Comparison GoPro MAX2 vs GoPro MAX 360

The ability of the camera to shoot QuadHD video.

This standard includes an extensive set of resolutions — from 1440 to 3456 pixels horizontally and from 1440 to 2160 pixels vertically, with almost two dozen intermediate options. It is a rather specific transitional option between the relatively inexpensive FullHD 1080p and the demanding UltraHD 4K, allowing you to shoot higher resolution video than 1080p without significantly increasing the cost of equipment. Note that pure QuadHD resolutions are rare in TVs and monitors, but modern technologies make it possible to comfortably watch videos of this format on any high-resolution screen.

Another important parameter given in this paragraph is the frame rate. The higher it is, the smoother the movement in the frame will be, and the details in dynamic scenes will be visible clearly. For example, a filming speed of 25 fps or 30 fps approximates the standard frame rate in film and television; such an image is quite viewable, but fast-moving objects in the frame will look blurry. With an increase in speed to 60 fps, this effect becomes almost imperceptible. The highest QuadHD frame rate found in modern action cameras is 120 fps; this frequency is used when shooting slow-motion video (as well as models with a frequency of 100 fps) because at a n...ormal playback speed, 60 fps is enough.

The ability of the camera to shoot Ultra HD 4K video.

This format covers several resolutions in which the horizontal frame size is approximately 4K pixels. The most popular in action cameras is 3840x2160 (twice the FullHD frame on each side), but there are other options — for example, 3840x1920, corresponding to an aspect ratio of 2:1. In general, 4K is a kind of successor to Full HD: among HD standards that surpass Full HD, UltraHD is the most popular, in particular, many advanced TVs are produced with 3840x2160 screens. On the other hand, this format is quite demanding in terms of processing power and memory, so it is relatively rare in action cameras, mainly among premium models.

Another important parameter given in this paragraph is the frame rate. The higher it is, the smoother the movement in the frame will be, and the details in dynamic scenes will be visible clearly. However, in UltraHD mode, most modern action cameras produce a very low frame rate — most often 30 fps, and in some models 24 fps or even 15 fps. This video is quite viewable, but fast movement in the frame may look blurry. There are cameras capable of shooting UltraHD at a solid speed of 60 fps — the blurring effect during such shooting is almost imperceptible. However, such a model cost is high.

The maximum resolution and frame rate of video taken by the camera in a standard higher than 4K. Since such formats have not yet become widespread, the number of devices with the corresponding resolution is not so large.

Frame rate supported by the camera when shooting in slow motion.

In general, such shooting is called “high-speed” because it is carried out at an increased frame rate (more than 60 fps). As a result, when played back at normal speed (60 fps and below), the video looks slow hence the name. This kind of slow-motion can be used just for fun, as an artistic technique, and even for scientific purposes — to capture movement that is too fast for the human eye. In any case, the higher the slow-mo frame rate, the more you can slow down the video and the more advanced the camera is in this regard. On the other hand, the higher the frame rate, the more performant the graphics part should be; and this, in turn, affects the price of the device, sometimes quite noticeably.

We also note that slow-mo shooting may be available only at certain resolutions, not always at maximum. These points can be directly specified in the specs of the action camera.

By “interchangeable lens” we mean the kit includes proprietary modules. They install in place of the protective glass and deliver different image looks without any DIY tinkering. In practice, it’s a quick switch from an insanely wide POV on the trail to macro for gear details or a cinematic city vlog — with full stabilization compatibility and no risk to weather sealing, unlike third‑party add‑on adapters.

The number of built-in microphones provided in the camera.

This parameter is indicated only for models that have more than one microphone. This design provides additional capabilities, but the range of these capabilities depends on the number of microphones and the features of a particular model. So, most often such devices have two microphones; this can be a pair for recording stereo sound, or one microphone can work to record sound, and the second one can act as a sensor for the noise reduction system (see above). A larger number - 3 or 4 microphones - is found mainly in 360-degree cameras (see “Product type”), where such equipment is used to record “surround” multi-channel sound.

The number of megapixels in the action camera sensor, in other words, the resolution of this sensor(1 megapixel is 1 million photosensitive points).

