GoPro Hero 12 Black VS iPhone 15 Pro - Do You Still Need an Action Camera?

The iPhone 15 Pro versus the GoPro Hero 12 Black: do you still need an action camera to vlog or make travel videos? With action mode and water resistance on the iPhone, it's becoming more and more like an action camera. So in this comparison video, filmed (almost) entirely on both cameras, you'll see and hear unedited footage to help you determine which one has the best image and audio quality, and other accessories and features.
🛎 Cameras & Accessories Mentioned
GoPro Hero 12 Black - geni.us/eiYw
Max Lens Mod 2.0 - geni.us/hdx5i
GoPro Media Mod - geni.us/CaWwgjN
GoPro Light Mod - geni.us/nIq8aT
DJI Microphone - geni.us/NDXXA
Rode Video Micro Mic - geni.us/v6KDYy
iPhone 15 Pro - geni.us/miyEUc
Phone Cold Shoe Mount - geni.us/N8jb
Mini SSD Hard Drive - geni.us/upbevA5
USB-C Card Reader - geni.us/I5C7x9K
SD Card - geni.us/TWLf3y
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Gimbal - geni.us/cPD7p
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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
0:49 - Stabilization / Action Mode vs Hypersmooth
1:53 - Zoom / Field of View
3:44 - Cinematic Mode / Bokeh
4:20 - Image Quality
5:07 - HDR
6:14 - ProRes Log vs GoPro Log
6:53 - Water Resistance
7:35 - Low Light Shooting
8:26 - Audio Quality
9:26 - Timelapses
9:55 - Photography
11:22 - Front-Facing Screens
11:52 - Camera & Editing Apps
12:50 - Battery Life & Overheating
13:21 - Onboard Media Storage
13:49 - Cloud Storage & Insurance
14:38 - Conclusion
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[@kmesz87]

Thanks for the great comparison! This is what I was waiting for.

[@sungkyulkim2485]

Great comparison video! Keep up the good work 👍

[@forgottenworld]

I like your style as a presenter, you are direct and clear on your observations. Thank you.

[@alexandervasilenko7773]

Cool review! Thank you very very much!!

[@victorianguyen1430]

Absolutely love this video. Thank you for the review. I have a question where did you get your tripod/mount that allows you to mount both the iPhone, and the GoPro to one tripod?

[@leocaptured]

Amazing video! Lot‘s of effort in this I can tell. You just convinced me to keep my GoPro now where I got the iPhone 15 pro. :)

[@YourAubsome]

great video 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ivanylareyna]

Great Video!! we just recivied our Gopro 12 and also recently made the switch to the apple phone and went with the 15pro. Good comparison, gives us a better approach to how we'll plan on using our devices. Thanks for the video!!

[@TungstenOvergaard]

Superb comparison.

[@brucehollingworth3680]

Thanks for this info. I just bought the GoPro 12 , thought about taking it back and just using my iPhone but the dynamics of the GoPro you presented have made me see the value in keeping it. I’ll be using both. Also thanks for showing some better settings to maximize the GoPro abilities. Good stuff!

[@daveinportland]

I like the colors better in the GoPro.

[@faith_888]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@tinymouse.travel]

Great video, I'd not considered a GoPro but the price difference is massive when personally the main draw for a new smart phone was the camera

[@gordon3988]

Hmmm initially I thought the right was the OA4, and I preferred it and then you ran. The GP then looked best. I often find the GP12 is too dark…I think the 11 was better. The last few evolutions of iPhone have been good enough for almost any photo usage as long as you didn’t zoom. Video is very good as well with same limits. For everyday shooting certainly the iPhone, that’s what is is designed for. Great comparison btw.

[@mrheng562]

Same, I use both for different situation.

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Thanks for mentioning not sponsored (since I raised it as a comment in the Rode/DJI Pro Mic post.

[@LordBagdanoff]

Gopro still the best for videoing and stabilisation. However does not have the zoom feature. Is there a way to have a zoom feature on GoPro?

[@Castielj]

Great review ! At 7:40 you compare image brightness between cameras. I think it would have been worth mentioning for the benefit of novice users that the GoPro has the exposure compensation feature to brighten an image up a bit. Use 1 stop or less of exposure compensation to minimizes increase in visible noise.

[@Gemini_Connect]

Good point! iPhone also has exposure compensation to do the same. Funny enough, I’d bump the EV down in iPhone and up on GoPro.

[@ClintGibbs]

Great comparison as always. I have hero 12 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. One thing that I’ve noticed is that when I punch in onGoPro videos, there is a lot of noise in the shadows, even in good lighting conditions. I don’t see that on the iPhone. Have you noticed that as well? It’s especially prominent when I put it on the computer and look at it on a bigger monitor. I keep waiting for GoPro to increase the sensor size which would really help with this.

[@Gemini_Connect]

Yeah, I definitely notice more noise on GoPro. I’m doing a video on low light GoPro shooting soon. Stay tuned!

[@princeverdin7045]

GoPro is better video quality

[@aloha8564]

Gopro › all, but sucks in the dark

[@jeffwinters8152]

gopro better at video were i phone better at photos there both good at what they do witch cams do i use for that stuff i use a camcorder and a mirrorless camera with full frame sensor i do like both gopro and dji action cams

[@danishalishow]

Thanks for the comparison! A request to pls film vertical so the side by side comparisons aren’t cropped in as it’s difficult to tell which image I prefer with the cropped/zoomed in footage

[@Gemini_Connect]

Good point. FWIW very few clips in here are zoomed in.

[@danishalishow]

Maybe more shots before and after would work in landscape? For example a shot in landscape with just the iPhone and the same exact shot again with the go pro? I realised even in vertical you’d need to punch in or you’d get black borders which I’d still be ok with as I could get a full frame comparison of the two. In videos with 3 devices compared the vertical footage fits better haha so maybe just add a 3rd device for comparison. Ok now im rambling :) Great video again!

[@pixelrubbish]

Do you have a recipe for those pancakes at the end?

[@peruemprende10]

Does gopro freezes or they fixed it inthe 12 ?

[@manthrinaveen4141]

This video helpful to. Me and I'm weating when you post video about iPhone 15 last one week

[@testingbabu406]

GoPro is really for those who would be outdoors, lots of motion, and unpredictable conditions + superb resolution. What a great video. Thanks again

[@JustinPulitzerTrades]

Whwre in the iPhone settings is the Enhanced Stabilization for the regular camera mode? I know it has a default stabilization, but you mentioned "Enhanced" or was that a reference to Action mode?

[@greenclydefrog]

enhanced stabilization is on by default under camera setting in the phone setting.

[@TheRicklePlayaPro]

I use both. Can’t live without them.

[@Max-mh5yo]

I use the GoPro for certain things (especially Sport) and on the GravGrip. The stabilization, horizon lock and small size, gives it some advantages for those use-cases. I also like the image quality a bit more on the GoPro, as it is much more detailed. But the log-profile is not flat enough. If the GoPro had better low-light capability it would be a 10/10 for me.

[@testingbabu406]

You are awesome. You helped me realize that I do not need yet another gadget. My iphone is more than enough for me.

[@RonaldBrown59]

They both look good for video quality, but I think the iPhone 15 Pro is much better for photos. Good comparison, and thanks for sharing.

[@babyboy1971]

GoPro looks better in good light for video and for photos too. Low light, go pro 12 does really great night photos when on a tripod, but needs a gimbal to do decent low light video. However, I use both an iPhone and a GoPro like you!

[@retroonhisbikes]

GoPro 12 does look nicer. Maybe +0.5ev as ive heard this camera is a bit dark compared to the older GoPro s

[@julianfarquhar]

Great video. I thought the Go Pro was generally better in color and richness for me. This is a bit disappointing as I just ordered the new iPhone 15 Pro to replace my old phone.

[@Gemini_Connect]

IMO the iPhone still has great image quality. You can’t go wrong with it for most shooting situations.

[@timbrowntown]

I saw a video where someone used a Ulanzi GN-5 cage so they could put a mist filter on the Gopro to soften the skin tones and it looked pretty good.

