GoPro Hero 4K (2024) vs GoPro Hero 13 Black

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Overview of the GoPro Hero 4K (2024)

GoPro Hero 4K (2024)☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro's 2024 budget action camera: 4K video, slomo & photos
The Hero 4K (2024) is GoPro's new entry level action camera, offering very decent performance at less than half the price of their flagship GoPro Hero 13 Black. The resulting product is extremely simple, with only 3 modes (video, slomo and photo), but for most casual usage, it's 4K video will be good enough to capture the fun and action of the moment and share it with your friends.
  • Pros
  • Simple & straightforward
  • Lightweight
  • Replaceable lens guard
  • Cons
  • Limited functionality
  • Stabilization only in app
  • Only waterproof down to 16ft / 5m
  • Battery not removeable

Overview of the GoPro Hero 13 Black

GoPro Hero 13 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 13 Black
GoPro's latest camera featuring 5.3K video, lens mods, super slomo
The Hero 13 is GoPro's latest high end action camera. It is only an incremental improvement over the past two models (the Hero 12 and Hero 11), but it is still the best action camera you can buy for most use cases.
  • Pros
  • Great 5.3K video
  • Super slomo (13x)
  • Lens mods with automatic detection
  • Great image stabilization
  • Integrated GPS
  • Cons
  • Ageing sensor
  • No 8K support
  • Low light performance

Comparison of the Hero 4K (2024) vs the Hero 13

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Video performance

Only the Hero 13 offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
4K video at 30fps
Max resolution
5.3K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
5.3K 30fps
2x at 2.7k
Maximum slow motion
13x at 720p
Hypersmooth in Quik Application
Stabilization
HyperSmooth 6.0
Why it matters: A high resolution will give you crisp footage but also allow you to reframe your video without losing too much quality. A higher framerate (fps) will result in smoother video and is important when filming action scenes or fast moving subjects. Image stabilization is a crucial feature for an action camera, as it removes camera shake, vibrations, rotation and other movements that deteriorate your final footage.

Battery life

The Hero 13 offers a much larger battery capacity. The Hero 13 has a removable battery whereas the Hero 4K (2024)'s battery is not removable
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
1225mAh
Battery capacity
1900mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
75min at 4K30fps
Battery life
150min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Hero 4K (2024) and the Hero 13 support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSD
1TB
Maximun storage supported
1TB
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Weight and size

The Hero 4K (2024) is a slightly smaller camera. The Hero 4K (2024) is a lot lighter than the Hero 13.
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
2.23in x 1.88in x 1.16in / 56.6mm x 47.7mm x 29.4mm
Dimensions
2.83in x 2in x 1.32in / 71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm
3.03oz / 86g
Weight
5.61oz / 159g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be difficult or uncomfortable to film with. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Waterproofing and usage conditions

The Hero 13 is a lot more waterproof. Both cameras have the same minimal usage temperature. Both cameras have the same maximum usage temperature.
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
Feature missing
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
14°F / -10°C
Min operating temperature
14°F / -10°C
95°F / 35°C
Max operating temperature
95°F / 35°C
Why it matters: Most action cameras are waterproof for accidental splashing or use above water, but if you plan on Snorkeling or Scuba Diving, we recommend choosing a camera which offers a diving case and always using it for underwater footage. If you plan on filming Snowboarding, Skiing or other wintersports in extremely cold conditions, you should pick a camera that is rated for those temperatures, most cameras are only rated down to 14°F / -10°C. Many action cameras are prone to overheating, even in ordinary conditions, so if you plan on filming in hot environments, you should choose a camera that can function at high temperatures.

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 13 features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Hero 13 is a little better than the Hero 4K (2024)'s. The Hero 13 features a much higher bit rate than the Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
12MP
Pixels
27.6MP
140°
Field of view
148°
50Mbps
Video bite rate
120Mbps
Why it matters: A higher amount of pixels will offer better quality footage and higher resolution photos. A higher field of view means that the camera captures over a wider angle and therefore more action can be seen in the final footage. Some cameras require accessories to enable the maximum FOV. A higher bitrate at a similar resolution will offer higher quality video.

Camera settings

GoPro Hero 4K (2024)
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Feature missing
ISO range
100-6400
Feature missing
Exposure Compensation
+/-2
Why these settings matter: The ISO range and exposure compensation settings will mostly allow you to tweak your action camera for low light situations.

GoPro Hero 4K (2024) versus GoPro Hero 13 Black specifications

NameGoPro Hero 4K (2024)GoPro Hero 13 Black
Year of release20242024
Width2.23in / 56.6mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height1.88in / 47.7mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth1.16in / 29.4mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight3.03oz / 86g5.61oz / 159g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case-197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1225mAh1900mAh
Removable batteryNoYes
Battery life75min at 4K30fps150min at 1080p
Charging time60min3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Rear screen size1.76in2.27in
Front screen sizeNo1.4in
Field of view140°148°
Sensor1/2.8" CMOS1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels12MP27.6MP
ApertureF2.3F2.5
Focal length15mm12-39mm
ISO range-100-6400
Video zoom2x2x
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate50Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation-+/-2
360-degree videoNoNo
5.3K video-60fps
4K video30fps60fps
2.7K video60fps120fps
1080p video30fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K-4x
Maximum slow motion2x at 2.7k13x at 720p
HDR video-5.3K 30fps
StabilizationHypersmooth in Quik ApplicationHyperSmooth 6.0
Horizon lockNoYes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming-1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam mode-1080p30
Timelapse mode-Yes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift mode-Yes
Loop recording mode-Yes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones23
Stereo audio-Yes
Noise reduction-Yes
Audio format-wav
Audio input-Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
Audio bluetooth support-Airpods and Bluetooth headsets
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
BluetoothBLE 5.2BLE 5.3
USBUSB-CUSB-C
GPS integratedNoYes
Voice commandsYesYes