GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Sixmou i3
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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 Sixmou i3
Sixmou i3
A thumb sized, budget action camera
The i3 is a thumb sized action camera that features 4K video recording. It's an all-in-one package with many accessories for people looking for a cheap wearable camera. It's lightweight and very simple to use and makes it an affordable alternative to the more expensive but also more capable Insta360 Go 3S.
- Pros
- Light & small
- Lots of accessories
- SD card included
- Cons
- Average performance
- Average quality build
- No screen
Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the i3
Weight and size
The i3 is a lot more compact than the Hero 12. The i3 is a lot lighter than the Hero 12.
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
Sixmou i3
28mm x 63mm x 18mm / 1.1in x 2.48in x 0.71in
1.27oz / 36g
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 offers a much larger battery capacity. The Hero 12 has a removable battery whereas the i3's battery is not removable
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Sixmou i3
800mAh
Removable
90min for 4k and 150min for 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 i3 support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Sixmou i3
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
Only the Hero 12 offers HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Sixmou i3
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
Camera and sensor technology
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Sixmou i3
Feature missing
Feature missing
Feature missing
Camera settings
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Sixmou i3
Feature missing
Feature missing
Hero 12 vs i3 specifications
Name | GoPro Hero 12 Black | Sixmou i3 |
Year of release | 2023 | 2024 |
Width | 2.83in / 71.8mm | 1.1in / 28mm |
Height | 2in / 50.8mm | 2.48in / 63mm |
Depth | 1.32in / 33.6mm | 0.71in / 18mm |
Weight | 5.43oz / 154g | 1.27oz / 36g |
Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | - |
Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | 131ft / 40m |
Min operating temperature | 14°F / -10°C | - |
Max operating temperature | 95°F / 35°C | - |
Battery capacity | 1720mAh | 800mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | No |
Battery life | 150min at 1080p | 90min for 4k 150min for 1080p |
Charging time | 3h (5W) | - |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | UHS-3 |
Maximun storage supported | 1Tb | 64GB |
Rear screen size | 2.27in | - |
Front screen size | 1.4in | - |
Field of view | 148° | - |
Sensor | 1/1.9" CMOS | - |
Pixels | 27.6MP | - |
Aperture | F2.5 | - |
Focal length | 12-39mm | - |
ISO range | 100-6400 | - |
Video zoom | 2x | - |
Color Depth | 10bit | 8bit |
Video bite rate | 120Mbps | - |
Exposure Compensation | +/-2 | - |
360-degree video | No | No |
5.3K video | 60fps | - |
4K video | 60fps | 30fps |
2.7K video | 120fps | - |
1080p video | 240fps | 30fps |
Slow motion at 4K | 4x | - |
Maximum slow motion | 8x at 1080p | - |
HDR video | 5.3K 30fps | - |
Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | Yes |
Horizon lock | Yes | - |
Video format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.264 (MP4) |
Live streaming | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 | - |
Webcam mode | 1080p30 | - |
Timelapse mode | Yes | - |
Starlapse mode | Yes | - |
Timeshift mode | Yes | - |
Loop recording mode | Yes | - |
Photo burst mode | Yes | - |
RAW format supported | Yes | - |
Microphones | 3 | - |
Stereo audio | Yes | - |
Noise reduction | Yes | - |
Audio format | wav | - |
Audio input | Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B) Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter | - |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Yes |
Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 | - |
USB | USB-C | Type-C USB |
GPS integrated | No | - |
Voice commands | Yes | - |