GoPro Hero 4K (2024) vs GoPro Hero 13 Black
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Overview of the 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'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
Quick links:
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
Name | GoPro Hero 4K (2024) | GoPro Hero 13 Black |
Year of release | 2024 | 2024 |
Width | 2.23in / 56.6mm | 2.83in / 71.8mm |
Height | 1.88in / 47.7mm | 2in / 50.8mm |
Depth | 1.16in / 29.4mm | 1.32in / 33.6mm |
Weight | 3.03oz / 86g | 5.61oz / 159g |
Waterproof | 16ft / 5m | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | - | 197ft / 60m |
Min operating temperature | 14°F / -10°C | 14°F / -10°C |
Max operating temperature | 95°F / 35°C | 95°F / 35°C |
Battery capacity | 1225mAh | 1900mAh |
Removable battery | No | Yes |
Battery life | 75min at 4K30fps | 150min at 1080p |
Charging time | 60min | 3h (5W) |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | V30 or UHS-3 |
Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 1TB |
Rear screen size | 1.76in | 2.27in |
Front screen size | No | 1.4in |
Field of view | 140° | 148° |
Sensor | 1/2.8" CMOS | 1/1.9" CMOS |
Pixels | 12MP | 27.6MP |
Aperture | F2.3 | F2.5 |
Focal length | 15mm | 12-39mm |
ISO range | - | 100-6400 |
Video zoom | 2x | 2x |
Color Depth | 8bit | 10bit |
Video bite rate | 50Mbps | 120Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | - | +/-2 |
360-degree video | No | No |
5.3K video | - | 60fps |
4K video | 30fps | 60fps |
2.7K video | 60fps | 120fps |
1080p video | 30fps | 240fps |
Slow motion at 4K | - | 4x |
Maximum slow motion | 2x at 2.7k | 13x at 720p |
HDR video | - | 5.3K 30fps |
Stabilization | Hypersmooth in Quik Application | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
Horizon lock | No | Yes |
Video format | H.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 mode | Yes | Yes |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 2 | 3 |
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 |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
Bluetooth | BLE 5.2 | BLE 5.3 |
USB | USB-C | USB-C |
GPS integrated | No | Yes |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |