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
JVC
GY-HC500U
Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.
$3,395
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
HERO13 Black is 5 years newer.
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Wins
HERO13 Black
Wins
GY-HC500U
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AHERO13 Black has lower Weight (121 g vs 580 g)
- BGY-HC500U has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 6,400)
- AHERO13 Black has higher Resolution (27.6 MP vs 9.35 MP)
- AHERO13 Black has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BGY-HC500U has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
HERO13 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
121 g (0.27 lb / 4.27 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
HERO13 Black is 62mm narrower, 40mm shorter, and 38mm thinner than GY-HC500U.
HERO13 Black is 459 g lighter than GY-HC500U.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO13 Black · 72mm GY-HC500U
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
HERO13 Black
72 × 51 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
HERO13 Black
72 × 34 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
GY-HC500U
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GY-HC500U
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
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
HERO13 Black
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC
Stabilization modes
Adds HyperSmooth 6.0, 360° Horizon Lock, AutoBoost
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6
Card types
Adds microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC
Weight
121 g vs 580 g — lower is better
Resolution
27.6 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
GY-HC500U
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 6,400 — higher is better
AA filter
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Eye AF
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Animal / bird AF
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 8 fps
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 20 fps
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
- ✓IBIS effectiveness — Both 7 stops
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
GY-HC500U
Pros
- ✓1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
- ✓4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
- ✓HLG / J-Log1 HDR
- ✓3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
- ✓SRT / RTMP streaming
Cons
- –Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
- –SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
- –Premium over GY-HM250
- –9.35MP effective sensor
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the HERO13 Black and GY-HC500U at major authorized retailers.
GoPro HERO13 Black
JVC GY-HC500U
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, HERO13 Black or GY-HC500U?
GY-HC500U scores 7.5/10 versus 3.0/10 for HERO13 Black — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO13 Black and GY-HC500U?
HERO13 Black is 27.6 MP and GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP, so the HERO13 Black captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the HERO13 Black and GY-HC500U have in-body image stabilization?
HERO13 Black does not have IBIS, while GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the HERO13 Black or the GY-HC500U?
HERO13 Black reaches 20 fps electronic. GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the HERO13 Black and GY-HC500U?
HERO13 Black weighs 121 g and GY-HC500U weighs 580 g, so the HERO13 Black is 459 g lighter.
Do the HERO13 Black and GY-HC500U record 4K video?
HERO13 Black: 4K up to 120p. GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p.
Are the HERO13 Black and GY-HC500U weather sealed?
HERO13 Black: Yes. GY-HC500U: Yes.
How much does each cost?
HERO13 Black launched at $399 and GY-HC500U at $3,395. The HERO13 Black is $2,996 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way HERO13 Black vs GY-HC500U vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of GoPro and JVC press materials.