GoPro Hero 13 Black: The Key Changes Are in Its Accessories

The GoPro Hero 13 Black was released on September 10th, 2024.

While GoPro touts the Hero 13 Black as their best camera yet, designed to fuel your creativity, some features remain unchanged from its predecessor.

Will this camera make a significant impact on the market, and what upgrades does it offer?

Let’s find out together!

QUICK TAKE

GPS is back!
New magnetic mount
Wide range of accessories: Max Lens Mod 2.0 + interchangeable lenses (anamorphic, macro, ultra wide, ND filters)
Sensor and video resolution remain unchanged from the GoPro Hero 12 Black (27 MP, 5.3K and 4K HDR capture)
New, more powerful 1900mAh rechargeable battery, possibly addressing the overheating issue
New audio mode: “Voice”
Highlight videos automatically sent to your phone (with paid subscription)

Key Features

If you were expecting 8K video or a larger sensor in the Hero 13 Black, I’m sorry to disappoint.

The internal features of the Hero 13 are quite similar to its predecessor.

And the cameras share the same price.

The GoPro Hero 13 Black is priced at $399.99, matching the cost of the previous Hero 12 Black.

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However, on the outside, there are significant upgrades, including a new mounting system, interchangeable lenses, and other creative accessories.

These are the key features of the new Hero 13 Black:

New Exciting Accessories

One of the most exciting upgrades for the Hero 13 Black is its new line of interchangeable lenses, which are exclusive to this model and not compatible with previous versions.

It’s long overdue for GoPro to expand its lens options, and these additions significantly enhance the shooting flexibility and versatility of the Hero 13 Black.

The best part? Swapping lenses is incredibly easy—just twist one on, and the camera automatically detects it, adjusts settings accordingly, and even unlocks lens-specific features.

Macro lens

GoPro Macro Lens Mod (HERO13 Black) - Official GoPro Lens (AAEWAL-021)

Focus on objects ~3x closer than the standard HERO13 Black lens.

For instance, the Macro Lens activates focus peaking to help you identify in-focus areas, highlighting them in blue, red, or yellow. If you have preset configurations for a particular lens, the camera will automatically apply those when the lens is attached.

The Macro Lens Mod ($130) offers impressive close-up shooting, focusing as near as 4.3 inches (11 cm). It features a manual focus ring, and with the focus peaking feature, you’ll have a clear view of what’s sharp.

Ultra Wide Lens Mod

GoPro Ultra Wide Lens Mod (HERO13 Black) - Official GoPro Lens (AAEWAL-021)

Transform HERO13 Black into the ultimate POV camera with the widest field of view...

Similar to the Max 2.0 Lens Mod introduced with the Hero 12, the Ultra Wide Lens Mod ($100) widens the field of view to 177 degrees and supports a 1:1 aspect ratio, making it perfect for capturing vast landscapes or immersive action shots.

ND filters

GoPro ND Filter 4-Pack (HERO13 Black) - Official GoPro Lens (AENDF-001)

Create cinematic motion blur with this 4-pack of premium HB-Series neutral density...

There’s also a four-pack of neutral density (ND) filters ($70), which allow you to slow down the camera’s shutter speed to create motion blur in bright light.

With the ND filters, you can manually control shutter speed and exposure for more creative control.

All these lenses will be available when the Hero 13 Black launches on September 10th.

Anamorphic Lens Mod

GoPro is set to release an Anamorphic Lens Mod ($130) in 2025, which offers the camera’s widest field of view yet without circular distortion.

GoPro claims it lets you shoot in a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, with in-camera desqueeze for easier editing, and adds the classic anamorphic lens flares and soft corners.

New Magnetic Mounting System

While GoPro isn’t the pioneer of latch systems, now you have three versatile mounting options.

In addition to its existing ‘fingers’ and 1/4-20-inch mounting options, the Hero 13 introduces a reliable magnetic mounting system for quicker transitions between mounts or for easily flipping the camera 180 degrees for effortless selfies.

Improved Battery and Potential Overheating Fixed

gopro hero 13 leak

The Hero 13 Black boasts a 10% larger battery compared to its predecessor, allowing it to record around 90 minutes of 4K video at 30fps.

It offers enhanced thermal performance, whether the camera is stationary or in motion with airflow. This will potentially fix overheating issues.

Faster Content Transfer

The inclusion of WiFi 6 protocol boosts content transfer speeds by up to 40%, making it quicker and more efficient.

Better Audio

The new auto-tuning feature introduces two audio modes: “Standard” mode, which captures natural, true-to-life sound, and “Voice” mode, which enhances your voice while reducing background noise. learn more about GoPro hero 13 audio>>>

Learn how to set up your new GoPro Hero 13 Black>>>

What Remains Unchanged

With all these new features in mind, there is something that remains unchanged from the previous Hero 12:

27MP Camera with Enhanced Performance

The Hero 13 Black offers 27MP photos, improved performance, and HLG HDR video, along with 10-bit video in G-Log to preserve more detail in both highlights and shadows.

