GoPro is such an icon when it comes to action cameras. Because of this, I would expect them to have the most advanced technology and features in their product. I’ve owned many GoPro cameras and with each release I remain, continually impressed.
First Impressions
Straight out of the box, this thing feels solid. It’s not too heavy but also not so light that it feels like a toy. The first thing I did was test out the video quality because, let’s be real, that’s what we all care about, right? Shooting in 5.3K at 60fps blew my mind. It’s so sharp it almost feels too real sometimes (is that a thing?). I shot some off road footage in my Tacoma, and even though my tacoma was all over the place, the HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization kept everything steady. It was very impressive.
Battery Life – Good but Could Be Better
Let’s talk battery. The 1,900mAh Enduro battery lasted longer than I expected, but I wish it would stretch further. I got about an hour and a half shooting in 5.3K, which is good, but if you’re on an all-day adventure, you’ll want to carry an extra battery or two. When I dropped down to 1080p, it lasted closer to 2.5 hours, which is nice, but who’s going to shoot in 1080p when you’ve got 5.3K right there?
Easy to Use, If You Want
This camera has two modes: Easy Mode for the “I don’t care, just make it work” people, and Pro Mode for those who like to tinker with every little setting. I’m somewhere in between. I love that you can set up custom presets, so I made a few for different activities (biking, off-roading, random videos of my kids) and now I can just switch between them without thinking too hard.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Good, Not Great
Here’s a cool thing: Wi-Fi 6! Transferring files is faster than ever, but is it really 40% faster like they say? Meh, maybe, but not enough that I was blown away. It’s still way better than older models though. Also, the Bluetooth audio feature is fun. I hooked up my wireless mic for better sound, but honestly, the built-in mic isn’t bad at all. Of course, you have to have a WiFi 6 capable router to take advantage of the faster transfer speeds. Luckily I do. Very awesome addition GoPro!
Night Modes and Cool Effects
If you’re into nighttime photography, the Night Effects are something else. I tried out the Star Trails mode, and while I didn’t exactly create a masterpiece, the feature is cool if you want to try something creative. If you like playing with light, it’s definitely a feature worth exploring. As a photographer, I love expanding my creativity and I feel this GoPro is going to allow me to enhance and expand my creativity.
Durability
This thing is built to last. I dunked it in water, dropped it on some rocks, and it’s still kicking. It’s waterproof up to 33 feet, which I tested while diving. The footage looked great underwater, and I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Plus, it’s rugged enough to handle pretty much whatever you throw at it.
Needed Improvements
Please implement fast charging. I repeat, please implement some sort of fast charging. It’s time. We are limited on battery due to the small package that all of this technology is packed in. The biggest advantage to a small battery with limited time is some sort of quick charging feature to allow folks to get another 80% in 30-40 minutes. This is so crucial for the consumer.
Another issue, overheating. This has been an issue in action cameras for a long time. This is also something that still exists with GoPro and it’s an unfortunate truth. The manufacturers have yet to solve this problem. Figure that out. It will separate you from the competition.
Who’s It For?
If you’re the type of person who likes to document every adrenaline-pumping second of life or even just take really high-quality videos of your kids, this camera will make you happy. For the price, you’re getting an insane amount of tech. It’s a beast of a camera.
So yeah, in short: if you’re serious about action shots or just want the latest and greatest GoPro to flex on social media, the Hero 13 Black is your new best friend.

I’ve wanted to get an action camera for some time now and the new Hero13 seemed like a good place to jump in. The 13 brings back GPS and upgrades the slo-mo options, battery capacity, wifi, and adds new lens options.
First thing I did after the camera arrived was to head over to BestBuy and pick up an Insignia action camera accessory kit to go with it. An assortment of mounts, a tripod, and float handle in a carry case. I’ll probably be looking to snag a macro lens and a bar mount when my budget allows. It’s neat that the camera can detect what HB series lens or ND filter is installed.
The video quality is outstanding, with 2.7k @ up to 240 fps, 4k @ up to 120 fps, or 5.3k@ up to 60 fps. With HDR turned on, you can film in 4k @ up to 60 fps. 27 mp still shots or 24.69mp if you’re taking screen grabs from 8:7 5.3k videos. That drops to 15.87mp if you’re taking it from 16:9 5.3k video so if you know you’ll be using screen grabs set your aspect ratio accordingly for the best quality?
There’s several Time Warp presets to choose from or you can create your own. I did try the Star Trails option. I left it on a tripod, looking straight up for almost an hour to record about three seconds of video. Need a battery bank to let it run for four or five hours to get the full effect but it gave me a still photo of the effect as well as the video. I’ll attach the photo to the review. Definitely something I’ll be trying when we’re camping at a dark sky site next time!
I’m looking forward to using this for content creation going forward, with multiple mounting options and all the accessories that are available this camera can go just about anywhere. Waterproof to 10 meters so I’ll be taking it snorkeling next time we’re in the Caribbean.
This being my first GoPro, this is also my first time seeing GoPro’s Quik app. Just using it for a few days it appears to be a very powerful video editing tool for a mobile device! You can do nearly everything to prepare video for posting! I tried adding Stickers to show the data the GPS collected: altitude, speed, location, gforce, etc. Edit videos for length, add music and effects, adjust for camera tilt, etc. It also allows you to control the camera directly from the app, I used it to start and stop the exposure for the time lapse video I took. It’s really cool!

