GoPro Max vs Insta360 Ace
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Overview of the 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 Insta360 Ace

Insta360's budget action camera: 6K video and a flipscreen
The Ace is Insta360's entry level action camera but shares a lot of features with it's premium brother, the Insta360 Ace Pro. The main difference being the sensor technology, which although not as advanced, still offers very good performance, with video up to 6K.
- Pros
- Great image stabilization
- Flip screen
- Weather proof
- Cons
- Heavy
- Average audio
Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Ace
Quick links:
Video performance
Only the Ace offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
5.3K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
4K 30fps
2x
Maximum slow motion
8x at 1080p
Max HyperSmooth
Stabilization
Flowstate
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 Ace offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
1600mAh
Battery capacity
1700mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Battery life
100min at 4K30fps HDR
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 Ace support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
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. The GoPro Max weighs a little less than the Ace.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
Dimensions
2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in / 71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
6.24oz / 176.8g
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 Ace is a lot more waterproof. The Ace is far better for extreme cold. The Ace beats the GoPro Max in high heat conditions.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
Feature missing
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
14°F / -10°C
Min operating temperature
-4°F / -20°C
95°F / 35°C
Max operating temperature
104°F / 40°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 Ace features a much higher resolution. The GoPro Max and the Ace both have a similar field of view. The Ace features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
18MP
Pixels
48MP
155°
Field of view
157°
78Mbps
Video bite rate
170Mbps
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 Ace's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
100-3200
ISO range
100-6400
+/-4
Exposure Compensation
+/-4
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 Insta360 Ace specifications
Name | GoPro Max | Insta360 Ace |
Year of release | 2019 | 2023 |
Width | 2.52in / 64mm | 2.83in / 71.9mm |
Height | 2.72in / 69mm | 2.05in / 52.15mm |
Depth | 0.98in / 25mm | 1.52in / 38.5mm |
Weight | 5.43oz / 154g | 6.24oz / 176.8g |
Waterproof | 16ft / 5m | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | - | 197ft / 60m |
Min operating temperature | 14°F / -10°C | -4°F / -20°C |
Max operating temperature | 95°F / 35°C | 104°F / 40°C |
Battery capacity | 1600mAh | 1700mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | 85min 5.7K30fps 360° 105min at 1080p | 100min at 4K30fps HDR |
Charging time | 120min | 70min (5V/3A) |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | Class 10 or UHS-I Rating | V30 or UHS-3 |
Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 1TB |
Rear screen size | 1.69in | 2.4in |
Front screen size | - | Yes |
Field of view | 155° | 157° |
Sensor | 1/2.3" | 1/2" |
Pixels | 18MP | 48MP |
Aperture | F2.0 | F2.4 |
Focal length | 13-27mm | 16mm |
ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-6400 |
Video zoom | - | 4x |
Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
Video bite rate | 78Mbps | 170Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-4 |
360-degree video | Yes | No |
5.7K 360 video | 30fps | - |
360 video format | GoPro 360 file | - |
5.3K video | - | 30fps |
4K video | - | 120fps |
2.7K video | - | 120fps |
1440p video | 60fps | 60fps |
1080p video | 60fps | 240fps |
Slow motion at 4K | - | 4x |
Maximum slow motion | 2x | 8x at 1080p |
HDR video | - | 4K 30fps |
Stabilization | Max HyperSmooth | Flowstate |
Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
Video format | H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) | H.265 (HEVC) |
Live streaming | 1080p30 | - |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | - | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | No | - |
Photo burst mode | No | Yes |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 6 | 3 |
Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | wav | aac |
Audio bluetooth support | - | Bluetooth headsets |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 | BLE 5.2 |
USB | Type-C USB | USB-C |
GPS integrated | Yes | No |
GPS pairing | - | iOS Application Android Application |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
Gesture commands | No | Yes |