Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
The GoPro Max 2 is a long-awaited upgrade after the company's first Max 360 camera launched in 2019. Since then, GoPro has updated its Hero series with a more powerful processor, a new design, and modular lenses, among other things, but left a six-year gap in its 360 camera series.
In this time, competitors have pushed the boundaries of what you can expect from these cameras. However, the GoPro Max 2 manages to hold strong, despite the intense competition. After carrying the Insta360 X5 and now the Max 2 on all my travels this year, I've come to the realization that 360 cameras are the ultimate travel cameras.
However, that doesn't mean I want to drop $500 on one of them, especially when accessories are an added cost. That's why this GoPro Black Friday deal is so attractive. The GoPro Max 2 is selling at its all-time low price for Black Friday. While it was recently launched for $500, the Max 2 is available at a 20% discount -- bringing the price down to $400, which is more affordable than the Insta360 X5.
I carried the GoPro Max 2 on my trips to Barcelona and Mexico City. In the two weeks, it was clear that this camera is a huge improvement over its predecessor. While Insta360 still beats it in a couple of areas, the Max 2 is all about convenience (and some pro features). Here's what it's like to use the new GoPro 360 camera, and why you should consider it as your next travel camera.
Also: These 12 surprisingly useful tools are all on sale for Black Friday
GoPro puts convenience at the forefront of its new Max 2
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
The GoPro Max 2 looks similar to its predecessor, with a squarish design. It is thicker and heavier (195g) than the Max (160g) but lighter than the Insta360 X5 (202g). I like this design because it feels natural to mount a squarish camera on a bike or helmet, whereas X5's elongated design is better suited for a stick.
Like all 360 cameras, the GoPro Max 2 aligns its two lenses on opposing sides, which wasn't the case with the 2019 model. These are user-replaceable lenses, so if you break one, you can replace it instead of buying a new camera altogether. It is really easy to swap, too. You need to twist, make a quarter turn, and the lens is ready to pop off. This is more user-friendly than the Insta360 X5, which requires special tools (included in the replacement kit) to change the lenses.
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