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
Launch priceReleased 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
Launch priceReleased Sep 2024
HERO13 Black is 1 year newer.
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Wins
HERO12 Black
Wins
HERO13 Black
7 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BHERO13 Black has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AHERO12 Black has higher Max video bit rate (200 Mbps vs 120 Mbps)
- BHERO13 Black has higher Battery runtime (150 min vs 100 min)
- BHERO13 Black has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
- BHERO13 Black has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
HERO12 Black
72 × 34 × 51 mm
154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
HERO13 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
121 g (0.27 lb / 4.27 oz)
HERO12 Black is 17mm shorter than HERO13 Black but it is also 17mm thicker.
HERO12 Black is 33 g heavier than HERO13 Black.
Depth (front-to-back): 51mm HERO12 Black · 34mm HERO13 Black
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
HERO12 Black
72 × 34 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
HERO13 Black
72 × 51 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
HERO12 Black
72 × 51 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
HERO13 Black
72 × 34 mm
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
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps vs 120 Mbps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
HERO13 Black
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Battery runtime
150 min vs 100 min — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Weight
121 g vs 154 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Battery capacity
1900 mAh vs 1720 mAh — higher is better
Waterproof depth
10.1 m vs 10 m — 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
- ✓1080p max frame rate — Both 240 fps
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
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black at major authorized retailers.
GoPro HERO12 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, HERO12 Black or HERO13 Black?
HERO12 Black scores 8.0/10 versus 6.0/10 for HERO13 Black — 154g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black?
Both cameras share the same 27.6 MP resolution.
How does stabilization compare between the HERO12 Black and HERO13 Black?
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 121 g, so the HERO13 Black is 33 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 runtime?
HERO12 Black is rated for about 100 minutes of continuous recording and HERO13 Black for about 150 minutes, 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.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way HERO12 Black vs HERO13 Black vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of GoPro press materials.