The day after DJI unveiled the Osmo V3, a pair of leaked images for GoPro’s next big thing, the Hero 12 Black, started to pop up on X. Though they should be approached with some caution since they come from an account that has no history of accurate GoPro leaks, the images do appear to be genuine and suggest a major image quality upgrade for GoPro. They show a new GoPro with a 1-inch sensor (according to a marking on the side) and a larger screen with thinner bezels than previous GoPro models.
Aside from a bigger sensor, the Hero 12 Black has other notable features that will be a hit with consumers. It can now record distortion-free wide-angle video with the Linear-View mode, and it’s able to capture high dynamic range (HDR) still shots and videos. It also supports voice control in seven languages, can upload content to the cloud while recording and has built-in GPS. Plus, it can be used underwater without a housing up to 33 feet deep and adds electronic image stabilization.
The Hero 12 Black will also be compatible with GoPro’s Quik desktop app, which lets you create a movie from your footage by automatically finding the best moments and adding music. It’s similar to a mobile app that GoPro acquired, which already makes it easy to edit on the go and share with friends.
The only potential letdown is the lack of advanced drone-style features such as obstacle avoidance and subject recognition that are commonly found in DJI’s drones. But GoPro didn’t seem to be targeting advanced hobbyists with its Karma drone, and it’s clear that those kinds of features are on the roadmap for a future version of the Hero 12 Black.