Hero 12 Blackvs Nikon Zf

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

GoPro Hero 12 Black GoPro Hero 12 Black (2023) Starting from £300 new Best for Adventure, sports & travel video View Hero 12 Black
VS
Nikon Nikon Zf Nikon Nikon Zf (2023) Starting from £1699 new Best for Street & travel photography View Nikon Zf

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Adventure, Sports & Travel Video — Hero 12 Black (2023): GoPro's best all-round action camera — better battery, 10-bit colour, and HyperSmooth 6.0 make it a genuine step forward.

Street & Travel Photography — Nikon Zf (2023): Full-frame performance in a stunning retro body — the Zf's 8-stop IBIS and gorgeous design make it uniquely compelling.

↓ Full specifications below

Hero 12 Black (2023)

  • Action and sports photographers who want the best stabilisation available
  • Travellers who need a rugged waterproof camera for any conditions
  • Cyclists, surfers, and skiers wanting helmet or handlebar footage
  • Hero 11 owners considering an upgrade — notably better battery life

Nikon Zf (2023)

  • Photographers who want full-frame Z quality in a retro-styled body
  • Street and travel photographers attracted to the classic dial aesthetic
  • Zfc owners who want to step up to full-frame without losing the retro design
  • Anyone who wants the best-looking full-frame mirrorless available

Quick take: The hero 12 black has the highest resolution at 27mp; the hero 12 black is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification Hero 12 Black (2023)Nikon Zf (2023)
Price £300 £1,699
Sensor 1/1.9-inch CMOS 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS
Resolution 27.0MP 24.5MP
Video 5.3K/60p, 4K/120p, 2.7K/240p slow-mo 4K/30p oversampled, FHD/120p, N-Log, 10-bit
Autofocus Fixed focus (wide) Phase-detect 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle)
Stabilisation HyperSmooth 6.0 (in-camera EIS) 5-axis IBIS, 8.0 stops
Burst Rate 27MP RAW burst 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic
Battery Life ~70 min at 5.3K/30p (Enduro battery) ~380 shots (CIPA)
Weight 154g 710g with battery
Dimensions 71.8 × 50.8 × 33.6mm 144.0 × 103.0 × 49.0mm
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder 2.27" rear touchscreen + 1.4" front display EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification
Screen 2.27" rear touchscreen; 1.4" front colour display 3.2" vari-angle touchscreen
Mount GoPro mounting ecosystem (fingers, adhesive, magnetic) Nikon Z-mount (full-frame)
Memory Cards microSD up to 1TB (V30 minimum) Single SD UHS-II slot
Connectivity USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Genre Hero 12 BlackNikon Zf
Adventure & Sports
9.0
Vlogging & Video
9.0
7.0
Travel
9.0
9.0
Underwater
9.0
Cycling & Hiking
9.0
Everyday
7.0
Street
9.0
Portrait
9.0
Landscape
9.0
Sports & Action
4.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side Hero 12 Black prices → Nikon Zf prices →

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