GoPro Hero 12 Reaction Video - Hero 11 with New Software! 🤣 Are they really "NEW" features?

GoPro Hero 12 looks to be an amazing new camera, but is there anything really "new" about it? It appears to me that the hardware is exactly the same as the Hero 11 and it's simply running new software that unlocks some new features. Leave a comment below if I'm wrong about this and I will pin it near the top.
Are you planning to buy one? If not, why not? If you are, what are upgrading from? Is the DJI Osmo Action 4 a better POV camera at this point? See you all in the comments...

[@JoseGomez-zg3tm]

Thank you for making this clear for us first time buyers

[@RandumbTech]

For first time buyers, I would absolutely recommend the Hero 12 over the Hero 11 since it's the same price and it has better features. DJI is helping to keep prices reasonable since they have a great competitor in the Osmo Action 4 at the same price.

[@DrivingPhilippines]

So it's a $400 software update, and they throw in the camera for free.

[@MtnXfreeride]

And remove the GPS chip 😂

[@RandumbTech]

That's the PERFECT way to sum it up! 🤣

[@Bellaire_Isaac]

For someone who currently has the Hero 7 Black the upgrade to the 12 is much better then the 11. Obviously GoPro is not focused on getting Hero 11 users to upgrade. Lets not forget that its NOT a BAD camera. Sure its just last years model with new software, but its still good. If you don’t like it just don’t upgrade. For GoPro subscribers like me the 12 is cheaper then the 11 and so the obvious choice for someone getting a new gopro. You don’t have to upgrade.

[@RandumbTech]

Fair point - I should have been more specific that the Hero 12 is not a great UPGRADE to the Hero 11. If you are coming from the Hero 7, it will be an AMAZING upgrade! I do love GoPro's - they are just so convenient and easy for so many things, especially travel.

[@paulbeese2665]

totally agree with you great review

[@RandumbTech]

Thx - glad you enjoyed it!

[@RandumbTech]

Is the GoPro Hero 12 just a Hero 11 with new software? What does everyone think about it? Are you planning to purchase the new GoPro Hero 12?

[@DavidHarryUncut]

Oooh, Sparkles 🤣 Great video and great points👍 Let's see if anyone can prove that there is an electronic difference between the two. Until then, I'm with you , the 12 is the 11 with updated and optimised firmware and software. Cheers, Dave.

[@RandumbTech]

Thx for stopping by David! I am just now also coming to the sad realization that the GP11 is not going to get ANY of these new features despite having the hardware capable of handling them. For GP subscribers, the Hero 12 is only $299 which is tempting...

[@DavidHarry]

Yes, maybe the biggest problem for Hero 11 owners, regardless of if the 12 is the same hardware or not. Aside from potential bug fixes, I don’t see GoPro bringing anything meaningful to the 11 from here on in. As you said in your video, some of the “new” features on the 12 are basically adjustments or variations to certain things already available on the 11. Take this new GP LOG colour profile for instance. Any type of LOG format is simply a different gamma response that doesn’t correspond to traditional rec.709 gamma. In practice, any camera can do this as it’s essentially just a manufacturer’s preference for a logarithmic curve to the gamma that they feel is useful for post processing (usually grading), there’s nothing inherently special about it. This is something that the 11 could easily do but I don’t see GoPro adding it as new “picture profile”. So, in essence, the 11 is all but dead. This is the problem with these year on year “updates”/“upgrades”, especially to two consecutively released products that are essentially the same or very similar technically. If GoPro were on at least a two year cycle for their “new” camera releases, we would see some extra functionality being added mid-cycle. I’m not saying that these Heroes become paper weights exactly 12 months after release. However, you are basically stuck with whatever it is as soon as the next one is released. The one thing that really gets me is why none of the established, influential channels are making a point of discussing this. Cheers, Dave.

[@tonynancarrow5346]

The connection to a Bluetooth microphone is nice if you want to mount the camera on your car and record audio (e.g. commentary) inside the car. I expect the increase in battery life is mostly due to removing GPS from the camera. HDR video is a nice feature. The new features could be in a firmware update to the 11, but they would not make any money, as firmware updates have always been free. This is why they need new almost identical hardware to justify charging more money. I think I will stick with my Hero 11 and wait to see whether they introduce better low light performance with the Hero 13 next year.

[@RandumbTech]

I don't use an action cam in low light because the sensor is just too small. I just wish the new features were available on the Hero 11 - I'd even pay $$ for the upgrade! If you can leave the Hero 12 in your backpack for a week and turn it on with more than 50% charge, that will be a HUGE win.

[@MtnXfreeride]

Every sample I've seen of Bluetooth mics so far is horrid quality. Hope to see more on this soon.

[@MtnXfreeride]

Yeah the processor and battery are the same but maybe removing the GPS chip opened up space for better cooling.. notice how the 5.3k 60fps is based on thermal limiting not actual battery life. The non thermal limited are pretty much increased by the amount of battery gps uses lol.

[@RandumbTech]

I didn't realize they got rid of the GPS! That's something that I personally don't use, but I'd imagine others might miss it? If that's what is siphoning off all the battery, it would be great to be able to completely disable it from the Hero 11.

[@The11thPower]

I'm debating on 11 or 12, I have a 5 from years ago that I rarely use. The stabilization alone makes these 2 models pretty dope, especially for #BTS work

[@RandumbTech]

I would absolutely choose the Hero 12 if you don't already have the 11. The stabilization on the newer ones in absolutely incredible. I am a big fan of the Max Lens Mod because of the horizon lock with wider field of view. It's nice to see that on the Hero 12, you can now record in 4k with the new Max Lens Mod 2.0. I've ordered one to test out - excited to see how it compares to the 11!

[@mudhaffaralyousuf8487]

@@RandumbTech what about the dji action 4 - is it better choice or the 12 still better

[@RandumbTech]

The Osmo Action 4 is definitely better in low light, but for everything else, I think the GoPro is as good, if not better. I have not personally used the Action 4 so I can't say definitively, but they are both great cameras so you can't lose with either one.

[@The11thPower]

makes sense, to me these cameras are fun cameras. I have an old go pro 5 and a Sony RXO II - definitely going to pick up a 12 and experiment with it. unless Best Buy has a great open box sale on the other one@@RandumbTech

[@Cake...]

Gopro 11.01

[@RandumbTech]

🤣 That's what it SHOULD have been called!

[@peekapeekabooboo]

What are you thoughts when compare to Dji action 4? Do you think action 4 large sensor and mount worth the sacrifice of lower hdr photo quality that 12 is boostin about

[@whitecrowuk575]

To my eyes 11 already looks better in normal light conditions - DJI doesn’t handle dynamic range correctly and overblows highlights. Bigger sensor only shines in low light - but personally I never use it in low light. My Phone still better than both. GoPro 12 with HDR should be even better in dynamic range.

[@RandumbTech]

The OA4 is a very capable camera. However, I don't own any DJI products, nor to do I plan to purchase any, for separate, non-technical reasons. Looking at the footage between the two, I still think the Hero 11/12 hold up just fine.

[@jaimecosta2966]

Interested in know ing your openium regarding osmo action 4

[@RandumbTech]

I haven't used the Osmo Action 4 myself, but it appears to be a fantastic update to the OA3. I'm pretty heavily invested in GoPro, and the OA4 doesn't do much more than my Hero 11 so I likely will not be buying that either.

[@mudhaffaralyousuf8487]

So, I’m about to buy my first action camera- I’m trying to choose between GoPro 12 and dji action 4! What do you think is better ?

[@RandumbTech]

They are both very similar - it really comes down to personal preference. If you often shoot in low light situations, the Osmo Action 4 may be the better choose. But for just about everything else, I think the Hero 12 is the better option. Either one is going to get you great results - you will love having an action cam!

[@whitecrowuk575]

Welcome to Apple. Yeah it’s not new idea to release software updates locked to new hardware release. But it is what it is. One thing I’m curious about is new HDR mode - how much difference to 11. GoPro already was much better than OSMO 4 in dynamic range and this could be another jump in quality.

[@RandumbTech]

This is quite a bit different from Apple. Even though Apple introduces new features to their phones every year, they continue to support the older ones with iOS updates which give them the same capabilities if the hardware can support it. That's what I would LOVE to see out of GoPro, but it ain't gonna happen. The HDR mode is going to be interesting for sure. The HDR footage in the video looks insanely good.

[@whitecrowuk575]

@@RandumbTechSure iPhones offer some hardware changes on paper but often that doesn’t translate into much. The heavy lifting of each release is the software - whether it’s image stacking for dynamic range or dynamic island. Gopro follows that - why give people this for free if you can restrict it to new camera only.

