GoPro Max 360 review

For years, we’ve watched photography evolve – almost dramatically – from film negatives to digital and bulky DSLRs to smart, computational smartphones. We may have, at some point in the past decade, felt like we were hitting a plateau. That is, of course, till 360-degree capture entered the game.

Of course, fisheye lenses have been around for over a century, but it is only now that the once-rudimentary technology sees its ultimate potential. Today, we have a compact little omnidirectional device that can capture everything around you. The best part? It weighs little to nothing.

In a world where everyone’s packing a smartphone camera, I never thought I’d be the person advocating for yet another device in my tech arsenal. Having relied on my trusty GoPro Hero 11 throughout my Scandinavian adventure, I considered myself set in the action camera department.

But I happened to spend some time with the GoPro Max 360, and I now find myself wondering if it’s really that bad an idea to have one after all! So, should you invest in GoPro’s 360-degree offering? After putting it through its paces over the week, here’s our review.

GoPro Max 360: Build and design

Although not known as a household name for 360 cameras, GoPro, believe it or not, brings considerable experience to this segment. Following their initial GoPro Fusion 360 and Gen 1 Max 360, the latest Max 360 comes with substantial improvements over previous iterations.

The new GoPro Max 360 maintains a familiar aesthetic. It features dual 180-degree lenses capable of 5.6K resolution capture. The touchscreen display differs from other Hero models — there’s no front screen, and the rear display appears slightly smaller. That said, a flipable camera option on the back certainly proves quite useful for selfies, or if you’re a vlogger.

Intuitive swipe gestures control the interface, with a menu layout that feels immediately familiar. Moreover, you have the option of a voice command functionality that allows hands-free recording control, along with a double-tapping the screen feature which toggles between front and back cameras before recording begins.

The right side houses a satisfyingly tactile rubber power button, with a shutter button positioned on top. Speaker and microphone grilles occupy the front and back surfaces, while the battery compartment sits on the right side.

Unlike the signature rectangular GoPro shape, this camera adopts a squarer profile. This variant also cleverly incorporates prongs at the bottom, which is great if you’re hoping to mount a tripod or monopod for your shots. Like the entire GoPro range, this camera maintains full compatibility with official accessories.

GoPro Max 360: Photo and video outputs

The GoPro Max 360 thrives in outdoor environments. Its rugged construction and waterproof capabilities make it ideal for adventures and extreme sports. When recording begins, the display transforms into a viewfinder for your selected frame. The default setting launches in 360 video mode at 5.7K resolution, though regular mode remains available as an alternative starting point.

ALSO READ: How to shoot a timelapse with a GoPro

On the photography and videography front, the camera includes photo and timelapse modes, alongside various screen options — flip camera functionality, 360-degree mode, wide-angle mode and super panorama. The Max model even houses a new HyperSmooth video stabilisation mode and horizon levelling for enhanced video quality output.

The 360-degree footage demonstrates impressive stability, though stretching the image may bring in some graininess. Hero mode, on the other hand, produces results typical of standard action cameras. Night-time recording still poses a few challenges, though stabilisation has improved considerably, of course, thanks to HyperSmooth technology.

It was the photographic output, however, that impressed us with its definition. Even beneath overcast skies, the camera captured beach scenes with admirable colour saturation. In an area with tree cover, the balance between highlights and shadows appeared natural, avoiding both over- and under-exposure issues.

The distinctive, warped, fisheye photographs represent the surroundings beautifully while maintaining crispness and vibrant colours throughout. While Super Panorama effectively captures wide vistas, I personally gravitated towards full 360-photo outputs in most situations.

Inside, the GP1 chip works alongside a substantial mAh Max Enduro battery, offering noticeably extended operation times. Worth noting, however, that timelapse recording drains power rapidly and causes the device to heat up a little. But as they say, a wise GoPro user always carries a spare battery, no matter the variant!

GoPro Quik app: The real 'Hero'

While the GoPro Max 360 hardware impresses, it is the GoPro Quik app that truly elevates the experience! Apart from seamless device integration, it enables remote shooting, one-tap footage transfer, and straightforward in-app editing, which is ideal for both new and experienced users.

While you can click and shoot 360-degree pictures and videos on your GoPro, you will most certainly need the Quik app to edit, change perspective or vantage points and export the output of your choice.

ALSO READ: Everything you need to know before buying a GoPro

The app offers keyframe modification, highlight marking, and post-processing aspect ratio adjustments (16:9, 4:3, 8:7, 1:1, 7:8, 3:4, 9:16). These capabilities complement a bunch of standard editing tools that the company provides for output refinement.

What makes this app a champion is its ability to stitch 360 photos without a blip. This also comes a long way from the GoPro Fusion, which had a cumbersome, desktop stitching feature which also took a considerable amount of time.

Unboxed Take: Who should buy the GoPro Max 360?

It isn’t a stretch to say that the GoPro Max 360 only suits enthusiasts with genuine reasons to capture 360-degree footage. Priced at Rs 38,500, it represents good value within its category and offers an excellent entry point for newcomers to action photography.

That said, for those primarily interested in creating a basic travel documentary, engaging in daily vlogging, or recording a scuba diving session, the standard GoPro Hero series is likely a more suitable option.

The device lends remarkable user-friendliness for its price point, and even without premium subscription services, users can enjoy most of its creative features that are accessible on the GoPro Quik smartphone app. 

Taking all factors into consideration, we rate the GoPro Max 360 4/5. For additional detailed reviews and information about upcoming products, subscribe to Unboxed by Croma.