![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro.webp]] # Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX: The Destruction of GoPro? [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdQMI1PsDXk) · MountMedia · 2022-12-20 · 12:40. Written from full English auto captions (en-orig) via timedtext (yt-dlp subtitle download hit 429), plus the chapters, frames and the description. Section headings follow the video's chapters. ## Outline - **0:00 – GoPro Max vs Insta360 X3.** What's the best consumer 360 camera right now, and how well can the **three-year-old GoPro MAX** keep up with the new **Insta360 X3**? He scores them across **16 categories**, one point each, to decide a winner. ![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro-t0025.webp]] - **0:19 – Portability & Durability.** Both are meant as rugged action cameras. The **Max is smaller** (about **2/3** the X3's volume) and **lighter at 155 g** vs the X3's **180 g**. Build quality looks high on both, but the X3's **large display** and **more protruding lenses** are weak points if dropped. GoPro includes **plastic lens protectors and lens guards** in the box; the X3's case is excellent but **lens protectors are sold separately**. He dislikes the Max's **cheap-looking side door** and **two-piece lens cover** (easy to lose one half). Point: **GoPro MAX**. - **1:20 – Form Factor & Mount.** The Max uses the standard **GoPro mount**, but the mount screw is a problem for 360: you need a short hidden screw or it shows on a pole, and the Max's **side-offset lenses** can shift the stitch (e.g. on a helmet). The X3's vertical body with a **standard tripod thread** suits 360 better and mounts flexibly without a visible screw. Point: **X3**. ![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro-t0140.webp]] - **2:09 – Screen.** The X3's screen is **much larger** and lets you **swipe the preview**; the Max only flips between its two lenses. The Max's only screen plus is **landscape orientation** for classic landscape shots. Point: **X3**. ![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro-t0220.webp]] - **2:42 – Field of view.** In standard-export side-by-sides the X3 has a **much wider FOV**, especially **vertically**, thanks to its protruding lenses—useful so you don't hold the camera so far away (e.g. filming yourself). Zooming out in post from the other lens would add distortion. Point: **X3**. - **3:27 – Color & Contrast.** He's long preferred **GoPro colors**; vs the X3 the Max looks **warmer and more cinematic** (orange), while the X3 looks **cooler with more magenta**. The Max only offers **GoPro / Flat**; the X3 has **Vivid, Standard and Log**. Still, colors go to the **Max**. - **4:09 – Dynamic Range.** The X3 **protects highlights** better (sun and clouds keep more detail); the newer sensor is obvious. Point: **X3**. - **4:33 – Detail & Sharpness.** At **400%** magnification after **4K ProRes** export, the Max looks washed out and soft; the X3 is clearly sharper despite only a slightly higher resolution. Point: **X3**. - **5:05 – Lens Stitching & Invisible Pole.** Both stitch two lenses and support an **invisible selfie stick**. The stick **disappears more cleanly on the X3** (Max still shows the hand grip); the **lens transition** looks a bit cleaner on the **Max** when he rotates the camera. He awards **both** a point. ![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro-t0520.webp]] - **6:00 – Low Light.** 360 cams have small sensors, so low light is hard. Auto exposure isn't comparable (Max exposes brighter and noisier). With **manual exposure** at similar brightness the **X3 shows a bit less noise**. Point: **X3**. ![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro-t0620.webp]] - **6:49 – Slow Motion.** Neither is a slow-mo specialist; resolution drops at higher fps. Max needs **3K for 60 fps**; X3 can do **4K60**, and with a firmware update **3K100**. X3 slow motion looks much sharper. Point: **X3**. - **7:28 – Stabilization.