GoPro Hero 13 Black is full of 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 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 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 kind of massive steps ahead.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Design
They’re calling this an “all-new” design, nevertheless it’s nonetheless only a GoPro. It appears like a GoPro, and the design adjustments 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 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 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, nevertheless it’s basically MagSafe for GoPros.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: The brand new Contacto charger appears 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 would 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 inner battery put in. It will have been good to incorporate this within the field, although.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 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 commonplace GoPro clip going again to the unique. They later added a threaded 1/4-inch gap within the center, appropriate 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 evaluate: It’s straightforward to maneuver the digital camera because of 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 saved shifting the GoPro round to every one with ease.
We love this and should decide up extra magnetic plates to outfit our numerous equipment.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Swappable lenses
Apart from the magnetic charging and mounting adjustments, there’s additionally a brand new sequence of interchangeable lenses that you would be able to outfit your digital camera with.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Nearly 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 accessible.
The digital camera will routinely 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 photographs 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 assist, creates superb cinematic photographs.
They’ve the anticipated gentle edges and horizontal lens flares. The pattern photographs we noticed had been unbelievable.
Plus, the GoPro will routinely 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 one in every 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 might focus 4 occasions nearer than the usual lens, as shut as 11mm. It even supplies a minimum of slightly little bit of bokeh.
When it is linked, you possibly can activate focus peaking in settings to help with the lens. You’ll be able to select the colour of the main focus peaks, or it is going to be chosen primarily based 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 would have appreciated it to focus a bit nearer than it does, however it is a first step, and possibly a future lens could possibly be launched to resolve this.
For now, it was very cool to set the give attention to a wheel or different small object whereas in movement.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: This POV shot appears superior with the ultra-wide lens
The vast lens is pretty commonplace and supplies 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 modify 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 modify up or down as wanted. GoPro takes out that guesswork.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: You will get an alert if the unsuitable ND filter is utilized
Making use of the filter will let you know to step up or down relying on the accessible mild for the proper shot. It offers you slightly up or down arrow on the display screen.
This may make ND filters extra approachable and assist customers get capturing sooner.
The draw back with the ND filters is that you would be able to’t use them with some 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 utilize, 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 inside 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 features, 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 knowledge may be overlaid within the Quik app
The GoPro Hero 13 Black has GPS knowledge once more, which may overlay cool graphics once you sync it with the Quik app. We at all times like including GPS metadata to pictures, so that is very welcomed.
Wi-Fi know-how developed from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, leading to sooner 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 at all times appreciated how the digital camera would routinely 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, comparable to the power to call your customized presets. That is means simpler to maneuver between as wanted.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Settings for the brand new burst Sluggish-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 might 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 acquired 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.
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 capturing along with your iPhone. First – it is far more rugged, and no case is required.
It additionally has a lot greater resolutions accessible. 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 also can shoot at a whopping 5.3K. Not to mention the assorted 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, nevertheless 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 should you’re capturing shifting footage or have the digital camera mounted on one thing like a motorbike or automotive. We discovered Motion Mode superb, however HyperSmooth on increase gained out.
In actuality, the iPhone is a superb various individuals can use already with none added purchases, nevertheless it can be an incredible 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 foremost lens, they usually each have their place. But it surely’s onerous to beat the know-how GoPro has packed into this devoted digital camera.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Do you have to purchase the newest motion digital camera?
Final yr’s GoPro Hero 12 was a strong digital camera however had comparatively minor adjustments. The Hero 13 Black is far more than that.
We would not counsel customers of the last-gen mannequin improve, although. Quite a lot of the advantages come from extra purchases, which may actually add up.
When you have a mannequin just a few years previous, 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 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 guardian to seize their household, an reasonably priced device for content material creators, or a part of knowledgeable equipment on the newest TV present.
Our solely criticism is that there was no upgraded sensor, however what’s right here is greater than enough for many customers.
For those who 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: 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 capturing 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
- Identical sensors from final yr
GoPro Hero 13 Black ranking: 4.5 out of 5
The place to purchase GoPro Hero 13 Black
You could find the GoPro Hero 13 Black on Amazon or B&H for $399 for the bottom equipment. A creator equipment bundled with extra equipment can also be accessible.
