GoPro
HERO12 Black
1/1.9-inch action camera with HDR 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 slow-mo, HyperSmooth 6.0, and 10m waterproof body.
$349
Launch priceReleased Sep 2023
Sony
ZV-1
The original Sony vlogging compact with a 1-inch stacked sensor, 24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS lens, Real-time Eye AF, and side-flip screen.
$749
Launch priceReleased May 2020
HERO12 Black is 3.3 years newer.
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Wins
HERO12 Black
Wins
ZV-1
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZV-1 has higher AF points / zones (315 vs 0)
- AHERO12 Black has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZV-1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (24 fps vs 6 fps)
- AHERO12 Black has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AHERO12 Black has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 260 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
HERO12 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
ZV-1
106 × 60 × 44 mm
294 g (0.65 lb / 10.37 oz)
HERO12 Black is 34mm narrower, 9mm shorter, and 10mm thinner than ZV-1.
HERO12 Black is 140 g lighter than ZV-1.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO12 Black · 44mm ZV-1
Sensor size, to scale
ZV-1
13.2 × 8.8 mm · 1″
116 mm² area
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
HERO12 Black
Codecs
Adds H.265 (HEVC)
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Stabilization modes
Adds HyperSmooth 6.0, 360° Horizon Lock, AutoBoost
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6
Card types
Adds microSD
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 260 shots — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only HERO12 Black supports it
Reasons to choose
ZV-1
AF points / zones
315 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 105.5, 60, 43.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I, Memory Stick Duo
Burst (mechanical)
24 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only ZV-1 supports it
ISO max (native)
12,800 vs 6,400 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HERO12 Black
Pros
- ✓HDR 5.3K and 4K120
- ✓HyperSmooth 6.0
- ✓10m waterproof
- ✓Strong used value
Cons
- –Superseded by HERO13
- –Fixed lens
- –Smaller battery than HERO13
ZV-1
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS sensor with DRAM
- ✓24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS zoom
- ✓Real-time Eye AF and Product Showcase
- ✓Side vari-angle LCD for vlogging
- ✓4K oversampled video and HFR slow-mo
Cons
- –Fixed 24–70mm zoom (no telephoto reach)
- –No built-in ND filter (unlike ZV-1 II)
- –No EVF
- –Short battery life for long shoots
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the HERO12 Black and ZV-1 at major authorized retailers.
GoPro HERO12 Black
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, HERO12 Black or ZV-1?
HERO12 Black scores 8.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for ZV-1 — 154g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO12 Black and ZV-1?
HERO12 Black is 27.6 MP and ZV-1 is 20.1 MP, so the HERO12 Black captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
How does stabilization compare between the HERO12 Black and ZV-1?
HERO12 Black uses HyperSmooth 6.0 (electronic), while ZV-1 uses Optical SteadyShot + Active electronic (electronic).
Which shoots faster bursts — the HERO12 Black or the ZV-1?
HERO12 Black reaches 15 fps electronic. ZV-1 reaches 24 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the HERO12 Black and ZV-1?
HERO12 Black weighs 154 g and ZV-1 weighs 294 g, so the HERO12 Black is 140 g lighter.
Do the HERO12 Black and ZV-1 record 4K video?
HERO12 Black: 4K up to 120p. ZV-1: 4K up to 30p.
Are the HERO12 Black and ZV-1 weather sealed?
HERO12 Black: Yes. ZV-1: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the HERO12 Black and 260 shots for the ZV-1, giving the HERO12 Black the edge.
How much does each cost?
HERO12 Black launched at $349 and ZV-1 at $749. The HERO12 Black is $400 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way HERO12 Black vs ZV-1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.