Insta360 Ace vs Insta360 X3

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Overview of the Insta360 Ace

Insta360 Ace☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Ace
Insta360's budget action camera: 6K video and a flipscreen
The Ace is Insta360's entry level action camera but shares a lot of features with it's premium brother, the Insta360 Ace Pro. The main difference being the sensor technology, which although not as advanced, still offers very good performance, with video up to 6K.
  • Pros
  • Great image stabilization
  • Flip screen
  • Weather proof
  • Cons
  • Heavy
  • Average audio

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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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 Ace vs the X3

Weight and size

The Ace is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Ace and the X3 have similar weights.
Insta360 Ace
71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm / 2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in
6.24oz / 176.8g
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 X3 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 Ace
1700mAh
Removable
100min at 4K30fps HDR
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 Ace and the X3 support SD cards.
Insta360 Ace
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 Ace and the X3 offer HDR video.
Insta360 Ace
5.3K video at 30fps
4k 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 X3
4K video at 30fps
Yes

Camera and sensor technology

The X3 features a much higher resolution. The Ace and the X3 both have a similar field of view. The Ace features a much higher bit rate than the X3
Insta360 Ace
48MP
157°
170Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 X3
72MP
155°
120Mbps

Camera settings

The Ace's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to X3's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 Ace
100-6400
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 X3
100-3200
+/-4

Ace vs X3 specifications

NameInsta360 AceInsta360 X3
Year of release20232022
Width2.83in / 71.9mm1.81in / 46mm
Height2.05in / 52.15mm4.49in / 114mm
Depth1.52in / 38.5mm1.3in / 33.1mm
Weight6.24oz / 176.8g6.35oz / 180g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m164ft / 50m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1700mAh1800mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life100min at 4K30fps HDR81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Charging time70min (5V/3A)90min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1Tb1TB
Rear screen size2.4in-
Front screen sizeYes-
Field of view157°155°
Sensor1/2"1/1.9"
Pixels48MP72MP
ApertureF2.4F1.9
Focal length16mm6.7mm
ISO range100-6400100-3200
Video zoom4x-
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate170Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
4K 360 video-60fps
3K 360 video-100fps
360 video format-INSV
5.3K video30fps-
4K video120fps30fps
2.7K video120fps60fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p4x at 1080p
HDR video4k 30fpsYes
StabilizationFlowstateFlowState
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming-Yes
Webcam mode-Yes
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-Yes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones34
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacaac
Audio bluetooth supportBluetooth headsets-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.2BLE 5.0
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsYesNo