The GoPro catalog surprised fans of the brand with the launch of a new, fairly compact model that came to fill a gap with some demand. And there are still many who are looking for a GoPro with a more compact size that does not compromise the main activity to be recorded. But is it worth opting for this size? Do we lose image quality?
The usual GoPro
That the HERO11 Black nomenclature continues to appear in the name of this model is no coincidence. The camera uses the same internal components as its older sister, and we say bigger basically because of the size, since as you can see below, the results at the level of image and performance are identical.
Yes, both cameras are the same when it comes to recording video, so you won't get better images with one or the other. With 5,3K recording and awesome stabilization modes, HERO11 Black Mini is simply a compact version of GoPro's best camera.
But where there are changes that could affect the user experience is in the elements that have disappeared at the cost of being able to significantly reduce their size. But be careful, when we say changes that affect the user experience, we are not referring to something negative, but as we are going to explain below, defines the type of user that will use this GoPro compact.
One size for certain users
As you surely know, the GoPro HERO11 Black Mini is characterized by not have any type of screen. The only thing you will find is a small display that indicates whether the camera is recording, what recording mode is selected and what the battery status is.
This lack of display clearly indicates that it is not a camera intended for those who use it to record their travels and personal plans. Rather, it is designed to be placed somewhere and recorded without paying too much attention, since what it seeks is to go completely unnoticed. At most, you will have the mobile phone nearby to check that everything is centered before starting to record.
This is clearly reflected in its anchoring system, since in addition to the classic mounting tabs on the bottom, it also includes a second pair of tabs on its back, so that we can place the camera in a more central and close position with respect to to the base. This is especially useful when placing it on our chest, or placing it in a helmet, helping to improve aerodynamics and avoiding placing the camera as an antenna, something quite ridiculous and very cumbersome.
what is lost
As we have already mentioned, the handicap of this camera is in the elements it discards, so you must determine if you need some of these elements for your day to day.
- Screens: There's no rear screen or front screen, so filming yourself won't look so good not knowing exactly what you're framing. Likewise, the absence of a rear screen prevents us from knowing if we are recording well towards the objective.
- Replaceable battery: The compact body has forced the battery to be fully integrated, so we cannot change it for another. If you are thinking of having a secondary battery to change it and continue recording, with the mini you will not be able to. In addition, the battery has reduced its size compared to the normal model, being 1.500 mAh instead of 1.720 mAh.
- Record mode management: By having only two buttons and not having a large screen, managing the recording modes is much more complex than you might expect. The tiny screen will let you choose resolution, frame rate, type of stabilization and aspect ratio, and also choose from the available recording modes.
- no photos: Curiously, this model does not allow you to take photos from a Photo mode as such, but it does allow you to capture videos at 24,7 megapixels.
what is gained
- Size: The most obvious point is the size. It's one of the smallest and most powerful GoPros ever in the catalogue, making it a great combo for getting spectacular videos without compromising on size.
- Best placement: Its compact format and the grip tabs on its back allow the camera to be more comfortably centered when placing it on helmets, which allows a first-person view that does not affect the pilot's vision or cause the helmet to occupy more space.
- Best price: 100 euros less compared to the price of the GoPro HERO11 Black may be compelling reasons for some users when choosing this camera.
Is the GoPro HERO11 Black Mini worth it?
Just knowing that you enjoy the same 27-megapixel sensor and GP2 processor, you already know that the videos you are going to get are spectacular. The only thing you should take into account is whether you are the right user for this type of camera, since the absence of screens and its dependence on the mobile phone (to preview videos, frame the camera and select recording modes) could not be exactly what you were looking for.