GoPro Hero 11 Black: Compact Powerhouse Redefining Action Filmmaking

If you’re engaged in content creation, outdoor activities, or motovlogging, then the GoPro brand may be quite recognizable to you. Even if you haven’t explored these areas, it’s likely you’ve encountered references to GoPro from popular creators on platforms like YouTube or Instagram. For those unfamiliar with the action camera world, GoPro is a US-based manufacturer that has been producing action cameras for many years. Over time, they’ve released multiple versions of their Hero series, the latest being the GoPro Hero 11 Black.

With the release of the Hero 11 Black, GoPro has introduced several incremental enhancements compared to its recent models. But if you’re contemplating your first GoPro purchase or an upgrade from an earlier variant, is the Hero 11 Black the right choice? This review will assist you in making an informed decision.

GoPro Hero 11 Black price in India

The GoPro Hero 11 Black was officially announced in India with a price tag of Rs. 51,500. While GoPro doesn’t have an official online store in India, it’s available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon. Additionally, the GoPro Hero 11 Black Creator Edition is available for Rs. 71,500 and includes extra accessories such as the Volta battery grip, Media Mod, and Light Mod alongside the Hero 11 Black camera.

GoPro Hero 11 Black design

The design of the GoPro Hero 11 Black closely resembles that of the GoPro Hero 10 Black (Review), showcasing a compact rectangular shape. The primary distinction between the two lies in the branding located on the left-hand side of the camera. This side also features the mode button, allowing you to toggle between Photo, Video, and Time-Lapse settings, as well as powering on the GoPro.

On the right is a compartment covered by a lid, which houses the battery, microSD card, and charging port. If you’re upgrading from an earlier GoPro model, you may find the new side-door design more reassuring, as it locks securely to prevent water from entering the compartment. To access the battery or microSD card, simply push down the flap and lift the lid. Additionally, there is a USB Type-C port within this chamber for charging the GoPro. While it may initially appear cramped for all these connections, once you familiarize yourself with it, usage becomes straightforward.

The shutter button on top of the GoPro Hero 11 Black captures photos and videos

The top of the GoPro Hero 11 Black hosts a shutter button that allows the camera to power on and start recording with a single press and will stop recording and turn off when pressed again. At the back, the Hero 11 Black features a 2.27-inch touch display, accompanied by a 1.4-inch secondary display on the front. Transitioning from my older GoPro Hero 5, I found the rear display to be impressively smooth and user-friendly, exhibiting more vibrancy and brightness comparable to the GoPro Hero 10 Black.

As for mounts, GoPro has introduced a new option called the GoPro Gumby, which features flexible arms that can be attached to a variety of surfaces. You can connect the GoPro to the Gumby and secure its arms onto uneven surfaces like fences, window frames, or railings. The Gumby mount consists of flexible rubber twist ties that can easily wrap around irregular objects yet remain durable enough to hold firm.

GoPro Hero 11 Black features

Externally, the GoPro Hero 11 Black may not appear significantly altered, but it boasts major upgrades internally. It isn’t equipped with the same GP2 processor introduced with the Hero 10 Black. Instead, it features a new, larger sensor that has been integrated without altering the camera’s size. The Hero 11 Black is powered by a larger 1,720mAh Enduro battery, while maintaining a weight similar to that of the Hero 10 Black.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black includes dual displays

The new sensor has a resolution of 27 megapixels and measures 1/1.9 inches, compared to the 23-megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor found in the Hero 10 Black. The larger sensor is theoretically better at capturing detail and light, especially in low-light situations. We will delve more into its photographic and video capabilities later in this review.

Moreover, the Hero 11 Black enhances the Horizon Lock feature to incorporate 360-degree stabilization, allowing you to tilt or rotate the camera while maintaining a straight horizon. To support this feature, GoPro upgraded its HyperSmooth stabilization system to HyperSmooth 5.0, which can be activated with the AutoBoost option. I kept AutoBoost engaged most of the time to ensure my videos were exceptionally stable.

The new sensor also introduces a Full Frame mode with an 8:7 aspect ratio. This expanded aspect ratio enables you to crop and adjust videos to fit 4:3 or 9:16 formats for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or any other vertical-first content without sacrificing quality.

Predefined settings available in the GoPro Hero 11 Black.

Another minor yet significant enhancement is the addition of HyperView within Full Frame mode. Previously, the Hero 10 Black offered a 16mm field of view (FoV) known as SuperView; however, HyperView extends this to an impressive 12mm. SuperView was already quite wide, but for those seeking an even broader perspective, the Hero 11 Black delivers.

