GoPro’s new motion digital camera for 2024 is right here to make your content material creation journey higher. The Hero 13 Black launched in September alongside a brand new smaller Hero digital camera. The brand new GoPro motion digital camera is not a serious improve to final yr’s mannequin when it comes to {hardware} and design, however it makes up with a bunch of latest lenses, a brand new approach to mount, a much bigger battery, and several other different small enhancements.
Whereas the competitors is on the market making an attempt to woo clients with improved sensors, quicker chipsets, and whatnot, GoPro is sticking to the ‘why repair one thing if it isn’t damaged’ mantra. Are the brand new lenses, magnetic mounting, and bigger battery sufficient to win the motion digital camera sport? Learn the evaluation to seek out out.
The GoPro Hero 13 Black begins at Rs. 44,990 in India with out the lens attachments.
GoPro Hero 13 Black Design: Magnets, lastly!
- Dimensions – 71.Eight W x 50.Eight H x 33.6 D (mm)
- Weight – 159g
- Colors – Black
The Hero 13 Black is an identical in dimensions to the 12 Black, however a few design adjustments will allow you to differentiate them. GoPro has gotten rid of the blue specks that have been discovered on final yr’s mannequin. It is now all black, and a brand new heatsink-like design is on the entrance, proper beneath the digital camera sensor. GoPro tells us that it isn’t a heatsink, sadly. The show sizes on the back and front stay the identical as the location for the document and mode buttons. The battery door can also be the identical as final yr.
The Blue dot to align the lenses ought to’ve been on the surface of the lens
You may discover crucial design adjustments on the backside, the place the mounting system sits. Other than the standard fold-down mounting fingers and the ¼-20 mounting threads, the GoPro now has magnetic mounting. The magnetic latch makes it tremendous straightforward to change between mounts, and I discovered it to be safer and simpler to make use of than the competitors. It tends to choose up sand and different particles, making it tough to scrub.
The brand new magnetic attachments are additionally an additional purchase, sadly
The lens cowl mounting is just like final yr, however there’s now a blue alignment dot on the within of the duvet and on the GoPro that makes it straightforward to connect the duvet. The older Hero 12 Black lens cowl works with the brand new GoPro, and vice versa. Nevertheless, the brand new lenses aren’t backwards suitable.
GoPro Hero 13 Black Digicam, Options, and Efficiency: Minor enhancements
- Sensor – 27-megapixel
- Processor – GP2
As soon as once more, there’s not so much new in each the digital camera and efficiency departments. Nevertheless, you do get small enhancements and a few new software program options with the Hero 13 Black. The older sensor and the processor are beginning to present their age, although, however GoPro has managed to do some extra magic and added new options akin to a Burst gradual movement video that allows you to document at as much as 400 fps however at a low 720p decision. You may as well document at 360 fps in 900p decision and 120 fps at 5.3K.
The motion digital camera now additionally will get HLG HDR video, improved LOG profile, higher customisation for presets, extra Audio tuning choices, and a versatile Fast Seize function that allows you to restart recording or go into idle mode inside 5 seconds whereas powering off in Fast Seize. The Hero 13 Black now comes with Wi-Fi 6.Zero for quicker switch speeds, and GPS has made a comeback with help for overlays.
Now, let’s discuss efficiency. With the usual lens and primary video/photograph settings, the brand new Hero 13 Black is not that a lot totally different from final yr’s mannequin. I noticed some variations in HDR recording with improved colors on the brand new digital camera, however largely, the efficiency could be very related. Nevertheless, the brand new slow-motion modes are fairly cool in case you do not thoughts low video decision; 400 fps at 720p works effectively when there’s loads of gentle, and you will get some actually cool pictures.
You get HyperSmooth 6.0, similar to final yr, and it nonetheless works amazingly effectively so long as you do not attempt to shoot movies in low-light situations. The GoPro continues to carry out poorly when there’s not sufficient gentle. The competitors is doing significantly better right here, and it is excessive time GoPro did one thing about this.
There’s additionally a brand new 1:1 facet ratio video recording possibility, which is healthier than the 8:7 ratio from final yr. Nevertheless, this ratio is simply out there with the brand new Extremely huge lens attachment.
