GoPro HERO9 vs. Max vs. iPhone 12/13 Pro Camera: Comparison & Verdict 2024

Overview of GoPro HERO9, GoProMax and iPhone 12/13 Pro Camera

| #1  GoPro HERO9 Black 5K and 20 MP Streaming Action Camera

Google Users Rating: 4.5/5

• GoPro: $349.99 (up to 3% cashback)

• Bestbuy: $399.99 (up to 0.5% cashback)

GoPro Hero 9 Black is the culmination of years of improving stabilization algorithms. HyperSmooth 3.0 builds on the Hero 8's capabilities by automatically stabilizing shakes and judders from your footage and making it impossibly smooth. Change direction suddenly and it'll smoothly pan, using a smart algorithm. Its dual-screen design is also ideal for vlogging, with a touchscreen on the back to adjust settings and another screen on the front that lets you see a live view of your recording to ensure you're always in frame. Video capabilities include 5K recording at 30fps, 4K up to 60fps, 1080p live-streaming as well as slow-motion 240fps, and a number of timelapse and hyper-lapse capture modes, including a Night Lapse photo option. It's the first GoPro to shoot video in 5k at up to 30 fps.

 GoPro Hero 9 Blac also improved the audio too, putting a better microphone at the front of the camera as well building in water expelling channel to further improve its waterproofing versus the older models. In addition, GoPro Hero 9 Black also has a larger battery which lasts much longer than its predecessors. Thanks to its removable lens cover there’s also an option to add a Max Lens Mod accessory to the Hero9 Black, which will bring a few  GoPro Max-style features including a 360º horizon lock and an ultra-wide 155º Max SuperView mode. Unfortunately, it has bad noise handling capability due to its small sensor. All things considered,  compact size, front-facing screen, and impressive image stabilization make it one of the best GoPro.

| #2  GoPro MAX 360 Degree Action Camera

Google Users Rating: 4.1/5

• GoPro: $399.98 (up to 3% cashback)
  

• B & H Photo: $499.99 (up to 1.5% cashback)

The GoPro Max is the second all in one 360 camera from GoPro and is one of their best ever cameras. Natively waterproof to 33ft, shock resistant and tiny, it’s ideal for mounting on motorcycles, cars and other vehicles alike. Unlike most 360 cameras, the GoPro Max has a small display on its back that lets you view what its cameras are looking at. While it's not as handy as it seems, the large display does make it easy to navigate and change the Max's settings without having to use your smartphone. GoPro bills the Max as three cameras in one. That’s because it can capture 6K video in either 360 or standard format when flipped over to HERO mode, and the Max can be used as a 1080p live streaming camera for easy vlogging.

If you want to turn your 360-degree video into a traditional 2D film – which is one of the main benefits of 360 cams – the app's OverCapture software lets you do this easily, as long as your happy with the final footage being in Full HD. The Max also amps up many of the features seen on the GoPro's Hero action cams, including superior HyperSmooth stabilization and 360-degree TimeWarp sequences.  In addition, the Max features a total of 6 microphones on its body offering by far the best audio quality of any 360 camera out now. However, the GoPro Max's design requires the use of a selfie stick, and lacks a tripod mount, so you have to use it with one of GoPro's accessories.

| #3  Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB

Google Users Rating: 4.6/5

• Abt: $999.99 (up to 4% cashback)
  

• Apple: $999 (up to 0.5% cashback)

The release of the iPhone 13 Pro unlocks the ability to shoot in 10-bit ProRes natively on a phone. This brings the iPhone 13 Pro into the realm of professional cinematography. This crucial new feature, coupled with support from FilmConvert and CineMatch allows shooters to mix footage from iPhone into their professional workflow as a B camera. With THREE dedicated lenses built-in: Ultra-Wide 13mm f/1.8, wide 26mm f/1.5, and telephoto 77mm f/2.8, you have a variety of viewing angles to choose from. The iPhone 13 Pro also introduces a LiDAR sensor to help focus in low light (among other applications) . Not to mention the 5 times optical zooms, the ability to shoot RAW photos, and an extremely capable computational photography technology that allows you to shoot a clear night image with such a small-size sensor. You can even adjust the background post-shoot using Depth Control to enhance background bokeh and make your subject stand out.

It's worth mentioning that the iPhone 13 Pro is exceptionally good at capturing stills and video in natural light, particularly with color and tone. It allows you to shoot handheld while still delivering smooth cinematic shots. Even with a shaky hand and clumsy feet, you can still get really seamless shots because of the stabilization motor. In addition, the iPhone 13 pro's IP68 rating means it can survive up to 6 meters (19.6 feet) of water for 30 minutes. So no worries about being caught in a torrential downpour or taking it for a swim or snorkel! In a word, the iPhone 13 Pro is more suitable for "conventional" photography. It’s a super-powerful travel camera in your pocket.

| #3  Apple iPhone 12 Pro 128GB

Google Users Rating: 4.6/5

• Amazon: $699
  

• eBay: $665 (up to 4.6% cashback)
  

The iPhone 12 Pro is still a photography phone to be reckoned with, although it's not the newest any more. The iPhone 12 Pro is still capable of producing excellent stills and video with bright colours and excellent detail. The triple-camera unit on this phone consist of an ultra wide f/2.4 camera, a wide f/1.6 camera and a telephoto f/2 camera, with similar focal lengths to those of the iPhone 13 Pro above (save for a shorter telephoto). This gives you a good array of shooting options that will cover the majority of situations you'll find yourself in. Anyone stepping up from a two-camera iPhone will appreciate the addition of the 13mm ultra-wide camera. It captures a very dramatic perspective without crazy barrel distortion.

The iPhone 12 Pro also has a LiDAR scanner, which allows it to focus faster in low-light shooting situations. It can also use the new Apple ProRAW file format, giving you much more latitude and editing control over your images. Moreover, the iPhone 12 Pro also includes an A14 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, Face ID, 5G capabilities, and MagSafe support. It offers up to 17 hours of video playback, 11 hours of video-streaming, and 65 hours of audio enjoyment. If you are particularly budget-conscious,  the iPhone 12 Pro is the one to go for.

GoPro HERO9 vs GoProMax:  Comparison & Verdict

First and foremost, let's have a look at the specifications of both:

Photography and Video

GoPro 9 can shoot 170 degrees with accessories like the Max len mod that helps with wider field of view and better stabilization. It also provides an image resolution of 20 MP and can shoot video resolutions up to 5K 30FPS, capable of shooting slow motion up to 8 times. GoPro MAX can shoot 360-degree angles with a resolution of 16 MP and can shoot 5.6K resolution video and  2x slow motion.

The GoPro MAX is capable of capturing a wider field of view and also beats GoPro 9 in terms of image and video resolution. When it comes to slow motion shooting, GoPro 9 is 4 times better, but in terms of sound, GoPro 9 has only 3 built-in microphones, while GoPro MAX has 6, making the sound clearer.

Photo Mode

The Gopro hero9 has several photo modes including HDR and RAW which can result in some pretty impressive pictures while the Gopro Max can’t match up to the Hero 9 as it lacks the same photo options. It’s only advantage is that it shoots immersive 360 photos which can be fun to play with.

HyperSmooth

GoPro Hero9 has HyperSmooth stabilization version 3.0, which is the version only available for GoPro Hero9, making video shooting smoother and more stable than before, with Horizon leveling mode. GoPro MAX features HyperSmooth stabilization version 2.0 that helps you take more stable photos with Horizon leveling mode as well.

Both GoPro hero 9 and GoPro MAX can use the Horizon leveling mode as well.But in terms of stability, GoPro Hero9 wins overwhelmingly because it comes with HyperSmooth 3.0 that is more stable.

Other Features

GoPro Hero9 provides Scheduled Captures and Hide Sight modes with pre-timed video recording Also when the shutter is pressed The camera can retrieve information before pressing the button for up to 30 seconds.GoPro MAX offers 360-degree mode , Scheduled Captures and Timelapse. In addition, the GoPro Hero9 offers a Hide Sight mode that the GoPro MAX doesn't have, so you never miss out on capturing the decisive moments which is considered to have more new features than in the GoPro MAX model.

Verdict: both GoPro Max and Hero9  are great cameras that offer some pretty cool features and will meet your needs in most cases. If you want an action camera that can help you express your creativity, The GoPro Max is a better choice. The Max’s 360-degree view will allow you to capture unique videos that are not possible with the Hero9. 

The GoPro hero9 is designed for maximum video quality in mind and comes with GoPro’s most recent innovations like detachable lenses and dual screens. If you are a big fan of specs and want to use the latest technology, choose the GoPro Hero 9.

iPhone 12 Pro Camera vs iPhone 13 Pro Camera: Comparison & Verdict

Have a look at the table below for the comparison of key specs of these two cameras.

In many respects, both the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro are very similar. Both offer a triple lens set up, and each has a standard, ultra-wide and a telephoto lens. But there’s been some small but key changes under the hood.

The iPhone 13 Pro’s standard lens, which is 26mm equivalent, has a slightly faster aperture (f/1.5 vs f/1.6) and also uses the larger sensor size previously only found in the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Put these two specifications together and you should see better low-light performance. On a similar note, the ultra wide angle lens (13mm equivalent) now has a much wider f/1.8 aperture, when compared to the f/2.4 lens on the iPhone 12 Pro.

In addition, the telephoto lens for the iPhone 13 Pro has been bumped up to 3x (78mm equivalent), compared with the 2x of the iPhone 12 Pro. You do lose out a little when it comes to aperture though, with the iPhone 13 Pro’s being f/2.8 compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s f/2.0.

Both iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro introduces a LiDAR sensor which promises faster autofocus in low light (compared to the iPhone 11 Pro). There’s also the same ability to record in Apple’s ProRAW format (DNG) available on both phones, giving you scope to make adjustments in post-production if necessary.

Of course,  the iPhone 13 Pro also sports some worthwhile upgrades. There’s a useful new macro mode which can focus extremely close-up.  This works by switching to the ultra-wide camera when a close-subject has been detected. The other new addition is “Photo Styles” which you can use to change the look of your shots directly at the point of capture.  Most excitingly, probably, is the addition of Cinematic Mode for video recording, which recreates a shallow depth of field effect. If you’re a budding movie-maker, you will like it.

Verdict: the iPhone 13 Pro is without question the best iPhone for photographers to date. Of course, the iPhone 12 Pro still has a exllent photography quality，but it does miss some of the latest shooting features from the iPhone 13 Pro.  If you are limited budget,  the iPhone 12 Pro is also a good choice.

GoPro HERO9 vs. Max vs. iPhone 12/13 Pro Camera: Which should you buy？

If you are going to use your camera mostly for still photography and for documenting your day-to-day life, then the iPhone 12/13 Pro Camera is probably more suitable than the GoPro HERO 9 and GoPro Max. However, if you need to record sport, action, and underwater videos, then the GoPro HERO9  and GoPro Max would be a better choice because it's designed for that.

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