# GoPro MAX2 vs Insta360 X5: THIS Is The Best 360 Camera! > Transcript source: YouTube English captions (en-orig). ## Outline - **[0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=0s) Intro.** He has waited a long time for the GoPro MAX2 and bought it with his own money. There is no sponsorship from GoPro or Insta360. He compares it with the best-known 360 camera, the Insta360 X5, because comparing only two cameras keeps things clear (his X5 vs DJI Osmo 360 video is already on the channel). There are 10 categories with one point each. ![[GoPro MAX2 vs Insta360 X5 THIS Is The Best 360 Camera-t0030.webp]] - **[0:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=46s) 1. Design and form factor (MAX2).** The MAX2 is much smaller than the X5 and not as long. Apart from the grooves on the front it looks like the original 2019 MAX. It is only 5 g lighter, though. The X5's long shape suits selfie sticks, but the MAX2 is better on a helmet. The MAX2 has a 1/4-inch thread *and* built-in GoPro mounting fingers. Users can replace the lenses on both cameras, unlike the Osmo 360. The MAX2 lens covers screw off by hand, while the X5 needs a kit with its own tool. He worries that DIY lens swaps could affect stitching. On the downside, the MAX2 has a smaller, dimmer screen and is waterproof only to 5 m (X5: 10 m). He still gives the point to the MAX2. - **[2:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=169s) 2. Image quality (X5).** He used default settings with no edits. The MAX2 sensor is 1/2.3 inch, the same as the original MAX and smaller than even the X3's. GoPro claims "true 8K," but its bitrate is 120 Mbps against the X5's 180 Mbps. GoPro Labs could reportedly raise it to 300 Mbps, but Labs firmware isn't out for the MAX2 yet. In bright light the two look similar. The X5 shows slightly yellower greens, different blues, and slightly more sharpness, and despite its "true 8K" the MAX2 shows no extra detail. Under clouds the X5 exposes better with much better dynamic range, while the MAX2 already shows noise in the early afternoon. ![[GoPro MAX2 vs Insta360 X5 THIS Is The Best 360 Camera-t0310.webp]] - **[5:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=343s) Distortion, stitching, and color profiles.** The X5's MEGA field of view gives a very wide view with little distortion. The MAX2 has nothing like it: its linear reframe crops heavily. The MAX2 shows stitching shifts near the hand, possibly linked to the removable lens covers. In the MAX2's favor, it offers 10-bit color and a very flat GP-Log profile for grading. The X5 has only a "flat" profile, but it adds Adaptive Tone, which adjusts exposure and contrast per reframe for an action-cam look. Only the X5 has an HDR mode, and only in 5.7K. Overall the point goes to the X5. He would pick the MAX2 only for heavy grading in great light. ![[GoPro MAX2 vs Insta360 X5 THIS Is The Best 360 Camera-t0610.webp]] - **[8:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=484s) 3. Low light (X5).** The small sensor shows its limits here. The MAX2 has no dedicated low-light mode, and its footage is noisier, less detailed, worse in color, and too dark. It is not good for indoor shots or virtual tours. GoPro itself markets the camera as "the best 360 camera for action." - **[9:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=540s) 4. Frame rates / slow motion (X5).** Both shoot 8K up to 30fps. For 50/60fps the MAX2 drops to 5.7K/5.6K and loses a lot of quality, while the X5's 5.7K60 still looks good. In 4K the MAX2 tops out at 100fps and the X5 reaches 120fps. The MAX2 footage is "hardly usable," which undercuts the "best for action" claim. - **[10:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=603s) 5. Single-lens mode (X5).** Both shoot flat 4K60. The X5 adds PureVideo for low light and Me mode, which reframes in camera into a flat 2.7K clip with the invisible selfie stick. The MAX2's selfie mode still needs export in the app. - **[11:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=673s) 6. Battery and overheating (X5).** The MAX2 battery is 1,960 mAh, against 2,400 mAh for the X5. In 8K30 the MAX2 runs about 1 h 02 min, the X5 1 h 36 min, and the X5 also has Endurance mode and faster charging. In static shots in a 19 °C office, the MAX2 overheated after 33 minutes, while the X5 ran until the battery died. ![[GoPro MAX2 vs Insta360 X5 THIS Is The Best 360 Camera-t1210.webp]] - **[12:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=742s) 7. Audio (X5).** The X5 works with the Mic Air, DJI Mic Mini, and Mic 2. The MAX2 takes no external mics, only headsets such as AirPods, whose audio is mediocre. The X5 also suppresses wind better and its voice enhancement sounds clearer. - **[13:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=787s) 8. Accessories (X5).** Many Insta360 mounts fit the MAX2, but some accessories exist only for the X5: ND filters, the invisible dive case (and the new Dive Case Pro), a mic adapter, Quick Reader, utility frame, preview remote, mini remote, and thermo grip cover. The MAX2 cannot shoot 360 underwater. - **[14:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=862s) 9. Special features (X5).** The MAX2 has the usual GoPro modes (vehicle lights, light painting) plus POV and selfie modes, and its one real extra is built-in GPS. The X5 offers gesture control, Twist to Shoot, Bullet Time, InstaFrame (a 360 file plus a flat clip), and the AI Highlights Assistant. - **[15:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=922s) 10. Software (X5).** GoPro's Player desktop app was not overhauled: it only offers keyframe reframing, with no tracking or editing, so it can't compete with Insta360 Studio. The GoPro phone app is better (tracking, edits, filters, MotionFrame, preset moves), but you have to download 360 files to the phone first. The Insta360 app doesn't, and it adds full editing, Shot Lab, and FlashCut. - **[16:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzkzB3FzPA&t=999s) Verdict and pricing.** The X5 wins 9 to 1. The MAX2 costs $500 and the X5 $550, but the X5 is 10% off until October 16 (so about $500). His X5 link adds a free double lens replacement kit ($45) and one year of Insta360+ cloud with 1 TB (worth over $100). He would choose the MAX2 only for mostly bright shooting, GoPro colors and GP-Log grading, and the smaller size. Otherwise he picks the X5, or perhaps the Osmo 360. He promises more X5 and MAX2 videos. ![[GoPro MAX2 vs Insta360 X5 THIS Is The Best 360 Camera-t1640.webp]] ## Things mentioned ### Cameras - **GoPro MAX2**: 1/2.3-inch sensors, "true 8K" 360, 120 Mbps, 1,960 mAh, waterproof to 5 m, built-in GPS, GoPro mounting fingers, lens covers that screw off by hand; $500 - **Insta360 X5**: larger sensors, 8K30 360, 180 Mbps, 2,400 mAh, waterproof to 10 m, replaceable lenses; $550 (10% off until Oct 16, 2025) - **GoPro MAX (2019)**: same sensor size as the MAX2 and a similar design - **Insta360 X3**: had a larger sensor than the MAX2 - **DJI Osmo 360**: compared with the X5 in an earlier video. Its lenses are not user-replaceable. ### Software and features - GoPro Labs firmware (could raise the bitrate to 300 Mbps; not yet available for the MAX2), GP-Log with 10-bit color, GoPro LUT, GoPro Player desktop app, and the GoPro mobile app (tracking, MotionFrame, preset moves) - Insta360 MEGA field of view, Adaptive Tone, HDR (5.7K), PureVideo, Me mode, Endurance mode, voice enhancement, wind reduction, gesture control, Twist to Shoot, Bullet Time, InstaFrame, AI Highlights Assistant, Insta360 Studio, and the Insta360 app (Shot Lab, FlashCut) - Invisible selfie stick effect and stitching quality ### Accessories - Insta360 Mic Air, DJI Mic Mini, DJI Mic 2, and AirPods (the MAX2 supports headsets only) - X5-only accessories: ND filters, invisible dive case, Dive Case Pro, mic adapter, Quick Reader, utility frame, preview remote, mini remote, thermo grip cover - Lens replacement kit and a GoPro-fingers adapter for the X5 ### Announcements and purchase options - X5 sale: 10% off until October 16, 2025 - X5 bonus through his link: a free double lens replacement kit ($45) and 1 year of Insta360+ cloud with 1 TB ($100+) - Insta360 X5 (affiliate): https://bit.ly/MountMedia_X5 - GoPro MAX2 (affiliate): https://amzn.to/47dckps - _(The video description could not be fetched because YouTube rate-limited it. These links come from the channel's other MAX2 vs X5 notes.)_ ## Bios - **MountMedia** (Werner Plank): a YouTube creator who reviews 360 cameras, action cameras, and drones, especially Insta360, DJI, and GoPro gear, often filming in the Alps. Contact: [email protected]. Instagram: @werner.plank. - **GoPro**: a San Mateo, California-based maker of action cameras (the Hero line) and 360 cameras (the MAX line). - **Insta360**: a Shenzhen-based maker of consumer 360 and action cameras (the X series, GO, Ace Pro). - **DJI**: a Shenzhen-based maker of drones and camera gear (Osmo Action, Osmo Pocket, Osmo 360, wireless mics).