If you have ever filmed a moment only to realize the best angle was just out of frame, 360 cameras solve that problem completely. The Insta360 X5 and GoPro Max 2 both cost $500 and capture everything around you in 5.7K or higher resolution. You reframe the shot later — pan, zoom, track a subject — and export a standard video from the 360 footage.
Insta360 leads on software. The mobile app’s AI-powered editing is genuinely magical: Shot Lab templates create viral-ready edits in seconds, subject tracking follows people or objects automatically, and the invisible selfie stick effect makes the camera look like it is floating. The reframing tools are intuitive and fast.
GoPro Max 2’s advantage is durability and the GoPro ecosystem. It is waterproof to 16 feet without a housing versus Insta360’s 33 feet with a dive case. The GoPro Quik app is simpler but less powerful than Insta360’s app. GoPro’s brand recognition and accessory ecosystem are larger.
Verdict: Insta360 X5 for the best editing experience and most creative tools. GoPro Max 2 for maximum durability and GoPro ecosystem compatibility. Both produce excellent 360 footage.