GoPro Max vs GoPro Hero 13 Black

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Overview of the GoPro Max

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

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 GoPro Max vs the Hero 13

Weight and size

The GoPro Max is a slightly smaller camera. Both the GoPro Max and the Hero 13 have similar weights.
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
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 much larger battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min 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 GoPro Max and the Hero 13 support SD cards.
GoPro Max
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

Only the Hero 13 offers HDR video.
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero 13 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps

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 Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 13 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps

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 Max
100-3200
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 13 Black
100-6400
+/-2

GoPro Max vs Hero 13 specifications

NameGoPro MaxGoPro Hero 13 Black
Year of release20192024
Width2.52in / 64mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height2.72in / 69mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.61oz / 159g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case-197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1600mAh1900mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
150min at 1080p
Charging time120min3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingV30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1Tb
Rear screen size1.69in2.27in
Front screen size-1.4in
Field of view155°148°
Sensor1/2.3"1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels18MP27.6MP
ApertureF2.0F2.5
Focal length13-27mm12-39mm
ISO range100-3200100-6400
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate78Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-2
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
5.3K video-60fps
4K video-60fps
2.7K video-120fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K-4x
Maximum slow motion2x13x at 720p
HDR video-5.3K 30fps
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothHyperSmooth 6.0
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p301080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam mode-1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones63
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavwav
Audio input-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
USBType-C USBUSB-C
GPS integratedYesYes
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNo-