GoPro Hero 13 Black vs Ricoh Theta X
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Overview of the GoPro Hero 13 Black
GoPro Hero 13 BlackGoPro'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 Ricoh Theta X
Comparison of the Hero 13 vs the Theta X
Weight and size
The Hero 13 is a lot more compact than the Theta X. The Hero 13 weighs a little less than the Theta X.
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
Ricoh Theta X
51.7mm x 136.2mm x 29mm / 2.04in x 5.36in x 1.14in
6oz / 170g
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. The Hero 13 has a removable battery whereas the Theta X's battery is not removable
GoPro Hero 13 Black
1900mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Ricoh Theta X
1350mAh
Non removable
30min 5.7K30fps 360° and 55min 4K30fps 360°
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
Only the Theta X features built-in storage. Both the Hero 13 and the Theta X support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Ricoh Theta X
46GB
microSDXC
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
Ricoh Theta X
4K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Camera and sensor technology
The Theta X features a much higher resolution. Both cameras feature 120Mbps bit rate video.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Ricoh Theta X
60MP
Feature missing
120Mbps
Camera settings
The Hero 13's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to Theta X's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Ricoh Theta X
50-3200
+/-2
Hero 13 vs Theta X specifications
| Name | GoPro Hero 13 Black | Ricoh Theta X |
| Year of release | 2024 | 2022 |
| Width | 2.83in / 71.8mm | 2.04in / 51.7mm |
| Height | 2in / 50.8mm | 5.36in / 136.2mm |
| Depth | 1.32in / 33.6mm | 1.14in / 29mm |
| Weight | 5.61oz / 159g | 6oz / 170g |
| Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | - |
| Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | 131ft / 40m |
| Min operating temperature | 14°F / -10°C | 32°F / 0°C |
| Max operating temperature | 95°F / 35°C | 104°F / 40°C |
| Battery capacity | 1900mAh | 1350mAh |
| Removable battery | Yes | - |
| Battery life | 150min at 1080p | 30min 5.7K30fps 360° 55min 4K30fps 360° |
| Charging time | 3h (5W) | - |
| Built-in storage | - | 46GB |
| Storage format | microSD | microSDXC |
| Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | V30 |
| Maximun storage supported | 1Tb | - |
| Rear screen size | 2.27in | 2.25in |
| Front screen size | 1.4in | - |
| Field of view | 148° | - |
| Sensor | 1/1.9" CMOS | 1/1.7" BSI-COMS |
| Pixels | 27.6MP | 60MP |
| Aperture | F2.5 | F2.4 |
| Focal length | 12-39mm | - |
| ISO range | 100-6400 | 50-3200 |
| Video zoom | 2x | - |
| Color Depth | 10bit | 8bit |
| Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-2 | +/-2 |
| 360-degree video | No | Yes |
| 5.7K 360 video | - | 30fps |
| 4K 360 video | - | 60fps |
| 5.3K video | 60fps | - |
| 4K video | 60fps | 60fps |
| 2.7K video | 120fps | 100fps |
| 1080p video | 240fps | - |
| Slow motion at 4K | 4x | - |
| Maximum slow motion | 13x at 720p | - |
| HDR video | 5.3K 30fps | - |
| Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | - |
| Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
| Video format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.264 (MP4) |
| Live streaming | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 | - |
| Webcam mode | 1080p30 | Yes |
| Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Starlapse mode | Yes | - |
| Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
| Photo burst mode | Yes | - |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 3 | 1 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | No |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | wav | aac |
| 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 5.0 |
| USB | USB-C | Type-C USB |
| GPS integrated | Yes | Yes |
| Voice commands | Yes | - |