I have never owned an “action” camera before, although the name GoPro has been around for many years. Introduced in 2004, using 35mm film, it has seen many changes over the years, evolving into a rugged, waterproof, totally self contained, and with a large array of accessories to broaden your scope and versatility of photography.In its diminutive body you have a high resolution camera easily swapping between video, still photography, and an array of special effects. These include slow-motion, underwater scenes to 333 ft depth without an extra casing, videostabiliization of images, timelapse of star movement or fireworks flares, etc. High resolution up to 4K.The small size is perfect for one hand shooting, whereas using your phone is much more cumbersome, and ... MoreI have never owned an “action” camera before, although the name GoPro has been around for many years. Introduced in 2004, using 35mm film, it has seen many changes over the years, evolving into a rugged, waterproof, totally self contained, and with a large array of accessories to broaden your scope and versatility of photography.In its diminutive body you have a high resolution camera easily swapping between video, still photography, and an array of special effects. These include slow-motion, underwater scenes to 333 ft depth without an extra casing, videostabiliization of images, timelapse of star movement or fireworks flares, etc. High resolution up to 4K.The small size is perfect for one hand shooting, whereas using your phone is much more cumbersome, and phones are much more fragile, even with a case.Via the Quik app, the camera connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. With this wireless connection a lot can be done hands off: you can remotely adjust various settings, activate the shutter, and automatically upload the photos/video to your phone or your computer. This just scratches the surface of the capacities, many of which I have yet to discover in the 10 days I have had the camera.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.No instruction book was included, perhaps assuming that most owners have prior models, and most of the shooting and adjusting of parameters is similar to previous cameras. Instead there was a small flyer that advised loading the Quik app on your phone, and updating the firmware. To begin basic shooting, however, this left me with a lot of hunting on the web page of GoPro, and the downloaded app Quik.The app has regular updates, and via the Quik app, your camera will receive firmware updates as well. In the week since I first started my exploration and learning about the camera, there was already an update of Quik.Quik can add music to your downloaded video footage, and create montages of your still photos, whether taken from the GoPro, or images on your Photos library from other sources. These can be organized into albums by the app. Editing tools exist in the app to cut footage not wanted, splice the segments, and speed up or slow down segments for slo-mo or rapid pace viewing. Filter effects can be added for post-production highlighting of your video.Trophy single frame images can be extracted from the video footage for a high resolution print.Living up to the action camera capacities, you can control your camera from your phone, so you don’t have to take off your helmet or remove the camera from your snowboard front to start recording, adjust settings, etc.Using the Bluetooth connectivity, you can live stream from the GoPro for sharing the action while it is happening.Reviewing the GoPro web page, the Hero 13 offers new features and options over the GoPro 12 that are compelling. Some of the changes require the model 13, and are incompatible with previous models. Since this is my first GoPro, it affects me not at all. But if you have prior models, some of these will not work with former cameras.One change with the 13, there is a larger capacity battery, and physically larger with different array of electrical contacts in the battery socket as well. So if you have a small arsenal of batteries from older GoPros, for a long day of photo shooting, you cannot utilize those batteries in your new camera. The new battery has about 10% higher mAh rating, increased from a 1720mAh to 1900mAh.Since prior models had the habit of shutting down when the battery heated up too much, and the housing has been redesigned to provide better cooling for the battery, so cool down interruptions are diminished.One relatively new accessory (Hero 10 or later) is essentially a mag-safe like external charging feature. This is not included with the 13, but as an extra purchase. You replace the battery door with one that has charging ports which can be connected to a variety of power sources , such as a power bank, wall plug, perhaps a solar panel (?). via a USB-C plugin. So the camera can remain attached to your helmet, handlebars, hang-glider frame, or whatever, and you have a larger external battery recharging the internal battery as you go.Swappable camera lenses now automatically adjust the camera settings for the new parameters of the alternative lens. Previously when you switched to a macro or wide angle lens, you would have to go into the camera settings and adjust for the change. Now the lens will be sensed by the camera, and the adjustments are automatic.Changing the lenses is conceptually simple. The instructions in the downloadable manual were to push the lens cover in and then give it a twist. However, for me it would not budge. I was tempted to use a pliers or similar to accomplish the removal. But not yet owning an attachment lens to add for macro or other utilization, I controlled that impulse. Further reading online gave the suggestion that initially you need to slightly pull the cover AWAY from the camera body, sort of to break the factory seal. Similar to the first opening of a jar of olives or jelly. With a fingernail I gently pried around the circumference of the lens, and then the twist and turn worked. Reportedly, after a few times, it becomes much easier to swap out your lenses and filters.The camera responds to voice commands, so you can take a photo, switch between photo and video and time lapse mode, without having to let go of the handlebars, etc.This is going to replace my digital mirrorless SLR and probably half of my phone-ography