** Walking and hard left-right running both stabilize "fantastically"; X3 might edge it minimally, but he scores it a **tie** (both get a point). - **7:52 – Single Lens Mode.** For non-360 clips you can share without reframing. X3 shoots single-lens **4K**; Max only **1080**—obvious at 300% crop. Max single-lens slow motion is better than its 360 slow mo but still behind the X3; Max **stabilizes single-lens action better** than the X3. Overall point: **X3**. ![[images/Insta360 X3 vs GoPro MAX The Destruction of GoPro-t0820.webp]] - **8:47 – Ease of Use & Apps.** Hardest category for the Max. After reframing many clips in each **desktop app**, Insta360's workflow is **faster**—easier crop and import, plus **subject tracking** that keeps you centered. Same advantages on the **phone app**, plus **Stories** auto-edits (sky replace, drone-like moves). Point: **X3**. - **10:05 – Overheating & Battery Life.** No overheating in his cold Alpine / 15 °C office tests. X3 battery lasts about **1 h 45 m** at **5.7K 360**; Max about **1 h 25 m**. Point: **X3**. - **10:32 – Personal Experience & Extra Features.** X3 extras include **8K time-lapse** and an **HDR mode**. In his tests the X3 never crashed; the Max **often failed to power on** until he mashed the button. Point: **X3**. - **11:10 – Audio Quality.** Outdoor audio matters more than office. Alternating clips: Max is **slightly louder**; X3 sounds a bit **more muffled**. Point: **GoPro MAX**. - **12:00 – Buyers Guide – Which should you buy?** Final score **X3 13, Max 5** (subjective). At **similar prices** there's little reason to buy the Max; GoPro needs a **successor**. Beyond reliability, the X3's biggest strengths are the **app** and **image quality**. Affiliate links in the description; more Max and X3 videos coming. ## Things mentioned ### Cameras - **Insta360 X3**: Vertical one-piece 360 camera; wider FOV, large swipeable screen, 5.7K 360, single-lens 4K, 4K60 / 3K100 slow motion, tripod-thread mount, ~180 g, ~1h45 battery, 8K timelapse and HDR. Overall winner (13 points). - **GoPro MAX**: ~3-year-old dual-lens 360; smaller/lighter (155 g), GoPro mount, landscape screen, warmer colors, single-lens 1080 only, ~1h25 battery. Wins portability, colors and audio (5 points total including ties). ### Features and accessories - **16 scored categories** with one point each (ties allowed). - **Invisible selfie stick** / pole disappearance in stitch. - **Lens protectors / lens guards** (bundled on Max; separate purchase for X3) and X3 **protective case**. - **GoPro mount** vs **1/4-20 tripod thread**. - **Color profiles**: Max GoPro/Flat; X3 Vivid / Standard / Log. - **Single Lens mode**: X3 4K vs Max 1080. - **Subject tracking** and **Stories** auto-edit in Insta360 apps; **GoPro Player** desktop app. - **HDR mode** and **8K time-lapse** (X3). - Helmet mount stitch offset on the Max. ### Related videos - Follow-on GoPro MAX and X3 videos promised on the channel. - Later MountMedia buyer's guide that references this comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr8KEIc8T8w ### Purchase options - Insta360 X3 (with free gift, affiliate): https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?insrc=INRNHMF - Insta360 poles & accessories (affiliate): https://store.insta360.com/accessory?insrc=INRNHMF - Music (Audiio), promo code **SAVE70** for 70% off: https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=606 - Support the channel: https://www.ko-fi.com/mountmedia ## Bios - **Werner Plank** runs MountMedia, a YouTube channel of camera tests, comparisons and tutorials focused on 360 and action cameras (Instagram: @werner.plank; contact [email protected]). Here he skis and walks with both cameras in the Alps, shoots side-by-side stills and office talking-head audio A/B tests, and reframes clips in each brand's desktop app. - **Insta360** is the Shenzhen-based maker of the X3 (released September 2022), then its newest consumer 360 camera. - **GoPro** is the San Mateo action-camera company behind the MAX dual-lens 360 camera; by late 2022 the MAX was about three years old with no successor yet announced in this video.