Insta360 Ace vs GoPro Max

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Overview of the Insta360 Ace

Insta360 Ace☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★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

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

Comparison of the Ace vs the GoPro Max

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Video performance

Only the Ace offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
Feature missing
Max 360° resolution
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
5.3K video at 30fps
Max resolution
1440p video at 60fps
4K 30fps
HDR video
HDR video unsupported
8x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
2x
Flowstate
Stabilization
Max HyperSmooth
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.
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
1700mAh
Battery capacity
1600mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
100min at 4K30fps HDR
Battery life
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min 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

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Ace and the GoPro Max support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
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.
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in / 71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm
Dimensions
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
6.24oz / 176.8g
Weight
5.43oz / 154g
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.
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
16ft / 5m
197ft / 60m
Waterproof with diving case
Feature missing
-4°F / -20°C
Min operating temperature
14°F / -10°C
104°F / 40°C
Max operating temperature
95°F / 35°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 Ace and the GoPro Max both have a similar field of view. The Ace features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
48MP
Pixels
18MP
157°
Field of view
155°
170Mbps
Video bite rate
78Mbps
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.
Insta360 Ace
GoPro Max
100-6400
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.

Insta360 Ace versus GoPro Max specifications

NameInsta360 AceGoPro Max
Year of release20232019
Width2.83in / 71.9mm2.52in / 64mm
Height2.05in / 52.15mm2.72in / 69mm
Depth1.52in / 38.5mm0.98in / 25mm
Weight6.24oz / 176.8g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof33ft / 10m16ft / 5m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m-
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1700mAh1600mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life100min at 4K30fps HDR85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
Charging time70min (5V/3A)120min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3Class 10 or UHS-I Rating
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Rear screen size2.4in1.69in
Front screen sizeYes-
Field of view157°155°
Sensor1/2"1/2.3"
Pixels48MP18MP
ApertureF2.4F2.0
Focal length16mm13-27mm
ISO range100-6400100-3200
Video zoom4x-
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate170Mbps78Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
360 video format-GoPro 360 file
5.3K video30fps-
4K video120fps-
2.7K video120fps-
1440p video60fps60fps
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4x-
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p2x
HDR video4K 30fps-
StabilizationFlowstateMax HyperSmooth
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming-1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYes-
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-No
Photo burst modeYesNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones36
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacwav
Audio bluetooth supportBluetooth headsets-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.2BLE 4.2
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoYes
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
-
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsYesNo