GoPro Hero 13 Black is full of modifications 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 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 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 huge steps ahead.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 have acquired the small coloration LCD on the entrance, which is useful for selfie content material, and the bigger touchscreen across the again for controlling the digicam.
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 numerous 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, but it surely’s basically MagSafe for GoPros.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: 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 possibly can run this off a big exterior energy station or plug it into the wall. This will likely be unbelievable 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 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 sport changer. You did not want any kind of housing or bracket to mount the digicam.
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 employ the magnetic plate to hook up with the everyday clips or mounts; then, the digicam snaps to that.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: It’s simple to maneuver the digicam due to the magnetic mounts
You simply pinch the edges to launch the digicam. We arrange a number of completely different mounting factors on a child’s Jeep, and it saved transferring the GoPro round to every one with ease.
We love this and should choose up extra magnetic plates to outfit our numerous equipment.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Swappable lenses
Other than the magnetic charging and mounting modifications, there’s additionally a brand new sequence of interchangeable lenses you could outfit your digicam with.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Nearly the entire lineup of lenses for the brand new digicam
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 digicam will mechanically detect the lenses, present which one is related, optimize the video, and write that to the metadata.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: The brand new anamorphic pictures look unbelievable
The anamorphic is the one we’re perhaps most enthusiastic about as a result of it, mixed with the digicam’s new 21:9 help, creates superb cinematic pictures.
They’ve the anticipated mushy edges and horizontal lens flares. The pattern pictures we noticed have 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 evaluate: The macro lens is one in every 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 might probably focus 4 occasions nearer than the usual lens, as shut as 11mm. It even gives at the very least 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’ll be able to select the colour of the main focus peaks, or it is going to 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 would have appreciated it to focus a bit nearer than it does, however it is a first step, and perhaps 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 superior with the ultra-wide lens
The extensive lens is pretty commonplace and gives an superior POV expertise. That is basically a model of the Lens Mod Max that they had 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 might alter the shutter velocity 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 alter up or down as wanted. GoPro takes out that guesswork.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: You may get an alert if the flawed ND filter is utilized
Making use of the filter will let you know to step up or down relying on the accessible gentle for the proper shot. It offers you a little bit up or down arrow on the display.
It will make ND filters extra approachable and assist customers get taking pictures quicker.
The draw back with the ND filters is you could’t use them with some other lenses. All of the lenses simply twist on and off, so it’s essential to 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 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 beneficial properties, 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 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 all the time like including GPS metadata to images, so that is very welcomed.
Wi-Fi expertise advanced from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, leading to quicker computerized uploads. This can be 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 digicam 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 coloration grading.
A bunch of different system enhancements have been made, too, similar to the power 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 document extremely high-frame-rate movies for just some seconds.
It might probably document 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 document this abbreviated video for between 5 and 12 seconds.
We took our tot swimming and acquired these superb pictures 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 digicam 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 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 digicam
GoPro may also shoot at a whopping 5.3K. Not to mention the varied modes, similar to star trails or night time pictures.
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 evaluate: We use our customized rig to match the 2 cameras
GoPro is the higher selection should you’re taking pictures transferring footage or have the digicam 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 good various folks can use already with none added purchases, but it surely will also be an awesome 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 fundamental lens, and so they each have their place. But it surely’s onerous to beat the expertise GoPro has packed into this devoted digicam.
GoPro Hero 13 Black evaluate: Must you purchase the newest motion digicam?
Final 12 months’s GoPro Hero 12 was a stable digicam however had comparatively minor modifications. The Hero 13 Black is far more than that.
We would not counsel customers of the last-gen mannequin improve, although. Numerous the advantages come from extra purchases, which might actually add up.
You probably have a mannequin just a few years previous, 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 digicam to make use of
What we love a lot about this digicam is its versatility. It may be an superior instrument for a dad or mum to seize their household, an inexpensive instrument for content material creators, or a part of an expert package on the newest TV present.
Our solely grievance is that there was no upgraded sensor, however what’s right here is greater than enough for many customers.
In the event you want one thing extra inexpensive, there’s the brand new GoPro Hero, which additionally has a brand new design at a extra inexpensive 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 pictures
- 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 evaluate: Cons
- Contact charger is not included within the field
- Similar sensors from final 12 months
GoPro Hero 13 Black ranking: 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 extra equipment can also be accessible.
