Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black
Which GoPro Should You Buy in 2025?
- GoPro HERO13 Black → Best for pros, vloggers, and anyone who wants the latest features.
- GoPro HERO12 Black → Best balance between price and performance.
- GoPro HERO11 Black → Best budget option for beginners or casual users.
💡 Pro Tip: If you find a Big Billion Day deal or seasonal discount, the HERO12 Black often gives the best value for money.
GoPro HERO13 Black vs HERO12 vs HERO11 – Which One Should You Buy in 2025?
If you’re confused about whether to buy the GoPro HERO13 Black, stick with the HERO12 Black, or save money on the HERO11 Black, this guide is for you.
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black |
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| Camera Type | HERO (Single-Lens) | HERO (Single-Lens) | HERO (Single-Lens) |
| Video Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | HyperSmooth 6.0 | HyperSmooth 5.0 |
| Horizon Lock | 360° Rotation | 360° Rotation | 360° Rotation |
| up to 5.3K30 | up to 5.3K30 | up to 5.3K30 | |
| Horizon Leveling | Up to 27° | Up to 27° | Up to 27° |
| 5.3K60, 4K120 | 5.3K60, 4K120 | 5.3K60, 4K120 | |
| Star Trails | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Light Painting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color Video Bit Depth | 8-bit, 10-bit (4K and higher) | 8-bit, 10-bit (4K and higher) | 8-bit, 10-bit (4K and higher) |
| Digital Lenses / FOV | HyperView, SuperView, Wide | HyperView, SuperView, Wide | HyperView, SuperView, Wide |
| Image Sensor | 1/1.9″ CMOS, 27.6 MP | 1/1.9″ CMOS, 27.6 MP | 1/1.9″ CMOS, 27.6 MP |
| TimeWarp Video | TimeWarp 3.0 (up to 5.3K) | TimeWarp 3.0 (up to 5.3K) | TimeWarp 3.0 (up to 5.3K) |
| Night Lapse Video | Up to 5.3K | Up to 5.3K | Up to 5.3K |
| Max Photo Resolution | 27.13 MP (5568×4872) | 27.13 MP (5568×4872) | 27.13 MP (5568×4872) |
| Photo Frame Grabs from Video | 24.69MP (5.3K 8:7) | 24.69MP (5.3K 8:7) | 24.69MP (5.3K 8:7) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 71.8 W x 50.8 H x 33.6 D | 71.8 W x 50.8 H x 33.6 D | 71.8 W x 50.8 H x 33.6 D |
| Weight | 159g | 154g | 154g |
| Rear Display Size | 2.27″ Touch LCD | 2.27″ Touch LCD | 2.27″ Touch LCD |
| Battery | 1900mAh Enduro Battery | 1720mAh Enduro Battery | 1720mAh Enduro Battery |
| Rugged + Waterproof | 10m (33 ft.) | 10m (33 ft.) | 10m (33 ft.) |
| Mod Compatibility | Multiple Mods, including Macro | Multiple Mods, including Macro | Multiple Mods |
| Live Streaming | 1080p30 with HyperSmooth | 1080p30 with HyperSmooth | 1080p30 with HyperSmooth |
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Photo |
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| Photo Modes | SuperPhoto | SuperPhoto | SuperPhoto |
| HDR | HDR | HDR | |
| RAW | RAW | RAW | |
| RAW Photo Capture | 27.13MP (5568×4872) | 27.13MP (5568×4872) | 27.13MP (5568×4872) |
| Photo Timer | 3s, 10s | 3s, 10s | 3s, 10s |
| Photo Intervals | 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 30s, 60s, 120s | 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 30s, 60s, 120s | — |
| Burst Photo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Burst Photo Rates (Frames/Sec) | Auto, 60/10, 60/6, 30/6, 30/3, 10/3, 30/1, 10/1, 5/1, 3/1 | Auto, 60/10, 60/6, 30/6, 30/3, 10/3, 30/1, 10/1, 5/1, 3/1 | Auto, 60/10, 60/6, 30/6, 30/3, 10/3, 30/1, 10/1, 5/1, 3/1 |
| Night Photo Shutter Speed | Auto, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2 sec. | Auto, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2 sec. | Auto, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2 sec. |
| Time Lapse Photo Intervals | 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 sec | 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 sec | 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 sec |
| 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | |
| Night Lapse Photo Intervals | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec. | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec. |
| 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | |
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Resolution |
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| 5.3K (8:7) | 30/25/24 fps | 30/25/24 fps | 30/25/24 fps |
| 5.3K (16:9) | 60/50/30/25/24 fps | 60/50/30/25/24 fps | 60/50/30/25/24 fps |
| 4K (8:7) | 60/50/30/25/24 fps | 60/50/30/25/24 fps | 60/50 fps |
| 2.7K (16:9) | 240/200 fps | 240/200 fps | 240/200 fps |
| 1080p (16:9) | 240/200/120 fps | 240/200/120 fps | 240/200/120 fps |
| Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Audio | |||
| Microphones | 3-Mics | 3-Mics | 3-Mics |
| Advanced Noise Reduction | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RAW Audio Capture | WAV format | WAV format | WAV format |
| 3.5 mm Audio Mic In | With Media Mod or Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter | With Media Mod or Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter | With Media Mod or Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter |
| Wi-Fi Frequency | Wi-Fi 6; 2.4GHz & 5GHz | Wi-Fi 6; 2.4GHz & 5GHz | Wi-Fi 6; 2.4GHz & 5GHz |
| Wi-Fi Protocol | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.3 | BLE 4.2 | BLE 4.2 |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| USB Port | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Mobile App Connection | Quik app | Quik app | Quik app |
| Auto Cloud Backup | Included with GoPro Subscription | Included with GoPro Subscription | Included with GoPro Subscription |
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black User Interface |
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| Protune | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Presets/Custom Presets | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-Screen Shortcuts | Customizable | Customizable | Customizable |
| Voice Control | 14 Commands in 11 languages | 14 Commands in 11 languages | 14 Commands in 11 languages |
| 6 accents | 6 accents | 6 accents | |
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Post Capture UX |
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| Data Overlays | Yes | — | Yes |
| Advanced Metadata | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eco-system Support | Quik App | Quik App | Quik App |
| GoPro Labs | GoPro Labs | GoPro Labs | |
| Open GoPro | Open GoPro | Open GoPro | |
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Hardware |
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| System Processor | GP2 | GP2 | GP2 |
| Lens Aperture | F2.5 | F2.5 | F2.5 |
| 35mm Equivalent Focal Length | Min = 12mm; Max = 39mm | Min = 12mm; Max = 39mm | Min = 12mm; Max = 39mm |
Compare HERO13 Black vs HERO12 Black vs HERO11 Design |
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| Mounting Fingers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated 1/4-20 Mounting | Yes | Yes | — |
| Magnetic Quick Clip-In | Yes | — | — |
| Removable Cover Glass | 2mm Thick Gorilla Glass with Hydrophobic Coating | 2mm Thick Gorilla Glass with Hydrophobic Coating | 2mm Thick Gorilla Glass with Hydrophobic Coating |
Compare HERO13 Black vs HERO12 Black vs HERO11 Hardware |
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| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| HDMI Port | Media Mod | Media Mod | Media Mod |
| Memory Storage/SD Cards | 1 microSD™ (V30 or higher UHS-3 rating) | 1 microSD™ (V30 or higher UHS-3 rating) | 1 microSD™ (V30 or higher UHS-3 rating) |
| LEDs | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Recharge Time (0–100%) | Approx. 3 hrs. (1A/5W) | Approx. 3 hrs. (1A/5W) | Approx. 3 hrs. (1A/5W) |
| Fast Charging (0–80%) | Approx. 2 hrs. (3A/15W) | Approx. 2 hrs. (3A/15W) | Approx. 2 hrs. (3A/15W) |
| Operating Temperature | -10ºC to 35ºC | -10ºC to 35ºC | -10ºC to 35ºC |
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Key Accessories |
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| Remote Control | The Remote | The Remote | The Remote |
| Volta | Volta | Volta | |
| Quik App | Quik App | Quik App | |
| Waterproof Remote | Waterproof Remote | ||
Compare GoPro HERO13 Black vs GoPro HERO12 Black vs GoPro HERO11 Black Video |
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| Video Modes | HDR Video with HLG | HDR Video | Looping Video |
| Burst Slo-Mo | Looping Video | – | |
| Looping Video | – | – | |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 8:7 | 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 8:7 | 8:7, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Video File Format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.265 (HEVC) | H.265 (HEVC) |
| HDR Video | 5.3K (16:9) 30/25/24 fps | 5.3K (16:9) 30/25/24 fps | – |
| 4K (8:7) 30/25/24 fps | 4K (8:7) 30/25/24 fps | – | |
| 4K (16:9) 60/50/30/25/24 fps | 4K (16:9) 60/50/30/25/24 fps | – | |
| Maximum Video Bit Rate | 120 Mbps | 120 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| Zoom | Up to 2x | Up to 2x | Up to 2x |
| Slo-Mo | 8x – 2.7K/1080p, 4x – 4K, 2x – 5.3K, Burst Slo-Mo: 13x (400fps) – 720p for 15s, 12x (360fps) – 900p for 15s, 4x – 5.3K for 5s | 8x – 2.7K/1080p, 4x – 4K, 2x – 5.3K | 8x – 2.7K/1080p, 4x – 4K, 2x – 5.3K |
| Looping Video | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TimeWarp Video Speeds | Auto, 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x | Auto, 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x | Auto, 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x |
| Time Lapse Video Intervals | 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 30, 60 sec | 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 30, 60 sec. | 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 sec |
