Ready to dive into the world of GoPros but unsure which model to pick? You’re in the perfect place! Here, we’re all about finding the best GoPro camera for beginners.
In this article, you’ll learn about various GoPro models, including the latest releases, and I’ll recommend the ones that are ideal for beginners and explain why.
BEST GoPro for Beginners
If you’re just getting into the world of action cameras, here are the top choices for you:
GoPro Hero 12 Black | Amazing Quality For Professional-looking Videos
The HERO 12 Black offers top-notch HDR video and photo capabilities, recording in impressive 5.3K resolution and taking 27MP photos.
The camera’s HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization technology has been recognized with a 2021 Emmy Award, making it a leader in producing ultra-smooth footage. The HERO 12 Black takes this feature up a notch, optimizing stabilization through its HyperSmooth AutoBoost function without significant image cropping. This ensures that whether you are biking or capturing family moments, your videos will be impressively stable.
Designed for the outdoors, the camera is durable and waterproof up to 33 feet. The package comes complete with a rechargeable Enduro battery, mounts, and a USB-C cable, making it adventure-ready right away.
GoPro Hero 11 Black | Amazing Quality For Professional-looking Videos
The GoPro Hero 11 Black features an Easy Mode interface upgrade, designed to simplify camera usage for beginners. With Easy Mode activated, users can select their capture preference, set the field of view, choose slow motion or not, and start recording with ease.
The GoPro Hero 11 Black has an upgraded 1/1.9-inch image sensor with a native 8:7 aspect ratio, resulting in 27 MP still images and 10-bit color. The camera shoots 5.3K at 60FPS, 4K at 120FPS, and 2.7K at 240FPS, with SuperView available up to 5K60/4K120 and TimeWarp 3.0. The GoPro Hero 11 Black boasts HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization technology with an in-camera 360-degree Horizon Lock, ensuring steady footage even during full 360-degree camera rotations.
There are three new Night Effect Time Lapse presets, that let you capture pro-quality Star Trails, Light Painting, and Vehicle Light Trails easily. Click here to get to know how to set them.
The GoPro Hero 11 Black’s Enduro Battery has the same 1720mAh capacity as the standard battery but significantly enhances camera performance in cold and moderate temperatures. GoPro claims that it extends recording times by up to 38% when compared to the standard battery.
GoPro Hero 11 Mini | Compact & Versatil
The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini has a smaller, lighter, and simpler design, making it more comfortable to wear when capturing point-of-view footage.
It also features a tough outer shell for durability and boasts the same larger image sensor as the Hero 11 Black. SuperView is available up to 5K60/4K120, and the new hyper-immersive HyperView lens captures the widest angle 16:9 shot ever produced in a GoPro Hero camera. HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization technology with an in-camera 360-degree Horizon Lock is featured in the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini, which ensures steady footage even if the camera rotates a full 360 degrees during capture. Overall, the Hero 11 Black Mini offers the best stabilization of any GoPro Hero camera.
The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini comes with GoPro’s new Enduro battery, which provides a big boost in cold temperatures and increases recording times by up to 38% in moderate temperatures. Unlike the Hero 11 Black, the Mini features a non-removable 1500mAh battery. However, the Mini compensates for its lower capacity by not having a display, resulting in similar battery life to the standard Hero 11 Black. The Hero 11 Black Mini is priced lower than the standard model, with a cost of $299.98 with a 1-year GoPro subscription or $399.99 without the subscription.
GoPro Hero 10 Black | For Top-Notch Performance & Vlogging
When selecting a high-quality action camera, resolution and frame rate are crucial factors to consider. The GoPro Hero 10 can shoot video in 5.3K resolution at up to 60 fps, 4K resolution at up to 120fps, and 1080p resolution at up to 240fps, allowing it to capture footage with stunning detail and clarity, particularly on larger screens.
The Hero 10 can capture 23MP photos, and features improved HDR processing for more vibrant and detailed photos. HyperSmooth 4.0 further enhances the camera’s stabilization capabilities, providing even more stable footage in challenging conditions such as low light or high-speed action. While the Hero 10 can continuously record 5.3K video at 60fps for up to 1 hour and 20 minutes. GoPro Hero 10 features a 1720mAh battery but actual battery life may vary depending on settings, temperature, and usage.
GoPro Hero 9 Black | For Top-Notch Performance & Vlogging
The GoPro Hero 10 Black comes packed with exciting new and improved features. It features a ‘selfie’ screen, offers amazingly sharp 5.3K videos and 23 MP stills. The camera features the all-new GP-2 processor for noticeably quicker overall performance. The Hero 10 Black has been built keeping in mind the vlogging aspect. It has a Media Mod (sold separately), which adds a directional microphone ideal for vlogging. You also get other useful vlogging accessories compatible with this camera like Light Mod.
