GoPro Max vs GoPro Hero 10 Black

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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 10 Black

GoPro Hero 10 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 10 Black
GoPro's 2021 action camera: premium features at a budget pricepoint
The Hero 10 is now several generations old, but still holds up as an incredibly capable action camera. It features older sensor technology than the Hero 11 and above, but the overall quality means it is amazing value for money.
  • Pros
  • A premium product at a budget price
  • Integrated GPS
  • Good battery life
  • Cons
  • Ageing sensor technology
  • Older generation stabilization

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Hero 10

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Video performance

Neither camera offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
5.3K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
HDR video unsupported
2x
Maximum slow motion
8x at 1080p
Max HyperSmooth
Stabilization
HyperSmooth 4.0
Why it matters: A high resolution will give you crisp footage but also allow you to reframe your video without losing too much quality. A higher framerate (fps) will result in smoother video and is important when filming action scenes or fast moving subjects. Image stabilization is a crucial feature for an action camera, as it removes camera shake, vibrations, rotation and other movements that deteriorate your final footage.

Battery life

The Hero 10 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
1600mAh
Battery capacity
1720mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Battery life
150min at 1080p
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 removable 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 10 support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSD
1TB
Maximun storage supported
1TB
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.

Weight and size

The GoPro Max is a slightly smaller camera. Both cameras have the same weight.
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
Dimensions
2.83in x 2in x 1.32in / 71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
5.43oz / 154g
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 difficult or uncomfortable to film with. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Waterproofing and usage conditions

The Hero 10 is a lot more waterproof. Both cameras have the same minimal usage temperature. Both cameras have the same maximum usage temperature.
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
Feature missing
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
14°F / -10°C
Min operating temperature
14°F / -10°C
95°F / 35°C
Max operating temperature
95°F / 35°C
Why it matters: Most action cameras are waterproof for accidental splashing or use above water, but if you plan on Snorkeling or Scuba Diving, we recommend choosing a camera which offers a diving case and always using it for underwater footage. If you plan on filming Snowboarding, Skiing or other wintersports in extremely cold conditions, you should pick a camera that is rated for those temperatures, most cameras are only rated down to 14°F / -10°C. Many action cameras are prone to overheating, even in ordinary conditions, so if you plan on filming in hot environments, you should choose a camera that can function at high temperatures.

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 10 offers a slightly higher resolution. The field of view of the GoPro Max is a little better than the Hero 10's. The Hero 10 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
18MP
Pixels
23MP
155°
Field of view
140°
78Mbps
Video bite rate
100Mbps
Why it matters: A higher amount of pixels will offer better quality footage and higher resolution photos. A higher field of view means that the camera captures over a wider angle and therefore more action can be seen in the final footage. Some cameras require accessories to enable the maximum FOV. A higher bitrate at a similar resolution will offer higher quality video.

Camera settings

The Hero 10's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. The GoPro Max's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Max
GoPro Hero 10 Black
100-3200
ISO range
100-6400
+/-4
Exposure Compensation
+/-2
Why these settings matter: The ISO range and exposure compensation settings will mostly allow you to tweak your action camera for low light situations.

GoPro Max versus GoPro Hero 10 Black specifications

NameGoPro MaxGoPro Hero 10 Black
Year of release20192021
Width2.52in / 64mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height2.72in / 69mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case-197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1600mAh1720mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
150min at 1080p
Charging time120min3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingV30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Rear screen size1.69in2.27in
Front screen size-1.4in
Field of view155°140°
Sensor1/2.3"1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels18MP23MP
ApertureF2.0F2.5
Focal length13-27mm-
ISO range100-3200100-6400
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate78Mbps100Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-2
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
5.3K video-60fps
4K video-60fps
2.7K video-120fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K-4x
Maximum slow motion2x8x at 1080p
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothHyperSmooth 4.0
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p301080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam mode-1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones63
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavwav
Audio input-Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 4.2
USBType-C USBUSB-C
GPS integratedYesYes
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNo-