The GoPro Hero 12 Black is one of the best action cameras to help survey your next hiking trail, and it can also be a great accessory during the backpacking trip itself, documenting your journey in crisp HDR 5.3K video. A curved adhesive mount and mounting buckle with thumb screw make it easy to fasten to your hiking apparel and record every step you take, as well as attach to a tripod for when you want to do some stationary vlogging.
The GoPro Hero 12 Black can record an ultra-wide, 156-degree field of view in an 8:7 aspect ratio, while an optional Max Lens Mod 2.0 can expand to a 177-degree field of view in 4K60, enabling you to capture the expanse of the wilderness as you backpack through it. It can also take 27-megapixel photos and 24.7-megapixel video stills.
In addition to its impressive video specs, the device includes several other features that make recording and editing easier, especially when you’re far from a professional filmmaking suite. They include Bluetooth microphone recording, timecode syncing with multiple cameras, and LOG recording capability. In SlashGear’s review of the GoPro Hero 12 Black, we also praised the improved video stabilization, battery life, and upgrades to the camera’s software when compared to the previous model.
Ruggedly built for outdoor use, the camera is also shockproof and waterproof up to a depth of 33 feet. One drawback to the GoPro Hero 12 Black is its lack of GPS functionality, which can be very useful when backpacking in the middle of nowhere. However, it’s not necessary for recording footage, especially if you have another GPS-enabled device for other uses. The GoPro Hero 12 Black is available for $399 from Amazon.
