GoPro is getting back into the 360 game with the new MAX2 camera: true 8K resolution, interchangeable lenses, and six microphones with the promise of surround sound. It's a tool for serious content creators, but also a gadget that aims to redefine what an "action camera" even means in 2025.
Let's remember 2019: GoPro launched the first MAX camera, trying to combine action and 360-degree filming. The idea was fresh, but the technology wasn't there. The resolution was lagging, the files were too big, and the computers weren't strong enough to process it smoothly.
Five years later they return with GoPro MAX2 and the words “True 8K” printed in bold letters on all press materials. In translation, this means: 360 degrees of footage in 8K at 30 frames per second. It’s not a marketing gimmick — you actually get an image that you can crop, reframe, and still publish in sharp 4K quality.
What's new?
1. Tool-free interchangeable lenses
GoPro has introduced a “twist-and-go” system: if you scratch or break a lens, you simply unlock it and replace it. No sending the camera in for service, no microscopic screws. It’s one of those small but important features that saves you a lot of nerves.
2. Sound that follows the frame
Six microphones capture surround sound, which you can then direct based on where you point the image. In theory: the viewer hears what they see. In practice: the sound will always be vulnerable to wind, but Bluetooth microphones are supported, meaning you can connect a wireless microphone and get clear vocals.
3. Recording speeds for every need
- 8K at 30fps
- 5.6K at 60fps
- 4K at 100 fps (in 360 degrees!)
But if you don't need 360 at all, the camera records 4K at 60 fps in single-lens mode. So the MAX2 is no longer just imitating the competition, but actually becoming a hybrid camera.
4. Smarter battery
With the Enduro battery (1960 mAh), you can expect about an hour of 8K recording. Not much, but in the world of 360 cameras, this is pretty standard. For long days of filming, backup batteries will be a necessity.
Lifestyle question: who needs this anyway?
The GoPro MAX2 isn't a camera for everyone. If you're just shooting classic "flat" videos, the Hero 13 Black (or any Hero model) is a more sensible choice. The MAX2 is for those who live at the intersection of adrenaline and creativity:
- vloggers who want the flexibility to cut one clip into five different frames,
- athletes who film everything around them because sometimes there's more going on behind you than in front of you,
- VR content creators who require sharpness,
- travel enthusiasts who don't want to think about where to point their camera because they shoot everything.
Aesthetics and feel
The MAX2 is no longer just a “sports camera.” The design is rugged but not clunky, with a classic GoPro feel. It’s waterproof to 5 meters without a housing, making it great for pools, beaches, and the rainy streets of Tokyo — but for serious diving, you’ll need an additional housing.
We all feel the price
The GoPro MAX2 costs around $499/€499. That's a lot of money for a gadget, but not much compared to professional VR cameras that cost thousands. The question is whether this camera will actually sit in your bag and become part of your routine — or whether it will end up on your shelf as a digital decoration.
Conclusion: a camera for the future or another “tech flex”?
GoPro MAX2 has everything to redefine 360-degree filming. True 8K resolution means we're finally not just shooting for effect, we're getting quality too. Interchangeable lenses solve the long-standing problem of repairs, surround sound adds a layer of reality, and fast speeds offer creative freedom.
Is this a gadget for everyone? Not at all. But for those who think beyond the classic frame and want to capture the world in its entirety, the MAX2 may be the most exciting GoPro camera of the last decade.
