GoPro Hero 12 Black vs GoPro Max

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Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

Overview of the GoPro Max

GoPro Max☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Max
GoPro's 2019 360 camera: 5.7K video
The GoPro Max was GoPro's second attempt at a 360 camera and was released in 2019. It is still offers relatively good performance but it's age is showing in comparision with the more recent competition. It's replacement, the GoPro Max 2, is still to be released.
  • Pros
  • Good stabilization
  • Cons
  • Average image quality
  • Ageing model
  • Still excessively expensive

Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the GoPro Max

Weight and size

The GoPro Max is a slightly smaller camera. Both cameras have the same weight.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
5.43oz / 154g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The Hero 12 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Hero 12 and the GoPro Max support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Max
No built-in storage
microSD
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Video performance

Only the Hero 12 offers HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 12 offers a slightly higher resolution. The field of view of the GoPro Max is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Hero 12 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps

Camera settings

The Hero 12's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. The GoPro Max's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Max
100-3200
+/-4

Hero 12 vs GoPro Max specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackGoPro Max
Year of release20232019
Width2.83in / 71.8mm2.52in / 64mm
Height2in / 50.8mm2.72in / 69mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm0.98in / 25mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof33ft / 10m16ft / 5m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m-
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1720mAh1600mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life150min at 1080p85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
Charging time3h (5W)120min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3Class 10 or UHS-I Rating
Maximun storage supported1Tb1TB
Rear screen size2.27in1.69in
Front screen size1.4in-
Field of view148°155°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/2.3"
Pixels27.6MP18MP
ApertureF2.5F2.0
Focal length12-39mm13-27mm
ISO range100-6400100-3200
Video zoom2x-
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps78Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-2+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
360 video format-GoPro 360 file
5.3K video60fps-
4K video60fps-
2.7K video120fps-
1440p video-60fps
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4x-
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p2x
HDR video5.3K 30fps-
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0Max HyperSmooth
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p601080p30
Webcam mode1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYes-
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-No
Photo burst modeYesNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones36
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavwav
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 4.2
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoYes
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-No