GoPro Hero 12 Black vs GoPro Hero 13 Black

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Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

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 12 vs the Hero 13

Weight and size

Both cameras are the same size. Both the Hero 12 and the Hero 13 have similar weights.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Hero 13 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
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 dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The Hero 13 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Hero 13 Black
1900mAh
Removable
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 removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Hero 12 and the Hero 13 support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Hero 13 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
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.

Video performance

Both the Hero 12 and the Hero 13 offer HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero 13 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 12 and the Hero 13 both feature 27.6MP. Both feature a 148° field of view. Both cameras feature 120Mbps bit rate video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 13 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps

Camera settings

Both the Hero 12 and the Hero 13 have the same ISO range. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 13 Black
100-6400
+/-2

Hero 12 vs Hero 13 specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackGoPro Hero 13 Black
Year of release20232024
Width2.83in / 71.8mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height2in / 50.8mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.61oz / 159g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1720mAh1900mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life150min at 1080p150min at 1080p
Charging time3h (5W)3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1Tb1Tb
Rear screen size2.27in2.27in
Front screen size1.4in1.4in
Field of view148°148°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels27.6MP27.6MP
ApertureF2.5F2.5
Focal length12-39mm12-39mm
ISO range100-6400100-6400
Video zoom2x2x
Color Depth10bit10bit
Video bite rate120Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-2+/-2
360-degree videoNoNo
5.3K video60fps60fps
4K video60fps60fps
2.7K video120fps120fps
1080p video240fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4x
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p13x at 720p
HDR video5.3K 30fps5.3K 30fps
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0HyperSmooth 6.0
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p601080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam mode1080p301080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones33
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavwav
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
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 4.2BLE 5.3
USBUSB-CUSB-C
GPS integratedNoYes
Voice commandsYesYes