Video Capabilities

Shoot in 5.3K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps, or 2.7K at 240fps.

A new burst slow-motion mode allows for 720p recording at up to 400fps, 900p at 360fps, and 5.3K at 120fps. Enjoy up to 8x slow-motion video for dramatic shots.

HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilization

The Hero 13 Black carries over the Emmy Award-winning HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization from its predecessor, the Hero 12, with a key improvement: next-generation AutoBoost.

This feature intelligently adjusts the level of stabilization needed while minimizing cropping, ensuring smooth footage without losing important details.

One standout feature of HyperSmooth 6.0 is horizon-leveling, which keeps your horizon perfectly straight even if the camera rotates a full 360°. This capability works with the Linear + Horizon Lock digital lens and across all lens modes when paired with the Max Lens Mod 2.0.

GoPro claims that HyperSmooth 6.0 processes footage up to four times faster than its predecessor, HyperSmooth 5.0. The Horizon Lock feature is particularly impressive, as it keeps the horizon level no matter how the camera is positioned—even if it flips upside down or spins completely around.

Waterproof

Like previous models, the Hero 13 is waterproof up to 33 feet (10 meters) without a housing.

Find the best settings and accessories for underwater filming with your Hero 13 here>>>

New Entry-Level GoPro

I have more news to share! Alongside the GoPro Hero 13 Black, GoPro has announced the launch of its smallest entry-level camera, the GoPro Hero, which will be available on September 22 for $199.

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This new miniature action camera is significantly smaller and lighter than the Hero 13 Black, weighing only 86 grams—35% smaller and 46% lighter.

Its built-in battery lasts up to 155 minutes when recording 1080p video at 30fps. It also supports 4K video at 30fps and can capture 2.7K slow-motion footage at 60fps.

However, it doesn’t support the new interchangeable lenses or ND filters, offering less room for creative flexibility.

Still, it’s a great solution for beginners or occasional users looking for a solid, affordable option.

GoPro Hero 13 Black Creator Edition

GoPro claims to be the industry’s favorite action camera.

The complete creator’s package is priced at $599.99 and is now available for pre-order.

What’s in the Box:

GoPro Hero 13 Black
Volta. An all-in-one battery, tripod, grip, and remote for extended shoots.
Media Mod. Directional microphone and media ports for enhanced audio and connectivity.
Light Mod. Compact and powerful LED light accessory to brighten your shots.
Enduro Battery. High-capacity battery designed specifically for the HERO13 Black.
Magnetic Latch Mount. Allows quick and easy swapping of mounting setups.
Curved Adhesive Mount. Securely attach your GoPro to curved surfaces like helmets.
Camera Case. A durable, travel-ready case to protect your GoPro and accessories.
Removable Windscreen. Reduces wind noise up to 20MPH for clearer audio capture.
USB Pass-Through Door. Allows you to power your GoPro with an external source.
Light Diffuser. Softens and spreads light evenly for more balanced coverage.
2-Finger Adapter. Cold shoe adapter for mounting the Light Mod on other GoPro mounts.
Lanyard. Added security for your GoPro.
Mounting Buckle. Connect your GoPro to various mounts for versatility.
Vertical Mounting Buckle. Enables vertical mounting for dynamic shots.
Thumbscrew (2x). Secures the camera to the Mounting Buckle.
Metal Thumbscrew. A smaller thumbscrew for mounting the camera to the buckle.
USB-C Cable (2x). Charging cables for your GoPro and accessories.
Stickers (4x). Represent your GoPro with some cool stickers!

Ready To Upgrade to The Hero 13 Black?

Let’s be honest: GoPro’s latest flagship, the Hero 13 Black, isn’t drastically different from the Hero 12 Black.

If you’re already using the Hero 12, 11, or even the 10 Black, you likely won’t feel an immediate need to upgrade.

For beginners just entering the GoPro world, there may not be a strong reason to opt for the latest Hero 13 Black right away.

There’s an exciting new entry-level option, the Hero, which is an excellent choice for those seeking a simple solution at an affordable price of $199.

However, if you plan to push your creativity with the camera, the Hero 13 could be a game-changer.

Its new magnetic mounting system and interchangeable lenses add incredible versatility, making it ideal for those who want to explore more creative shooting possibilities.

Plus, it comes with GPS—something the Hero 12 lacks—so you can display speed and altitude in your footage, a useful feature for adventure enthusiasts.

Thanks for reading! 🙏

I hope this post helped you understand what to expect from the GoPro Hero 13 Black 🙂

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GoPro Hero 13 Black: The Key Changes Are in Its Accessories