GoPro hasn’t been the loudest voice in the action camera space lately, but the MAX2 is back with a bold statement. This 360-degree camera is pushing the boundaries of what GoPro can do in a crowded market. With clearer footage, smarter editing options and a durable yet sophisticated design the MAX2 is an attractive option for creators who want to capture every aspect of their journey.
First, we have to break down the resolution. GoPro calls it “True 8K” and for good reason. The MAX2 shoots 360-degree video at 4216 x 4216 pixels, 16-21% more than competitors like the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360. That extra detail is important when reframing in post as you can zoom in or crop without losing clarity. You can shoot at 8K30 for real-time, 5.6K60 for 2x slow-mo and 4K100 for 3x slow-mo. Photos are 29 megapixels so you have plenty of room to trim or reframe for social media or printing. The camera also supports 10-bit color and GP-Log encoding giving editors more color and more freedom when fine tuning their footage.
GoPro has always been proud of its durability and the MAX2 doesn’t disappoint. It’s waterproof to 16 feet, designed to withstand high impact and has replaceable glass lenses that twist off without tools. Drop the camera or scratch it on a rock? Replace the lens and keep shooting. The design is more streamlined than the original MAX, with a low profile, aerodynamic shape that’s perfect for mounting on helmets, poles or cars. It weighs 6.88 ounces and measures 2.74 x 2.52 x 1.92 inches, which is bigger than the single lens Hero13 Black, but smaller than the Insta360 X5.
Audio is another area where the MAX2 excels. Six microphones – three on top, one near each lens and one on the side – provide 360-degree sound. Wireless Bluetooth, “Audio Field-of-View” adjustment and better wind noise reduction mean the audio matches the video. GoPro promises ambisonic audio in a future firmware update which could be a game changer for creators working on spatial audio projects.
Editing 360-degree footage used to be a pain but GoPro’s Quik app makes it a breeze. Available on iOS and Android it uses AI to simplify the process. MotionFrame lets you reframe shots by panning your phone, it feels like you’re directing the camera after the fact. Object tracking keeps subjects in focus and new POV and Selfie modes let you capture ready to share clips without editing. For pros GoPro Labs firmware unlocks a 300Mbps bitrate, on-screen histogram and customizable button controls. Cloud editing available with a GoPro subscription gives you unlimited storage for 360 footage so you don’t have to clear out your phone’s memory.
The MAX2 has a standard tripod mount, foldable fingers for the GoPro thumbscrew and a new magnetic latch system for easy swapping. 16 new accessories including a 40” carbon fibre pole, 32” floating pole and ski pole mount let you try out drone style shots and new mounting options. The 1.82” touchscreen is bigger than the original MAX and is bright and fast, but those with thicker fingers may find it a bit narrow for tapping. Swiping left or right changes modes, swiping down gets you to settings. You can save up to 10 custom settings and plan recordings up to 24 hours in advance which is perfect for shooting a dawn time-lapse without leaving your tent.
The 1960mAh Enduro battery is a big jump from the 1600mAh of the original and will give you all day shooting in various conditions including freezing temperatures. Wi-Fi 6 gets video to your phone faster and built-in GPS gives you location data to overlay on your videos. Voice control lets you start recording or tag highlights hands free which is handy when the camera is mounted on a helmet or pole. Timecode sync is a new feature that makes it easier to edit multi-camera footage with other GoPro’s like the Hero12 or Hero13.
With the ability to capture every angle, smart editing options and rugged construction it’s perfect for vloggers to extreme sports enthusiasts. You can try out new perspectives, frame the perfect shot and share polished videos without having to learn a new skill. GoPro’s bid to take back the action camera market is priced at $499.99 and is available to pre-order now with shipping starting September 30.
