GoPro “Burst Slo-Mo”: Features and How-To Guide
A guide to “Burst Slo-Mo,” newly introduced on GoPro HERO13. Covers supported models, compatible presets, differences from regular high‑fps shooting, and how to choose the right option by scene.
Posted at: 2025.10.22
What Is Burst Slo-Mo?
Burst Slo-Mo is a slow‑motion–focused capture preset newly introduced with the GoPro HERO13 Black, released in 2024. It records brief moments at high frame rates so you can intuitively play them back in ultra slow motion right in‑camera or in the app. At its maximum setting, it delivers slow motion equivalent to about 13× when shooting at 720p/400 fps.
While it doesn’t reach the realm of professional high‑speed systems (e.g., around 1000 fps at 4K or several thousand fps at HD), it enables top‑tier ultra slow‑motion capture for consumer cameras.
For prosumer gear, the practical upper bound is typically around 1080p/240 fps for sustained quality capture (e.g., SONY NEX‑FS700R), and about 480–960 fps in short burst modes. GoPro’s Burst Slo-Mo positions itself close to this range.
How It Differs From Standard High‑FPS Recording
Burst Slo-Mo bundles resolution, frame rate, field of view, and recording limits into ready‑made sets tuned for specific goals. Compared with manual setup, you don’t have to estimate exposure or clip length, which notably boosts the success rate for ultra slow motion.
However, because Burst Slo-Mo is optimized to reliably slow down short, decisive moments, standard high‑fps recording is the better choice when you need longer takes or higher image quality.
Available Presets
On GoPro HERO13, Burst Slo-Mo offers three presets.1
| Preset | Resolution | Frame Rate | FOV | Max Record Time | Approx. Slow‑Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3K/120 fps | 5.3K | 120 fps | Wide | 5 s | about 4× |
| 900p/360 fps | 900p | 360 fps | Linear | 15 s | about 12× |
| 720p/400 fps | 720p | 400 fps | Narrow | 15 s | about 13× |
Footage captured with Burst Slo-Mo can also have its playback fps dynamically ramped in editing to add cinematic motion.
Note that on HERO13, the field of view is fixed per mode: 400 fps = Narrow, 360 fps = Linear, and 120 fps = Wide.
Supported GoPro Models
The GoPro models and presets that support Burst Slo-Mo are as follows.
| Model | Presets |
|---|---|
| HERO13 Black | 5.3K/120 fps, 900p/360 fps, 720p/400 fps |
At this time, it’s only available on HERO13 Black, so you’ll need to purchase a HERO13 Black to use it.
How to Choose Burst Slo-Mo Presets
Use the Burst Slo-Mo presets as follows.
| Preset | Goal | Best‑fit Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3K/120 fps | Balance impact and image quality | Short decisive moments, close‑up subjects, edit‑heavy workflows |
| 900p/360 fps | Smoothness first | Splashes, snow, dust, sports motion analysis |
| 720p/400 fps | Maximum impact | When you want extreme slow‑motion emphasis |
The most practical choice is often 900p/360 fps, which delivers top‑tier 360‑fps slow motion while keeping resolution close to 1080p.
The headline 720p/400 fps mode is powerful but resolution‑limited, so its use cases are more constrained—future GoPro improvements may expand its flexibility.