GoPro HERO 12 vs. GoPro Max – Two cameras for different audiences

GoPro cameras came to market at a time when the use of sports cameras was not in full swing. This made the brand consolidate itself as one of the great references among these devices, a position that it maintains to this day. And, although GoPro has launched numerous models in recent years, there are some of its cameras that continue to be among the best sellers. Today we compare one of their most recent cameras with one that, although it has been on the market for a few years, is still in fashion: GoPro HERO 12 vs GoPro Max.

The main reason why the GoPro Max remains one of the brand’s star cameras is that it is one of the few 360º cameras of such quality on the market. In reality, we do not consider the GoPro HERO 12 and the GoPro Max to be direct competitors, because they are cameras designed for different audiences. While the GoPro Max is designed for those who want to record from different perspectives, the GoPro HERO 12 records videos with a more realistic feel.

Among the main differences, in addition to the field of view, are the type of stabilizer that each camera uses, the resolution to take photos and record videos, the incorporation of a double screen, GPS or water resistance. However, there are also similarities, such as compatibility with GoPro Quick, horizon lock or folding adapters.

Below, we explain in detail all the differences between the two GoPros, to help you choose the one that best meets your needs. Do not miss it!

GoPro HERO 12 vs GoPro Max – Comparison Table

Do you want to know which of these two GoPro cameras is best for you? Start by taking a look at the following table, in which we compare its main characteristics:

What changes are there on an aesthetic level?

Although we cannot say that they are two totally different cameras, because they maintain some aspects that remind us that they are GoPro, there are obvious aesthetic differences. The GoPro HERO 12 has a rectangular design and a blue speckled print, while the GoPro Max is more square and matte black. However, they weigh the same. In addition, there is another difference to take into account, and that is that the GoPro Max has a front touch screen, while the GoPro HERO 12 has a double screen, front and rear.

Panoramic vision, the big difference

We started our article by saying that we don’t actually consider the GoPro HERO 12 and GoPro Max to be direct competition. Basically, because they do not have the same recording system. The GoPro Max is a camera that records in 360º, and that is its main strength and the element that distinguishes it from the rest. The combination of two 180º lenses is what makes it possible to have a 360º field of view, unlike the approximate 160º achieved by the single-lens GoPro HERO 12.

This is why GoPro specifies, in the Max model, that it has 3 cameras in 1, which give it a perspective impossible to achieve with any other GoPro HERO. In fact, features like PowerPano are only found on the GoPro Max. Thanks to it, it is possible to take panoramic photos without having to perform a manual scan and without them being distorted.

Is the stabilizer the same?

One of the main elements in this type of camera is the stabilizer, which is what allows you to take videos from a stable perspective that can be viewed with movement, but not with instability. The GoPro HERO 12 features the HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilizer, while the GoPro Max has the Max HyperSmooth stabilizer. It’s actually the same stabilizer with a software update that makes version 6.0 more up-to-date because it’s newer.

However, the GoPro Max is also capable of recording super-stabilized and 360º images, something that the HERO 12 cannot do, so in practice there is not that much difference. In addition , in both models we find the horizon lock function, which allows the background to be kept stable even when the object in the foreground is completely rotating.

Photo and video resolution

If we look at the resolution of images and videos, we do see more differences between the two GoPro cameras. Let’s say that recording in 360º slightly sacrifices resolution. It is not that it is by any means bad, but the resolution achieved by the GoPro HERO 12 lens is better. In photographs, the HERO 12 achieves a maximum resolution of 27 MP, while the MAX stays at about 17. Even so, we must recognize that the GoPro Max is not a camera that we would buy to take photos, but rather it is more designed for videos.

In this regard, the GoPro HERO 12 has a resolution of up to 5.3 K at 60 fps, and the GoPro Max records at 5.6 K at 30 fps in spherical mode. In reality, the GoPro Max is the one that offers the best resolution for action videos, and the GoPro HERO 12 is more distinguished by the quality of videos with less movement or that are not panoramic. Likewise, both the HERO 12 and the Max are two cameras that support high dynamic range video recording. On the other hand, slow motion recording is more versatile on the GoPro HERO 12.

Waterproof

Another of the most relevant features for users who use GoPros while practicing sports such as snorkeling or diving is knowing up to what depth they are able to withstand and continue recording. The GoPro HERO 12 can submerge up to 10 meters deep, and has a hydrophobic lens that repels water. For its part, the GoPro Max can be submerged up to 5 meters, with less resistance to these situations. However, we have to admit that if GoPro were to release a new GoPro Max model now, it would probably match the strength of the HERO 12.

Does the battery last the same?

Battery life is also an element that influences the purchasing decision, but it is one of the most subjective, because it depends on how each user optimizes it. For this reason, it is always advisable to look at the maximum capacity of the battery, which is the most objective indicator with which we can intuit which one will have a longer useful life under equal conditions. The GoPro HERO 12 has a 1720 mAh battery, while the GoPro Max stays at 1600 mAh. However, it is a difference that does not have to be noticeable in practice.

GoPro Quick Compatibility

One of the similarities that the two cameras we are analyzing share is compatibility with GoPro Quick, an application that allows you to edit, store or share the photos and videos you record on a GoPro camera or on a smartphone. Thus, you can share all your visual documents with whoever you want and in real time.

How to choose the best GoPro camera?

At this point in the article, you will surely share the same opinion as us, and that is that each of these two GoPros is for a different audience . If you like to record all your experiences from a panoramic point of view or combining different perspectives, there is no doubt that you should opt for the GoPro Max, one of the cameras that best records in 360º at the moment. What’s more, we dare say that, if you choose this camera, it is, fundamentally, to record videos instead of taking photos.

Now, if you prefer to use the camera for other sports such as surfing, skiing or cycling, you will surely find it more interesting to opt for the GoPro HERO 12. Not only because it has better resolution for taking photographs, but because its water resistance is greater. In addition, it has a double rear and front screen, which provides it with extra versatility that always comes in handy.

In any case, the two cameras are GoPro and have the brand’s own quality guarantee, so you can rest assured about the quality of the images.