Insta360 GO 3 vs Insta360 x3: Choosing Your Adventure 

Insta360 Go 3 and Insta360 X3 are two of the most popular action cameras from Insta360. The Go 3 is the latest version of the Insta360 Go, the world’s smallest stabilized HD camera, and is designed to mount to pretty much anything. The X3, on the other hand, is a dual-lens 360 camera that is capable of creating really creative shots. In this article, we will compare the two cameras based on their design and build, technical specifications, stabilization and video quality, software and user experience, battery life and charging, price, and value for money. We will also take a look at how the footage is transferred out of the Go 3 and explore some pet-friendly accessories for both cameras.

Key features of Insta360 GO 3

• Voice Control 2.0: The GO 3 has a convenient voice control feature that allows you to capture unforgettable moments with a simple command.
• Flexible to use: The camera is very flexible to use and operate, with three ways to operate it: through the Insta360 app, the Action Pod, or with voice control.
• Action Pod: The new charging case, called the Action Pod, serves as a charging unit, battery pack, and remote monitor. It has buttons to control the camera and a small, flippable screen for monitoring your shots. When you drop the GO 3 into the Action Pod, you essentially turn your GO 3 into a GoPro.
• Flip touchscreen LCD: The key feature of the GO 3 is its new touchscreen, which can flip forward for selfies. The touchscreen makes it very easy to control compared to the Insta360 Go or Insta360 Go 2.
• Remote view: With the LCD screen, the Action Pod case now functions as a remote control with a viewer. You can check your composition from a distance.
• Low light stabilization mode: When activated, the shutter speed will be shorter to reduce motion blur.
• Dedicated Q button: The GO 3 has a dedicated Q button for quick presets and settings.
• Magnetic mounting system: The GO 3 comes with some nice accessories, all of which revolve around the magnetic mounting system, which means the mounts all work with either just the camera or the full Action Pod.
• Small and portable: The GO 3 is the smallest stabilized HD camera in the world and can shoot without overheating for up to 3 hours.
• Interchangeable lens cover: The lens cover is interchangeable, so if you bought neutral density or other filters for your GO 2, those will work fine on the GO 3.

Key features of Insta360 x3

• 360 Reframing: The Insta360 X3 allows you to reframe your 360 footage to follow any subject you want.
• 4K Single-Lens Mode: The camera can also be used as a 4K single-lens action camera.
• Image Quality: The Insta360 X3 has new half-inch sensors that allow you to shoot 5.7K up to 30 frames per second and 4K up to 120 frames per second.
• Quad Bayer Sensor: The new half-inch sensors are quad Bayer sensors that allow you to shoot up to 8K time lapses and 72-megapixel spherical images.
• Waterproof: The Insta360 X3 is waterproof and has a touch composite exterior in two tones of dark gray.
• Editing Software: The camera comes with great editing software that lets you do much more with 360 videos than simply present everything around the camera.
• Pocketable Form Factor: The Insta360 X3 is small and easy to take with you, making it a plus for travel vloggers.
• Dual Lenses: The camera uses two ultra-wide lenses to capture the entire world around it.

Design and Build

When it comes to design and build, the Insta360 Go 3 and Insta360 X3 are quite different. Here are some details:

Insta360 Go 3

• The Go 3 is incredibly small and lightweight, weighing only 20 grams.
• It comes with various mounts in the box that make it easy to shoot POV shots or attach your camera to non-magnetic objects.
• The camera is designed to mount to pretty much anything, making it perfect for capturing action shots.
• The camera has a magnetic back that allows it to stick to metal surfaces, making it easy to use in a variety of situations.

Insta360 X3

• The X3 is much larger than the Go 3 and features two lenses which allow it to shoot 360 video.
• It has a large touch screen for controlling the camera and a few physical buttons.
• The camera is designed to create really creative shots and capture immersive 360-degree footage.
• The camera is not as portable as the Go 3, but it is still relatively small and easy to carry around.

Overall, the Insta360 Go 3 is designed to be a tiny, portable action camera that can be mounted to pretty much anything, while the Insta360 X3 is designed to capture immersive 360-degree footage and create really creative shots.

Technical Specifications

When it comes to technical specifications, the Insta360 Go 3 and Insta360 X3 have some differences. Here are some details:

Insta360 Go 3

• The Go 3 shoots at 60fps, which is better for shooting any moving video.
• It can shoot video in resolutions of up to 2.7k at 30 frames per second.
• The camera has a 1/2.3-inch sensor and a 14.7mm equivalent lens.
• It has a 1,200mAh battery that provides up to 110 minutes of recording time.
• The camera has 8GB of internal storage, which can hold up to 100 minutes of footage.

Insta360 X3

• The X3 can shoot video in resolutions of up to 5.7k at 30 frames per second.
• It has two 1/2.3-inch sensors and two 200-degree fisheye lenses.
• The camera has a 1,630mAh battery that provides up to 80 minutes of recording time.
• It has 128GB of internal storage, which can hold up to 4 hours of footage.
• The camera has a waterproof rating of IPX8, which means it can be submerged in water up to 10 meters deep.

Overall, the Insta360 Go 3 is designed to be a tiny, portable action camera that can shoot high-quality video, while the Insta360 X3 is designed to capture immersive 360-degree footage with its dual-lens system. The X3 has better video quality and more storage, but the Go 3 has a longer battery life and is more portable.