Video high quality continues to be top-notch in daylight situations, and also you get punchy colors. Nevertheless, the heating scenario continues to be just about the identical as final yr. I reside in a coastal city, and it is fairly sizzling right here, so I am guessing the digital camera will carry out higher with out cooler ambient temperatures. The Hero 13 Black additionally takes good photographs in daylight situations. 
Prime to backside: Commonplace lens, Ultrawide lens, Macro lens
GoPro Hero 13 Black Lenses: Makes the digital camera versatile
- Extremely-wide Lens – 1:1 facet ratio, 177-degree FoV, as much as 4K60
- Macro Lens – Variable focus with built-in lens ring, minimal focus of 11cm
- ND Filters – ND4 / ND8 / ND16 / ND32
- Anamorphic Lens – 21:9 facet ratio, In-camera de-squeeze
GoPro has slowly been including new lens choices through the years. After the Max Mod lenses, that is the primary time that the motion digital camera will get new lenses. You might even name them the largest upgrades this yr, however not as a result of they value extra cash. Nevertheless, they do make the digital camera versatile. You may get close-up pictures, cinematic blur, and a 1:1 facet ratio with the lenses. In addition they function auto-detection, which signifies that the Hero 13 Black will set one of the best settings as quickly as you connect a lens.
The auto lens detection and new lenses solely work on the GoPro Hero 13 Black
First, the brand new Extremely Vast lens has the identical FoV (177 levels) because the Max Mod 2.Zero from final yr however now permits a brand new 1:1 facet ratio. The brand new facet ratio is nice for individuals who do not need to take a number of pictures for various social media. That is one of the best lens for motion sports activities, however you may’t document ultra-slow-motion movies with this lens.
Second, the brand new Macro lens adjustments the core expertise of the GoPro motion digital camera. The GoPro was by no means actually made for taking pictures vlogs or close-up pictures in focus. Nevertheless, now you can achieve this with the Macro lens mod. You additionally get an adjustable focus ring and focus peaking. Though the Macro lens has a minimal focus distance of 11cm, which is not tremendous shut, it is nice for an motion digital camera. I had a variety of enjoyable taking pictures close-ups of objects with this lens. As soon as once more, the outcomes are greatest if you shoot throughout daylight.
The anamorphic lens will likely be out in 2025
Third, there is a set of ND filters (4,8,16, and 32), which helps you to obtain cinematic movement blur when taking pictures motion pictures. The filters additionally assist reduce out the tough lighting, and the digital camera will auto-detect which filter you have connected and inform you if you have to go a step larger or decrease. Capturing with the ND filters gave my using movies a cinematic really feel due to the movement blur.
Lastly, the Anamorphic lens, which received a variety of ‘awes’ on the launch occasion, offers you a pleasant 21:9 cinematic subject of view. The GoPro will even mechanically de-squeeze the footage, so you do not have to do it later. Sadly, this lens will solely are available 2025, and I did not get to attempt it out.
GoPro Hero 13 Black Battery life: Barely higher
Alright, let’s discuss battery life. GoPro now features a new battery on the Hero 13 Black, and that is each good and dangerous. It is good since you now get longer battery life from the digital camera, and dangerous as a result of it isn’t suitable with any of the earlier GoPro’s and vice versa.
The Hero 13 Black will get a brand new 1,900mAh battery
There’s a noticeable enchancment in battery life with the brand new Enduro battery, however it’s not as a lot as GoPro claims. I managed to get 37 minutes of steady recording (whereas stationary) at 4K decision (8:7, 60fps) earlier than the GoPro shut off attributable to overheating. It did last more on a bike journey, about 50 minutes, due to the airflow.
GoPro Hero 13 Black Verdict
The brand new GoPro Hero 13 Black by itself is not an enormous improve over the Hero 12 Black, so in case you personal the 12, you most likely needn’t get the brand new one. Nevertheless, the brand new one does deliver a variety of versatility to the quintessential motion digital camera. Then there’s the magnetic mounting system and the marginally higher battery life. The brand new GoPro is a superb alternative in case you’re shopping for an motion digital camera that you will use primarily through the day. It is also a sensible choice in case you plan on getting the lens attachments and doing extra together with your motion digital camera. If it is lowlight efficiency you are on the lookout for, then look elsewhere.
