Head to head

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs GoPro Hero 13 Black

A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.

Spec snapshot

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMGoPro Hero 13 Black
Price (USD)$2899$399
Our rating4.7/54.4/5
Categorycamera-lensescameras
Pros34
Cons23

The case for each

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

4.7

Pros

  • +500mm reach in a manageable size
  • +Sharp throughout zoom
  • +5-stop IS

Cons

  • Variable aperture
  • Slow at 500mm in low light
Full review →

GoPro Hero 13 Black

4.4

Pros

  • +Best-in-class stabilization
  • +Truly rugged and waterproof
  • +Magnetic lens mod ecosystem
  • +Big battery standard

Cons

  • Low-light still mediocre
  • Subscription pushed hard
  • Touchscreen sluggish in cold
Full review →

Winner by use case

Vlogging & videoTie
Low-light photographyTie
Value for moneyCanon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
Pro & enterprise useTie
BeginnersTie

Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.

Common questions

Is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM better than the GoPro Hero 13 Black?

It depends on what you shoot. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the GoPro Hero 13 Black scores 4.4/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.

Which is cheaper, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the GoPro Hero 13 Black?

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM sells around $2899, and GoPro Hero 13 Black around $399. The GoPro Hero 13 Black is the cheaper of the two.

Which one is better for beginners?

Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.

Should I upgrade from the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM to the GoPro Hero 13 Black?

Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.

More in this category