Ultimate test: GoPro Hero 11 versus GoPro Hero 10
Whether you visualise yourself adventuring at high altitudes, diving deep below sea level, or just looking to vlog your latest food adventures, the GoPro Hero 11 delivers the perfect slice of video and image quality that looks so professional you won't believe you just pulled it out of the box.
We compare the Hero 11 with its action-packed predecessor, the GoPro Hero 10, and while the Hero 10 may be a hard act to follow, a closer look at the Hero 11 shows just how much thought and attention GoPro put into their customers and the adventure lifestyle.
This guide breaks down the most user-friendly interface we have seen on any action camera starting with the newest features of the GoPro Hero 11 Black.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
New "Easy Controls"
You might be thinking "is the GoPro Hero 11 Black worth it?", well the answer is easy, quite literally. The simplicity of the new "Easy Controls" optimises the camera for all your needs and it's all built into three settings: Highest Quality, Extended Battery and Longest Battery and they're all very straightforward.
Each option is preset with optimised settings for a "point and shoot" style of recording while maintaining the best video quality possible. This means if you want less time fiddling around with resolution, frame rate, stabilisation, etc., then just keep Easy Controls as your default setting and get lost in the moment with the push of a button!
Hero 11 uses an 8:7 sensor
A bigger sensor means a bigger frame, higher-quality images, and an even bigger step up for action cameras! Having an 8:7 sensor has several benefits, one being the ability to easily crop your video to an aspect ratio that is perfect for social media content, with zero quality loss.
If you are cropping to an aspect ratio of 9:16 for TikTok, 1:1 for Instagram or 16:9 for YouTube then this latest feature is for you. The 8:7 aspect ratio adds a taller frame to video and photos capturing full body shots with ease.
I trialled the new sensor by recording a skateboarding clip. Even with a tall subject in the frame, I was able to capture a head-to-toe shot with the perfect amount of foreground and background. It's a huge bonus for all content creators, social media influencers or adventurers looking to capture that clean professional look.
Attachment Tips: For this shot, I would definitely recommend the El Grande attachment. Keeping the pole at full extension with Superview and HyperSmooth on high allowed me to stay as close as possible to the skater in view.
Linear + Horizon Lock
Have you ever tried to catch a special moment, only to realise on the video playback, that of course, setting the tripod up on that uneven rock was always coming out wonky, or, that plot of sand you tried to flatten out for ten minutes was in fact slanted?
Linear + Horizon Lock is the absolute answer to all of these (very real) problems. With horizon lock, you can rotate the camera a full 360-degrees while the horizon stays perfectly centred. Once you begin recording, your video will always come out the right way up.
Attachment Tips: The perfect combo attachment is the 3-Way 2.0, which can be set up as a tripod, and used as a regular camera grip or extension arm. The 3-Way 2.0 gives you the versatility to get creative with your shots!
Improved battery life
There's no better way to describe the new Enduro battery, other than it's become a staple for all GoPro users. After rigorous testing and comparing the Hero 10 and the Hero 11 performance, I'm almost certain there will be no return to the standard battery.
Taking the Enduro battery for a test run through ice-cold waters, followed by a coastal walk with high levels of heat and sun exposure, the Enduro pulled through. While the water temperatures were not freezing, the fluctuation from cold to extreme heat is usually a recipe for draining your GoPro battery very quickly. While in the sun my iPhone even started overheating from all the sun exposure.
As I returned to the standard battery testing, I decided to vlog a little shopping haul for fun. Set up the tripod, adjusted settings for best battery life, and ten minutes into the recording I was surprised with a "camera is too hot" warning and the camera turned itself off. This happened a couple of times. Starting the battery at 99 per cent, it had dropped to 49 per cent by the end of about 20 minutes recording.
Standard batteries have been known to succumb to temperature issues, but overheating during a normal video wasn't a good start. Unlike the Hero 10, the Enduro battery is a big plus that comes ready to go with the Hero 11.
Tips:
The best way to keep the camera rolling, capturing all the best clips is to couple the Enduro battery pack with the Enduro Dual battery charger. Since the new Hero 11 comes with an Enduro battery in the box, this combo will keep you sorted for any adventure!
10-bit colour and new night effects
Two quick and easy add-ons go a long way for the Hero 11. 10-bit colour adds an entire spectrum of colour to the video editing process – 10-bit colour provides over one billion shades of colours vs 16.7 million in 8-bit.
The higher dynamic range in high-res, high-frame rate 5.3K60 + 4K120 video is noteworthy for any professional videographers and content creators looking for a versatile camera option.
With the new night effects, you can do even more with the Hero 11. While exploring the latest modes, none have "wowed" me more than the new star trails feature. I'm not usually one to play with time lapses, but the Hero 11 really flexes a new level of detail and control over your shot. The camera actually uses the earth's rotation to paint vibrant star trail across the night sky, and the results are mind-boggling coming from a compact camera.
Attachment Tips:
No questions about it, the GoPro Volta grip is perfect for capturing star trails and almost any activity. Its sturdy flip-out tripod option keeps the camera low and stable for long time lapses, in addition to this, the Volta triples the normal battery life of your camera with the built-in 4900 mAh battery. The Volta is the ultimate GoPro accessory to have in your adventure pack.
Hero 11 vs Hero 10: The verdict
It's the Hero 11 for me. My favourite part about the Hero 11 is that GoPro has taken our favourite point-and-shoot camera, and made it more user-friendly by optimising its existing features. No more stopping to configure settings or change batteries, just go. More importantly, allowing you to focus on the moment in front of you.
It truly is an innovative camera that sets itself apart from the Hero 10 and any other action camera on the market. In addition, the improved battery life of the Enduro Battery which comes ready with the Hero 11. It's our go-to action camera coming straight out of the box.
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