GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini
MSRP $450.00
“The GoPro Hero 11 Mini is no less powerful than its big brother.”
Pros
Small measurement
Effective management system
Excellent waterproofing and sturdiness
Two mounting brackets
Great picture high quality and stabilization
Cons
Non-replaceable battery
Lacks rear- and front-facing shows
It’s not usually that we see a miniaturized model of a tool that’s almost an identical to the bigger mannequin with only a few compromises — but that’s what the GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini is aiming to perform.
This petite little digicam goes toe-to-toe with the full-sized GoProfessional Hero 11 Black on paper, besides that it has neither a entrance nor rear display. This probably implies that the Hero 11 Mini is likely to be best for purposes the place saving area outweighs comfort. But how does all of it come collectively in follow?
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini design
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The most notable factor in regards to the GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini (after its small measurement) is its lack of a giant, rear show. The digicam is managed totally utilizing the ability and file buttons, in addition to voice management. Instead of a display, the Hero 11 Mini options a big warmth sink on its rear, in addition to a second mounting bracket.
Radical RC Surfing with the GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini!
My solely main criticism with the GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini is that it doesn’t characteristic a detachable battery. I absolutely perceive why this resolution was made, as a replaceable battery would little question have meant rising the dimensions of the Hero 11 Mini. However, it does restrict the life span of the digicam, and if one thing goes mistaken with the battery, then your entire system is toast.
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini picture high quality
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini – Autumn Adventure!
The GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini mirrors the wonderful efficiency of the extra mainstream Hero 11 Black; that’s to say, it’s very competent certainly. The tall 8:7 sensor lets you pull many alternative facet ratios out of a single shot for sharing on a number of platforms. It can shoot as much as 5.3K at 60 frames per second (fps), 4K at as much as 120 fps, and a pair of.7K at as much as 240 fps. Numerous field-of-view choices can be found, starting from slim to Hyperview, and the digicam consists of Hypersmooth 5.0 stabilization in addition to Horizon Lock.
The Hero 11 Mini mirrors the wonderful efficiency of the extra mainstream Hero 11 Black.
Since the picture high quality and digicam choices are an identical to the Mini’s massive brother, I gained’t go into extra element right here. For a deeper dive into picture high quality, try my current overview of the GoProfessional Hero 11 Black.
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini efficiency
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
The Hero 11 Mini being a lot smaller than the Hero 11 Black means it has a a lot trickier time dissipating warmth, which is why the rear is one massive warmth sink. Fortunately, this warmth sink appears to work very effectively, and I by no means skilled any points with overheating. Take my expertise with skepticism, nevertheless, since air temperatures had been beneath freezing for a lot of the time I examined the digicam.
The different key facet of efficiency of the Hero 11 Mini is how not having a entrance or again display impacts consumer expertise. I used to be fortunately stunned by how little of an inconvenience this finally ends up being. Yes, I do generally miss having the ability to instantly preview my footage, or use a touchscreen to regulate numerous settings, however the fact is that I used to be capable of regulate in a short time to the dearth of those conveniences.
The Hero 11 Mini may be linked to the GoProfessional Quik app on an Android or iOS system, the place settings may be adjusted intimately. On the system itself, the ability and file buttons are used to navigate numerous menus, that are displayed on the tiny high LCD show. This show is de facto fairly spectacular in its high quality and readability, and with a little bit follow, I used to be simply capable of alter completely different modes and settings solely utilizing the 2 buttons.
In phrases of waterproofing and sturdiness, the Hero 11 Mini is drop-resistant and rated to be waterproof right down to 33 ft. The Hero 11 Black was already impressively robust, and if something, the Mini — with its lack of comparatively weak screens — ought to be capable of take much more punishment than its massive brother.
Hero 11 Mini vs Hero 11 Black Microphone Test
The audio high quality of the microphone array is an identical to that of the full-size Hero 11 Black. I used to be anticipating a point of compromise right here, however I used to be pleasantly stunned by how effectively it carried out on this regard. I steadily use Hero cameras to file fast vlog-style clips for my YouTube movies, and the Hero 11 Mini is nice for this goal. However, I might give the sting for vlogging to the full-size Hero 11 Black, because the front-facing display of that digicam makes composition a lot simpler.
With the Mini, there’s some guesswork concerned in composition, although with a wide-angle GoProfessional lens, no matter you level it at shall be within the body, so it’s not a giant deal. When I needed to extra fastidiously body a selected shot, I simply shortly linked the digicam to the Quik app on my telephone to get a wi-fi preview of what the digicam sees.
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini battery life
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
In my expertise, the battery lifetime of the Hero 11 Mini is just like that of Hero 11 Black. With the Hero 11 Black, you possibly can at all times swap in a contemporary battery, whereas the Hero 11 Mini should be recharged every time its battery is depleted. With this in thoughts, I might suggest carrying a conveyable battery financial institution with the Hero 11 Mini so it may be topped up if essential. The excellent news is that the door to the USB port is less complicated to open than that on the larger Hero 11 Black, so charging is much less of a problem.
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini software program and subscription
In current years, the subscription service GoProfessional gives has grown to supply a ton of worth. From reductions on cameras and equipment to automated uploads to free and limitless cloud storage, it’s actually a should when shopping for a GoProfessional. Regardless of the subscription, the Quik app is an important instrument to pair with the Hero 11 Mini, because it permits for extra granular management of the digicam than what’s accessible by way of the built-in menu system. It’s accessible for each Android and iOS, and is well-designed and extremely usable.
GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini value and availability
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As with different GoProfessional cameras, the value of the Hero 11 Mini is very depending on whether or not or not you decide to purchase into the GoProfessional subscription service. It’s accessible now, with an MSRP of $450. However, with a subscription, that value comes right down to a way more affordable $300. The subscription prices $50 per 12 months, bringing the overall price of the Hero 11 Mini right down to $350.
That works out to $100 lower than the Hero 11 Black, which, given its many comparable capabilities, makes the Mini one thing of a cut price. The Mini is roughly the identical value because the DJI Action 2, which is even smaller, although it lacks most of the capabilities of the Hero 11 Mini. The Insta360 Go 2 is one other tiny motion digicam. It’s smaller, and it prices lower than both the GoProfessional or the DJI, however it’s severely restricted in comparison with both.
A miniature digicam with tons of promise
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
It actually is spectacular how GoProfessional has managed to suit nearly every little thing that makes the full-sized Hero 11 Black into the smaller chassis of the Mini. This creates an excellent vary of decisions for anybody out there for a brand new motion digicam.
If you’re in search of a smaller digicam for drones, RC automobiles, or any software the place you need a extra compact digicam, the Mini is the digicam to decide on. It’s additionally a lovely solution to get the ability of the full-sized Black at a lower cost level. The Hero 11 Black is a more sensible choice if you happen to want simpler entry to on-camera controls, back and front screens for composition, and replaceable batteries.
The backside line is that the GoProfessional Hero 11 Mini could also be small, however it’s no much less mighty regardless of its diminutive dimensions.
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