5 Totally GoPro Cameras (2023): Compact, Funds, Accessories, and Tips
Whereas you aquire something the utilization of links in our reviews, we would possibly possibly presumably well also create a rate. This helps toughen our journalism. Be taught more. Please also bear in mind subscribing to WIRED
Totally for Most Of us
GoPro Hero 12
Closing 300 and sixty five days’s GoPro Soundless Shines
GoPro Hero 11 Dusky
Totally Funds GoPro
GoPro Hero 10 Dusky
The Diminutive GoPro
GoPro Hero 11 Mini
It feeble to be easy to aquire a GoPro. Grab the latest one, and you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also very well be correct to plod. But as GoPro has numerous its lineup, adding aspects that you just would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also or would possibly possibly presumably well also no longer need, looking out on what you compose together with your GoPro, the answer is never any longer so easy anymore. To permit you to out, now we possess place together this manual to all of the in the intervening time on hand GoPro cameras, to boot as a number of notes on a number of of the older models you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also watch on eBay and other auction web sites.
I began the utilization of GoPro cameras with the originate of the Hero 5 in 2016 (8/10, WIRED Evaluate) and possess feeble every mannequin since, most aspect-by-aspect with their replacements. In the close, the absolute top GoPro for you is reckoning on how you belief to make spend of it and what you prefer to favor to compose with the implications. Read on to search out our top picks for every sort of action camera user.
Whereas you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also very well be no longer region on a GoPro, be obvious to appear at our Recordsdata to Motion Cameras for our steal on cameras from DJI, Insta360, and other rivals.
Particular offer for Gear readers: Net WIRED for lawful $5 ($25 off). This entails unlimited derive admission to to WIRED.com, pudgy Gear protection, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions abet fund the work we compose on daily foundation.
-
Photograph: GoPro
Totally for Most Of us
GoPro Hero 12
The Hero 12 Dusky (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top pick for anyone lawful getting began with a new GoPro. It be the latest mannequin and has the absolute top battery existence, to boot as some nice new additions like smarter stabilization and a susceptible 1/4-20 tripod mount. The Hero 12’s stabilization is hands down the absolute top stabilization I’ve feeble, which is why right here’s no longer lawful our top GoPro but also our top Motion Digicam.
The absolute top motive to derive the Hero 12 over the Hero 11 is the total improved battery existence and better thermal performance. The Hero 12 is the one GoPro in years of attempting out that has but to overheat on me. There would possibly possibly be one motive you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also favor to plod along with the Hero 11, nonetheless: GoPro eradicated GPS toughen in the Hero 12. The firm claims that less than 1 p.c of customers had been in actuality the utilization of GPS, but whenever you prefer to possess GPS toughen, then you definately’ll need the Hero 11.
-
Photograph: GoPro
Closing 300 and sixty five days’s GoPro Soundless Shines
GoPro Hero 11 Dusky
The Hero 11 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is quite impartial just like the Hero 12. The 2 cameras section the identical sensor, processor, and classic aspects. The Hero 11 lacks a number of new aspects, particularly the easier battery existence, improved stabilization, and professional-level GP Log video toughen came across in the Hero 12, but on the subject of the implications you derive, it is every bit as correct and in total on sale for $100 less than the Hero 12.
The Hero 11 also has something the Hero 12 doesn’t: GPS toughen. Whereas you prefer to favor to make spend of GPS to note your rides or derive bustle knowledge, right here’s the GoPro to derive. The modern list tag is $350, but inquire of that to plod down for the duration of nice sale events like Dusky Friday/Cyber Monday, which can presumably well presumably make this camera an overwhelming better deal.
-
Photograph: GoPro
GoPro Hero 10 Dusky
When the Hero 10 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) changed into once launched in 2021, the standout characteristic changed into once the new GP2 processor. The camera changed into once dramatically sooner than earlier models and allowed for better video frame charges. The GP2 processor launched with the Hero 10 is calm in spend in the Hero 11 & 12.
When when in contrast with its successors, the Hero 10 now lacks the upper sensor. That’s no longer to advise its sensor is never correct, nonetheless it is far never any longer succesful of 8:7 video. You would possibly possibly perchance presumably well even, nonetheless, calm pull 19.6-megapixel JPG stills out of your 5.3K video, a characteristic I spend most frequently. The Hero 10 also launched a water shedding lens duvet, which helps derive the drops out of these browsing shots. The Hero 10 sells for $250, which is a correct deal. We’ve seen it dip all of the fashion down to $200 for the duration of sales, at which level it is a steal.
