GoPro HERO11 Black: Full Review

GoPro is a well-known brand for producing action cameras and accessories. The GoPro HERO11 Black is their latest flagship camera, released in September 2022. This model builds upon the success of previous HERO versions with upgrades to image quality, video stabilization and other key features.

The HERO11 Black is designed to capture incredibly smooth, stabilized footage even during fast-paced activities. It's waterproof without a housing down to 10 meters, making it versatile for sports like surfing or snorkeling. This review will provide an overview of the HERO11 Black's design, image quality, features, battery life and other notable attributes. We'll also summarize the pros and cons to help you decide if the HERO11 Black is the right action camera for your needs and budget.

Design

The GoPro HERO11 Black has a familiar design that GoPro fans will recognize. It retains the same rugged, rubberized exterior as previous models. The dimensions are 71.8 x 55 x 33.6 mm and it weighs just 158 grams, so it remains extremely compact and lightweight. This makes it easy to mount the camera in various positions and locations without adding too much bulk.

The outer housing is waterproof up to 10 meters without any additional housing required. This durable construction allows you to confidently use the camera for water sports, underwater footage, or in wet environments without worrying about damage.

The HERO11 Black features redesigned latches compared to the HERO10. These latches provide a smoother opening and closing of the side door that covers the battery, memory card, and ports. They are also more durable and less likely to break over time.

Overall, the design retains the same ruggedness and portability GoPro is known for. The materials, size, and weight make this action camera ideal for capturing immersive point-of-view footage during adventures and active lifestyles. The waterproof sealing without a housing expands your shooting possibilities underwater or in wet conditions.

For those comparing different models, the GoPro HERO8 Black also offers a durable and rugged design, albeit with slightly different dimensions and features. It is well-regarded for its stability improvements and streamlined design, making it another excellent choice for capturing adventure footage, especially for those who prefer a slightly older yet still highly capable model.

Image Quality

The GoPro HERO11 Black features a new 1/1.9” image sensor capable of shooting up to 27MP photos and videos up to 5.3K60 resolution.

The larger 1/1.9" sensor provides improved low-light performance and dynamic range compared to previous GoPro models. Still photos are sharp and detailed, with the ability to capture 27MP images in JPEG and 19.6MP images in RAW format.

For video, the HERO11 Black offers a wide range of resolutions and frame rates. You can shoot 5.3K video at up to 60fps for stunning high-resolution footage. 4K video is available at up to 120fps for smooth slow motion playback. All the way down to 1080p, you get 240fps for 8x slow motion. There are also useful new modes like 2.7K 4:3 video for vertical social media content.

Overall, the image quality represents a nice step up from past GoPro cameras thanks to the improved sensor. You get crisp, detailed photos and videos even in low light conditions. The array of video resolutions and frame rates provides flexibility for any type of shooting scenario.

The GoPro HERO9 Black is another excellent option for action photography enthusiasts. It features a 23.6MP sensor that captures vivid images and supports 5K video recording. With Hypersmooth 3.0 stabilization, it ensures smooth and steady footage even in intense conditions. The HERO9 also introduces a front-facing display, making it easier for vloggers and content creators to frame their shots. With improved battery life and robust build quality, the HERO9 Black remains a strong choice for anyone looking to capture high-quality adventure footage.

Features

The GoPro HERO11 Black has a robust set of features for capturing incredible footage in a wide range of situations.

Stabilization

The HERO11 includes HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization, GoPro's most advanced in-camera video stabilization yet. It provides gimbal-like stabilization by predicting your movements and correcting for camera shake. This results in smooth, steady footage whether you're walking, running, biking, or more extreme activities.

Slo-Mo and TimeWarp

For epic slow motion, you can film up to 8x slow motion in 5.3K resolution. The HERO11 also includes TimeWarp 3.0 for stabilized time lapse video while you move around a scene. You can increase the speed up to 30x for impressive hyperlapse effects.

Live Streaming

The HERO11 allows you to live stream in 1080p directly to your favorite social platforms like Facebook and YouTube, enabling your followers to join in on the action in real time.

Time Lapse

Capture stunning time lapse videos with the HERO11's Time Lapse mode. You can set intervals between .5 seconds to 60 seconds to achieve amazing effects like clouds moving across the sky. Night lapse is also available for low light scenes.

Audio

The GoPro HERO11 Black has excellent audio capabilities thanks to its advanced microphone setup. It contains three microphones - one front-facing and two on the sides. This allows the camera to record stereo audio and helps reduce wind noise.

The front mic focuses on capturing your voice and other sounds in front of the camera. The two side mics help cut down on wind noise when you're moving fast or in windy conditions. Together they provide high quality audio that matches the great video quality.

