The Insta360 X3 is the first 360-degree camera to win Editors’ Choice status since the Samsung Gear 360 in 2017 because we like it so much. A considerably superior 360 camera than its predecessor, the Insta360 X3 is also quite good. Behind each of the camera’s fisheye lenses are larger, higher-resolution 48MP sensors, which is the main selling point. also you can check our article on Insta360 X3 review. Although the camera’s maximum resolution for 360 films stays at 5.7K and 30fps, these enable it to produce higher-quality single lens 4K video footage, higher-resolution 72-megapixel photographs, and 8K timelapse videos. But it’s hardly the only or largest improvement. The new 2.29-inch tempered glass color touchscreen on the X3 deserves the honor. The tiny circular display on the One X2 was only really useful for mode switching and setting changes. This screen not only makes previewing and playing much easier than it was on the previous camera, but it also makes the camera much simpler to operate.
Design
The large touchscreen display that takes the place of the One X2’s circular display is the change that is most obvious right away. While the eccentric circular display had its charms, this more conventional rectangular display is much simpler to operate. With its new screen, the gadget has a slightly retro appearance that makes us think of the big phones from the early 2000s. Of course, the bulging lenses that protrude from either side as well as the device’s rear, which closely resembles its predecessor, swiftly destroy that idea. Two buttons are on the side and two are below the display on the Insta360 X3. A power button and a fast menu button are located on the side. You can access custom preset modes through the quick menu, which is a great way to quickly switch between your preferred shooting settings. A record button and a lens selection button are located beneath the display. The lens button on either the outer or inner camera can be tapped to switch between 360-degree footage and single lens capture. A tripod thread on the base allows for compatibility with a wide range of accessories, and it can be easily modified to work with mounts similar to those for GoPro cameras. A water-sealed flap that covers the USB-C port and a removable 1800mAh battery that takes up a sizeable portion of the camera’s frame are located on the side opposite the buttons. It’s a little strange that you have to take out the battery in order to reach the microSD card slot. But in actuality, it’s a really short and simple procedure. The only drawback to this design is that you can’t swap cards while the camera is powered on; you must turn it off first.
Insta360 X3 review: Display
The display is the one area where Insta360’s technology has significantly lagged behind its rival. The port-hole display on the One X2 was a flaw that didn’t really serve its purpose very well, and the One RS’s square display is just a little too small to be comfortably viewed. The X3 presents an entirely different narrative. Now, instead of the smaller 2.3-inch primary display seen in the GoPro Hero 10, you have a huge 2.29-inch vertical display that is a pleasure to use. The screen itself is bright and legible outside, and the size made sure we never had to squint in order to line up a shot properly. This is precisely what the Insta360 cameras have been lacking, and if you’re choosing between the two, we strongly advise the X3 over the One RS.
Feature
In many ways, the Insta360 X3 is identical to the ONE X2 and the first ONE X before it, but there have been some notable upgrades in the design as well as in the capture technology and shooting modes offered. First, the X3 now boasts 1/2-inch sensors that are larger. These are still smaller than the 1-inch sensors of the larger, more expensive Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch 360 camera. The X3’s new 1/2-inch sensors are a major improvement over the ONE X2’s prior to it. you can read our article on Insta360 X3 review. The X3 can now capture spherical still photographs at 72 megapixels, but the maximum video resolution remains the same. Additionally, it has a new 4K Single Lens mode that practically transforms it into a GoPro-style action camera. Additionally, it has a 2.7K ultra-wide 170° view. The X3 can record 5.7K spherical video, 4K action cam footage, and 8K time lapses. There is a new US mode that puts you in the Centre of the screen automatically without the need for any post-production editing, and a new Active HDR option attempts to bring out deep shadow detail that could otherwise be missed if you’re an influencer who largely wants to video oneself. The X3 has also received some physical improvements. The 2.9-inch touchscreen display is the most noticeable change, and if you notice that the memory card and battery door is trickier to open than usual, it’s because the camera is now waterproof to a depth of 10m/33ft. With a new 1800mAh lithium ion battery, battery life has been improved, and Insta360 claims a runtime of 81 minutes.
