GoPro Max review: we put the 360-degree action cam through its paces

Joining GoPro’s HERO action camera range comes the dual-lens, 360-degree GoPro Max. Will combining jaw-dropping 360-degree shots with proven technologies such as HyperSmooth stabilization and handheld TimeWarp sequences from the HERO range prove to be a winning recipe?

The GoPro Max now succeeds its 360-degree forerunner, the Fusion, in the GoPro range, but its latest 360-degree offering is not alone in the 360 marketplace. So, is the Max a superior option over the Rylo 360, the Insta360 One X and Kodak’s Pixpro SP360’s 4K? Read on for our thoughts. Alternatively, see how all the HEROs compare in our guide to the best GoPro, or get the low-down on the latest flagship model in our GoPro HERO 10 Black review (released September 2021).

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GoPro Max review: release date and price

Released on October 25, 2019, the GoPro Max has an MSRP of $499.99 (or $399.98 when you opt for the one-year subscription to GoPro, which costs an additional $49.99). That's quite a hefty sum for most people, especially those who won't really utilize its 360-degree format, which is the main selling point here.

In comparison, the newly-released GoPro Hero9 Black is $50 less at $349.98 with subscription or $449.99 without.

If it's the 360-degree shooting format you're after, then the GoPro Max is definitely worth that $50 price difference. Otherwise, you might want to consider the Hero9 or the Hero8, which is even cheaper.

GoPro Max review: design and setup

Despite sporting twin offset lenses (one front-facing, one rear-facing) and different dimensions, the GoPro Max shares a number of design elements with the Hero8 Black. Like its more conventional peer, the Max attaches to mounts and accessories via two metal fingers that fold out from its base and neatly tuck away when not in use. Its rubberized finish and rounded edges are also reminiscent of the Hero 8 and help give the camera a sturdy feel and prevent any potential slippage.

At 64W x 69H x 25D mm, the Max is bigger than most traditional action cameras – it’s essentially the same width and depth as the Hero8, only 20mm taller. It weighs 154g, which feels a little hefty despite being 66g lighter than its predecessor, the GoPro Fusion.

It’s easy to cycle between the Max’s three main shooting modes: Video, Photo and Timelapse. You only need to press a physical button on the camera body. Tapping an icon on the touchscreen, on the other hand, let you toggle between shooting with either both lenses in 360 or just one for more standard footage.

You can choose to view the action as seen through the front or rear lens via the touchscreen. While the Hero8 Black took some flak for the lack of a front-facing screen as standard (you can upgrade to a second display, but you’d need to shell out for the additional Media and Display Mods for it), this feature makes using the Max a far better (albeit also expensive) proposition for blogging. That’s in addition to its primary function of creating 360-degree footage.

The touchscreen is an essential tool for shooting conventional video and stills. But, when creating 360 content, by far the most useful view is made up of what both lenses are capturing simultaneously. The only way to see this live, stitched together, 360-degree view is by pairing the Max with your smartphone via the GoPro app, which also lets you to operate the camera remotely.

GoPro Max review: features and usability

Just as the GoPro Max’s exterior shares design aspects with the Hero 8 Black, the camera uses the same operational interface as well. Beyond the additional 360-degree elements, both cameras use the same easy to use system of taps and swipes via the touchscreen, although the smaller display on the Max makes navigation slightly more finicky. Both cameras also respond to voice commands, which is really handy when you don’t have a free hand or are wearing gloves.

Operating the camera is simple enough, but wrapping your head around how to best make use of the Max’s main function of creating 360-degree footage takes more practice. The 360-degree app view is invaluable for helping you visualize your shots to begin with. Once you get the idea, you’re then better able to picture your footage using the touchscreen view.

The app’s other major function is to allow you to view and edit your content, which you can download in full 360-degree format onto your phone. From there, you can use the in-app software to extract standard stills and video from your raw 360 footage or get really creative with kaleidoscopic sequences and videos with shifting POVs. The powerful functionality within the app really is impressive, fun to use and better anything else currently on the market.

GoPro Max review: spec

• Weight: 154g
• Dimensions: 63W x 69H x 25D (mm)
• 360 video: 6K source/5.6K stitched
• Conventional video: 1440p60 (4:3), 1080p60 (16:9)
• Photo: Spherical: 18MP, Hero: 5.5MP, PowerPano: 6.2MP
• Digital lenses: Max SuperView, Wide, Linear and Narrow
• Audio: Premium 360, Stereo
• Microphones: Six
• Connectivity: Wifi, Bluetooth
• App: GoPro with Reframe
• SoC: GP1 chip
• Battery: Removable 1600mAH Lithium-Ion
• TimeWarp: 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x recording speeds
• Time-lapse: 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 second and 1, 2, 5 and 30 minute intervals
• Touchscreen: Intuitive 1in LCD
• Waterproofing: 5m without a case
• GPS: Yes
• Voice control: Yes
• Stabilisation: HyperSmooth
• Live Streaming: Yes, via app
• Other: Portrait mode, auto orientation

GoPro Max review: video and stills

While the GoPro Max’s 360-degree capabilities give you the ability to create some truly stunning content, it’s not without its limitations. Like all 360 cameras, the image stitching is noticeable since the camera can’t see the distance between the two lenses. The image exposure can also vary between each lens, resulting in one view being darker or lighter than the other.

The Max’s 360 video resolution of 5.6K stitched is almost identical to that of its 360 rivals, the Rylo 360 and the Insta360 One X (which all beat the Kodak Pixpro SP360’s 4K). However, when shooting standard video at its maximum full-frame (16:9), the highest resolution of 1080p at 60fps is way below the 4K60 you’ll find on the Hero8 Black as well as many action cameras on the market. Similarly, when taking single-lens stills, the Max’s top resolution of 5.5MP is also way below than those of the traditional action cameras out there, though the PowerPano function allows you to take 6.3MP panoramic photos with auto horizon leveling – also a feature you won’t find elsewhere on GoPro’s cameras.

Just like the Hero 8 Black, the Max’s TimeWarp function allows you to create really cool moving time-lapsed footage – perfect for showing travel over a distance at warp speed. TimeLapse mode, on the other hand, makes it easy to create static time-lapsed video sequences.

The Max comes equipped with GoPro’s stabilization software – HyperSmooth, which hugely reduces camera shake and vibration. This is the most advanced version of it yet, appropriately called Max HyperSmooth. It’s as smooth as the Boost mode on the Hero 8 Black, but without the cropping that mode requires. It also uses the round lenses for clever horizon leveling, keeping everything really watchable.

GoPro Max review: samples

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GoPro Max Review Video - YouTube

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GoPro Max review: verdict

There’s no denying that the GoPro Max is a seriously capable piece of kit that allows you to get seriously creative with your photos and video and produce some outstanding results. As a complete package, it’s better than the rival 360-degree cameras available, though the Rylo 360 and the Insta360 One X are both significantly cheaper and boast unique features. 

We’ve tested the Max in some demanding conditions – not least exposing it to the force of 8-foot saltwater waves in the middle of a British winter, and it has proved to be just as bombproof as its Heroic peer.

Given the physical positioning of the offset lenses on each face of the Max, there’s no way to avoid the glitches that appear on the stitched images taken simultaneously – which looks very obvious on objects close to the camera. It’s also a pity the camera’s conventional resolution rates aren’t higher, but if you want cutting edge 180-degree content, you’re unlikely to choose a 360 camera in the first place.

Overall, we think that the GoPro Max is the best 360-degree action camera on the market and is way ahead of its forerunner – the GoPro Fusion. However, while it certainly gives interesting results, we’re not completely sold on the 360 format, which is still somewhat gimmicky and arguably less useful than what you get from a traditional action camera.