GoPro also utilizes advanced algorithms to tune the mics in different environments. This helps reduce wind noise and overly loud sounds. There are also manual settings to adjust mic levels or switch between stereo and focused mono audio.

Overall, the three mic setup provides crisp, clear audio in most shooting situations. The mics are protected within the rugged, waterproof body so they can handle wet conditions. Wind reduction works well when biking or moving at high speeds. For the best quality, using an external mic is recommended, but the built-in mics are impressive for an action camera.

Battery Life

The GoPro HERO11 Black has a 1720 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This provides enough power for the camera to record video at up to 5.3K resolution at 60 fps for up to 38 minutes. At 4K resolution and 60 fps, the max recording time is 49 minutes.

If you enable the Enduro battery setting, which disables the rear LCD screen, you can extend the battery life significantly. Enduro mode allows recording times up to 94 minutes at 5.3K60, or up to 138 minutes at 4K60.

The battery life is decent for an action camera of this size and resolution. Just be sure to have spare batteries with you for longer shooting sessions, especially at the higher frame rates and resolutions which drain the battery faster. The cold weather also negatively impacts battery life. Overall the HERO11 Black has similar battery performance to past GoPro models.

Connectivity and Apps

The GoPro HERO11 Black has both wired and wireless connectivity options. For wired connections, it uses USB-C which allows you to transfer files and charge faster than previous models.

For wireless, it has Bluetooth 5.0 and 5GHz Wi-Fi capabilities. Connecting to the GoPro app on your smartphone or tablet gives you full remote control over the camera, and lets you view a live preview, transfer files wirelessly, control settings, and more. The app works well for basic tasks, but can sometimes be buggy.

The GoPro Quik app automatically generates edited videos synced to music using your footage. It's easy to use and makes quick edits and highlights simple to share online. The desktop Quik app lets you access more advanced editing features.

Overall, the wireless connectivity and companion apps extend the capabilities of the HERO11 Black and integrate well into the GoPro ecosystem. The apps still need some refinement but offer handy remote control and editing options.

Accessories

The GoPro HERO11 Black comes with a good selection of accessories in the box to get you started. It includes the Enduro Battery, a mounting buckle and thumb screw, curved and flat adhesive mounts, a USB-C cable, and a spare door.

Additional accessories can be purchased separately to expand the camera's capabilities. Some useful accessories include:

Mounts - There are a huge variety of mounts available like helmet, chest, bike, surfboard, and tripod mounts. These allow you to securely attach the camera for your activity. The thumbscrew makes it easy to swap mounts quickly.

Mods - Mods add functionality like displays, lights, and mics. Some examples are the Media Mod to improve audio and the Display Mod for framing shots. The Light Mod and Magnetic Swivel Clip are useful for lighting up dark situations.

Batteries - Extra batteries are essential for extended shooting. The Enduro battery included is long-lasting, but the GoPro Supercharger charger can provide a quick power boost when needed.

Having a range of mounts and mods helps you get the most out of the HERO11 Black in different environments. The accessories allow you to capture unique shots and extend the camera's battery life.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent image quality with 5.3K video and 27MP photos
• Improved low light performance
• In-camera horizon leveling for steady shots
• Built-in mount fingers make it easy to attach accessories
• Front display lets you frame selfie shots
• Rugged, waterproof construction
• Comprehensive mobile app with lots of features
• Wide range of mounting accessories and mods available
• Good battery life

Cons

• Very expensive
• No built-in waterproof case like older models
• Fewer mounting fingers than some older models
• No built-in extended battery like HERO10 Black
• Mobile app can be glitchy
• No live streaming support

Conclusion

Overall, the GoPro HERO11 Black is an excellent action camera that offers some of the best image quality you can get in a small rugged form factor. The upgrades to the sensor, image stabilization, and video quality make it a worthwhile upgrade over previous models.

The image quality is simply superb, with sharp 5.3K video and high resolution 27MP photos that capture fine details remarkably well. The new 8:7 sensor combined with HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization provides gimbal-like smooth footage without the gimbal. Low light performance is also improved.

For hardcore action camera users who demand the best quality, the HERO11 Black is easy to recommend. The additions like the new taller view, 360 degree horizon lock, and HindSight make capturing the action easier. The intuitive touch controls, excellent companion app, and plethora of mounting options add to the user experience.

Some downsides are the price, which is expensive for a standalone action cam. Battery life could be better, though extras are available. Low light performance is improved but still trails some phones and interchangeable lens cameras.

Overall though, if you want the best action camera available in a compact rugged form factor, the GoPro HERO11 Black delivers excellent image quality and features that make capturing immersive action footage easy. It receives a strong recommendation for athletes, adventurers, and content creators looking for top-notch video and photo capture.