GoPro Max vs Insta360 Ace Pro

VS

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 Ace Pro

Insta360 Ace Pro☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Ace Pro
Insta360's 2023 action camera: 8K video and a flipscreen
The Ace Pro is Insta360's 2023 action camera model and features 8K video in a rugged package that is waterproof and freeze-proof (-4°F / -20°C. It's successor, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, mostly an incremental improvement, so the Ace Pro is an amazing pick now that the price has dropped.
  • Pros
  • 8K video
  • Flip screen
  • Great image stabilization
  • Weather proof
  • Cons
  • Heavy
  • Average audio

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Ace Pro

Weight and size

The GoPro Max is a slightly smaller camera. The GoPro Max weighs a little less than the Ace Pro.
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
Insta360 Ace Pro
71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm / 2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in
6.34oz / 179.8g
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 dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The GoPro Max and Ace Pro have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Insta360 Ace Pro
1650mAh
Removable
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 removeable 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 Pro support SD cards.
GoPro Max
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 Ace Pro
No built-in storage
microSD
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.

Video performance

Only the Ace Pro offers HDR video.
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 Ace Pro
8K video at 24fps
4k 30fps

Camera and sensor technology

The Ace Pro features a much higher resolution. The GoPro Max and the Ace Pro both have a similar field of view. The Ace Pro features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 Ace Pro
48MP
151°
170Mbps

Camera settings

The Ace Pro's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Max
100-3200
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 Ace Pro
100-6400
+/-4

GoPro Max vs Ace Pro specifications

NameGoPro MaxInsta360 Ace Pro
Year of release20192023
Width2.52in / 64mm2.83in / 71.9mm
Height2.72in / 69mm2.05in / 52.15mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.52in / 38.5mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g6.34oz / 179.8g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
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 capacity1600mAh1650mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
100min at 4K30fps HDR
Charging time120min46min (30W)
63min (5V/3A)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingV30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1Tb
Rear screen size1.69in2.4in
Front screen size-Yes
Field of view155°151°
Sensor1/2.3"1/1.3"
Pixels18MP48MP
ApertureF2.0F2.6
Focal length13-27mm16mm
ISO range100-3200100-6400
Video zoom-4x
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate78Mbps170Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
8K video-24fps
4K video-120fps
2.7K video-120fps
1440p video60fps60fps
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K-4x
Maximum slow motion2x8x at 1080p
HDR video-4k 30fps
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothFlowstate
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones63
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Audio bluetooth support-Bluetooth headsets
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.2
USBType-C USBUSB-C
GPS integratedYesNo
GPS pairing-iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNoYes