GoPro’s latest Hero Black update is live on the GoPro website and the usual Hero Black is joined by a new Mini model. As expected, there is the hero 11 black but along with it comes the Hero 11 Black Mini. No prizes for guessing the Mini is a smaller version of the flagship, but the way the company has implemented it is a bit more interesting than perhaps the “Session” cameras of yesteryear (its spiritual predecessor).
First, let’s see what’s new in the Hero 11 Black. Design-wise, there’s no change except the different number on the side – it even uses the same colors as the 10. Inside there’s only one hardware change, and that’s a new taller sensor. The Hero 11 Black now also comes with the Enduro Battery as standard, which was previously sold as an accessory.
Interestingly, the main feature that GoPro is promoting seems to be the new automatic video highlights. The idea is that once you get back from your adventure and plug in your camera, it will automatically upload your new footage and create a spectacular video for you automatically. It’s intriguing because this isn’t a Hero 11 feature at all, it’s something available to owners of any camera coming back to Hero 5 as long as they have a GoPro subscription.
Of course, there are some hardware-specific upgrades that make use of that higher sensor. No less important is the jump from 23 to 27 megapixel photos and the introduction of 10-bit color. There’s also a “full frame” shooting mode that captures everything on the 8:7 sensor in 5.3K. The idea here is that you can play different videos in different aspect ratios, in full resolution, after the fact.
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The second benefit of the new sensor is the addition of 360-degree horizon lock up to 5.3K/30. This is a handy tool to avoid crooked videos or can be used for creative effects if your activity involves some sort of twist; you can keep the subject level and just rotate the sky, for example.
The maximum resolution remains at 5K/60 or 4K120, but along with Full Frame, you now have “HyperView”, which is the full view of the sensor compressed in 16:9 format. It’s basically the existing SuperView, only with even more pixels. It’s great for first person shots as it really heightens the sense of action.
Night owls will find some new tools in the Time Lapse section: Vehicle Lights, Star Trails, and Light Painting. The names match popular effects we’ve all seen before and now you can do them directly from your GoPro directly from a preset.
As for HyperSmooth, the company’s software stabilization, it’s now in its fifth incarnation and comes with Auto Boost for those extra-heavy moments. Another new menu option is the ability to switch between Pro and Easy mode. “Pro” is the current standard menu system, while Easy removes all but the best click-and-go settings for most situations.
Perhaps the most exciting news for hardware fans is that new Mini model. It’s the exact same camera guts, just without any of the video screens. Instead, there’s a limited LCD screen to see which settings are active, and two buttons. The party piece here is that the Mini has two sets of built-in mounting fingers, making it a bit more versatile than its big brother. The Mini is also powered by a non-removable Enduro battery.
GoPro sticks to its original pricing scheme, which means you actually pay less if you choose to include a subscription. the hero 11 black it retains the $399/$500 (no sub) price of the camera it replaces, while the Mini is priced at $300/$400. The flagship goes on sale today (and our review is here), while the Mini will ship from October 25.
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