GoPro’s Hero 11 Black Mini Cameras as Worthy Options?
News | By Stephan Jukic | November 21, 2022
GoPro’s Hero 11 Black Mini cameras are finally available and feature a considerably larger sensor, better video performance and a new, improved battery.
Fans of truly excellent action camera technology have been able to get their hands on their own editions of the more affordable Hero 11 Mini variant cameras since November 8th. But how do they measure up against their slighlty bigger variants?
As we previously covered when GoPro announced the 3 Hero 11 editions of its now nearly iconic action cameras, these latest models consist of:
The “standard” Hero 11 Black: The brand’s base model action camera with a rear LCD touchscreen.
Hero 11 Black Creator Edition: With a powered battery grip that features buttons for one-handed camera control during up to 4 hours of 4K recording at a charge. This battery grip also includes an external mic input, HDMI port and a high-output LED light along with two cold shoe mounts for accessories.
Hero 11 Black Mini: With the same internal specs as the Hero 11 Black but with a smaller form and without a rear control screen.
All three editions of the Hero Black feature the same essential specs too. These include:
- 10-bit color depth
- A 1/1.9-inch sensor
- Maximum video resolution of 5.3K at 60fps and 4K at 120fps
- Aspect ratios of 16:9, 4:3 and 8:7
- Lens viewing formats for Hyperview, Superview, Wide, Linear, Linear + Horizon Lock
- HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization
- 265 (HEVC) video compression
- 27MP photo still shooting resolution
- A 137-minute internal battery shooting time of 137 mins at 1080p/30fps.
- Waterproofing down to 33 feet, or 10 meters.
All three cameras also enjoy three Night Effect Time Lapse presets for star trails, light painting and creating vehicle lights. The cameras all also feature TimeWarp 3.0 technology that works in their max resolution of 5.3K and an “Enduro” battery that supposedly extends recording time by 38% in the new camera.
Estimated runtimes with the Enduro battery in all three versions of the camera are as follows:
- 3K30: 80 minutes
- 4K120: 54 minutes
- 4K60: 70 minutes
- 4K30: 88 minutes
- 7K60: 83 minutes
- 1080p60: 89 minutes
- 1080p30: 137 minutes
Another noteworthy feature is the HyperSmooth 5.0 image stabilization tech of all three editions, which delivers an in-camera 360-degree Horizon Lock feature that lets footage stay steady during 360-degree rotations.
In other words, GoPro fans on something of a budget who were waiting for the Hero 11 Mini after the delay of its originally-planned October 25th release can save a bit of money buying one of these editions.
The camera may lack the size, removable Enduro battery and LCD touchscreen features of the standard Hero 11 Black, but it comes with just about every other feature and spec found in its pricier siblings.
According to GoPro founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman’s own enthusiastic comments, “Hero 11 Black Mini is an incredible camera and we’re giving ourselves a little more time to perfect the product for our excited customers. I’m absolutely loving my Mini and cannot wait for the public to get their hands on it.”
GoPro’s Hero 11 Black standard edition and Hero 11 Black Creator’s Edition are also available via GoPro.com and through other authorized (and unauthorized) dealers.
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Stephan Jukic is a technology and photography journalist and experimental photographer who spends his time living in both Canada and Mexico. He loves cross-cultural street photo exploration and creating fine art photo compositions.
