Pros & Cons
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- Shoots 8K 360 video and 29MP stills
- Supports 8-bit, 10-bit, and GP-Log profiles
- 16:9 output at 4K
- Rugged construction
- Waterproof to 16 feet
- User-replaceable lenses
- Optional pro-level controls
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- Accessories add to cost
- Automatic edits can be hit or miss
- Some features require a subscription
GoPro Max2 Specs
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions | 2.74 by 2.52 by 1.92 inches |
| Display Size | 1.82 inches |
| Flat Profile | |
| Maximum Waterproof Depth | 16 |
| Memory Card Format | microSD |
| Memory Card Slots | 1 |
| Sensor Resolution | 29 |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.3-inch |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Touch Screen | |
| Type | 360-Degree |
| Type | Action Camera |
| Video Resolution | 8K |
| Weight | 6.88 |
The $499.99 GoPro Max2 improves upon its predecessor in a number of ways. Most notably, it boosts video resolution from 5.6K to 8K. It also improves slo-mo recording and has larger sensors, a bigger battery, additional microphones, and a larger touch screen. The Max2 is $100 more expensive than GoPro's single-lens Hero13 Black ($399.99) and doesn't match its raw resolution, but its 360-video capture is far more forgiving of camera placement. Further, the Max2's new editing tools are quicker and simpler than ever, making it an excellent choice for adventurers and our Editors' Choice for 360-degree cameras.
Design: Blocky, But Rugged
The GoPro Max2 measures 2.74 by 2.52 by 1.92 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.88 ounces. That makes it thicker and heavier than the original Max (2.72 by 2.52 by 1.56 inches, 5.60 ounces), but lighter than the $549.99 Insta360 X5 (4.90 by 1.81 by 1.50 inches, 7.10 ounces). While the X5 resembles a candy bar, the Max2 is squatter and blockier. The square form factor means the Max2 is also noticeably bigger than the Hero13 Black (2.16 by 2.79 by 1.32 inches, 5.54 ounces), but then, it does pack in an additional camera.
The whole camera is clad in a sturdy rubber, and the front is ribbed and has the GoPro logo in the company's iconic shade of blue. Like all 360 cameras, the Max2 has two lenses on opposing sides. A 1/2.3-inch sensor sits beneath each bulbous lens.
New to the Max2 are user-replaceable lenses, which twist a quarter turn and pop off. This makes it easy to swap out a damaged lens while on the road (assuming you've brought a spare with you). Insta360 offers user-replaceable lenses for its X5, too, but requires special tools (included with the replacement kit).
The power button is on the Max2's right side. Pressing it once starts recording if you have QuikCapture enabled. Long-pressing it turns the camera on and off, and pressing it when the camera is on cycles through shooting modes. On the left of the camera, a panel covers the battery, microSD slot, and USB-C port. The top of the camera has a combined shutter release/record button, and the bottom has a standard tripod mount, along with a pair of fingers that fold out to create a thumbscrew screw mount.
The camera's rear features a 1.82-inch touch screen, which is marginally larger than the original's 1.67-inch display. GoPro doesn't specify the screen's resolution or brightness, but I had no trouble viewing it in bright daylight. It's detailed enough to see which mode you're in and key settings at a glance.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)GoPro has squeezed six microphones into the Max2: one next to each lens, one on the right side, and three on top. Aside from improving audio quality, GoPro says it intends to add support for a form of spatial audio via firmware updates in the months to come.
In addition to a selection of new selfie sticks, GoPro is releasing a slew of accessories for the Max2, including a magnetic latch mount system like the one it debuted with the Hero13 Black. This system makes it easy to switch the camera between different mounts speedily, though I wasn't able to test the magnetic mounts for this review.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)GoPro supplies a pair of lens caps for the Max2 that fit snugly over each lens and have a small tab on them to make removing them easier. They can also nest into one another, which is helpful when you're slipping them into a pocket or bag.
Interface: Intuitive and Customizable
Despite its increased size, the Max2's screen is still a little fiddly. It's excellent for seeing which shooting mode you're in and what settings you have enabled at a glance, but those with large fingers might struggle. Swiping left or right on the display switches between shooting modes, swiping up opens the gallery, and swiping down opens the settings menu. GoPro has also made it possible to access almost every setting directly from the camera's touch screen, rather than needing to dive into the app.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)One of our complaints about the original Max was the inability to save settings as presets. With the Max2, you can save up to 10 custom presets and customize on-screen and button-based shortcuts. GoPro has also added an option to schedule recordings up to 24 hours in advance and set their duration, which is fantastic if you're looking to record a midnight or dawn time-lapse but don't want to actually have to wriggle out of a sleeping bag to hit record.
Pressing the shutter button while filming creates highlight tags that make it easier to find key moments when editing video. The camera also supports voice control, making it easy to switch modes, start or stop recording, or mark highlights when the camera is out of reach.
Power and Connectivity: A Bigger Battery and Wi-Fi 6
The Max2's Enduro battery looks similar to the original Max's, but its capacity has been improved from 1,600mAh to 1,960mAh. GoPro doesn't specify how long the battery will last, which is unsurprising given that it will vary enormously depending on whether you're shooting with a single lens or both, the frame rate, and the resolution. We always recommend carrying a spare battery or two (or three) with any action camera.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)GoPro has added Wi-Fi 6 support to the Max2, which is an improvement on the Wi-Fi 5 of the original Max and means faster footage downloads to your phone or tablet, but it falls short of Wi-Fi 6e or Wi-Fi 7. There's also Bluetooth support, and like the Hero13, the Max2 gets integrated GPS for location and telemetry data (which can be overlaid on your videos when editing them).
The only physical connector is the USB-C port, which can be used to charge the battery without removing it from the camera and to transfer data.
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Camera: Resolution for Days
Traditionally, one of the reasons to choose a single-lens action camera like the Hero13 over a 360-degree camera is the increased resolution and higher frame rates of the former. That was especially true of the original Max, which only allowed you to export 16:9 footage in 1080p. The Max2, however, allows for 4K exports (in landscape 16:9 or portrait 9:16 orientations), which is far more useful, especially for creators who want high-resolution footage for use across platforms and formats.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)GoPro is eager to point out that the Max2 shoots what it calls "True 8K," while Insta360's X5 and DJI's Osmo 360 both lose some usable resolution at the edges of each camera, which marginally reduces their total resolution. On paper, GoPro is right: The Max2 offers the best resolution of the bunch. In practice, you may be hard-pressed to notice, especially if you're exporting video for social media. But if having the most resolution to play with is important to you, it's worth keeping in mind.
The Max2 offers a wide range of resolution and frame rate options. When shooting video in 360, you can shoot at up to 8K30/25/24 frames per second (fps). At 5.6K, you can choose from 5.6K60/50/30/25. At 4K, your options are 4K/100/90/60/50. Video can be exported using either the H.265 or HEVC codecs, and the Max2 supports color depths of 8-bit, 10-bit, or GP-Log with LUT, which is great for pros who know how to take advantage of post-production coloring techniques.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)If you want even more control, the Max2 supports GoPro Labs, an alternative firmware for power users that unlocks options like 300Mbps bitrate recording (up from the factory-set 120Mbps maximum), an on-screen histogram and digital spirit level, and lets you customize every button.
App Experience: Shoot All Angles and Edit Fast
GoPro has added some new shooting modes to help you get the most out of your 360-degree video. The POV and Selfie modes record in 360, but default to the view of your choice when it comes time to edit. You still have the full 360 capture from both lenses available, should you want it, but it cuts down on editing time and reduces the need to adjust perspective using keyframes.
(Credit: GoPro/PCMag)GoPro's Quik app (available for Android and iOS) makes getting compelling footage from your 360 videos intuitive. GoPro discontinued the desktop version of Quik last year, but offers plug-ins for Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve for power users who prefer editing on a laptop or desktop.
When editing a video file in the Quik mobile app, you can set keyframes to adjust the viewpoint or use object tracking to keep a subject in focus. There are also options to lock the camera perspective and horizon line. Keyframes make it easy to shift perspective smoothly, but if you place them too close together, the results can be jerky and disorientating. Leave a few seconds between them and don't change the zoom or perspective too drastically to get silky smooth camera movements and beautifully cinematic results.
The app enables remote control of the Max2, including turning it on and off. This is hugely helpful if the camera is out of reach and fantastic for tweaking settings without needing to menu dive on the camera's touch display. Quik automatically detects if you have new footage on the Max2 that you haven't downloaded, and lets you create albums or use the studio function to automatically create edits from your footage or stills. We found the studio tools a little hit and miss in testing, but they can act as a starting point for an edit, especially if you've marked highlights while recording, which will then be given preference and be easy to find and rearrange.
A new tool called MotionFrame uses your phone or tablet's accelerometers to let you reframe footage by panning around with your device. It's a fast and intuitive way to create compelling cuts without too many screen taps and should help reduce edit time considerably. The Quik app also includes support for the new POV and Selfie modes, and the usual range of filters and editing effects that can be dropped into the timeline to spice up your edits.
(Credit: GoPro/PCMag)Although I found I had to bump the exposure up on most of the 360-degree photos I shot with the Max2, I tended to leave most videos untouched. The camera delivers excellent saturation and natural colors by default. Of course, there's plenty of latitude if you do want to make adjustments, especially if you shoot with maximum color depth and bitrate. Unsurprisingly, as soon as the light starts to fade, noise begins to creep in, but that's a function of the limited sensor size. Good thing most people don't buy action or 360 cameras for their low-light performance.
I am, however, impressed with how the Max2 handles complex lighting situations. Even when one lens is in bright daylight and the other is in shadow, the camera manages to create an evenly lit result without any visible stitching.
(Credit: Craig Wilson)The only obvious omission is live streaming, which is now locked behind a subscription (the Max can stream at 1080p by default). However, the Max2 adds what we expect is a far more requested feature: timecode sync. You can wirelessly synchronize the camera to additional Max2, Hero12, or Hero13 cameras, which makes editing multi-camera video far simpler.
GoPro Cloud: Subscribe to Unlock
If you're worried about losing your camera and undownloaded footage with it, or if you want more themes, music, and additional editing tools, a GoPro Subscription is worth considering. The Premium plan costs $24.99 for the first year and then $49.99 each year thereafter. It lets you automatically upload unlimited footage from your GoPro camera to the cloud, along with up to 25GB from non-GoPro devices. It synchronizes edits across the Quik app if you have it on multiple devices and unlocks discounts on devices and accessories.
The Premium plan automatically generates daily highlight reels of your content. If you let it access all the media on your device, it'll sometimes use non-GoPro stills and video to generate highlights. It uses these automatic edits as a carrot to try to get you to pony up for the subscription, which is a little annoying. I saw an edit of some of my footage that was much stronger than the automatic edit the Studio tab produced, but in order to download it, I'd need to subscribe.
Premium+ includes all of the Premium plan's features, but adds up to 500GB of storage for non-GoPro footage and costs $99.99 per year. With either tier, you can edit footage at full resolution from any camera in the Quik app.