GoPro Max vs Insta360 One X2

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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 One X2

Insta360 One X2☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 One X2
Insta360's 2020 360 camera: 5.7K video at an affordable cost
The X2 is now an older 360 camera but it still offers great performance and most needed features at a relatively moderate cost. If you need spherical video on a budget, it is a great pick. It's successor is the Insta360 X3, released in 2022.
  • Pros
  • Great image stabilization
  • Good battery life
  • Freeze-proof
  • Cons
  • Better options for image quality
  • Average battery life
  • No official diving case

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the X2

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Video performance

Only the X2 offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
5.7K25fps 360°
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 and X2 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
1600mAh
Battery capacity
1630mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Battery life
80min 5.7K30fps 360°
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 X2 support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
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. Both the GoPro Max and the X2 have similar weights.
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
Dimensions
1.81in x 4.45in x 1.18in / 46mm x 113mm x 30mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
5.26oz / 149g
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 X2 are waterproof to 16ft / 5m. The X2 is far better for extreme cold. The X2 beats the GoPro Max in high heat conditions.
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
16ft / 5m
Feature missing
Waterproof with diving case
Feature missing
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 and the X2 both feature 18MP. Both feature a 155° field of view. The X2 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
18MP
Pixels
18MP
155°
Field of view
155°
78Mbps
Video bite rate
100Mbps
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 cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Max
Insta360 One X2
100-3200
ISO range
Feature missing
+/-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 One X2 specifications

NameGoPro MaxInsta360 One X2
Year of release20192020
Width2.52in / 64mm1.81in / 46mm
Height2.72in / 69mm4.45in / 113mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.18in / 30mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.26oz / 149g
Waterproof16ft / 5m16ft / 5m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1600mAh1630mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
80min 5.7K30fps 360°
Charging time120min85min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingV30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Rear screen size1.69in1in
Field of view155°155°
Sensor1/2.3"1/2.3"
Pixels18MP18MP
ApertureF2.0F2.0
Focal length13-27mm-
ISO range100-3200-
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate78Mbps100Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoYesYes
5.7K 360 video30fps30fps
4K 360 video-50fps
3K 360 video-100fps
360 video formatGoPro 360 fileINSV
4K video-30fps
2.7K video-60fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K-4
Maximum slow motion2x4x at 1080p
HDR video-5.7K25fps 360°
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothFlowState
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p30Yes
Webcam mode-Yes
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNoYes
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones64
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 4.2
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedYesNo
GPS pairing-iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNoNo