11 Killer GoPro Hero 12 Settings + FREE Cheat Sheet

The right settings on the GoPro Hero 12 can drastically improve your video and photo quality, taking it from a beginner to a professional look.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn about 11 killer GoPro Hero 12 settings that I personally use.

And to make things even better, we’re including a FREE cheat sheet to simplify the process.

11 Killer GoPro Hero 12 Settings

GoPro Hero 12 is and amazing camera with infinite possibilities.

To begin with, check out my GoPro Hero 12 settings overview:

Here are the 11 best GoPro Hero 12 settings you should know about to produce the perfect picture/video with your device:

Video Settings: 

Video Modes

Your GoPro Hero 12 offers a range of video recording options to cater to various shooting scenarios. Let’s explore the differences between them:

1. Standard Video: In this mode, your GoPro records footage using the standard video format. It’s a straightforward choice for capturing video without any special enhancements.
2. HDR Video mode steps up the game by recording in 5.3K and 4K resolutions while utilizing High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. This allows you to capture footage with true-to-life colors and remarkable precision. HDR is particularly effective in bringing out subtle details in scenes that might otherwise be lost in shadows or overexposed highlights. It shines brightest in well-lit environments.
3. Log Video: For those seeking even more detail and creative control, the Log video mode is the answer. When you choose Log encoding, all your recorded video will adhere to the GP-Log color profile. Keep in mind that footage captured in Log mode will require color correction during post-production, giving you the utmost flexibility and control over the dynamic range of your footage. Additionally, a Lookup Table (LUT) will be generated to assist you with precise color grading, ensuring your final video stands out with professional-grade quality.

Resolution

Understanding video resolution is crucial for capturing the best possible footage. Think of video resolution as the level of detail in each frame, determining how sharp and clear your videos will appear.

Here, we break down the various video resolution options available on your GoPro Hero 12:

• 5.3K: This setting offers ultra-high-resolution video, delivering breathtakingly detailed footage in the wide 16:9 aspect ratio. Plus, you can extract stunning 15.8MP still photos from your video.
• 5.3K 8:7: Another ultra-high-resolution choice, this mode provides the tallest and widest field of view ever seen on a HERO camera. It’s perfect for creating both widescreen (16:9) and vertical (9:16) shots without sacrificing image quality. Additionally, you can zoom in on your shots while maintaining sharpness and capture impressive 24.7MP still photos from your video.
• 4K: This is Ultra HD video with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for stable shots such as tripod or fixed-position footage. You can also extract 8MP still photos from this mode.
• 4K 8:7: Offering Ultra HD video in an extra-tall and wide 8:7 aspect ratio, this option is great for capturing immersive POV (point of view) footage. It enables you to change digital lenses, crop your shot, and adjust aspect ratios after recording, all while allowing you to extract 12.9MP still photos.
• 4K 9:16: This setting provides Ultra HD video with an extra-tall 9:16 aspect ratio, making it perfect for playback on your phone or posting on social media. You can also extract 8MP still photos.
• 2.7K: Offering high-resolution 16:9 video, this mode delivers stunning, cinema-quality results suitable for professional productions. It includes high-speed options of 240 fps and 120 fps, enabling you to create impressive super slow-motion effects during editing.
• 2.7K 4:3: Ideal for high-resolution point-of-view shots, especially when mounting the camera on your body or gear. It ensures fluid slo-mo playback.
• 1080p: This setting provides standard HDTV resolution, ideal when you want to maximize recording time or plan on playing back your video on older devices. It also includes high-speed options of 240 fps and 120 fps for creating captivating slow-motion sequences during editing.
• 1080p 9:16: Standard HDTV resolution in an extra-tall 9:16 aspect ratio, perfect for maximizing recording time, playing back on older devices, and generating smaller file sizes for easy sharing on social media.

To elevate your filming skills a nd imporve overall experience you should activate Protune mode. Read more: BEST GoPro Hero 12 Protune Settings [Cheat Sheet Download]

Frame Rate

FPS represents the number of individual frames captured in each second of your video. Higher FPS values, such as 60, 120, or 240, excel at capturing fast-action scenes and offer the flexibility for compelling slow-motion playback.

