GoPro Hero9 Black has a
23.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features GP1 processor. On the other hand, GoPro Hero12 Black has a
27.0MP 1/1.9-inch (6.74 x 5.05 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Below you can see the Hero9 Black and Hero12 Black sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of GoPro Hero9 Black and GoPro Hero12 Black Cameras
As seen above, GoPro Hero12 Black has a 1.2x Larger sensor area than GoPro Hero9 Black. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
GoPro Hero9 Black
or the
GoPro Hero12 Black ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.3-inch versus 1/1.9-inch),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
