why no replaceable batteries? I have an old hero 8 and have already killed 4 of them. Not being able to change the battery is just stupid and not sustainable either.
Agree, I would like to know how repairable it is. Would gopro sell a replacement battery and waterproofing seal? Will wait for Ifixit repairability score.
I suspect they kept the same design concept of the session which was an integrated battery, would be great if it was replaceable but the guys crying out for a new session package are the FPV industry.
@@Thejohnburgess08 yeah I do miss my session 5 black for the mountain biking. I'm still on a hero 8 for now and was tempted with an upgrade, just waiting to see if the reliability will be there from gopro or possibly the DJI offering.
@@TheBikingVikingDude actually, FPV people are annoyed that the battery is not replaceable. Why? Since FPV people fly without the battery since their drones are already carrying a big honking battery which can easily power the GoPro too. If GoPro comes out with a replaceable back cover that removes the extra mounting fingers (don't need em), heat sinks (plenty of cooling on a flying drone) and the battery with one that allows easy connection to FPV drone and/or balance port of a LiPo I'll order the Mini in a heartbeat. But as it stands currently the full sized GoPro 11 is the better choice. Why? Since it is lighter than mini when it's battery is removed. Every gram matters.
I was initially really interested in this but the lack of a swappable battery is really a deal killer for me. I want to maximize recording time, not just have a smaller form factor.
You can pack silicone earplugs around the connection point between the cable and GoPro to rainproof the connection. I also run my GoPro off external power for long duration static videos, but I always take the internal battery out to prevent overheating. The GoPro 11 mini seems perfect for my use - except that I’m worried that without the ability to take out the battery, I’ll run into overheating issues. Would love to see the detailed testing of the new heatsink feature.
In your upcoming review, please confirm that we can keep a recording Mini charged with an external battery. That's crucial information for when the battery gets worn in a few years.
It looks good for moto-vlogging where the back screen isn’t much use as I use my phone to set it all up. Although the Session 5 form factor to me is perfect, and I learnt to vlog without a screen with it. Thanks for the overview Ray
I really loved the Session 5 size for helmet cam. Only reason why I went to the 7 Black is for better dynamic range & hypersmooth. Not too keen on 8 or newer as I feel they're too big and heavy to be helmet mounted. I really wouldn't mind if they omit higher than 4K 60 and other fancy features just for a smaller sized camera / removeable battery
I wish he'd shown the Mini next to Session here, because I don't think most people realise just how much bigger this one is, even when you put the mounting cage on the Session.
But what do you do when the built-in battery is empty on the motorcycle? Drive on and charge with a power bank or on the motorcycle? Or buy a second HB11 Mini?
I don't know, the downsides of not having the screen or removable battery (and all the flexibility and ease of use that provides) are not offset by the smaller size (it really isn't that much smaller to me) or lower price ($100 isn't something to laugh at but it certainly isn't enough to make you buy this camera because of it for many folks). I can see this being a niche for people that want to mount it permanently to a bike or helmet and just leave it there forever or something.
The weight is a big issue. With only a 20g savings versus the regular model, it's difficult to justify save for the slightly lower price, especially with all the mentioned omissions. Add to that the inability to change batteries and the knowledge that GoPro's repair team has sent me three broken Max cameras after I paid them to repair a scratched lens in April (and still hasn't sent me a working one) and I shudder to think at what the long-term viability of this thing is.
From an fpv perspective, its advantage will be more robust without the 2 giant screens, 20grams isn't much. but at 150kph crash, less drag/enertia helps. Interesting to see more reviews 1st. But the full version may present better value in every other scenario. 🤔
Yeah, for my use-case (visor mount for endurance running) weight is a huge issue. There's very few small & waterproof sports cameras with a 2 hour battery life. I hoped the mini would fill that void, but the weight is still just too much.
Seems like a great camera with its small size and built-in horizon lock. I almost never use my front screen and can learn to live with no screens quite easily. The non-swappable battery might be a problem though. Depends on how long it takes to charge. We will have to wait and see.
The lack of screens does mean you'd save some battery, yes - unless you turned them off while recording on the regular GoPro, which I do. Also, I turned off the phone connection stuff which means there's no constant Wi-Fi hotspot produced by the GoPro - this saves a ton of battery as well. So the perceived increase only exists if you both keep the screens on and the phone connection on. Otherwise I'd suspect the regular GoPro gets vastly better battery life for only 20 grams more plus it has a screen. So the mini just isn't worth it at all imo.
I was toying between both 11 models, I chose the mini because being the clumsiest person in the world, it helps knowing there isn't a screen to break. I probably regret it but hey ho, what's done is done.
I rarely use my screen on the 9/10 . I use QuickCapture 99% of the time recording trail videos on my mountain bike. This is a must purchase camera for me.
Same... I mainly use a Sony X3000 action camera (because it has optical stabilization), and it only has a black and white simple LCD screen. I am not sure why I would even want the camera to have a preview screen. If you are actually using it for "action", it's not like you could look at the screen. I use mine for skiing and biking... neither of which would be something where looking at the screen while recording would be a good idea. (Sony does sell a separate wireless screen thing, but I don't see the need). I don't mind the lack screen, but I would like to know for sure if this GoPro Mini can be used while charging.
I chose the mini largely because I know not having a screen to break is a big plus, while the lens can be replaced more easily. But not being able to replace batteries on a ride, or having to connect to a power bank, annoys me more than I thought it would so all in all I think I should have gone for the non-mini.
tbh the most disappointing design issue is the built-in battery. I have an old Session with a worthless battery. So it's my car cam which is ok. The battery door removed and cabled all the time. I might still be tempted to buy it if the newer batteries work out. I do wish I could turn off all the displays on my Hero10/9s because I absolutely notice a degraded battery life if there are a bunch of clips +1min display time for each vs just one long one where the display was only on for 1min.