Slo-Mo + FPS Explained:

Ordinary video is typically recorded and played back at 30 FPS, giving you standard playback speed. However, when you shoot video at higher FPS values:

1. 60 FPS: You can play it back at 2x slow motion (1/2 speed).
2. 120 FPS: Playback can achieve 4x slow motion (1/4 speed).
3. 240 FPS: You can experience a remarkable 8x slow motion (1/8 speed).

Furthermore, videos captured at higher FPS not only enable slow-motion effects but also deliver smoother motion and greater detail when viewed in slow motion.

Read more: GoPro Hero 12 Slow Motion GUIDE (+ Best Settings)

Resolution + FPS Considerations:

It’s important to note that as video resolution increases, it captures more detail and clarity. However, higher resolutions are often available at lower FPS values. Conversely, lower video resolutions capture less detail and clarity but can be recorded at higher FPS values. Finding the right balance between resolution and FPS is key to achieving the desired look for your videos on the GoPro Hero 12.

Digital Lenses

HyperSmooth

HyperSmooth is a game-changing feature designed to elevate the quality of your videos by effectively mitigating the effects of camera shake. Here’s a breakdown of how HyperSmooth works and its three essential settings:

HyperSmooth operates by applying real-time corrections to your video, effectively compensating for camera shake. During recording, it accomplishes this by subtly cropping your video, allowing it to buffer the footage. This technology is a boon for capturing smooth and steady shots in a variety of scenarios, including biking, skating, skiing, handheld shots, and more.

Your GoPro Hero 12 offers three distinct HyperSmooth settings to cater to different shooting needs:

1. AutoBoost: This setting combines maximum video stabilization with the widest field of view possible. The degree of cropping varies based on the level of stabilization required for the specific shot.
2. On: High-level video stabilization with minimal cropping. It provides excellent stabilization while preserving a generous portion of your field of view.
3. Off: Records without video stabilization or cropping, offering the raw, unaltered footage.

Enhancing HyperSmooth: You can take your video stabilization a step further by using additional tools. Employing Touch Zoom to crop your shots before you start recording can provide your camera with an even larger buffer to work with during stabilization. Additionally, utilizing Horizon Lock further enhances the overall stabilization effect.

With HyperSmooth at your disposal, you’re equipped to capture buttery-smooth footage, ensuring your videos maintain a professional and visually pleasing quality, even in the most dynamic and challenging shooting scenarios.

Pro Tip: Use Max Lens Mod (sold separately) to max out your GoPro with the ultimate in unbreakable video stabilization up to 2.7K.

Photo Settings: 

SuperPhoto

The SuperPhoto feature on your GoPro Hero 12 takes your photography to the next level by intelligently applying the best image processing for every shot. It is your camera’s smart assistant, analyzing each scene to select the optimal image processing settings. SuperPhoto takes into account factors like lighting conditions, movement within your shot, and other variables to deliver stunning results.

Depending on the circumstances, SuperPhoto offers three distinctive options:

1. High Dynamic Range (HDR): This mode takes multiple photos and combines them into a single shot, ensuring that even scenes with challenging light conditions, where bright light meets deep shadows, are captured with remarkable detail and color accuracy.
2. Multi-Frame Noise Reduction: By automatically merging multiple shots into a single photo, this option reduces digital distortion (noise) for cleaner and crisper images.
3. Standard Photo: This setting incorporates Local Tone Mapping to enhance your photos by boosting details and contrast exactly where they are needed. It’s a versatile choice for various shooting scenarios.

Burst Rate

On the GoPro Hero 12 Black, you can capture fast-action scenes with ease by selecting from a range of high-speed Burst Rate settings, including Auto, 60 photos in 6 or 10 seconds, 30 photos in 1, 3, or 6 seconds, 10 photos in 1 or 3 seconds, 5 photos in 1 second, and 3 photos in 1 second. The camera’s intelligence adjusts the burst rate based on lighting conditions for optimal results.

Digital Lenses (Photos)

Digital lenses give you control over the composition of your shots, affecting the zoom level and fisheye effect. You can choose from the following lens options:

1. Wide (16–34mm): Offers a broad field of view that captures the maximum scene within the frame.
2. Linear (19–39mm): Provides a wide field of view without the fisheye effect seen in the Wide lens.