[@Gemini_Connect]

Sounds like Camera Conspiracies. Yeah, I’ve seen that too and am tracking down a good mist filter option. The one I saw uses a larger mist filter for big cameras - I’d like to find a dedicated GoPro sized mist filter. Will keep you posted…

[@timbrowntown]

@@Gemini_Connect yep, it was him. I think he may be onto something there. The only one I could find was in a 3 set by polarpro for $80, and the other two seemed more gimmicky than practical. If they had the mist and two ND filters, that would be perfect.

[@freespiritkaro3414]

Thanks ! Which one cancels background noise better ?

[@Gemini_Connect]

Honestly neither is great. I recommend using an external mic.

[@freespiritkaro3414]

Thx a lot ❤

[@user-fi6hg8vq6c]

I’m sure a 3rd party will come up with some usb rig that is basically a media mod cage for the iPhone

[@danielk7111]

Is that the Pro or Pro Max? It’s my understanding per another YT’er reviewer that the Max gets a different lens/stabilizer due to 120mm-like lens mode, which would have more shake typically without such changes compared to the regular 15 Pro. If it’s the Max, then yeah…I’d hope for a bit better performance.

[@Gemini_Connect]

It’s the Pro. The pro max has a better camera, but IMO it’s too big. I prefer the size of the Pro.

[@abo-adam2857]

Gopro Is it good for shooting video of cats at home or should I go with another camera? Thank you

[@Gemini_Connect]

Maybe if you have enough lighting, but in most cases indoor is too dark for the GoPro.

[@vlcthefish]

6:24 "you can only shoot in Prores if you have a SD card or portable hard drive" Is this true? From what I read you can record ProRes Log up to 4K30fps internally, but 4K60fps requires an external SSD.

[@Gemini_Connect]

Clarification: you can shoot ProRes Log in 1080p30fps without an external SSD. But if you want to shoot ProRes Log in 1080p60fps or any forms of 4K, you need an external drive or SD card.

[@telford2155]

@@Gemini_Connect thats only for the 128gb model

[@uldmedia]

@@Gemini_Connect And with the Blackmagic Camera App you can also shoot ProRes 4K60 internally - and even use all other ProRes variants up to ProRes 4444. Furthermore, you can even use the Apple Log format in H264 or H265 codec.

[@thecyberseer]

you pretty much need both if you want to make a good movie and will still be lacking good zoom

[@reinaldo1504]

Please test with new google pixel

[@michaelrhodes7228]

I have to say the iPhone video quality is far superior to gopro. I have both and blown the videos both on a large screen TV . Unfortunately I always have poor video footage when on a large screen when the GoPro videos are played.There is not focus setting on GoPro videos and provide poor footage for me. I have shot 5.3 k and it's still poor from GoPro .Does anyone have this issues with GoPro?

[@KuntoWibisonoVideo]

Can you do dji action 4 vs iphone 15 pro?

[@Gemini_Connect]

Thinking about it…this video took forever to make, so I need a faster video format lol.

[@zangiYT]

Please do a Samsung Galaxy s23 ultra video comparison to GoPro to see how different from iphone and from gopro

[@Gemini_Connect]

I don’t have a Samsung anymore, unfortunately.

[@davestelling]

I have the Galaxy S22 ultra and I'd like a comparison too, with the GoPro Hero 12 Black...(?)

[@Max-mh5yo]

I am actually quite a bit impressed that the GoPro has such a good quality, except for low light.

[@samfraulino]

Sounds dumb, but I wish Apple would just make a thin camera/ no phone/main apps, just a camera and editing apps- a bit more rugged case. LOL! I just think GoPro is a camera that can take some beatings, I use my phone for banking, social media, art, photos, I don’t always want be using it to make videos as a main piece of equipment.

[@markwornom1050]

SD card storage and transfer has been available for at least 4 years already. No doubt that USB-C will be faster however.

[@Gemini_Connect]

Gotcha. I’m new to iPhone, so didn’t know it was a thing. It’s been a thing on Android for awhile.

