GoPro Hero 12 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 3

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Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 3

DJI Osmo Action 3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI's 2022 premium action camera: 4K120fps video
The DJI Osmo Action 3 was released in 2022 and while it is a few years old, it offers incredible 4K120fps video at a very affordable price. It's successor, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is mostly an incremental improvement, making the Action 3 a great budget friendly action camera.
  • Pros
  • 4K120fps footage
  • Freeze-proof
  • Good image stabilization
  • 52ft / 16m waterproof without case
  • Cons
  • Older model

Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the Action 3

Weight and size

The Action 3 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Hero 12 and the Action 3 have similar weights.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
DJI Osmo Action 3
70.5mm x 44.2mm x 32.8mm / 2.78in x 1.74in x 1.29in
5.11oz / 145g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The Hero 12 and Action 3 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
DJI Osmo Action 3
1770mAh
Removable
160min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Hero 12 and the Action 3 support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
DJI Osmo Action 3
No built-in storage
microSD
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Video performance

Both the Hero 12 and the Action 3 offer HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
DJI Osmo Action 3
4K video at 120fps
4K

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 12 features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Action 3 is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Action 3 has a slightly better video bit rate than the Hero 12.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
DJI Osmo Action 3
12MP
155°
130Mbps

Camera settings

The Action 3's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to Hero 12's. The Action 3's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
DJI Osmo Action 3
100-12800
+/-4

Hero 12 vs Action 3 specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackDJI Osmo Action 3
Year of release20232022
Width2.83in / 71.8mm2.78in / 70.5mm
Height2in / 50.8mm1.74in / 44.2mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm1.29in / 32.8mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.11oz / 145g
Waterproof33ft / 10m52ft / 16m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C113°F / 45°C
Battery capacity1720mAh1770mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life150min at 1080p160min at 1080p
Charging time3h (5W)49min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1Tb256GB
Rear screen size2.27in-
Front screen size1.4in-
Field of view148°155°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/1.7"
Pixels27.6MP12MP
ApertureF2.5F2.8
Focal length12-39mm-
ISO range100-6400100-12800
Video zoom2x-
Color Depth10bit10bit
Video bite rate120Mbps130Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-2+/-4
360-degree videoNoNo
5.3K video60fps-
4K video60fps120fps
2.7K video120fps120fps
1080p video240fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR video5.3K 30fps4K
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0RockSteady 3.0
Horizon lockYes-
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60No
Webcam mode1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-No
Photo burst modeYesNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones33
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.0
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoNo
Voice commandsYesYes