🎬 Clash of the 360°: Insta360 vs. GoPro
The 360 camera market is booming. After the success of the flagship models from Insta360 and GoPro, the two brands are returning in 2025 with their new high-performance models: the Insta360 X4 Air , ultra-light and affordable, and the GoPro Max 2 , more powerful and designed for demanding athletes and creators.
But which one deserves a place in your bag? Let’s compare them point by point.
⚙️ Design and ergonomics: lightness or robustness?
✴️ Insta360 X4 Air : slim and portable
- Weight: 165g — the lightest 360 8K camera on the market.
- Two colours: graphite black and arctic white.
- Replaceable lenses and hardened optical coating.
- Compact design, perfect for travel and daily vlogging.
✴️ GoPro Max 2 : Robustness and sporty ergonomics
- Weight: approximately 200 g.
- Robust rubber casing, waterproof (IP67 – 5 m).
- Dual front/rear touchscreen for quick framing.
- Designed for extreme sports and adventurous vloggers.
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Insta360 X4 Air vs GoPro Max 2 — lequel choisir ?
Deux caméras 360° 8K : légèreté & simplicité d’un côté, puissance & cadence élevée de l’autre.
Insta360 X4 Air
- Vidéo 360° 8K à 30 ips (Action HDR)
- Capteurs 2 × 1/1,8″ • f/1.9 • AdaptiveTone
- 165 g seulement • objectifs remplaçables
- FlowState + verrouillage de l’horizon 360°
- Cloud Insta360+ (200 Go offerts)
GoPro Max 2
- Vidéo 360° 8K à 30 ips • 5.6K à 60 ips • 4K à 100 ips
- Stabilisation HyperSmooth 6.0 + Horizon Lock 360°
- 6 micros • réduction active du vent
- Profils GP-Log 10 bits • post-prod avancée
- Boîtier robuste • étanche 5 m (IP67)
📷 Sensors and image quality
| Characteristic | Insta360 X4 Air | GoPro Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | 2 × 1/1.8″ | 2 × 1/1.3″ |
| Opening | f/1.9 | f/2.0 |
| 360° resolution | 8K @ 30 fps | 8K @ 30 fps • 5.6K @ 60 fps • 4K @ 100 fps |
| Photo | 72 MP | 29 MP |
| Color | AdaptiveTone + Portrait Mode | GP-Log 10-bit + GoPro Color |
- Insta360 X4 Air delivers a natural and balanced image straight from the camera, thanks to its AdaptiveTone algorithm.
- GoPro Max 2 produces a more contrasted and “cinematic” image, ideal for post-production or sports.
🎨 X4 Air = natural finish; Max 2 = visual impact.
🌙 Low-light performance
The Insta360 X4 Air relies on larger sensors and highly effective AI noise reduction, allowing it to film in dark scenes without distorting colors.
The GoPro Max 2 greatly improves nighttime performance compared to the first Max, but digital noise remains visible in underexposed areas.
🌌 Insta360 advantage for night or indoor shooting.
🎥 Video and stabilization: fluidity or finesse?
🎬 Insta360 X4 Air
- 8K @ 30 fps • 5.7K @ 60 fps • 4K @ 100 fps.
- FlowState stabilization + 360° horizon lock.
- Action modes HDR, TimeShift, Bullet Time and Me Mode.
🎬 GoPro Max 2
- 8K @ 30 fps • 5.6K @ 60 fps • 4K @ 100 fps.
- HyperSmooth 6.0 + Horizon Lock 360° stabilization.
- TimeWarp 360°, Hero Mode 2.0, PowerPano and Night Timelapse modes.
🧭 The Max 2 films faster; the X4 Air remains more detailed and consistent.
🔊 Immersive audio and sound
- Insta360 X4 Air : 4 microphones, integrated windscreen, Mic Air compatibility.
- GoPro Max 2 : 6 omnidirectional microphones, active wind reduction, 360° spatial capture.
🎧 GoPro for pro audio, Insta360 for clarity and naturalness.
🔋 Battery life and charging
| Insta360 X4 Air | GoPro Max 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 2290 mAh | 1900 mAh |
| Autonomy | 135 min (5.7K 30 fps) | 100 min (6K 30 fps) |
| Fast charging | 80% in 38 minutes | 50% in 30 min (USB-C PD) |
| Removable | Yes | Yes |
🔋 The X4 Air lasts longer and recharges faster.
🧩 Application and ecosystem
🌐 Insta360
- Insta360 App + Insta360+ Cloud (200 GB included).
- AI FlashCut editing and instant sharing.
- Compatible with Apple, Garmin and Huawei.
📱 GoPro
- GoPro Quik + Cloud GoPro Plus app.
- Simplified assembly and automatic saving.
- Synchronization with GoPro Hero 13 and GoPro Labs.
☁️ Smoother Insta360; more integrated GoPro for fans of the brand.
💸 Price and positioning
| Model | Introductory price | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Insta360 X4 Air | €399 (standard) / €429 (kit) | 8K HDR, lightweight, replaceable lenses |
| GoPro Max 2 | €579 (standard) / €649 (bundle) | 8K 30 fps, 6 microphones, 6K 60 fps, pro stabilization |
💰 X4 Air = affordable and portable; Max 2 = more expensive but faster.
🧾 Quick comparison chart
| Characteristics | Insta360 X4 Air | GoPro Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 360° resolution | 8K @ 30 fps | 8K @ 30 fps / 5.6K @ 60 fps / 4K @ 100 fps |
| Sensors | 2 × 1/1.8″ | 2 × 1/1.3″ |
| Opening | f/1.9 | f/2.0 |
| Stabilization | FlowState + 360° Horizon | HyperSmooth 6.0 + Horizon Lock |
| Audio | 4 microphones | 6 microphones |
| Autonomy | 135 min | 100 min |
| Airtightness | 15 m | 5 m (IP67) |
| Weight | 165 g | 200 g |
| Replaceable lenses | Yes | No |
| Cloud | Insta360+ (200 GB) | GoPro Plus |
| Price | €399–429 | €579–649 |
🏁 Final verdict: two 360° views
- 🟢 Choose the Insta360 X4 Air if you want:
- a lightweight, intuitive and affordable 8K camera;
- a natural and balanced result;
- Excellent value for money for traveling light.
- 🔵 Choose the GoPro Max 2 if you’re looking for:
- 6K 60fps smoothness and immersive 6-microphone audio;
- HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization and GoPro robustness;
- full integration with the GoPro ecosystem.
✈️ Nomadic travel and creation → X4 Air
🏂 Pro action, speed and production → GoPro Max 2
❓ And you, which camera would you choose for your next 360° shoot?
Tell us in the comments!
And if you want to take advantage of the current offer on the lightest camera on the market, check out the 👉 Insta360 X4 Air .
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