If you are a beginner wildlife enthusiast looking to buy your first GoPro Camera for nature photography and videography across Indian National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, then this is the only guide you need to have a look at.
I thought of writing this blog because I often get many queries regarding how I started my wildlife journey in the context of camera devices I used throughout all these years, from being an amateur to an experienced wildlife explorer.
Many people ask me recommendations for camera devices for wildlife safari trips. Some of them want to know how I record premium quality footage. Amongst them there are many who also ask me regarding various GoPro camera devices and which one is the best for wildlife safari expeditions.
Since GoPro is a renowned company in the digital camera and electronics space, their products are popular and sell in large numbers every month. So, in this blog, I am going to compare the GoPro Hero 10 vs GoPro Hero 12 models which I have also used personally during my wildlife journey in the past couple of years and why they are best for beginners.
I am going to walk you through all the aspects that you should know as a beginner about these two camera devices and why at the beginning of your journey, focusing on improving photography and videography skills should be the priority rather than the choice of camera device.
But first, don’t forget to visit the Jungle Revives YouTube channel for amazing wildlife adventures and stories across Indian National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Table of Contents
Best GoPro Camera for Beginners Compared: Hero 10 Vs Hero 12
Let’s deep dive into the details of each of these camera models from a wildlife videography and photography standpoint and understand which one you should pick for your needs. Picking the right one can be a game-changer for you. So, you need to consider aspects like real-world performance, pricing, and wildlife-specific needs to pick the right one for you.
Cost of GoPro Hero 10 Vs GoPro Hero 12
Let’s straightaway get to addressing the elephant in the room, which is how much both Hero 10 and Hero 12 models from GoPro will cost you. If you compare the Go Pro camera price as per August 2025 across Amazon India and other platforms, then you can see the Go Pro Hero 10 retailing at approximately. Rs. 25000/- while the Go Pro 12 retailing at approx. Rs. 30000/-
Now this makes it an interesting value proposition. Do you want to spend the extra 15-20% in upgrading to the Hero 12 rather than the Hero 10 model?
Well, choosing the best fit one from multiple go pro cameras depends on many factors like:
- Photo Resolution
- Video quality
- Type of sensor used
- Image and video stabilization
- HRD video options
- Battery Performance
- Bluetooth audio
- Overheating
- GPS geotagging
And many more practical and real-world wildlife photography and videography scenarios.
So, the cost of gopro camera is just a starting factor which cannot fully determine which model you should choose as a beginner wildlife enthusiast.
Real-world Performance of Go Pro Hero 10 & Go Pro 12 for Wildlife
Let’s understand how both these two GoPro Camera Models perform across aspects like Image quality, video quality, stabilization, battery life, and overheating, which are some of the major and important deciding factors for beginners while choosing from many available Go Pro Cameras for their wildlife-related needs.
- In terms of image and video quality, both these cameras offer stunning 5.3K and 4K footage that is ultra-smooth. On one side, the GoPro Hero 12 has a sensor fairly large enough that improves low-light photography and videography significantly. It’s one of the best use cases for those beginner wildlife enthusiasts who prefer early morning jungle safaris. It also supports HDR video, which will allow you to capture finer details in bright and low light conditions across your video footage. So, in terms of image and video quality, I would say the Go Pro 12 is a better option than Go Pro Hero 10.
- When it comes to image and video stabilization, both the Go Pro Cameras use the HyperSmooth technology for enhanced image and video stabilization, but with Go Pro 12, you get auto boost and horizon lock options, which provide even better ultra-smooth shots of your favourite wild animals and birds.
- In terms of battery life, the Go Pro Hero 10 lasts approximately 45 minutes with high-definition video recording and would need frequent battery charging. On the other hand, the GoPro Hero 12 lasts for up to 70 minutes, approximately on high-definition video recording, and offers nearly 40% improvement in battery life over the Hero 10.
- When it comes to overheating, the GoPro Hero 10 has some overheating issues with regular continuous usage across all weather conditions. But with the Go Pro 12, no such heating issues are observed.
My Journey from Smartphone to GoPro Camera for Wildlife Adventures
Before you proceed further in this blog, I would like to tell you about how I started my wildlife journey and had a basic smartphone camera to start with. As I began with my wildlife adventure trips and safaris, I used my smartphone to learn all the core fundamentals of wildlife videography and photography across various conditions and jungle trips. When I became further confident in my expertise, I decided to shift to a professional GoPro Camera.
Read about my full Journey of transitioning from Smartphone to GoPro for capturing wildlife moments and memories.
Advantages of GoPro Camera Models: Hero 10 Vs Hero 12
Both the Hero 10 and Hero 12 Go Pro Cameras have numerous benefits that you, as a beginner, must know about before purchasing one.
- Hero 10
- It comes in handy when buying an affordable GoPro Camera due to its lower price as compared to the Hero 12.
- It has a Geotagging feature that allows you to get the exact photo location data of the image and videos.
- The core video and image quality are the same as Hero 12.
- It works perfectly with all the standard accessories for GoPro Camera devices.
This makes it one of the most compelling options for beginner wildlife lovers for their jungle safari adventures.
- Hero 12
- It has a significantly better battery life.
- Overheating issues are rare in the Hero 12 GoPro Camera. It’s perfect to use across all weather conditions.
- You get an option for HDR recording to capture high-definition and higher contrast-based wildlife moments of your favourite animal and bird.
- The presence of a larger sensor in the Hero 12 model enables better low-light photography and videography.
- Lastly, it has wireless audio support that will help you capture on-field narration very precisely and accurately.
A Quick Summary of the Two GoPro Camera Models
Feature Hero 10 Hero 12 Photo Resolution 23MP 27MP Sensor 1/2.3″ CMOS (5599×4223) 1/1.9″ CMOS (5599×4927) Video 5.3K60 / 4K120 / 2.7K240 5.3K60 / 4K120 / 2.7K240 Stabilization HyperSmooth 4.0 HyperSmooth 6.0 + Auto boost HDR Video No Yes (5.3K & 4K60) Battery Performance ~45-50 min @ 5.3K60
Removable 1720mAh Enduro Battery~70 min @ 5.3K60
Removable 1720mAh Enduro BatteryGPS Yes No Bluetooth Audio Yes Yes Overheating Common in high-res + heat Excellent thermal control The features discussed here are more than enough for any wildlife beginner to decide which Gopro Camera Model is the best fit for their needs. As a beginner GoPro purchaser, you don’t need to get into too many advanced and complicated features, which are best suited and relevant for professional wildlife photographers and videographers.
Right now, you should only be concerned about getting good quality footage and images from your device for amazing wildlife moments. If that’s being fulfilled, you should rather focus on improving your photography and videography skills and then upgrade to a better wildlife camera if needed.
However, if you still wish to see a detailed comparison of the GoPro Hero 10 and the GoPro Hero 12 camera models for wildlife photography and videography, you can visit the official GoPro website and do a full comparison analysis.
And Now the Final Verdict
Given that there is just a slight 15-20% price difference between the two GoPro Camera Models, you can go for any of those if cost is not that big a deciding factor for you.
But just for better clarity, here’s what I would recommend.
- Choose the Hero 10 if you are on a limited budget, need GPS tagging for geolocation data, shoot shorter video clips, and take good yet average quality photos since you are just getting started. Also, if you have no issue managing a little overheating of the device, choose the GoPro Hero 10.
- But on the flip side, if you want a GoPro camera that can do HDR recording and low-light photography and videography, has excellent wireless recording, provides longer battery life, and doesn’t overheat much, then go for the GoPro Hero 12.
So, it’s less about price being the deciding factor, but what your needs are related to wildlife photography and videography.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the latest GoPro Camera that I can get for my upcoming wildlife adventure trips?
As of August 2025, the latest model of GoPro is the Hero 13. It’s their most advanced camera, and the Hero 13 GoPro Camera price is around Rs. 38,000/- on Amazon India.
What are some additional essential accessories I can purchase with my GoPro Camera?
Whether you pick the Hero 10 or Hero 12, there are some essential accessories you should purchase. Those include a GoPro 3-Way mount, Extra Enduro batteries, a High-speed microSD Card, and a Chest/head mount.
What are some of the Optimal GoPro Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography and Videography?
Keep the resolution at 4K-60FPS for a balance of quality & storage. Also, the ISO between 100-400 for daylight, and up to 1600 for low-light needs. Keep HyperSmooth ON for stabilization.
Should I choose a GoPro or a DSLR as a beginner for my wildlife adventures?
Choose a GoPro if you want a:
- Compact, rugged, and versatile camera.
- Easy to carry, mount, and use during all types of wildlife safari trips.
However, if you want:
- Better zoom capabilities,
- Flexibility to swap various types of lenses, and
- Don’t mind carrying a heavier camera,
Then go for DSLR.
Are Go Pro Cameras Reliable for Wildlife Trips?
Yes, they are. They are extremely durable, sturdy and rugged. Built to withstand harsh jungle conditions across weather like summer, winter, and even light rains. They are compact and can be carried easily. Take them on your next wildlife safari trip.