PRO TIP: For an even wider field of view, consider the Max Lens Mod (available separately), which offers an ultra-wide 155° digital lens, the widest ever on a HERO camera.

Find all the best accessories for your camera: BEST GoPro Hero 12 Accessories for Action, Travel, Underwater

RAW Format

Enabling RAW Format saves photos as both .jpg (for easy viewing and sharing) and .gpr files, based on the Adobe DNG format. These .gpr files can be edited in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC (2015.7 release or later), and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 (version 6.7 or later).

Be aware of the conditions and exceptions when using RAW Format, including disabling SuperPhoto, selecting the Wide digital lens, turning off zoom, and respecting certain time intervals for specific modes.

Time Lapse Settings: 

Time Lapse Modes

The GoPro Hero 12 camera’s time-lapse settings offer a wide array of options for capturing captivating sequences. Here’s a comprehensive overview of available resolutions, digital lenses, and aspect ratios for each time-lapse mode:

– TimeWarp:

• Video Resolutions (RES): 5.3K, 4K, 1080P
• Digital Lenses: Wide, Linear, Linear + Horizon Leveling
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 8:7

– Star Trails:

• Video Resolutions (RES): 5.3K, 4K
• Digital Lenses: Wide
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 8:7

– Light Painting:

• Video Resolutions (RES): 5.3K, 4K
• Digital Lenses: Wide
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 8:7

– Vehicle Light Trails:

• Video Resolutions (RES): 5.3K, 4K
• Digital Lenses: Wide
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 8:7

– Time Lapse Video:

• Video Resolutions (RES): 5.3K, 4K, 1080P
• Digital Lenses: Wide, Linear
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 8:7

– Night Lapse Video:

• Video Resolutions (RES): 5.3K, 4K, 1080P
• Digital Lenses: Wide, Linear
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 8:7

These versatile time-lapse settings empower you to capture stunning sequences of time passing, from epic TimeWarp videos to mesmerizing star trails and captivating light painting. Whether it’s dynamic action or serene landscapes, your GoPro Hero 12 is equipped to seize every moment in style.

Do you want to know more? Take a look at the article: GoPro Hero 12 Time Lapse & Time Warp GUIDE + Best Settings

Time Lapse / Night Lapse Interval

In the world of time-lapse photography, your GoPro Hero 12 provides you with precise control over how often it captures shots in Time Lapse video and Time Lapse photo modes. These intervals determine the frequency at which your camera records, allowing you to achieve stunning time-lapse sequences. Here’s what you need to know:

– Time Lapse Interval

This setting offers a range of intervals to cater to various shooting scenarios. You can opt for quick intervals, such as 0.5 seconds (the default), or choose from intervals of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 30 seconds for precise control. For more extended projects, intervals of 1, 2, 5, and 30 minutes, as well as 1 hour, are available.

Here are some examples:

• Use intervals ranging from 0.5 to 2 seconds for capturing high-speed activities like surfing or biking.
• Set a 2-second interval for bustling street corners.
• Extend the intervals to 5 to 10 seconds when capturing the gradual movement of clouds or extended outdoor scenes.
• For lengthier projects like art installations or other extended activities, intervals spanning from 10 seconds to 1 minute are ideal.
• If you’re documenting prolonged events like construction work or activities taking place over a substantial period, intervals of 1 minute to 1 hour are suitable.

– Night Lapse Interval

In Night Lapse mode, you have similar interval options, allowing you to determine how frequently your GoPro captures shots during the night. The Night Lapse intervals include Auto, which syncs with your Shutter setting (default), as well as specific durations like 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds, and 1, 2, 5, 30, and 60 minutes.

Here are some examples to let you understand this setting better:

• Auto mode is versatile, capturing shots as quickly as possible depending on your Shutter setting, making it suitable for various night exposures.
• Opt for 4 to 5-second intervals when photographing evening city scenes, street lighting, or scenes with subtle movement.
• In dim lighting conditions with slow scene changes, such as night clouds against a bright moon, intervals of 10 to 15 seconds are effective.
• When dealing with very low light or extremely slow scene changes, like capturing stars with minimal ambient or street light, intervals of 20 to 30 seconds are ideal.

Thanks for reading! 

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