Each new 360 camera that hits the market carries with it the promise of being the one that gets immersive video right. None have yet delivered on this promise. We’ve looked to GoPro before to be the savior the format so desperately needs, but 2017’s Fusion, GoPro’s first 360 camera, left much to be desired. Two years later, GoPro takes the lessons learned from the Fusion and wrapped them up into the smaller, cheaper, and easier-to-use Max. It’s a hybrid camera that can be used in 360 mode or “Hero” mode, where it operates more like a standard GoPro Hero camera, albeit at just 1080p resolution. As with many other 360 cameras today, the Max’s spherical footage can be re-framed in post, allowing you to “direct” the camera and add pan, tilt, and zoom effects. It’s a step in the right direction for GoPro. However, the Max is haunted by the 360 format’s usual ghosts, and does little to propel the segment forward. 360-degree video still isn’t ready for serious editing. While the Max is $200 c...

Excellent mobile app; Great image stabilization; Good audio quality; Rugged and waterproof; Keyframe-based reframing controls;

Video quality is OK; Imperfect stitching; No subject tracking;

“360 still has growing up to do, but the GoPro Max is a step in the right direction.”

Excellent mobile app; Great image stabilization; Good audio quality; Rugged and waterproof; Keyframe-based reframing controls

Video quality is OK; Imperfect stitching; No subject tracking

The 360-degree GoPro Max camera promises an easier, more streamlined workflow than last year's Fusion, but has more niche appeal than the less expensive Hero8 Black.

360-degree capture; Also works as a single-lens camera; Intuitive software tools; Strong stabilization; Good in-camera audio; Waterproof without a case; Integrated mounting clips

Effective resolution is really 1080p; Single-lens capture tops out at 60fps; Requires more editing time to get the best results from spherical footage

GoPro's second-generation 360-degree action camera, the Max ($499.99), is a lot friendlier to use than its first effort, the Fusion. You don't have to fiddle with dual memory cards, the software tools to work with 360 footage are a lot better now, and the camera has a touch screen so you can more easily adjust settings. It costs a bit more than our favorite action camera, the GoPro Hero8 Black, an item that's a better fit for most action videographers, but is worth a look if you're all-in on 360-degree capture and editing.A Smaller Fusion The Max takes its basic design cues from the Fusion. It has the same matte gray finish with a rubberized exterior, built to withstand drops and go underwater without the need for an external housing. But it's smaller all around, and adds a color touch screen so you can preview the frame from either of its lenses, and adjust settings via touch. The camera measures 2.7 by 2.5 by 1.6 inches (HWD), weighs 5.8 ounces, and is waterproof to 16 feet. It...

The 360-degree GoPro Max camera promises an easier, more streamlined workflow than last year's Fusion, but has more niche appeal than the less expensive Hero8 Black.

360-degree capture; Also works as a single-lens camera; Intuitive software tools; Strong stabilization; Good in-camera audio; Waterproof without a case; Integrated mounting clips

Effective resolution is really 1080p; Single-lens capture tops out at 60fps; Requires more editing time to get the best results from spherical footage

10/10

GoPro’s new Max 360-degree action camera is hell-bent on bringing spherical video to the masses. A new suite of on-camera processing removes the major pain-points from 360-video production, and integrates editing and reframing tools into the GoPro smartphone apps. It also bumps up the spherical resolution to 5.6K, offers flat 16:9 digital shooting lenses and will even live-stream in Full HD. Unfortunately, the limited 2D shooting modes are still a long way off competing with single lens action cameras. That said, the GoPro Max makes it easy to capture compelling and immersive reframed and 360-degree shots that are fundamentally impossible on traditional action cameras.

5.6K 360 video; 360 video reframing; On-camera stitching; Digital stabilization; Fits on existing mounts;

Limited shooting modes; Low-res 2D footage; Poor in low light/ underwater

Don't buy the GoPro Max if you want the very best 4K action camera footage around. Don't buy one if you want to shoot underwater, either. Do buy a GoPro Max if you want to have creative fun with an action camera. Its 360-degree editing is super-easy, it makes some wild-looking effects possible; and the "Warp" time-lapse video is great. This feels like a real 2-in-1 action camera.

Easy to use; Simple editing; Good environmental audio capture; Multiple fields of view;

Non-360-degree video quality not near Hero 8 Black level; Cheaper alternatives are now plentiful;

One of the most versatile cameras to date, thanks to its dual-cameras setup and 360-degree footage possibilities. It's easy to use and easy to edit footage afterwards. But if you want 'normal' video then the Hero 8 is your better bet.

Really simple to shoot with; Editing from the mobile app is easy; Durable build; Fits most existing mounts and handles;

It's not cheap; Video captured in Hero mode isn't as good as an actual Hero; Sometimes struggles with exposure and shadows;

Have the Go Pro 5 and was looking for an upgrade to 360. Strapped this to a drag car and loved how smooth the footage was and how easy it was to operate from my phone. Only downfall I have is that I can't use the app features properly to edit videos - but slowly learning from utube videos.

The ease of use on this camera is incredible. It's really easy to start shooting from the moment you pull it out of the box. It's possibly the most fun camera to use for any lifestyle videos. What's extra special about this camera is the way it works with the GoPro app. I mounted the camera onto our horse and filmed the kids going for a ride. Using the app, I edited the video by choosing my angles, saved it to my phone and then shared the video around with the family.