GoPro has announced two versions of its new HERO11 Black camera. The cameras all use a new larger sensor and 10-bit color depth. New features have also been added for users of GoPro’s subscription service. Let’s take a closer look at these versions.
GoPro HERO11 Black and Creator Edition
The GoPro HERO11 Black and HERO11 Black Creator Edition packages feature the same camera. However, the Creator Edition comes with additional accessories, including a battery grip and GoPro’s Media Mod. This adds a directional mic, HDMI port and cold shoe mounts. There is also a clip-on LED light. Both models come with GoPro’s Enduro battery, which the company says can extend recording times by up to 38 percent. The cameras have dual LCD screens with a large rear touch screen and a smaller front screen for selfies.
GoPro HERO11 Black Mini
The HERO11 Black Mini packs all the features of its larger siblings into a smaller body. The Mini model is a fraction taller and deeper than the standard HERO11 Black. However, the Mini is 27 percent narrower and weighs around three quarters of an ounce less than the full-size version. The downside is that the Mini doesn’t have any screens other than a small display to show your resolution and frame rate. In addition, the Enduro battery in the Mini can’t be removed. This means when it runs out, you have to wait for it to recharge before you can carry on shooting.
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Sensor
The HERO11 Black range of cameras all share the same 1/1.9-inch sensor. You can record video in 5.3K at up to 60 frames per second (fps), 4K at up to 120 fps and 2.7K at up to 240 fps. In addition, you can take 24.7-megapixel stills from your video in the sensor’s native 8:7 aspect ratio.
Stabilization
The HERO11 Black cameras all come with GoPro’s Emmy Award-winning HyperSmooth 5.0 in-camera video stabilization. GoPro’s sample videos promise some great results with this feature. In addition, the Horizon Lock feature will keep your footage level if that’s what you need. GoPro’s sample video with a biplane doing a barrel roll is genuinely impressive. Another new feature is HyperView which takes the 8:7 aspect ratio footage from the sensor and delivers it as a wide-angle 16:9 shot. GoPro claims the result is ultra-immersive video.
Other features
GoPro has added three new night modes to the HERO11 Black cameras to enhance timelapse videos. With these new features, you can create star trails, paint with light and create light trails from vehicle headlights. There are also in-camera Power Tools to improve your video. Hindsight captures video up to 30 seconds before you hit record, so you won’t miss important moments. In addition, Scheduled Capture allows you to set a time for your camera to start recording. Finally, Duration Capture lets you select the length of time you want to record.
Subscription service
If you buy one of the new HERO11 Black cameras with GoPro’s subscription service, you get a discount on the retail price. You also get free cloud storage for your footage. When you plug your camera in to charge, the footage is automatically uploaded to the cloud. Your footage is then automatically edited into a highlight video that is sent to your phone via the GoPro Quik app.
Verdict
GoPro cameras have long been the market leader for action cameras. The new HERO11 Black range has built on that pedigree and added some great new features. The Mini version has the limitation of a built-in battery. However, its smaller size and weight make it better for helmet mounting or shooting in very tight spots. We will have to test the GoPro HERO11 Black ourselves to see if it’s a big enough leap to justify an upgrade from the previous GoPro HERO BLACK cameras.
Pricing and availability
The GoPro HERO11 Black is available now, priced at $399 with a GoPro subscription and $499 without. The HERO11 Black Creator Edition is also out now, costing $579 with a subscription and $699 without one. The smaller HERO11 Black Mini will be available at GoPro.com on October 25. It will cost $299 with a GoPro subscription and $399 on its own. GoPro has said that it will be available from retailers globally after the October 25th launch.