I loved my Session 5 until i broke it, it´s clearly my favourite gopro model, and i was happy when gopro announced this camera, but i´m a bit dissapointed for not being too mini. i don´t care the screen or a little less battery life, but i dont like that they removed some features that are only software just to make it different.. y can understand not having GPS because it takes space, but i think they didnt need to remove photo mode , webcam mode ,etc even if i rarerly use them .
Ray has been a busy man this week. It's a full time job just to keep up. Technology all the things!! 😃 And coming in clutch with the Ti-83 reference!! Now go hit the like button and such!
Thanks for sharing. I'm baffled as to why this camera exists? It weighs 133g and doesn't have gps, who is this camera for? The session weighs 75g, the action 2 54g. The session was awesome, light weight and still had good features, the action 2 sucks with horrible battery life. Why would I buy the 11 mini to save 20g and not have gps?
Worth noting, with subscription it is currently $99 to replace HERO11 (I assume this also means Mini). However, historically the replacement cost drops (HERO7 is now $69) so by the time the battery is no good in Mini, it should be cheap to replace (GoPro also replaces with more recent model if they are out of stock of your model).
2:21 that is what i am loking for in the GOPRO10. haveing that fins in front instead another screen. I woul like a small scrren in back and the frame be covered by this pasive fins and forget about lag and heat problem on summer.
Thanks Ray! Some takeaways for me personally: Good 👍 : - a smaller camera (which is important for many action cams) without performance compromises. - cool heat sink innovation. - more compact mounting options. Bad 👎: - irreplaceable battery, although I understand this for space saving purposes. - although ‘smaller’, it’s not much lighter and weighs more than a hero 8 black! - as you mention some very random features omitted like: scheduled capture; webcam; gps; video looping. These could be a deal breaker for me and since I still need the smaller cam for my sports I may look elsewhere.
I'm with you. And the Mini actually makes me lean more towards the OSMO Action 3. Same volume as the Mini, similar specs (some better, some worse, but only slightly), but a replaceable battery.
Have you put the Hero 11 Mini on a scale? The Hero 8 Black weighs 124.29 g with the battery and SD card which is different then the advertised 117 g weight. Thanks.
Thanks for this! The Hero 11 black mini is what I really want since I bought the Hero 10 last year. Also I noticed the 11 mini's bottom mounting fingers don't fold in flush like the back side or it's big brothers'.
Its November 2023 and i still use my gopro sessions 5 i love it so much and it works perfectly fine. But i would like to upgrade and this hero 11 mini seems like what i need.
@@KentRoads I asked for this camera! I almost never use the screen on my Hero 8 I use it mounted to my helmet to record, or livestream. This smaller form factor and rear mounting is literally perfect!
Thank you GP for going smaller, but keeping the Mini feature-rich. Since I prefer the cam on my baseball cap while offshore fishing instead of a chest or shoulder mount for the POV aspect, the slightly lighter/smaller form factor is a welcome thing. Sure, the battery life is shorter, but a tiny charger on board my boat will take care of that. Looking forward to your review next month!!
Even with the omissions the mini is still a really interesting option. Helmet mounts will be improved for sure - still holding out for the full run down on this before I trade up from Hero 7
The biggest miss is removing GPS... I recently discovered the vast capabilities of the GPS data with 3rd party software, and for that reason alone I probably would choose a 10 or 11 Black over the mini... unfortunately.
If you're waiting to upgrade from a Hero 7, let's face it, you're not upgrading any time soon. The amount of features since the 7 should have sealed the deal for you.
I do a lot of car trackday/pov stuff and not having GPS is such a deal breaker... I do have external GPS for laptiming but having gopro GPS just made it so easy to look at GPS and track overlay for entertainment purposes
@@T4nkcommander Kinda, I don't really overlay my lap data to video, i just compare it with graphs but GoPro data makes it so easy for me to put simple data like speed and G for me to look at the footage later
@@T4nkcommander Love Dashware, but it really has some bugs, like flipping the video when it's recorded upside down etc. I get the GPS data off my phone or a Garmin as my GoPros don't have gps.
Thanks for going over this model. I think this is good decision for GoPro. If you are going to release another model besides the Hero 11 it should be different. Making more than one camera like the Black , Silver, and White has never made sense to me. This one is enough like the Session and made for action. If you need the full Hero 11 Black buy it. I don't really use the rear screen to frame my shot and sure don't need the front screen.
This camera looks absolutely perfect EXCEPT the non-removable battery. If it had a removable battery I would buy in a heartbeat. The problem is, once that battery dies, the whole camera is garbage, not to mention only one battery charge per outing. The form factor is perfect for my activities (kiteboarding, surfing, drone, etc). Looking forward to your official review video. Like you said in your video, I'll like like buy the big brother 11 black.
I didn't even think about that, even if you can power it externally, the battery will age and die some day, and then you are left hoping there is decently priced battery swap repair service.
I think the mini might be a good back up to my GoPro Max. 360 camera, Hero works as a vlogging camera/photo mode, mini for action shots, underwater stuff.
I was really hoping this would compete against the new Fly 12, but it seems the battery life remains significantly less, i.e. by whole hrs. GoPro prob views a Fly 12 comparison as apples and oranges, given the disparity in video capabilities, but the fact that the Fly 12 and Fly 6 exist shows GoPro is missing an opportunity.
