GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 13 Black: Go Simple or Go Broke?
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
In September 2024, GoPro unveiled two additions to their popular Hero lineup - the GoPro Hero 13 Black and GoPro Hero (2024). The Hero 13 Black is the flagship model offering the latest and greatest, while the Hero (2024) is a more affordable entry-level option for those looking to get into the GoPro ecosystem without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
GoPro Hero (2024) is best for those who want to take simple 4K videos in 16:9 without caring much about settings. Meanwhile, the GoPro Hero 13 is better suited for those who want to delve deep into the settings and will benefit from the flexibility, such as the interchangeable lens mods support, versatile aspect ratio, external microphone connection, and more.
GoPro Hero (2024)
Small & Simple
✓ 4K/30 Video + 12 MP Photo
✓ 2x Slo-Mo
✓ Voice Control
✓ Lightweight at 86g
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Endless Creative Possibilities
✓ 5.3K/60 Video + 27 MP Photo
✓ External Microphone Support
✓ Combine with HB-Series Lenses
✓ Timecode Sync
#1 Price
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Priced at US$399.99, the Hero 13 Black targets the higher end of the market, including professional and enthusiast users who demand the best image and video quality from a compact action camera.
In contrast, the GoPro Hero (2024), at a budget-friendly price tag of US$199.99, is aimed at budget-conscious consumers looking for an affordable way to capture their adventures.
Opting for the Hero (2024) surely saves a lot of money, but there may be some capabilities we sacrifice, which we'll explore further in the upcoming sections.
#2 Design & Durability
GoPro Hero (2024)
A tiny, lightweight design is the Hero (2024)'s hallmark, measuring only 56.6 x 47.7 x 29.4 mm and weighing only 86g. It has 35% less volume and 46% less mass than the Hero 13 Black, which measures 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm and weighs 154g.
This is not to say that the Hero 13 Black is not compact, as it is still a highly portable and durable action camera. However, the Hero (2024)'s significant weight reduction may be appealing to some users in specific scenarios where every bit of weight matters, such as when mounting on a drone, for extended handheld use, or in extreme sports applications.
However, a smaller size comes at the expense of a smaller display. The Hero (2024) only features a single 1.76" rear touchscreen, while the Hero 13 Black comes with a dual display configuration, including a 2.27" rear touchscreen and a 1.4" front-facing display.
The Hero 13 also offers more ways of mounting, including a 1/4-20 screw hole for tripods, folding fingers for attaching to various mounts, and an optional magnetic latch mounting system for quick attachment and removal between different mounts. In comparison, the affordable Hero (2024) only offers built-in folding fingers.
While both cameras are rugged, the GoPro Hero 13 wins in terms of waterproofing capability. The Hero 13 is waterproof to 33ft (10m) while the Hero is only rated for 16ft (5m) use underwater. That makes the Hero 13 better suited for deeper water activities and more extreme conditions.
#3 Video & Photo Quality
GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black offers a maximum video resolution of 5.3K, which is 91% more resolution than the 4K on the GoPro Hero (2024). However, 4K is still very great. 4K TVs are still the norm and even on YouTube, 1080p is still the most common resolution for video uploads. So, the higher 5.3K resolution of the Hero 13 Black may not be an immediate necessity for many users.
The Hero (2024) surprisingly also has a wider field of view of 165° at 16:9, while the Hero 13 maxes out with a 151° field of view at 16:9. The largest FOV of the Hero 13 is 156° at 8:7, which is still narrower than the Hero's. However, the GoPro Hero 13 has the advantage of compatibility with a range of separately sold lens mod accessories, including the Max Lens Mod 2.0 which expands the FOV to 177° in 16:9.
Other lens mods compatible with the Hero 13 Black are known as HB-Series Lenses, which include the Anamorphic Lens Mod for a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, Macro Lens Mod for 4x closer focus, Ultra Wide Lens Mod for an expanded FOV, and ND Filters for easy motion blur. These interchangeable lens mods allow for greater creative flexibility with the Hero 13 Black compared to the fixed lens on the Hero (2024).
GoPro Hero 13 Black & HB-Series Lenses
Another limitation of the Hero (2024) is its limited aspect ratio. The Hero takes videos only in the 16:9 aspect ratio, while the Hero 13 offers 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, and the versatile social media-friendly 8:7 aspect ratio options.
