GoPro Max 2 assessment: some points, however a superb 360 digicam

Table of Contents

Introduction

4 years could be a very long time within the motion digicam world. When GoPro quietly retired its authentic Max 360 digicam again in 2021, it left a spot that its upstart rivals wasted no time filling – the Insta360 X sequence went from energy to energy, whereas DJI ultimately waded in with its personal debut 360 digicam, the Osmo 360. So, the GoPro Max 2 arrives with one thing to show.

At first look, it’s unmistakably a GoPro. The sq. physique is a beefed-up echo of its predecessor, sitting barely squatter than each the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360 with out feeling cramped. It’s waterproof to 5m with no case and suitable with the mounting ecosystem GoPro has spent 15 years constructing. In case you’ve already acquired a drawer stuffed with GoPro equipment, the Max 2 slots straight in.

The headline act is what GoPro calls “true 8K”. The place rivals are accused of counting overlapped or inactive pixels to justify the 8K badge, GoPro says its 360 output comprises a minimum of 3840 energetic pixels on every axis.

Priced at $499/£450, the Max 2 sits between the surprisingly reasonably priced DJI Osmo 360 and the premium Insta360 X5. It’s not the most affordable possibility on this class, then, however GoPro is betting that its picture high quality, ecosystem and ease are value the additional outlay. Having spent a number of days with the digicam, I’ve an affordable sense of whether or not that guess pays off.

Design & construct: lens is extra

Choose up the Max 2 and it instantly appears like one thing constructed to take punishment. The chunky plastic physique has a reassuringly strong high quality to it – there’s no flex, no rattle, nothing that offers you trigger for concern earlier than you’ve even left the home. GoPro doesn’t assign it a proper IP score, however the 5m waterproofing is enough for paddleboarding, browsing, kayaking and most water sport actions in need of diving. Critical scuba fiends might want to look forward to the dive housing GoPro has in improvement; for everybody else, it’s loads.

The Max 2’s most distinctive design characteristic is its tool-free replaceable lens system. With 360 cameras, these protruding fisheye lenses are a continuing supply of tension – they’re uncovered, they’re convex, they usually’re costly to exchange if one thing goes fallacious. GoPro’s resolution is elegant: the rubber barrel of every lens helps you to twist it off together with your fingers – no software required. The lenses themselves are comparatively reasonably priced to exchange too, which takes a whole lot of the stress out of dangerous taking pictures eventualities.

There may be, nevertheless, a worth to be paid. Throughout testing, I seen condensation forming contained in the lens when transferring between totally different temperature environments – going from a cold morning exterior right into a toasty constructing, as an illustration. It’s not one thing I’ve skilled on different 360 cameras, and I believe the detachable lens design creates a less-than-airtight seal that permits moisture to sneak in. You may repair it by eradicating the lens and giving it a wipe, however that’s hardly supreme once you’re mid-surf session.

Mounting choices are spectacular. The Max 2 helps basic mounting fingers – suitable with an unlimited ecosystem of first- and third-party equipment – plus an ordinary tripod thread and GoPro’s newer magnetic latch system. That triple compatibility means a long time of motion digicam {hardware} works with it right away. Whether or not you’re clipping it to a kayak, bolting it to a helmet or fixing it to the nostril of a surfboard, there’s a mount for the job.

The 1.82in touchscreen is vibrant, responsive and stays usable with moist fingers. Controls are saved easy: two massive rubber buttons deal with energy and shutter duties, with the touchscreen dealing with the whole lot else. GoPro’s UI has at all times been considered one of its strengths, and the Max 2 upholds that popularity. Even for those who haven’t used a GoPro in ages, you’ll shortly get the hold of it.

There’s additionally built-in GPS, which shops your location information mechanically as you document. It’s a helpful edge over each the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360, neither of which supply it as normal.

Efficiency and options: easy to make use of, sometimes sizzling beneath the collar

Getting footage off the Max 2 and right into a shareable format is simple. Switch wirelessly to a telephone working GoPro’s Quik app, reframe your clips utilizing guide keyframes or AI-assisted object monitoring, and also you’re executed. I feel Quik is a reliable 360 editor – it’s not essentially the most feature-rich within the class, but it surely will get the job executed with out requiring a level from movie faculty. Completed clips could be saved to your digicam roll, shared to social media or exported elsewhere.

Desktop modifying is dealt with by the up to date GoPro Participant app, which now helps Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve plug-ins for direct 360 file import. For customers already embedded in these editors’ workflows, then, it’s genuinely helpful. For everybody else, Quik will do the job.

It’s value noting that Insta360’s software program suite – significantly its AI-assisted modifying and the Insta360 Studio desktop app – stays extra subtle than GoPro’s. If seamless, polished social content material with minimal effort is a precedence, the X5 has the sting in that division.

Battery life is suitable relatively than distinctive. GoPro doesn’t specify a runtime determine, however in my testing the 1960mAh cell lasted just below half-hour of steady 8K 30fps recording earlier than the digicam shut itself right down to keep away from overheating – and with battery life remaining. Drop to five.6K and also you get nearer to an hour earlier than warmth turns into a problem, with round 10% battery left at that time. Thermal shutdown throughout prolonged recording is an actual frustration, although utilizing the digicam in cooler or breezy environments does enhance issues. For informal journey taking pictures – clips relatively than steady seize – it’s much less of a priority, however anybody planning a protracted day trip could be sensible to choose up a spare battery or two.

The battery is detachable, a minimum of, which suggests sizzling swapping within the area is feasible. That’s a extra sensible resolution than cameras with sealed batteries that require a full charging cycle mid-adventure.

Sensor	2 x 1/2.3in CMOS
Photograph decision	As much as 29MP
Video recording	As much as 8K 30 fps / 4K 100fps
Display	1.82in 314 x 556
Storage	microSD card slot
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, GPS
Dimensions	64 x 69.7 x 48.7mm
Weight	195g

GoPro Max 2 assessment: some points, however a superb 360 digicam

Introduction

Design & construct: lens is extra

Efficiency and options: easy to make use of, sometimes sizzling beneath the collar

Picture high quality: completely satisfied in daylight, humbled after darkish

GoPro Max 2 verdict

GoPro Max 2 technical specs