From an FPV perspective, its advantage will be more robust without the 2 giant screens, 20grams or so reduction isn't much. but at 150kph crash, less drag/enertia helps. Interesting to see more reviews 1st. full version may present better value in most scenarios with removable batt etc. Yet $100 less...that's a good option 🤔 (the session 5 was a joy for fpv, so am keen to see how this goes)
*I DON’T WANT PHOTO MODE IN MINI* *I DO WANT REMOVABLE BATTERY* Small display could accidentally have me in photo mode when I want video 99% of the time. Accidentally being in photo mode could cause me to miss the shot. Great job gopro. I like this.
For me, the lack of a removable battery and no video looping mode are the deal breakers. Over time, the battery will have a shorter life, and will require surgery to replace (and who knows how challenging that will be, there's some things where the battery is basically impossible to replace).
I had high hopes for the 11 mini, but the non-replaceable battery and the fact that the size of the camera is barely smaller than the 11 because it is thicker, I am already very disappointed. My experience with GoPro in recent years is unfortunately that they are very unreliable cameras overall. What do you do with the 11 mini when it freezes like any other GoPro and you can't reset it by taking the battery out?
Thanks for this! I was hoping you'd show us how you can use the Quik app and use your phone as a screen to frame shots. Still deciding between this and the regular 11 as I still have the 9.
Gr8 video! I still use my session 5 which is an awesome little action cam :) What I like about the new mini and session 5 is my vlogs are either biking or diving and I wear gloves in both sports so I need an action cam with just one big start stop button and prefer not having a viewfinder, this helps in editing to cut down time spent choosing the better shots.
bro its not even smaller, they just made it thicker and taller and slightly reduced the length and said "mini" its the same size and doesn't have a swappable battery.
really wish gopro would fix the issue with live streaming where you cant pick what channel you want if your like me with more than 1 channel I cant pick between them its aggravating
I bought this camera 2 years ago, riddled with issues. I already shipped it 4 times back to gopro under warranty. My Hero session 4 & 5 are still working away with a decent battery life... Not sure how GoPro can go back on quality for new products...
I saw that these were on sale right now. But looking at it, this isn't a replacement for the Session. Way too big and heavy. Oh well, saved me a couple hundred bucks.
This looks like a promising payload camera for FPV, especially for people flying DJI FPV/Avata who don't want to deal with having to mod their drone to power an external camera.
Good review. Im getting this 11 black mini to replace the hero 4 session iv been skydiving with. A lot of skydivers use the full size GoPro but its just too bulky when flying at 150mph. I wish this Gopro hero 11 black mini could come in the same size as the session. Still like that its smaller than the full size with the same capabilities.
The GoPro Mini is an excellent competitor for any action camera. I don't understand what the problem was with changing batteries. They expect it to be used for a long time. Like buying two mini gopros.?
Even if I could look past the lack of removable battery I don't see why they removed so much from the firmware. I wouldn't have minded if some features were only accessible through the app.
Hello, you mentioned that it is compatible with Max Lens Mod. I received my Mini today, I was able to physically install the Max Lens Mod accessory but there is no way to select the option from the menu. Contacted Gopro and tech stated that we have to wait for the upgrade.
Initially I was excited, but like many others mentioned no swappable battery is a deal killer. I use my GoPro a lot as a "body cam" on a chesty, and sometimes even on a head mount, and sometimes mounted on top of my car, so a camera with no screen made sense to me. But all of those scenarios need longer runtime than a single charge of a single battery. Plus the size isn't that much smaller. It looks much thicker than original. I'd be interested to see the overheating data. I think the only chance for this camera to succeed is if it can record highest framework/highest resolution video till the battery dies and never overheat (due to the "big ass heatsink"). Otherwise it's absolutely useless.
Tons of information from your videos. I just bought the 11 Black with three batteries and the mic adapter. I use these on the water and utilize a Yolo Stick that charges my Hero 4, not to sure about this 11 yet? I hope it will still work, which does help in charging your battery.
Yikes 😮 no gps integration is a killer for me as a cyclist. I need those overlays for training purposes as I was looking for something smaller than my hero 9 black.
Yeah... I also was a bit bummed out by that. I want something smaller without the screen, but with removable battery and GPS. To be fair, the GPS in the gopro hero 9 at least isn't great anyway, but better than nothing.
Question for anyone who has owned a more recent GoPro and used this feature.. the last GoPro I had was a GP7 and for the type of filming I did the GPS overlay info (speed, altitude, position, g-force etc) was a great touch however after only a couple months of use I noticed that the info was getting wildly inaccurate and basically unusable. Have the more recent models been better about this? Is the info pretty accurate?
Have been waiting so long for GoPro to release a smaller form factor camera for mounting to a motorcycle helmet. May not be as good a form factor as the ghost xl which is in bullet form, I wouldn't have minded at all for the cam quality of the gorpo but the fact that the battery is not swappable kills me. :(
thank you, finally. I have 5 mini, since than I waited for new small device from GoPro. And I would go for even smaller and thinner if possible. Give me 1h recording in 4k 60fps with image stabilization and made device smallest possible, allmost to look like hidden camera - I would gladly pay double this price.
Looks like the back is just plastic with grooves ... not a heatsink. Will it work with the remote? Can you use external power supply? Can you use it with the mic adapter?
As always, excellent overview - just what the doctor ordered. Now then, having a handful of original Sessions and GoPros, my main areas of interest/concern are: Will it be more likely to overheat/crash in higher resolution/frame rate? Will the battery soon refuse to hold a charge like all my Sessions? How will the audio recording mono mic and noise reduction compare to its big brother? And will it have the same Wi-Fi/Bluetooth remote features? And will it charge at the same rate? Will they later produce a GP 11 Mini Creator Edition with remote power and video looping? (AWESOME for Dashcam)
Man...it's almost too big. Really just wanted a new version of the Session that wouldn't pull my trail bike helmet down like an anchor. Looks to be every bit as heavy as my Hero 5 w/ case.