The frame rate options are also more limited. The Hero 13 supports up to 60 fps at 5.3K, while the GoPro Hero only offers up to 30 fps at 4K, while 60 fps is limited to 2.7K resolution. A higher frame rate can make a significant difference in capturing smooth footage, especially for fast-paced action.
Talking about action footage with significant shake and motion, the GoPro Hero (2024) has another limitation. While it offers HyperSmooth stabilization, it is only an in-app feature as opposed to the in-camera HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization of the GoPro Hero 13. That means, the GoPro Hero 13 automatically stabilizes the footage as it records while the Hero (2024) requires post-processing in the GoPro Quik app to achieve a stabilized result.
In addition, the Hero (2024) lacks many of the advanced and versatile video/photo capabilities that the GoPro 13 offers. It can only take standard videos, 2x slow motion, and photos, while the GoPro Hero 13 offers 13x slow motion, HDR, 10-bit HLG HDR, Protune, RAW Photo Capture, Timelapse, Hindsight, Schedule Capture, Duration Capture, and Looping Video.
#4 Audio Quality
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Compared to the GoPro Hero 13, the Hero (2024) is far more lacking in terms of audio capabilities. Its audio features seem to be only its 2 built-in microphones and that's it.
In comparison, the Hero 13 Black offers 3 microphones, advanced noise reduction, stereo audio, RAW audio capture, wired external microphone support via Media Mod or the Mic Adapter, and wireless external microphone support via Bluetooth.
The Hero 13 also offers an Audio Tuning feature that allows us to choose between 'Standard' for realistic audio or 'Voice' for enhanced voice clarity.
As a result, the audio quality and flexibility of the GoPro Hero 13 Black is far superior to the more basic audio capabilities of the GoPro Hero (2024).
#5 Features
GoPro Hero (2024)
One helpful additional feature that both the Hero 13 and Hero (2024) share in common is voice control, which allows both cameras to be controlled hands-free with voice commands. I particularly like this feature for solo vlogging or adventures when I can't easily reach the camera buttons.
A GoPro subscription further unlocks cloud backup, auto-upload, auto-highlight videos, and premium editing features for both the Hero 13 Black and Hero (2024).
GoPro Hero 13 also offers Timecode Sync, a professionals-catered feature that allows for seamless multi-camera editing by synchronizing footage across multiple GoPros. The Hero 13 also supports live streaming and webcam mode, while the Hero (2024) doesn't offer any of these extra capabilities.
#6 Battery Life
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Equipped with a 1900mAh Enduro battery, the Hero 13 Black offers a much larger battery capacity than the Hero (2024) with only a 1255mAh Enduro battery.
However, when it comes to battery life, the difference is not that significant. The Hero (2024) is rated for 100 minutes of runtime at 4K/30 fps, while the Hero 13 is rated for 108 minutes of runtime with the same 4K/30 fps settings.
One battery-related advantage that the GoPro Hero 13 offers is its compatibility with Contacto, a weatherproof charging accessory that allows for continuous power supply during outdoor use. It can be useful for extended recording sessions like timelapse or all-day sports events where battery life is critical.
GoPro Hero (2024) vs GoPro Hero 13 Black
Final Thoughts
GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black is the clear winner in terms of advanced features, video quality, and overall performance, but it comes at a premium price. The Hero (2024), on the other hand, offers an affordable entry point into the GoPro ecosystem, sacrificing some flexibility but still delivering impressive results for the average user.
In conclusion, we recommend the GoPro Hero 13 Black for those who demand the latest and greatest features and are willing to invest in a premium action camera. Meanwhile, for casual users who simply want to take 4K videos without much fuss in adjusting settings, the GoPro Hero (2024) is a fantastic budget-friendly option.
If you would like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
GoPro Hero (2024) Review: PROS & CONS
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GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 11 Black Mini
GoPro Hero (2024) vs Insta360 GO 3S
GoPro Hero (2024) vs DJI Osmo Action 4
GoPro Hero 13 vs Hero 12 Black
GoPro Hero 13 vs DJI Osmo Action 4
GoPro Hero 13 vs DJI Osmo Pocket 3
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X3
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X4
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Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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