GoKawiilThe Top 5 GoPro Hero Cameras Compared
GoPro Hero 13 Black GoPro Hero 13 GoPro Hero 12 Black GoPro Lit Hero GoPro Max 2 360 Price $430 $220 $370 $270 $500 Video Capabilities 5.3K (8:7) @30/25/24 fps, 5.3K (16:9) @60/50/30/25/24 fps, 4K (8:7) @60/50/30/25 fps, 4K (9:16) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, 4K (16:9) @120/100/60/50/30/25/24 fps, 2.7K (4:3) @120/100 fps, 2.7K (16:9) @240/200 fps, 1080 (9:16) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, 1080p (16:9) @240/200/120/100/60/50/30/25 fps 4K 16:9 @30/25 fps, 1080p 16:9 @30/25 fps, 2.7K 16:9 @60/50 fps 5.3K (8:7) @30/25/24 fps, 5.3K (16:9) @60/50/30/25/24 fps 4K (8:7) @60/50/30/25/24 fps, 4K (9:16) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, 4K (16:9) @120/100/60/50/30/25/24 fps, 2.7K (4:3) @120/100/60/50 fps, 2.7K (16:9) @240/200 fps, 1080 (9:16) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, 1080p (16:9) @240/200/120/100/60/50/30/25/24 fps 4K: (16:9) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, 4K: (4:3) @ 30/25 fps, 1080p: (16:9) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, (rotate camera for 3:4 and 9:16) 360: 8K: (7680x3840) @ 30/25/24 fps, 5.6K: (5376x2688) @ 60/50/30/25 fps, 4K: (3328x1664) @ 100/90/60/50 fps, Single-Lens: 4K: (16:9) (3840x2160) @ 60/50/30/25/24 fps, 4K: (9:16) (2160x3840) @ 60/50/30/25/24 fps, 4K: (4:3) (4000x3000) @ 60/50/30/25/24 fps Video Modes Video, HDR Video with HLG, Burst Slo-Mo, Looping Video Video Video, HDR Video, Looping Video Video, Slo-Mo, 4:3 Video. TimeLapse video mode “coming soon” according to GoPro 360: Video, POV, Selfie, LoopingSingle-Lens: Video Video Stabilization HyperSmooth 6.0 HyperSmooth stabilization applied via the GoPro Quik app. HyperSmooth 6.0 HyperSmooth stabilization applied via the GoPro Quik app. Max HyperSmooth with 360° Horizon Lock Horizon Leveling Up to 27°, 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 and 1080/240 None Up to 27°, 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 and 1080/240 None 360° Horizon Lock Digital Lens / FOV Options HyperView, SuperView, Wide, Linear, Linear + Horizon Lock / Leveling — HyperView, SuperView, Wide, Linear, Linear + Horizon Lock / Leveling — Max HyperView (16:9 only)Max SuperView (16:9 only)Ultra WideWideLinear Photo Resolution 27.13 MP (5568x4872) 12 MP 27.13 MP (5568x4872) 12MP 360: 29MP (7680x3840)Single-Lens: 12MP (4000x3000) Max Still Size (from video) 24.69MP from (8:7) 5.3K Video 21.16MP from (4:3) 5.3K Video 15.87MP from (16:9) 5.3K Video 8.29MP from 4K 16:9 4.11MP from 2.7K 16:9 2.1MP from 1080p 16:9 24.69MP from (8:7) 5.3K Video 21.16MP from (4:3) 5.3K Video 15.87MP from (16:9) 5.3K Video 11 MP from 4K 4:3 Video 12 MP from 4K 4:3 Video Rear Display Size 2.27" Touch LCD 1.76" Touch LCD 2.27" Touch LCD 1.76" Touch LCD 1.82" Touch LCD Front Display 1.4" Color LCD None 1.4" Color LCD None None HindSight Yes No Yes No No Scheduled Capture Yes No Yes No Yes Duration Capture Yes No Yes No Yes Photo Capabilities SuperPhoto HDR Standard RAW (27.13MP - 5568x4872) Standard SuperPhoto HDR Standard RAW (27.13MP - 5568x4872) JPG only JPG Only. 360: Photo, Burst Photo, Night PhotoSingle-Lens: Photo
GoPros to Avoid
GoPro doesn't sell anything older than the Hero 12, but there are plenty of Hero 11s and even Hero 10s out there for sale on the internet. We suggest avoiding them. They may work fine, but modern accessories designed for later models won't work, and these cameras have likely been through the wringer. (They are action cameras, after all.)
The Best GoPro Accessories
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Should you buy a bundle? Generally, I say no. Get the camera, figure it out, and see how you end up using it. When you find yourself trying to solve a problem, start looking for an accessory. Here are some of my favorite things that I've tested and used, but if you have favorites you think I should try, drop a comment below.
A Good MicroSD card for $50: According to GoPro's recommendations, you want a microSD card with a V30 or UHS-3 rating. That said, GoPros can be finicky about SD cards. I've had good luck with, and recommend, the Samsung linked here. Another card I've used extensively is the Sandisk Extreme Pro.
GoPro Media Mod for $100: By far my most-used accessory, the media mod does add some bulk, but in most cases this is more than made up for by the fact that you can plug in a real microphone (I use mine with a Rode Wireless). Sound quality is radically improved with this one. This may be less necessary if you get the Hero 12 or later, since those models do have support for Bluetooth mics.
GoPro Handlebar Mount for $40: I've been doing a lot more riding lately, and this mount pretty much lives on my bike these days. It's been rock solid in my testing, and beats any of the third-party mounts I've tested.
... continue reading