GoPro Hero 11 BLACK REVIEW

The latest GoPro Hero 11 Black comes with upgraded features that are designed to be more user friendly and easy to use. Although GoPro within the past few years has become an alternative option in action cameras with more competitive brands taking over the new action camera market with better and smarter features. 
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Despite there being no groundbreaking new features introduced in the Hero 11, one of the major upgrades in the camera is the new sensor format which is more user friendly adapting to shoot vertical images for social media and easier cropping factor. With an improvement in battery life and higher-resolution images as well as Super-View mode boosting upto 5K video modes and the new Hyper V mode are new addition to this latest iteration. 

The new sensor format which is more user friendly adapts to shoot vertical images for social media.
​Image credit: GoPro.com

Below, we will feature user based reviews based on these features and dividing those into pros and cons. We will also feature the major upgrades and specification in detail, and a brief specification comparison with this latest GoPro versus Hero 10 Black. In addition if you are wondering if to invest in a GoPro Hero 11 or opt for DJI Osmo 3, we will also feature main specification difference for your information. Hence keep reading below and drop us a comment on your thoughts.

KEY FEATURES AT A GLANCE

• Automatic upload footage to cloud and get highlight vides
• Larger new sensor 8x7
• Video resolution of 5.3k 60 + 4k 120 Cinematic 
• Hyper smooth stabilisation 5.0
• Waterproof 33ft
• Still picture megapixel boost to 27 megapixel resolution
• New hyper V mode
• New night time 3 lapse mode
• Cold weather Enduro Battery improvement
• New sensor format to shoot vertical shots

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

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UPGRADES AT A GLANCE

• Full frame recording in 4k video with no loss of resolution in both 4x19 and 9x16
• Super view mode boosts upto 5K video modes
• Slow-mo 4K video modes
• Still picture from 23 megapixel to 27 megapixel boost
• A new larger sensor, but does not change the weak low-light 
• 360 degree horizon lock. Horizon levelling excellent however only available in linear mode.
• New hyper -V mode - 8x7 sensor squeezed into 16 x9 
• Sensor speed and proximity dials the pace like a drone.
• No change in colour in image quality
• Delivers automatically generated highlight video. 
• New night time 3 lapse mode - star trails, light painting and vehicle lights.
• Improvement in battery life - with nearly 2 hours of battery life in constant usage
• New option to shoot 10-bit color - greater dynamic range

GoPro Hero 11 Black is rugged built with 33ft waterproof.

SENSOR
The newest feature with the new GoPro Hero 11 Black is t larger sensor that is vertically bigger with the 8x7 spec ratio with 27megapixel shooting. The sensor also enables to be creative with the crop factors of your video for social platforms such as ticktock and youtube. Although GoPros tend to be weak on the low-light in comparison to other action cameras and smart phones, the new sensor unfortunately although with an improvement does not promise any impressive change. 

Another impressive upgrade with is the Hypersmooth stabilization from 4.0 to 5.0 allowing more sturdier recordings and intelligently zooming in when detecting shakiness. This coupled with 360 degree Horizon levelling is excellent feature to record and tilt the camera which ever way. Although horizon locking is yet only available in linear mode, it is so far an excellent upgrade especially to those adventurers and action videographers.

“GoPro Hero 11 comes with a new HyperSmooth 5.0 engine for better stability. As such I decided to test it out. My testing condition was a normal walking pace going down an empty road. I made sure not to rush a lot and maintain an even pace. I shot both videos in 5.3K @ 60FPS. After going through the before and after videos, I was blown away by the difference.” beebom.com

Superview upgraded with the new 8:7 sensor brings Hyperview mode in which the sensor is squeezed into 16 x 9 recording format allowing to capture wider videos. This could be easier to some recordings in tight setting. 

BATTERY LIFE

The new GoPro 11 comes with the rugged cold weather Enduro Battery with the same capacity 1720mAh in the box, unlike previously which was to be purchase separately. The improvement of battery performance gives maximum 2 hours of constant shooting - which again the battery duration depends upon the type or mode of shooting you are doing. 

“Taking the default use case—shooting 5.3K at 30 frames per second in sunny conditions—I was able to get one hour and 13 minutes of footage. That's much better than the standard battery that came with the Hero 10” - Wired.com


VIDEO RESOLUTION

With the new GoPro Hero 11, allows higher resolution still images from video being able to take 27 megapixel stills from the video. The option to shoot RAW images in burst mode unlike the only option available previously as JPEG, is another interesting upgrade. However, as many users, GoPro is used for video recording mostly and rarely for photos hence this feature may not be appealing to all.


In spite of the fact that, the new iteration comes with exciting features such as the new larger sensor, the video resolution may not be as impressive as one has hoped for, as there has not been much improvement compared to Hero 10. 


Hero 11 can record 5.3k videos upto 60 frames per second, and full frame recording in 4K video with no loss of resolution in both 4:19 or 9:16. 
Another addition is that recording in Slow-mo in 4K recording upto 240 frames per second. The outstanding feature is the ability to capture 27MP still images in high definition. 

WHAT ARE THE PROS & CONS ?

With the new GoPro Hero 11, allows higher resolution still images from video being able to take 27 megapixel stills from the video.

Here are the main specifications differences between the GoPro Hero 11 Black and the GoPro Hero 10 Black:

Camera Resolution:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: 12MP
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: 10MP
  

​Video Resolution:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: Up to 6K @ 30 fps, 5K @ 60 fps, 4K @ 60 fps, 2.7K @ 120 fps, 1080p @ 240 fps
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: Up to 4K @ 60 fps, 2.7K @ 120 fps, 1080p @ 240 fps

HyperSmooth Video Stabilization:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: HyperSmooth 3.0
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: HyperSmooth 2.0

Live Streaming:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: Yes
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: No

Battery Life:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: Up to 70 minutes at 4K 60 fps
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: Up to 60 minutes at 4K 60 fps

Voice Control:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: Yes
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: Yes, but with limited commands

Water Resistance:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: Waterproof up to 33ft (10m)
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: Waterproof up to 33ft (10m)

Dimensions:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.3 mm (2.61 x 1.91 x 1.11 in)
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.4 mm (2.61 x 1.91 x 1.11 in)

Weight:

• GoPro Hero 11 Black: 126 g (4.44 oz)
• GoPro Hero 10 Black: 116 g (4.09 oz)​

With no outstanding new ground breaking features introduced but GoPro Hero 11 is with a slight exciting improvement, is still struggling to compete with other action cameras and smart phones now in the market, which offers superior features in low-light performance and additional modes coupled with better battery performance and multiple lenses.
One thing we can admit is, the portable size of the GoPro and the ability to with-stand rugged and extreme weather for shooting. Hence, with the new DJI Osmo Action 3 also in the market, we will give you a specification difference, perhaps you may be wondering which one to choose from.