If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably captured some epic moments with your trusty GoPro Hero 10. From heart-pounding mountain descents to heartwarming family get-togethers, this little action camera has been our loyal companion on countless journeys. But now, there’s a new kid on the block – the GoPro Hero 12 – and it’s raising some serious questions: Is it time to bid farewell to our beloved Hero 10 and upgrade to the latest and greatest?
In this blog post, we’re diving headfirst into the exhilarating world of action cameras to help you decide if the GoPro Hero 12 is truly worth the upgrade. We’ll be comparing these two titans of action-capturing tech in all their glory, from image quality and features to durability and usability.
So, buckle up and get ready for a ride through the world of GoPro as we weigh the pros and cons, and ultimately answer that burning question: Is it time to level up your adventure game? Let’s find out!
GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10: Quick Specs Comparison
First and foremost, let’s compare the specs of the GoPro Hero 12 vs the GoPro Hero 10. Have a look at the following specs comparison table:
| Feature | GoPro Hero 12 | GoPro Hero 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | GP2 | GP2 |
| Sensor size | 27MP (8:7 aspect ratio) | 23.6MP |
| Still images | 27MP | 23MP |
| Max video resolution | 5.3K/60fps or 4K/120fps | 5.3K/60fps or 4K/120fps |
| Video bit-rate | 10-bit or 8-bit | 8-bit |
| Video slo-mo | 4K/120p or 2.7K/240p | 4K/120p or 2.7K/240p |
| Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | HyperSmooth 4.0 |
| Horizon leveling | Up to 45° in all modes | Up to 27° in all modes |
| Field of view (with Max Lens Mod) | Up to 177° in 4K/60p | Up to 155° in 2.7K/60p |
| Low-light performance | Improved | Standard |
| Photos (screengrabs from video) | Up to 24.7MP in 8:7 aspect ratio | Up to 19.6MP in 16:9 aspect ratio |
| HDR photo + video | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth audio support | Yes (for AirPods and other devices) | No |
| Timecode sync | Yes (to wirelessly synchronize multiple HERO12s) | No |
| Water resistance | Up to 33ft (10m) without housing | Up to 33ft (10m) without housing |
| Cloud connected | Yes (automatically upload footage to the cloud when charging) | Yes (automatically upload footage to the cloud when charging) |
| Battery life | Up to 1.5 hours at 5.3K/30p or over 2.5 hours at 1080p/30p | Up to 1 hour at 5.3K/30p or over 2 hours at 1080p/30p |
GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10: Quick Review of Both
In the dynamic world of action cameras, the GoPro Hero 12 and its predecessor, the GoPro Hero 10, stand out. Here’s a brief look at what sets them apart:
GoPro Hero 12
The GoPro Hero 12 redefines the limits of action camera technology, setting an unprecedented standard for image and video quality. With a larger sensor, higher resolution, and 10-bit video recording, it delivers visuals that are nothing short of extraordinary. The addition of HDR support brings vibrant colors and breathtaking contrast to your shots, regardless of the lighting conditions.
- High Dynamic Range Video + Photo: HERO12 Black takes its best-in-class image quality...
- Unbelieveable Image Quality: With 5.3K video that gives you 91% more resolution than...
- Emmy Award- Winning HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilization: HyperSmooth continues to set the...
Moreover, advanced stabilization (HyperSmooth 6.0) and horizon leveling ensure your footage remains remarkably steady, even in the most intense action sequences. With Bluetooth audio support for seamless audio integration and timecode sync for effortless multi-camera coordination, the Hero 12 is a versatile powerhouse designed to elevate your adventure-capturing game to new heights.
Find the best SD cards for Hero 12 and tips on how to choose them:
GoPro Hero 10
The GoPro Hero 10 shines with its ability to record in 5.3K at 60 fps or 4K at 120 fps, delivering superb video quality. It’s equipped with the same processor, water resistance, cloud connectivity, and enduring battery life found in the Hero 12.
- Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine...
- High-Res Photos plus Videos, High Frame Rate: Step up to the sharpest-shooting GoPro...
- Unbelievable Image Quality: Shoot with fine detail, realistic textures and stunning...
With HyperSmooth 4.0, you can rely on its steady stabilization. While it may not include certain Hero 12 features like 10-bit recording and timecode sync, the Hero 10 remains an excellent option for capturing adventures across diverse conditions.
Find the best SD cards for Hero 10 and tips on how to choose them:
GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10: Detailed Comparison
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll closely examine the GoPro Hero 12 and the GoPro Hero 10, delving into their features and performance.
