Confused between GoPro Hero 11 Black vs GoPro Max? This post will answer all your questions.

Although the Hero 11 Black and the Max are both action cameras, they are quite different. While Max is a 360 camera, the GoPro Hero 11 Black is standard action camera offering by the GoPro company.

In this post, you’ll get a detailed comparison between the two cameras – their features, specs comparison, and all the key differences.

GoPro Hero 11 Black


In 2022 GoPro officially launched its newest action camera – the Hero 11 Black. It is, arguably, one of the most versatile action cameras today. With a new, larger image sensor that captures more of the scene with higher image quality, the Hero 11 Black lets you instantly share vertical shots on social media.

With some amazing features and improvements, including HyperSmooth 5.0, new night effects, and 10-bit color, the GoPro Hero 11 Black is one of the most powerful GoPros yet.

gopro hero 11 battery life

 

GoPro Max


Released in late 2019, the GoPro Max is the second generation 360 camera from GoPro (the first one being Fusion). With Max, GoPro upended almost all the limitations of Fusion. Max features a sleek, easy-to-use design and waterproof capability.

Even today, Max is still considered one of the best 360 cameras with superb video quality, easy-to-use editing app, and excellent design. What’s more, Max has that premium feel similar to the other GoPro cameras.

gopro max review

 

GoPro Hero 11 vs MAX: Specs Comparison


First things first, let’s have the full specs comparison of GoPro Hero 11 Black vs GoPro Max:

SpecsGoPro Hero 11GoPro Max
Release DateOctober 2022October 2019
Dimensions70 x 49 x 34 mm64 x 69 x 24 mm
Weight153 grams164 grams
Video Resolution5.3K60, 4K120 + 2.7K240 Wide FOV 16:9, 4:3, 8:7 aspect ratios360 Mode:
5.6K @ 30fps
3K @ 60fps

Hero Mode:
1440p @ 30fps,
1080p @ 60fps
Photo Resolution27 MP18 MP
StabilizationHypersmooth 5.0Hypersmooth 2.0
Livestream4K1080p
Battery1720 mAh Enduro1600 mAh

Check out the current price of the GoPro Hero 11 Black on Amazon:

GoPro HERO11 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9' Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
1,224 Reviews
GoPro HERO11 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9" Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
  • Revolutionary New Image Sensor: expansive field of view ever on a HERO camera out of...
  • Unbelievable Image Quality: With 5.3K video that gives you 91% more resolution than...
  • High-Res Photos + Videos, High Frame Rate: HERO11 Black’s new image sensor boosts...

Check out the current price of the GoPro MAX on Amazon:

SPECIAL SALE
GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen Spherical 5.6K30 HD Video 16.6MP 360 Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
610 Reviews
GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen Spherical 5.6K30 HD Video 16.6MP 360 Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
  • Three Cameras in One: Maximize your creative freedom. With MAX you can shoot...
  • Max HyperSmooth: MAX gives you unbreakable stabilization by using 180-degree capture...
  • Live Streaming in 1080p: Shoot in HERO mode and share while you’re there. Live...

 

Key Differences


Here’s the detailed feature-wise comparison for GoPro Hero 11 vs GoPro Max:

Design

Since one camera is a 360 camera while is the standard model, the Hero 11 Black and MAX are quite different, design-wise. The GoPro Max 360 is a square-shaped camera with a large touchscreen and two lenses on each side. The Hero 11 Black, on the other hand, features a back touchscreen and full-color front screen. It has a smaller form factor, making it more comfortable to wear around the neck. When it comes to weight, MAX is heavier (at 164 grams) than the Hero 11 Black, which weighs 153 grams.

However, being GoPro cameras, both the cameras have many things similar. Both cameras are designed to be used underwater (up to 10m). Both feature GoPro’s trademark mount design that’s compatible with numerous accessories.

Video Resolution

With its all-new 1/1.9 inch sensor, the GoPro Hero 11 Black is capable of shooting videos at up to 5.3K resolution with 60fps frame rates. Max, meanwhile, can shoot 360 videos at 5.7K/5.6K resolution at 30fps and 3K at 60fps. When these videos are reframed, you get a 1080p video. In the non-360 mode, Max can shoot 1440p shots at 30fps and 1080p ones at 60fps.

So, although Max has 360 capabilities, the Hero 11 Black offers a much higher resolution and frame rates. Find here the best setting for Hero 11 Resolution.

Photo Resolution

For stills, the Hero 11 Black has a whopping 27-megapixel resolution. GoPro Max, on the other hand, has a photo resolution of 18-megapixels.

What’s more, with the introduction of Hyperview and 10-bit color processing on the Hero 11 Black, you can capture greater area in tight spaces, and over 1 billion shades of color for dynamic and vibrant content. Therefore, the stills captured by the Hero 11 Black are way more vibrant and of high quality.

Stabilization

Both the cameras cameras feature GoPro’s popular HyperSmooth stabilization technology that makes even the extreme action footage look super smooth and shake-free. But, the GoPro Hero 11’s HyperSmooth 5.0 is an upgraded version as compared to Max’s Hypersmooth 2.0.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black’s HyperSmooth 5.0 offers noticeably smoother footage. With Horizon Lock, you can achieve 360-degree rotation while keeping the footage stable.

Are you interested in setting Hypersmooth 5.0? Then check out this article: GoPro Hero 11 Hypersmooth (Tips for the best stabilization).

Battery

The GoPro Hero 11 Black features a bigger battery with a 1720mAh capacity, as compared to 1600mAh on MAX. This translates to about 137 minutes of runtime against Max’s 105 minutes.

Apart from a bigger battery size, the Hero 11 Black’s Enduro Battery dramatically improves performance in cold weather conditions.

Price

Budget is a highly important factor that one considers before adding a product to a cart. Here are the current prices of of both the cameras.

Check out the current price of the GoPro Hero 11 Black on Amazon:

GoPro HERO11 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9' Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
1,224 Reviews
GoPro HERO11 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9" Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
  • Revolutionary New Image Sensor: expansive field of view ever on a HERO camera out of...
  • Unbelievable Image Quality: With 5.3K video that gives you 91% more resolution than...
  • High-Res Photos + Videos, High Frame Rate: HERO11 Black’s new image sensor boosts...

Check out the current price of the GoPro MAX on Amazon:

SPECIAL SALE
GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen Spherical 5.6K30 HD Video 16.6MP 360 Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
610 Reviews
GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen Spherical 5.6K30 HD Video 16.6MP 360 Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization
  • Three Cameras in One: Maximize your creative freedom. With MAX you can shoot...
  • Max HyperSmooth: MAX gives you unbreakable stabilization by using 180-degree capture...
  • Live Streaming in 1080p: Shoot in HERO mode and share while you’re there. Live...

 

Verdict


Since the two cameras we’re talking about here are very different, it’s hard to figure out whether the GoPro Max or Hero 11 is better.

Both cameras are effective and serve the intended purpose. Max is a great 360 camera, while the Hero 11 Black is a superb high-end specs-laden flagship. So which one should you buy?

Well, if you really want to have a 360 camera, then the Max is the best choice as it is the only camera of the two with 360 capabilities. However, if you want a camera with better specs and resolution, then the Hero 11 Black is definitely a better choice.

The Hero 11 stands out when it comes to battery life and resolution. At 27 MP, it offers higher resolution than the GoPro Max, which offers 18 MP. Also, the Hero 11 weighs 153 grams, which is significantly less than the 164 grams of the GoPro Max. This makes the Hero 11 more portable and wearable.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you learn everything about Hero 11 vs MAX and which action camera you should get 🙂

 

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