Just saying... You can replace the lens. I have replaced the lens on my Insta360 One X. Now, I would send my X3 to the Insta360 repair center if I damaged the lens but the Lens CAN be replaced.
Sold! This reliability issue has been an ongoing problem for me with the Gopro for years. I've lost a lot of great shots! I was considering the insta360 just to try out a 360 camera. But now I'm sure it will be my primary action cam! Thanks for addressing my primary question about it!
I agree strongly on your analysis of GoPro.. they have never cared about reliability. I think there's this general disease in tech of "add 600 crazy features that you can advertise instead of making the product actually work reliably" but GP is really on the extreme end of this. The fact that after endless thousands of consumer complaints about the same recurring issues that they haven't managed to address them generation after generation is just laughable and pretty much a direct insult to their customers. I switched to the DJI Oslo Action and it isn't perfect but it is far more reliable.
Thank for the informative video. I've never owned an action camera, but I'm in the market. I've been looking at GoPro, Insta360, and DJI Osmo varieties. From everything I have gleaned on-line, it looks like GoPro wins in the image quality department, while DJI wins in the battery life tests. Insta's products seem to win in the versatility arena with so many physical configurations possible. They also appear to be the least expensive of the three. All that said, what I am really interested in are three things; 1) Reliability; 2) Image Quality; 3) Data Privacy. The first two speak for themselves. The third is about being able to use a camera without the manufacturer requiring an activation before the unit is useable, collecting biometric data, etc., or taking over your smart phone when all you want to do is shoot some video while you're out for a walk. In terms of features, as long as I can get good reliable 1080P out of the camera at a reasonable frame rate, I'll be happy. Given these prerequisites, I wonder if you'd have a recommendation? Anyway, thanks again for the informative video. I found it quite helpful in highlighting some of the potential issues with the GoPro.
Hey, just a heads up, you can use 30fps in PAL countries without lights flickering if you use it with a 1/50th shutter speed. Good way to upgrade your footage without much hit on storage space. You can also do 50fps 1/60th of a second to have HFR with ZERO soap opera effect. On top of that, BOTH of those setups are universal, meaning they'll film in any country without lights flickering.
Thank you for your Video! Finally, somebody who talks about the GoPro problems. I’ve also used a few GoPros and they were always a pain in the ass with their unreliability.
What you are talking about, the unreliability of staying on, was the exact problem I had with the first GoPro I bought in 2013. I took it back to Best Buy. It wouldn't stay on no matter what I did. I bough a Sony underwater camera that worked awesome, bluetooth, wifi, everything. Now I own a Kaiser Baas that has never done what you are saying the GoPros still do, apparently. The color quality is good even thought it doesn't have a 8/7 sensor. I don't know what it has but the images come out like 4K HD sharp. Vivid colors too. Thanks for this tip. I was thinking of an upgrade to the Hero 11 but now you reminded me of something forgotten for 10 years and saved me buyers remorse. Lesson learned: Be happy with what I got because it works just fine (for the past year now).
I love my Hero7 Black and I've had little problem with Hero 10. I'm sure there could be better cameras out there but I haven't found one that works as good as Gropro for underwater which is where I mostly use mine.
You Sir - are a beast when it comes to professionalism with your camera work & always creating engaging content. Ever since you introduced us to the Insta360, I've been toying with the idea of getting one and trying my hand at documenting my rides. Nothing as epic as your work - just for my own enjoyment. The GoPro is the "go to" for almost everyone else and being a total noob on these things, I've continually put it off. After this vlog however, I'm going to get the Insta360 and start in my own humble & armature way to document my rides. Thank you for always being so thorough on your vids & informative.
@@timriggs8651 nope! its just removes all your settings that still use the old firmware. Leaving you with a gopro with only the new clean firm wear. You’ll see from the version log you have the latest version and its just a matter of recreating your own settings again.
Why exactly would one do this? What does this do that is beneficial? Recently updated the firmware on my 11 but have not done a factory reset, first time I've heard of it.
I've had a cheap action camera for a few years and wanted something much better, so I'd read reviews on the GoPro Hero 11 and Insta360 One RS, and after careful consideration and seeing so many reviews which mentioned how unreliable GoPro's are, I went for the Insta360 One RS, I love the fact it's a fully Modular camera and the Extra features it has over the hero 11 too. Might be worthwhile for you to try out a One RS as a true alternative to your Hero 9 👌🏻 The good thing with the One RS is that if the camera for whatever reason did have a fall and the lens got damaged, you can just replace the lens with it being a modular design, they also do sticky lens protectors that protect the lens in the event of a fall too 👍🏻
one RS is not as goof 360 camera as their other models but.... you need to replace only what you want to upgrade, change, i got my 360 lens damaged on my one R, i just changed the lens.
@@jatinscameratales I didn't go for the 360 model, as it's not a feature I'd use, just the regular 4K version, but it's good how they're modular, so you can easily add it if you wish or replace a lens if it gets damaged.
