GoPro Hero 13 Black Review: Flagship Features and Accessories Uncovered

The GoPro Hero 13 Black might not have been the radical upgrade that some fans were hoping for, but don’t write it off just yet. While it doesn’t feature 8K video or a new, bigger sensor, it’s still an incredibly capable action camera with some thoughtful tweaks that make it a compelling choice, especially for serious filmmakers.

For instance, the Hero 13 Black still boasts an 8:7 aspect ratio sensor, 5.3K video, and 27MP photos, as well as industry-leading HyperSmooth stabilization and waterproofing up to 33ft/10m – you’ll even get all that in the older Hero 11 Black.

But, let’s face it, the action camera competition has raised its game, and GoPro has been caught off guard. DJI’s Osmo Action 4, for example, has better low-light performance, and rumors suggest it’ll be replaced by the Osmo Action 5 Pro soon. Insta360 has also dropped the Ace Pro, a beast of a camera capable of 8K video.

So, what sets the Hero 13 Black apart? Well, for one, GoPro has introduced a whole new range of accessories, including the HB-series of lenses and ND filters. You’ll find the Ultra-Wide, Macro, and Anamorphic Lens Mods, as well as a 4-pack of ND filters. These mods rotate into place over the Hero 13 Black’s built-in lens, which has a newly designed mount that can auto-detect which mod is attached and adjust the camera settings accordingly. With one simple new feature, the camera becomes an infinitely more creative tool.

GoPro has also taken a leaf out of the competition’s book by finally utilizing quick and reliable magnetic mounting, which is added to its existing ‘fingers’ and 1/4-20-inch mounting options. Better battery life and heat dissipation are two other areas that have been addressed – the redesigned 10% higher-capacity 1,900mAh battery can shoot 5.3K video for up to 1.5 hours and Full HD 1080p videos for around 2.5 hours.

But, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. In the video preset menu, you can choose between standard, HDR, and Log color profiles. Depending on which option you select, and if you’ve got a Lens Mod in play, the maximum video resolution and frame rates available might change. For example, with the Ultra-Wide Lens Mod attached, you can’t shoot 5.3K video; you’re limited to 4K. For HDR video, you can’t shoot at 60fps because 30fps is the limit. It takes a while to figure out what you can and can’t do with the Hero 13 Black – those headline features aren’t available at all settings.

I’m not knocking GoPro for this – I can’t think of another action camera that shoots unlimited 5.3K 120fps video, nor one that has Lens Mods for different looks. I’m just managing your expectations.

Battery life and overheating are hot topics with GoPro cameras, and as mentioned, there are improvements in both of these areas. You’ll notice much improved battery performance for video runtime when there isn’t airflow, for example when you’re recording in a room or simply walking about.