Similar to its predecessors, the Hero 11 Black is waterproof up to 10 meters. While I wouldn’t test that claim myself as I’m not a proficient swimmer, I did take the Hero 11 Black for a swim in a pool. It performed flawlessly just as it did when unboxing for our initial impressions.

For those transitioning from an earlier GoPro model, the user interface (UI) may feel different. But after overcoming the learning curve, I found the UI to be well-organized. The gestures are largely unchanged, including a swipe-down action for accessing the dashboard, a swipe-up for reviewing recorded content, and swiping left or right to switch between Photo, Video, and Time Lapse modes.

You can now capture star trails, light painting, and vehicle tail light trails in 5.3K resolution with the Hero 11 Black. These new time-lapse options complement the existing modes like Time Lapse, TimeWarp, and Night Lapse, allowing adjustments to trail length, shutter speed, and even zoom level.

GoPro Hero 11 Black performance

The new sensor in the GoPro Hero 11 Black unlocks numerous exciting features; in combination with having wider color support, the content generated by this action camera appears much more vivid and lively. This does not imply that colors are oversaturated but rather that they stand out more than in real life.

Although I didn’t compare the Hero 11 Black directly with the Hero 10 Black, I did test it against my older Hero 5, and the differences in video recording performance are substantial. The Hero 11 Black allows for video recordings up to 5.3K at 60fps across various aspect ratios. However, I typically preferred recording in 1080p, 2.7K, and 4K, which seemed sufficient for social sharing while still retaining good detail.

Users can record videos in up to 5.3K resolution

While I anticipated that the larger sensor would improve low light footage, there was still some noticeable noise in darker areas of the frame. However, the camera effectively manages exposure to prevent highlights from blowing out.

The hazy skies of Mumbai made it difficult to capture star trails and test out the new features of the Hero 11 Black. Nonetheless, I recorded a few ‘Vehicle Lights Time Lapse’ videos, adjusting settings such as shutter and interval to achieve clear trails. Keep in mind that the wide angle can enhance the experience, and while phone cameras do provide time-lapse functionality, the quality pales in comparison.

Not utilizing 5.3K resolution constantly can also help conserve battery life. I managed to use the camera for the better part of a day while switching between modes, with time-lapse efforts consuming the most battery. Therefore, I recommend having an extra battery in your kit to ensure you don’t run out of power during your outdoor adventures. If you don’t have a spare, you can connect the camera to a power bank, though this prevents underwater or high-humidity usage.

Photos taken with the GoPro Hero 11 Black are also commendable. Thanks to the new sensor, the camera can capture detailed, wide-angle images. The dynamic range is decent, although there were instances where the sky appeared overexposed while still maintaining detail around the subject. The dedicated night mode for photos requires a few seconds for processing but can produce respectable ultra-wide images. Keep in mind that the camera should remain stable during processing; even minor movements can result in a blurry night photo.

Images captured with GoPro Hero 11 Black

The GP2 SoC that powers the GoPro Hero 11 Black feels responsive, enabling nearly instant video recording without long waits for processing the last clip. The camera did heat up slightly while recording timelapses, but this didn’t seem to affect the footage.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black supports microSD cards with a capacity of up to 512GB and UHS-3 speed. Should you find yourself short on storage and need to transfer data, you can subscribe to the GoPro Quik app for Rs. 499 annually, which offers unlimited cloud backup for photos, premium editing tools, and access to the GoPro music library. Please note this differs from the GoPro Subscription, which is currently unavailable in India, as that service allows unlimited cloud backup for all GoPro footage.

Verdict

The GoPro Hero 11 Black debuted in India at Rs. 51,500, but you can now find it at slightly reduced prices on e-commerce platforms. Compared to the Hero 10 Black, the new GoPro camera adds various features thanks to the enhanced sensor. While the differences in image quality may not be stark, the addition of new modes and aspect ratios offers creators greater versatility.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black may not serve as my primary choice for photography, but it will definitely replace my aging Hero 5 for video recording. While the camera does produce decent photos, many smartphone cameras, particularly those with optical image stabilization, often deliver superior results.

While the new Hero 11 Black shares a similar appearance with the Hero 10 Black, why change a design that works, right? But should you consider upgrading from the Hero 10 Black? Only if the new features, especially the Full Frame mode, will enhance your content creation. For many users, the improvement may not justify the additional cost of upgrading.

If your current camera is older than the GoPro Hero 7 Black (Review), I can confidently suggest upgrading to the Hero 11 Black for its superior displays, faster processing, expanded shooting options, and high-resolution sensor.

---