Respect to you. I'd never get out on my bike If I had to do all the stuff you're doing to shoot, edit and produce your videos. 3 batteries on 1 ride!?! No way!
I use a Drift Ghost XL for no other reason than the incredible battery life. I was on a (motorbike) ride a while ago and forgot to turn the camera off at stops so, essentially, it recorded video for just over 8 hours, and there was still life in the battery when I returned home. It is completely waterproof even with the external mic attached, another bonus. The lack of image stabilisation does not have to significant impact on my video
@@keithogden1770 I attach a powerbank somewhere securely. No need for any special endurance feats from the camera that way. Then you can pick any camera.
@@keithogden1770 Big downside of the drift Ghost camera's is that they are extremely poor quality. Its fairly normal for them to break within a year. For the rest its a pretty decent camera if you dont care for great image quality
I’ve had a much better experience with the osmo action 1 than any go pro I’ve owned. Extremely responsive screen, no crashes, and I think the image is better than go pros at the same resolution. Plus the dji log looks and grades better imo than GoPros outside of the original action not having any option for 10bit. I also like the dewarp feature.
@@williamdahl3318 Totally agree. The sound quality is also excellent for doing a commentary, so long as the wind isn't too strong, and also you always have a horizontal horizon.
@@AdviceandAdventures it’s great! About 30 feet with no housing. Once I didn’t shut my battery door all the way and it crashed after a dunk in a spring. But that was user error. I pulled it out it dried over a couple days and still works like new! I haven’t needed a housing for it since I don’t scuba. So it’s been totally fine!
@@RiceCubeTech nice! Well, it's on my list to buy next because GoPros have always given me problems for one reason or another. I usually baby them and this underwater dunk was my first time testing their limits....in less than 5 feet of water! I'm crossing my fingers that the Hero 7 will survive after a few days of drying out but my hopes are not up after reading others' reports.
I agree with your analysis of the Insta 360 X3. I’ve had a few action cameras, but the Insta 360, is by far the best for its versatility and picture quality. Yes, you do need to protect the lenses, as they are quite vulnerable. However, there are plastic covers that you can buy. You have to replace them every so often and use the special feature in the camera, when they are on. Most of the time I just use the lens hood, and only take it off when it is safely on the selfie stick, or tripod. You can remove the fisheye effect, by the choosing linear option during editing.😊
@@kaitlinwalters7879 Yes by using the Linear option when editing. It will remove the fisheye effect and flatten everything out. Making the image, or video appear to have been shot on a standard camera. It is all part of the insta360 editing software, which you get with the camera.
@@kaitlinwalters7879 What Steve says is accurate, plus, you can also choose the field of view. If you don't want any distortion, then don't frame such a wide angle that requires the edges of the image to start to wrap.
The quality can't even remotely be compared. GoPro is WAY sharper. I have the GoPro 10 which is very good quality- and price-wise. It's cheaper and better than the competition. I never had it fail on me.
I got 600 euro insta x3 and disappointed bad quality I sold it and bought gopro 10 300 euro it is good for me 4k quality and shapness way better than x3
I really enjoy your videos and would be very interested in seeing a technical video that specifically focuses on production and post production. I have been using Hero 2 HD's since the day they came out and never had any issues. The only downside is zero stabilization...(and all the clunky backpacs, accessories and housings). I recently purchased a Hero 9 and can't believe how incredibly easy it is to use. All that being said, I am no vlogger but your videos have inspired me to take things more seriously, so I would be very interested in seeing your process. Thank you for doing what you do!
Can you share your feedback after long use? I see everywhere that the gopro 9, 10 and above. Shutdown if you record at 4k 60fps for longer than 20 minutes and even lower on the newer modules.
As a cyclist, i made the switch from a GoPro to the Insta360 camera and haven’t looked back. Not just for the reliability, but for the infinite number of editing choices with the 360 camera. I also have the smaller Insta360 Go camera. Btwn those two cameras, my gopro is collecting dust.
I use the insta360 that has the interchangeable lenses. It has the ability to go from a 360 cam to a regular action cam. The footage is great, however the whole edit suite issue is the main reason I dont use it often.
My 8 crapped out totally (over heating as well) they sent me a 9 at no extra charge This one has been 100x better though it still overheats but I am in the Yucatan Mexico where it's super hot. I've been lucky as of lately. It's been ok. Thanks for sharing
GREAT points (BUT….)! Being an avid GoPro user like yourself, and suffering actually more faults with my various GoPro’s throughout the years (isn’t it crazy that a company can bring out a glitchy/faulty product each year and still grow and make a profit), I have to say because the GoPro is so good when it’s firing on all cylinders, me personally I cannot move away from it. As I’m a mountain bikers I need some small and I have to say the hero 10 made an improved jump up in low light capabilities, whereas for yourself clearly that isn’t needed (once riding in dense woodland I need the best low light action cam option) and also the new Insta 360 is just too big for a mountain biker really, although it looks AWESOME! I also fly FPV and the GoPro is a big win there (when it works, as there have been many moments I want to cry after missing once in a lifetime shots). On my personal page I tested the hero 10 HARD in low light etc, and for any mountain bikers out there it may be useful. Great video dude ua-cam.com/video/-lS5L1E78tk/v-deo.html P.s I’ll get an insta360 just not for MTB
Great video! I'm so glad to see the actual perspective of your use and struggles with each camera you came into and the complete honesty of what made you love the camera instead of entirely putting hate upon every camera. I definitely got a subscriber and liked this video, and I hope to see more!
