GoPro Hero13 Black review: the coolest action camera in town

New mods, hypersmooth stability, and magnetic mount makes GoPro Hero13 Black cooler than ever.

The new GoPro Hero13 Black isn’t a radical overhaul compared to the last-gen models, but it brings some exciting changes, particularly regarding lenses. Apart from the standard all-purpose lens, users now have a wider array of options for specialised shots, including macro and cinematic with a 21:9 aspect ratio. GoPro also throws in some handy ND filters for filming in bright conditions.

Perhaps my favourite upgrade is the magnetic mount support, which offers a new level of convenience (though I have a few minor reservations). The Hero13 Black also focuses on software improvements for an enhanced user experience.

Otherwise, the new GoPro Hero13 Black utilises the same proprietary GP2 processor and a 1/1.9-inch CMOS sensor. The action camera also supports up to 5.3K video recording at 60fps, the same as last year. Can the number 13 in the Hero13 Black prove lucky for GoPro? Let’s find out.

Table of Contents

Design

Based on the appearance, the Hero13 Black features a similar design language to the last few GoPro Hero action cameras. Its rubbery texture provides a solid grip, and the body retains a familiar dark grey finish. The placement of buttons and hidden USB-C port on the sides remains unchanged. There are two screens on the front and back, which get a special coating for scratch resistance. Additionally, the Hero13 Black boasts the same waterproof design (up to 33ft without any special gears), which I can also vouch for.

That doesn’t mean the Hero13 Black looks bad by any metric, and the same design language provides huge advantages with backward compatibility. For instance, users can mount the Hero13 Black on a car, bike, or helmet with the same mounts used by the Hero12 Black or Hero11 Black. It can also be attached to any standard tripod with a threaded hole (1/4-20 threads) at the bottom, which GoPro introduced on the Hero12 Black last year.

Perhaps the most significant design upgrade is the magnetic mount support, which is surely a blessing for many creators. It allows you to attach the GoPro Hero13 Black magnetically to a compatible mount with a new metal latch. In other words, you don’t have to rely on the “folding fingers” at the bottom (that still exist) of the camera and screws to mount it.

The only catch is that the new metal latch only works with the Hero13 Black and not older GoPro cameras. While the latch provides a strong fit, I’d still recommend using the folding fingers for mounting during high-intensity outdoor activities to minimise jerks in the footage.
Notably, the new changes have resulted in an increased weight of only 1 gram, bringing the total to 154 grams with the battery. This means that upgrading from the last two models will not present a noticeable difference.

Camera performance

The camera specifications of the new GoPro Hero13 Black and the last two generations of Hero Black cameras are identical. The new iteration still features a 27MP CMOS sensor and a proprietary GP2 processor, which allows up to 5.3K recording at 60fps with Hypersmooth stability and a “standard” 8-bit colour profile.

The 4K setting, on the other hand, supports more functionalities, including HDR, 10-bit colours, and multiple digital frames (wide, linear, horizon lock, and HyperView). You can unlock higher frame rates if you lower the video resolution.

Compared to last-gen models, you won’t notice a significant difference in the colour science and details. Under bright conditions, the camera still prioritises natural colours with a balanced dynamic range. Its images also feature neutral shadows and contrast, though the default colour treatment can lean towards cooler tones.

Enabling the log mode will provide better colour grading options in post-production, though I mainly prefer the native HDR for quick social media uploads. The newly added HLG-HDR format support provides punchier colours.

The Hero13 Black also does a stellar job of reducing noise – at least in bright daylight conditions. Video stability with the GoPro Hypersmooth 6.0 technology also remains unmatched. The Hypersmooth even seamlessly works with native digital frames, including HyperView and SuperView, which deliver GoPro’s signature fisheye-style warped images.

The in-built mics now support “voice mode,” which prioritises your voice over ambient sounds. The new slow-mo mode (400fps with 720p resolution) also adds versatility, but it only works well in well-lit conditions.

Therefore, the Hero13 Black reliably delivers where its predecessors excelled and even improves efficiency in some areas. However, it still suffers from some familiar shortcomings.

For instance, the GoPro Hero series remains mostly a video-focused device. The GoPro Quik app lets you take sharp and colourful 24.7MP stills from your videos but lacks the background blur that even budget phones now offer.

Additionally, the Hero13 Black faces challenges in low-light conditions, often producing images with noticeable noise and washed-out colours. Finally, like most action cameras on the market, the device heats up a bit, especially while shooting lengthy videos.

To be fair, GoPro has faced these challenges for some time, and not just with the Hero13 Black. The new iteration has at least solved one big issue of the tedious mounting process with the new latch and magnets. Its UI (user interface) offers a smooth user experience.

As mentioned, the Hero13 Black brings some exciting changes, particularly regarding lenses. Do note these lenses are only optional and not included in the standard box.

GoPro HB-Mods (aka new lenses)

Coming to the Hero Black lenses, GoPro has introduced four options:

My favourite is the macro lens (Rs 12,990) that finally lets you take images and videos with a shallow depth of field, though its bokeh effect isn’t particularly aggressive.

During my review, I used the standard and the macro lens most frequently, which I feel will also be sufficient for most users. GoPro has been thoughtful in adding an auto-detect feature for users who are not familiar with different lens functionalities. The auto-detect automatically enables the best setting for the lens. In fact, the camera even tells you if you’re using the right ND filter, which can be very handy.

The macro mod also offers variable focus through the lens ring, though using this feature can be challenging on Hero13 Black’s small display. While close-up shots are possible, they’re limited by a minimum focal length of 11cm. In comparison, many smartphones allow macro shots at a focal length of just 4cm, enabling much closer captures. You can see some macro shots below.

Battery and app support

Another change GoPro introduced this year on the Hero13 Black is a 1,900mAh battery. During my test, the GoPro Hero13 Black was capable of shooting nearly 1.5 hours of 4K footage on a single charge, which is almost the same as its predecessor.

The 1.5-hour charging time also remains the same. For ease of convenience, GoPro has introduced a “magnetic door” to charge the camera without opening the lid where the USB-C port lies. This allows you to charge the camera with a magnetic dock, similar to what we see on smartwatches. We could not test the magnetic door, and vouch for the charging speed.


In terms of app support, the Quik app is easy to use and straightforward. New users would also enjoy its AI-backed editing features. The app also lets you control the camera remotely, which can be very useful for car shoots. However, the Quik app is limited to Macs apart from iOS and Android. The company has not specified its availability on Windows.

Verdict

The GoPro Hero13 Black is an easy recommendation for frequent travellers wanting to capture crisp POVs on the go. Its compact size and unmatched stability also put it in a league of its own. Plus, its signature warped-style images remain distinct, though you have the option to shoot in multiple frames, include 9:16 vertical format, suitable for Reels or YouTube Shorts.

While the camera sensor and the processor remain the same, GoPro has successfully elevated the user experience by introducing new lenses (optional) and magnetic mounts. The Quik app support and auto-detect feature for lenses also make it an extremely user-friendly product.

However, GoPro Hero Black cameras still face issues such as heating and low-light performance. The camera displays can also use improvements for brighter and punchier output.

In that case, new users can even consider Hero12 Black, which I am sure will be available for cheaper during ongoing sales. If you’re planning to upgrade your old GoPro Hero camera, the new Hero13 Black is sure to impress.

Editor’s rating: 8 / 10

Pros

Cons

© 91digital Web Private Limited. All Rights Reserved.