| 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | |
| Night Lapse Video Intervals | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec. | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec. | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec. |
| 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | 2, 5, 30, 60 min. | |
| HindSight | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduled Capture | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Duration Capture | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Streaming | 1080p30 with HyperSmooth + 1080p60 recording | 1080p30 with HyperSmooth + 1080p60 recording | 1080p30 with HyperSmooth + 1080p60 recording |
| Webcam Mode | Up to 1080p30 | Up to 1080p30 | Up to 1080p30 |
| Timecode Synchronization | Yes | Yes | – |
GoPro HERO13 vs HERO12 vs HERO11 – Pros at a Glance
| Model | Pros | Big Billion Day Offer |
|---|---|---|
| GoPro HERO13 Black | ✅ HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization ✅ Best low-light & HDR video ✅ Bigger Enduro Battery (1900mAh) ✅ Magnetic Quick Clip-In ✅ Future-proof (latest 2025 model) |
👉 Click to Get up to 50% Off |
| GoPro HERO12 Waterproof | ✅ Great balance of features & price ✅ Same 27MP camera sensor as HERO13 ✅ 5.3K60 & 4K120 video modes ✅ Lighter & more compact ✅ Value for money during sales |
👉 Click to Get up to 50% Off |
| GoPro HERO11 Black | ✅ Budget-friendly option ✅ 5.3K & 4K video quality ✅ Reliable stabilization (HyperSmooth 5.0) ✅ Great for beginners ✅ Still supported with firmware updates |
👉 Click to Get up to 50% Off |
What’s New in GoPro HERO13 Black?
The GoPro HERO13 Black is designed for creators who demand the best action camera performance in 2025. While it keeps the same 27.6 MP 1/1.9″ sensor, it adds improvements that make a real difference in daily use:
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HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilization → smoother videos than ever before, even in extreme sports.
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1900mAh Enduro Battery → longer recording times compared to HERO12 and HERO11.
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HDR Video in HLG → richer colors and better low-light performance.
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Magnetic Quick Clip-In Mount → attach and detach faster during shoots.
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Better connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3 and improved Wi-Fi 6 for quicker file transfers.
If you’re serious about vlogging, travel films, or action sports, the HERO13 Black is worth the upgrade.
GoPro HERO12 Black – Balanced Choice
The GoPro HERO12 Black is a solid middle-ground option. It has most of the features of the HERO13, including 5.3K60 video, 4K120 slow motion, HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, and full waterproofing up to 10m.
The only real differences compared to the HERO13 are:
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Smaller 1720mAh Enduro Battery (slightly shorter shooting time).
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No magnetic clip system.
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Slightly lighter weight (154g).
If you don’t need the latest mount or battery size, the HERO12 gives you professional-quality footage at a slightly lower price.
GoPro HERO11 Black – Still Worth It?
The GoPro HERO11 Black may be older, but it’s still a very capable action camera in 2025. It offers:
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5.3K60 and 4K120 video – same as HERO12.
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HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization – one generation behind, but still excellent.
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1720mAh Enduro Battery.
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Great value for money if you’re on a budget.
If you’re just starting with action cameras or want a cheaper GoPro, the HERO11 Black is still a smart buy.
FAQs – GoPro HERO13 vs HERO12 vs HERO11
Q1. Which GoPro is best for slow motion?
➡ All three support 4K at 120fps and 1080p at 240fps, but the HERO13 has the smoothest stabilization.
Q2. Does GoPro HERO13 overheat?
➡ It handles heat better than HERO12 and HERO11, but extended 5.3K recording in hot conditions can still warm it up.
Q3. Is it worth upgrading from HERO11 to HERO13?
➡ Yes, if you need better battery life, HyperSmooth 6.0, and HDR video. Otherwise, HERO11 is still good enough for casual use.
Q4. Which GoPro is best for beginners?
➡ The HERO11 Black is the cheapest and easiest way to start.
Q5. Do all three support live streaming?
➡ Yes, all three allow 1080p live streaming with HyperSmooth stabilization