New GoPro Models – Hero 13 and a “baby” Hero 4K

If you are a GoPro fan, no doubt you knew there was a new model coming. As it turns out there are two – the Hero 13 Black for AUD$649.95 and a “baby” 4K Hero for AUD$349.95.

I am hoping to get each to review properly, so will keep this succinct and to the point with what is new.

First the Hero 13 Black has Magnetic Latch Mounting in addition to the regular “fingers”, and as does the 12, a threaded tripod mount.

Built in GPS is back (hurray says everyone), there are new extended power capabilities and importantly, four Swappable HB-Series lens options with auto detection to provide settings for capturing: ultra wide POV, macro with variable focus, anamorphic cinematography and smart motion blur with ND filters. Note these lenses are options – they cost extra and range from around AUD $90 to AUD$150 approximately.

The magnetic latch is also apparently an option (about AUD$40 it seems)

So no new sensor as many hoped, and we’ll have to see if the overheating issues have been solved. The ribbing design across the front does suggest there may be a new heat sink system in place, but only testing will prove this or not.

In other features / enhancements:

• 13x Burst Slo-Mo – Captures up to 400 frames per second at HD-quality 720p video, as well as 5.3K at 120 frames per second and 900p at 360 frames per second video.
• Redesigned 10% Larger Capacity, More Power Efficient Enduro Battery – Extends runtimes in all weather conditions.
• Faster WiFi 6 Technology – For up to 40% quicker content transfer speeds.
• Professional-Level Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) HDR Video – Broadcast-standard 10bit and Rec. 2100 colour space and a wider colour gamut than HDR alone.
• More Customizable Audio Tuning – Choose balanced true-to-life sound or a Voice setting that enhances vocal clarity, while also preserving ambient background sounds.
• GPS + Performance Stickers – Track speed, path, terrain, altitude and g-force, and help with geotagging in third party media management apps.
• Plus, more custom preset options, improved QuikCapture and more.

For the Hero 4K, you get a small design weighing only 86g, waterproofing to 5 metres, a touch screen and single button control, 2x slo-mo (so not really slo-mo as most would define it) and stabilisation.

I’ll let you know more after I have had a chance to play with these models (no dates as yet).

Will they be worth upgrading to? It appears the majority of punters at this stage think the jury is still out on this one. On the surface, it appears this is more of an incremental upgrade than anything really new – apart from the lenses. The rest is mostly catch up to DJI and Insta it appears to me.

What are your thoughts?