No photo mode is a massive mistake imo. Screen grabs aren't the same quality as a proper photo. I used to use the session for cycling, photo mode, 0.5 sec intervals. It was great.
Having bought many GoPro products I’ve come to the conclusion that the reliability of non-GoPro products is better. Using it on a helmet means you have to trust that the camera is actually recording. Since changing to to insta I’ve had ZERO issues with it. If you buy this product how can you resolve the freezing issues if you can’t remove the battery? Sorry but the GoPro stuff is junk
The problem with pulling frames off video is that the shutter speeds, in theory, would be quite different. The "cinematic" video guys are trying to shoot at 2x the frame rate (using a ND filter), and the still photo people would like the shutter as high as possible. In short, it's silly to take the photo mode out of the camera. What's the status of using the camera with The Remote?
definitely not a Session replacement... but for $100 less, its a good option if - you're upgrading from a non-hypersmooth cam (even from an 8 without horizon leveling and max mod), no need for GPS, don't use the screens most of the time, don't mind the weight (not much lighter vs 11 black)
I just think the internal battery is going to be a major bummer tbh. For long trips its better to have the regular size to swap batteries and for like quick n' dirty (fpv, mtb) shots you go for mini.
It looks like a nice camera but I kept getting distracted by the background. Where was this recorded? I envy your ability to buy so many bits of kit. But even more I'd love to be able to just turn up at some of your location shots.
So is there an app that lets you view through the camera lens to set up your shots? I like the idea of no screen on the body, since I don't use it anyway, except to set up the shot.
Could you please test if and how Spot Metering is implemented? The Sessions had it as a toggle switch in the App. Normal GoPros have it as a truly annoying touch control nowadays, which is obviously not working here.
For FPV, there is no weight advantage over full Hero 11 black,: 11 black without battery comes in around 120g (powered off lipo flight battery via iFlight BEC cable). That is of course, until we remove that extra mount or even de-case it, then there would be a weight advantage. Admittedly durability will be much better, but it sure is nice to have the screen of the full Hero 11 for selecting my ND filter and composing my shot/adjusting angle for FPV. I'm sure I'll buy one anyway since I am totally sold on Reel Steady + 8:7 aspect ratio 😂
why no replaceable batteries? I have an old hero 8 and have already killed 4 of them. Not being able to change the battery is just stupid and not sustainable either.
Agree, I would like to know how repairable it is. Would gopro sell a replacement battery and waterproofing seal? Will wait for Ifixit repairability score.
I suspect they kept the same design concept of the session which was an integrated battery, would be great if it was replaceable but the guys crying out for a new session package are the FPV industry.
@@Thejohnburgess08 yeah I do miss my session 5 black for the mountain biking. I'm still on a hero 8 for now and was tempted with an upgrade, just waiting to see if the reliability will be there from gopro or possibly the DJI offering.
You own a smartphone right?!
@@TheBikingVikingDude actually, FPV people are annoyed that the battery is not replaceable. Why? Since FPV people fly without the battery since their drones are already carrying a big honking battery which can easily power the GoPro too. If GoPro comes out with a replaceable back cover that removes the extra mounting fingers (don't need em), heat sinks (plenty of cooling on a flying drone) and the battery with one that allows easy connection to FPV drone and/or balance port of a LiPo I'll order the Mini in a heartbeat. But as it stands currently the full sized GoPro 11 is the better choice. Why? Since it is lighter than mini when it's battery is removed. Every gram matters.
I was initially really interested in this but the lack of a swappable battery is really a deal killer for me. I want to maximize recording time, not just have a smaller form factor.
then get hero 11 it's like same volume
@@JeromeDemers No it's not. 0:36
look at 2:24 it’s much thicker. That back thickness volume would make up for the side volume. Sure not 1:1 but the mini slightly smaller.
I run a power cable into a power bank for my long recordings. Not waterproof, but unless it rains, I'm not planning to get it wet.
You can pack silicone earplugs around the connection point between the cable and GoPro to rainproof the connection.
I also run my GoPro off external power for long duration static videos, but I always take the internal battery out to prevent overheating. The GoPro 11 mini seems perfect for my use - except that I’m worried that without the ability to take out the battery, I’ll run into overheating issues.
Would love to see the detailed testing of the new heatsink feature.
In your upcoming review, please confirm that we can keep a recording Mini charged with an external battery. That's crucial information for when the battery gets worn in a few years.
Exactly mate 👍
I'm pretty sure you will be able to. As long as it's kept dry.
Yes, you can. Here is my first all day recording using it.
th-cam.com/video/O23238eCIOM/w-d-xo.html
It looks good for moto-vlogging where the back screen isn’t much use as I use my phone to set it all up. Although the Session 5 form factor to me is perfect, and I learnt to vlog without a screen with it. Thanks for the overview Ray
I really loved the Session 5 size for helmet cam. Only reason why I went to the 7 Black is for better dynamic range & hypersmooth. Not too keen on 8 or newer as I feel they're too big and heavy to be helmet mounted. I really wouldn't mind if they omit higher than 4K 60 and other fancy features just for a smaller sized camera / removeable battery
I wish he'd shown the Mini next to Session here, because I don't think most people realise just how much bigger this one is, even when you put the mounting cage on the Session.
Heating issue hasn't been solved yet in gopro so DJI osmo action with battery pack is a good deal
But what do you do when the built-in battery is empty on the motorcycle? Drive on and charge with a power bank or on the motorcycle? Or buy a second HB11 Mini?
