Insta360 X3 vs Insta360 Go 3
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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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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 Insta360 Go 3
Insta360 Go 3Insta360's 2023 wearable action camera
The Insta360 Go 3 is a great wearable action camera. When combined with the ActionPod, it also becomes a more traditional action camera with extended battery life and a flip screen. It has now been replaced by the more capable Insta360 Go 3S, which now offers up to 4K video while retaining the same small size.
- Pros
- Small size
- Extra battery and screen with ActionPod
- Cons
- Not waterproof with ActionPod
- SD cards not supported
Comparison of the X3 vs the Go 3
Weight and size
The Go 3 is a lot more compact than the X3. The Go 3 is a lot lighter 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
Insta360 Go 3
25.6mm x 54.4mm x 23.2mm / 1.01in x 2.14in x 0.91in
1.25oz / 35.5g
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 much larger battery capacity. The X3 has a removable battery whereas the Go 3's battery is not removable
Insta360 X3
1800mAh
Removable
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Insta360 Go 3
310mAh
Removable
45min 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
Only the Go 3 features built-in storage. Only the X3 supports SD cards, the Go 3 is therefore limited to it's built-in storage.
Insta360 X3
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 Go 3
32GB, 64GB or 128GB
Storage not extendable
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
Only the X3 offers HDR video.
Insta360 X3
4K video at 30fps
Yes
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 Go 3
2.7K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
Camera and sensor technology
The X3 features a much higher resolution. With 155°, the X3 features a much wider field of view than the Go 3. The X3 features a much higher bit rate than the Go 3
Insta360 X3
72MP
155°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 Go 3
12MP
134°
80Mbps
Camera settings
Both the X3 and the Go 3 have the same ISO range. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 X3
100-3200
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 Go 3
100-3200
+/-4
X3 vs Go 3 specifications
| Name | Insta360 X3 | Insta360 Go 3 |
| Year of release | 2022 | 2023 |
| Width | 1.81in / 46mm | 1.01in / 25.6mm |
| Height | 4.49in / 114mm | 2.14in / 54.4mm |
| Depth | 1.3in / 33.1mm | 0.91in / 23.2mm |
| Weight | 6.35oz / 180g | 1.25oz / 35.5g |
| Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 16ft / 5m |
| 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 | 310mAh |
| Removable battery | Yes | No |
| Battery life | 81min 5.7K30fps 360° | 45min at 1080p |
| Charging time | 90min | - |
| Battery extension capacity | - | 1270mAh |
| Battery extension run time | - | 170min at 1080p |
| Battery extension charging time | - | 65min |
| Battery extension weight | - | 3.4oz / 96.3g |
| Built-in storage | - | 32GB 64GB 128GB |
| Storage format | microSD | - |
| Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | - |
| Maximun storage supported | 1TB | 128GB |
| Rear screen size | - | With Action Pod |
| Front screen size | - | With Action Pod |
| Field of view | 155° | 134° |
| Sensor | 1/1.9" | 1/2.3" |
| Pixels | 72MP | 12MP |
| Aperture | F1.9 | F2.2 |
| Focal length | 6.7mm | 11mm |
| ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-3200 |
| Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
| Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 80Mbps |
| 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 | - |
| 2.7K video | 60fps | 30fps |
| 1440p video | - | 50fps |
| 1080p video | 60fps | 50fps |
| Slow motion at 4K | 4 | - |
| Maximum slow motion | 4x at 1080p | 4x at 1080p |
| HDR video | Yes | - |
| Stabilization | FlowState | Flowstate |
| 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 | - |
| Photo burst mode | Yes | No |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 4 | 2 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | aac | aac |
| Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.0 |
| USB | Type-C USB | Type-C USB2.0 |
| GPS integrated | No | No |
| GPS pairing | iOS Application Android Application | Garmin device Apple Watch |
| Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture commands | No | No |