GoPro Max vs GoPro Hero (2024)

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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

Overview of the GoPro Hero (2024)

GoPro Hero (2024)☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro's 2024 budget action camera: 4K video, slomo & photos
The Hero (2024) is GoPro's new entry level action camera, offering very decent performance at less than half the price of their flagship GoPro Hero 13 Black. The resulting product is extremely simple, with only 3 modes (video, slomo and photo), but for most casual usage, it's 4K video will be good enough to capture the fun and action of the moment and share it with your friends.
  • Pros
  • Simple & straightforward
  • Lightweight
  • Replaceable lens guard
  • Cons
  • Limited functionality
  • Stabilization only in app
  • Only waterproof down to 16ft / 5m
  • Battery not removeable

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Hero (2024)

Weight and size

The Hero (2024) is a slightly smaller camera. The Hero (2024) is a lot lighter than the GoPro Max.
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Hero (2024)
56.6mm x 47.7mm x 29.4mm / 2.23in x 1.88in x 1.16in
3.03oz / 86g
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 GoPro Max offers a much larger battery capacity. The GoPro Max has a removable battery whereas the Hero (2024)'s battery is not removable
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Hero (2024)
1225mAh
Removable
75min at 4K30fps
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 GoPro Max and the Hero (2024) support SD cards.
GoPro Max
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Hero (2024)
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

Neither camera offers HDR video.
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero (2024)
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported

Camera and sensor technology

The GoPro Max offers a slightly higher resolution. The field of view of the GoPro Max is a little better than the Hero (2024)'s. The GoPro Max features a much higher bit rate than the Hero (2024)
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero (2024)
12MP
140°
50Mbps

Camera settings

GoPro Max
100-3200
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero (2024)
Feature missing
Feature missing

GoPro Max vs Hero (2024) specifications

NameGoPro MaxGoPro Hero (2024)
Year of release20192024
Width2.52in / 64mm2.23in / 56.6mm
Height2.72in / 69mm1.88in / 47.7mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.16in / 29.4mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g3.03oz / 86g
Waterproof16ft / 5m16ft / 5m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1600mAh1225mAh
Removable batteryYesNo
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
75min at 4K30fps
Charging time120min60min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingV30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1Tb
Rear screen size1.69in1.76in
Front screen size-No
Field of view155°140°
Sensor1/2.3"1/2.8" CMOS
Pixels18MP12MP
ApertureF2.0F2.3
Focal length13-27mm15mm
ISO range100-3200-
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate78Mbps50Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4-
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
4K video-30fps
2.7K video-60fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps30fps
Maximum slow motion2x2x at 2.7k
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothHypersmooth in Quik Application
Horizon lockYesNo
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30-
Timelapse modeYes-
Timeshift modeYes-
Loop recording modeYes-
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones62
Stereo audioYes-
Noise reductionYes-
Audio formatwav-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.2
USBType-C USBUSB-C
GPS integratedYesNo
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNo-