Insta360 X3 vs Insta360 Ace
VS
Overview of the 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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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
Overview of the 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
Comparison of the X3 vs the Ace
Weight and size
The Ace is a slightly smaller camera. Both the X3 and the Ace have similar weights.
Insta360 X3
46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm / 1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in
6.35oz / 180g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
Insta360 Ace
71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm / 2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in
6.24oz / 176.8g
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 X3
1800mAh
Removable
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Insta360 Ace
1700mAh
Removable
100min at 4K30fps HDR
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 Ace support SD cards.
Insta360 X3
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 Ace
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 Ace offer HDR video.
Insta360 X3
4K video at 30fps
Yes
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 Ace
5.3K video at 30fps
4k 30fps
Camera and sensor technology
The X3 features a much higher resolution. The X3 and the Ace both have a similar field of view. The Ace features a much higher bit rate than the X3
Insta360 X3
72MP
155°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 Ace
48MP
157°
170Mbps
Camera settings
The Ace's 100-6400 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
Insta360 Ace
100-6400
+/-4
X3 vs Ace specifications
Name | Insta360 X3 | Insta360 Ace |
Year of release | 2022 | 2023 |
Width | 1.81in / 46mm | 2.83in / 71.9mm |
Height | 4.49in / 114mm | 2.05in / 52.15mm |
Depth | 1.3in / 33.1mm | 1.52in / 38.5mm |
Weight | 6.35oz / 180g | 6.24oz / 176.8g |
Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 33ft / 10m |
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 | 104°F / 40°C |
Battery capacity | 1800mAh | 1700mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | 81min 5.7K30fps 360° | 100min at 4K30fps HDR |
Charging time | 90min | 70min (5V/3A) |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | V30 or UHS-3 |
Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 1Tb |
Rear screen size | - | 2.4in |
Front screen size | - | Yes |
Field of view | 155° | 157° |
Sensor | 1/1.9" | 1/2" |
Pixels | 72MP | 48MP |
Aperture | F1.9 | F2.4 |
Focal length | 6.7mm | 16mm |
ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-6400 |
Video zoom | - | 4x |
Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 170Mbps |
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 | - |
5.3K video | - | 30fps |
4K video | 30fps | 120fps |
2.7K video | 60fps | 120fps |
1440p video | - | 60fps |
1080p video | 60fps | 240fps |
Slow motion at 4K | 4 | 4x |
Maximum slow motion | 4x at 1080p | 8x at 1080p |
HDR video | Yes | 4k 30fps |
Stabilization | FlowState | Flowstate |
Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
Video format | H.264 (MP4) | H.265 (HEVC) |
Live streaming | Yes | - |
Webcam mode | Yes | - |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | Yes | - |
Photo burst mode | Yes | Yes |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 4 | 3 |
Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | aac | aac |
Audio bluetooth support | - | Bluetooth headsets |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.2 |
USB | Type-C USB | USB-C |
GPS integrated | No | No |
GPS pairing | iOS Application Android Application | iOS Application Android Application |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
Gesture commands | No | Yes |