[@markwornom1050]

@@Gemini_Connect Yeah, Apple doesn't always take the lead.

[@lifeladderpodcast]

The iPhone looks much brighter overall. Did you try bumping the shadows up on the GoPro? The GoPro looks really good for how wide the shot is.

[@Gemini_Connect]

None of the footage is edited. GoPro was consistently darker straight out of camera.

[@lifeladderpodcast]

@@Gemini_Connect you do a great job with these comparisons. I subscribed!

[@WeiYeQiu]

My problem with gopro is the file size is huge!

[@greenclydefrog]

iphone 15 pro video @ 60fps looks pretty muddy.

[@user-fi6hg8vq6c]

The general video quality of the go pro 12 is surprisingly better than the 15. The 15 actually looks bad in comparison which is interesting since it’s considered to have some of the best video in mobile phones.

[@jzphoto]

Yup, very strange compare between these. I have IP 15 PRO and don´t have such bad video quality - in good light of course. In bad light, cloudy, rainy days, it gets noisy. But iPhone can also use LOG and ProRES, so it can definitely have better picture quality.

[@fariqmb]

Go Pro!

[@vlcthefish]

Suggestion: On the right hand side, always watermark which camera you are using on the iPhone like here 0:58 just so it's easier for viewers to always know at a glace what camera it is (wide, ultrade wide, front....etc)

[@KaioshinAemi]

I'm with iPhone 15 pro max all day. I don't do much actions so Gopro 12 is not interested to me. I can do a lot more with iphone. Gopro advantages are 5.3K, rugged, under water, cheaper only $400, and slow motion that's it.

[@thegreat1548]

Absofuckinlutely dude 😎

[@mohammednaufanbusiness]

should I take GoPro 12 or wait for gopro 13

[@Gemini_Connect]

I would take the Hero 12. It’ll be another year before the Hero 13 comes.

[@karlsma7245]

An action camera is a must for a beach vacation. We leave our phones in the car and bring the GoPro. I can take it in the ocean with me and not have to worry about someone stealing my phone.

[@AlainLafleche1]

In the forest, you can see the stones on the path better on the gopro...the iphone is completely washed out, you can't see any details of the path. Thx for the review.

[@michaelmiklosofficial]

I vote for Hero 12

[@dongluongson1]

gopro better???

[@Rainbows_Vlog]

Gopro best.

[@BillBilly-hy6px]

You cannot use a mobile as an action cam,i tried in fishing and its very heavy!! Iphone has great video resolution ass i can see

[@Gemini_Connect]

True, the size, shape, and weight of both cameras is also a factor.

[@EBAmbience]

On a large display the GoPro look superior

[@jaymills1720]

Now do iPhone with log ❤

[@Gemini_Connect]

It’s in the video - check the timestamps.

[@jaymills1720]

@@Gemini_Connect yay!

[@adventurn2216]

after watching this on normal sized 4k monitor instead of phone... the gopro frickin sucks... like, the 4k on gopro does not come even close to iphone or any other phone.

[@testingbabu406]

Summary is this: GoPro is for MOTION

[@Gemini_Connect]

Pretty much, yeah.

[@rossgaspar9488]

Please do not take your phone in water. It isn't that water resistant. If you must... You must have AppleCare+.

[@DaveDFX]

The best camera is the one you have on you all the time

[@delrayguy399]

GoPro for the win! The video quality of the iPhone is comparable to DJI Action 4..lol

[@angelrodriguez8714]

Be careful, iPhone its not water-proof. My 14 pro max died because of taking footage underwater.

[@user-vo9wi4mc2r]

So far the action camera is better but future eventually iPhone will kill them.

[@CO8848_2]

Well, I am going to buy the phone anyway. No need for the gopro.

[@mr.gewehr9862]

Gopro is better... any camera is better than Iphone 😂😂😂

[@exitostropicales101]

Nice video, but just like all the other youtubers out there, you fail to mention that GoPro camera photos are only 12 Megapixels versus Iphone 15's 48 Megapixels. That's an ocean of difference.

[@Gemini_Connect]

Fair point. I rarely use photo mode on the GoPro.