The GoPro Hero 12 HyperSmooth 6.0 represents the latest innovation from GoPro, having earned an Emmy award for its in-camera sensor and software stabilization.
It has been tested in various scenarios, including biking and skiing, to gather insights on its optimal use.
Today, you’ll learn how to activate HyperSmooth and discover the best settings for stabilized videos.
QUICK TAKE
- Use HyperSmooth in low-light by selecting 4K resolution and 30 FPS for a balance of detail and light capture
- Enable HyperSmooth stabilization from the camera settings and consider Boost mode for extra stability
- For optimal HyperSmooth performance, use recommended shutter speeds: 1/120 for helmet mounts or Linear lens, 1/240 for chest mounts or SuperView lens.
What is Hypersmooth
HyperSmooth is a powerful electronic image stabilization feature that reduces camera shake and makes your footage look smooth and professional.
How To Activate Hypersmooth
To activate Hypersmooth on your GoPro Hero 12 follow the steps below:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen
- Tap on Stabilization
- Select On
- For extra stabilization, choose AutoBoost mode (note: this will crop your footage slightly)
HyperSmooth Modes
- AutoBoost: Dynamic/Automatic stabilization based on the camera’s movement
- On: Stabilized video with minimal cropping
- Off: Records without video stabilization or cropping
HyperSmooth Options Based on Aspect Ratio
- 16:9: Options – AutoBoost, On, Off.
- 9:16: Options – On, Off.
- 4:3: Options – AutoBoost, On, Off.
- 8:7: Options – On, Off.
When To Use Hypersmooth
Here are some situations when you want to use HyperSmooth:
- Action Sports: Whether you’re mountain biking, skiing, or skateboarding, HyperSmooth helps capture stable footage even in the most extreme conditions.
- Vlogging: If you’re moving around while talking to the camera, HyperSmooth can help keep the footage steady and professional-looking.
- Travel Videos: Capturing scenic views while on the move, such as from a moving vehicle or while walking, can benefit from the stabilization offered by HyperSmooth.
- Underwater Footage: While swimming or diving, the water’s movement can cause shaky footage. HyperSmooth can help stabilize these shots.
- Aerial Shots: If you’re using your GoPro on a drone, HyperSmooth can help counteract the effects of wind and sudden drone movements.
- Running or Hiking: Activities that involve a lot of up and down movements can result in shaky videos. HyperSmooth can help smooth out these movements.
- Any Situation with Potential for Camera Shake: Even simple tasks like filming while walking can introduce camera shake. HyperSmooth is designed to mitigate this.
Here comes my short video where I explain practical situations where you should’t use Hypersmooth:
Tips for The Best Stabilization
To maximize the benefits of HyperSmooth, consider the following tips:
Zoom in
For exceptionally shaky activities, zoom in a bit. While you’ll slightly reduce your field of view (FOV), this offers a greater margin for stabilization. A minor zoom of about 10-15% can significantly enhance stabilization, and the decrease in FOV is hardly noticeable.
Use Linear Mode
Using Linear Mode offers more stabilization. Compared to Wide FOV, Linear Mode inherently has a broader stabilization margin. As a bonus, it keeps your lines straight.
Tips For Hypersmooth in Low-Light
HyperSmooth can be tricky to use in low-light conditions, as it requires a certain shutter speed to work properly.
Here are some tips to help you master HyperSmooth in low-light situations:
Choose the right video mode
The Hero 12 offers three video modes: Standard, HDR, and Log. Standard mode is the simplest option, but it may not capture the best colors and details in low light. HDR mode enhances the dynamic range of your footage, but it only works in 5.3K and 4K resolutions.
Log mode gives you the most flexibility and control over your footage, but it requires color correction in post-production. Depending on your preference and editing skills, you can choose the mode that suits you best.
Adjust the resolution and framerate
The higher the resolution, the more detail you can capture, but also the more light you need. The lower the framerate, the more light you can capture, but also the more motion blur you may get.
A good balance is to use 4K resolution and 30 FPS, as this will give you enough detail and light without compromising too much on smoothness. You can also use 5.3K resolution if you want to crop or zoom in your footage later.
Select the lens (field of view)
The Hero 12 offers four lens options: Narrow, Linear, Wide, and SuperView. The wider the lens, the more distortion and fisheye effect you may get, but also the more stabilization you may get. SuperView is the widest lens option, and it provides the tallest and widest field of view ever seen on a HERO camera.
It is ideal for chest mounts or capturing immersive scenes. Wide is slightly less wide than SuperView, but still provides a good amount of stabilization. Linear is a more natural-looking lens option, with minimal distortion and fisheye effect. It is ideal for helmet mounts or capturing realistic scenes.
Narrow is the narrowest lens option, with no distortion or fisheye effect at all. It is ideal for close-ups or capturing specific subjects.
Adjust White Balance
This setting determines how warm or cool your video will be. You can choose from various presets or set a custom value in Kelvin degrees. For low-light situations, you may want to use a preset that matches your light source (such as Tungsten or Fluorescent) or a custom value that makes your video look natural (such as 4000K or 3500K).
Set Up Your Shutter Speed
This setting determines how long each frame of your video is exposed to light. The longer the shutter speed, the more light you can capture, but also the more motion blur you may get. The shorter the shutter speed, the less light you can capture, but also the less motion blur you may get.
For low-light situations, you need to use a specific shutter speed that allows HyperSmooth to work properly. The recommended shutter speeds are:
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- 1/120 for helmet mounts or Linear lens
- 1/240 for chest mounts or SuperView lens
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Should You Use Hypersmooth?
HyperSmooth is a game-changer when it comes to stabilizing your videos, especially during those dynamic activities. Whether you’re mountain biking on a rugged trail like I did, skiing down a snowy slope, or simply walking through a bustling city, HyperSmooth ensures your footage remains silky smooth, eliminating those jarring shakes.
I recommend to use it anytime you anticipate movement or want to capture steadier, professional-looking videos. Trust me, your viewers will thank you for the cinematic feel!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn all about GoPro Hero 12 Stabilization 🙂
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