GoPro Hero 13 Black vs GoPro Max
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Overview of the 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
Overview of the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
GoPro's 2019 360 camera: 5.7K video
The GoPro Max was GoPro's second attempt at a 360 camera and was released in 2019. It is still offers relatively good performance but it's age is showing in comparision with the more recent competition. It's replacement, the GoPro Max 2, is still to be released.
- Pros
- Good stabilization
- Cons
- Average image quality
- Ageing model
- Still excessively expensive
Comparison of the Hero 13 vs the GoPro Max
Weight and size
The GoPro Max is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Hero 13 and the GoPro Max have similar weights.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.61oz / 159g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
5.43oz / 154g
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 much larger battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
1900mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min 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 13 and the GoPro Max support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Max
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
Only the Hero 13 offers HDR video.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Camera and sensor technology
The Hero 13 offers a slightly higher resolution. The field of view of the GoPro Max is a little better than the Hero 13's. The Hero 13 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 13 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps
Camera settings
The Hero 13's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. The GoPro Max's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Max
100-3200
+/-4
Hero 13 vs GoPro Max specifications
Name | GoPro Hero 13 Black | GoPro Max |
Year of release | 2024 | 2019 |
Width | 2.83in / 71.8mm | 2.52in / 64mm |
Height | 2in / 50.8mm | 2.72in / 69mm |
Depth | 1.32in / 33.6mm | 0.98in / 25mm |
Weight | 5.61oz / 159g | 5.43oz / 154g |
Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 16ft / 5m |
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 | 1900mAh | 1600mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | 150min at 1080p | 85min 5.7K30fps 360° 105min at 1080p |
Charging time | 3h (5W) | 120min |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | Class 10 or UHS-I Rating |
Maximun storage supported | 1Tb | 1TB |
Rear screen size | 2.27in | 1.69in |
Front screen size | 1.4in | - |
Field of view | 148° | 155° |
Sensor | 1/1.9" CMOS | 1/2.3" |
Pixels | 27.6MP | 18MP |
Aperture | F2.5 | F2.0 |
Focal length | 12-39mm | 13-27mm |
ISO range | 100-6400 | 100-3200 |
Video zoom | 2x | - |
Color Depth | 10bit | 8bit |
Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 78Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-2 | +/-4 |
360-degree video | No | Yes |
5.7K 360 video | - | 30fps |
360 video format | - | GoPro 360 file |
5.3K video | 60fps | - |
4K video | 60fps | - |
2.7K video | 120fps | - |
1440p video | - | 60fps |
1080p video | 240fps | 60fps |
Slow motion at 4K | 4x | - |
Maximum slow motion | 13x at 720p | 2x |
HDR video | 5.3K 30fps | - |
Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | Max HyperSmooth |
Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
Video format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) |
Live streaming | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 | 1080p30 |
Webcam mode | 1080p30 | - |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | Yes | - |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | - | No |
Photo burst mode | Yes | No |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 3 | 6 |
Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | wav | 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/ax | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 5.3 | BLE 4.2 |
USB | USB-C | Type-C USB |
GPS integrated | Yes | Yes |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
Gesture commands | - | No |