Insta360 X3 review: Performance
We never experienced overheating with the X3 despite prolonged recording sessions in hot summer weather, and it handled chilly evenings shooting star-lapse videos nicely. The camera was unaffected by getting wet in the ocean and could withstand strenuous hikes. However, we frequently encountered a problem where the camera would freeze up on us, frequently during startup, and we would have to remove the battery to get it to work again. It’s crucial to remember that we tested the camera with prelaunch firmware, and it never experienced a recording freeze. Insta360 offers a plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro in addition to mobile and desktop applications that are very user-friendly for viewing and editing 360 video. For new editors, there are simple options available to make the process simpler, and there is a tone of depth for seasoned content producers to explore.
Image quality
The new 1/2-inch sensor, which is slightly bigger than the 1/2.3-inch sensor used in the One RS, One X2, and GoPro Max, is what makes the biggest difference in image quality. The X3 still offers 5.7K 360 recording, which means that reframed output can only be as high as 1080p. As a result, we would have preferred to see a resolution increase. With consumer-grade 360 cameras, we have been locked at this resolution for years. As a result, we are wondering which company will be the first to increase it. Higher resolutions will inevitably make editing more difficult, thus for the time being, this might be the ideal setting. Unfortunately, we were unable to test the One X2 side by side with the One RS, which has nearly identical specifications, but we were able to test the One X3 instead. Both cameras function well in daylight; there are distinctions in the images, but it’s difficult to determine with certainty which one is superior. We discovered that the X3 had a little bit more dynamic range, but it also appeared to have more grain in the shadows. While the X3 appeared more natural with a tendency toward warmer tones, the One RS had more vibrant colors, especially the greens. With the X3, stitching is much better due to its narrower chassis. The X3 is far superior in terms of still photos and time-lapse videos. It isn’t our top priority because 360 cameras are more often used for shooting video, but if you’re a real estate photographer, for instance, the move to 72MP will be invaluable. Those who frequently capture timelapses will also gain significantly from the increased resolution when it comes to reframing.
Insta360 X3 review: Video quality
The Insta360 X3 features a new 1/2-inch image sensor (the One X2 has a 1/2.3-inch sensor), which enables features like 72MP 360-degree photos and 8K 360 timelapse videos. This is the biggest improvement inside the camera. The Insta360 X3 features a new 1/2-inch image sensor (the One X2 has a 1/2.3-inch sensor), which enables features like 72MP 360-degree photos and 8K 360 timelapse videos. This is the biggest improvement inside the camera. On a sunny day, the Insta360 X3’s Active HDR mode performed admirably, but when we were in the shadows with the Sun directly behind us, it blurred our face into the shadows. Stay tuned for more analysis of the camera’s new features, including its 8K 360 timelapse, 4K single-lens mode, 4K 120 fps Bullet time, and us Mode, which fixes the camera’s focus on you while you’re recording video. We intend to test the camera more in the coming days.
Stabilization and Battery Life
We’ve found ourselves growing more and more impressed with Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization software in the span of just a few short months. On the One RS, the technology delivered excellent results but fell short of the high bar set by GoPro’s HyperSmooth substitute. But when we went back to it for the 360 Edition, we discovered that FlowState performed better than ever; this is still the case with the X3. Insta360 has either been quietly working on FlowState in the background, or the company’s hardware has just become better at utilizing the technology with each subsequent version, in our opinion. The X3 did a fantastic job of maintaining stability and eliminating any sensation of wobbling from our footage during both 360 and single-lens filming. And when shooting HyperLapse segments, FlowState was at its absolute best, giving the viewer a great, fast-paced journey through south London. This is the closest Insta360 has ever gotten to matching the stabilization abilities of a GoPro. To keep up with the improved internals, the X3’s battery capacity has been somewhat increased. The 1630mAh battery that came with the One X2 has been replaced by an 1800mAh unit. Insta360 claims that you can film for 81 minutes at 5.7K 360 on a full charge, which we found to be accurate in our tests. However, we will note that, like the previous Insta360 cameras, the X3 can be susceptible to overheating if you film a continuous shot for an extended period of time. also you will learn our article on Insta360 X3 review.
Price and availability
Conclusion
The Insta360 X3 is a very enjoyable camera to use, as we have stated numerous times throughout this review. We also found it to be quite useful due to its small size and amazing capabilities. However, there are a few things we wish were different about this. for instance, its app. Long videos have been difficult for us to render, and exporting would frequently crash out of the blue. And this is true for both the desktop and mobile apps. Therefore, there is undoubtedly room for improvement. Additionally, we would want to see the SD card slot moved. Every time you need to remove the SD card to duplicate video or replace it with another one, you literally have to remove the battery. It should go without saying that it would have been much simpler if there had been a separate memory card slot!