The GoPro Hero13 Black is an updated version of GoPro’s top action camera. While it has the same video quality and photo abilities as the previous model, the Hero13 Black has some new features that give you more creative options.The Hero13 Black offers 5.3K video at up to 60 frames per second, 4K video at up to 120 frames per second. But it offers new slow-motion modes, including 5.3K at 120fps (5 second clips) and 720p at 400fps (15 second clips) These new slow-motion options allow you to capture fast action in more creative ways.Darker environments especially at higher ISO settings were noisy. It could be cleaned up during editing though.Stabilization and HyperSmooth stabilization is great, as if you were using a gimbal. GoPro restores the built in GPS, ... MoreThe GoPro Hero13 Black is an updated version of GoPro’s top action camera. While it has the same video quality and photo abilities as the previous model, the Hero13 Black has some new features that give you more creative options.The Hero13 Black offers 5.3K video at up to 60 frames per second, 4K video at up to 120 frames per second. But it offers new slow-motion modes, including 5.3K at 120fps (5 second clips) and 720p at 400fps (15 second clips) These new slow-motion options allow you to capture fast action in more creative ways.Darker environments especially at higher ISO settings were noisy. It could be cleaned up during editing though.Stabilization and HyperSmooth stabilization is great, as if you were using a gimbal. GoPro restores the built in GPS, previously removed from the last model.For those who has bought 3rd party batteries, please stick with the brand-name. It has a magnetic charger (optional) and this allows you to power the camera with an external power source and doing so without opening the battery door and it’s waterproof, too. If you’re unfamiliar with the door, visit their website for a better understanding and to avoid causing any damage.Like many things you buy nowadays, it doesn’t come with a manual. It’s all on line and you don’t just charge it, pick it up and use it without studying it carefully because there are so many settings you can do with this camera.New Lens Options consist of new lens attachments that communicate electronically with the camera. Most people may not need them, but they are there to purchase later. Wider lens, macro (for close up shot), ultra-wide for wider shot, and anamorphic to do a cinemetic wide screen look (black bars on top and bottom.) You put it on and the camera knows it’s there. Make sure it’s securely on tightly or it won’t be weatherproof any more!According to the website, you can get the magnetic mount for faster (and easier) attachment and removal. (For example, if you want to attach it to the bike, and move it to the helmet).And yes, you can use this camera as is still photography camera. Think of it as something that cost 10 percents of another digital camera with the big red dot in the front with built-in wide angle lens.It is recommended that you download their app (Android and Apple) to control the camera. Unfortunately I have an older Samsung phone, and the app does not work with it. Apparently it can upload the footage to the cloud, too. There is a desktop version for Mac, but not for Windows yet.I use a high end program to edit my videos (this came with a cinema camera that I bought last year). While a GoPro is not a cinema camera (nameless here..), it weights A LOT less. What you get in the box is not enough to do much though. You will need many accessories to be more productive (for example, selfie stick, little tripod, microphone with a deadcat, more memory card, and yes, it comes with one, extra batteries, and a waterproof box if you want to go swimming with it.) It’s waterproof, but if you want to be sure, it’s better to get one of those external box to really make sure (and put a silica gel pack so it won’t get foggy inside). You can even get a floating handle too, in case you “drop” it.Is it a good buy? If you want it - if you need it. It takes practice to produce good work. It looks like a toy, but it isn’t. There is an optional extended warranty you can buy and they will replace the camera in case you break it. It is highly suggested.This camera or anything else that are much more expensive does not make you instantly Stanley Kubrick – people say practice makes perfect – it's not quite like that. Background in photography and a bit in cinematography will be helpful. It is rather, perfect practice makes perfect.)

I've used GoPro cameras occasionally since their introduction. They are a unique product, not meant to replace your dedicated camera or higher end smartphone camera, but rather, do something those devices can't. Action shots, underwater shots, extreme sports, etc.I have used them on a dog harness. I've also used them for snowboarding or time lapse videos of a thunderstorm where the camera was expected to get very wet. I have had friends take them wakeboarding as well. They are very popular for mountain biking. Lots of different uses.What makes a GoPro useful for those things is its durability, water resistance, small size, the ecosystem of mounts, and the excellent stabilization of the video.GoPro has operated much like the smartphone market the last 10 years. ... MoreI've used GoPro cameras occasionally since their introduction. They are a unique product, not meant to replace your dedicated camera or higher end smartphone camera, but rather, do something those devices can't. Action shots, underwater shots, extreme sports, etc.I have used them on a dog harness. I've also used them for snowboarding or time lapse videos of a thunderstorm where the camera was expected to get very wet. I have had friends take them wakeboarding as well. They are very popular for mountain biking. Lots of different uses.What makes a GoPro useful for those things is its durability, water resistance, small size, the ecosystem of mounts, and the excellent stabilization of the video.GoPro has operated much like the smartphone market the last 10 years. A steady improvement every year or two, yet not a big reason to jump from one to the next. But if you're using an older model, you will see some substantial improvements.For example, over my older GoPro hero 7, with this 13 black I now get a selfie video screen, I get much better stabilization. I get a built in GPS, I get a bigger battery, I get an all in one package, I get a proper tripod mount in addition to the standard GoPro mounting. I get improved video quality and photo quality.I found the unboxing experience to be pleasant due to the simple materials without a lot of plastic.Upon setting up the camera I was told to download the app. The app on my iPhone worked well and I was able to control the camera and if I wanted to, view and download video footage. To do the video/photo download you have to connect the phone to the camera's wifi network, but this was a seamless process. There is also an optional subscription service to upload footage to the cloud.I also found I had to enable the advanced settings on the camera, otherwise I couldn't tweak many of the settings. Once enabled, all the expected controls were there such as video resolution, frame rate, as well as more advanced settings like shutter speed or time lapse intervals.I really appreciate having the built in GPS.If you don't need the action oriented use, there isn't much to be gained with an action camera like a GoPro.However, I'd highly recommend the Hero 13 black to anyone who needs an action camera or who uses an older GoPro but would like to have some improvement to video quality, stabilization, battery life, or who wants some of the other improvements like the built in GPS or selfie screen.