If you share our passion, you’ve likely recorded some remarkable moments with your dependable GoPro Hero 10. However, the arrival of the GoPro Hero 12 has sparked some crucial considerations which one to choose: GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10?
In this article, we’ll compare these devices in every aspect—ranging from image clarity and features to resilience and user-friendliness.
Overview of Both Devices
Below is a review of what distinguishes these two models:
GoPro Hero 12
The GoPro Hero 12 pushes the boundaries of action camera capabilities, establishing a new benchmark in image and video quality. It comes with a superior sensor, enhanced resolution, and 10-bit video recording, producing visuals that are incredibly stunning. The incorporation of HDR support imparts vivid hues and impressive contrast to your images, irrespective of the ambient light.
- 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...
The advanced stabilization feature (HyperSmooth 6.0) and horizon leveling guarantee that your recordings stay exceptionally smooth, even during the most high-paced sequences. The Hero 12 also supports Bluetooth audio for flawless audio connectivity and timecode sync for simplified coordination across multiple cameras, making it a multifaceted juggernaut meant to upgrade your adventure recording experiences to unprecedented levels.
Find the best SD cards for Hero 12 and tips on how to choose them:
GoPro Hero 10
The GoPro Hero 10 distinguishes itself by providing the capability to record in 5.3K at 60 fps or 4K at 120 fps, thereby ensuring exceptional video quality. It maintains the same processor, water-resistant feature, cloud connectivity, and longevity in battery life as is present 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...
Thanks to HyperSmooth 4.0, it offers dependable stabilization. Although it lacks some of the features of the Hero 12, such as 10-bit recording and timecode sync, the Hero 10 continues to be a valuable choice for documenting adventures in varying environments.
Find the best SD cards for Hero 10 and tips on how to choose them:
Brief Comparison of Specifications
Let’s begin by juxtaposing the specifications of the GoPro Hero 12 and the GoPro Hero 10. Please refer to the subsequent specs comparison table for a concise overview.
| 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: In-Depth Comparison
In this detailed analysis, we will scrutinize the GoPro Hero 12 and the GoPro Hero 10, exploring their respective features and capabilities.
Battery Life
Discussing a pivotal factor like battery life is essential when you’re out capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments! It’s a critical factor that can dictate your experience with the GoPro Hero 12 and GoPro Hero 10. Both cameras utilize the reliable 1720mAh lithium-ion battery from GoPro, promising sustained performance. However, the duration of battery life is contingent on several factors like video mode, resolution, frame rate, and additional chosen settings.
Breaking down the official GoPro estimates, here’s what users can anticipate:
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
In essence, the Hero 12 generally has a leg up on the Hero 10 in terms of battery longevity, particularly in high-resolution or high frame rate scenarios, showcasing its resilience. However, the Hero 10 also demonstrates commendable endurance, maintaining over an hour in most situations.
Regardless of whether your allegiance lies with the Hero 12 or Hero 10, both cameras demonstrate sufficient resilience to complement your adventures. The disparity in battery longevity might not be decisive for everyone and will largely depend on individual shooting patterns and preferences.
Still Images
Both cameras provide diverse modes and formats for still images, such as JPEG, RAW, HDR, SuperPhoto, Burst, Time Lapse, and Night Lapse. However, the Hero 12 outshines by delivering higher resolution still images, reaching up to 27MP versus the Hero 10’s 23MP, and also supports HDR for photos, yielding superior color and contrast.
The Hero 12 has the capability to extract photos from video screengrabs, generating images up to 24.7MP with an 8:7 aspect ratio, contrasting with the Hero 10’s screengrabs that are capped at 19.6MP with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Low-Light Performance
The Hero 12 has a distinct edge in low-light situations, attributed to its superior sensor size, enhanced resolution, and HDR compatibility, allowing it to gather more light, minimize noise, and refine details in darker environments.
The Hero 12 features a Night Lapse mode, enabling the creation of remarkable time-lapse videos in suboptimal light conditions. The Hero 10 also delivers respectable low-light performance, but when juxtaposed, the Hero 12 clearly takes the lead.
Video Bit-Rate
The Hero 12 has an advantage with a higher video bit-rate than the Hero 10, allowing for the capture of more data and superior quality frames. With 10-bit video recording support, the Hero 12 surpasses the Hero 10’s 8-bit video, producing more vibrant and realistic videos, especially in environments with high contrast. The Hero 12 supports HDR video, refining video color and contrast even further.
Processor
Each camera utilizes the identical GP2 processor, allowing for recordings at 5.3K/60 fps or 4K/120 fps. The GP2 processor grants faster processing, superior image quality, and advanced intelligence. However, the Hero 12 employs the GP2 more efficiently, offering 10-bit video recording, HDR for both photos and videos, compatibility with Bluetooth audio, and timecode synchronization—capabilities that are conspicuously missing in the Hero 10, despite them sharing the same processor.
Sensor Size
The Hero 12 features a more substantial sensor, thereby seizing more detail and light in every frame. With its 27MP sensor and 8:7 aspect ratio, it surpasses the Hero 10’s 23.6MP sensor and 16:9 aspect ratio. The increased sensor size of the Hero 12 also enables a wider field of view (FOV), especially when utilized with the Max Lens Mod accessory.
HyperSmooth Stabilization
Both the Hero 12 and Hero 10 feature HyperSmooth stabilization, each with unique characteristics. The Hero 12 is equipped with HyperSmooth 6.0, offering advanced stabilization and ensuring impeccably smooth footage even in the most challenging situations. Conversely, the Hero 10, with HyperSmooth 4.0, provides notable stabilization, though it doesn’t quite reach the performance levels of the Hero 12.
Horizon Leveling
Each camera includes integral horizon leveling to produce level and aligned videos, even when the camera experiences tilt or rotation. The Hero 12 has enhanced horizon leveling capabilities, able to level up to 45° in all modes, superior to the Hero 10’s 27°. Furthermore, the Hero 12 offers horizon leveling in conjunction with the Max Lens Mod accessory, allowing up to 360° leveling in certain modes—a feature not available in 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 represents a pivotal upgrade for the HERO 12 Black, elevating the camera’s functionalities and transforming it into a premium POV recording device, optimal for documenting every facet of any adventure.
This enhancement introduces a range of wide-angle digital lens alternatives, extending to a 177° field of view while preserving a stunning 4K60 resolution—signifying the broadest visual captures in the HERO camera series.
Field of View (with Max Lens Mod)
While both cameras allow for different field of view (FOV) options, the Hero 12 stands out, especially when coupled with the Max Lens Mod accessory. This attachment expands the FOV, provides advanced stabilization and horizon leveling, making it more immersive. With the Max Lens Mod, the Hero 12 is able to reach up to 177° FOV in 4K/60p mode, which is more extensive than the Hero 10’s 155° FOV in 2.7K/60p mode.
Bluetooth Audio Support
Bluetooth audio connectivity is a distinctive feature of the Hero 12, allowing synchronization with devices such as AirPods for audio capture, proving invaluable for tasks like vlogging, podcasting, or voiceovers. The Hero 10, lacking this feature, relies on its inherent microphones or external microphones connected via an adapter for audio capture.
In this extensive juxtaposition, the Hero 12 is positioned as the preferred choice for those desiring elite performance and functionalities, while the Hero 10 sustains its position as a versatile choice for capturing varied adventures. The selection between the two ultimately hinges on your individual requirements and the types of experiences you wish to chronicle.
GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10
In summary, the GoPro Hero 12 surpasses the GoPro Hero 10 in both feature set and performance, but it also demands a higher investment and potentially more accessories. The GoPro Hero 10, albeit with fewer features, remains a competent choice for capturing high-quality content across varied settings.
Opt for the GoPro Hero 12 if premium quality captures across diverse scenarios are your priority and you are willing to allocate a higher budget and don’t mind the additional accessories. The GoPro Hero 10 would be your go-to if your focus is on high-quality captures across different settings with budget efficiency and lesser accessory reliance.
Thank you for reading this guide!
I hope that it was helpful in teaching you everything you need to know about GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 10.
Don’t forget to share this article on social media with your family and friends.
Related Articles:
- GoPro Hero 12 vs 11 vs 10: A Detailed Comparison
- GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 9: Which One is Better?
- GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 8: Is It Worth Upgrading?
- GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 7: How Much Has Changed?
EN 
IT 
DE 
ES 
PT 
NL 
FR 