GoPro MAX2 vs GoPro MAX
In short: The GoPro MAX costs $150 less; the GoPro MAX2 collects light over 34 mm² per lens against 28, which is 1.2× the area; the GoPro MAX2 reframes to about 1.7K against 1.2K; the GoPro MAX2 records 10-bit colour; the GoPro MAX claims 1 h 18 min at 1440p30 single-lens, Enduro battery.
| Spec | GoPro MAX2 | GoPro MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$499 | ~$349 |
| Year-one cost | ~$549 with the plan | ~$399 with the plan |
| Type | 360 | 360 |
| Sensor size | 2 × 1/1.9-inch | 2 × 1/2.3-inch |
| Sensor area | 34 mm² per lens | 28 mm² per lens |
| Max resolution | 8K 360 @ 30fps | 5.6K 360 @ 30fps |
| Reframed resolution | ≈1.7K (estimated) | ≈1.2K (estimated) |
| Max fps at 4K | 100 | 30 |
| Max fps at 1080p | — | 60 |
| Max bitrate | 300 Mbps | 78 Mbps |
| Colour depth | 10-bit | 8-bit |
| Log profile | GP-Log | None |
| Stabilisation | Max HyperSmooth | Max HyperSmooth |
| Horizon lock | 360° (full) | 360° (full) |
| Aperture | Not published | Not published |
| Waterproof | 5 m bare | 5 m bare |
| Claimed runtime | 1 h 6 min at 8K30 spherical, ideal conditions | 1 h 18 min at 1440p30 single-lens, Enduro battery |
| Tested runtime | No third-party test collected | No third-party test collected |
| Battery | 1960 mAh | 1600 mAh |
| Cold rating | 14°F | 14°F |
| Weight | 195 g | 154 g |
| Screens | 2.0-inch rear touch | 1.7-inch rear touch |
| Mount | GoPro folding fingers + magnetic latch + 1/4-20 | GoPro folding fingers + 1/4-20 |
| Replaceable lenses | Yes | No |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Voice control | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | microSD | microSD |
| Subscription | GoPro Premium, ~$49.99/yr | GoPro Premium, ~$49.99/yr |
| Released | 2025 | 2019 |
A highlighted cell is the outright better figure in that row, and only where one direction is unambiguously better. Weight, field of view and battery capacity are left neutral because the better direction depends entirely on what you are shooting.
Strengths and drawbacks
GoPro MAX2
- +Lens covers twist off and cost far less than a repair — the single biggest running cost of a 360 camera solved
- +300 Mbps is the highest bitrate in the 360 class, and it shows in fast-motion detail
- +GP-Log and 10-bit put it a grading tier above every other 360 camera
- +Built-in GPS, which no competing 360 camera offers
- +Records a straight POV or selfie clip in-camera, so easy shots skip reframing entirely
- +Six microphones give it the best spatial audio of any camera in this catalogue
- −5 m of bare waterproofing, a quarter of what the Insta360 X6 manages
- −66 minutes at 8K30 against the X6's claimed 140
- −The 1/1.9-inch sensors are small for a 360 camera in 2026
- −GoPro's desktop and mobile 360 reframing tools are slower than Insta360 Studio
- −The fisheye glass still protrudes far enough that a guard or a cap is not really optional
GoPro MAX
- +Max HyperSmooth in single-lens mode is still among the steadiest footage any GoPro produces
- +One body covers both 360 and conventional shooting, which nothing else here does as well
- +PowerPano produces level 270° panoramas without a tripod
- +Often sells well below $349, the cheapest route into 360 from a major brand
- −Lenses are not replaceable, and they are the first thing to scratch on any 360 camera
- −5.6K spherical reframes to well under 2K of usable 16:9
- −8-bit only, with no log profile
- −A 2019 sensor and processor, refreshed only in battery and mount
- −A 2019 processor makes in-camera stitching and the app noticeably slow next to current cameras