DJI Osmo Action 3 vs Insta360 X3

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Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 3

DJI Osmo Action 3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI's 2022 premium action camera: 4K120fps video
The DJI Osmo Action 3 was released in 2022 and while it is a few years old, it offers incredible 4K120fps video at a very affordable price. It's successor, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is mostly an incremental improvement, making the Action 3 a great budget friendly action camera.
  • Pros
  • 4K120fps footage
  • Freeze-proof
  • Good image stabilization
  • 52ft / 16m waterproof without case
  • Cons
  • Older model

Overview of the Insta360 X3

Insta360 X3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 X3
Insta360's 2022 360 camera: 5.7K video and a large touchscreen
The Insta360 X3 was released in 2022 and is a few years old now, but it still delivers exceptionnal performance and is the best pick if you are looking for the best value for money. The 5.7K30fps 360 video is more than sufficient for capturing amazing footage unless you need to zoom in aggressively. The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.
  • Pros
  • Great performance
  • Good value for money
  • Diving case for underwater footage
  • Cons
  • Average battery life

Comparison of the Action 3 vs the X3

Weight and size

The Action 3 is a lot more compact than the X3. The Action 3 weighs a little less than the X3.
DJI Osmo Action 3
70.5mm x 44.2mm x 32.8mm / 2.78in x 1.74in x 1.29in
5.11oz / 145g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
Insta360 X3
46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm / 1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in
6.35oz / 180g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The Action 3 and X3 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
DJI Osmo Action 3
1770mAh
Removable
160min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Insta360 X3
1800mAh
Removable
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Action 3 and the X3 support SD cards.
DJI Osmo Action 3
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 X3
No built-in storage
microSD
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Video performance

Both the Action 3 and the X3 offer HDR video.
DJI Osmo Action 3
4K video at 120fps
4K
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 X3
4K video at 30fps
Yes

Camera and sensor technology

The X3 features a much higher resolution. Both feature a 155° field of view. The Action 3 has a slightly better video bit rate than the X3.
DJI Osmo Action 3
12MP
155°
130Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 X3
72MP
155°
120Mbps

Camera settings

The Action 3's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to X3's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
DJI Osmo Action 3
100-12800
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 X3
100-3200
+/-4

Action 3 vs X3 specifications

NameDJI Osmo Action 3Insta360 X3
Year of release20222022
Width2.78in / 70.5mm1.81in / 46mm
Height1.74in / 44.2mm4.49in / 114mm
Depth1.29in / 32.8mm1.3in / 33.1mm
Weight5.11oz / 145g6.35oz / 180g
Waterproof52ft / 16m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m164ft / 50m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature113°F / 45°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1770mAh1800mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life160min at 1080p81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Charging time49min90min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported256GB1TB
Field of view155°155°
Sensor1/1.7"1/1.9"
Pixels12MP72MP
ApertureF2.8F1.9
Focal length-6.7mm
ISO range100-12800100-3200
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate130Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
4K 360 video-60fps
3K 360 video-100fps
360 video format-INSV
4K video120fps30fps
2.7K video120fps60fps
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K44
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p4x at 1080p
HDR video4KYes
StabilizationRockSteady 3.0FlowState
Horizon lock-Yes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.264 (MP4)
Live streamingNoYes
Webcam mode-Yes
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNoYes
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones34
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacaac
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 5.0
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairing-iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-No