GoPro - HERO11 Black Series

Gopro is the gold standard in this scenario. You can get longer runtimes but with worse quality from other brands. At the moment nothing beats GoPro with image quality on the action cam segment. 

I'm the dad (my kids were born '91, '96, '01) that used a camcorder (multiple sizes) and the phone, and ... Whatever else was out there. I current have a GoPro 11 and a DJI Action 4. Just took one on an outing with my wife and while it was fun, I would not have used it for general recording of stuff with my kids. You are too far away most of the time and the zoom is not great (and digital). Just my opinion, YMMV.

As others said any GoPro from 11-13 (I would even say starting with Gpro 9) would work. I would also recommend the gorpox Max (360) great for something like shark cage where you can re-fesme the video later....just keep in mind 360 is a pia dealing with file sizes and whatever you do don't scratch the lenses

I got the go pro hero 11 last November. It was on offer for 150 GBP. It is stacked with features INCLUDING horizon lock and works a dream. I believe it has pass through charging, which means you can use it whilst charging. I bought the official underwater housing, which was expensive, but I've used it for diving and works a dream. For airsoft, I bought a knock-off housing, which is practically identical, and it gives good protection that will crack 1st before any damage to the camera. If you want to see footage from an airsoft game let me know if can send you a link.

Are you specifically referring to the entry-level Hero camera released this year or GoPro's flagship Hero Black series? If the former, I'd probably steer clear. If the latter, hell yea - GoPros are awesome.

Go for the 12 Black from the Hero 4. It’s got way better stabilization, longer battery life, and sharper video. If you’re comparing, the 12 is more battery-efficient and handles bright lighting better, which is great for both water and stainless steel surfaces compared to the 11. Yeah, the Hero 13 has slightly better low-light performance, but unless he’s filming at night, it’s not really worth the extra cost really. If you’re getting two GoPros, I’d go for two Hero 12s to keep the video quality consistent. One can be overhead for cooking and the other gets close-ups? or for fishing, one can be chest-mounted while the other is set up for wide shots. [10 Best Action Cameras to Invest in 2025: Full Guide and Review](https://alaskanarrows.com/10-best-action-cameras-to-invest-in-2025/) would be useful too. But if you want a more budget-friendly option, a Hero 12 + Hero 11 Mini is a good combo—same great video, but the Mini is lighter and easier to mount so he can be creative with it ya know . For accessories, is he editing on his phone or laptop? That might affect which accessories are worth grabbing too but a suction cup or magnet mount for kitchen shots, and a Floaty Case or Waterproof Dome for underwater footage. Tldr: 12 black is the best, get two of them and a floaty case plus suction cup as accessories

Go for the 12 Black from the Hero 4. It’s got way better stabilization, longer battery life, and sharper video. If you’re comparing, the 12 is more battery-efficient and handles bright lighting better, which is great for both water and stainless steel surfaces compared to the 11. Yeah, the Hero 13 has slightly better low-light performance, but unless he’s filming at night, it’s not really worth the extra cost really. If you’re getting two GoPros, I’d go for two Hero 12s to keep the video quality consistent. One can be overhead for cooking and the other gets close-ups? or for fishing, one can be chest-mounted while the other is set up for wide shots. [10 Best Action Cameras to Invest in 2025: Full Guide and Review](https://alaskanarrows.com/10-best-action-cameras-to-invest-in-2025/) would be useful too. But if you want a more budget-friendly option, a Hero 12 + Hero 11 Mini is a good combo—same great video, but the Mini is lighter and easier to mount so he can be creative with it ya know . For accessories, is he editing on his phone or laptop? That might affect which accessories are worth grabbing too but a suction cup or magnet mount for kitchen shots, and a Floaty Case or Waterproof Dome for underwater footage. Tldr: 12 black is the best, get two of them and a floaty case plus suction cup as accessories

Yeah it is overkill. Overkill in both price and features because though they’re great as action cameras, you don’t need the stabilization, high frame rates, and rugged design for your casual travel videos mate. If you really want one, you can get an older GoPro (Hero 9, 10, or 11) if you find a good deal since they still have solid stabilization and decent built-in mics (still relatively heavy when clipped to a cap, and after 30 minutes, you might feel the strain honestly) I’d suggest you check on the Insta360 GO 3, it’s tiny, weighs only 35g, and comes with a magnetic clip that can be attached to a cap more comfortably than a bulky GoPro. Otherwise, you could also check on the DJI Osmo Action 4 or Akaso Brave 7 LE too, all decent prices for your use case. You could try [10 Best Action Cameras to Invest in 2025: Full Guide and Review](https://alaskanarrows.com/10-best-action-cameras-to-invest-in-2025/) for other options too. Tldr: GoPro overkill, Insta360 more appropriate, can consider getting an older GoPro like the 9,10 or 11 if you can get a good price

No, the Hero is not a good choice for this. You’d be much better getting a used Hero10, 11, or 12.  The new Hero camera is a starter camera for beginners who don’t need the highest quality. The camera has a very tiny lens / sensor, and footage is stabilized via GoPro’s mobile application. If you want a high quality action camera, those other models I listed will deliver higher results

I have the go pro hero 11 mini and its been amazing! It does weigh 133g so might be a bit heavy for your use but I cant even notice it on my 5inch

Gopro hero 11 user here... Don't go for gopro. I can't record in 4k during the day even at 30 fps. The device overheats in like 5 mins. On 1080p it's no issue but then again if you are buying such a costly cam you would want to record in higher resolutions.

Anything from GP11 till 13 would do just fine. All are waterproof and in general good action cameras. They are great for shots during daylight and night lapses, but not fantastic for low light shooting. In general 13 would be the best, and with all technology, buying the latest version future proofs your camera. I got a GP11 a couple of years back to go on a snorkelling holiday and i still use it. If you can get your hands on a good priced one then go for it. There will be minor benefits if you get a more modern one but I dont think i can give you a full rundown. Let me know if you have more specific questions

I was in the same situation as you before christmas and ended up with the Ace Pro 2, after doing a fair amount of research. And the reason is… Low light performance. DJI Osmo Action 5 beats GoPro by a mile here, but the Insta 360 Ace Pro 2 is even better than the DJI. The thing that has annoyed me the most with my GoPro is how grainy and bad the footage gets below 10 meters due to low light. While diving Alor this summer, my dive guide had the ace pro 1, and the difference in low light footage compared to my GoPro 11 black was mindblowing. I recommend to look at some comparisons at youtube!

I have an 8 and an 11. They’re great for this. I also really like that I can let me 3 year old or 9 year old run around with them and do their own filming without really worrying about the camera because of how durable they are.

Simple. 5.3k resolution. Allows you to crop in on videos and gives you the highest video quality. Sure Ace Pro 2 has 8k....at 30fps. 8K is just overkill and you won't get any decent looking slow motion out of 30fps. 5.3k is the sweet spot. If you want to do color correcting which the Ace Pro does automatically, you can easily tweak that in editing it's very simple. Until another action camera comes out with 5.3k resolution it's GoPro for me. Then hopefully the next GoPro will have 5.3k 120fps so we can get even higher quality slow motion. If you're shooting underwater get an AOI UWL-O3 lens attachment for it for increased clarity and ability to focus at closer range too.

To size down, the only ones I know of are Dji action 2, GoPro 11 mini, GoPro session 4 and 5, insta360 go series (the pill-lookin one). Theres also some from runcam and others but I don’t think they are quite on the same quality level. If you’re doing kitesurfing you’ll probably want something waterproof otherwise you might look into naked GoPros (which is a bit of a rabbit hole) If you’re looking for a freestyle unstabilized action look I’d say Dji action 2. If you want a stabilized cinematic look using gyro flow or something, I’d say hero 11 mini. They can be found on eBay usually for around $200-250 if I remember correctly. Biggest issue with these is that they both have inbuilt batteries that are not replaceable

Gopro 11 or higher is what you should go for. I currently have 11 different type of travel videos (Skiing, diving, adventure, motorcycle etc).

what  features in areas ? that 13 is supposed to not have if you want to save money rather look at the 11 (the 12 adds very little) and it has GPS (unlike the 12) why do you care about quick, there are many better video editors out there like capcut or davinci resolve

they are all 90% the same (this includes older models) with similar advantages and drawbacks (compared to other camera types) unless you compare them side by side, the results will be more than good enough, no matter which you choose gopro has slight disadvantage in low light - but its action camera, low light isn't what its designed for or its intended use on the other hand it has advantage in the new lenses (even thou I think they are a gimmick) its up to you what among the little detail differences is import to you dji action 5 seems like the best option right now, but DJI had (has) its own problems (like release with limited bitrate) personal I hate the way dji is controlled (but that might be because I am long time gopro user) just pick the you one like and you can buy cheapest and dont forget to consider older models, gopro 11 was sold on sale for 100€ and its perfectly comparable to the 13 or action 5

If you don’t care about a display, the GoPro 11 mini is $139 at Best Buy. Great camera but there are some trade offs

Unpopular opinion here, but I'm not a fan of the GoPro. I have a GP11, but never got better results than I could with my TG6. The action cams have wide fields of view, which means you need to get them very close to a subject for it to fill the frame. Great for waves and mountains, not so great for undersea critters.   Small sensors and the need for coloured filters also means the cams do poorly without good light.

Where are you from? Recently got a Hero 11 brand new (box was opened though) for 86 €. I’m from germany.

i've been really happy with my gopro, the price is right. i've had the 8 through 11. You can actually pull some great stills from video if you get lucky - i've managed to blow up some stills into large format prints to hang and they look fantastic. Lighting + basic editing skills makes a huge difference.

If you are using it for ACTION, meaning you will have to mount it to your head or chest or something - or if it will be getting wet, then go with the GoPro 11 or 12. If you are just walking and or standing and filming, then get the DJI Pocket 3. Picture is better, larger sensor, built in gimbal and has far superior image quality in low light. It is more expensive tho.

GoPro Mini 11 was a broken product. Overheated repeatedly, couldn't run for more than a few minutes. Worst $200 I ever spent. My Hero 4 Silver is still running, but has poor resolution in this day and age.

You're simply not going to get good audio due to wind noise etc with any camera. This is why more sailing footage in movies etc use very expensive large mics out of frame and a lot of ADR and Foley afterwards. Battery and FOV wise, go for the Hero 11 or 12. They both have a much larger 8:7 sensor and this increases your FOV. The Hero 12 is compatible with the Max Lens Mod 2.0 which increases the FOV while giving you 360 horizon lock in 4K. Both cameras have much larger batteries than the Hero 4 and have in camera stabilization.

Overheating is caused by using poor settings choices for the filming type being done. Set up your camera properly for the filming type and it won't overheat. There's no difference in low light between the Hero 10, 11, 12 and 13 since they all use the same sensor. The only difference is the amount of "Denoise" being selectable (or being able to disable it completely using labs) which means better opportunity to denoise in post. Frankly using the labs and post processing will get you better low light results with a Hero camera [https://snokefilm.no/labs/gopro-11-labs-max-video-quality](https://snokefilm.no/labs/gopro-11-labs-max-video-quality)

A: GoPro only recently released a version of "Quik" for desktop this year. it was actually a copy of their "Quik" for mobile app but with a lot LESS functionality. Due to fact very few people even bothered using it (why bother if the mobile app offered more functionality) GoPro decided not to continue throwing money at developing an app no one was using. B: People who edit using a desktop tend to want professional editing and this is why many use paid programs like Premier Pro or free professional quality editing programs like DaVinci Resolve. Not sure why you think the Hero 13 is not having "compatible features in areas" as that statement makes no sense. I have used the Hero 4, Hero 6, Hero 8, Hero Fusion, Hero Max, Hero 9, Hero 10, Hero 11, Hero 12 and Hero 13. I can say without a doubt that the Hero 13 is my favorite of these so far due to the amount of features it offers and the new lens options. If I had to choose between the Hero 12 and Hero 13, I'd choose the 13 with no hesitation.

Any GoPro starting with 9 is solid. 8 is decent, just the 9 forward have a removable lens, so you can easily put on an ND filter, which I highly recommend if you're going to be in sunlight. I think the 11 is the first with 10bit video, so it'll give you a bit better color in the gradient, but tbh most people won't notice a difference, but it would give you more options if you are planning on doing any color grading. That tiny Insta 360 camera is pretty cool honestly and I do like the flip screen they offer on their action cam, but GoPro still has better video. If you want a 360 cam, idk, but I've heard the Insta360 is better than the GoPro max, but I've never used either, so..

I use a GoPro Hero 11 which I bought used from KEH. It’s an amazing little camera that does so many things. I have never used the GoPro software. As someone else has pointed out, software has never been their forte. There are plenty of softwares, free and paid, that can edit the footage far better than the one from GoPro - DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, etc.

I use gopro 11’s and always have them on loop the quality is unmatched

I have 2-10s, 5-11's, a 12, and a 13. My 13 is acting like a 13 year old child. 🤣 It doesn't listen to the voice commands and in general doesn't cooperate. The 11s & 12 work great. High quality and very dependable. I love using GoPro Labs for customizing the functions and controls.

I got the 11, in like new condition for $190 off of marketplace. Not bad IMO

If you're going to get two, the 8 or 9 are great and have good image stabilization. If you're getting one gopro, the 10 or 11 are the best bang for your buck.

I have bought the 3+, 5 black, 8 black, and 11 black over the years. They’ve done me well, but I won’t be buying another one. DJI has surpassed them everywhere. I understand there is a lot of brand riders here because I get downvoted anytime I bring up DJI being better. I’m going with the Osmo Pocket line in the future.

GoPro Hero 11 user here, go for DJI

Gopro 11 and buy a lens kit with the leftover cash....

It's good. But helmet footage usually sucks unless your a pro in powder, get something to hold it behind, you, comes out better. Heres one I did with Gopro 11 with a MAx lense mod with horizon leveling. [https://youtu.be/BZCZMbOq6jc?si=4sF-XNia\_vweqVyt](https://youtu.be/BZCZMbOq6jc?si=4sF-XNia_vweqVyt) HEre is someone else using helmet mount (better for filming others IMHO) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV8KHLmh6Rc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV8KHLmh6Rc)

I've been using every GoPro since gopro 7 (first release of the hyper smooth) up until 12. With 12 I've used it with the max lens mod. Couple months ago I got the DJI action 5 and I am very happy with it. I haven't used the fov lens for DJI though Features that GoPro is better - * Color quality under good lighting - you just can't beat GoPro with this no matter what. Go Pro looks incredible under good lighting. But with MTB, especially during the summer when all leaves are out, that's not exactly the situation always * Resolution - kinda similar as the first point but it does have 5.2k vs dji 4k. Not sure if that matters much to you * Stabilization - this is very minor but the GoPro stabilization is more natural but osmo Action 5 is still very good * App requirement - for DJI, you have to activate your camera with their app to use it. With go pro, no registration is necessary to use it. To some people that's a deal breaker What I like about DJI - * Battery life - even with GoPro Enduro batteries, I was getting maybe an hour with my settings. DJI battery is literally lasting me 1.5 hr with one single battery. I only carry one extra battery with me now. * D-Log M color / LUT - if you are into grading color this helps a lot. I shoot using their log settings, and apply LUT available online and it is like 90% close to what I want the color to be. * App - I've also used insta360 x3 and insta360 go 3 as well. Out of all apps I used, DJI one was the best one. Its so quick to grab a short footage out and post it on social Media. And you can even apply that color grading through the app directly if recorded with D-Log * Magnet mount - I record vertical videos frequently for short forms. It works great with switching the ratio or even quickly changing settings. Also super easy to put it on like a selfie stick or a tripod * Wind noise - I used to put a little dead cat on GoPro to reduce wind noise. The problem was that I couldn't use GoPro for any under water activity like that. I wasn't gonna keep on peeling it off and put a new one on every time. I wasn't a fan of the big foam around it either. I got the DJI mini mic with it and it pretty much eliminated all wind noise. Its amazing and now I can easily use the camera under water. * Software stability - I used to lose footage all the time because video gets corrupted during the recording and find out when I'm home. So I got into the habit of stopping recording every time I stop on the trail to reduce this corruption. With DJI action, I haven't had any corrupted videos and I just let it record all the time * Filename - it could be minor, but GoPro file name sucks. DJIs file name way more sense * Price - I got the package that comes with the 2 extra battery, battery charger, stick, for like $360. DM me if you have any specific questions

A used Hero 11 is basically the same hardware as the new stuff, so find a deal on one: [https://www.reddit.com/r/gopro/comments/1fiavna/comment/lnfypul/](https://www.reddit.com/r/gopro/comments/1fiavna/comment/lnfypul/)

I have the GoPro 11 mini that I use in my helmet. About 1/2 size of the regular 11.

Get a used gopro11 mini

I REEAALLLY wanted to get the Action 5 Because GoPo has been FF-ing’ up that last 8 years or so. My GoPro 11 looks far better than the GoPro 13. I couldn’t believe that the image quality has basically stated the same since the GoPro 8. That one is my favorite. Small form factor, bad ass 4K footage. Only downside low battery life. So I changed to the GoPro 11 with Enduro Batteries. Game Changer. The ONLY reason I considered leaving GoPro was because I use my DJI Mics and the GoPro mic is not that good. BUT it has NO good Bluetooth audio when connected to the DJI. Just terrible. So I’m stuck recording separately audio and video. Such a damn hassle to find the matching videos and audio post processing. If DJI would have better video quality I’d buy it in a heartbeat along with the DJI mini mics, using Bluetooth. Man both companies are really FF-ing’ up. I’m hoping the new GoPro 14 has good Bluetooth audio so I can upgrade.

I use GoPro 11. Works great in sunlight. I go to the beach with my kids and it is perfect for it

I film and make hiking videos and have a ton of cameras. I do not like iPhone footage. Looks too sharpened and saturated to me. I used a GoPro for years. My current one is a GoPro Hero 11 Black and I absolutely love it. The 9 & 10 were buggy. The 8 was solid but the 11 is so much better. The 12 and 13 don’t have enough upgrades to justify. For better footage, set the field of view to linear. Gets rid of the fisheye look. Set sharpness and saturation each to -2. Set color profile to natural. Get smooth, steady shots and don’t swing it around like crazy. It’s a great starting point. Once you get the settings dialed in, you just need to press record for 99% of shots. So it’s easy to use. It’s durable and waterproof and small also. I don’t mount it to anything (unless I’m climbing or rappelling). I got a cheap tripod/extension handle off Amazon and just carry it. You won’t want all your footage to just be a straight ahead shot anyway. I just bought an action 4 but the verdict’s still out on that. If I were to recommend one camera it would be the DJI osmo pocket 3. I absolutely love it. But it’s pricey and if you’re starting out the GoPro will do good enough.

I am fairly satisfied with ACE Pro 2 stills. But I used to rotate an iphone with a Gopro 11 while hiking and I don't usually carry a larger, heavier photo camera. The photos are decent, even with standard settings, however as said by others, it is still an action camera so you cannot replace a regular camera with it.

I hope I’m not jinxing myself, but I have the Hero 11 and haven’t had any problems with it over heating and I live out in the Vegas desert. I shoot a lot of riding footage and haven’t had it shut off or anything.

I don't know this specific model, but it looks like you can't change the battery. I personally don't like that. When I film I am usually far away from a usable power source and the battery life of my Hero11 is about an hour of fiddling around and filming. So when the battery life comes to an end I just put a freshly charged spare one in and can continue.

I know you're looking at an upgrade, but I want to point out that you can do macro on a GoPro with a Backscatter flip system. I had a GoPro hero 11 with the flip and +15 macromate and was pleased with the footage. Here are example pictures from the Red Sea: [https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/comments/182zg6d/red\_sea\_gopro\_macro\_macromate\_flip\_macrowide\_light/](https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/comments/182zg6d/red_sea_gopro_macro_macromate_flip_macrowide_light/) and an example video I made after diving in the Philippines last year (plenty of macro shots - it's not the most stable footage and color correction isn't very good, either): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aKDx01FVEE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aKDx01FVEE) Now, it doesn't compare at all to my new Mirrorless setup, but it's also like $5k cheaper, so you get what you pay for. The idea of mirrorless/SLR that doesn't cost an arm and a leg is pretty much non-existent. I used the GoPro as my "proof of concept" that I could get close enough to subjects and learn about composing macro videos. Once I decided I loved it, I made the splurge and bought a used setup. Even buying most things used, it was a lot of money.

The new GoPro Hero is a pain because you must go through the Quik app to add stabilization. Go for the 11 Mini instead.

I own both 11 and 13. 11 does everything great like 13. If you can afford it, go for 13. It’s more future proof, but you can also get two 11 for the price of one 13.

I went out of the GoPro path, but came right back (first GoPro was Mark 3). Hero 9 is too old. You need 11 to level up, and it’s really cheap right now. 11 was a huge update. I skipped 12, and I don’t see so many advantages since I bought 13. I’m not disappointed, but the end result looks exactly the same. Maybe I’ll buy the overpriced Ultra Wide lens (I shoot downhill mountain biking).

I used gopros mounted to my handlebars on my bike. They were ok while they worked, which wasn't for long. I had 2 mini 11s and both ate memory cards corrupting them seconds after starting recording. Tried everything. Hard reset, different firmwares. Both devices would get warm and be unresponsive until the battery ran out. Lastly I tried the new hero 4k. Absolutely shocking image quality and no stabilisation. Don't get me started on the subscription and returns service where you pay about 80 percent of the price you already paid for a replacement. Will be avoiding GoPro in the future.

GoPro 11 mini if you can find one. Older model so discounted, no additional screen to worry about breaking and good quality video. Only downside is built in battery, I don’t mind that aspect of it. It also has two mounting points so I use one for a tether.

Bro, my go pro 11 black overheats and shuts down, never again i will buy one.

That’s a tough one man…. I had a GoPro 11 for a year and it was dreadful. Bought the Action 4 three months ago and it’s been a huge improvement over the GoPro ecosystem. I took the action 4 out to Yosemite camping for 4 days and the video quality is ok…. :/ I’m an amateur so take my comment with a grain of salt. Quality isn’t worse than my GoPro 11. The reliability and software is far better than GoPro. But I do think if I had the Pocket 3 the videos would’ve been much better. However it would’ve broke on a hr in Yosemite.

I got a go pro mini and a DJI action 4 and like the action 4 picture better. One thing that Louis Rossman on YouTube brought up about DJI is they sell you a limited licence to use the camera. Unless you accept their terms you are limited to using the camera for only a few times.

Welcome to the GoPro world! If you want to buy used, get a GoPro Hero 13. Used/pre-owned get a Hero 11 (the 12 had some unfavorable updates). If you find some good deals, the GoPro Hero 9 is the oldest of the "modern" family of GoPro cameras. GoPro releases a new model every ~1 year and the updates have been great. Some people may complain that a new model isn't "significantly better" than the previous model to a degree of warranting an upgrade, but I'm fine with that, they just want to push the best tech currently possible. The camera itself is waterproof but you'll need to rinse it after submerging in salt water. I have surfed quite a few times with my Hero 9 and Hero 13 and I've had no problems. The gopro is submersible to a certain range so you'll want to check that first but if you're just surface snorkeling you'll be just fine. The GoPro is perfectly capable without any extra lenses but personally I recommend the UltraWide lens mod if you do get anything. On the stock lens the newer cameras have linear, wide, superwide, and hyperview already. You'll want to get the "The Handler", a GoPro handle that floats in water in case you let go of it. Other than that you'll need a good SD card and you're all set - needs to be one from the approved list on the GoPro website (but not necessarily bought directly from there). MicroSD cards need to have high quality reading/writing speeds to avoid video corruption. Feel free to send me a message and I can give you a lot more information or we can work out a call or something. I have a lot of experience and I really love my GoPro :)

GoPro 11s - 13s take really nice video. I'd use a red filter for ambient light filming in Hawaii. For photos, especially macro, a used TG5/TG6 + housing.

I had the second GoPro they released - and then every 2 years I upgraded to the latest model I finished up with a GoPro 8 and 11 sold them both and went to the DJI Action 4 - and then picked up the Action 5 Pro (I like to have 2) I find them better in many ways - but startup time - processing power - battery LIFE are all great upgrades

I can recommend a hero 11 since I use one for my surf fishing videos. The camera is exposed to salt spray the entire trip yet cleans up easily and still looks new. I get about 2hrs and 15 minutes of battery life at my settings.

I bought some GoPros a few years back (11s). They quality has really improved a lot since the early versions, as have the features. All of the newer ones can shoot up to 4-5K. They’re also waterproof and don’t require a case if you want to dunk them (up to 30ish feet…?) I also like the image stabilization software built into them. I record on my kayak a lot and it’s nice to not get seasick when viewing my footage. If you buy one and plan to shoot all day, consider getting a 256 GB micro SD card, which will hold 8-12 hours of video. You should also have some spare batteries or an external power source, as the batteries last 1-1.5 hours, depending on the outside temperature (they don’t last as long in the cold). Here’s some sample of footage, if you care to see it: [Kayak_Chris YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@kayak_chris)

The newer GPs have slightly better video quality than an old iPhone. The sensor is larger on the GP11 and up (1/1.9" vs \~1/2.5" on the iP11) but the lens is significantly wider. You can try using an app like Blackmagic Camera for a more professional interface: [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blackmagic-camera/id6449580241](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blackmagic-camera/id6449580241) GoPros are generally better for... action and on-the-move shots. Stabilization in-camera or post is better than older iPhones (without action mode). On the GoPro, you can simplify some changes by installing Labs firmware and using QR codes.

After the fiasco of the 11 mini bricking itself, I will never buy a GoPro with a built in battery again. Only removable models for me for now on.

Whatever you choose, don’t choose GoPro mini, it sucks (at least mine did), sometimes it freezes, sometimes works fine, sometimes won’t turn on. Just replaced with a instant 360 ace, very affordable and works just fine. Good luck!

For running, I currently use a GoPro hero 11. I usually keep it on a short stick which can extend if need be and often times I’ll just hold it in my hands and that works fine. Otherwise it fits easily in my hydration vest. I don’t like having it mounted because you’re locked into that shot. Here’s a race I recently shot with it: https://youtu.be/pbNHA02SmPc?si=Bhz038K6liziNGvQ If you are looking for a small drone, I highly recommend the Hover Air X1. Very small and easy to use, it can even fit in the pocket of my running shorts. Here’s a review I made of it: https://youtu.be/oCh0fPDpfsk?si=DIH9VTB5-0fVbNtd However both X1 and DJI have new similar drones coming so you may wanna look for those in the future.

I’m fairly happy with my GoPro Hero 11. With a little tripod I can set up shots or just walk and talk. Works well for my purposes but it doesn’t do well in low light.

DJI Action 5 Pro is making way better underwater footage, than any other action camera. Personally for me - it was the main reason to switch from GoPro 11. The rest of the footage - is the same crappy/ok for all action cameras. If you want a proper vlogging camera, which you can carry with you easily - DJI Osmo Pocket 3. But it is not for underwater footage. Also, comparing with iPhone 16 - the quality of DJI OP 3 is way better. Reviewed here [https://youtu.be/w4Mxca7kMyk](https://youtu.be/w4Mxca7kMyk) in details. So, in general - Action 5 Pro is nice camera, depends on what are your action needs.

used nikon with 100ft/30m rating if you want still pictures, used tg5 and housing probably too hard to find for 500 gopro 10 or 11 and a stick if you want video, add some backscatter filters if desired

has its flaws for sure but this camera works so smoothly and reliably, and i can film indoors. great job dji. if the action 4 is just as good, i was wasting my time with gp11.

I have a GoPro Hero 11 and don't use the MacOS software. I'm fine without it.

I have had gopros for years and the never once overheated on me. Sure, I dont film in 4k. A 9 blackscreened on me but I got a brand new 11 from GoPro. The video quality is great, the stabilization is great, the colors is great, the built in mic is good... I like gopro very much. I really do, but im not buying the 13, im buying the 14

If your budget is approx. $200, then I would recommend buying a used Hero 8/9/10/11 instead. This will give you WAY more value for your money. Yes, the small Hero camera might be designed for beginners, but I honestly see no sence in it. The Hero Black is not that complicated to handle either, the image quality is better, and it offers way more options.