Stabilization and Video Quality

Insta360 Go 3

• The Go 3 has built-in FlowState stabilization, which helps keep your shots steady and level.
• The camera has a 1/2.3-inch sensor and a 14.7mm equivalent lens, which provides good image quality.
• The camera can shoot video in resolutions of up to 2.7k at 30 frames per second.
• The Go 3 footage tends to come out on top when compared to the X3 in its 360 mode, with slightly sharper video.
• The camera has better image quality than the X3, but it is not designed for high-quality video.

Insta360 X3

• The X3 has built-in FlowState stabilization and Horizon Lock, which keeps your shots upright and level when shooting 360 video.
• The camera has two 1/2.3-inch sensors and two 200-degree fisheye lenses, which provide good image quality and allow for immersive 360-degree footage.
• The camera can shoot video in resolutions of up to 5.7k at 30 frames per second.
• The X3 360 video offers far more editing options and opportunities for creativity than the Go 3.
• The camera is not designed for high-quality video, but rather for unique and creative shots.

Overall, both cameras have built-in stabilization and provide good image quality. The Go 3 is better for shooting action shots and has better image quality, while the X3 is better for capturing immersive 360-degree footage and offers more editing options.

Software and User Experience

Insta360 Go 3

• The Insta360 Go 3 app is easy to use and has a simple interface.
• The app allows you to control the camera and edit your footage.
• The camera has built-in FlowState stabilization, which helps keep your shots steady and level.
• The camera has a magnetic back that allows it to stick to metal surfaces, making it easy to use in a variety of situations.
• The biggest disappointment with the Go 3 is that the case isn’t self-enclosed like the Go 2, which was the most useful thing about it.

Insta360 X3

• The Insta360 app is great for quick, efficient edits and provides access to the full creative arsenal of Shot Lab, FlashCut, and all the AI-powered editing features.
• The app allows you to share your footage quickly and easily to social media or send it to friends.
• The camera has built-in FlowState stabilization and Horizon Lock, which keeps your shots upright and level when shooting 360 video.
• The camera has two 1/2.3-inch sensors and two 200-degree fisheye lenses, which provide good image quality and allow for immersive 360-degree footage.
• If you’re a more experienced user, it is recommended to explore the Insta360 Studio desktop software, which comes with more options for detailed editing, settings, and export.

Overall, both cameras have their own app that allows you to control the camera and edit your footage. The Insta360 Go 3 app is easy to use and has a simple interface, while the Insta360 app is more advanced and offers more editing options. The cameras have built-in stabilization and provide good image quality.

Battery Life and Charging

Insta360 Go 3

• The camera has a 1,200mAh battery that provides up to 110 minutes of recording time.
• After 1 hour of use, the camera is canceled for 2 hours.
• The camera comes with a charging case that can charge the camera up to 2 times.
• The charging case takes about 60 minutes to fully charge the camera.
• The camera can be charged using a USB-C cable.

Insta360 X3

• The camera has a 1,630mAh battery that provides up to 80 minutes of recording time.
• The camera comes with a charging case that can charge the camera up to 2 times.
• The charging case takes about 100 minutes to fully charge the camera.
• The camera can be charged using a USB-C cable.
• The camera has a waterproof rating of IPX8, which means it can be submerged in water up to 10 meters deep.

Overall, the Insta360 Go 3 has a longer battery life than the Insta360 X3, but the X3 has a larger battery capacity. Both cameras come with a charging case that can charge the camera up to 2 times. The charging time for the Go 3 is shorter than the X3, and both cameras can be charged using a USB-C cable.

Price and Value for Money

The Insta360 Go 3 is priced at $199, while the Insta360 X3 is priced at $269. While the Go 3 is cheaper, the X3 offers more advanced features and better editing options. 

Conclusion

The Insta360 X3 and Go 3 are both innovative cameras from Insta360, each with its unique design features. The X3 is primarily designed for capturing immersive 360-degree videos, evident from its larger form factor and dual lenses. It comes equipped with a touchscreen display for easy navigation and control. The bottom of the X3 has a standard mount, allowing the attachment of an “invisible selfie stick” for unique shots. While the X3 is fairly rugged, its large fisheye lenses make it more vulnerable. However, it’s waterproof, though there have been some concerns about its water resistance. The camera also features a few physical buttons for easy operation.

On the other hand, the Go 3 boasts a compact, pill-shaped design, making it notably smaller and more portable than the X3. It features a single lens and one physical button on its front. A unique feature of the Go 3 is the magnet on its rear, allowing it to attach to various mounts and other magnetic objects. Accompanying the Go 3 is a larger dock to which it magnetically attaches. This dock serves multiple purposes: it allows users to control the camera, view files, change settings, and even use the camera like a larger action camera. The connection between the Go 3 and its dock is wireless, enabling remote control even when the camera is out of the dock. The dock also acts as a battery powerhouse, capable of charging the Go 3 up to three times when fully charged. The Go 3’s design, especially its tiny size and magnetic mount, allows it to be used in places and scenarios where other cameras might not fit. It also comes bundled with various mounts, facilitating a range of shooting options.

Both cameras, with their distinct designs, cater to different shooting needs and scenarios. While the X3 is more geared towards 360-degree video capture with its dual lenses and touchscreen controls, the Go 3 emphasizes portability, versatility, and unique mounting options with its compact design and magnetic features.