GoPro - MAX2

Insta360 X5 4k@120fps vs Max 2 4k@100fps / 72mp still camera vs 29mp still camera / Both sensors on the X5 are almost double the size of Max2 / Deeper water resistance / Bigger battery / Longer battery life / Removed lenses / Better software...

Before I do, I'm not just listing off specs. I'm giving a true representation of both units. You just lied about saying some software features don't exist, even though they do, you just don't know how to use them. You then listed off your opinion with 1 spec that doesn't actually affect any outcome of use. Well your software points is completely null and void. You think the GoPro software is good because it's so old and crap, that's not what most video editors want. Saying a software is better because it's featureless and old makes you sound old and out of touch with current tech. Regarding this nonsensical 'true 8k' marketing... If you understood cameras, you understand that it's null and void. Given then your packing that small amount of extra 'true (LOL) 8K' into tiny sensors. Both insta360 sensors are almost double the size making the actual real world results way better.

The real answer you are looking for is the GoPro Hero 2024 (maybe it’s called the LIT Hero now) it’s super simple, cheap (compared to normal GoPro) shoots video, exports to phone/pc and is much lighter/smaller than the others. Edit: MAX2 is the best camera. Not best bang for buck.

As others said any GoPro from 11-13 (I would even say starting with Gpro 9) would work. I would also recommend the gorpox Max (360) great for something like shark cage where you can re-fesme the video later....just keep in mind 360 is a pia dealing with file sizes and whatever you do don't scratch the lenses

Thank you all very much for the responses! Without a doubt, I think the Max 2 is a great option for me. I don't edit in Adobe Premiere, mainly for my videos I use my cell phone and occasionally the PC but it is not my profession, just a hobby. In terms of form factor, it seems to me by far the best, and at night it is not going to be my use. Diving is not a use for me either, although I know that I cannot use it (at least for the moment) in case I ever do snorkeling or some underwater activity, but I think that as a color and image it is the best. I will definitely choose Max 2. Thank you so much!

Got tired of GoPro and bought x5 with discount with Dell via Amex. Yes, the camera looks good, menu and screen (with the 360 preview) are definitely better than GoPro. In addition, while owning Max 1, I really envy the software and editing tools of Insta360. However, my concern is that the color of x5 looks unrealistic even with the normal color profile. When GoPro released Max 2, I was a bit skeptical but for the most part, I really like the video quality output. I don't see myself shooting 8k but with the log video that I can color grade, I was sold. Sold the x5 for $20 less vs brand new (because Amex had offers with Dell before). Yes, Max 2 performs poorly at night time. But honestly, do most people shoot 360 videos at night time? I suppose most people would take a 360 camera to shoot at night in bright places (eg Times Square, Shibuya crossing).

Gopro max or max2 or insta360. The 360 cameras are awesome as hell for snowboarding.

Because in non low light situations the colour and quality of the max 2 is a lot better. So if you don’t need low light capabilities then the max 2 is the way to go

Yep, that's not an issue. Most of these shots are pretty zoomed out, but even at a more normal 100% or 90% zoom, the quality is great and should mix with H13 nicely Here's some more "normal" footage (just made the file Public) for you to review: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CTfYfUU-PE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CTfYfUU-PE) Note: this is with an earlier prototype model that didn't have final video / audio tuning, including for wind noise

I can only speak for myself, but personally, yes, I won’t ever be able to use my Max1s after seeing the quality improvements with Max2. Completely different levels of quality

This footage is with an early hardware model that didn't have audio tuning. So, these clips are more examples of the image quality, not the audio quality. What low light tests are you referring to? My low light shots look great https://preview.redd.it/bjtyt9d24xqf1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a5b3f6f1fa925d72329527bb60d17422c07ff47

Max2 is higher native resolution, 10-bit color, 300 mbps, has log profiles, is a smaller size, is less expensive, has removable lenses, better daylight image quality, unlimited cloud storage… pretty obvious choice if you’re not filming in low light

I regularly record for longer than 30 minutes with my Max2 and have never encountered overheating. But then again, my activities all have lots of airflow (motorcycles, paragliding, etc), and I always keep the front heatsink facing into the wind. If you do the same, you'll be fine

What settings are you shooting in? Have you made adjustments beyond the default resolution / bitrate / sharpening / ISO? I’m very impressed by the quality, because I adjust the setting to my environment to get maximum performance from the camera

On what budget and for what application? You can always spend ~$15,000 for an Insta360 Titan if you’re mounting it on a tripod. For action cameras in this form-factor and price range, Max2 is the latest & greatest.  Osmo360 has larger sensors, but the lenses aren’t replaceable, which is a bit of a non-starter for action environments

Don’t forget you can also shoot in a Log profile and color grade your footage (if you’re into that). This will give you the highest possible quality. 8K, 30fps, high bitrate, 10-bit color, GP-Log, low sharpening, low denoise, max ISO 400… from there, soon you can use GoPro Labs firmware to crank the bitrate to 300 mbps, use the GoPro Rec 709 LUT to convert the color space, grade the footage however you like, and so-forth. But even today, I find the quality quite good. But I’m not viewing in VR applications

Yep fair. The Labs FW for Max2 hasn’t been made public yet, but GoPro has talked about it extensively and it’s expected in the next week or so. I’m also eager to test. But I’ve tested the same 300 mbps on the Hero13, which uses the same processor as Max2, and it’s been stable, without glitches, and with great quality (at least with a quality Samsung SD card) - so, I’m confident the Max2’s Labs FW will deliver as well.

Any camera with a curved lens, like Max2, will produce blurry footage underwater unless you use a dive case with an air gap

This video is not an accurate representation of what the camera is capable of. If this is truly straight out of the box, it wasn't shot in 8K; doesn't use high bitrate; isn't set up for the filming environment; etc. Filming inside of a dark car interior is not what this camera is meant for. It's an action camera, meant for action environments like this: [https://www.reddit.com/r/gopro/comments/1nogriq/max2s\_image\_quality\_is\_insanely\_good/](https://www.reddit.com/r/gopro/comments/1nogriq/max2s_image_quality_is_insanely_good/)

Because the daylight image quality of Max2 is miles beyond what an X3 is capable of (and even beyond an X5). Max2 has the best daylight image quality of any 360 camera in this price range. That's what people are paying for. If I want to film in a dark car interior, I'm not using *any* action camera. I'm using something with an adjustable aperture

Then don't buy one lol. The rest of us will enjoy the best image quality on the market for now

Plenty of clouds in the sky here, and the quality is outstanding [https://www.reddit.com/r/gopro/comments/1nogriq/max2s\_image\_quality\_is\_insanely\_good/](https://www.reddit.com/r/gopro/comments/1nogriq/max2s_image_quality_is_insanely_good/)

That sure isn’t the verdict I remember from DC Rainmakers review

Basically that it’s a really good camera, except in low light iirc. There’s more nuance than that though, one of the big things he did criticise was Go Pros desktop software. I’d recommend OP just watch his (and as many others as possible) review.