GoPro Hero 13 Black is filled with adjustments from swappable lenses to a magnetic mount. It is a huge 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 further 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 kind of huge steps ahead.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Design
They’re calling this an “all-new” design, however it’s nonetheless only a GoPro. It seems to be like a GoPro, and the design adjustments are minimal.
You’ve got obtained the small shade LCD on the entrance, which is helpful for selfie content material, and the bigger touchscreen across the again for controlling the digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 aspect. The underside has varied mounting choices, and the remaining aspect 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 basically MagSafe for GoPros.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: The brand new Contacto charger seems to be 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 might be implausible for any skilled setting, in a single day shoot, or scenario the place swapping batteries is inconvenient.
It even works with out the interior battery put in. It could have been good to incorporate this within the field, although.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 kind of housing or bracket to mount the digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 employ the magnetic plate to connect with the everyday clips or mounts; then, the digital camera snaps to that.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: It’s simple to maneuver the digital camera due to the magnetic mounts
You simply pinch the edges 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 should decide up extra magnetic plates to outfit our varied equipment.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Swappable lenses
Other than the magnetic charging and mounting adjustments, there’s additionally a brand new collection of interchangeable lenses you can outfit your digital camera with.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 out there.
The digital camera will robotically detect the lenses, present which one is linked, optimize the video, and write that to the metadata.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: The brand new anamorphic pictures look implausible
The anamorphic is the one we’re possibly most enthusiastic about as a result of it, mixed with the digital camera’s new 21:9 help, creates wonderful cinematic pictures.
They’ve the anticipated comfortable edges and horizontal lens flares. The pattern pictures we noticed had been unbelievable.
Plus, the GoPro will robotically de-squeeze the video in-camera, so no post-processing is required to stretch it out.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: The macro lens is considered one of our favorites
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 could focus 4 instances nearer than the usual lens, as shut as 11mm. It even gives at the very least a bit of little bit of bokeh.
When it is linked, you’ll be able to activate focus peaking in settings to assist with the lens. You’ll be able to 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.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Simply twist to take away any of the lenses
We might have favored it to focus a bit nearer than it does, however it is a first step, and possibly a future lens might be launched to unravel this.
For now, it was very cool to set the concentrate on a wheel or different small object whereas in movement.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: This POV shot seems to be superior with the ultra-wide lens
The extensive lens is pretty normal and gives an superior POV expertise. That is basically a model of the Lens Mod Max they’d earlier than.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 may regulate the shutter pace and end in beautiful movement blur.
It is typically a trial-and-error scenario the place you apply a filter, shoot some footage, after which regulate up or down as wanted. GoPro takes out that guesswork.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: You may get an alert if the mistaken ND filter is utilized
Making use of the filter will inform you to step up or down relying on the out there mild for the right shot. It provides you a bit of up or down arrow on the display.
This may make ND filters extra approachable and assist customers get taking pictures quicker.
The draw back with the ND filters is you can’t use them with every other lenses. All of the lenses simply twist on and off, so you will need to select a filter or a sensible lens.
There are third-party ones you should use, however they will not have automated identification like GoPro’s.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 evaluate: 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.
If you’re in a restricted atmosphere — 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 comparable positive aspects, 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 evaluate: GPS information may be overlaid within the Quik app
The GoPro Hero 13 Black has GPS information once more, which may overlay cool graphics whenever you sync it with the Quik app. We all the time like including GPS metadata to photographs, so that is very welcomed.
Wi-Fi expertise advanced from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, leading to quicker automated uploads. It is a sensible choice 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 digital camera would robotically 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, equivalent to the flexibility to call your customized presets. That is manner simpler to maneuver between as wanted.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 report extremely high-frame-rate movies for only a few seconds.
It could 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 obtained these wonderful pictures of him leaping into the pool or being thrown into the air. Clearly, the video high quality is diminished at 720P, however that body price is wonderful.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: An instance of a nonetheless picture from a burst slow-mo shot
That is in all probability 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 evaluate: In comparison with iPhone Motion Mode
Utilizing a GoPro has distinctive benefits over taking pictures together with your iPhone. First – it is rather more rugged, and no case is required.
It additionally has a lot greater resolutions out there. 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 evaluate: Star trails captured by the brand new digital camera
GoPro can even shoot at a whopping 5.3K. Not to mention the varied modes, equivalent to star trails or evening pictures.
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 Hero 13 Black evaluate: We use our customized rig to match 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 motorcycle or automotive. We discovered Motion Mode superb, however HyperSmooth on increase received out.
In actuality, the iPhone is a good various folks can use already with none added purchases, however it will also be an important second angle when paired with a GoPro.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: We in contrast Motion Mode to HyperSmooth
GoPro has a barely wider angle than the iPhone’s most important lens, they usually each have their place. Nevertheless it’s arduous to beat the expertise GoPro has packed into this devoted digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Do you have to purchase the most recent motion digital camera?
Final 12 months’s GoPro Hero 12 was a stable digital camera 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. Numerous the advantages come from further purchases, which may actually add up.
In case you have a mannequin a couple 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.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 device for a father or mother to seize their household, an reasonably priced device for content material creators, or a part of knowledgeable 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 adequate for many customers.
In the event 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 evaluate: Professionals
- Upgraded design to assist with cooling
- A number of interchangeable lenses
- Lens and filter auto detection takes the guesswork out of your pictures
- 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 evaluate: Cons
- Contact charger is not included within the field
- Similar sensors from final 12 months
GoPro Hero 13 Black score: 4.5 out of 5
The place to purchase GoPro Hero 13 Black
Yow will discover the GoPro Hero 13 Black on Amazon or B&H for $399 for the bottom package. A creator package bundled with further equipment can be out there.