Photo by David Coleman
Shooting with action cams
Best SD Cards for GoPro HERO13, HERO12 & HERO11 Black (Tested)
GoPro’s latest cameras are powerful, but they don’t come with memory cards. And if you pick one that’s too slow, your recording will stop. Here are the best cards for the HERO13, 12, and 11 Black.
Powering a GoPro with External Power but Without Internal Battery?
Most GoPro Black models can run on USB power with the battery out. Which models work, what can go wrong, and how to keep the camera weather-resistant.
Fastest microSD Cards Tested: Real-World Speed Rankings [2026]
Manufacturer speed ratings are often theoretical. I tested the top cards on the market to find out which ones actually deliver the write speeds needed for high-bitrate video and burst photography.
GoPro for Travel Photography: The Pros, the Cons, and the Quirks
Yes, a GoPro can take good travel photos — I’ve been shooting them for years. Here’s an honest, hands-on look at where GoPros excel, where they fall short, and how to work around the quirks.
How to Download Files Off a GoPro’s Memory Card Without Touching the Camera
There are some shooting situations where you might want to get the files off a GoPro’s memory card without touching the camera. Here are some good options.
GoPro HERO13 Black & HERO12 Black Video Bitrates, Mode by Mode
The GoPro HERO13 Black and HERO12 Black video bitrates: the 120Mbps High setting, which modes offer it, and per-mode estimates worked out from GoPro’s own recording-time figures.
GoPro Battery Life: How to Actually Get More of It (Every Model)
How to stretch GoPro battery life on any model: the settings ranked by impact, GoPro’s own runtime figures for the HERO13/12/11, the Enduro battery question, cold-weather tactics, external power, and charging.
How to Reset a GoPro: Factory Reset, Presets, Connections & Frozen Cameras (Every Model)
How to reset any GoPro — factory reset, reset presets, connections, camera tips, and the 10-second forced restart for a frozen camera — with the exact menu paths for every model from the HERO4 to the HERO13 Black.
GoPro RAW (.GPR) Files Explained: What They Are, Which Models and Modes Shoot RAW, and How to Open Them
GoPro RAW (.GPR) files explained: which models and photo modes can shoot RAW, why SuperPhoto and HDR can’t, the always-saved JPG, and what opens the files.
Insta360 Camera Battery Compatibility Chart, Model by Model
Working out which battery fits which Insta360 camera isn’t always obvious, so I’ve put this together to make it easier so you know what to look out for when you’re buying spares.
DJI Osmo Camera Battery Compatibility Chart, Model by Model
DJI’s Osmo cameras have gone through several battery models over the years, and it’s not always obvious which one fits which body. This chart covers the Osmo Action, Osmo 360, Nano and Pocket models, including which have a built-in battery, plus a few charger quirks worth knowing before you buy spares.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 for Photography: 50MP RAW Samples, Strengths & Flaws
Beyond the spec sheet: here’s a full gallery of 50MP RAW sample photos from the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, shot in the field and processed in Lightroom Classic, so you can judge the real image quality yourself.
GoPro HERO12 Black Sample Images: It’s Not Just for Extreme Sports
The GoPro HERO12 Black isn’t going to replace your interchangeable lens camera anytime soon. But it just might surprise you with what it can do.
Where Is the Serial Number on Your GoPro? Five Methods
That 14-character code is easy to overlook until support, registration, or a firmware update demands it. Here are five ways to find your GoPro’s serial number, including methods that work with a dead screen, a broken camera, or even a lost one.
NTSC vs PAL on GoPro: Which One Should You Actually Use
Confused about NTSC or PAL on your GoPro? The right choice stops lighting flicker and can unlock an extra 40fps of slow motion, and switching it takes seconds once you know where to look on the HERO13 through HERO9.
Shooting Photos with the GoPro HERO13 Black: A Sample Gallery
An ongoing gallery of real photos shot with the GoPro HERO13 Black, covering RAW and JPG results, low-light noise, and the distinctive 8:7 fisheye look, plus what the camera does well and where it falls short for everyday photography.
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Finally (!) Adds Burst Mode Photos
Infuriatingly, DJI Osmo Action cameras haven’t had burst photo shooting for fast action. The 5 Pro rectifies that to some extent, but it’s still a pretty underwhelming range of framerates available.
How to Put the SD Card in a GoPro HERO12 Black
If you’re picking up a GoPro for the first time, taking it out of the box, and itching to get out shooting with it, it might not be obvious where the memory card goes. Here’s how to know where it goes and whether it’s in the right way.
How the Dewarp FOV Works on the Insta360 Ace & Ace Pro
Dewarp straightens the fisheye bulge on the Insta360 Ace and Ace Pro. Here’s what it does, where to find it, and what it costs you in coverage.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2, Ace Pro & Ace Memory Card Recommendations
The Insta360 Ace and Ace Pro both have a maximum video bitrate that’s higher than their competitors. So you’ll want to get a memory card that’s fast enough to keep up without causing errors or dropped frames. Here are some practical recommendations.
How to Format an SD Card in a DJI Osmo Action 4
Formatting the SD card is one of those mundane yet crucial tasks that you’ll have to do over and over. Like charging the battery. But every camera does it a little differently. On the DJI Osmo Action 4, there are two methods; here’s a straightforward guide to both of them.
How to Update Firmware on GoPro HERO13, 12, 11 & 10
Outdated firmware can stop new Lens Mods from working and cause bugs and app connection problems. Here’s how to update a HERO13, 12, 11, or 10 with the Quik app or a manual SD card install, and how to check which version you have.
Best SD Cards for DJI Osmo Action 4, 5 Pro & 6
DJI’s latest action cameras are powerful, but they don’t come with memory cards. And if you pick one that’s too slow, your recording will stop. Here are the best cards for the Action 4, 5 Pro, and 6.
GoPro HERO11 Black Mini Bitrate Charts
These charts show the video bitrates in various shooting modes for the GoPro HERO11 Black Mini. This has implications for the video quality you can expect as well as the type of SD card you should get.
GoPro HERO11 Bitrate Charts
Video bitrate is a crucial factor in video quality. The HERO11 Black has the highest video bitrate of any GoPro to date. But it doesn’t use the same bitrate with every combination of settings. Here’s are charts showing what bitrate the HERO11 uses with what settings.
GoPro HERO11 Black Burst Modes
Burst mode on the GoPro HERO11 Black takes a rapid sequence of photos, which is especially useful for getting the shot you want when capturing fast action. Here’s how it works.
How to Lock Orientation on a GoPro: HERO13 Back to HERO7
GoPros from the HERO7 on rotate footage automatically when you turn the camera. Here’s how to lock the orientation on each model, from the HERO13 Black back to the HERO7.
How to Check GoPro Battery Health & How to Responsibly Dispose of Your Old Batteries
A “100% charged” battery isn’t always a healthy one. If your camera is shutting down unexpectedly, it’s time to check your battery health stats. Here is how to find the hidden health menu and the right way to dispose of old batteries at local retailers.