For that for me it lacks loop recording mode
one stop channel for an honest review with exact information needed for the viewers .... please continue like this for futuer as well . Thank you
I don't know, the downsides of not having the screen or removable battery (and all the flexibility and ease of use that provides) are not offset by the smaller size (it really isn't that much smaller to me) or lower price ($100 isn't something to laugh at but it certainly isn't enough to make you buy this camera because of it for many folks). I can see this being a niche for people that want to mount it permanently to a bike or helmet and just leave it there forever or something.
think of it as a secondary camera
The weight is a big issue. With only a 20g savings versus the regular model, it's difficult to justify save for the slightly lower price, especially with all the mentioned omissions. Add to that the inability to change batteries and the knowledge that GoPro's repair team has sent me three broken Max cameras after I paid them to repair a scratched lens in April (and still hasn't sent me a working one) and I shudder to think at what the long-term viability of this thing is.
From an fpv perspective, its advantage will be more robust without the 2 giant screens, 20grams isn't much. but at 150kph crash, less drag/enertia helps. Interesting to see more reviews 1st. But the full version may present better value in every other scenario. 🤔
100%, my max replacement has been giving me problems as well, hopefully they will eventually send me one that works instead of a refurbished turd.
@@clayisland I've been at this since april, so I wouldn't hold your breath.
Yeah, for my use-case (visor mount for endurance running) weight is a huge issue. There's very few small & waterproof sports cameras with a 2 hour battery life. I hoped the mini would fill that void, but the weight is still just too much.
Seems like a great camera with its small size and built-in horizon lock. I almost never use my front screen and can learn to live with no screens quite easily. The non-swappable battery might be a problem though. Depends on how long it takes to charge. We will have to wait and see.
The lack of screens does mean you'd save some battery, yes - unless you turned them off while recording on the regular GoPro, which I do.
Also, I turned off the phone connection stuff which means there's no constant Wi-Fi hotspot produced by the GoPro - this saves a ton of battery as well. So the perceived increase only exists if you both keep the screens on and the phone connection on. Otherwise I'd suspect the regular GoPro gets vastly better battery life for only 20 grams more plus it has a screen. So the mini just isn't worth it at all imo.
I was toying between both 11 models, I chose the mini because being the clumsiest person in the world, it helps knowing there isn't a screen to break. I probably regret it but hey ho, what's done is done.
I’m loving the Hero 11 Black so far. But for the mini, no swappable battery is a deal breaker.
no it isn't
@@user-jt5vm3mi1w it is, depending on your situation
100%
I rarely use my screen on the 9/10 . I use QuickCapture 99% of the time recording trail videos on my mountain bike. This is a must purchase camera for me.
Same... I mainly use a Sony X3000 action camera (because it has optical stabilization), and it only has a black and white simple LCD screen. I am not sure why I would even want the camera to have a preview screen. If you are actually using it for "action", it's not like you could look at the screen. I use mine for skiing and biking... neither of which would be something where looking at the screen while recording would be a good idea. (Sony does sell a separate wireless screen thing, but I don't see the need).
I don't mind the lack screen, but I would like to know for sure if this GoPro Mini can be used while charging.
@@shiruba2004 And you can use the app to see what the camera sees. I'm sure it can be used while charging like the other models.
I chose the mini largely because I know not having a screen to break is a big plus, while the lens can be replaced more easily. But not being able to replace batteries on a ride, or having to connect to a power bank, annoys me more than I thought it would so all in all I think I should have gone for the non-mini.
tbh the most disappointing design issue is the built-in battery. I have an old Session with a worthless battery. So it's my car cam which is ok. The battery door removed and cabled all the time. I might still be tempted to buy it if the newer batteries work out. I do wish I could turn off all the displays on my Hero10/9s because I absolutely notice a degraded battery life if there are a bunch of clips +1min display time for each vs just one long one where the display was only on for 1min.
No chance I would buy this with an internal battery. Thanks for the coverage!
I can't wait to slap this thing on my bike! Thanks for the Hands-on!
I loved my Session 5 until i broke it, it´s clearly my favourite gopro model, and i was happy when gopro announced this camera, but i´m a bit dissapointed for not being too mini.
i don´t care the screen or a little less battery life, but i dont like that they removed some features that are only software just to make it different.. y can understand not having GPS because it takes space, but i think they didnt need to remove photo mode , webcam mode ,etc even if i rarerly use them .
I've never wanted a screen on a gopro so this is the version I've always wanted!
same
私は日本人です。あなたの考え方がとても参考になりました。ありがとうございます！！
I am Japanese. Your way of thinking was very helpful. Thank you!!
Ray has been a busy man this week. It's a full time job just to keep up. Technology all the things!! 😃 And coming in clutch with the Ti-83 reference!!
Now go hit the like button and such!
Hahaha, thanks! You ain’t seen nuttin yet!
Ugh. Video looping mode and the GPS location were the MAIN reason I wanted this. Put this on the front and back instead of a Cycliq
Thanks for sharing. I'm baffled as to why this camera exists? It weighs 133g and doesn't have gps, who is this camera for? The session weighs 75g, the action 2 54g. The session was awesome, light weight and still had good features, the action 2 sucks with horrible battery life. Why would I buy the 11 mini to save 20g and not have gps?
Worth noting, with subscription it is currently $99 to replace HERO11 (I assume this also means Mini). However, historically the replacement cost drops (HERO7 is now $69) so by the time the battery is no good in Mini, it should be cheap to replace (GoPro also replaces with more recent model if they are out of stock of your model).
I think this is the perfect GoPro for extreme sports the only thing missing is a replaceable battery but other than that I think it's great
2:21 that is what i am loking for in the GOPRO10. haveing that fins in front instead another screen.
I woul like a small scrren in back and the frame be covered by this pasive fins and forget about lag and heat problem on summer.
Hello and thank you,
If no GPS and no metadata, will we be able to use reelsteady and stabilize the image with the GoPro Mini ?
I whitewater kayak and can not wait for this camera! Weight on top of my head is the big deal for me. Thanks for the overview!
How long can you record while charging before it overheats?
My GoPro 10 ran cooler while connected to a battery bank
No-one is mentioned the audio recording on the hero 11 vs hero 11 mini, for Mountain biking POV this would be great to know !
Thanks Ray!
Some takeaways for me personally:
Good 👍 :
- a smaller camera (which is important for many action cams) without performance compromises.
- cool heat sink innovation.
- more compact mounting options.
Bad 👎:
- irreplaceable battery, although I understand this for space saving purposes.
- although ‘smaller’, it’s not much lighter and weighs more than a hero 8 black!
- as you mention some very random features omitted like: scheduled capture; webcam; gps; video looping. These could be a deal breaker for me and since I still need the smaller cam for my sports I may look elsewhere.
I'm with you. And the Mini actually makes me lean more towards the OSMO Action 3. Same volume as the Mini, similar specs (some better, some worse, but only slightly), but a replaceable battery.
Have you put the Hero 11 Mini on a scale? The Hero 8 Black weighs 124.29 g with the battery and SD card which is different then the advertised 117 g weight. Thanks.
Thanks for this! The Hero 11 black mini is what I really want since I bought the Hero 10 last year. Also I noticed the 11 mini's bottom mounting fingers don't fold in flush like the back side or it's big brothers'.
Still running an old Session 4 but have been wanting more FPS for years. Finally bringing back a mini.
Its November 2023 and i still use my gopro sessions 5 i love it so much and it works perfectly fine. But i would like to upgrade and this hero 11 mini seems like what i need.
Stoked on your first impressions, we can’t wait for you to actually USE the camera hands on 🙌
No one asked for this crap camera. We want external audio that's GOOD
@@KentRoads I asked for this camera!
I almost never use the screen on my Hero 8
I use it mounted to my helmet to record, or livestream.
This smaller form factor and rear mounting is literally perfect!
non-removable battery is INSTANT KILLER. Becomes useless.
@@Mawntee it isnt just lacking a screen tho...
@@KentRoads definitely considering buying this version
Thank you GP for going smaller, but keeping the Mini feature-rich. Since I prefer the cam on my baseball cap while offshore fishing instead of a chest or shoulder mount for the POV aspect, the slightly lighter/smaller form factor is a welcome thing. Sure, the battery life is shorter, but a tiny charger on board my boat will take care of that. Looking forward to your review next month!!
Simple, get the insta360 Go2
@@Life_a_bike --> Waaaa?!! With a max resolution of 2560x1440@50fps (3K, in 2022, woo!), I might as well use my Mobius Video Camera from 2015! 😅
Even with the omissions the mini is still a really interesting option. Helmet mounts will be improved for sure - still holding out for the full run down on this before I trade up from Hero 7
The biggest miss is removing GPS... I recently discovered the vast capabilities of the GPS data with 3rd party software, and for that reason alone I probably would choose a 10 or 11 Black over the mini... unfortunately.
If you're waiting to upgrade from a Hero 7, let's face it, you're not upgrading any time soon. The amount of features since the 7 should have sealed the deal for you.
I do a lot of car trackday/pov stuff and not having GPS is such a deal breaker... I do have external GPS for laptiming but having gopro GPS just made it so easy to look at GPS and track overlay for entertainment purposes
What do you use to overlay the data on your videos? Currently use Dashware and it is a pain
@@T4nkcommander Kinda, I don't really overlay my lap data to video, i just compare it with graphs but GoPro data makes it so easy for me to put simple data like speed and G for me to look at the footage later
@@T4nkcommander Love Dashware, but it really has some bugs, like flipping the video when it's recorded upside down etc. I get the GPS data off my phone or a Garmin as my GoPros don't have gps.
Cant see giving up the screens to save 3/4" in size. Was thinking this was the bones replacement just for the weight on drones.
Too heavy
@@smitthone waiting for the max 2 this round.
Thanks for going over this model. I think this is good decision for GoPro. If you are going to release another model besides the Hero 11 it should be different. Making more than one camera like the Black , Silver, and White has never made sense to me. This one is enough like the Session and made for action. If you need the full Hero 11 Black buy it. I don't really use the rear screen to frame my shot and sure don't need the front screen.
You skipped over the NO LOOP mode which is pretty sad as this camera would be really good for daily cycling "dash cam".
This camera looks absolutely perfect EXCEPT the non-removable battery. If it had a removable battery I would buy in a heartbeat. The problem is, once that battery dies, the whole camera is garbage, not to mention only one battery charge per outing. The form factor is perfect for my activities (kiteboarding, surfing, drone, etc). Looking forward to your official review video. Like you said in your video, I'll like like buy the big brother 11 black.
I didn't even think about that, even if you can power it externally, the battery will age and die some day, and then you are left hoping there is decently priced battery swap repair service.
I think the mini might be a good back up to my GoPro Max. 360 camera, Hero works as a vlogging camera/photo mode, mini for action shots, underwater stuff.
will the mini 11 work with the old smart remote (3-button) from the Hero 6,7,8. ? In my watersports a must-have feature, can you test and confirm...
Wish it was a real Session. Session 5 was the best GP I over owned.
I was really hoping this would compete against the new Fly 12, but it seems the battery life remains significantly less, i.e. by whole hrs. GoPro prob views a Fly 12 comparison as apples and oranges, given the disparity in video capabilities, but the fact that the Fly 12 and Fly 6 exist shows GoPro is missing an opportunity.
