{"id":3757,"date":"2020-04-24T12:43:42","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T08:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/?p=3757"},"modified":"2021-02-08T17:10:41","modified_gmt":"2021-02-08T13:10:41","slug":"gopro-max-vs-gopro-hero-8-black-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/gopro-max-vs-gopro-hero-8-black-comparison","title":{"rendered":"GoPro Max vs GoPro Hero 8 Black Detailed Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that GoPro Max has the best image stabilization technology in all GoPro cameras?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you also know that GoPro Max<\/a> can shoot regular non-360-degree videos?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These two features have placed the GoPro Max in a tight race against the newest Hero series camera, the GoPro Hero 8 Black, check my review of the Hero 8 here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hero8 Black<\/a> is clearly successful and its sales helped GoPro achieve a 40% increase in its revenue in the 4th quarter of 2019 compared to that same quarter in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even before the Max and Hero 8 release back in October 2019, GoPro fans were eagerly waiting for the two action cameras and for the improvements that came along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GoPro Max is the predecessor of the GoPro Fusion, GoPro’s first 360-degree camera which wasn’t as successful as we hoped it to be. Check my GoPro Max vs Fusion comparison<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the Hero 8 Black is the predecessor of the GoPro Hero 7 series cameras which had three models: Black, Silver and White.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both GoPro Max and GoPro Hero 8 Black use the same GoPro’s proprietary GP1 processor so they both have the same processing power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both have enhanced stabilization that I will talk about later in my comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be asking why am I comparing a 360-degree camera to a non 360-degree camera?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, they actually have a lot of similarities and that is the reason why I decided to write this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will try my best to show you as much detail as possible so you can make a decision about which one to get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you are interested to know more, continue reading through this GoPro Max vs GoPro Hero 8 Black comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, I will start with a comprehensive comparison table to show you the detailed specs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GoPro Max vs GoPro Hero 8 Black Specs Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Specs\\Camera<\/th>Hero 8 Black<\/th>MAX<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Video<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens aperture<\/td>f\/2.8<\/td>f\/2.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spherical Video resolution<\/td>No<\/td>up to 6K30 Source. 5.6K30 Stitched<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Normal Video resolution<\/td>Up to 4K60fps<\/td>HERO Mode 1440p60 \/ 1080p60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PowerPano<\/td>No<\/td>270\u00b0 6.2MP Panoramic Photo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Stabilization<\/td>\tHypersmooth 2.0<\/td>Max HyperSmooth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TimeWarp Video Intervals<\/td>Yes. Timwarp 2.0<\/td>Auto (HERO Mode Only), 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time Lapse Video Intervals<\/td>0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds<\/td>0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video File Format<\/td>MP4 (H.264\/AVC), MP4 (H.265\/HVEC)<\/td>MP4 (H.264\/AVC), MP4 (H.265\/HEVC)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Video Bit Rate<\/td>100Mb\/s in 2.7K & 4K<\/td>78 Mb\/s (1440)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FOV\u00a0<\/td>SuperView, Wide, Linear, Narrow<\/td>Max SuperView, Wide, Linear, Narrow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ISO Video<\/td>100 to 1600<\/td>100 to 1600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Photo<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Megapixels<\/td>12MP + SuperPhoto With Improved HDR<\/td>18MP Source, 16.6MP Stitched 360 Photo. 5.5MP HERO Photo. No RAW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LiveBurst<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Burst Rates<\/td>Yes (up to 30fps)<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time Lapse Photo Intervals<\/td>0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds; 1, 2, 5, 30, 60 minutes\t<\/td>HERO Mode: 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Specs\\Camera<\/td>Hero 8 Black<\/td>MAX (360 camera)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Continuous Photo Capture\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SuperPhoto\u00a0<\/td>Yes, with Improved HDR<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Photo Timer\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAW Photo Capture\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Exposure Control\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ISO Photo<\/td>100 to 3200<\/td>100 to 3200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Night Photo\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shooting Modes<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Looping\u00a0<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time Lapse Photo\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time Lapse Video\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TimeWarp Video\u00a0<\/td>No<\/td>Max TimeWarp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Night Lapse Photo\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slo-Mo\u00a0<\/td>8x<\/td>Hero mode 2x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Design<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dimensions<\/td>66.3 W x 48.6 H x 