I’ve Reviewed Dozens of Action Cameras and I Love the GoPro Hero13 Black at Its Prime Day Price

GoPro is like the Kleenex of action cameras . Technically only a GoPro is a GoPro, but since it invented the action camera concept, the brand's name has become practically synonymous with the product category. Thankfully you don't have to go off-brand to get a good price on an authentic GoPro this Prime Day as its flagship Hero13 Black gets a big markdown—you can snag it for $329.99 during the sale, a little more than 23% off its current $429.99 retail price.

The Hero13 Black is a tiny, go-anywhere video camera that records high-res stabilized 5.3K footage at up to 60fps for a half-speed slow-motion effect, and can push to 120fps at 4K and 240fps at 2.7K to slow reality to a crawl. It's small enough to mount on a helmet, skateboard, or vehicle, features a metal frame and replaceable lens cover so it can survive rough handling, and is waterproof down to 33 feet without a case.

GoPro cameras are perennial award winners here at PCMag, and while the Hero13 Black fell just short of winning our Editors' Choice award when I reviewed it last year, it's a perfect camera for outdoor use under the sun. I liked the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro just a teensy bit more when I tried them side-by-side thanks to the DJI's leg up for low light video and battery life, but those are my only real gripes about the Hero13 Black. It's easily the best action cam GoPro has ever made.

The GoPro beats DJI in many ways, however, as the Hero13 Black offers slower slow motion than DJI, and works with a set of add-on lenses to expand the creative versatility of its fixed focus, wide angle lens. You can add an anamorphic lens for cinematic widescreen video, a manual focus macro for close-up video, an ultra-wide for even more epic views, and works with neutral density filters to slow down the shutter speed for footage with cinematic motion blur.

If you want to try out an add-on lens, you can get the Hero13 Black Ultra-Wide edition on discount for $379.99, a full $100 off its usual price. That way, you can get started with the ultra-wide lens right off the bat. Bought separately the Ultra-Wide Lens Mod costs $99.99.

Also at $379.99, the Hero13 Black Accessory Bundle includes an extra battery so you can double your record times, a floating handle that'll keep the GoPro on the surface of water in case you drop it during your adventures, a 64GB memory card, and a zippered carrying case. The bundle sells for $479.99 when it's not on sale, and the included accessories are all useful.

For more deals and discounts, check out our hub for all things Prime Big Deal Days .