GoPro Max vs Insta360 X3: 5 Reasons Why X3 is Better
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
Action cameras that offer 360-degree footage are currently a trend. It allows us to capture our experiences in a more immersive and interactive way, while also providing a greater flexibility to choose the best possible angle during post-production.
Insta360 is the leading 360 camera manufacturer, and the Insta360 X3 is its latest model offering its most advanced technology. On the other hand, GoPro, a leader in the action camera market for years, is now competing with its first 360-degree action camera, the GoPro Max.
How do the Insta360 X3 and GoPro Max compare to each other in terms of price, design, video quality, and features? Let's take a close look!
| Specs | Insta360 X3 | GoPro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $449.99 | $399.99 |
| Dimensions | 114 x 46 x 33.1 mm | 69 x 64 x 25 mm |
| Weight | 180 g | 154 gr |
| Video (360) | 5.7K | 5.6K |
| Video (Single) | 4K | 1440p |
| Photo | 72 MP | 16.6 MP |
| Audio | 4 mics | 6 mics |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes, 10m | Yes, 5m |
| Battery | 1800 mAh | 1600 mAh |
Key Takeaways
GoPro Max has better audio with 6 mics compared to X3's 4 mics, but X3 offers better image quality with 5.7K (360) and 4K (single) resolution compared to Max's 5.6K (360) and 1440p (single). X3 also has larger touchscreen and supports various accessories for creative shots like drone or bullet time.
Insta360 X3
The Ultimate 360 Camera
✓ 5.7K + 72 MP 360 Footage
✓ 4K Single-lens Footage
✓ FlowState Stabilization
✓ Invisible Selfie Stick & Bullet Time
GoPro Max
More Affordable 360 Camera
✓ 5.6K + 16.6 MP 360 Footage
✓ 1440p Single-lens Footage
✓ Max HyperSmooth
✓ Premium 360 audio from 6 mics
#1 Price
Insta360 X3
The Insta360 X3, first released in 2022, is currently priced around $449.99. With this price, you'll get the Insta360 X3, one battery, one charging cable, a protective pouch, and a lens cloth. Depending on where you purchase it, you may also get an Invisible Selfie Stick included for free as a bonus.
The GoPro Max is a bit older, first released in 2019 at a price of $499.99. However, the price has dropped significantly to around $399.99, making it a cheaper option compared to the X3. In the box, you'll get the GoPro MAX, the camera case, a battery, curved adhesive mount, 2 protective lenses + lens caps, microfiber bag, mounting buckle + thumb screw, and a USB-C cable.
#2 Design
GoPro Max
The Insta360 X3 has a narrow rectangular shape which makes it easy to hold and control with one hand. It features a wide 2.29” touchscreen with tempered glass protection, perfect for easily previewing and framing shots. The buttons are large, responsive, and easy to use even when on the move or gloved up. They also provide vibration feedback for clear command confirmation.
The GoPro Max, on the other hand, has a more traditional action camera design with a compact, squarish body. It only has a touchscreen on one side of its body, but it features 6 microphones for crystal-clear audio performance and built-in mounting fingers to attach to over 30+ mounting accessories that you can purchase separately.
#3 Image Quality
Insta360 X3
The Insta360 X3 has a maximum video resolution of 5.7K at 30 fps, while the GoPro Max has a maximum video resolution of 5.6K at 30 fps. It is not a big difference, but when it comes to photo resolution, the Insta360 X3 excels significantly with a 72 MP photo resolution compared to the GoPro Max's 16.6MP.
One important thing to consider about a 360 camera is that its resolution is spread out over the entire 360-degree field of view, so the resolution can drop when you take a non-360 single-lens shot. For the GoPro Max, a Hero-style single-lens footage has a maximum resolution of only 1440p. This was also the case with the X3's predecessor X2, which delivers single-lens footage at only 1080p. However, the Insta360 X3 has improved its single-lens footage resolution to 4K, which is a significant upgrade from X2 and makes it a more versatile option compared to the GoPro Max.
#4 Features
GoPro Max
The Insta360 X3 features FlowState Stabilization with 360-degree Horizon Lock, allowing you to have smooth and stable videos even when you're flipping on your paraglider or riding a roller coaster. The GoPro Max is not losing on this. It offers Max HyperSmooth, a powerful video stabilization feature that makes sure your footage is always smooth and steady, regardless of the shooting conditions.
Both 360 cameras support voice control, so you can capture footage or take a photo hands-free without touching the camera. Both also support live streaming and have their own mobile app that allows you to preview, edit, and share your content directly from your phone. However, the Insta360 app offers more advanced AI-powered editing tools such as Deep Track 2.0, Snap Wizard, Shot Lab, and more.
The Insta360 also has Pre-Recording, allowing you to save 15-30 seconds of footage before you even press the shutter button, and Loop Recording which continuously records video but only saves the final minutes according to your set interval. Meanwhile, the GoPro Max offers PowerPano, allowing you to take 270° panoramic photos without panning the camera.
#5 Additional Accessories
Extended Invisible Selfie Stick of Insta360 X3
The GoPro Max is compatible with 30+ GoPro additional accessories that you can purchase based on your needs, such as a helmet mount for motorcycle riding or a tripod for stable shots. Among all these accessories, the most recommended one is the Max Grip + Tripod ($59.99), which can be used as a camera grip, extension pole (9-22"), or a quick-deploy tripod. This accessory is perfect for 360 footage as it allows you to capture third-person perspective footage without the grip or pole showing up in the shot.
The Insta360 X3 also offers a similar accessory called the Invisible Selfie Stick, which allows you to take third-person view footage without the stick appearing in the shot. The Invisible Selfie Stick comes in several variations, but the most popular one is the Extended Selfie Stick ($99.99), which can be extended to 3m in length for creative aerial drone-like shots.
Some other accessories for the X3 are also available to allow you to expand your creativity, such as the Bullet Time Cord ($19.99) to create stunning slow-motion shots by swinging the camera around your head.
Insta360 X3 vs GoPro Max
Final Thoughts
Insta360 X3
Ultimately, choosing between the Insta360 X3 and GoPro Max depends on your priorities and needs. However, we think that the Insta360 X3 is better than the GoPro Max for 5 reasons:
1. It has a wider touchscreen for easy preview and control, as well as easy-to-access large buttons with vibration feedback.
2. It has better image resolution for both 360 and single-lens footage.
3. It is supported by AI-powered editing tools for creative and easy editing.
4. It offers more advanced recording modes such as Pre-Recording and Loop Recording for flexibility while also saving storage space.
5. It is compatible with more creativity-inducing accessories such as the Extended Selfie Stick and Bullet Time Cord.
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