Do you wonder whether or not GoPros are good for vlogging. Click the link provided to know our opinion.
- 5K Video
- 20MP Photo
- Front Display plus Rear Touch Screen
The Hero 10 Black combines its touchscreen with a full-color front screen, which also acts as a selfie screen. The color screen is especially helpful for vloggers, as they can frame up their shots even without access to the rear screen. With a 23MP sensor, the GoPro Hero 10 offers a 5.3K video recording capability and therefore delivers noticeably crisp shots with great detailing. GoPro has also bumped up the battery capacity to 1720mAh on the Hero 9 Black. What’s more, you can connect the camera to a smart device with the GoPro App. It also supports Livestream at 1080p resolution.
With the latest GoPro Hero 10 Black, GoPro has taken image stabilization even further up a notch by launching HyperSmooth 4.0. It’s like a whole new chapter in the game of image stabilization, and we’re yet to see better performance in any action camera!
GoPro Hero 8 Black | Best Value for Money
GoPro Hero 8 Black is the first GoPro camera with the mounting system right on the case. So, you no more have to worry about carrying the additional frame to mount your cam on. This camera also offers various upgraded features, including TimeWarp 2.0, Night-lapse, and many more. Therefore, if you are someone who loves photography and craves the latest features, then Hero 8 is a wonderful action camera.
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization: On, High and Boost....
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at...
- Expandable Mods: Vloggers, pro filmmakers and aspiring creators can do more than ever...
GoPro Hero 8 Black is waterproof up to 10m without additional housing. The new design is slightly thinner, wider, and taller than the Hero 7 which definitely makes it lighter and pocketable. The exterior frame is made of metal and rubber around the edges and faceplate. In Hero 8, the video stabilization has been upgraded and is more effective. Also, the voice quality for your various endeavors has been improved with a front-facing microphone.
GoPro Hero 7 Silver | Best for Starting out at a Lower Budget
The GoPro Hero 7 Silver is not only stylish in looks but also allows you to capture some stunning footage! It is highly durable & waterproof (down to 33.0′ / 10.0 m). The action camera offers a pretty decent maximum video resolution of 4K/30FPS with stabilization and can take 10MP photos with a wide dynamic range.
- E-COMMERCE PACKAGING: GoPro HERO7 Silver Camera - This product is in manufacturer...
- 4K30 VIDEO: Get stunning 4K video that's as amazing as the moment itself. You can...
- RUGGED & WATERPROOF: Share experiences you can't capture with your phone. HERO7...
The GoPro Hero 7 Silver has a 1220 mAh built-in battery. However, this essentially means that you can’t replace the battery on your own, which is a bit of a letdown. You also get great connectivity options with WiFi and Bluetooth. With GoPro Voice Control activated, you can also give voice commands to your Hero 7 Silver and operate your camera hands-free.
Hero 7 Silver lacks HyperSmooth stabilization and live-streaming. Also, instead of high dynamic range (HDR) images, it only captures wide dynamic range (WDR) images. However, although these are some notable drawbacks, you can do without them. More so, if you’re just getting started with GoPro.
Which One is The Best GoPro for Beginners?
Now, you have all the options that you should keep in mind if you’re planning to buy a GoPro action camera as a beginner.
For those who want more advanced features as a beginner, but at the same time don’t want to spend a fortune, the GoPro Hero 8 Black is a great choice. It has almost all the latest features that you expect from an action camera, and it’s highly vlogging friendly too.
Now, coming to the GoPro Hero 12 Black, it’s undoubtedly the best GoPro camera so far. Therefore, if budget is not an issue and you want everything top-notch on your first GoPro, this one is THE BEST!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide answered your question: What is the BEST GoPro for Beginners 🙂
Sharing is Caring ❤️
If you found this article useful, please share it on social media with your family and friends!
Related Articles:
- GoPro Hero 7 Silver vs Black: What’s the Difference?
- GoPro Hero 6 vs Hero 7: Detailed Comparison & Review
- Starter Guide: GoPro Hero 7 Instructions (Settings, Tips, more!)
- 7 Must-Have GoPro Hero 7 Accessories
- Which GoPro Do I Have? Here’s How to Identify your GoPro
- GoPro Hero 7 White vs Black: 7 Key Differences Explained
English 
Italiano 
Deutsch 
Español 
Português 
Nederlands 
Français