It’s not often that we see a miniaturized version of a device that is nearly identical to the larger model with few compromises — but that’s exactly what the GoPro Hero 11 Mini aims to achieve.
On paper, this small camera competes with the full-sized GoPro Hero 11 Black, but it lacks both a front and rear screen. This could imply that the Hero 11 Mini is best suited for applications where saving space trumps convenience. But how does it all work in practice?
GoPro Hero 11 Mini design
The GoPro Hero 11 Mini’s most notable feature (aside from its small size) is its lack of a large rear display. The camera is entirely controlled by the power and record buttons, as well as voice commands. Instead of a screen, the Hero 11 Mini has a large heat sink and a second mounting bracket on the back.
My only major criticism of the GoPro Hero 11 Mini is that it lacks a removable battery. I completely understand why this decision was made because a replaceable battery would have undoubtedly increased the size of the Hero 11 Mini. However, it reduces the camera’s life span, and if something goes wrong with the battery, the entire device is toast.
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GoPro Hero 11 Mini performance
Because the Hero 11 Mini is so much smaller than the Hero 11 Black, it has a much more difficult time dissipating heat, which is why the back is one big heat sink. Fortunately, this heat sink appears to work very well, and I never had any overheating issues. Take my experience with a grain of salt, though, because the air temperature was below freezing for much of the time I tested the camera.
Another important aspect of the Hero 11 Mini’s performance is how the lack of a front or back screen affects the user experience. I was pleasantly surprised by how little of an inconvenience this turns out to be. Yes, I miss being able to directly preview my footage or use a touchscreen to adjust various settings, but the truth is that I adapted quickly to the lack of these conveniences.
The GoPro Quik app on an Android or iOS device can be used to connect the Hero 11 Mini and fine-tune settings. The power and record buttons on the device are used to navigate various menus displayed on the tiny top LCD display. This display is quite impressive in terms of quality and readability, and with a little practice, I was easily able to change modes and settings using only the two buttons.
The Hero 11 Mini is drop-resistant and waterproof to 33 feet in terms of waterproofing and durability. The Hero 11 Black was already tough, and the Mini, with its lack of relatively vulnerable screens, should be able to withstand even more abuse than its big brother.
The microphone array’s audio quality is identical to the full-size Hero 11 Black. I expected some level of compromise here, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it performed. I frequently use Hero cameras to record quick vlog-style clips for my YouTube videos, and the Hero 11 Mini is ideal. However, I would give the full-size Hero 11 Black the edge for vlogging because its front-facing screen makes composition much easier.
Composition on the Mini requires some guesswork, but with a wide-angle GoPro lens, whatever you point it at will be in the frame, so it’s not a big deal. When I needed to frame a shot, I simply connected the camera to the Quik app on my phone and received a wireless preview of what the camera saw.
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GoPro Hero 11 Mini image quality
The GoPro Hero 11 Mini matches the excellent performance of the more mainstream Hero 11 Black; in other words, it’s very capable. The tall 8:7 sensor allows you to extract multiple aspect ratios from a single shot for sharing across multiple platforms. It has a maximum resolution of 5.3K at 60 frames per second (fps), 4K at up to 120 fps, and 2.7K at up to 240 fps. There are numerous field-of-view options, ranging from narrow to Hyperview, and the camera includes Hypersmooth 5.0 stabilization as well as Horizon Lock.
I won’t go into more detail here because the image quality and camera options are identical to the Mini’s big brother. Check out my recent GoPro Hero 11 Black review for a more in-depth look at image quality.
GoPro Hero 11 Mini battery life
In my experience, the Hero 11 Mini’s battery life is comparable to that of the Hero 11 Black. The Hero 11 Black can always be replaced with a new battery, whereas the Hero 11 Mini must be recharged each time its battery runs out. With this in mind, I would recommend carrying a portable battery bank with the Hero 11 Mini so that it can be charged as needed. The good news is that the door to the USB port is easier to open than on the larger Hero 11 Black, making charging easier.
Software and subscription
In recent years, GoPro’s subscription service has grown to provide a lot of value. It’s a must-have when purchasing a GoPro, with everything from discounts on cameras and accessories to automatic uploads to free and unlimited cloud storage. Regardless of subscription, the Quik app is an essential tool to pair with the Hero 11 Mini because it provides more granular control of the camera than the integrated menu system. It’s well-designed and easy to use, and it’s available for both Android and iOS.
GoPro Hero 11 Mini price and availability
The price of the Hero 11 Mini, like that of other GoPro cameras, is heavily influenced by whether or not you choose to subscribe to the GoPro service. It is now available with an MSRP of $450. With a subscription, the price drops to a much more reasonable $300. The subscription costs $50 per year, bringing the Hero 11 Mini’s total cost down to $350.
That works out to be $100 less than the Hero 11 Black, making the Mini a steal given its many similar capabilities. The Mini costs about the same as the DJI Action 2, which is even smaller but lacks many of the Hero 11 Mini’s capabilities. Another small action camera is the Insta360 Go 2. It’s smaller and less expensive than the GoPro or the DJI, but it’s severely limited in comparison.
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A miniature camera with tons of promise
It’s truly amazing how GoPro managed to fit almost everything that makes the full-sized Hero 11 Black into the Mini’s smaller chassis. This provides a wide range of options for anyone looking for a new action camera.
The Mini is the camera to choose if you need a smaller camera for drones, RC vehicles, or any other application that requires a smaller camera. It’s also an appealing way to get the full-sized Black’s power at a lower cost. If you need easier access to on-camera controls, front and back screens for composition, and replaceable batteries, the Hero 11 Black is a better choice. The bottom line is that, despite its diminutive size, the GoPro Hero 11 Mini is no less powerful.
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