Head-to-head · Best 360 Cameras

GoPro Max 2 vs Insta360 X4

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

GoPro Max 2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Professionals and action shooters who want the best daylight 8K quality and GoPro's rugged mounting ecosystem. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best 360 Cameras

GoPro Max 2

4.6

$499as of Jun 7

The GoPro Max 2 is the 360 camera for pros and daylight action shooters. It boasts the best bright-light image quality in the category, adds true 8K with 10-bit Log for serious post-production, and brings GoPro's rugged build and unmatched mounting ecosystem. It loses ground in low light and is waterproof to only 5m, so it is less suited to night and underwater work.

Strengths

— Best bright-daylight image quality of the current small 360 cameras
— True 8K capture with 10-bit color and Log for maximum post-production flexibility
— Tool-free replaceable lenses and the best built-in mounting options in the category

Watch-outs

— Low-light performance trails the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360
— Waterproof to only 5m, far less than the X5 and Osmo 360 at 15m
— Tool-free lenses can suffer condensation when conditions change rapidly

$499 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best 360 Cameras

Insta360 X4

4.5

$360.99as of Jun 7

The Insta360 X4 was the best 360 camera of its generation and remains a superb value now that the X5 sits above it. It shoots 8K/30p that reframes to 2.7K, adds a genuinely useful single-lens 4K/60p mode, and pairs excellent stabilization with strong battery life. Its main limitation versus the X5 is weaker low-light performance from its smaller sensors.

Strengths

— 8K/30p 360 capture that reframes to a sharp 2.7K flat output
— Excellent FlowState stabilization with 360 horizon lock for smooth action footage
— Useful single-lens 4K/60p mode that competes with standalone action cameras

Watch-outs

— Smaller sensors than the X5 mean weaker low-light performance
— 8K editing is demanding on phones and laptops
— Superseded as the flagship by the X5

$360.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

GoPro Max 2

Has the best daylight image quality in this group, beating the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360 in ideal light, but loses to both in low light and is waterproof to only 5m versus their 15m. Far more rugged and action-focused than the Ricoh Theta X, and a major upgrade over the original Max that preceded the Insta360 X4 era.

Insta360 X4

The previous-generation flagship below the Insta360 X5, which it trails mainly in low-light image quality due to smaller sensors. Cheaper than the X5, GoPro Max 2 and DJI Osmo 360, making it the value 8K pick, and far more action-capable than the photo-focused Ricoh Theta X.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	GoPro Max 2	Insta360 X4
Capture	True 8K 360 video	8K/30p 360 video
Color	10-bit, GP-Log	—
Waterproof	5m without housing	10m without housing
Lenses	Replaceable (tool-free)	Replaceable lens guards
Mounting	Built-in folding fingers	—
Customization	GoPro Labs firmware	—
Stabilization	HyperSmooth + 360 horizon lock	FlowState + 360 horizon lock
Ecosystem	GoPro mounts and accessories	—
Single-lens mode	—	4K/60p
Photo	—	72MP 360 stills
Reframed output	—	Up to 2.7K flat
Battery	—	Long-life removable

← See the full ranking of best 360 cameras