Everything you need to know before buying a GoPro

There was once a time when it was easy to buy a GoPro. If you needed an action camera, all you had to do was get the latest GoPro. As GoPro diversified its lineup and added new features to its action cameras, the process of buying a GoPro has changed but what hasn’t changed is that GoPro remains your go-to option for action cameras.

When it comes to buying a GoPro, the one thing you need to know is how you plan to use the camera. And that’s not all! From the latest GoPro Hero camera available in the market to key attributes to consider, here’s everything you need to know about buying a GoPro.

The latest GoPros: GoPro Hero 13 Black and Hero 13

The GoPro Hero 13 Black and Hero 13 are the latest addition to the GoPro family. These cameras aren’t a huge departure from their predecessors but they bring new features that will appeal to every photographer out there. The Hero 13 Black, like the Hero 12 Black that came before it, retains the same 8:7 sensor with 27.6MP active pixels and is now capable of recording 5.3K videos at 120fps for 5 seconds.

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The highlight is the new mods and lenses that attach to the camera. There is a new Macro Lens Mod that allows 4x closer focusing while the new anamorphic lens will appeal to cinematographers and video professionals. These mods join the ultra-wide mod introduced with Hero 12 Black last year and make the Hero 13 Black a more versatile camera, and one that can be used by a wider range of users.

The Hero 13 Black has the same 2.27-inch rear display and 1.4-inch front display as its predecessor while offering water resistance up to 33 feet and improved durability. There is also a new Enduro battery that has a 10 per cent higher capacity. With improved HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation, the Hero 13 Black offers a matured performance.

Alongside Hero 13 Black, GoPro also launched a new Hero, its miniature action camera that is 35 per cent smaller and 46 per cent lighter than Hero 13 Black. It has a battery that can last for up to about 155 minutes while recording 1080p videos at 30fps. The new Hero is also capable of shooting 4K video at 30fps and 2.7K slow-motion video at 60fps.

Buying a GoPro: Everything you need to consider

Now that you know about the key features of the latest GoPro, here is everything you need to consider before buying the latest model or any other GoPro camera.

1. Activity and use

Before buying a GoPro, you need to ask yourself “What will be my primary use for a GoPro?”. The answer to this question will define the GoPro that will suit your needs. If you are into action sports and adventure then the GoPro Hero 13 Black or Hero 12 Black will serve you the best thanks to their incredible stabilisation and camera mods, high frame rate, and durability. For vlogging, you can even go with older models like the GoPro Hero 11 Black, while newer models will be apt for photography.

2. Video resolution and frame rate

If you want the highest resolution, you need to choose GoPro Hero 13 Black or Hero 12 Black, which supports up to 5.3K video resolution. The higher resolution will allow professionals and content creators to edit and crop their footage, while 4K or lower would be more suited for casual users

3.Budget

Once you have decided on the purpose, video resolution and frame rate, you need to consider the budget next. The GoPro Hero 13 Black standalone camera is priced at Rs 44,990 while the Creator Edition and the Hero 13 Black Accessory Bundle are priced at Rs 64,990 and Rs 49,990 respectively.

The Hero 4K camera, on the other hand, is priced at Rs 23,990. For many users, the GoPro Hero 12 Black available for Rs 29,990  and GoPro Hero 11 Black for Rs 28,990 will offer better value.

4. Accessories and mounts

What makes GoPro a unique camera is the range of accessories and mounts available for the device. Before choosing the camera, you must consider the mounts available for bikes, helmets, or chest mounts depending on your use case. It is also important to consider additional batteries, memory cards, etc.

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With any GoPro, you are certain to get a durable and proven action camera. The difference between various GoPro cameras boils down to video resolution and frame rate. Be sure to consider your use case, situations, and where you will use the camera, and the features that will work the best for your photography or videography needs.