There is an opinion that the higher the resolution, the better the image quality. It is true from the point of view that manufacturers are trying to install high-resolution sensors in advanced cameras. At the same time, there are no strict dependencies here, and from the technical point of view, the number of megapixels determines only the maximum image resolution that can be captured using this sensor. The quality of this picture will depend both on several features of the sensor itself (size, type, special design solutions), and the specs of the camera. So when choosing, you should focus not so much on the resolution of the image sensor, but on the general class of the camera and reviews with examples of footage.

Action camera optics aperture. This characteristic determines how much the lens weakens the light flux passing through it. This parameter is indicated by a fraction, for example, f/2.8. The smaller the number in such a designation, the higher the aperture ratio and the more light the lens can transmit. A high aperture ratio is important, first of all, when shooting in low light conditions: it allows you to capture an image without “raising” the sensitivity of the matrix and without creating additional artefacts in the form of noise, and in photo mode, it also allows you to work with shorter shutter speeds (which is useful for dynamic scenes). In addition, the higher the aperture ratio, the lower the depth of field and the easier it is to get a blurred background. Note that for simple shooting scenarios, this parameter does not play a decisive role, but for professional tasks, it can be very significant.

— Photo during video. The ability to take photos directly while recording a video — usually using a separate button. Thus, it is convenient to fix the most significant moments of what is happening. Such photos are much better in quality than "freeze frames" from the captured video.

— Serial photo shoot. This feature allows you to take several pictures at once in a short period (usually it is a fraction of a second). A series of shots increases the chance of capturing a good moment, which can be very important given the specifics of using action cameras.

— One click recording. The ability to quickly turn on the camera for recording — literally at the touch of a button, by the name. Moreover, such a button works even if the device is turned off. However, the recording inevitably starts with some delay; but often this delay is a fraction of a second.

— Online streaming. Ability to stream video to popular services like YouTube and social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.). Usually, the online streaming function is implemented when the action camera is connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network, less often via a wired connection. Communication with the World Wide Web can be held directly or through a smartphone or computer. It will require the use of appropriate software.

— Loop recording.... This function allows old video files to be automatically overwritten when the memory card is full. The camera continues recording by deleting the oldest files, which ensures continuous recording. This function is especially useful for recording long events, where it's important to have constant recording without manually deleting files. This also applies to devices like trail cameras, where loop recording is necessary for wildlife observation and security tasks.

— Time lapse. A special mode of operation of the action camera, in which video recording is carried out at a slower frequency is mainly used for filming slow processes. Thus, for example, a long journey or a long sunset can fit into a 3-minute video.

— Auto-rotate. The function of automatic rotation of the captured photos and videos to the position corresponding to the position of the camera. Without this feature, all footage during playback would be displayed strictly in landscape orientation, and footage shot with the camera upside down or upside down would have to be rotated in a photo or video editor. Usually, at the beginning of video recording, auto-rotation is blocked — so that the position of the frame at any time corresponds to the rotation of the camera itself relative to its original position.

— Photo panoramas shooting. The ability to use the camera to take panoramic photos. In traditional action cameras (see "Product type"), such shooting is carried out as follows: the camera takes several separate photos, which are then glued into one image. Regarding panoramic and 360-degree models (see ibid.), it is worth noting that not all such models support shooting in panoramic format, so it is advisable to check the availability of this function separately.

— Key points labels. The ability to add special marks to the footage that indicate key moments. While viewing such videos, you can go directly to the labels — this is easier than manually searching for the right moment. This feature is especially useful when shooting long videos, as well as when numerous individual files. The label, usually, is placed right during the shooting by pressing a special button or by voice command.

— Night shooting. Special mode for recording in low light conditions. The specific implementation of this function may be different: in some models, the sensitivity of the sensor is increased, in others, shooting in the IR range is used. Accordingly, specific features may vary: not every camera with this function can shoot in complete darkness, and these nuances should be clarified separately.

— Motion sensor. A device that activates the camera for shooting upon detecting movement within its range. Typically, such sensors use infrared (PIR) sensors to detect changes in thermal emissions from objects like animals or humans, allowing the camera to react instantly to movement. Such sensors' advantages include energy efficiency, providing a high degree of reliability and convenience when using trail cameras, making them ideal for various purposes: from wildlife observation to security tasks.