GoPro Max vs Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra

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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 Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra

Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
Kandao's latest 360 camera: 8K video and integrated GPS
The Qoocam 3 Ultra is Kandao's latest 360 action camera and the successor to the Kandao Qoocam 3. It features 8K30fps 360 video, 128GB of builtin storage, 10-bit video and great performance overall.
  • Pros
  • Integrated GPS
  • 96MP photos
  • 128GB builtin storage
  • Cons
  • Heavy
  • Expensive

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Qoocam 3 Ultra

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Video performance

Only the Qoocam 3 Ultra offers HDR video. Only the GoPro Max features slow motion video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
8K 360 video at 30fps
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
4K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
8K30fps 360°
2x
Maximum slow motion
No slow motion video
Max HyperSmooth
Stabilization
SuperSteady 2.0
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 Qoocam 3 Ultra offers a much larger battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
1600mAh
Battery capacity
2280mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Battery life
100min 4K30fps 360° and 50min 8K30fps 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

Only the Qoocam 3 Ultra features built-in storage. Both the GoPro Max and the Qoocam 3 Ultra support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
128GB
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 lot more compact than the Qoocam 3 Ultra. The GoPro Max is a lot lighter than the Qoocam 3 Ultra.
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
Dimensions
2.81in x 4.06in x 1.05in / 71.5mm x 103.2mm x 26.6mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
11.85oz / 336g
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 Qoocam 3 Ultra is a lot more waterproof. The Qoocam 3 Ultra is far better for extreme cold. The Qoocam 3 Ultra beats the GoPro Max in high heat conditions.
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
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 Qoocam 3 Ultra features a much higher resolution. Both feature a 155° field of view. The Qoocam 3 Ultra features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
18MP
Pixels
96MP
155°
Field of view
155°
78Mbps
Video bite rate
150Mbps
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 Qoocam 3 Ultra's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. The GoPro Max's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Max
Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
100-3200
ISO range
100-6400
+/-4
Exposure Compensation
+/-2
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 Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra specifications

NameGoPro MaxKandao Qoocam 3 Ultra
Year of release20192024
Width2.52in / 64mm2.81in / 71.5mm
Height2.72in / 69mm4.06in / 103.2mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.05in / 26.6mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g11.85oz / 336g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1600mAh2280mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
100min 4K30fps 360°
50min 8K30fps 360°
Charging time120min-
Built-in storage-128GB
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingClass 10 or UHS-I Rating
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Rear screen size1.69in2.19in
Field of view155°155°
Sensor1/2.3"1/1.7"
Pixels18MP96MP
ApertureF2.0F1.6
Focal length13-27mm9.36mm
ISO range100-3200100-6400
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate78Mbps150Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-2
360-degree videoYesYes
8K 360 video-30fps
5.7K 360 video30fps60fps
4K 360 video-120fps
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
4K video-60fps
2.7K video-100fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps-
Maximum slow motion2x-
HDR video-8K30fps 360°
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothSuperSteady 2.0
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYes-
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNoYes
Photo burst modeNo-
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones64
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavwav
Audio input-Bluetooth microphone support
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.2
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedYesYes
Voice commandsYes-
Gesture commandsNo-