Trust Index Comparison
Sensor size decides the image
The Pocket 3's 1-inch sensor is significantly larger than the HERO12's, and owners consistently point to low-light performance and depth of field as the difference you actually see. Mechanical gimbal stabilisation also produces motion that owners describe as more natural than the HERO12's digital stabilisation, which crops the frame more aggressively to keep footage smooth.
Where the GoPro wins outright
The HERO12 goes places the Pocket 3 cannot. It is waterproof, mountable and survives being knocked about, and the switch to the Enduro battery means it now handles full days of cold-weather use without the shutdowns earlier models were known for. The Pocket 3 has an exposed gimbal and needs care. It also overheats during long 4K takes in direct sun.
The bottom line
The Osmo Pocket 3 (89) outscores the HERO12 Black (81) on image quality, and for vlogging or handheld work it is the better camera. If your footage involves helmets, water, snow or anything that might hit the ground, the GoPro is the only sensible choice of the two.
GoPro HERO12
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