-
Photograph: GoPro
The Diminutive GoPro
GoPro Hero 11 Mini
Closing year GoPro launched a shrunken Hero 11, dubbed the Mini (7/10, WIRED Recommends). The Hero 11 Mini has no shows, nonetheless it is smaller and lighter, which makes it ideal for mounting on helmets and other locations the assign aside it’s essential to not looking out on the veil anyway. If being lightweight is your #1 criteria, right here’s the GoPro to derive. That said, I came across controlling the Mini by the mobile phone app stressful, and I don’t in actuality point out this one moreover in the explicit spend of helmet-mounting or other identical eventualities.
-
Photograph: GoPro
If the Impress Is Appropriate
GoPro Hero 9 Dusky
The Hero 9 Dusky (9/10, WIRED Recommends) changed into once the first GoPro succesful of 5.3K video and offering a coloration front veil. It also region the invent ingredient that GoPro has caught with ever since. Which draw that accessories that work with later models would possibly possibly presumably also work with the Hero 9. Whereas it is calm a correct camera (we spend one to shoot videos right here on the Gear Personnel), GoPro has formally discontinued it, and Amazon appears to be to be the one notable retailer with any in stock.
I would possibly possibly presumably well presumably only point out looking out out the Hero 9 if it is considerably more cost effective than the Hero 10. The modern retail tag of the Hero 9 is $220. The Hero 10 retail tag is impartial $29 more and well rate that more money. The single time I would possibly possibly presumably well presumably point out the Hero 9 is whenever you’ll be in a role to score one for below $180.
-
Photograph: GoPro
There Are Other GoPros Out There
GoPro doesn’t promote something older than the Hero 10, but there are heaps of Hero 8s and even Hero 7s calm trading hands on eBay and other auction web sites. That said, unless you’ll be in a role to score one for only $100, I would possibly possibly presumably well presumably point out warding off them. They would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also match supreme, but original accessories designed for later models would possibly possibly presumably well also no longer work, and these camera possess seemingly been by the wringer. (They are action cameras, after all.)
-
Photograph: GoPro
What About the GoPro Max?
It be Now not Rate It
What most folk name a “GoPro” is genuinely the Hero Dusky camera. GoPro makes a number of other cameras to boot, most particularly the Max. The Max is GoPro’s attempt at three cameras in one. It will shoot 360 photos and Hero-fashion video and photography, and it in actuality works as a vlogging camera. Whereas the 360-level time lapse characteristic is awesome, and the sound is pretty correct, it has been some time since GoPro as much as this level it, and there are better 360 cameras. I would possibly possibly presumably well presumably point out Insta360’s X3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for heaps of folk. The Max is a tougher camera, but in nearly every other components the X3 bests it. With a bit of of luck, GoPro will update the Max in 2024.
-
Photograph: GoPro
Totally GoPro Accessories
Trick Out Your GoPro
Would possibly calm you aquire a bundle? Usually, I snarl no. Net the camera, figure it out, and watch how you shatter up the utilization of it. Would possibly possess to you shatter up attempting to resolve a bid, begin purchasing for an accessory. Right here are a number of of my accepted things that I’ve examined and feeble, but whenever you possess favorites you believe you studied I will possess to strive, descend a observation below.
- Extra Enduro Batteries and Charger for $60: Whereas battery existence on the GoPro has improved through the years, you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also very well be calm going to need better than one battery and a components to price better than one at a time. This pack has you lined on every counts.
- GoPro Media Mod for $80: By far my most feeble accessory, the media mod does add some bulk, but most frequently right here’s better than made up for by the truth that you just’re going to be in a role to rush in a proper microphone (I spend mine with a Rode Wireless). Sound quality is radically improved with this one. This would presumably well presumably also very well be less notable whenever you derive the Hero 12, because it has toughen for Bluetooth mics.
- Joby GorillaPod for $45: There are many of of how to mount your GoPro, but right here’s the one I spend doubtlessly the most. I’ve place it on my dashboard and my glide board, and I’ve feeble it as a (brief) selfie stick and wrapped it round quite a bit of tree branches, indicators, and no subject else I would possibly possibly presumably well also uncover.
- GoPro Tripod Mount Adapters for $8: Except you possess the Hero 12, which has a tripod mount built-in, you can be succesful to desire a number of of these to mount your GoPro to a tripod just like the GorillaPod above.
- GoPro Floaty for $30: Whereas you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also very well be getting anyplace come the water, grab one amongst these. Have confidence me, you will descend your GoPro and whenever you compose, you will chuffed you possess this (unless the water is obvious and you would possibly possibly presumably well presumably also very well be a correct free diver.) GoPro also makes a Floating Hand Grip ($25), which no longer only floats but has a leash for diving or browsing.
- GoPro El Grande Selfie Stick for $47: This 38-plod extension pole collapses up surprisingly small and is never very heavy. It be the absolute top selfie stick I’ve feeble. I rarely ever ever spend it for selfies, nonetheless it makes a immense monopod on tender ground, like a sandy seaside.