The 360 camera world is getting cutthroat, and GoPro has fired back in spectacular fashion. A massive update for the MAX2 has dropped, loaded with smarter presets, polished image tuning, and pro-level tools living inside GoPro Labs. It’s an unmistakable move as Insta360 and DJI tighten their grip on immersive video, GoPro is making it clear the MAX2 is still very much in the fight, and now armed with sharper teeth.
Rolling out now through the GoPro Quik app, the MAX2 update unlocks deeper manual controls, cleaner image tuning, and a stack of new editing tools for creators who want every inch of control over their 360 stories. And for power users and professionals, the new GoPro Labs firmware takes things even further, delivering experimental, image-quality-first tools that turn the $449 MAX2 into a technical powerhouse.
Let’s start with Protune, GoPro’s professional tuning suite. With this update, MAX2 owners can finally dive deeper into the image and shape the look of their footage before it ever hits an editing timeline.
Two major new controls take center stage:
- Blur Reduction: Crucial for cutting down motion blur in fast-action scenes like downhill biking, skiing, or motorsports.
- Noise Reduction: A lifesaver for those moody low-light shots where grain can creep in.
If manual dialing isn’t your style, GoPro’s new Easy MAX2 Presets offer quick, creator-ready setups with on-screen guidance:
- POV Preset for that signature immersive GoPro look
- Selfie Preset for perfect framing when you’re talking to the camera
New video modes also join the lineup, letting creators switch between slow motion, everyday social-friendly settings, and longer recording modes without digging through menus. Even the LRV (Low-Resolution Video) previews have been improved; they’re sharper and more efficient, making the whole edit pipeline smoother whether you’re on your phone or laptop.
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GoPro Labs unlocks experimental pro tools for MAX2
GoPro Labs — GoPro’s opt-in experimental firmware platform — is where things get truly interesting. MAX2 now gains access to Labs features that significantly raise its ceiling for pros and advanced hobbyists.
• Up to 300Mbps bitrate
This is one of the biggest quality jumps MAX2 has ever seen. Higher bitrate means more detail, less compression, and far more flexibility during color grading or compositing.
• HDRI Merge
MAX2 becomes the first 360 camera to offer this one-tap HDRI capture workflow. It merges 8–11 bracketed exposures spaced roughly two stops apart, giving creators a detailed sequence packed with highlight and shadow information. This is a huge win for VFX, virtual production, and VR environments.
• Low-Light Capture Optimization
By prioritizing longer shutter speeds in darker scenes, MAX2 gets noticeably better clarity after dark.
• Stitch Tuning Controls
Depth Lock locks the stitching depth at the start of a clip, while Depth Smoothing helps reduce stitching artifacts in high-motion or complex environments. These are niche tools, but for the people who need them, they’re gold.
Labs will never be for everyone, but for creators who want to push MAX2 beyond what’s available out of the box, this update opens up an entirely new tier of capability.
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Quik app gets a 360 editing glow-up
GoPro didn’t stop at camera firmware. The Quik app — now the center of GoPro’s editing ecosystem — gets a round of new 360-friendly tools designed to make editing faster and more flexible.
The new additions include:
- 360 Speed Tool: Speed ramp clips to spotlight big moments or build dramatic sequences
- 360 HyperSmooth Stabilization Control: Creators can now adjust stabilization strength on a spectrum
- Updated Lens Tool: Adds finer control over digital lens choices and zoom settings
Together, these updates give Quik a more grown-up, creator-forward workflow — something GoPro needs as editing apps become a major battlefield in the content creation world.
This upgrade arrives at a pivotal moment in the 360 landscape. GoPro is now competing against two serious forces: Insta360 and DJI.
Long the trendsetter in 360 cameras, Insta360’s lineup, including the new X5, dominates travel, vlogging, and everyday creators thanks to its slick app editing tools and stabilization tech. Meanwhile, DJI, which is best known for drones, has also recently expanded into handheld imaging. Its Osmo 360 slots into a growing lineup of cameras that benefit from DJI’s strong brand pull and hardware ecosystem.
With this MAX2 update, GoPro is sending a clear message: it’s not letting Insta360 run the table, and it’s not letting DJI walk in uncontested. The combination of expanded Protune control, Quik’s upgraded editing flow, and the Labs-exclusive pro features gives MAX2 the strongest competitive footing it’s had all year.
The firmware is available now in the GoPro Quik app, and the GoPro Labs firmware can be downloaded at GoPro.com.
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