GoPro Hero 13 Black is filled with adjustments from swappable lenses to a magnetic mount. It is a massive year-over-year change, even when it options the identical sensors.
Updates to the favored motion digicam have elevated to a near-yearly foundation. Just like the iPhone, which means some years are extra impactful than others.
All through its storied historical past, there have been notable developments in GoPro know-how. Some have included water resistance with out requiring extra housing, integrating mounts into the physique, and transitioning to 4K functionality.
The identical sensors could also be inside, however different adjustments could make the fortunate Hero 13 a type of massive steps ahead.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Design
They’re calling this an “all-new” design, however it’s nonetheless only a GoPro. It seems like a GoPro, and the design adjustments are minimal.
You’ve got bought the small shade LCD on the entrance, which is helpful for selfie content material, and the bigger touchscreen across the again for controlling the digicam.
The shutter button is on the highest and the mode/energy button is on the facet. The underside has varied mounting choices, and the remaining facet has a door to entry the battery, charging port, and microSD card.
It nonetheless powers over USB-C, although it now boasts a brand new magnetic energy system that appears nice. We did not get to check it, however it’s primarily MagSafe for GoPros.
You swap the door for a brand new magnetic one which has a number of contact factors. Then, snap on the Contacto energy cable, which any USB-C energy supply can energy.
You might run this off a big exterior energy station or plug it into the wall. This might be improbable for any skilled setting, in a single day shoot, or state of affairs the place swapping batteries is inconvenient.
It even works with out the interior battery put in. It will have been good to incorporate this within the field, although.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: New mounting choice
The Hero 8 was the primary mannequin so as to add the collapsable mounting fingers to the underside, and it was a recreation changer. You did not want any type of housing or bracket to mount the digicam.
Simply pivot out the mounts and join it to any customary GoPro clip going again to the unique. They later added a threaded 1/4-inch gap within the center, suitable with any tripod.
This time, they’ve embedded magnets for a brand new, simpler expertise. You utilize the magnetic plate to connect with the standard clips or mounts; then, the digicam snaps to that.
You simply pinch the perimeters to launch the digicam. We arrange a number of totally different mounting factors on a child’s Jeep, and it saved transferring the GoPro round to every one with ease.
We love this and must decide up extra magnetic plates to outfit our varied equipment.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Swappable lenses
Apart from the magnetic charging and mounting adjustments, there’s additionally a brand new sequence of interchangeable lenses that you may outfit your digicam with.
At launch, there is a new ultra-wide, anamorphic, macro, and a set of ND filters. We examined all of them besides the anamorphic, which wasn’t but out there.
The digicam will mechanically detect the lenses, present which one is related, optimize the video, and write that to the metadata.
The anamorphic is the one we’re perhaps most enthusiastic about as a result of it, mixed with the digicam’s new 21:9 assist, creates superb cinematic photographs.
They’ve the anticipated mushy edges and horizontal lens flares. The pattern photographs we noticed had been unbelievable.
Plus, the GoPro will mechanically de-squeeze the video in-camera, so no post-processing is required to stretch it out.
The macro lens is exclusive as it’s the first official lens to come back with variable focus. There is a ring across the edge to prioritize close-up or far-away topics.
It may well focus 4 occasions nearer than the usual lens, as shut as 11mm. It even offers no less than a little bit little bit of bokeh.
When it is related, you’ll be able to activate focus peaking in settings to assist with the lens. You possibly can select the colour of the main target peaks, or will probably be chosen based mostly on the shot and what is going to most stand out.
We might have preferred it to focus a bit nearer than it does, however this can be a first step, and perhaps a future lens could possibly be launched to unravel this.
For now, it was very cool to set the deal with a wheel or different small object whereas in movement.
The broad lens is pretty customary and offers an superior POV expertise. That is primarily a model of the Lens Mod Max they’d earlier than.
Lastly, the ND filters. They arrive in their very own field with ND 4, 8, 16, and 32 strengths. ND filters are used to primarily darken the shot, which may alter the shutter velocity and end in beautiful movement blur.
It is usually a trial-and-error state of affairs the place you apply a filter, shoot some footage, after which alter up or down as wanted. GoPro takes out that guesswork.
Making use of the filter will let you know to step up or down relying on the out there mild for the proper shot. It provides you a little bit up or down arrow on the display screen.
This can make ND filters extra approachable and assist customers get taking pictures sooner.
The draw back with the ND filters is that you may’t use them with some other lenses. All of the lenses simply twist on and off, so you need to select a filter or a sensible lens.
There are third-party ones you need to use, however they will not have computerized identification like GoPro’s.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Internals and settings
Internally, GoPro has upped the battery capability. A longstanding gripe in regards to the cameras.
They’ve moved from a 1720mAh battery to a 1900mAh one. This, mixed with the brand new thermal design, has boosted the battery life.
With airflow, the battery has improved just a bit. For instance, 4K60 went from 81 minutes of recording to 87.9 minutes.
In case you are in a restricted surroundings — like inside a automobile — numbers get significantly better. The identical 4K60 with no airflow improved by 28% from 41 to 52 minutes.
Different resolutions noticed comparable positive factors, some as a lot as 58% as with 2.7K. Capturing 2.7K at 100 FPS jumped from 38 to 60.2 minutes of recording time on a full cost.
The GoPro Hero 13 Black has GPS knowledge once more, which may overlay cool graphics while you sync it with the Quik app. We all the time like including GPS metadata to images, so that is very welcomed.
Wi-Fi know-how advanced from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, leading to sooner computerized uploads. This can be a good selection as Wi-Fi 6e was a minimal change, and Wi-Fi 7 is simply beginning to be launched.
We all the time appreciated how the digicam would mechanically add its footage to the cloud, and we might get an superior abstract video of what we captured from the Quik app.
Video footage can now be shot in HLG HDR. This unlocks extra changes for execs who want that log footage for higher shade grading.
A bunch of different system enhancements had been made, too, comparable to the power to call your customized presets. That is means simpler to maneuver between as wanted.
The final software program change we noticed that we’re in love with is burst slow-mo. This new setting will report extremely high-frame-rate movies for just some seconds.
It may well report at 5.3K at 120 frames per second, 900P at 360 frames per second, or 720P at 400 frames per second. Simply press shoot, and it’ll report this abbreviated video for between 5 and 12 seconds.
We took our tot swimming and bought these superb photographs of him leaping into the pool or being thrown into the air. Clearly, the video high quality is lowered at 720P, however that body price is superb.
That is in all probability our most-used new function on this digicam as a result of it is so enjoyable. Even saving stills from these movies look excellent.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: In comparison with iPhone Motion Mode
Utilizing a GoPro has distinctive benefits over taking pictures along with your iPhone. First – it is rather more rugged, and no case is required.
It additionally has a lot larger resolutions out there. iPhone 15 Professional can do 240 frames per second at 1080, however GoPro Hero 13 Black can do this at 2.7K, or 400 at 720p as we mentioned.
GoPro may also shoot at a whopping 5.3K. Not to mention the varied modes, comparable to star trails or evening photographs.
The motion cam additionally has its HyperSmooth 6 stabilization function. Apple’s iPhone does have Motion mode, however it’s capped at 2.8K decision.
GoPro is the higher selection in case you’re taking pictures transferring footage or have the digicam mounted on one thing like a motorbike or automobile. We discovered Motion Mode superb, however HyperSmooth on enhance gained out.
In actuality, the iPhone is a good various folks can use already with none added purchases, however it may also be a terrific second angle when paired with a GoPro.
GoPro has a barely wider angle than the iPhone’s major lens, they usually each have their place. However it’s laborious to beat the know-how GoPro has packed into this devoted digicam.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Must you purchase the most recent motion digicam?
Final yr’s GoPro Hero 12 was a stable digicam however had comparatively minor adjustments. The Hero 13 Black is rather more than that.
We would not counsel customers of the last-gen mannequin improve, although. Plenty of the advantages come from extra purchases, which may actually add up.
When you have a mannequin a number of years outdated, the Hero 13 Black is a stable improve— particularly because it builds on the ecosystem with the brand new mounts, charger, and lenses.
What we love a lot about this digicam is its versatility. It may be an superior device for a father or mother to seize their household, an reasonably priced device for content material creators, or a part of an expert package on the most recent TV present.
Our solely grievance is that there was no upgraded sensor, however what’s right here is greater than ample for many customers.
If you happen to want one thing extra reasonably priced, there’s the brand new GoPro Hero, which additionally has a brand new design at a extra reasonably priced price ticket.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Professionals
- Upgraded design to assist with cooling
- A number of interchangeable lenses
- Lens and filter auto detection takes the guesswork out of your photographs
- Straightforward and professional modes make taking pictures faster and extra customizable
- Magnetic mount system is superior for shoots
- Love the brand new burst slow-mo mode
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Cons
- Contact charger is not included within the field
- Identical sensors from final yr
GoPro Hero 13 Black score: 4.5 out of 5
The place to purchase GoPro Hero 13 Black
You’ll find the GoPro Hero 13 Black on Amazon or B&H for $399 for the bottom package. A creator package bundled with extra equipment can also be out there.