GoPro Hero12 Bundle - Full Review

Before we get started, a big thank you to Best Buy for partnering with us for this review. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased views.

How old is GoPro now? As it turns out, they're 21 years old. The most astonishing thing about any brand is never how long they last for, but how recognized their name becomes. GoPro has been the de-facto small camera for content creators, athletes, and probably any activity that might involve the word "Extreme". In this review, we're diving into what sets the GoPro Hero12 Bundle apart in the world of compact, high-performance cameras. Let's see if we find any new tricks in this familiar companion.

What's in the Bundle?

...Apparently, quite a bit

Kicking it off from the top, after opening up the hard-fabric carrying case, you're greeted with quite a few pamphlets and some neatly wrapped items. Starting from top-left and moving to the right, we have the Head Strap 2.0 headband, which is rather comfortable, soft, and easily adjustable. Then we have the GoPro Hero12 itself, we'll come back to that. Next to the camera is our GoPro mounting hardware for The Handler+, 2 Enduro Batteries, and a curved adhesive mount, which fits soundly on most helmets. 2 bolts are included for fastening the GoPro Hero12 to its various mounting attachments.

The accessories themselves feel solid, you'll be hard pressed to break The Handler or the Head Strap 2.0 unless you're really trying. Both accessories are comfortable to mount/hold and easy to use, so you'll find them enjoyable to use. Albeit, I couldn't imagine a more simple accessory than The Handler, since it's just a bit of foam wrapped around a plastic handle. For anyone whose curious, GoPro does offer a more fully featured battery grip accessory available for the Hero12, along with a whole bunch of other options for anyone looking to get the most out of their GoPro. As you'd expect, the GoPro's camera mounting process is as simple as ever. Just open the tabs on the bottom of the Hero12, slide the Hero12 into the accessory, and tighten the bolt. Quick and simple.

The Nerdy Details

Because we all love specs.

So, what are we working with hardware-wise? The Hero12 is equipped with 1/1.9″ image sensor and an f/2.5 aperture lens. Compared to the Hero11, the aspect ratio was changed from 4:3 to 8:7 – and with good reason! 8:7 enables the "Full Frame" view, which makes this GoPro pretty darn versatile. No matter what content you plan to post online, you can get high quality 5.3K video footage and downscale as needed. This enables high quality vertical video for all the best social media formats, including TikTok, Instagram Stories, and YouTube Shorts. For those who don't work with vertical content, they'll appreciate being able to take a wide-view 5.3K shot, crop it, and get beautiful 4K footage.

The Hero12 is capable of shooting HDR (High Dynamic Range) video in various formats: it can record in 4K with an 8:7 aspect ratio at up to 30 fps, in 5.3K with a 16:9 aspect ratio also at up to 30 fps, and in 4K with a 16:9 aspect ratio at up to 60 fps. The dimensions of the GoPro Hero12 Black are 2.79 inches in width, 2.16 inches in height, and 1.32 inches in depth, with a weight of 153 grams. Turning our heads over to the screens on this unit, the rear LCD screen measures 2.27 inches diagonally, and the front LCD screen is 1.4 inches diagonally.

While the Hero12 does not include any internal storage for storing pictures and footage, it does support microSD cards up to 1TB in size. Be sure to use a modern and fast microSD card – the minimum requirements are V30 with a UHS 3 rating. Not to be forgotten, the Enduro lithium-ion batteries are pretty strong as well, boasting 1720 mAh of battery life. This is an important detail – not just because having more recording time is nice, but because cold weather can sap battery life from a device like this rapidly.

Updating, Testing, Thoughts

It's pretty great actually.

While many electronic gadgets might offer an optional software upgrade for newer models, the Hero12 makes this update mandatory before initial use. There's a prominent label and a card on the camera stating, "Your camera must be updated before you can use it." As you're updating the Hero12, you'll notice the tactile, rubberized surface of the Hero12, giving a feeling of quality and heftiness. Flipping through the settings, a few features made themselves known right away. There's the addition of wireless timecode synchronization, which allows for the simultaneous use of multiple GoPros. Bluetooth audio support is a bonus as well, enabling audio recording from earbuds and voice commands to the Hero12 via Bluetooth headset mics. Be sure to try this out, it's definitely an underrated feature that I've used heavily.

Once you start using the device, its performance is consistently outstanding. I've only recorded 4K+ footage in cooler environments so far, without encountering any issues with choppy playback or device overheating. However, I anticipate that in warmer climates, the performance might differ. High-performance cameras typically require a cooldown period after extensive use.

The Hero12's video stabilization is remarkable, featuring their signature HyperSmooth 6.0 technology. At this stage in GoPro's evolution, their stabilization technology is hard to fault, being both impressive and fluid. The camera's wide-angle lens options extend to a 122° horizontal (151° diagonal) field of view in 16:9 format. The array of resolutions, aspect ratios, and features like time-lapse, slow-motion, horizon-lock, and exceptional stabilization lead to stunning video output. Remember to consider your lighting conditions, as the Hero12, despite its f2.5 aperture, performs best in well-lit settings. You'll want to provide it a little more than a single lone light at night, which I learned while recording some test footage in my garage.

The "Easy" mode is perfect for users of all skill levels, simplifying the process of creating high-quality videos. Just select your desired aspect ratio and resolution, and start recording. For those who prefer more control, the "Pro" mode offers comprehensive customization options, including HDR/Standard video selection, aspect ratios, resolutions, frame rates, lens views, and much more.

Closing Thoughts

4/5 Stars

The GoPro Hero12 Bundle stands out as a versatile and high-performing option in the compact camera market. Its impressive features like the advanced HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, wide-angle lens, and various shooting modes make it an excellent choice for creators of all levels. Whether you're capturing fast-paced action or crafting carefully framed shots, the Hero12 offers quality and ease of use that's hard to beat. I recommend the GoPro Hero12 Bundle for anyone seeking a reliable, feature-rich camera that excels in a variety of settings and applications. It's tools like this that bring creative ideas to life easily and that's pretty magical.

Thanks again to Best Buy for providing us with the GoPro Hero12 Bundle and sponsoring this review. For additional reviews and product specifications, check out Best Buy's product page, linked below.

Product Link: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gopro-hero12-black-action-camera-bundle-black/6561204.p?skuId=6561204