GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Hero 12 Black: What’s the difference?

GoPro is often the first name that comes to mind when you think of action cameras. With the release of each new GoPro Hero camera, the company raises the bar for what its compact cameras can achieve. These compact cameras have begun to enjoy great success as vlogging cameras. GoPro Hero 13 Black, the newest iteration of GoPro’s successful action camera lineup, comes with magnetic mounting and charging, news lens options, and a redesigned battery.

However, it retains the same sensor seen on its predecessor and continues to share a lot of its specs with the last-gen device. There is no denying that GoPro Hero 12 Black laid the foundation for Hero 13 Black, and if you are wondering whether the new camera is worth considering, here’s a look at GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Hero 12 Black with their specifications compared.

GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black: Design and build quality

In terms of design, the GoPro Hero 13 Black retains the same compact yet rugged design we saw in previous iterations of GoPro action cameras. The two cameras are so similar that they share the same dimensions but the difference is visible when you flip them. The Hero 13 Black has mounting alignment magnets and a quick dual-latch mechanism that makes it easier to secure your camera to surfaces without additional mounts.

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While they share the same 2.27-inch front display and 1.4-inch rear display, GoPro claims these displays are brighter and offer improved visibility under direct sunlight. There is also improved durability and a tougher lens cover while the water resistance remains the same at up to 33 feet (10 metres).

GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Hero 12 Black: Camera performance

GoPro Hero 13 Black looking identical to Hero 12 Black has little significance if the camera performs better in images and video recording. This is an area where not a lot has changed between the two devices and yet there is a certain upgrade that will appeal to serious action camera users. For starters, both the cameras share the same 8:7 aspect ratio sensor with 5.3K video support up to 60fps. However, the Hero 13 Black gets HLG HDR video support that minimises the loss of detail in shadows and highlights and slow-motion video recording is also improved to 5.3K at 120fps.

Between GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Hero 12 Black, the real camera change is not in the hardware but in the mods. The Hero 13 Black gets an HB-series of Lens Mods and ND filters that are auto-detected by the camera. This is a step up from the ultra-wide Max Mod introduced with Hero 12 Black. The new Macro Lens Mod allows 4x closer focusing, while a new anamorphic lens adds a new form of creative capture to your arsenal.

GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Hero 12 Black: Performance and battery life

The Hero 13 Black and Hero 12 Black use the same GP2 processor, which arrived as a significant upgrade from the GP1 chip seen in previous models. This new chip brought faster boot times, improved frame rates and also reduced lag seen while switching between modes. Don’t expect a performance that will miraculously enable 8K recording but the battery life has certainly seen improvement.

At 1,900mAh, the Hero 13 Black comes with a 10 per cent higher-capacity battery than the 1,720mAh battery seen on its predecessor. This results in up to 1.5 hours of continuous 5.3k video recording or up to 2.5 hours of 1080p video. The Hero 13 Black also uses a new Enduro battery that is physically bigger and uses a different contact point. If you are upgrading from Hero 12 Black or an earlier model then your GoPro’s battery won’t be compatible.

GoPro Hero 12 Black vs GoPro Hero 13 Black: Other changes

With the new Hero 13 Black, GoPro has brought back GPS, which was omitted from the Hero 12 Black. Thanks to GPS, you can tag your videos and photos with location data, and by using the Quik app, you can also add Stickers with real-time data such as speed, altitude and G-force embedded. Connectivity is another area where the Hero 13 Black gets the upper hand. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and BLE 5.3 as opposed to Wi-Fi 802.11ac and BLE 4.2 found on the Hero 12 Black.

GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Hero 12 Black: Which one should you buy

So little has changed between the two cameras that it makes you wonder if GoPro has already hit the limit with its action camera lineup. The Hero 13 Black is such a minor update that it resembles the maturity of these cameras more than technical enhancements. All the new Lens Mods and accessories introduced with the Hero 13 Black, however, make the difference.

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Once you equip yourself with the new Lens Mods like the macro lens, you will bring a new perspective to your action camera experience that was previously only possible on professional cameras. This naturally makes the camera appealing to a wider range of users and will be interesting to vloggers in particular. If you have a Hero 12 Black then this camera isn’t a big update but if you have an older model or are planning to invest in the Hero Black ecosystem then this upgrade is worth considering.