Processor
Both cameras are powered by the same GP2 processor, enabling them to record videos at 5.3K/60 fps or 4K/120 fps. The GP2 processor ensures faster processing, improved image quality, and enhanced intelligence.
However, the Hero 12 optimizes the GP2 more effectively, supporting 10-bit video recording, HDR for both photos and videos, Bluetooth audio compatibility, and timecode synchronization—features notably absent on the Hero 10 despite sharing the same processor.
Sensor Size
The Hero 12 boasts a larger sensor, capturing more detail and light in every shot. With its 27MP sensor and 8:7 aspect ratio, it outshines the Hero 10’s 23.6MP sensor with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The Hero 12’s larger sensor also allows for a broader field of view (FOV), particularly when paired with the Max Lens Mod accessory.
Still Images
Both cameras offer various still image modes and formats, including JPEG, RAW, HDR, SuperPhoto, Burst, Time Lapse, and Night Lapse. However, the Hero 12 excels with higher resolution still images, up to 27MP compared to the Hero 10’s 23MP. Additionally, it supports HDR for photos, resulting in enhanced color and contrast.
The Hero 12 can even extract photos from video screengrabs, producing images of up to 24.7MP in an 8:7 aspect ratio, while the Hero 10’s screengrabs are limited to 19.6MP in a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Video Bit-Rate
The Hero 12 offers a higher video bit-rate compared to the Hero 10, enabling it to capture more data and higher-quality frames. Supporting 10-bit video recording, the Hero 12 delivers greater color depth and dynamic range than the Hero 10’s 8-bit video. This results in more lifelike and vibrant videos, especially in high-contrast settings. The Hero 12 also includes HDR video support, further enhancing video color and contrast.
HyperSmooth Stabilization
Both the Hero 12 and Hero 10 offer HyperSmooth stabilization, but with some distinctions. The Hero 12 features HyperSmooth 6.0, which takes stabilization to the next level, ensuring ultra-smooth footage, even in the most demanding scenarios
Meanwhile, the Hero 10 offers reliable HyperSmooth 4.0, delivering impressive stabilization but not quite matching the Hero 12’s prowess.
Horizon Leveling
Both cameras incorporate built-in horizon leveling to ensure level and straight videos, even when the camera is tilted or rotated. The Hero 12 boasts superior horizon leveling capabilities, with the ability to level up to 45° in all modes, compared to the Hero 10’s 27°. Moreover, the Hero 12 supports horizon leveling with the Max Lens Mod accessory, enabling up to 360° leveling in select modes—a feature absent on the Hero 10.
Max Lens Mod 2.0
- The must-have upgrade for HERO12 Black that transforms it into the ultimate POV...
- Ultra wide-angle digital lens options up to a 177° field of view at stunning 4K60...
- Max HyperSmooth delivers unbreakable video stabilization in all video modes
The Max Lens Mod 2.0 emerges as a fundamental enhancement for the HERO 12 Black, amplifying the camera’s potentials and morphing it into a superior POV capturing instrument, perfectly suited for recording every detail of each adventure.
This modification provides exceptionally broad-angle digital lens options, spanning up to a 177° field of view while maintaining an impressive 4K60 resolution—introducing the widest visual captures attainable in the HERO camera line.
Field of View (with Max Lens Mod)
While both cameras offer various field of view (FOV) options, the Hero 12 excels, particularly when paired with the Max Lens Mod accessory. This optional attachment provides a wider and more immersive FOV, along with enhanced stabilization and horizon leveling. With the Max Lens Mod, the Hero 12 can achieve up to 177° FOV in 4K/60p mode, surpassing the Hero 10’s 155° FOV in 2.7K/60p mode.
Battery Life
Let’s talk about something crucial when you’re out there capturing those unforgettable moments – battery life! It’s a factor that can make or break your recording adventures with the GoPro Hero 12 and GoPro Hero 10. Both these cameras are powered by the same trusty 1720mAh lithium-ion battery from GoPro, ensuring you’ve got the juice you need. However, how long that juice lasts depends on what you’re up to. We’re talking video mode, resolution, frame rate, and other settings that you choose.
