Skip to content
Compare products

Review Action Cameras

GoPro HERO12 Black review: buy or skip?

Consider8.2/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you want GoPro quality for less. Why: previous GoPro, often heavily discounted. The catch: older.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

GoPro HERO12 Black

Our verdict on the GoPro HERO12 Black

Buy it if
you want GoPro quality for less.
Skip it if
you want the newest features.
Best for
Discounted GoPro
Key feature
Previous GoPro, often heavily discounted
Typical price
$249–$299
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Video5.3K 60p
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0
Waterproof33 ft
BatteryUp to 70 min

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want GoPro quality for less
  • value excellent stabilization
  • can spend around $249–$299

Skip it if you

  • you want the newest features
  • mind this: older
  • mind this: shorter battery

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Excellent stabilization
  • 5.3K
  • Rugged
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Older
  • Shorter battery

The verdict in one breath

The GoPro HERO12 Black is a good action camera for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: previous GoPro, often heavily discounted. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

  • Excellent stabilization
  • 5.3K
  • Rugged
  • Waterproof

Reasons to skip

  • Older
  • Shorter battery

The specs that matter

  • Video: 5.3K 60p
  • Stabilization: HyperSmooth 6.0
  • Waterproof: 33 ft
  • Battery: Up to 70 min

Worth knowing

Last year’s GoPro is often the best value.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you want GoPro quality for less. Skip it if you want the newest features; the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best action cameras.

Alternatives worth considering

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

DJI · Action Cameras

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

Buy it if you film at night or in cold weather.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Low light
Typical price
$299–$349

Pros

  • Great low light
  • Long battery

Cons

  • Fewer accessories
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro · Action Cameras

GoPro HERO13 Black

Buy it if you want the most versatile action camera.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Most people
Typical price
$349–$399

Pros

  • Superb stabilization
  • Mod lenses

Cons

  • Weak low light
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the GoPro HERO12 Black?

Consider it, if you want GoPro quality for less. Why: previous GoPro, often heavily discounted. The catch: older.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want the newest features. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is the better buy then.

What does the GoPro HERO12 Black cost?

Usually $249–$299 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

GoPro HERO12 Black: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the GoPro HERO12 Black worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you want GoPro quality for less. This review explains what this GoPro model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which action camera to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the GoPro HERO12 Black does well

The headline: previous GoPro, often heavily discounted. Key specs: Video: 5.3K 60p; Stabilization: HyperSmooth 6.0; Waterproof: 33 ft; Battery: Up to 70 min. In our list it is the pick for: discounted GoPro. It usually sells for $249–$299.

Last year's GoPro is often the best value.

The trade-offs

Good: excellent stabilization, 5.3K, rugged, waterproof. Not so good: older, shorter battery. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want the newest features.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro ($299–$349): better low light and battery than GoPro. Better if you film at night or in cold weather.

Instead, consider the GoPro HERO13 Black ($349–$399): best-in-class stabilization with a huge mount ecosystem. Better if you want the most versatile action camera.

Instead, consider the Insta360 GO 3S ($349–$399): thumb-size 4K camera that clips anywhere. Better if you want hands-free POV shots.

Before you buy

Stabilization keeps footage smooth without a gimbal. Waterproofing to 10 m+ without a case. Batteries drain fast in cold weather; carry spares.

US buyer tip

GoPro bundles with extra batteries and a case are usually cheaper than buying separately.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.