If your budget is approx. $200, then I would recommend buying a used Hero 8/9/10/11 instead. This will give you WAY more value for your money. Yes, the small Hero camera might be designed for beginners, but I honestly see no sence in it. The Hero Black is not that complicated to handle either, the image quality is better, and it offers way more options.

Hero 13 is probably your best bet if you don’t need 60fps. I can’t recommend the 11 mini, plagued with problems and I wouldn’t trust it in a professional setting, I’ve missed a few shoots because of mine.

Just get urself a gopro, 10s and 11s are relatively cheap and have nearly all the features and quality of the newer cams.

I've been using a GoPro, 11 I believe, for some underwater/snorkeling videos. Seems to do well. But it's highly dependent on conditions/visibility. Now that it's snorkel season again, I should probably go in and fine-tune the settings for best chance of good video. [Here are my highlights from last summer in SoCal](https://youtu.be/ImKtXLxRDOk)

Get a refund if you can. GoPro and DJI are the only worthwhile cameras for action sports. I love my GoPro hero 11. Well worth the money for a quality camera.

I would update my hero11 only for the wireless mic option available for DJI, other than that I love my GoPro.

I tried with the hero 11. It was ok when still but moving around a lot had issues with quality

I had a bad run of NoPros... went back to the original...now on my 3rd RMA'd Hero11BlackMini. Grrr.

I assume you are only interested in video? If not, prepare to be disappointed. Action cams make for fairly poor still image cameras, though you can pull stills from video footage and sometimes they aren't too bad. If video is your goal, look for a used GoPro. You can typically find one with a ton of accessories for almost nothing. I started with a Hero 7 and recently picked up an 11. Not much difference between the two, but I do find that the underwater features in the 11 make for better off the camera footage. There is always someone selling the previous generation because they have to have the newest one. Save the cash for divegear!

Get a deal on the Hero 11. It has the same sensor.

You don’t need the desktop app. Gyroflow + Davinci Resolve is perfect and free. Also consider the Hero 11, if you can get it cheaper. It has the same sensor and GPS (H12 is missing it).

The Mac/Windows software for the Max/Fusion was slow to roll out and buggy. They've been back and forth with other software such as Quik and the GoPro player. What puts GoPro ahead of other similar cameras is the 5k resolution and Labs firmware which allows the cameras to operate at their full capability. That said, despite only being 8-bit my Insta Ace Pro and Insta X3/X4 are fantastic in their respective categories. The Ace blows the GoPro 11/12 out of the water in poor lighting and it records rather large 4:3 HDR video at 60fps while the GoPro is limited to 30fps at 8:7 5k. All these cameras have their uses, the GoPro cameras will overheat far sooner than the Insta cameras but if you need consistent results for colour grading / gamuts then it's far easier to use a GoPro. The GoPro also has GPS (not the H12) while the Insta does not. So it's easier to pull and paint telemetry. GoPro has had the competition edge out some more modern quick connectors that they've now adapted. It's really a case of diversity within the field plus marketing. What sells GoPro is the marketing video. Putting the cameras in places where any action camera would look amazing, applying appropriate colour grading, frame interpolation etc. I'm shocked they didn't have a big video for the Hero 13 showcasing it but rather used smaller videos to demonstrate specific features such as the anamorphic lens, NDs, etc.

I've have GoPro 8 and 11. 11 is terrible POS, which constantly overheats and discharges itself if left off for couple days. I've had OA3, which was piss poor and didn't have a proper focus distance set. How do you like Ace Pro 2 so far, after all those months?

Hard pass on this one. That's a big no from me. IMO, what makes the last several generations of GoPros great is the stabilization. This camera DOES NOT have stabilization. If you want smaller, get the hero 11 mini, small has stabilization. For me, it would require a very narrow and fixed use case to get this one ( web cam, security cam, only on a tripod etc.)