Episode 370: Nikon’s New Camera, GoPro HERO12 Black & More

Show Transcript

Greetings, you’re listening to the Liam Photography Podcast, I’m your host Liam Douglas and this is Episode 370 for Thursday September 28th, 2023. In today’s episode we are talking about the new Nikon full frame “retro” camera called the ZF as well as the new GoPro HERO12 Black.

The Nikon ZF is basically the full frame big bother of the Nikon ZFC crop body camera that was released in July of 2021. The following are the key features of this new full frame “throwback” camera.

Key Features

• 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
• EXPEED 7 Image Processor
• UHD 4K 30p Video and Full HD 120p Video
• AF Subject Recognition with 3D Tracking
• 5-Axis In-Body Vibration Reduction
• Focus-Point Stabilization
• 3.2" Vari-Angle Touchscreen
• 96MP High-Res Mode

“The most powerful entry yet in Nikon's line of digital throwbacks, the full-frame, creator-inspired Zf Mirrorless Camera proves once again that good style never goes away. While the camera's body design retrieves the filmic, steel-feel functionalism of vintage SLRs, its insides are nonetheless outfitted with the latest in Z-series features and capabilities, turning the Zf's iconic silhouette into a modern and tactile shooter that

its advanced tech to deliver timeless imagery.”

Let’s take a look at the full specs for this new camera that to me looks really nice, although it seems to me like Nikon is desperate to try and mimic Fujifilm’s popularity with the retro design that is so popular with Fujifilm shooters. But I can’t say as I blame them after being knocked from the number 2 spot by Sony a few years ago.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1788062-REG/nikon_1761_zf_mirrorless_camera.html/specs

The new technology included in this camera is impressive, but I am a little bit surprised that they didn’t put that tech in another style body first. I was recently listening to the RAW Talk podcast with Jared Polin and he and Stephen are talking about this camera and Jared mentioned that although the camera’s capabilities are amazing, the ergonomics are poor, especially when trying to use a lens like the 70-200mm F/2.8. I am sure that they are people that will say that “Oh you cannot use that kind of lens on this camera as it’s a “street photography” camera. Rubbish, if the camera is designed with the standard Z mount, then it should have better handling when using larger lenses on it. If Nikon was only intending it to be used for street photography, then they should have made it with an attached 35mm lens and no ability to change the lens at all.

The pricing is not terrible at $2,000 US, but for that price the ergonomics should be better and there are other options out there in the same price point that might be better options from Sony and Canon. I cannot say I blame Nikon for trying to do whatever it can to remain relevant. Nikon has always had great image quality and decent color science, although I do prefer my Fujifilm cameras more, especially with their film simulations.

Another new release to the camera market recently is the new action camera, the GoPro HERO12 Black. As someone who uses action cameras quite a bit for my clients and my own Youtube channel, I am excited to check out this latest offering from GoPro. The following are the key features of the new HERO12 Black.

Key Features

• 27MP with Improved Performance
• 5.3K60/4K120/2.7K240 Video, 27MP Photos
• HyperSmooth 6.0 Image Stabilization
• Front and Rear LCD Screens
• Bluetooth Audio Connectivity and Control
• 33' Waterproof without Housing
• 8x Slow-Motion Video
• 1720mAh Capacity Rechargeable Battery

“While the GoPro HERO12 Black features some similar hardware to its predecessor—a 27MP image sensor capable of 5.3K60 video recording—its improved battery life, HyperSmooth 6.0 technology, and expanded Bluetooth wireless further its capabilities. The image sensor can capture 27MP RAW still photos as well as 5.3K60, 4K120, and 2.7K240 video with ease. HyperSmooth 6.0 digital image stabilization with AutoBoost ensures your footage remains high-quality while reducing image cropping. The HERO12 also has improved power management to continuously record video 2x faster than previous models.”

Even though the HERO12 Black is sort of an incremental upgrade from the HERO11 Black, I needed a second GoPro for my kit and since the 12 was now officially out, I figured why buy a second HERO11 Black when for the same money I could get the latest model and see how it performs. The GoPro’s new Enduro batteries are really excellent and last much longer than the older batteries and between GoPro and Amazon Vine I have a ton of extra batteries for my GoPros so I can be out shooting all day long. I decided to also get the new Max Lens Mod 2.0 and I already had a second Media Mod that was waiting for a new GoPro to slide into it and give me the excellent audio as well as so many add-on abilities when filming. The new HyperSmooth 6.0 is nice, but I don’t see a ton of difference between it and the previous version that is built into the HERO11 Black. The new Max Lens Mod 2.0 is nice as well and is only compatible with the HERO12 and cannot be used with the HERO11 or any of the other past GoPros. Another new ability of the HERO12 Black is enhanced Bluetooth that allows you to use Bluetooth microphones and headphones, which can be extremely handy for shooting content for yourself or clients and truly make your job a LOT easier.

When comparing the HERO12 to the HERO11 I don’t see a TON of differences when using both cameras but there are some more subtle differences such as a sleeker design, deeper underwater capabilities and a more “advanced” sensor. However, the HERO12 does have Super slow-motion using higher quality, an upgraded chip making tasks faster in the system as well as more Enhanced streaming capabilities. One of the major differences is the new Max Lens Mod 2.0 which I acquired with my camera and this new one is only available for the HERO12 at this time. This new lens mod allows you to use resolutions and fields of view that you could not with the old model. A final item is that the new HERO12 is supposed to have prolonged battery life but I have not had a chance to test that as of yet to see if it’s true.

If you are trying to decide between buying the HERO11 and HERO12, I would go with the HERO12 for it’s more powerful processor, sleeker design, better underwater capabilities and the new Max Lens Mod. The new sensor also gives more vibrant colors as well as better details and the prolonged battery life. If you don’t need any of these new capabilities then maybe the HERO11 is all you need and you can probably save some money as well, although looking at the prices on B&H Photo, the HERO11 is only $50 cheaper so I would just opt for the HERO12 unless money is really tight.

Today’s news stories:

https://petapixel.com/2023/09/26/photographer-tracks-24k-worth-of-camera-gear-to-address-sf-police-do-nothing/

https://petapixel.com/2023/09/26/ansel-adams-estate-in-san-francisco-for-sale-for-5-4-million/

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https://www.thinktankphoto.com/?rfsn=7232819.5f5392&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7232819.5f5392

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