GoPro Max vs Insta360 X4
VS
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 X4
Insta360 X4Insta360's flaghship 360 camera: 8K30fps video and great battery life
The Insta360 X4 is Insta360's latest 360 degree action camera and delivers incredible 8K spherical video. 360 cameras are the best way to capture group activities or footage where it is difficult to keep focus on a subject. The X4 is the overall best 360 camera right now.
- Pros
- 8K 360 video
- Great battery life
- Improved lens guard system
- Cons
- Not great at low light
Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the X4
Weight and size
The GoPro Max is a lot more compact than the X4. The GoPro Max weighs a little less than the X4.
GoPro Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
Insta360 X4
46mm x 123.6mm x 37.6mm / 1.81in x 4.87in x 1.48in
7.16oz / 203g
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 X4 offers a much larger battery capacity. 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 X4
2290mAh
Removable
135min 5.7K30fps 360° and 75min 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 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 X4 support SD cards.
GoPro Max
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 X4
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 X4 offers HDR video.
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 X4
4K video at 60fps
Yes
Camera and sensor technology
The X4 features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the X4 is a little better than the GoPro Max's. The X4 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 X4
72MP
170°
200Mbps
Camera settings
The X4'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 X4
100-6400
+/-4
GoPro Max vs X4 specifications
| Name | GoPro Max | Insta360 X4 |
| Year of release | 2019 | 2024 |
| Width | 2.52in / 64mm | 1.81in / 46mm |
| Height | 2.72in / 69mm | 4.87in / 123.6mm |
| Depth | 0.98in / 25mm | 1.48in / 37.6mm |
| Weight | 5.43oz / 154g | 7.16oz / 203g |
| Waterproof | 16ft / 5m | 33ft / 10m |
| Waterproof with diving case | - | 164ft / 50m |
| 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 | 2290mAh |
| Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | 85min 5.7K30fps 360° 105min at 1080p | 135min 5.7K30fps 360° 75min 8K30fps 360° |
| Charging time | 120min | 55min |
| Storage format | microSD | microSD |
| Storage rating required | Class 10 or UHS-I Rating | V30 or UHS-3 |
| Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 1TB |
| Rear screen size | 1.69in | - |
| Field of view | 155° | 170° |
| Sensor | 1/2.3" | 1/2.0" |
| Pixels | 18MP | 72MP |
| Aperture | F2.0 | F1.9 |
| Focal length | 13-27mm | 6.7mm |
| ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-6400 |
| Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
| Video bite rate | 78Mbps | 200Mbps |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-4 |
| 360-degree video | Yes | Yes |
| 8K 360 video | - | 30fps |
| 5.7K 360 video | 30fps | 60fps |
| 4K 360 video | - | 100fps |
| 360 video format | GoPro 360 file | INSV |
| 4K video | - | 60fps |
| 2.7K video | - | 60fps |
| 1440p video | 60fps | - |
| 1080p video | 60fps | 60fps |
| Slow motion at 4K | - | 4 |
| Maximum slow motion | 2x | 4x at 1080p |
| HDR video | - | Yes |
| Stabilization | Max HyperSmooth | FlowState |
| Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
| Video format | H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) | H.265 (HEVC) H.264 (MP4) |
| Live streaming | 1080p30 | Yes |
| Webcam mode | - | Yes |
| Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Starlapse mode | - | Yes |
| Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
| Subject tracking | No | Yes |
| Photo burst mode | No | Yes |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 6 | 4 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | wav | aac |
| Audio bluetooth support | - | SENA: 50S, ST1, 10S Cardo: PACKTALK EDGE Airide: G7+ ASMAX: F1 Lexinmoto: G4 Vimoto: V9S, V9X Apple AirPods 2 Apple AirPods 3 Apple AirPods Pro 2 Samsung Galaxy Buds2 |
| Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 | BLE 5.2 |
| USB | Type-C USB | Type-C USB 3.0 |
| GPS integrated | Yes | No |
| GPS pairing | - | iOS Application Android Application |
| Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture commands | No | Yes |