Tag: GoPro

Which GoPro Should I Buy?

Posted on by DemonView

This seems to be a question that pops up on a regular basis. There are a lot of models to choose from and people want to know which model would suit them best. So, in this article we’ll be looking at which model may suit you best for your needs in order to save you some money. After all, why buy the latest model if you’re not going to use all the features on offer?

Things to note, I’m only going to concentrate models from the Hero 11 onwards. The reason being that previous models are just outdated at this stage and trying to find original GoPro batteries, replacement parts etc. is just not worth the time or effort.

So should I buy a 2nd hand model?

Remember, you get what you pay for! There’s a reason someone’s getting rid of it!!

A lot of people think that buying 2nd hand will save them some money and they can get a great deal. I myself, have some reservations about 2nd hand models. GoPro’s are action cameras used to record extreme action such as snowboarding, mountain biking, sky diving, car racing etc. You really have no idea what types of hard knocks, bangs or environments that a 2nd hand GoPro has been subjected to. Plus, if you buy 2nd hand, you’re buying at your own risk without a manufacturer’s warranty. On top of that, realize if you do have an issue with your camera and try contacting GoPro themselves, they may not be able to offer you support or a replacement if the camera has previously been reported as lost or stolen. Older models are pretty much outdated in terms of stabilization and features and for all of those reasons, I tend to avoid 2nd hand.

So many cameras, so many options, let’s make it an easy decision!

So which model should I buy?

Well, let’s take a look at the models that are currently on offer, what their features are and which model is right for you!

GoPro Hero 2024, GoPro’s smallest and lightest camera!

The Hero 2024 $199

This is one of the smallest and lightest GoPro cameras ever. It’s tiny! Yet this camera is capable of recording 4K video @ 30FPS. Since this is GoPro’s “Budget” camera, there are certain features it doesn’t have.

No GPS

No External Mic Support

Limited video modes (no HDR or LOG video options)

Limited photo modes

No “in camera” stabilization (stabilization is applied automatically via the app).

No Webcam mode

No add on lens options.

Only weighs 86 Grams!

Who should buy this camera:

I would purchase this if you want a cheap (GoPro quality) camera or a B roll camera. If you’re not an avid film maker and just want something small, light, for capturing video’s quickly and simply, this is the camera for you. If you’re buying a GoPro for a younger family member and it’s their first camera, this may also be the camera you want due to its low cost.

Anything else to know?

Yes, since there is no “in camera” stabilization, stabilization is applied automatically via the GoPro app. This means you will need to install the app on an Android or iOS device in order to stabilize the footage. While this model camera is a great offering from GoPro, realize that it’s also their least featured camera as a result.

The GoPro Hero 11. For just $60 you get a LOT more options!

The GoPro Hero 11 ecommerce model $259.99:

This is one of GoPro’s best models that they ever released. For just $60 more than the entry level GoPro this really is well worth the step up. It was a huge upgrade over previous models for the following reasons.

Taller 8:7 sensor (ideal for re-framing for different social media platforms without resolution loss)

10 bit color (a huge improvement over the 8 bit color from previous models)

“In camera” night effects (idea for light painting, star trails shots etc, without the need for post processing).

Max Lens Mod Support (for 360 degree horizon lock in 2.7K)

Onboard GPS ideal for track days or hikes.

Who should buy this camera?

This camera is suited to those that want a small form factor action camera to quickly post video clips to various social media platforms. If you want to upload a short to YouTube, Instagram Reels, Facebook etc., and then use the same clip for a long form video later on, the taller 8:7 sensor is ideal for this. If you want to get into vlogging later on, then the media mod add on will allow you to attach external mics, lights and even gives you a HDMI out. Add the Max Lens mod for an even wider FOV if you’re doing some serious action sports and want that sense of immersion and speed.

If you want “most” of the capabilities of the latest GoPro model but on a budget price, this is the one to go for.

Anything else to know?

I would consider the Hero 11 to be the “All-rounder” camera. It is a hugely capable camera that you can use to create stunning video. The “in camera” night effects also mean that with very little effort, you can create stunning video that will amaze your audience with very little effort. However later models did add some features that you may want to consider before purchasing.

The GoPro Hero 12. Stunning video quality, great HDR output, truly cinematic!

The GoPro Hero 12 $345.99

This is one of GoPro’s most controversial models that was ever released. Why? Well simply put, this is a GoPro Hero 11 with the GPS removed. Other than the missing GPS, every single hardware component is the same as the Hero 11. However, what GoPro did for this camera was completely re-write the firmware from the ground up. This was a huge undertaking and the results…. are amazing. Here’s what the Hero 12 offers that the Hero 11 doesn’t (thanks to that new firmware)

Longer operating times as the camera o/s has been optimized.

Max Lens Mod 2.0 support (for 360 degree horizon lock in 4K resolution)

Bluetooth audio support (connect your headset to the camera to record audio and control the camera)

Re-nameable presets (something users have wanted, now they have it!)

HDR video (great for dual exposure requirements)

Timecode sync (great for multicam or audio devices that use timecode)

Variable bit rate recording

GPLog support (for the flattest picture profile available).

Who should buy this camera?

Serious action sports enthusiasts who want the very best frame rates and resolutions possible. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 is a huge step up from the previous Max Lens mod and offers a much wider FOV in 4K. If you’re also a serious editor and want the flattest picture possible for color grading in post, the GPLog offers that (it can also be tweaked with the GoPro Labs Firmware). Serious Motor Vloggers will also want to take advantage of the Max Lens Mod 2.0. Now you’ll get a much more expansive view while talking to the camera in and around your vehicle. The HDR video also is fantastic for filming inside your car while avoiding over exposure/blowout whites outside of the vehicle. If you’re a serious film maker/action content creator/vlogger, then this is the camera for you.

Anything else to know?

Since the Hero 12 does not have GPS on board, those of you wanting a “Track Day” camera may want to look towards the Hero 11 or Hero 13 or record GPS with a separate device (which is what serious track day enthusiasts do anyway). Although Bluetooth audio is supported, it’s actually quite low quality and honestly, it makes for better camera control when the camera is outside the vehicle rather than recording usable vocal content. The GPLog option will give you the best video possible for color grading in post, but if you’re used to color grading in post, then using GPLog will give you a flat, faded, washed out picture (which is actually what you want for color grading) but for the uninitiated, they may wonder why their picture doesn’t “Pop”. However, if you are serious about content creation, this is the model you want!

The GoPro Hero 13. The all in one production powerhouse for serious creators and vloggers alike.

The GoPro Hero 13:

Another controversial model but only slightly. Why? Well simply put, this is a GoPro Hero 12 and “nearly” every single hardware component is the same as the Hero 12….. nearly……. However, GoPro did some major redesign of the guts within the camera as well as carry out some pretty great upgrades as well as adding the GPS back. As a result, they have produced a camera that is now an all-in-one production powerhouse for content creators and serious vloggers. So what are the benefits of purchasing a Hero 13?

Longer operating times as the camera heat sinks have been redesigned with an extra heat sink added.

In camera re nameable presets (huge advantage for quick filming in different environments)

Upgraded Bluetooth (BLE 5.3)

Upgraded WiFi (WiFi 6 for longer range and faster uploads)

HDR HLG Video (for broadcast quality HDR across more devices)

Automatic Lens detection with suggested settings (Cannot stress how great this is).

Macro Lens Support (now get closer to your subject while adding a cinematic background blur)

Anamorphic Lens support (coming 2025)

On board GPS receiver.

Upgraded battery for longer filming times

Burst 360FPS and 400FPS filming modes

Who should buy this camera?

Everyone. Sorry, but it’s the frustrating truth! With the new features on offer from this camera, GoPro have made a true production powerhouse that offers everything. Before, getting close up shots of an item (for reviewers, those selling products etc.) meant either using a digital zoom in post (thus reducing quality) or having to use a different camera (which meant 2 separate files, having to match colors in post, sync audio etc). Now with the Macro lens, that’s no longer an issue. Same camera, same color, easy!

Getting cinematic motion blur has always been tricky to manage (and that’s assuming you know what cinematic motion blur is), however GoPro’s automatic lens detection and suggested settings have now made this easy for anyone to do. Thanks to the new lenses that are available from GoPro, the camera automatically detects which lens is attached, and based upon your settings, will suggest either a stronger Nd filter or a lighter Nd filter. This enables you to get the perfect motion blur every time. Easy!