[@snokefilmmedia]

The GoPro Labs features that were enabled for the GoPro 11 made it evident that this sensor (and processor) was a long-term investment for GoPro. GoPro is simply adopting business tactics well known from the big camera companies, and intentionally gimping their models to reserve space for upcoming models which will simply unlock/add new features and video modes in software. I do appreciate that they cut the price though. What I am curious about is the following: - What are the actual available video modes for the new lens mod? IDGAF about 16:9 4k60 8bit. Can it do 8:7 5.3k 30fps 10bit with Labs features like BITR, LOGB, NR01 and WIDE? - Will there still be a 1-inch GoPro? Like a GoPro 12S or something, with less consumer-oriented features (like photography, timelapse, etc.) and more hardcore video features. That would be very interesting. My prediction for GP13: Possibly upgraded processing unit, possibly new battery, but definitely same sensor. GoPro has shown their hand :) Edit: I also predict that DJI has adopted this tactic, starting with the Osmo Action 4. The OA5 will be a OA4 but with different software and possibly some minor hardware upgrades.

[@RandumbTech]

I fear you are right. They purposely throttle them back at initial launch so they can crank them up later on. There are so many great features on the Hero 12 - I just wish we could update the firmware on the Hero 11, but I don't think that will ever happen. Thx for the thoughtful comment!

[@PizzlesTechTime]

I don't understand how they are taking HDR video which already exists and trying to take multiple exposures to make their HDR. I would have to get the camera in my hands to test it but I'm suspicious

[@RandumbTech]

Not sure how it's going to work either. But I think HDR does appeal to certain types of content (YT shorts / IG). Looking forward to seeing what people can create with the new camera.

[@markifi]

could be better binning on the processing unit. you don't get improved efficiency out of nothing. if the claim is true of course. i don't have a problem with this

[@RandumbTech]

It's possible - I doubt we'll ever know. Once actual users get their hands on the Hero 12 I am sure there will be plenty of side by side comparisons to see if their claims are indeed correct. I may order one to test it for myself. If it really does get that much more battery life, that would be incredible!

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Mark. Apparently, they’ve ditched the GPS functionality, probably just disabled it. The power saving with this and then some more optimisation with the processor etc. via firmware and other power efficiency routines, would definitely reduce power draw, extending the battery life and therefore extending record time. Don’t forget, if there were options to switch off certain functions on the 11, the same thing would happen. Cheers, Dave.

[@markifi]

that isn't it@@DavidHarry gps is in the 50 milliwatt range now, and that is when always on, which it isn't. the reason it has the reputation of consuming a lot is in smartphones it keeps the system on a chip from idling at low clockspeeds. a camera is completely different in this regard as it needs constant rendering which keeps the processing unit busy anyway. gps simply doesn't explain the difference, it's a miniscule amount

[@DavidHarry]

@@markifi Alright, Mark. I appreciate that the GPS will be a small amount, however, if it were that small and minuscule there'd be no reason to disable it. The main savings will come from what I've already said, optimisation and power management. Over the years I've seen this loads. You can have programmable DSPs etc that may be used for encoding. With firmware updates over time for these things can have their codecs, encode routines optimised and changed for different use. Even NICs on a PC motherboard cam be re-programed via firmware or even changed with drivers to accept different, new protocols. Of course, there's no unlimited or open-ended changes that can alter the fundamental use of any programmable/updatable hardware. However, in modern computing hardware a lot of what is used is very flexible. Indeed, certain multi-functional components (various processors, GPUs etc.) can and do have significant additions over their lifetime, some of which are for power management. The bottom line, though, is that the 12 is essentially an 11. Yes, the GPS may not be there anymore but I doubt that will have even been a re-fabrication of the Heroes main board to remove anything, it's likely part of a SoC type system and may have just been simply switched off in the GP OS. Given that the hero 11 and 12 have the exact same processor and sensor, there really isn't that much else, if anything, to change. So yes, the alteration or removal of one small part would not account for the power optimisation alone. This type of optimisation is likely the result of many system wide changes and power management changes. So, again, given that at least the heavy components are the same and in both 11 and 12. This is something that could have been done with the 11. Hopefully we see a teardown at some point which will answer all these questions. GoPro most certainly wont 🤣 Cheers, Dave.

[@bryanthefishermanbaker4961]

If this guy thinks he knows it all why don’t he go work at GoPro he thinks he knows it all

[@RandumbTech]

Appreciate the vote of confidence - but I DEFINITELY don't know it all, despite what my mother thinks 🤣

[@stevensonrf]

Did not appreciate the young girl blaspheming and taking the name of Jesus Christ in vain. you get a thumbs down for that!🤨