GoPro Hero 13 Black is filled with modifications from swappable lenses to a magnetic mount. It is a large year-over-year change, even when it options the identical sensors.
Updates to the favored motion digital camera 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 expertise. 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 modifications could make the fortunate Hero 13 a type of large steps ahead.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Design
They’re calling this an “all-new” design, but it surely’s nonetheless only a GoPro. It seems like a GoPro, and the design modifications are minimal.
You’ve got acquired the small shade LCD on the entrance, which is useful for selfie content material, and the bigger touchscreen across the again for controlling the digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The GoPro Hero 13 Black is not that completely different from earlier than, however has small enhancements
The shutter button is on the highest and the mode/energy button is on the facet. The underside has numerous 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, but it surely’s basically MagSafe for GoPros.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The brand new Contacto charger seems nice
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 shall be improbable for any skilled setting, in a single day shoot, or scenario the place swapping batteries is inconvenient.
It even works with out the inner battery put in. It might have been good to incorporate this within the field, although.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: New mounting possibility
The Hero 8 was the primary mannequin so as to add the collapsable mounting fingers to the underside, and it was a sport changer. You did not want any kind of housing or bracket to mount the digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The brand new magnetic mount is a step up
Simply pivot out the mounts and join it to any normal 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 hook up with the everyday clips or mounts; then, the digital camera snaps to that.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: It’s straightforward to maneuver the digital camera due to the magnetic mounts
You simply pinch the perimeters to launch the digital camera. We arrange a number of completely different mounting factors on a child’s Jeep, and it stored shifting the GoPro round to every one with ease.
We love this and must choose up extra magnetic plates to outfit our numerous equipment.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Swappable lenses
Apart from the magnetic charging and mounting modifications, there’s additionally a brand new collection of interchangeable lenses that you could outfit your digital camera with.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Virtually the entire lineup of lenses for the brand new digital camera
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 obtainable.
The digital camera will mechanically detect the lenses, present which one is related, optimize the video, and write that to the metadata.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The brand new anamorphic photographs look improbable
The anamorphic is the one we’re perhaps most enthusiastic about as a result of it, mixed with the digital camera’s new 21:9 assist, creates superb cinematic photographs.
They’ve the anticipated tender edges and horizontal lens flares. The pattern photographs we noticed had been unimaginable.
Plus, the GoPro will mechanically de-squeeze the video in-camera, so no post-processing is required to stretch it out.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The macro lens is certainly one of our favorites
The macro lens is exclusive as it’s the first official lens to return with variable focus. There is a ring across the edge to prioritize close-up or far-away topics.
It could possibly focus 4 occasions nearer than the usual lens, as shut as 11mm. It even supplies not less than somewhat little bit of bokeh.
When it is related, you’ll be able to activate focus peaking in settings to assist with the lens. You may select the colour of the main target peaks, or will probably be chosen primarily based on the shot and what is going to most stand out.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Simply twist to take away any of the lenses
We would have appreciated it to focus a bit nearer than it does, however it is a first step, and perhaps a future lens could possibly be launched to resolve this.
For now, it was very cool to set the deal with a wheel or different small object whereas in movement.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: This POV shot seems superior with the ultra-wide lens
The large lens is pretty normal and supplies an superior POV expertise. That is basically a model of the Lens Mod Max that they had earlier than.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The brand new ND lenses for GoPro
Lastly, the ND filters. They arrive in their very own field with ND 4, 8, 16, and 32 strengths. ND filters are used to basically darken the shot, which might alter the shutter pace and end in pretty movement blur.
It is typically a trial-and-error scenario the place you apply a filter, shoot some footage, after which alter up or down as wanted. GoPro takes out that guesswork.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: You will get an alert if the flawed ND filter is utilized
Making use of the filter will inform you to step up or down relying on the obtainable gentle for the proper shot. It offers you somewhat up or down arrow on the display screen.
This may make ND filters extra approachable and assist customers get taking pictures sooner.
The draw back with the ND filters is that you could’t use them with some other lenses. All of the lenses simply twist on and off, so you could select a filter or a sensible lens.
There are third-party ones you should utilize, 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 concerning 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.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: The battery life has improved throughout the board
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 within a automotive — numbers get a lot better. The identical 4K60 with no airflow improved by 28% from 41 to 52 minutes.
Different resolutions noticed related 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.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: GPS knowledge might be overlaid within the Quik app
The GoPro Hero 13 Black has GPS knowledge once more, which might overlay cool graphics if you sync it with the Quik app. We at all times like including GPS metadata to pictures, so that is very welcomed.
Wi-Fi expertise advanced from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, leading to sooner computerized uploads. It is a good selection as Wi-Fi 6e was a minimal change, and Wi-Fi 7 is simply beginning to be launched.
We at all times appreciated how the digital camera would mechanically add its footage to the cloud, and we would 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, resembling the power to call your customized presets. That is method simpler to maneuver between as wanted.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Settings for the brand new burst Gradual-mo function
The final software program change we noticed that we’re in love with is burst slow-mo. This new setting will file extremely high-frame-rate movies for only a few seconds.
It could possibly file 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 file this abbreviated video for between 5 and 12 seconds.
We took our tot swimming and acquired these superb photographs of him leaping into the pool or being thrown into the air. Clearly, the video high quality is decreased at 720P, however that body charge is superb.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: An instance of a nonetheless picture from a burst slow-mo shot
That is most likely our most-used new function on this digital camera 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 greater resolutions obtainable. iPhone 15 Professional can do 240 frames per second at 1080, however GoPro Hero 13 Black can try this at 2.7K, or 400 at 720p as we mentioned.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Star trails captured by the brand new digital camera
GoPro may also shoot at a whopping 5.3K. Not to mention the assorted modes, resembling star trails or evening photographs.
The motion cam additionally has its HyperSmooth 6 stabilization function. Apple’s iPhone does have Motion mode, but it surely’s capped at 2.8K decision.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: We use our customized rig to check the 2 cameras
GoPro is the higher alternative when you’re taking pictures shifting footage or have the digital camera mounted on one thing like a motorbike or automotive. We discovered Motion Mode excellent, however HyperSmooth on increase gained out.
In actuality, the iPhone is a superb different individuals can use already with none added purchases, but it surely will also be an ideal second angle when paired with a GoPro.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: We in contrast Motion Mode to HyperSmooth
GoPro has a barely wider angle than the iPhone’s principal lens, and so they each have their place. But it surely’s arduous to beat the expertise GoPro has packed into this devoted digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: Must you purchase the newest motion digital camera?
Final yr’s GoPro Hero 12 was a strong digital camera however had comparatively minor modifications. The Hero 13 Black is rather more than that.
We would not recommend customers of the last-gen mannequin improve, although. A whole lot of the advantages come from extra purchases, which might actually add up.
In case you have a mannequin a number of years outdated, the Hero 13 Black is a strong improve— particularly because it builds on the ecosystem with the brand new mounts, charger, and lenses.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluation: That is going to be a enjoyable digital camera to make use of
What we love a lot about this digital camera is its versatility. It may be an superior software for a dad or mum to seize their household, an reasonably priced software for content material creators, or a part of an expert package on the newest TV present.
Our solely criticism is that there was no upgraded sensor, however what’s right here is greater than adequate for many customers.
Should you 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: Execs
- Upgraded design to assist with cooling
- A number of interchangeable lenses
- Lens and filter auto detection takes the guesswork out of your photographs
- Simple 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 ranking: 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 be obtainable.