So, let’s break it down. According to GoPro’s official estimates, here’s what you can expect:
- 5.3K / 60fps: Hero 12 – 61 minutes, Hero 10 – 47 minutes
- 4K / 120fps: Hero 12 – 54 minutes, Hero 10 – 36 minutes
- 1080p / 240fps: Hero 12 – 64 minutes, Hero 10 – 50 minutes
Here’s the scoop: In most modes, the Hero 12 outshines the Hero 10 with its longer-lasting battery. Especially when you’re cranking up the resolution or frame rate, the Hero 12 proves its stamina. But hey, don’t count out the Hero 10 just yet; it still holds its own with a respectable battery life of over an hour in most scenarios.
So, whether you’re team Hero 12 or team Hero 10, rest assured that both cameras have the endurance to keep up with your adventures. The difference in battery life might not be a game-changer for everyone, depending on your shooting habits and preferences.
More on battery life of GoPro Hero 10>>>
Low-Light Performance
The Hero 12 excels in low-light conditions, thanks to its larger sensor size, higher resolution, and HDR support. These features allow it to capture more light, reduce noise, and enhance details in dark scenes.
The Hero 12 even offers a Night Lapse mode, creating stunning time-lapse videos in low-light conditions. On the other hand, the Hero 10 Black also offers quite superior low-light performance. But, if you compare the two, the Hero 12 Black stands out.
Bluetooth Audio Support
A notable feature of the Hero 12 is Bluetooth audio support, enabling connectivity with devices like AirPods for audio recording. This functionality is particularly valuable for vlogging, podcasting, or narrating videos. In contrast, the Hero 10 lacks Bluetooth audio support, restricting audio input to its built-in microphones or external microphones connected via an adapter.
In this detailed comparison, the Hero 12 emerges as the camera of choice for those seeking top-tier performance and features, while the Hero 10 remains a strong contender for versatile adventure capture. Your decision ultimately depends on your priorities and the adventures you plan to document.
GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10: Which One Should You Buy?
After comparing the GoPro Hero 12 and the GoPro Hero 10 in detail, you may be wondering which one should you buy. The answer depends on your needs, preferences, and budget.
Here are some factors to consider before making your decision:
- Price: The GoPro Hero 12 is more expensive than the GoPro Hero 10, as it has more features and performance. However, you may be able to find some discounts or deals on both cameras, especially during holidays or special events.
- Features: The GoPro Hero 12 has more features than the GoPro Hero 10, such as 10-bit video recording, HDR photo and video, Bluetooth audio support, and timecode sync. These features can enhance the quality and versatility of your videos and photos, as well as make your workflow easier and faster. However, you may not need or use all of these features, depending on your style and purpose of shooting.
- Performance: The GoPro Hero 12 has better performance than the GoPro Hero 10, such as larger sensor size, higher resolution, improved stabilization and horizon leveling, wider FOV, and improved low-light performance. These factors can improve the image quality and smoothness of your videos and photos, as well as create more immersive and cinematic shots. However, you may not notice or appreciate the difference in performance, depending on your device and software for viewing and editing your videos and photos.
- Accessories: The GoPro Hero 12 is compatible with more accessories than the GoPro Hero 10, such as the Max Lens Mod, which can provide a wider and more immersive FOV, as well as enhanced stabilization and horizon leveling. The Max Lens Mod costs $99.99, which is an additional expense on top of the camera price. However, you may not need or want to use the Max Lens Mod, depending on your preference and situation of shooting.
- The must-have upgrade for HERO12 Black that transforms it into the ultimate POV...
- Ultra wide-angle digital lens options up to a 177° field of view at stunning 4K60...
- Max HyperSmooth delivers unbreakable video stabilization in all video modes
Verdict
All in all, the GoPro Hero 12 is a better camera than the GoPro Hero 10 in terms of features and performance, but it is also more expensive and requires more accessories. The GoPro Hero 10 is a good camera that can record high-resolution videos and photos in various environments and situations, but it lacks some of the features and performance that the GoPro Hero 12 has.
Therefore, you should buy the GoPro Hero 12 if you want to capture the best quality videos and photos in any situation, and you don’t mind spending more money and using more accessories. You should buy the GoPro Hero 10 if you want to capture high-resolution videos and photos in various environments and situations, and you want to save some money and use fewer accessories.
Cannot make up your mind?
Find more GoPro battles:
- GoPro Hero 12 vs 11 vs 10: How Do They Compare?
- GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 11: Worth the Upgrade?
- GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 9: Worth the Upgrade?
- GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 8: Worth the Upgrade?
Thanks for reading! 🙏
I hope this guide helped you learn about which GoPro is better for you – GoPro Hero 12 or GoPro Hero 10. 🙂
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