10 bit with LOG option. I mean say more? The GoPro 13 gets quite a few helpful upgrades, big fan of the magnetic mount. Not super thrilled about needing all new batteries but it is what it is. If you e waited for an upgrade to your GoPro set up, this one’s worth it.

After using the GoPro HERO13 Action Camera for a time, which I recently acquired, I wanted to share my experience. I’ve owned a several GoPros over the years, and while there are certainly a few things that might be improved, the HERO13 feels like a major leap in a number of areas.
The HERO13, to start, has that iconic GoPro appearance—it’s small, robust, and ready for any kind of adventure. As anticipated, the camera feels really sturdy and is well-built. Without any extra housing, it is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters), making it ideal for poolside sports like kayaking and light snorkeling. This is a great feature for anyone using it in colder or more humid climates because the buttons are simple to press even when wearing gloves.
Although I had to squint to see what was on the display in really harsh lighting, the touch screen is brilliant and responsive. Similar to earlier iterations, the front-facing display is ideal for vlogging and for ensuring that you are in the frame when taking solo or selfie photos. It still fits most GoPro accessories because the general size and form factor haven’t changed all that much, which is fantastic news. The HERO13 really shines in this situation. The video quality is quite good. It records 5.7K, highly detailed, and sharp video at 60 frames per second. In comparison to earlier models, the dynamic range appears to have improved and the colors are vivid. Though not flawless, the film is remarkably decent even in low light conditions.
You’ll still see some noise in really dark scenes, but for an action camera, it handles low light better than I expected.
I really like the new HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilizing feature. It’s very astounding. The video I recorded with it while mountain riding over some rather rugged terrain was smooth as butter. It’s similar to having a gimbal minus the additional equipment. Whether you’re riding, skiing, or running, the stabilization does a great job of maintaining a professional-looking video. Another excellent feature is the TimeWarp mode, which enables you to make fluid time lapses while on the go. The feature that lets you adjust the video’s pace in real-time is entertaining and operates perfectly, giving you creative freedom when making videos.
The HERO13 does fairly well in still photography, but it’s obvious that this camera is intended mainly for video. Photos captured with the 27-megapixel sensor are clear and accurately reproduce color. A good selection of shooting options is available, including SuperPhoto, which automatically applies HDR, burst mode, and night mode. This is more than sufficient for the casual photographer, but if you’re serious about photography, you may discover that it doesn’t provide you the same level of control as a DSLR or even some smartphones.
The battery life is respectable but not exceptional. I used it moderately, getting between 1.5 and 2 hours of use out of a single charge (some video, some photographs). If you’re utilizing the stabilization tools or shooting at higher resolutions, like as 5.7K the battery does drain faster. I recommend carrying an extra battery if you plan on using it for longer periods. Charging is quick though, so you won’t be waiting around too long
Operating on GoPro’s most recent firmware, the HERO13 is generally fluid and simple to use. I like how they’ve kept things basic, and the touch interface is easy to use. When you’re engaged in an activity and can’t be fiddling with buttons, the voice commands are a great option for hands-free operation. I did see that the camera can still become a little warm when it is recorded for extended periods of time at higher resolutions. Although it shouldn’t be a deal breaker, you should be mindful of it, particularly if you intend to record lengthy sessions.
With the HERO13, GoPro has enhanced the connectivity features. Transferring files to your computer or phone is quite easy thanks to the integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, especially when using the GoPro Quik app. The software makes short adjustments and sharing simple, but you’ll probably still need to transfer footage to a computer if you want to perform more involved editing. Additionally, there is the **GoPro subscription**, which provides certain accessory savings in addition to cloud storage for all of your film. Though not necessary unless you’re a major fan of GoPro’s ecosystem, it’s nice to have. The voice-activated “Highlight Tagging” tool is another great innovation. Saying “GoPro, highlight” while filming allows you to quickly identify important scenes, which makes editing much simpler afterwards.
I’m quite satisfied with the GoPro HERO13 overall. It’s a great improvement over earlier models, with amazing stability, robust, adventure-ready build, and amazing video quality. This is unquestionably a fantastic option if you enjoy taking pictures of extreme sports, outdoor activities, or just need a trustworthy camera for travel. It still needs to be improved in a few areas, such as battery life and heat management during lengthy 5.7K recordings, but overall those are quite little problems. If you’re searching for a high-end action camera, I believe the HERO13 is well worth the money for everything it has to offer in terms of capabilities, quality, and versatility.