GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
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Overview of the 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 Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
Kandao's latest 360 camera: 8K video and integrated GPS
The Qoocam 3 Ultra is Kandao's latest 360 action camera and the successor to the Kandao Qoocam 3. It features 8K30fps 360 video, 128GB of builtin storage, 10-bit video and great performance overall.
- Pros
- Integrated GPS
- 96MP photos
- 128GB builtin storage
- Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the Qoocam 3 Ultra
Weight and size
The Hero 12 is a lot more compact than the Qoocam 3 Ultra. The Hero 12 is a lot lighter than the Qoocam 3 Ultra.
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
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
71.5mm x 103.2mm x 26.6mm / 2.81in x 4.06in x 1.05in
11.85oz / 336g
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 Qoocam 3 Ultra offers a much larger battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
2280mAh
Removable
100min 4K30fps 360° and 50min 8K30fps 360°
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
Only the Qoocam 3 Ultra features built-in storage. Both the Hero 12 and the Qoocam 3 Ultra support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
128GB
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
Only the Hero 12 offers HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
4K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Camera and sensor technology
The Qoocam 3 Ultra features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Qoocam 3 Ultra is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Qoocam 3 Ultra features a much higher bit rate than the Hero 12
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
96MP
155°
150Mbps
Camera settings
Both the Hero 12 and the Qoocam 3 Ultra have the same ISO range. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
100-6400
+/-2
Hero 12 vs Qoocam 3 Ultra specifications
Name | GoPro Hero 12 Black | Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra |
Year of release | 2023 | 2024 |
Width | 2.83in / 71.8mm | 2.81in / 71.5mm |
Height | 2in / 50.8mm | 4.06in / 103.2mm |
Depth | 1.32in / 33.6mm | 1.05in / 26.6mm |
Weight | 5.43oz / 154g | 11.85oz / 336g |
Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | - |
Min operating temperature | 14°F / -10°C | -4°F / -20°C |
Max operating temperature | 95°F / 35°C | 104°F / 40°C |
Battery capacity | 1720mAh | 2280mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | 150min at 1080p | 100min 4K30fps 360° 50min 8K30fps 360° |
Charging time | 3h (5W) | - |
Built-in storage | - | 128GB |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | Class 10 or UHS-I Rating |
Maximun storage supported | 1Tb | 1TB |
Rear screen size | 2.27in | 2.19in |
Front screen size | 1.4in | - |
Field of view | 148° | 155° |
Sensor | 1/1.9" CMOS | 1/1.7" |
Pixels | 27.6MP | 96MP |
Aperture | F2.5 | F1.6 |
Focal length | 12-39mm | 9.36mm |
ISO range | 100-6400 | 100-6400 |
Video zoom | 2x | - |
Color Depth | 10bit | 10bit |
Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 150Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-2 | +/-2 |
360-degree video | No | Yes |
8K 360 video | - | 30fps |
5.7K 360 video | - | 60fps |
4K 360 video | - | 120fps |
5.3K video | 60fps | - |
4K video | 60fps | 60fps |
2.7K video | 120fps | 100fps |
1080p video | 240fps | - |
Slow motion at 4K | 4x | - |
Maximum slow motion | 8x at 1080p | - |
HDR video | 5.3K 30fps | - |
Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | SuperSteady 2.0 |
Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
Video format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.264 (MP4) |
Live streaming | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 | - |
Webcam mode | 1080p30 | - |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | - |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | - | Yes |
Photo burst mode | Yes | - |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 3 | 4 |
Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | wav | wav |
Audio input | Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B) Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter | Bluetooth microphone support |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 | BLE 5.2 |
USB | USB-C | Type-C USB |
GPS integrated | No | Yes |
Voice commands | Yes | - |