From an FPV perspective, its advantage will be more robust without the 2 giant screens, 20grams or so reduction isn't much. but at 150kph crash, less drag/enertia helps. Interesting to see more reviews 1st. full version may present better value in most scenarios with removable batt etc. Yet $100 less...that's a good option 🤔 (the session 5 was a joy for fpv, so am keen to see how this goes)
*I DON’T WANT PHOTO MODE IN MINI*
*I DO WANT REMOVABLE BATTERY*
Small display could accidentally have me in photo mode when I want video 99% of the time. Accidentally being in photo mode could cause me to miss the shot.
Great job gopro. I like this.
For me, the lack of a removable battery and no video looping mode are the deal breakers. Over time, the battery will have a shorter life, and will require surgery to replace (and who knows how challenging that will be, there's some things where the battery is basically impossible to replace).
I had high hopes for the 11 mini, but the non-replaceable battery and the fact that the size of the camera is barely smaller than the 11 because it is thicker, I am already very disappointed. My experience with GoPro in recent years is unfortunately that they are very unreliable cameras overall. What do you do with the 11 mini when it freezes like any other GoPro and you can't reset it by taking the battery out?
Thank you so much for the review. Opened my eyes in ultrawide mode and high resolution.
Genuinely curious if this is a solution for bike cams for general riding
Edit: no looping video could be a pain
Thanks for this! I was hoping you'd show us how you can use the Quik app and use your phone as a screen to frame shots. Still deciding between this and the regular 11 as I still have the 9.
You've been able to do this with every wifi enabled GoPro including the Sessions. This would work no different.
@@jmtbike3336 I assumed as much but an actual demo would’ve been still nice.
@@aquinoj99 I hear you. I'm just saying this would fall under basic operation of an action camera and not the "new feature" focus of this video.
Gr8 video! I still use my session 5 which is an awesome little action cam :) What I like about the new mini and session 5 is my vlogs are either biking or diving and I wear gloves in both sports so I need an action cam with just one big start stop button and prefer not having a viewfinder, this helps in editing to cut down time spent choosing the better shots.
Does the door come off like a GoPro 8? So we can always have a power cable plugged in.
I got my GoPro 5 session as a Christmas present when they were brand new I've had it ever since I Love My Hero 5 session
Is the gopro remote compatible with it ?
The delay is very disappointing. My session broke a few months ago. I have a 7 black and i need this
bro its not even smaller, they just made it thicker and taller and slightly reduced the length and said "mini" its the same size and doesn't have a swappable battery.
really wish gopro would fix the issue with live streaming where you cant pick what channel you want if your like me with more than 1 channel I cant pick between them its aggravating
I bought this camera 2 years ago, riddled with issues. I already shipped it 4 times back to gopro under warranty. My Hero session 4 & 5 are still working away with a decent battery life...
Not sure how GoPro can go back on quality for new products...
I saw that these were on sale right now. But looking at it, this isn't a replacement for the Session. Way too big and heavy. Oh well, saved me a couple hundred bucks.
This looks like a promising payload camera for FPV, especially for people flying DJI FPV/Avata who don't want to deal with having to mod their drone to power an external camera.
Good review. Im getting this 11 black mini to replace the hero 4 session iv been skydiving with. A lot of skydivers use the full size GoPro but its just too bulky when flying at 150mph. I wish this Gopro hero 11 black mini could come in the same size as the session. Still like that its smaller than the full size with the same capabilities.
The GoPro Mini is an excellent competitor for any action camera. I don't understand what the problem was with changing batteries. They expect it to be used for a long time. Like buying two mini gopros.?
QUESTION?? Is there anyway to hook up the Rode Wireless GO II mic to it? I need a way to reduce wind noise while mountain biking.
Excellent presentation as usual DC!
That is a beautiful location god damn. Where was this shot?
A small lake about 30 mins from Chamonix, France.
Even if I could look past the lack of removable battery I don't see why they removed so much from the firmware. I wouldn't have minded if some features were only accessible through the app.
Can you do a video comparing run time of 10, 11 and 11 mini
Hello, you mentioned that it is compatible with Max Lens Mod. I received my Mini today, I was able to physically install the Max Lens Mod accessory but there is no way to select the option from the menu. Contacted Gopro and tech stated that we have to wait for the upgrade.
Initially I was excited, but like many others mentioned no swappable battery is a deal killer. I use my GoPro a lot as a "body cam" on a chesty, and sometimes even on a head mount, and sometimes mounted on top of my car, so a camera with no screen made sense to me. But all of those scenarios need longer runtime than a single charge of a single battery.
Plus the size isn't that much smaller. It looks much thicker than original.
I'd be interested to see the overheating data. I think the only chance for this camera to succeed is if it can record highest framework/highest resolution video till the battery dies and never overheat (due to the "big ass heatsink"). Otherwise it's absolutely useless.
Tons of information from your videos. I just bought the 11 Black with three batteries and the mic adapter. I use these on the water and utilize a Yolo Stick that charges my Hero 4, not to sure about this 11 yet? I hope it will still work, which does help in charging your battery.
Yikes 😮 no gps integration is a killer for me as a cyclist. I need those overlays for training purposes as I was looking for something smaller than my hero 9 black.
Yeah... I also was a bit bummed out by that. I want something smaller without the screen, but with removable battery and GPS. To be fair, the GPS in the gopro hero 9 at least isn't great anyway, but better than nothing.
@ac given chaptering how do you get gps overlay for longer rides? Assuming you stick all together then overlay onto that, or something else?
Question for anyone who has owned a more recent GoPro and used this feature.. the last GoPro I had was a GP7 and for the type of filming I did the GPS overlay info (speed, altitude, position, g-force etc) was a great touch however after only a couple months of use I noticed that the info was getting wildly inaccurate and basically unusable. Have the more recent models been better about this? Is the info pretty accurate?
No gps on the mini I hear
I wonder if it supports the old 3.5mm mic adaptor from the Hero 6 days? If it doesn't then there's no external mic support, right?
I wish it was lighter for FPV, are the mounts on the back removable? That culd save me some grams, not much but some.
Man I really appreciate the time you spend on this gear ,it really helps. Am pretty sad we wont get an updated Max. Not sure what’s that about?
Have been waiting so long for GoPro to release a smaller form factor camera for mounting to a motorcycle helmet. May not be as good a form factor as the ghost xl which is in bullet form, I wouldn't have minded at all for the cam quality of the gorpo but the fact that the battery is not swappable kills me. :(
thank you, finally. I have 5 mini, since than I waited for new small device from GoPro. And I would go for even smaller and thinner if possible. Give me 1h recording in 4k 60fps with image stabilization and made device smallest possible, allmost to look like hidden camera - I would gladly pay double this price.
Looks like the back is just plastic with grooves ... not a heatsink.
Will it work with the remote?
Can you use external power supply?
Can you use it with the mic adapter?
I’ve been using mine for almost a week now and I really love it, it’s just freezing up constantly.
I keep hearing this
As always, excellent overview - just what the doctor ordered. Now then, having a handful of original Sessions and GoPros, my main areas of interest/concern are:
Will it be more likely to overheat/crash in higher resolution/frame rate?
Will the battery soon refuse to hold a charge like all my Sessions?
How will the audio recording mono mic and noise reduction compare to its big brother?
And will it have the same Wi-Fi/Bluetooth remote features?
And will it charge at the same rate?
Will they later produce a GP 11 Mini Creator Edition with remote power and video looping? (AWESOME for Dashcam)
Man...it's almost too big. Really just wanted a new version of the Session that wouldn't pull my trail bike helmet down like an anchor. Looks to be every bit as heavy as my Hero 5 w/ case.
With no screen how do you know you're aiming the camera in the right area for the photo or video you're looking at?
Do you just guess?
With action cameras, you can generally get away with just pointing the camera in the general direction you want to record
@@pineappleroad I ended up getting a GoPro Hero8 Black today.. screen on both sides..
@@BradzViewzIf i remember correctly the front screen on the hero 8 just shows camera status (but the rear screen does function as a viewfinder)
No photo mode is a massive mistake imo. Screen grabs aren't the same quality as a proper photo. I used to use the session for cycling, photo mode, 0.5 sec intervals. It was great.
Nice review. Thank you 😊
Having bought many GoPro products I’ve come to the conclusion that the reliability of non-GoPro products is better. Using it on a helmet means you have to trust that the camera is actually recording. Since changing to to insta I’ve had ZERO issues with it. If you buy this product how can you resolve the freezing issues if you can’t remove the battery? Sorry but the GoPro stuff is junk
The problem with pulling frames off video is that the shutter speeds, in theory, would be quite different. The "cinematic" video guys are trying to shoot at 2x the frame rate (using a ND filter), and the still photo people would like the shutter as high as possible. In short, it's silly to take the photo mode out of the camera.
What's the status of using the camera with The Remote?
I wonder if they will allow photos with a future update. I was waiting for this until I noticed it doesn't allow night photos. smh
What did they do with all those old cameras sent in for a discount on the new models?
Any news of a usb pass through door for the Hero 11 Black Mini ? (For a power pack for a super long capture)
definitely not a Session replacement... but for $100 less, its a good option if - you're upgrading from a non-hypersmooth cam (even from an 8 without horizon leveling and max mod), no need for GPS, don't use the screens most of the time, don't mind the weight (not much lighter vs 11 black)
Can you easily remove the bottom mounting fingers? If you arent going to use them, it could help make it even that much smaller.
Yes, they’re removable.
I just think the internal battery is going to be a major bummer tbh. For long trips its better to have the regular size to swap batteries and for like quick n' dirty (fpv, mtb) shots you go for mini.
The sessions are awesome, I say are cause I still use both of the older ones
It looks like a nice camera but I kept getting distracted by the background. Where was this recorded? I envy your ability to buy so many bits of kit. But even more I'd love to be able to just turn up at some of your location shots.
So is there an app that lets you view through the camera lens to set up your shots? I like the idea of no screen on the body, since I don't use it anyway, except to set up the shot.
Great video! Is there any possibility the new mini to have a protective housing just like all the other action cameras???
Could you please test if and how Spot Metering is implemented? The Sessions had it as a toggle switch in the App. Normal GoPros have it as a truly annoying touch control nowadays, which is obviously not working here.
Lack of looping is a bummer, would have liked this as a smaller form factor “dash cam” for cycling..
For FPV, there is no weight advantage over full Hero 11 black,: 11 black without battery comes in around 120g (powered off lipo flight battery via iFlight BEC cable). That is of course, until we remove that extra mount or even de-case it, then there would be a weight advantage. Admittedly durability will be much better, but it sure is nice to have the screen of the full Hero 11 for selecting my ND filter and composing my shot/adjusting angle for FPV. I'm sure I'll buy one anyway since I am totally sold on Reel Steady + 8:7 aspect ratio 😂
the iflight bec cable does not supply enough power for the 11. Im sure someone will make one soon
@@PRZFPV that's good to know
How much does it weigh? I know the fpv community was looking at it for a more durable solution than a naked go gro which are usually under 30grams.