28.4 D (mm)<\/td>64 W x 69 H x 25 D (mm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight (Camera + Battery)<\/td>126g<\/td>154g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens<\/td>1<\/td>2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Touch Screen<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chip\u00a0<\/td>GP1<\/td>GP1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HDMI Port<\/td>No. Media Mod needed<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USB Port<\/td>USB-C<\/td>USB-C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.5 mm Audio Mic In<\/td>No. Media Mod needed<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Memory Storage<\/td>1 microSD<\/td>1 microSD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Microphones<\/td>3<\/td>6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Specs\\Camera<\/td>Hero 8 Black<\/td>MAX (360 camera)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LEDs<\/td>2<\/td>2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery<\/td>Removable 1220mAh<\/td>Removable 1600mAh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Replaceable Lens<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rugged + Waterproof<\/td>Yes<\/td>16ft (5m)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Features<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Voice Control\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wake on Voice\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Live Streaming\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>1080p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GPS\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advanced Metadata\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>HERO mode only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Protune\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compatible Housing<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Auto Cloud Backup<\/td>With GoPro PLUS Subscription<\/td>With GoPro PLUS Subscription<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advanced Wind-Noise Reduction<\/td>3-mic processing<\/td>6-Mic Processing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stereo Audio<\/td>Yes<\/td>Premium <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
360 Audio\u00a0<\/td>No<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAW Audio Capture\u00a0<\/td>Yes<\/td>WAV format
\nHERO Mode Only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wi-Fi + Bluetooth\u00ae<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Damaged Camera Replacement<\/td>Included with GoPro PLUS Subscription (US Only)<\/td>Included with GoPro PLUS Subscription (US only)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Design & Components<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Weight and Dimensions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Putting the two cameras side by side, it is clear that they don’t share the same design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GoPro Max<\/a> is closer to the Fusion in its design than the Hero 8 Black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we look at the dimensions, GoPro Max: W: 66.3 x H: 48.6 x D: 28.4(mm)<\/strong> vs GoPro Hero 8 Black: W: 64 x H: 69 x D: 25 (mm)<\/strong>, we see that the GoPro Max has more height than the GoPro Hero 8 Black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"GoPro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is because of the additional hardware on the Max, mainly the two lenses on the front and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which will also affect the weight a bit, the GoPro Max weighs 154 grams<\/strong> while the GoPro Hero 8 Black weighs 126 grams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They both don’t require a frame or housing to be mounted on accessories as they both have folding fingers at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touchscreen vs LCD screen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like all the Hero Black series, the Hero 8 has a small status LCD screen at the front that shows the shooting mode, the recording time, the battery status and the remaining memory space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has also a touchscreen on the back where you can change the camera’s modes, playback videos and change settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GoPro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the Fusion, there is no LCD screen on the front side of the Max, but there is a touchscreen on the back similar to the Hero 8’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GoPro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This made it a lot easier and less time consuming than using the buttons to control the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to shoot 360-degree videos, the Max uses two wide lenses, one at the front and another at the back. Each lens covers a 180-degree angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GoPro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These two lenses are capable of different field of views or digital lenses as GoPro calls it now: Max SuperView, Wide, Linear, Narrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Hero 8 Black, there is one lens at the front capable of a 149.2-degree angle. It also has four digital lenses: SuperView, Wide, Linear, Narrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lens aperture on both cameras is f\/2.8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ports and Sockets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both GoPro Max and Hero 8 Black have a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course both cameras have a micro SD card socket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GoPro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"GoPro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

None of these two cameras have an HDMI out port. However, GoPro have released a device called Media Mod<\/a> that looks like a frame which connects to the USB-C port of the Hero 8 Black and provides it with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n