GoPro Max vs Insta360 Go 3

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Overview of the GoPro Max

GoPro Max☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★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 Go 3

Insta360 Go 3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Go 3
Insta360's 2023 wearable action camera
The Insta360 Go 3 is a great wearable action camera. When combined with the ActionPod, it also becomes a more traditional action camera with extended battery life and a flip screen. It has now been replaced by the more capable Insta360 Go 3S, which now offers up to 4K video while retaining the same small size.
  • Pros
  • Small size
  • Extra battery and screen with ActionPod
  • Cons
  • Not waterproof with ActionPod
  • SD cards not supported

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Go 3

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Video performance

Neither camera offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
2.7K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
HDR video unsupported
2x
Maximum slow motion
4x 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 GoPro Max offers a much larger battery capacity. The GoPro Max has a removable battery whereas the Go 3's battery is not removable
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
1600mAh
Battery capacity
310mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Battery life
45min at 1080p
Feature missing
Battery extension capacity
1270mAh
Feature missing
Battery extension run time
170min at 1080p
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

Only the Go 3 features built-in storage. Only the GoPro Max supports SD cards, the Go 3 is therefore limited to it's built-in storage. The GoPro Max supports a lot more storage than the Go 3.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
32GB, 64GB or 128GB
microSD
Storage format
Storage not extendable
1TB
Maximun storage supported
128GB
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 Go 3 is a lot more compact than the GoPro Max. The Go 3 is a lot lighter than the GoPro Max.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
Dimensions
1.01in x 2.14in x 0.91in / 25.6mm x 54.4mm x 23.2mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
1.25oz / 35.5g
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

Both the GoPro Max and the Go 3 are waterproof to 16ft / 5m. The Go 3 is far better for extreme cold. The Go 3 beats the GoPro Max in high heat conditions.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
16ft / 5m
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 GoPro Max offers a slightly higher resolution. With 155°, the GoPro Max features a much wider field of view than the Go 3. The GoPro Max and the Go 3 offer similar video bitrate.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
18MP
Pixels
12MP
155°
Field of view
134°
78Mbps
Video bite rate
80Mbps
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

Both the GoPro Max and the Go 3 have the same ISO range. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Max
Insta360 Go 3
100-3200
ISO range
100-3200
+/-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 Go 3 specifications

NameGoPro MaxInsta360 Go 3
Year of release20192023
Width2.52in / 64mm1.01in / 25.6mm
Height2.72in / 69mm2.14in / 54.4mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm0.91in / 23.2mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g1.25oz / 35.5g
Waterproof16ft / 5m16ft / 5m
Waterproof with diving case-197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1600mAh310mAh
Removable batteryYesNo
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
45min at 1080p
Charging time120min-
Battery extension capacity-1270mAh
Battery extension run time-170min at 1080p
Battery extension charging time-65min
Battery extension weight-3.4oz / 96.3g
Built-in storage-32GB
64GB
128GB
Storage formatmicroSD-
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I Rating-
Maximun storage supported1TB128GB
Rear screen size1.69inWith Action Pod
Front screen size-With Action Pod
Field of view155°134°
Sensor1/2.3"1/2.3"
Pixels18MP12MP
ApertureF2.0F2.2
Focal length13-27mm11mm
ISO range100-3200100-3200
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate78Mbps80Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
2.7K video-30fps
1440p video60fps50fps
1080p video60fps50fps
Maximum slow motion2x4x at 1080p
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothFlowstate
Horizon lockYes-
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30No
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones62
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.0
USBType-C USBType-C USB2.0
GPS integratedYesNo
GPS pairing-Garmin device
Apple Watch
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNoNo