GoPro
HERO12 Black
1/1.9-inch action camera with HDR 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 slow-mo, HyperSmooth 6.0, and 10m waterproof body.
$349
Released Sep 2023
GoPro
HERO13 Black
Flagship GoPro with 1/1.9-inch sensor, 5.3K60 video, 4K120, HyperSmooth 6.0, HB-Series lens auto-detect, and 10m waterproofing.
$399
Released Sep 2024
HERO13 Black is 1 year newer.
Wins
HERO12 Black
Wins
HERO13 Black
8 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BHERO13 Black has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- BHERO13 Black has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
- BHERO13 Black has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)
- BHERO13 Black has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 6 stops)
- AHERO12 Black has lower Weight (154 g vs 159 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
HERO12 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)
HERO13 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black share virtually identical body dimensions.
HERO12 Black is 5 g lighter than HERO13 Black.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO12 Black · 34mm HERO13 Black
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
HERO12 Black
Weight
154 g vs 159 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
HERO13 Black
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 27.6 MP
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 6,400
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 200 Mbps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HERO12 Black
Pros
- ✓HDR 5.3K and 4K120
- ✓HyperSmooth 6.0
- ✓10m waterproof
- ✓Strong used value
Cons
- –Superseded by HERO13
- –Fixed lens
- –Smaller battery than HERO13
HERO13 Black
Pros
- ✓5.3K60 and 4K120 video
- ✓1/1.9-inch sensor
- ✓HyperSmooth 6.0 + Burst Slo-Mo
- ✓10m waterproof
Cons
- –Small sensor vs Action 5 Pro
- –Fixed lens
- –Enduro battery not backward compatible
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, HERO12 Black or HERO13 Black?
HERO13 Black scores 5.5/10 versus 4.5/10 for HERO12 Black — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black?
Both cameras share the same 27.6 MP resolution.
Do the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black have in-body image stabilization?
HERO12 Black does not have IBIS, while hERO13 Black does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the HERO12 Black or the HERO13 Black?
HERO12 Black reaches 15 fps electronic. HERO13 Black reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black?
HERO12 Black weighs 154 g and HERO13 Black weighs 159 g, so the HERO12 Black is 5 g lighter.
Do the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black record 4K video?
HERO12 Black: 4K up to 120p. HERO13 Black: 4K up to 120p.
Are the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black weather sealed?
HERO12 Black: Yes. HERO13 Black: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the HERO12 Black and 640 shots for the HERO13 Black, giving the HERO13 Black the edge.
How much does each cost?
HERO12 Black launched at $349 and HERO13 Black at $399. The HERO12 Black is $50 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.