Mastering the Modes: The Ultimate Guide to HERO11 Black

Hello, and welcome to the ultimate guide to HERO11 Black.

We've got new features, new settings and, most importantly, an all-new image sensor to unpack! But before we look at what's new, it's important to remember that HERO11 Black is a GoPro through-and-through. This means its built tough and can take a beating, it's waterproof straight out of the box down to 10 meters, and it's compatible with existing GoPro mounts, accessories and Mods, including Max Lens Mod.

Let's dive in.

New, Larger 8:7 Sensor

HERO11 Black not only features the largest image sensor we've ever had on a GoPro-clocking in at 1/1.9 -but it unlocks an entirely new aspect ratio. GoPro cameras have always featured a sensor capable of a 4:3 ratio, but with the HERO11 line, we're debuting an 8:7 aspect ratio. It still shoots video up to at 5.3K resolution, but now it does so in a format that's much closer to square.

When is it ever better to be square? Good question! The captures a 13% taller field of view, which allows you to capture more of the scene around you, creating more immersive, more versatile content.

Most importantly, shooting in this new 8:7 aspect ratio means you now can crop a single clip to different aspect ratios in the GoPro Quik app-and still maintain an incredibly high resolution. You'll be simultaneously capturing extra-tall 9:16 vertical shots for Instagram and TikTok AND high resolution 16:9 cinematic shots ideal for YouTube or the silver screen. You can also zoom in on the best sections of your 8:7 videos to create high resolution closeups-delivering up to 24.7MP frame grabs (also via the Quik app).

That's not all the new sensor does. This bad boy also delivers the highest resolution, highest 10-bit color depth, highest level of video stabilization, widest field of view ever featured natively in a HERO camera.

PRO TIP: HERO11 Black defaults to a simplified user interface right out of the box called Easy Controls, which come pre-loaded with the best Video, Photo and Time Lapse setting options and on-screen shortcuts to easily change your digital lens or turn on slo-mo.

You can turn on the more advanced Pro Controls to access 8:7 capture options, and unlock all Protune setting options, by swiping down on the back LCD to access the camera dashboard and then swiping right to left to reveal the Controls option.

10-Bit Color Video, 27MP Photos, Crispy 24.7MP Frame Grabs Night Effects

Shout out to the pros and post-production bros out there-this 10-bit color depth is for you! But for the rest of us Average Joes, what does the jump from 8-bit to 10-bit really mean to the naked eye?

Technically speaking, it means over 1 billion shades of color vs. 16.7 million in 8-bit. That's 64X more colors captured-what a difference two bits makes! Those shades mean the colors in your GoPro content will look truer to how your eyes perceive them in the real world. Shade, gradation in the trees, the horizon in the sky will look less like bands and more like a continuous changing color, and sunsets will look more lifelike. That's the power of 10-bit color depth.

And if you're tweaking things in post-production software (like Premiere, Resolve, or FinalCut), you'll be able to do much more manipulation to the look of the image without it falling apart.

And let's not forget about the power of photos in HERO11 Black. That fresh, new, taller 8:7 sensor means more details and higher resolutions in still photos and frame grabs. For stills, we're talking 27MP (up from 23MP on the HERO10 Black) in photo mode. And if you're shooting 5.3K video in 8:7, you can now pull incredibly detailed 24.7MP frame grabs, which is up from 19.6MP on the HERO10 Black. This is high enough resolution to transcend a simple social media post-blow it up, print it out and frame it for your family gallery wall.

PRO TIP: If you're not sure if you want video or stills, or you might want both, we recommend shooting at 5.3K at 8:7. This will ensure you get the highest video AND the highest frame grab resolutions.

HERO11 Black also has three new Night Effects presets that make capturing professional quality Star Trails, Light Painting and Vehicle Light Trails content as easy as tapping a settings option. Access Night Effects by tapping the Time Lapse Mode options while in Pro Controls.

The Most Immersive Digital Lens Ever: HyperView

The new sensor love doesn't stop with resolutions. It also enables HyperView, the widest 16:9 field of view ever native to a HERO camera.

GoPro cameras introduced the SuperView digital lens nearly 10 years ago, and it's been a high-action fan-favorite field of view ever since. SuperView takes the full readout from the 4:3 sensor and dynamically stretches it into a traditional 16:9 video (aka the preferred aspect ratio for everything you watch on TV, in a movie and on YouTube). This creates a very immersive video, perfect for first-person POV.

With HERO11 Black, meet HyperView. HyperView is SuperView cranked up to 11 (get it?). This FOV utilizes the whole sensor, now maxing out at 8:7, effectively capturing even more scenery into that 16:9 frame and delivering the most immersive FOV. The best example is that HyperView does an even better job of capturing speed. It's a dramatic effect, but it's awesome.

PRO TIP: Try combining slo-mo and HyperView. Set your video to record 4K60 with the HyperView digital lens and HyperSmooth 5.0 on. This combination will allow you to slow your footage down to 40% or 50% speed (depending on if your final video will be 24p or 30p, respectively) for nice looking slow motion while also keeping your video super smooth in an ultra-immersive perspective.

Believe the HyperSmooth 5.0 Built-In 360 Horizon Lock

The Emmy Award-winning technology behind GoPro's HyperSmooth stabilization also gets

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