GoPro Max vs Insta360 Go 3S
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Overview of the GoPro Max
GoPro MaxGoPro'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 3S
Insta360 Go 3SInsta360's latest wearable camera: 4K video in a tiny package
The Go 3S is an amazing pocket action camera offering of 4K video in a very small package. With the ActionPod pairing, it becomes a more traditional action camera with extended battery life and a flip screen.
- Pros
- Tiny footprint
- 4K video
- Modular design with ActionPod
- Cons
- Not waterproof with ActionPod
- Storage not extendable with SD cards
Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Go 3S
Weight and size
The Go 3S is a lot more compact than the GoPro Max. The Go 3S is a lot lighter than the GoPro Max.
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
Insta360 Go 3S
25.6mm x 54.4mm x 24.8mm / 1.01in x 2.14in x 0.98in
1.38oz / 39.1g
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 offers a much larger battery capacity. The GoPro Max has a removable battery whereas the Go 3S's battery is not removable
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Insta360 Go 3S
310mAh
Removable
38min 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 removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.
Storage
Only the Go 3S features built-in storage. Only the GoPro Max supports SD cards, the Go 3S is therefore limited to it's built-in storage.
GoPro Max
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 Go 3S
64GB or 128GB
Storage not extendable
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
Neither camera offers HDR video.
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 Go 3S
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
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 3S. The Go 3S features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 Go 3S
12MP
134°
120Mbps
Camera settings
Both the GoPro Max and the Go 3S have the same ISO range. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
GoPro Max
100-3200
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 Go 3S
100-3200
+/-4
GoPro Max vs Go 3S specifications
| Name | GoPro Max | Insta360 Go 3S |
| Year of release | 2019 | 2024 |
| Width | 2.52in / 64mm | 1.01in / 25.6mm |
| Height | 2.72in / 69mm | 2.14in / 54.4mm |
| Depth | 0.98in / 25mm | 0.98in / 24.8mm |
| Weight | 5.43oz / 154g | 1.38oz / 39.1g |
| Waterproof | 16ft / 5m | 33ft / 10m |
| Waterproof with diving case | - | 197ft / 60m |
| Min operating temperature | 14°F / -10°C | -4°F / -20°C |
| Max operating temperature | 95°F / 35°C | 104°F / 40°C |
| Battery capacity | 1600mAh | 310mAh |
| Removable battery | Yes | No |
| Battery life | 85min 5.7K30fps 360° 105min at 1080p | 38min at 1080p |
| Charging time | 120min | - |
| Battery extension capacity | - | 1270mAh |
| Battery extension run time | - | 140min at 1080p |
| Battery extension charging time | - | 65min |
| Battery extension weight | - | 3.4oz / 96.3g |
| Built-in storage | - | 64GB 128GB |
| Storage format | microSD | - |
| Storage rating required | Class 10 or UHS-I Rating | - |
| Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 128GB |
| Rear screen size | 1.69in | With Action Pod |
| Front screen size | - | With Action Pod |
| Field of view | 155° | 134° |
| Sensor | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Pixels | 18MP | 12MP |
| Aperture | F2.0 | F2.8 |
| Focal length | 13-27mm | 16mm |
| ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-3200 |
| Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
| Video bite rate | 78Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-4 |
| 360-degree video | Yes | No |
| 5.7K 360 video | 30fps | - |
| 360 video format | GoPro 360 file | - |
| 4K video | - | 30fps |
| 2.7K video | - | 30fps |
| 1440p video | 60fps | 50fps |
| 1080p video | 60fps | 50fps |
| Maximum slow motion | 2x | 6x at 1080p |
| Stabilization | Max HyperSmooth | Flowstate |
| Horizon lock | Yes | - |
| Video format | H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) | H.264 (MP4) |
| Live streaming | 1080p30 | No |
| Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Starlapse mode | - | Yes |
| Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
| Subject tracking | No | - |
| Photo burst mode | No | No |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 6 | 2 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | wav | aac |
| Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 | BLE 5.0 |
| USB | Type-C USB | Type-C USB2.0 |
| GPS integrated | Yes | No |
| GPS pairing | - | Garmin device Apple Watch |
| Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture commands | No | Yes |