.png)
When you’re holding a GoPro, you probably expect it to zoom in like any regular camera, but it’s a bit different. Different models of GoPro cameras offer zooming in their own way, and it’s not always obvious how to get closer to the action. If you figure out the zoom function on each of the latest models, you can frame your shots better and focus clearly on the part of the scene that matters.
How to Zoom GoPro Hero 12 and GoPro Hero 13
The first thing you want to do when you get this camera is deal with the default settings. It comes standard in Easy Mode, so you need to change the settings before you can access the Zoom feature.
Swipe down from the top of your screen, then swipe left. When you see the Controls: Easy Mode option, tap on it. Change it from Easy Mode to Pro by swiping up the bar.
This gives you full control and unlocks more settings. Now, swipe up from the bottom to return to the main screen. You’ll notice the interface has changed a bit. Tap the icon appearing in the bottom right corner. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot—these are just your expanded options.
Scroll all the way down to the Capture section. You’ll see Zoom listed there.
Tap it and use the slider to zoom in up to 1.4x or back out to 1x. That’s in Video mode.
To check how it works in Photo, switch to the Photo setting. Go through the same steps—tap the bottom-right icon, scroll to Capture, and you’ll find Zoom there as well. This time, you can zoom in up to 2x.
It’s handy when you’re out and want to get a closer shot without moving.
And that’s how you use the zoom function on the GoPro Hero 12 and GoPro Hero 13.
How to Zoom GoPro Hero Older Models
The previous models of GoPro Hero 8, GoPro Hero 9, GoPro Hero 10, and GoPro Hero 11 also come with a digital zoom, which you can control directly through the touchscreen.
If you haven’t changed any factory settings, the moment you turn on your GoPro, the main screen should display four customizable digital buttons.
By default, the button at the bottom right corner shows a magnifying glass with a plus symbol—that’s your Zoom button.
If the Zoom button isn’t showing up in one of those four slots, you need to add it back manually. Just long-press any customizable button on the screen. Then scroll through the options using the sliders until you find Zoom listed in blue. It usually appears toward the bottom. Once you spot it, tap anywhere on the screen, and your Zoom function will be visible again.
To use it, tap the Zoom button, and a slider will appear. Slide upward to zoom in and downward to zoom back out.
To exit the Zoom interface, tap anywhere on the screen, and you’ll return to the main display.
Limitations of the Zoom Feature in GoPro
Now, here’s something to keep in mind. The zoom feature on these GoPro models has four big limitations. First, it doesn’t function in 4K mode. If you try to use it while recording in 4K, the Zoom button will appear grayed out, and pressing it gives you an “Unavailable” message.
Second, Zoom doesn’t work in Superview mode. If you switch to that, the same error message pops up.
Third, Zoom can’t be adjusted while recording. To zoom in or out, you need to stop the recording, let the GoPro reset, adjust the zoom level, and then start shooting again. If you want to zoom in again, you’ll have to repeat that entire process.
Lastly, and probably the most frustrating, they don’t have a physical zoom lens, so anything that looks like zoom will be digital. That means image quality might drop when you zoom in.
Best Ways to Zoom In on a GoPro with Digital Zoom
If you’re trying to get a closer view using your GoPro, there are a few ways to do it, either by changing the digital lens mode in the settings or by zooming in later using an editor like the GoPro Quik app.
You have a few options to use the digital zoom.
First, choose a digital lens before recording. From the home screen, tap the oblong at the center of the screen.
Now, tap the pencil icon on the next screen.
Tap Lens.
You’ll see lens modes like Hyperview, SuperView, Wide, Linear, Medium, or Narrow. Picking a Narrow mode gives you the best shot and creates a zoom-like effect without needing to adjust anything manually.
Secondly, you can do a post-processing zoom. This is where you get the cleanest results. Open your footage in the GoPro Quik app or any editing software and zoom in there. Since it happens after recording, you don’t lose as much image quality, and you get more control over how it looks.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks. Now you know how to Zoom GoPro Hero’s latest and older models. We’ve also discussed that GoPro cameras have digital zoom rather than an optical lens, so the quality often gets compromised. The fix is to use Zoom in your post-production using the GoPro app or any other editing software.
FAQs
Is there a way to Zoom on GoPro?
Yes, you can zoom on a GoPro, but it’s all digital. Before recording, tap the zoom icon and adjust the slider to zoom in or out. However, you need to keep in mind that digital zoom can reduce image quality. For better results, consider cropping in post-production using the GoPro Quik app on your phone.
Can you Zoom in on a GoPro while recording?
You can’t zoom in on a GoPro while recording. The zoom slider only works before you start shooting, and once you’re recording, the zoom option gets locked. If you need to zoom mid-shot, you’ll have to stop the recording, adjust the zoom, and start again.
