CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
Editors' note: This review of the GoPro Hero 13 Black was originally published on Sept. 4, 2024. It has been updated with current pricing and an Editors' Choice award for 2025.
Just to clear this up right away, GoPro's current flagship camera, the Hero 13 Black, is not vastly different from the Hero 12 Black. I imagine many people who currently use that camera -- or the Hero 11 or the 10 Black -- won't feel a strong tug to upgrade -- not immediately, anyway.
While many of the shooting options and other features have remained the same, some design changes have been made to accommodate a new battery, a new mount option and, most importantly, new add-on lenses that enhance the camera's versatility. This also means you'll have to pay more than the Hero 12 Black's sub-$400 price to get those new features. Compared to the competing last-gen cameras from Insta360 and DJI, the GoPro Hero 12 Black offers more for your money and is my value pick for a full-featured action cam.
That said, the GoPro Hero 13 Black is still my top choice for anyone who wants a small, powerful camera with features and software that will appeal to beginners, pros and everyone in between. That's why it's an Editors' Choice winner for the category, even more than a year since its release. Also, if you're interested in the shooting flexibility of a 360-degree camera, GoPro's Max 2 camera is also an Editors' Choice winner, along with the more advanced Insta360 X5.
The Macro, Ultra Wide and ND Lens Mods bring extra shooting flexibility. An Anamorphic Lens Mod is also available for more cinematic-looking shots. Josh Goldman/CNET
More lenses, expanded possibilities
Since the Hero 9 Black, GoPro has sold a Max lens mod, a twist-on ultrawide-angle lens that creates a huge field of view that matches the one from the company's Hero Max camera. The second-gen version of the Max Lens Mod will work on the Hero 12 Black, but GoPro is adding four more options made for the 13 Black.
Like the Max 2.0 Lens Mod, the Ultra Wide Lens Mod ($100) expands the camera's field of view up to 177 degrees. With the option to shoot with a 1:1 aspect ratio, it's the lens you want for capturing expansive landscapes and immersive action.
Then there's a four-pack of neutral density filters ($90), which can slow the camera's shutter speeds, letting you create motion blur in bright lighting. You can manually control the shutter speed and exposure when the ND filter is on. There's also a Macro Lens Mod ($130) that can focus as close as 4.3 inches (11 centimeters). There's a manual focus ring around the lens, and focus peaking is available, outlining in-focus subjects in a choice of blue, red or yellow.
... continue reading