Advertisement
Action camera maker GoPro is releasing two new devices in September. The GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera continues the company’s core product line. In the future, users will be able to use various clip-on lenses and filters. A more powerful battery also ensures longer playtime.
Compact and lightweight: GoPro Hero
The GoPro Hero, which weighs 86 grams, has dimensions and weight roughly similar to a housing for Bluetooth earphones. This means it fits snugly on a ski or mountain bike helmet – or on a pet’s neck.
The smaller and larger cameras are operated via a touch display on the back. The compact Hero essentially offers two video modes: 4K or 1080p, each with 30 frames per second. It also takes 12-megapixel photos. Like the main model, the 1080p mode saves battery power. The smaller Hero is also waterproof. It is scheduled to be released on September 22 for 229.99 euros.
The compact Hero weighs 86 grams and movies in 4K.
(Image: GoPro)
Successor to the classic: GoPro Hero 13 Black
In terms of the front and main displays, as well as photo and video resolution, the new Hero 13 Black is unchanged compared to the previous model. At 720p, the Hero 13 can now shoot 400 frames per second for 13x slow motion; at 5.3K it’s 120.
It also records HDR images in 10-bit color depth. It also includes a GPS module. In addition to the current position, it records telemetry data that can be used to calculate speed.
Three clip-on lenses and a filter set
There are three different clip-on lenses available for the Hero 13 Black. These are fitted using a quarter turn. Hero automatically recognises the lens and applies an appropriate setting profile.
The ultra-wide lens expands the viewing angle to 177 degrees – 36 percent wider in width and 48 percent wider in height for POV (point of view) shots. By default, the camera outputs video in a 1:1 ratio.
The ultra-wide lens is mounted via a quarter turn and is suitable for POV recording.
(Image: GoPro)
According to the manufacturer, the macro lens allows recording at a focus distance of 11 centimeters. This is four times closer than a conventional lens. It should achieve an attractive bokeh effect.
The macro lens should be able to focus down to eleven centimeters.
(Image: GoPro)
According to the manufacturer, the anamorphic lens creates a wide-angle image for recording in cinema-compatible film formats 21:9 and 16:9. Its purpose is to produce horizontal lens reflections.
The anamorphic lens won’t be available until 2025. With it, Hero 13 films in an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 21:9.
(Image: GoPro)
In addition, four ND filters can be used. Such neutral density filters (or simply gray filters) absorb light and thus increase the shutter speed, resulting in motion blur. The set includes four strengths 4, 8, 16 and 32 for different light conditions from daylight to twilight. Here, too, the camera automatically adjusts its settings. Professionals can leave them manual.
More powerful battery and waterproof power supply
The Hero 13 comes with a 1900mAh battery. The previous model had a 1720mAh battery. The camera should also work more efficiently. In initial tests, the battery lasted 90 minutes with 5.3K video recording and standard settings – just as GoPro promised. The camera recorded 1080p video for up to 2.5 hours on a single battery charge.
A side flap with a magnetic connection to the charging cable is optionally available. This “magnetic link” provides constant power to the camera even underwater. As with the previous model, the housing is waterproof to IPX7 up to a depth of 10 meters. A magnetic charging cable is also included.
The Hero 13 can also be operated underwater via optional side flaps with magnetic connections.
(Image: GoPro)
Prices and availability
GoPro wants to sell the Hero 13 Black from September 10 for 449.99 euros. The wide-angle lens costs an additional 109.99 euros, the macro and anamorphic lenses cost 139.99 euros, and the ND filter set costs 79.99 euros. Almost all lenses are available now. According to the manufacturer, the anamorphic lens will come in the first half of 2025. The magnetic power cable costs 89.99 euros, a magnetic holder costs 29.99 euros.
With a Premium subscription of 49.99 euros (with 50 percent discount in the first year), users can access 25 GB of cloud storage space, but no HyperSmooth video stabilization. This requires a Premium+ subscription of 99.99 euros annually with 500 GB of cloud storage.
(AKR)