Plus how many people have accidentally enabled Max Lens Mod Mode or forgot to when filming? No longer an issue thanks to the automatic lens detection. The camera will select the proper filming mode depending on the lens you attach. Easy!

So due to these features, that’s why it’s a bit frustrating to suggest that “Everyone” gets this camera. I should be saying “Hard core professional film makes” and that’s true… however due to how easy GoPro have made this camera to use, I can also truthfully say “Complete amateurs who don’t have a clue about filming and want the best picture possible”. This camera is simply a huge leap forward for GoPro and well worth the asking price in my opinion. To be honest, I may pick up a 2nd one as I’m that impressed with it.

Anything else to know?

The burst slow motion is some of the best available in any action camera. GoPro have also improved the audio with a selectable vocal enhancement option as well as improved low light filming with a selectable noise reduction option. The GoPro Labs firmware also has some huge advancements for the Hero 13 and frankly makes this a great option for serious action camera users. The Anamorphic lens won’t be available until 2025 but this is one option I’ve been wanting for years from GoPro and they’ve finally made it a reality. The simple fact is, if you want to get the best action camera on the market, then this is the GoPro you will want. In my opinion, this has been the best GoPro and most revolutionary GoPro release since the Hero 8.

So what about the Hero 9, Hero 10 or Hero Max?

As stated, I’m only concentrating on models that are currently available from GoPro. The Hero 9 and Hero 10 are currently unavailable and honestly, with the Hero 11 on offer, it outperforms both cameras easily and for a great price. The Hero Max is also unavailable and given the fact that it’s nearly 5 years old at this point, I would wait for the Max 2 when it’s released in 2025.

Anything else to keep in mind?

Yes! If you do end up buying a GoPro for yourself or someone else, please make sure you don’t cheap out on the SD card. Sd cards are important and trying to bargain basement a card could end up with disastrous results.

That’s why I only use 512GB Samsung Evo Select cards. They are rock solid performing cards for the best price available.

Best performance, best storage, best value!

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Please note that all prices were correct at time of article publication, please feel free to shop around to compare prices to ensure you get the best deal possible.

This is a bonus note dedicated to all of those who take the time to actually read the small print. I think you’re awesome for doing that, but isn’t it frustrating how much is really hidden in small print and user agreements? I for one think that consumer protection laws need to be increased and any company that sells to customers whether it be a physical or digital product should abide by the same agreement.

I’ll be honest with you, when someone clicks on my links and purchases a product, that makes me happy. I try to recommend only the best items that I actually use or find useful. Let’s me know people are paying attention, just like you’re paying attention to this very small print! Good for you!

The GoPro Hero 13. At last, a true creator’s camera.

Posted on by DemonView

As you should all know by now the GoPro Hero 13 is going to hit the market on September 4th. The questions on everyone’s mind though at the moment is “Is this camera worth buying?”. The reason being that there’s been no reported update with the sensor, it’s the same basic overall design and now it turns out that people will have to invest in new batteries for this model. So will I even be purchasing this camera?

To purchase or not to purchase, that is the question!

The answer is simple. Yes, yes I most definitely will as I reckon GoPro have finally made a true “Creators” camera with this new GoPro Hero 13. Let me walk you through why I think this is going to be an amazing camera for creators.

New Lens Mods!

Lens modes are nothing new to GoPro, they’ve offered us the Max Lens Mod since the Hero 9, the Hero 12 supported the Max Lens Mod 2.0. However, the Hero 13 is offering us two extra lens mods, a Macro lens Mod and a Wide angle mod (with a reported 2:40:1 aspect ratio). Those are the two mods I’m most looking forward to as I believe these will really up the creator game. Here’s why.

When I film footage for myself or my channel, there’s time when I want to get close up shots of an item. Whether it be an accessory for my video channel such as this excellent video light from Ulanzi

Still rocking this amazing little light!

or even a set of premium spark plugs for my car.

Why use cheap spark plugs in your car?

However, as you know, the GoPro camera with its wide angle FOV, doesn’t do close up shots. This means I have to grab my Canon Rebel 7ti equipped with a Macro Lens to get the close up shots that I want. This means I’m using two separate cameras, two separate video files and now I have to spend extra time color matching the shots in post.

It’s still one of the best all rounders you can get!

Now with the Hero 13, I will be able to quickly and easily swap lenses on the fly. Use the regular lens for my presentation shots and then for the up-close shots, quickly swap in the macro lens mod. All shots in the one camera, no swapping around cameras, managing multiple SD cards and multiple file types. Even better, the GoPro Hero 13 has automatic lens detection!

That’s a huge advantage when it comes to quickly creating and outputting video content. At the risk of sounding like a TV infomercial, I’ll have to say “But wait, that’s not all….”

The Wide Angle Mod

This is the one I’m really looking forward to. Although the GoPro can easily manage a nice 16:9 widescreen output, it just didn’t seem…. cinematic. You would either have to film in 8:7 and then add black bars in post (therefore really just cutting into your resolution) or you could use a 3rd party Animorphic lens… which means you would have to turn off stabilization, film in a narrow FOV and the then de-squeeze the footage in post. So, it was a lot of work for the shots that you wanted to get (even if the results looked amazing with proper cinematic lens flare).

Still a great option for older cameras if you want cinematic style footage.

The fact that GoPro are releasing their own Wide-Angle Lens that will be supported by the camera natively is a HUGE advantage. Now creators can use their small form factor GoPro to create truly cinematic looking footage with just a lens swap.

So now that I’ve listed the some of the things I’m looking forward to, let’s talk about the other advantages of this new GoPro model.

Battery life!

The new GoPro uses a new battery design that offers about 17% more shooting times (resolution and frame rate dependent). Now some people have complained about this, after all, if you bought a Hero 12 just last year, you’re probably not happy about having to upgrade batteries for the Hero 13. However, be aware, the current form factor batteries were introduced with the Hero 9. The Hero 10 gave us the Enduro battery variant, and the Hero 11 and 12 used the same batteries. So, for a lot of people out there, it’s about time that GoPro updated the batteries. I doubt anyone is going to complain about longer filming times with these new batteries and I just hope that these GoPro batteries finally support fast charging options (the one thing a lot of people have complained about in the past).

These are the best and only batteries you should be using in your Hero 9, 10, 11 or 12!

Enhanced Audio!

This is a bit of a tricky one to address. If we look at the design of the new GoPro, a lot of people seem to think that the grill under the front lens is a heat sink to keep the camera cool. I actually believe this represents a new microphone for the GoPro that offers better wind reduction. GoPro’s actually have pretty good audio, however once the wind comes out, then you’ll need to use either a media mod (with foam windscreen) or use an external mic with a dead cat for premium audio. I think GoPro have been working hard on this one and we’re going to see better “in camera” microphone quality as evidenced by the new mic design under that front lens.

Bluetooth improvements?

Although Bluetooth audio was introduced with the Hero 12, it only supported HFP (hands free protocol) so you could really only use it with headsets (which usually have built in digital wind reduction which lowers audio quality massively). It looks like the Hero 13 may have upgraded the Bluetooth audio on offer (however I can’t confirm this at the moment) and if they have, then it’s yet another reason to purchase.

However, there’s the final reason I’ll be upgrade for sure and that would be one of my favorite ways to shoot and that’s slow motion!

Slow motion is one of the most underused features of a GoPro camera. They can currently shoot at up to 240FPS (10X slow motion). The ability to slow down time to get buttery smooth slow motion is amazing and GoPro have upgraded this feature too. Now they are offering an insane 13X slow motion at 320FPS! I simply cannot wait to have some serious fun with this one. This makes a perfection “Action camera” enhancement that will seriously rock your footage.

So with all of that in mind, am I excited about this release on September 4th? Yes, I am! I think this is seriously one of the most exciting models that GoPro have released in quite some time, and they put creators first and foremost with this release giving them a huge variety of tools to help up their game!

Roll on September 4th, I’ll be purchasing the GoPro Hero 13 for sure, and I cannot wait to review this exciting model camera for you!

