? previous GPS I could reorganize the list but gp12 could not... Thanks

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Great question. I have not yet found a way to reorganize them. Hopefully GoPro will provide a means of doing so with a future firmware update.

[@gaborkristof240]

It would be great if you could answer my question please! I have just bought the Gopro12 and new at it! My GoPro uploads all my videos in 5.3k or 4K in the Quik’s cloud. Can I stream from my I phone the video in original quality from the Quik’s cloud directly? The reason I am asking it seems to me that the clips GoPro makes automatically from my videos look better than the videos themselves when played from the cloud! Thx! Gabor

[@ninjanexus6244]

You can upload the videos in different qualities when you are importing them. Look up best import quality for gopro videos on KZbin.

[@Delphinus-Keya]

I ordered the Hero 12 Black with some accesories including a charging station that comes with 2 Enduro batteries. One thing that caught me off was that neither the camera nor the charging station came with a wall charger. Not even the type like you have gotten with phones for awhile now that is an household outlet to USB port. IDK just weird to me. Like I can understand possibly why no wall adaptor with the camera. But the chargering stand not having one, just seems cheap to me.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Yes, it is a shame the charging station doesn’t come with a wall charger since a wall charger is the best way to rapidly charge GoPro batteries.

[@julieokel2005]

When trying to use protune controls for "Photo" mode, I am unable to adjust the Shutter, EV Comp, or ISO (all of them are greyed out and say N/A)??? Just got my GoPro and followed along with your video for settings. Video settings worked well but can't get the Preset Photo setting to adjust. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

[@ninjanexus6244]

Once you get a Max lens 2 and go into the pro settings it will allow you to adjust those settings. But without the max lens mod those settings are set automatically

[@divinesatisfaction1]

Hey! Off topic, but sometime ago you posted, either here or elsewhere, a video of a special farm in NY. Do you still have the location/link of said video?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Hey! I know of what you speak. That was filmed using the GoPro Hero 7 Black, so technically that is kind of on topic here. I’ll find that link.

[@divinesatisfaction1]

@@GreatDayForAHike Quite! The 12 looks pretty nice, maybe someday I'll upgrade from the HERO11 Black

[@GreatDayForAHike]

@divinesatisfaction1 Yes, while the 12 really doesn’t offer any major new features, the under the hood refinements and less-celebrated features are nice. As is the $100 reduction in price vs when the 11 was released.

[@lorilopez6806]

Do you think the 11 will get the live preview in and update?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

That is a great question and something I have been wondering as well. From a technical standpoint I don’t see why this couldn’t be done. I’m wondering though if GoPro will keep this feature locked down to the 12 only in an effort to encourage upgrading to the 12.

[@octny]

from what I read previously, GoPro had a patent problem so that's why they removed the feature from the hero 5 onwards, maybe except the 8. so if that's true, it was not a hardware limitation but rather a software one.@@GreatDayForAHike

[@GreatDayForAHike]

@@octny Yes, I had read something about this as well. It was hard to get confirmation of anything definitive on this but that seems to be the best theory.

[@Iamdrunkonwater]

Which is better according to you dji action 4 or GoPro hero 12

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You ask a big question 😂 I actually have videos coming out this week that compare these cameras. Those videos will feature a lot of details on which I like better and why.

[@justBEingjada]

I see your sd card is extreme i got a pro do you think that’s ok

[@GreatDayForAHike]

If it’s an Extreme Pro it will be okay. If it is just Pro and not Extreme it may not be fast enough. I recommend checking the link from GoPro that lists the recommended cards to make sure your card is on the list: community.gopro.com/s/article/microSD-Card-Considerations?language=en_US

[@johnneitzert2382]

Can you control this model from your phone

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Yes you can and you can also see the preview now while recording in the Quik App.

[@leonfisher]

Glad I wasn't the only one that had the front display sticker that had to be scraped off.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I have a hunch this is going to be something all GoPro Hero 12 owners will remember about the unboxing process. The front display sticker that had to be scraped off 😂

[@leonfisher]

@@GreatDayForAHike Guess it's another unlisted difference between the 11 and the 12.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

@leonfisher haha yes!

[@ThaKid14]

When i click HDR 8:7 Ratio I am not able to use 5.3 K. how did you get it to say 10-bit beside the 5.3K. it disappears and I can't use it.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Make sure you have your Hero 12 video mode set to highest quality. Also, make sure to change your bitrate to high. Also, if your frames per second is to set to anything higher than 30, make sure to lower the fps to 30 or below. In 8:7 you can only go as high as 30fps.

[@airwolf8915]

I recorded in 5.3k and my phone doesn't support that format. Is there a solution to that problem or do I have to buy a new phone. ?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Is this with the GoPro Quik app on your phone or using a different app?

[@lltritatutto]

Why cant I set the shutter, EV Comp and ISO for camera mode on the hero 12? I have it as pro settings already

[@GreatDayForAHike]

If you’re in photo mode make sure you’re in the RAW option and none of the special photo modes where it does almost everything Auto. If you are these settings will be grayed out.

[@lltritatutto]

@@GreatDayForAHike Thank you!

[@MrWeusi]

How do you charge it?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You can plug it in via a USB-C charger or you can use an external battery charger for the GoPro model you have. I use both depending upon where I am and if I want to charge several batteries at a time or just the one in my GoPro.

[@justBEingjada]

Does you GoPro say you have 18 hours because of you sd size card

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Yes and also because of the mode it was in at the time. When you switch the resolution and frame rate or change to photo or time lapse mode that will constantly adjust relative to the file size and bitrate of the mode being used.

[@user-eu3sg9jj8c]

bought a new go pro ,,its freezing frequenty.

[@henrylopez6923]

512 micro card

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Yes I use the SanDisk Extreme 512GB microSD card.

[@JohnManley-sr4mb]

I can not get the mics to work. No matter what I say Nono thing happen

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Is this when you are listening to your clips on the GoPro or also when you are playing them back on a computer or mobile device? Just wanting to make sure this isn’t the case that your audio is muted on your GoPro for clip playback.

[@Walkon2]

Please open subtitles

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Subtitles will be live soon. Thanks!

[@evyelisabethdrolsumjustad5723]

[@helpme5ksubscriberspotalld439]

Hi dear how about you ❤❤