Insta360 X3 vs DJI Osmo Action 3
VS
Overview of the Insta360 X3
Insta360 X3Insta360'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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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
Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI Osmo Action 3DJI'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
Comparison of the X3 vs the Action 3
Weight and size
The Action 3 is a lot more compact than the X3. The Action 3 weighs a little less than the X3.
Insta360 X3
46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm / 1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in
6.35oz / 180g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
DJI Osmo Action 3
70.5mm x 44.2mm x 32.8mm / 2.78in x 1.74in x 1.29in
5.11oz / 145g
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 and Action 3 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 X3
1800mAh
Removable
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
DJI Osmo Action 3
1770mAh
Removable
160min at 1080p
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 X3 and the Action 3 support SD cards.
Insta360 X3
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
DJI Osmo Action 3
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 X3 and the Action 3 offer HDR video.
Insta360 X3
4K video at 30fps
Yes
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
DJI Osmo Action 3
4K video at 120fps
4K
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.
Insta360 X3
72MP
155°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
DJI Osmo Action 3
12MP
155°
130Mbps
Camera settings
The Action 3's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to X3's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 X3
100-3200
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
DJI Osmo Action 3
100-12800
+/-4
X3 vs Action 3 specifications
| Name | Insta360 X3 | DJI Osmo Action 3 |
| Year of release | 2022 | 2022 |
| Width | 1.81in / 46mm | 2.78in / 70.5mm |
| Height | 4.49in / 114mm | 1.74in / 44.2mm |
| Depth | 1.3in / 33.1mm | 1.29in / 32.8mm |
| Weight | 6.35oz / 180g | 5.11oz / 145g |
| Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 52ft / 16m |
| Waterproof with diving case | 164ft / 50m | 197ft / 60m |
| Min operating temperature | -4°F / -20°C | -4°F / -20°C |
| Max operating temperature | 104°F / 40°C | 113°F / 45°C |
| Battery capacity | 1800mAh | 1770mAh |
| Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | 81min 5.7K30fps 360° | 160min at 1080p |
| Charging time | 90min | 49min |
| Storage format | microSD | microSD |
| Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | V30 or UHS-3 |
| Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 256GB |
| Field of view | 155° | 155° |
| Sensor | 1/1.9" | 1/1.7" |
| Pixels | 72MP | 12MP |
| Aperture | F1.9 | F2.8 |
| Focal length | 6.7mm | - |
| ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-12800 |
| Color Depth | 8bit | 10bit |
| Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 130Mbps |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-4 |
| 360-degree video | Yes | No |
| 5.7K 360 video | 30fps | - |
| 4K 360 video | 60fps | - |
| 3K 360 video | 100fps | - |
| 360 video format | INSV | - |
| 4K video | 30fps | 120fps |
| 2.7K video | 60fps | 120fps |
| 1080p video | 60fps | 240fps |
| Slow motion at 4K | 4 | 4 |
| Maximum slow motion | 4x at 1080p | 8x at 1080p |
| HDR video | Yes | 4K |
| Stabilization | FlowState | RockSteady 3.0 |
| Horizon lock | Yes | - |
| Video format | H.264 (MP4) | H.264 (MP4) |
| Live streaming | Yes | No |
| Webcam mode | Yes | - |
| Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
| Subject tracking | Yes | No |
| Photo burst mode | Yes | No |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 4 | 3 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | aac | aac |
| Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.0 |
| USB | Type-C USB | Type-C USB |
| GPS integrated | No | No |
| GPS pairing | iOS Application Android Application | - |
| Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture commands | No | - |