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only recommend products and services that we have personally used or believe will provide value to our audience. All opinions expressed here are our own. Please do your own research before making any purchasing decisions.

GoPro Hero Max 2 Leaked (Real or Fake?)

Posted on by DemonView

Hey, folks. Been a while, but I’ve been busy. I’ve been researching the GoPro Hero Max 2. Now, for those of you who don’t know, there was an image leaked within the past few weeks of what the GoPro Hero Max 2 looks like. Only I think personally think it’s a fake. Some reviewers and BETA testers for GoPro are claiming it’s real. One of those such people is the one and only GETHYPOXIC

If you haven’t heard of GETHYPOXIC before. This is a website that basically specializes in GoPro Hero tear-downs, telling you exactly what hardware is inside and the changes from model to model. They think the leak is real. I say it’s fake. So in this article we’re going head-to-head with GETHYPOXIC and we’re going to look at the reasons I think the below image is fake.

Is this really what the GoPro Max 2 looks like?

The above picture is supposed to be the GoPro Hero Max 2. Now I have a few issues with that claim and I’m going to go through them and hopefully do a mediocre to good job at explaining why this image appears fake to me (that joke was funnier in my head). If GETHYPOXIC wants to do his own write up on why this image is real, I’ll let him do that on his website.

First off, I’m going to show you the original GoPro Hero Max and the GoPro Hero Fusion to show you what the design of GoPro’s 360 cameras are really like and why this image could be fake.

GoPro Hero Fusion, GoPro’s first 360 camera!
The GoPro Max, GoPro’s current 360 camera.

GoPro’s 360 cameras have a very specific design. As you can see the lenses on both the Fusion and the original Max have been offset. This is because of GoPro’s patented way that they stitch their footage together. I believe this offset was applied to try and lesson the appearance of chromatic aberrations that usually plague curved lenses which if true, would be a huge advantage that the GoPro has over the competition.

However, if we take a look at the leaked image of the GoPro Hero Max 2,it has a centered, camera lens. Now people say that will get rid of a nadir issue, but I have my doubts overall.

Why is the lens placement now ignoring past designs?

Then we have what appears to be fins covering the camera that one would assume is for heat dissipation. This doesn’t make much sense as GoPro cameras have always had a rubberized silicone type covering on them which allows for the camera to absorb impacts from dropping it or being subject to flying debris. So, what’s the problem? Well, they can’t possibly be heat dissipation fins because rubber is a heat insulator. Think about it. If you’re barbecuing or picking up hot dishes, usually those gloves that you have to protect you from burning yourself are made from silicone rubber (an insulator from heat). This means that these “Fins” would be completely useless at dissipating heat as the heat would not be conducted by the silicone rubber. So, there is zero point to them being there (unless the photo is a fake!)

Seriously, silicone gloves protect your hands by NOT transferring heat!

The next question we have to ask is what is that large rectangle under the lens? Well, you know, it’s not a screen because again, it’s covered by these fins. You wouldn’t be able to press anything on the screen if it’s covered by fins. So it can’t be a touch screen. What if it’s a large metal heat sink? Yes that could be a heat sink to dissipate the heat. Only again, they’ve covered it with soft silicone rubber fins. And how are you going to attach that to the bare metal there. I mean that’s just going to end up peeling off breaking. Again, it makes no logical sense as you’d be covering a heat-sink with something which doesn’t transfer heat.

Could you use a touch screen that was behind a fence?

Another clue is the GoPro logo on the camera. Whoever photo-shopped that on didn’t spend much time on it as it doesn’t deform with the surface of the camera. If that logo was really there, you’d expect it to be stamped and maybe raised and depressed with the contours of the camera, but instead it’s completely flat.

So, if this is a fake photo, what type of camera could this possibly be? Well, if you’ve looked at police body cameras, they do have a center lens mounted design and a large stop start button that the wearer can press to stop and start recording even while wearing thick protective leather gloves. Later cameras, the start/stop feature would be integrated into a sliding lens cover. This I feel, is an earlier model police body camera with some bad photo-shopping done to it.

Notice the similarities between this and the leaked GoPro Hero Max 2 picture.

The final nail in the coffin for this being a faked image is the source which was Quadro news. Now, if you don’t remember, Quadro News leaked a picture of the GoPro Hero 12 last year with a one inch sensor. What’s the problem with that? Well, obviously the GoPro Hero 12 did not have a one inch sensor.

The fake Hero 12 leaked image from 2023

The photograph itself was actually proven to be fake because it was actually lying on top of old promotional materials a previous GoPro release. A closer examination of the photo also revealed that “1” sensor” claim had been badly photo-shopped.

Here’s the thing, in my opinion, Quadro News is a DJI site employee or contracted writer. Quadro News only (and consistently) posts nothing but DJI news, DJI specs, video footage of leaked DJI, drones in flight and DJI cameras photos.

Last year when the GoPro Hero12 leak with the one inch sensor came out, I also think that was a bit of corporate sabotage by DJI. Tell everybody the Hero 12 is going to have a one inch sensor, put the fake picture out there and that way when the GoPro Hero 12 was released and it didn’t have a one inch sensor everybody was really disappointed and really angry with GoPro saying they weren’t going to buy the camera.

On top of this, if you look at how the leak regarding the GoPro Hero 12 came to be, basically Quadro News quoted another site that was “re-quoting” Quadro News saying something along the lines of “congratulations on this getting this leaked information out there”. The thing is, the “Quoted” post never existed in the first place. The account that was congratulating Quadro News was actually defunct and hadn’t posted anything since 2017 and suddenly it became active again and choose to make one post congratulating Quadro News? Fake Fake Fake!

Now this brings us back to……. GETHYPOXIC!

Now in my opinion GETHYPOXIC is simply one of the best sites out there. I really do like their GoPro teardowns and technical information. I suspect that they may themselves be a beta tester for GoPro (if not, they should be). If they are, they may want to throw people off the scent or whatever. So for GETHYPOXIC to say “I think this is real”, I think there’s more to the story that they aren’t sharing.

Now, I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. I basically challenged GETHYPOXIC and told them that if this is a fake picture and I’m right, GETHYPOXIC has to display one of my DEMONVIEW LLC car magnets on the back of their car for an entire month. And if I’m wrong, GETHYPOXIC will send me one of their stickers and I’ll display it on my DemonView mobile for a month.

That bet was met with complete silence ………………….. until it wasn’t. Yes, GETHYPOXIC got back to me and said, “I will take that bet”. I look forward to winning this bet easily, I just wish I knew what type of car he was driving, I prefer my magnet to be on something classy ya know!

Folks, since I’m all about keeping things upbeat, no matter what, there will be a winner and it could be YOU! Head on over to my YouTube channel and check out the latest video, I’ll be doing a giveaway associated with this Hero Max 2 leak and I’ll be selecting 2 winners. There will be more details in the video, so make sure you check it out!

A 3 hour battery for the GoPro Hero 12? TESTED!

Posted on by DemonView

Yes, you read that right. For those of you who want/need longer shooting times from your camera, this may be the battery that solves all your issues!

Presenting the Fitstill Extended GoPro Battery.

If you want to shoot for 3hrs in 5.3K 30FPS, here’s your solution!

So what is it and more importantly, does it work?

Here’s what it is!

The Fitstill extended battery pack for the GoPro camera is an extended battery that fits inside and around your GoPro camera. This is somewhat reminiscent of the types of extended batteries that you would see for professional DSRL or mirror-less cameras but scaled down for the GoPro Hero line of the cameras.

The design is pretty unique as it almost looks like part of the battery pack actually fits inside the camera (which it does) but it actually doesn’t use the battery contacts to power the camera. Instead, it actually connects to the USB-C port of the camera to provide power. The part that fits inside the battery chamber more or less acts as a guide to line up the USB-Port properly to avoid damage. So that’s actually a pretty smart design. This also means you still have full access to the touchscreen of the camera as the battery doesn’t block it in any way.

You can see the USB-C connection in this picture.

So does it work?

Well, this is where it gets interesting.

According to the Amazon Page, this product is designed for the Hero 10 camera, in fact, the wording specifically states “Only for Hero 10 black”.

Not my imagination, it clearly states “Only for GoPro Hero 10 Black”

However, when the product arrived, it clearly said on the Box “For the Hero 9 and Hero 10 camera”. Now I’m going to hazard a guess that this product (and packaging) was created before the Hero 11 and Hero 12 were released. So since fortune favors the bold (and the foolish alike) I decided to test this battery pack with the Hero 10, Hero 11 and Hero 12. The results were interesting. ( I recently gave away my Hero 9 to my brother in Florida).

Now please note, that all 3 cameras were running the GoPro Labs firmware and that the power checking requirements had been bypassed using the TUSB=1 command.

With the Hero 10…… the battery pack simply didn’t work. It did nothing. Nada. Zilch! I couldn’t get the camera to even show a sign of life. I thought that maybe I had damaged the USB-C port, but after attaching the camera to the media mod (and successfully detecting it) and connecting the camera directly to USB power (which worked) it seems there may be a compatibility issue. Maybe. It’s also possible that the USB-C port of the camera is damaged, but it’s odd that the media mod and external power still worked. So, Hero 10 owners beware!

With the Hero 11, when the battery pack was attached… there were no issues! The camera powered right up and stayed turned on. I even filmed a few clips without any issues whatsoever.

With the Hero 12, the camera also powered up and recorded. However at one stage the rear display didn’t work properly, but a simple reboot seemed to fix that issue. Odd, but a temporary issues.

I then decided to put the battery pack through its paces. So I set the Hero 12 up to record in 5.3K 30FPS and the results were…….. actually pretty impressive.

Please note the Hero 12 in all its glory filming away. I also included the Portland Oregon weather report!

I managed to shoot in this resolution and frame rate for nearly 3 hours! (about 2hrs 59 minutes if you want to be exact), so I was very impressed. Now since the camera was still and mounted on a tripod, I did have hypersmooth turned off (it wasn’t needed) and the bit rate set to standard (I simply didn’t need a high bitrate for this test). So, I would expect that 3 hours in 5.3K 30FPS was probably the most I would get out of the camera in these settings. I expect times will differ based upon resolution, frame rates and hypersmooth options.

Still, 3 hours……. color me impressed!

So all is good?

Well there are some issues to be fair.

A: This battery plugs into the USB-C port of the camera, if you use it, you’re not going to be able to connect a media mod or external mic to your camera (although with the Hero 12, you still have the option of using your bluetooth audio headset). So that’s unfortunate.

B: I wouldn’t classify the frame as particularly sturdy. It feels a bit cheap and flimsy. Remember, a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. This applies to the frame that this battery and camera sit in. Although it has a nice wide locking mechanism at the top, the clip is simply held in place by two tiny pieces of plastic. Should one of those snap or break, your camera could easily end up falling out of the frame. I really wouldn’t have minded paying $20 for a sturdy aluminum frame.

C: It’s not waterproof or weatherproof, nor does it claim to be. I’m not sure how hard it would have been to put a rubber gasket around the edges of this battery pack, but if Fitstill had put such a gasket in place, this would have been a fantastic extended battery pack.

D: For the price, I doubt that it is cold weather compatible. Usually cold weather batteries are a lot more expensive. Unfortunately I don’t feel like throwing this in a freezer to find out (I don’t have that type of budget) but pretty sure this is a summertime battery only.

E: It powers off after about a minute or so of nonuse. This is hardly surprising, in fact most USB power banks to the exact same to conserve battery life. This does however mean that the battery pack isn’t suitable for schedule capture where your camera spends long times powered off.

Taking into account all of the above, is it still worth a purchase?

I think it depends on your need. If you want to film for extended periods with your GoPro Hero 11 or 12, then yes, this is well worth looking into. Only if you don’t need to use the media mod or external audio however…….. and you don’t need it to be weather proof or work in cold weather. I don’t think I would trust it mounted on an airplane or a car though for fear of the hinges failing. Then again, I’ve dealt with this design problem before with 3rd party knock off protective cases using the simple cheap hack of wrapping a rubber band around the outside to stop the case from opening.

Either way, for me, I’m pretty sure this battery pack will prove to be plenty useful over the coming summer months.

Please note that the article above contains links to Amazon. I get a small payment for any purchase made through these links and it’s a great way for you to support DemonView.com website and YouTube channels.

Four new GoPro’s in 2024. What to expect!

Posted on by DemonView

At the last investor relations call, GoPro confirmed there would be four new cameras released this year. However, what can we realistically expect from these forthcoming models? Well, I’m here to break it down for you based upon what GoPro themselves have had to say on the matter as well as some knowledge not readily available anywhere else.

It’s finally arriving!

Camera 1:

What’s been confirmed?

No rumors here! Nick Woodman already confirmed there will be an “Entry Level” model introduced mid 2024. This is outside of the normal GoPro release target of September, so it looks like GoPro could be trying to release the camera to target the summer months and budget conscious consumer.

What to expect!

In my opinion, there is no doubt this “entry level” camera will be based upon the popular Hero 12 platform. However, it will likely have important shooting options removed and well as accessory support. It will still likely use the popular GoPro mounting options (built in folding fingers, maybe with a ¾ camera thread too). I would expect though that the camera will not have media mod options or support for the GoPro Mic Adapter or support for the Max Lens Mod. Slow motions and 5.3K may be off the table (so no chances of people setting up their camera incorrectly and having it overheat). So we’re possibly looking at a 4K and 1080P model camera with maybe basic photo options (no raw support). Since the Hero 10 currently sells for $250, I would expect the entry level camera to have to target the $200 or less price point. Any more than this, and people will want all the features (and more) of the Hero 10.

Camera 2 & 3!

What’s been confirmed?

No surprise here, the Hero 13 will be along in September (which is GoPro’s usual release date for their mainstream cameras). Let’s not forget though, last year, Nick Woodman did say that they were working on the Max 2 camera and that it would be “worth waiting for”. Co-incidentally, there was (a now removed) article talking about work on the Max 2 all the way back in March of last year. It seemed to be in the prototype phase at that point, but if this is true, then it would be realistic to expect the sucessor to the Max this year.

What to expect!

With the Hero 13, it may be finally time to get a camera redesign. The Hero 9, 10, 11 and 12 all shared the same form factor. The design wasn’t without issue, especially where the media mod was concerned. Having to remove the entire media mod from the camera just to access the battery and SD card was a huge pain. This is an area that GoPro need to look at and improve. I doubt we’ll see a huge improvement in terms of resolution or frame rates, just simply based on the fact that so many people try to edit their footage on budget $300 mobile devices. It’s no use releasing an 8K camera shooting at 240FPS if no one can edit the footage! With that, I would expect several improvements in terms of color (HDR 2.0) and the GPLOG profile being even flatter, the usual (but entirely unnoticeable update to hypersmooth). However, if the Hero 13 finally gets a GP3 upgrade (a bit too soon in my opinion) then we can expect a Max Lens Mod 2.0 compatibility, but with HDR (2.0) support. We may finally get a camera capable of outputting 4K in webcam mode or using the media mod which many people would immediately love.

With the Hero Max 2.0, well this gets interesting. Remember that removed article I mentioned about the Max 2.0 prototype. Well at the time, they were running it using the GP2 chip. So I would expect the Hero Max 2.0 to feature higher frame rates than previous models (in Hero mode at least) with a 4K Hero mode. I would expect some of the features of the Hero 12 to make it to the Hero Max also. So HDR support, in camera night effect shots, and bluetooth audio support. GoPro really need to make the Max something special, but already there may be bad news. The original Hero Max always had GPS issues when exporting footage, with the Hero 12, the GPS was removed to help prevent overheating issues, and I would expect this GPS removal to also be present in the Hero Max 2.0.

The fact that the Hero Max 2.0 will also be using the GP2 chip, would indicate to me, that the Hero 13 will also be sticking with the GP2 chip.

Camera 4!

What’s been confirmed?

Nothing. Nada! Zero! However if we look at GoPro’s past releases and their claim to want to produce more “niche” camera’s, then I think it’s save to say the GoPro Hero 13 mini would be on the cards. The Hero 11 mini sold quite well and was a favorite among people looking for a smaller camera that had a smaller footprint. Although it lacked photo mode and GPS support, that didn’t seem to deter buyers and they were happy to purchase. GoPro have no doubt realized this is a good sales route to support and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hero 13 mini on shelves this year.

What to expect!

Well 1 of 2 options.

Option 1: The most realistic expectation would be a Hero 13 mini. Although people were happy to purchase the Hero 11 mini, they soon became very unhappy with their purchase. The built in battery was a constant source of issues for many users, whether it be the battery dying in the camera and not recharging or the fact that you had to wait for the camera to recharge before you could use it. There was also no Webcam support. I think GoPro will have learned from these mistakes and basically release a camera with the issues of the previous model addressed. So, webcam support may be an option in this model. However, what I’d really like to see is a removable battery. This way even if there is a battery failure, you can simply replace the battery rather than send the entire camera back to GoPro for replacement. Having the video mode bells and whistles of the 13 black supported too will make this model a great contender for many FPV pilots.

Option 2: The 1” sensor model. This is something that people have been requesting for years. A GoPro with a larger sensor for shooting better video at night or in low light situations. However the issue with 1” sensors is the inablity to focus on close objects. Vlogging with a 1” sensor using a selfie stick would require quite a long selfie stick indeed due to the focal lengths involved with a 1” sensor.

This truly would be a “niche” camera for GoPro and one that may prove to be problematic for users who don’t understand the optical issues at hand. With a larger sensor onboard though, without upgrading the processor, GoPro may have to even cut back on video and photo modes for such a model and I don’t think people would be happy with that (although putting 1080P and 2.7K on the chopping block may be an option). A 1” sensor would also be ideal for those ultra slow motion shots that naturally require more light due to the high frame rates involved.

Final thoughts:

It will be an interesting year for GoPro. I’m not sure they really hit the sales figures that they wanted last year and there is some really tough competition on the market at the moment. GoPro have always had the habit of releasing a model every year with just incremental updates. Last year, apart from the GPS removal, there was no significant hardware updates from the Hero 11 to the Hero 12. Instead the Hero 12 was given completely new firmware to enable new features and modes on the camera. While this caused some major backlash and disappointment from customers initially (myself included) the Hero 12 has weathered the storm and those that purchased it, are happy with the performance. This is also a sign that GoPro’s small engineering staff were hard at work designing something truly special for this year. I really do hope that they can deliver on expectations this year.

GoPro have their sights set on the future and to survive, they need to be innovative and offer something that customers feel they “must have” from their action cameras. However, they are still on the back-foot in the software department and are losing ground to their competitors. So big risks may not be something they are willing to look at. This worries me as if you don’t take big risks, in the face of stiff competition, you are doomed to die a slow death. I don’t want to see this company fade away to obscurity or be bought out by a bigger company only to be closed down. Let’s hope that 2024 is the year that GoPro well and truly impresses their customer base and more.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday! What should you be really buying?

Posted on by DemonView

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday here, what are the actual best deals that you should be looking out for? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the advertised low prices out there, but if you’re not careful, you can end up actually paying more money for products that you don’t actually want or even need. So, I’m going to share with you some of my own personal top picks and advice that you should be looking for! You can click the picture to open an Amazon link if you want to purchase any of these items.

Large Screen TV’s

Large screen TV.
A large screen TV may not be the bargain you think it is!

This is “Where they get ya!” Although you may see some great deals on TV’s, you need to be very diligent about reading the actual specifications. The claims of 4K with a large size of 65″ or more for a cheap price may seem like a bargain, but you could end up regretting your purchase. Think about it this way, if someone offered you a million-dollar sports car for just $200,000 you would think you were getting one heck of a deal. But if someone said that million-dollar sports car had the engine of a Ford Pinto in it… you would likely think it wasn’t a great deal at all. That’s the same thing with cheap 4K tv’s. Such cheap TV’s usually only have a native 60Hz refresh rate. This can lead to visual tearing or blurring during action scenes or sports scenes. Most of these cheap TV’s combat this by having “Tru motion” or other such features that claim they can offer up to 240HZ refresh rate. However, this is usually a software feature that can give your picture the cheap “soap opera” looking picture and cause artifacts in the picture to appear. So, you need to pay attention to the “Native” refresh rate in the specs. If the “Native” refresh rate is 60HZ, I would avoid purchasing, especially on anything larger than 32″. You want at least 120HZ or faster as the “native” refresh rate to avoid issues.

This Sony has a native 120Hz refresh rate which is what you’re looking for in a large TV.

Home Projectors

Home projectors are a great alternative to large screen TV’s.

Home projectors are a great alternative to owning a large screen TV. They don’t take up much room, they can offer a significantly larger picture for under 1/3 of the cost of a large screen TV. They are also portable and can be used indoor or outdoor. However, just like large screen TV’s, there are certain projectors that should be avoided. A lot of projectors on sale will use terms like “1080P support” or even “4K support”. Does that mean you’re getting an actual 1080P or 4K projector for an ultra-low price? Well no, in fact the “Actual” or “native” resolution can be a lot lower, often 640×480 or even lower! On a tiny screen (think about the size of a wristwatch) such low resolution probably won’t affect you. However, when you’re stretching that image to 60″ or even 120″ … the picture you see will look like it’s made out of Lego bricks. So, you will want to check the “Native” resolution to ensure (at the very least) the projector in question is actually a 1080P projector. If you’re spending more money and want a much higher definition picture, then you’ll want a “Native” 4K projector. Also, the larger the picture you want from your projector, you’ll want to check that refresh rate and make sure it’s at least a “Native” 120Hz.

This budget projector has a native 1080P resolution and won’t hurt the wallet.
This higher end projector features 4K native resolution and will give you a true home cinema experience.

Action Cameras

Not all cameras are created equal!

There is a reason that GoPro Action camera’s cost a lot of money. They simply offer the highest resolution combined with the highest frame rates and best picture quality available. There are other cameras out there that you can buy, but it really is a case of “You get what you pay for”. Don’t bother asking “What cheap camera’s offer GoPro video quality”, the simple fact is, they don’t. However before buying an action camera as a present for someone (or yourself for that matter). Ask yourself what it is you’ll be filming the most. Are you interested in filming vlogs while you travel capturing night and day footage? or are you interested in capturing high speed action sports? You may actually be better off purchasing a different camera based upon what you actually need the camera for.

The GoPro Hero 12 with 10bit color, GP-LOG and HDR video modes.

There’s no doubt that the GoPro Hero 12 is a great action camera. With superior (Emmy award winning) stabilization, 240FPS slow motion at 2.7K, this is the epic action camera that the pro’s use. The creator edition gives you a whole vlogging production studio in one convenient bundle. These are the camera’s that I personally use and depend on.

The DJI Osmo Action 4. Superior low light performance!

While the Osmo Action 4 may not offer the same high resolution and high frame rates as other models, where it does beat them is in low light performance. With a larger sensor, your low light shots are going to look significantly better than most of the competition.

The DJI Pocket 3 may look odd, but it’s one of the best cameras out there!

The DJI Pocket 3 may not be well suited to action (it’s not waterproof) but if you want the ultimate in low light shooting and vlogging, this may very well be the camera for you. Not only does it offer the best low light shooting around, it’s built in gimbal, auto tracking features and superior software beats any camera out there for travelling vlogger creators.

Final Thoughts

Although you may be tempted by all the supposed deals you find this Black Friday or Cyber Monday, remember, it’s critical to do your research first. The last thing you want to do is accidently purchase some old, outdated product or model, just because you saw it had a huge discount. Check the specs, read carefully what it is you are buying and remember to keep that receipt! The bargain you pay for may end up not being such a bargain if you don’t research your purchase first!

Good luck!

Please note that the above article features affiliate links to products. I do receive a small commission for anything purchased and this helps out with my YouTube and Website creation. So thank you for all those awesome supporters who use my affiliate links!

The GoPro Hero 12 GoPro’s biggest gamble yet?

Posted on by DemonView

Are you looking forward to buying the GoPro Hero 11… I mean… GoPro Hero 12… when it’s released in the next 2 weeks? Well GoPro are betting big on this one… by making this their smallest update yet.

Let’s take a quick look at the specs of the Hero 10, Hero 11, and the alleged specs of the Hero 12.

GoPro Hero 10GoPro Hero 11GoPro Hero 12
5.3k 60FPS5.3k 60FPS5.3k 60FPS
8 Bit10 bit10 bit
1/2.3″ CMOS1/1.9″ CMOS1/1.9″ CMOS
Timelapse 4KTimelapse 5.3KTimelapse 5.3K
Rear Display 2.27″ Touch LCDRear Display 2.27″ Touch LCDRear Display 2.27″ Touch LCD
Front Display 1.4″ Color LCDFront Display 1.4″ Color LCDFront Display 1.4″ Color LCD


HDR Video
Aspect Ratio 16:9 4:3Aspect Ratio 16:9  4:3  8:7Aspect Ratio 16:9  4:3  8:7
Max Lens ModMax Lens ModMax Lens Mod 2.0
Hypersmooth 4.0Hypersmooth 5.0Hypersmooth 6.0

As you can see, on paper, all 3 models are pretty similar. The main difference between the Hero 10 and Hero 11 was that the Hero 11 had a taller sensor with allowed for an 8:7 shooting aspect ratio. There was an increase to 10bit color and some built in camera effects (night trails, light painting etc). While the taller 8:7 sensor could be considered a significant hardware upgrade, I’m not convinced that the other features (in camera effects, 10bit color) couldn’t have been implemented into the Hero 10 with a firmware upgrade.

Now we have the Hero 12. Which on paper, seems to be a Hero 11 in every single regard. This is a huge costs savings for GoPro as it means they haven’t had to spend time and money with developing, testing or implementing new hardware features. In fact, just about everything “new” with the camera would be on the software side of things. There will be one or two new accessories no doubt (the Max Lens Mod 2.0 has all but been confirmed) and the Hero 12 will have HDR video shooting capabilities (the spec sheet also claims LOG, however the packaging doesn’t mention this at all).

Top 5 reasons why all of the above actually GOOD for the end user!

1: Due to the time saved by NOT investing in new hardware and testing, GoPro have had the time to build upon a stable and proven platform. This means that the GoPro Hero 12 may be GoPro’s most reliable and stable camera yet.

2: Even though there’s no major hardware changes, there still could be other changes under the hood, for instance new thermal compounds and materials could help run the camera even cooler as could a redesigned PCB.

3: Professional users have been requesting LOG for a long time, now they may finally get it. Prosumer will finally be able to avail of HDR video.

4: GoPro will have new accessories for the new model. A Max Lens Mod 2.0 has been confirmed (and advertising seems to suggest it may even offer nightlapse capture). A new remote is also on the way according to the FCC filing.

5: Those who have invested in previous model cameras will find that for the most part, their accessories still work and are supported by the Hero 12 (batteries, cases, selfie sticks etc), so no need to invest in newer accessories if you don’t want to.

Top 5 reasons why all of the above is actually BAD for the end user!

1: No new obvious hardware innovation from GoPro. This may be the “slightest” update of their camera yet. This does kinda make you feel a bit “ripped off”. It’s hard to justify an investment in the latest Hero 11… I mean…. Hero 12.

2: GoPro used to set the bar and they set it high. With these incremental updates, the competition is just edging closer and closer. This makes it hard to justify staying with GoPro regardless of whether you’re a loyal fan or a casual user. We’ve seen the Osmo Action 4 release with a larger sensor which may offer better low light capabilities. GoPro seem content with giving users a recycled camera so to speak.

3: You really can’t help but feel that all of these “new” features of the Hero 12 could have just been implemented into the Hero 11 with a firmware update, after all, it’s the exact same camera. Some blue sparkles on the camera housing doesn’t mean a darn thing.

4: If GoPro have been saving time and money by turning a Hero 11 into a Hero 12, couldn’t they have put the time and money into improving the GoPro app? What’s it been? 2 years and we still can’t make a Multi Clip Edit in 5.3K without black clips appearing in our final edit?

5: If this new camera really is a Hero 11 with a locked out firmware upgrade…. Will future camera’s follow this trend When do we get a subscription model basis of “You can activate Hypersmooth 9.0 and 8K resolution for just $20 a month”.  You can scoff at that if you want, but in the back of your mind… you know BMW has done it with their “heated seats”, Tesla has done it with their FSD … what makes you think GoPro won’t try this? After all, they admit the saving grace of their company has been their GoPro Plus subscription…

So at the end of the day, the GoPro Hero 12 may be GoPro’s biggest gamble yet. In short, by not investing (seemingly) in any significant new hardware, they have potentially saved time and costs on research and testing with their latest model camera. So to me it seems they have taken the GoPro Hero 11, written a “12” on the side of it and have passed it off as a brand new camera. If this works, then GoPro stand to make a nice profit from the sale of an old camera, as a new model camera. Investors will be impressed for sure.

However it may also blow up in GoPro’s face. Even before the camera announcement, people (myself included) were excited by the prospect of a significant GoPro hardware upgrade. Not only has that rug been pulled out from under our feet, but when the official specs were finally leaked, it seems a lot of people (myself included) were seriously underwhelmed. A lot of people are under the impression that the GoPro Hero 12 is just a re-dressed GoPro Hero 11. No matter what extra software tricks are up the camera’s sleeve, the incentive to buy just isn’t there. So GoPro may just learn the hard way why it’s not a good idea to quit impressing their customers and lack of sales will hit GoPro where it really hurts.

Now all of the above is pure speculation, the GoPro Hero 12 may have some serious tricks up its sleeve and be able to knock our socks off. GoPro may have spent the last year winding back and ready to deliver a serious clout in about 2 week’s time when the camera is finally released. All the naysayers may end up eating their own words in spectacular fashion……… however… as of right now…. It just doesn’t feel like that’s likely.

Fast motion vs slow motion. What you need to know!

Posted on by DemonView

It was once said that everything looks better in slow motion. I don’t exactly disagree. Everything does seem to look awesome and better in slow motion. The ability to slow down time and highlight an exciting moment is a must in anyone’s filming toolbox. However what about fast motion video? Or High Frame rate video as it’s sometimes referred to? High frame rate video can also highlight an exciting moment in real time by making the video as crisp and clear as possible so you see every single action moment in perfect clarity. The thing is though, slow motion video and high frame rate video are the exact same thing….. Confused yet? Well don’t worry, because in this article, we’re going to look at the differences between slow motion and high frame rate video.

Now before we get into the nitty gritty, I’d also like to announce that since my YouTube channel is coming up to the milestone of nearly 2K subscribers, there’s going to be a giveaway to celebrate! This will be some exclusive DemonView swag and what could possibly be the greatest piece of technology in the world…. possibly, I don’t know, I’m still reviewing this hardware, but the lucky winner will be getting their hands on the review model. So be on look out for that when the channel hits 2K subscribers, this will be a fun cool giveaway and I’ll be announcing the details of the giveaway when we hit 2K! (if you don’t want to wait, go to my YouTube channel, hit like and subscribe now to get us to that mark sooner!).

I assure you, the prize is not an empty box!

Ok, on with the article. You’ve probably all heard of slow motion video. You know the types of shots, where things slow right down to ½, ¼, 1/8 normal speed and really highlights an epic moment or fun scene in a video. It can look stunning and honestly, it can be a lot of fun to film slow motion video. So how is it accomplished. Well this one is fairly simple and involves some very simple math.

When you’re watching what I’d refer to as a “normal speed” video. You’re watching a video that’s recorded at 30 Frames per second and then played back at 30 frames per second. This means that for every second of video recorded, there are 30 individual pictures that make up that frame.

When it comes to slow motion video though, you actually film at a much higher frame rate such as 60 frames per second. However you would then edit the video so that it plays back at 30 frames per second. This will result in you having ½ speed slow motion.

If you recorded at 90 frames per second and play back at 30fps, this gives you 1/3 speed slow motion.

Recording at 120FPS and playing back at 30 FPS, this gives you ¼ speed slow motion.

And finally, recording at 240FPS and playing back at 30FPS gives you 1/8 speed slow motion.

Now the reason we film in a higher frame rate for a slow motion shot is that if you filmed at the normal 30 frames per second and then tried to slow the footage down to ¼ speed, you would then end up with 7.5 frames per second. This would look unnatural, more like a slow paced slide show rather than smooth video. You really want that playback video to be a minimum of 24 or 30 frames per second upon playback so the video looks smooth and natural.

And THAT is the very simple math explained.

The math is much more simple than this!

So why not shoot at 240FPS all the time and then just slow down the parts you want? Well there are a couple of reasons for this.

1: You’re creating some really large files when you shoot in a higher frame rate. I mean if you record at 30 frames per second, you have a normal file size. If you record at 240frames per second, then you’re essentially creating a files size 8x larger. So you could end up running yourself out of SD card space due to the amount of information you’re capturing.

2: It’s a lot more strain on the camera to shoot at such a high frame rate, so this is going to require more battery power and drain your battery faster.

3: Since your camera is working harder, it’s going to heat up a lot faster too and no one wants their camera to overheat.

4: The higher the frame rate you use, the less time there is for light to hit the sensor of your camera, so higher frame rates require even more lighting. To low a light and too high a frame rate, and you’ll end up with a lot of ISO noise in your footage.

So when it comes to shooting slow motion video, it’s always best to do it in short bursts. This not only combats all the above listed points, but it also speeds up your editing process as now you don’t have gigs worth of data to sort though just to find the shot you want.

Now that’s the basic explanation of slow motion. So what about High Frame rate video? Well high frame rate video is something that you may have seen in a lot of TV shows or movies, but didn’t know what it was called. For instance in scenes of fast action, where you really want clear details shown during an action scene to ramp up the feeling of speed, you’d film in a higher frame rate to eliminate motion blur.

So if I film a water hose spraying water at 30FPS, you’re going to see the water spraying and that’s fine. However, if I film the same scene in a high frame rate, not only do you see the water spraying, you also see the individual water droplets in the spray. This is because at a much higher frame rate, you’re eliminating motion blur, and now, every single detail looks crystal clear.

So when you watch an action movie and see two people fighting, or see some bullet strikes hitting the ground, this is usually filmed in a much higher frame rate than 30FPS.

Now I know what you’re thinking, this sounds the exact same as slow motion, you’re shooting at a high frame rate! Well, you’re right, it’s the exact same thing! The difference is that you’re recording in a high frame rate, but you’re also going to play back at the same frame rate the video was recorded in.

So if you record at 60 Frame per second, you’re going to play back the file at 60 frames per second.

If you recorded at 120 frames pers seconds, you’re going to play back the file at 120 frames per second.

This means that you don’t get a slow motion effect since you’re playing back the file at the exact same speed it was recorded at. So your speed stays at “normal” speed. You’re just getting a much sharper, clearer image.

And that’s it! That’s the simple difference between slow motion video and high frame rate video. How they are essentially the same thing while being filmed, but the difference is how it’s played back (or rendered if you’re doing an edit).

So when should you use slow motion vs high frame rate video?

Well that’s honestly an artistic choice for you, the creator. Slow motion is good for highlighting a very specific piece of action. Like the scoring of a goal, creating a fire effect, something that only happens for an instant, but you then want to make that instant last a lot longer on film.

With High Frame rate, think of a much longer action set piece, a fight scene, a motocross bike race. Something where there is a lot of consistent action going on and is very high motion and you don’t want blurring and most important, where you don’t want to break the pace by having something in slow motion.

A good example would be a boxing match for instance. You’re film in a high frame rate to highlight the speed at which each opponent throws a punch. Using high Frame rate is excellent for this. However if you were to shoot this in slow motion, you wouldn’t end up with an exciting fast fight. You’d end up with everything being slow……. and boring… and dragging on for ages. However, you could combine the two….

Slow motion, professional stunt actors and lighting also helps make a scene look cinematic…. but ya know, mainly slow motion…..

So film the fight in a high frame rate video, but when someone lands that knock out punch, then you can slow down that one single punch to slow motion. And remember, you can do this since filming in high frame rate and slow motion are the exact same thing! It’s just that one single punch scene that you’re going to slow down to play back at 30 frames per second…

However, remember that filming in high frame rates are going to put a lot of strain on your camera, drain your battery and fill up your SD card. So it’s good to plan things out in advance, know when to use high frame rates and when not to. Do that and you’ll soon be a master cinematographer when it comes to using higher frame rates.

And there you go! The difference between high frame rate and slow motion video, why they are both the same thing and yet completely different! Hopefully you found this article helpful and you’re now on the road to being a master cinematographer.

So thanks again for watching, come back soon and check for the announcement of DemonView’s upcoming giveaway! You never know, you could be the winner (and lets face it, the odds are WAAAAY better than winning the lotto!).

Until next time

Cheerio!

GoPro Hero 12 Predictions

Posted on by DemonView

We’ve reached that time of year again where I’m going to lay out my own personal predictions for the GoPro Hero 12 camera..). This is not simple “doubling” of the hardware specs from previous models like you see on some other site. These are my predictions based upon GoPro’s past release strategies and what I think we’re really likely to see from the GoPro Hero 12 as a result. So on with my predictions.

Could the Hero 12 maintain the same form factor as previous models?
Could the Hero 12 have the same form factor as previous models?

So what has been GoPro’s hardware release strategy entailed in the past?

Well, if you’ve paid attention to the differences between their hardware models, you’d know that GoPro have never tried to radically re-invent the wheel. Instead, they’ve always employed more of a “incremental” change strategy. One that maintains the technical hardware edge on their competition without having to radically increase their camera price point. So, this works out well for GoPro as they are playing the long game, and this works well for the consumer as you’re always paying a sub $500 price for the latest hardware offering. With that in mind, let’s talk camera resolution.

Will the GoPro 12 have 8K capability?

No, I seriously doubt it. If you look at consumer displays at the moment, 8K televisions don’t have a huge market hold. The expense is just something that a lot of people can afford, there isn’t that much content available in the 8K corner as of yet.

Is this the cheapest 8K television there is?
This is the cheapest 8K television I’ve found and it still costs nearly 5k!

You also have to realize that editing 8K is not something the average consumer has the horsepower to do. A lot of consumers have difficulty editing in 4K, let alone the current 5.3K that the top GoPro models offer (and combine that with the 10-bit color of the Hero 11, and things get even more interesting). Also keep in mind, the majority of GoPro owners aren’t just editing their clips on their mobile devices, they are using cheap budget mobile devices to do so. It still amazes me how many people have paid less for their phone than they’ve paid for their GoPro camera, and yet they still expect to edit 20-minute clips in 5.3K on their phone!

The Google Pixel 7, still a budget call phone.
The Google Pixel 7 is no slouch, but it’s still a mid range cell phone.

Also keep in mind, GoPro’s “incremental” strategy. So, GoPro aren’t going to jump from 5.3K to 8K in my opinion. I think it’s more likely that the next GoPro model will get a boost in resolution up to 5.7K or 6K maximum, not because it’s needed, but because the consumer expects it. Having said that, if GoPro maintain 5.3K max resolution for the 3rd generation in a row, then I’d expect a jump in frame rates as a result.

What Resolution and Frame Rates will the GoPro 12 likely support.

That’s a controversial question for sure. We’ve seen GoPro actually drop support for certain resolutions and frame ration combinations. (2.7K 30FPS anyone?) This is likely due to internal constraints on the camera architecture and the camera only being able to handle so many different shooting modes. It’s also a push by GoPro to make users start adopting more current shooting resolutions and frame rates instead of sticking to old, outdated frame rates. It could be likely that the next resolution on the chopping block is 1080P. After all, with more and more 4K televisions and monitors our there (and with cheaper price points these days), that we’ll say goodbye to 1080P shooting modes.

4K displays are just about everywhere these days due to the lowering costs.

Don’t get me wrong, we may still have 1080P, but only with certain frame rate options. So, we could be looking at 1080P 60FPS minimum. This is simply due to the amount of budget mobile devices out there and having to give such users the ability to edit some sort of GoPro footage. 2.7K will still be available, after all, this resolution is needed for the Max Lens Mod, and given that mods popularity, dropping support for it would be a mistake….. unless…. GoPro offer “The Max Lens Mod 2”.

More on that one later….

One area GoPro could improve upon is their slow-motion shots. Although 240FPS seems great, some camera phones can shoot (in small bursts) software enhanced 960 frames per second. However, I can’t see GoPro offering such a slow motion burst as of yet, so more likely is that 4K may get a boost up to 240FPS while other shooting speeds stay more or less where they are.

Will there be new mods for the GoPro Hero 12?

We’d all love for there to be new mods for the Hero 12. Although the current mods work very well, there has been some slight issues with them. The Media Mod can be time consuming to disassemble when trying to access the camera’s SD card or battery. The Max Lens mod can only support 2.7K resolution (and no, this is not something that can be changed by a firmware update, this is a physical limitation caused by the optics of the device, the Max Lens mod can only focus it’s FOV on a 2.7K area of the sensor).

GoPro’s current line of camera mods. An update is needed at this point.

So it may be possible that there could be a Max Lens Mod 2 that has different optics that could focus it’s image on a 4k area of the sensor. However… this mod would not work on the Hero 11, Hero 10 or Hero 9 due to it’s physical sensor size. Also, GoPro may not want to deal with hundreds of incoming consumer complaints and item returns from users purchasing the Max Lens Mod 2 and expecting it to work with their older cameras. So, while we’re due an update to the Max Lens Mod……. It may not be on the cards right now.

The Media Mod 2. Something else we’d all love to see and I’ve already listed why. However, this also has the same problem as above. Any new features it introduces, likely wouldn’t work on previous GoPro models and this translates to the same consumer complaints and item returns. However, in my opinion, an updated design to the media mod is badly needed.

Now that I’ve said the above, I will have to backtrack on it if you consider one additional factor. The Max Lens Mod 2 and Media Mod 2 could stand a “possibility” of being made… but only if there’s a camera redesign….

Will the GoPro Hero 12 be redesigned?

It’s likely. If you look at GoPro’s previous design history, they’ve changed their camera design every 2 to 3 generations. Well, the Hero 12 is in the time frame for a camera redesign. Again, nothing radical, I’d expect the screen and button layouts to be the same, however changing a few aspects (dimensions, port locations, battery door compartments) could result in a camera with better thermal processing and heat dissipation.

IF the camera gets redesigned, then the probability of a Max Lens Mod 2 and Media Mod 2 would be on the table. That’s a big “if” though. You see when the GoPro Hero 12 is released, it might make more sense for GoPro to keep the current design. That way the current Max Lens Mod and Media Mod, camera cases and accessories will fit all 3 models sold on GoPro.com (The Hero 10, Hero 11 and Hero 12). This would help GoPro reduce inventory of these mods, inventory of batteries, inventory of cases (which is what you want to do before releasing a camera redesign). So financially, it may make more sense for GoPro to keep the current form factor and dimensions. However, I’d personally love to see a new camera design, but again, incremental changes, not radical changes seem to be the GoPro way.

What about a detachable rear screen that’s also a remote/wireless charging/Max 2?

No No And No.

A detachable rear screen would need to have some sort of set of contacts on the back in order to communicate with the GoPro. This in turn would affect how waterproof the GoPro would be. If used for action sports, it could accidentally detach from the camera and be lost. Also most users already have a portable display device that’s completely wireless and it’s called their Mobile Phone. This idea of a detachable rear screen was dreamt up quite some time ago, keeps popping up and is as ill thought out now as it was then.

Wireless charging? Doubtful. After all, GoPro sells batteries and battery chargers. Probably a nice little earner for them, so why mess with that? Also we’ve seen what happens when GoPro offers a camera with a “built in” battery. Since wireless charging can take some time (and uses up valuable battery real estate) I don’t think this is likely to happen at all.

At less than $500, the GoPro Max is actually good value for 360 video shooting.

Will there be a GoPro Max 2? Everyone seems to want this… but again, the issue is where to go with such a camera? Another sign that a new Max isn’t coming anytime soon is GoPro introducing an Enduro variation battery for the GoPro Max. Remember what I said about phasing out inventory before introducing a new model? Well in this case, GoPro have created new battery inventory.

The GoPro Max now enjoys a performance boost thanks to the new Enduro battery.

Also, another sign is that there was mention that the GoPro Labs firmware for the Hero Max was going to have some updates and GoPro do seem to be focusing on this. Usually only the latest camera’s get labs updates and with the Max being so old, unlocking additional features is a sign that there’s no replacement coming anytime soon.

So what else can we expect from GoPro this year?

Well what we can look forward to is new software. Users have been complaining for years about a lack of a desktop software suite for their camera’s. GoPro currently offer and support GoPro Player (with ReelSteady as an optional extra) and a webcam app for desktop. That’s it. Now this is hardly surprising as when GoPro did offer “Quik for desktop” it wasn’t widely used, it also wasn’t very stable, and they were spending more money trying to maintain this platform than it was generating. So it made no financial sense whatsoever for GoPro to keep offering “Quik for desktop”.

However, now that the GoPro plus subscription has been a major success for GoPro, it has made them realize the value of offering a “paid” desktop software solution. So just like the mobile app, this may have free basic services for the everyday users, but GoPro Plus subscribers would have full access to much more features (music, themes, cloud account access, the ability to sync edits across multiple platforms etc.).

GoPro could even sell it as an add on (like they do with ReelSteady) to generate more income. That makes a lot of sense. Rather than just spend money on the development and support of a desktop app that works for free for GoPro plus subscribers. Charge an extra $10 a month to GoPro plus subscribers for a desktop software version of Quik also.

Having said that though, GoPro do have 2 things working against them when it comes to desktop software.

1: Their software department is actually quite small. As a result, their mobile app suffers from a myriad of issues and there are endless complaints about reliability, connection issues, black screens during renders…… so stretching that software department out even more to cover the creation of a desktop solution (that also has to integrate cloud and cross platform synchronization) may just be too much to ask of GoPro for this year. We may not see anything until next year from this. Then when it does get released…….. that’s when you’ll start seeing user complaints regarding software not working on their desktop…

2: Windows users can already use Android apps in a Windows environment. While this may not be the smoothest of experiences, it can be easily done. So, if GoPro get too greedy with their desktop offering, people may just opt to keep using their mobile version or other free video editing programs. This would potentially cost GoPro quite a lot of money in lost revenue. It could even cost them more money if the software doesn’t perform.

What would you suggest to GoPro for the Hero 12?

GoPro has a lot of things to consider, but I think they need to Go Bold. Give us a camera design with a better media mod that’s quick and simple to remove. Even if it’s not the “traditional” media mod design. Frankly something that just clips onto the camera in place of the side door would do.

Don’t make the same mistake you did with the Hero 11 Mini, don’t give us a built-in battery. That’s been quite the issue from what I’ve read. Having a swapable battery just makes a lot more sense.

The Hero 11 Mini is small, light and versatile.

You can give us Built in Memory though! Yeah, frankly 512GB of memory built in would be sufficient. It would also solve a lot of issues that I see. People will think nothing of paying $450 for an action camera, but then try to cheap out by spending $10 on an SD card. These cards are usually far too slow for the camera, are just not compatible with the camera (Sandisk ULTRA, I’m looking at you) or badly formatted to begin with. This results in camera freezing, lock ups, and shutdowns. So fix that problem now! Stop having users send back their cameras to GoPro when it’s a simple issue of using an incorrect SD card. Have a built-in storage medium and the ability to perform a “FULL” format should an issue occur.

Any last words on what to expect from the Hero 12?

Yes, likely there will be improvements on the firmware side. The Hero 11 can “almost” shoot in a flat LOG color profile, the Hero 12 may offer this.

The Hero 11 had some great fun night presets built in (star trails, light painting, vehicle lights). The Hero 12 may improve upon this (as it doesn’t require additional hardware, it’s a software process). With built in memory, you could even have “reverse time” clip options. So honestly, do expect there to be one or two new software based video or photo effect options.

You can also expect GoPro to claim an update to Hypersmooth and Timewarp options. Whether it solves any of the past problems (jerky or unwanted pans) is another thing. Maybe it’s time to look at Hypersmooth or Timewarp presets which could disable or limit horizontal panning.

And talking about presets, no, there’s not going to be re-nameable presets offered this time around either.

So, until the release of the GoPro Hero 12 in September, we’re all going to just have to wait with baited breath to see what finally gets released. In the meantime, I plan to fully enjoy the summer filming on my Hero 10 and Hero 11 and updating Google Street View with my Hero Fusion.

Until next time

Cheerio!

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