I’d love an insta 360! It looks really useful for capturing a ride, but it also looks like something that needs careful usage to stop your footage looking like an 80’s pop video!
Glad I ran across this video. I have 2 GoPro 5 Black cameras that I bought "refurbished" from the manufacturer. I have encountered problems with them both, stopping recording or (rarely) the "freeze". I thought it was because they were "refurbs". It's somewhat reassuring to know this happens with ALL of them.
I started with the 4 and the 5 Session, both of which I like. I still use the Session. I have the 7 and have found it rock solid. Had no problems with the 8 but don't like the colors as well as the non-replaceable lens protector issue. Bought the 10 and have been very pleased with it. I also have the ONE X2 and while I like it for what it does, quality of output is not good enough for it to replace a GoPro. Both camera types have their place, as you point out at the end, and contrary to your video title.
Thank you for this excellent review. Three years ago I purchased a GoPro for use as a dash cam. Less than 5 minutes into the first trial (on a warm day in south Ontario) it shut down due to overheating. I was NEVER able to resolve that major issue so returned the camera - very disappointing. This review has provided the option I've been looking for. Thank you.
Interesting to hear you opinion on the GoPro Cameras. I have had several from the range and they have all experienced issues despite my lite use. I could have lived with the infrequent problems had GOPro customer service given a damn. In fact getting any kind of help was extremely frustrating and very patronising (in an American way). I still have a Hero Session 5 which I had to return twice but now 3rd camera all is ok (touch wood). I now own the DJI Osmo Action 3 and it really is so good. It does everything and more that I could wish for and is very intuitive. It does feel that in many respects GoPro became somewhat complacent relying on the fact that competition was limited and their cameras were often seen being used by TV companies as well as the huge followings on social media. Now that DJI and Insta have entered the field hopefully this will make the market better for everyone and those Companies that have not been so good in the past will wake up and change for the better after all having hind site won't bring back the customers that have been lost.
I had the 5 black (my first gopro), the 7 black, 8 black and the last was the 10. Had issues with all of them in some form or another but to be fair the 5 black was the worst. I purchased the DJI action 3 back in early 2023 and have not had a single freeze, connectivity issue or card corruption since. Not to mention, I am a mobile editor and use Luma fusion on my iPad. The gopro 10 could never connect to the files app on the iPad. My dji connects every single time. I will never go back to gopro.
I feel your pain about the reliability of the GoPro. I started with the GoPro 4+ and it was good, then 6/7/8/9. I got the 11 recently for the night features, but that was extra buggy so I returned it. :( I think I'll wait for DJI to fix the Action 3 lens focus problem before I jump at it. :)
@@enhidri160 I think these guys are paid for their propaganda. The things they say are nonsense, look at the inferior quality of their videos with fake post-production lense flares. If the GoPro did really freeze often (which it does not, I have had a 4 black ever since it came out as new), I'd still choose the GoPro 4 vs the new Insta360. Amazingly, when you ask questions, these aficionados never reply. 6:55 I ROFL. I think you do too. Nobody in the right mind wants this cam based on this.
@GoPro Dog I love GoPro and have several 8’s and a 10. On a motorcycle helmet, reliability and consistency is huge, because I won’t see the footage until after the ride. One of the 8’s freezes off and on where I get audio only and a never moving ‘frozen’ picture. Also, every time I try to do a one button record (same 8), first try after changing a battery always results in Time Lapse and not ‘normal’ record. I tested all batteries and the ‘problem’ card in multiple GoPros. Issues were only on the one Hero 8. This is not propaganda. It’s fact. The 10 is bigger and heavier, but with greater resolution. I switched to the GoPro 10 on my mc helmet, hoping the glue holds it, and so far no problems. I’m open to other tiny cameras that would perform well on a mc helmet.
yer, I was a gopro user and have taken a number of different heroes skiing. they are nicely compact cameras, but when you factor in all the accessories, all the various arms, clamps, do-dads and what-nots - you don't travel light when you're using a gopro! the horizon levelling on the gopro uses a cropped in, so there's a limit to how much it can adjust. But, then I was introduced to 360 videoing, and I never looked back. yes the lenses are very vulnerable, but that's how it's able to remove the camera pole (yes I said camera pole, it's not a "selfie stick, I'm a professional photographer!). I sold off all my gopro stuff and gone fully 360 and my skiing rig is now too simple, it's ridiculous to thick back to all the Heath rombinson, Meccano-esc, setups I used to run with. a good 360 tip, to help reduce the post-editing time is to shoot short clips. multiple angles, pans, or points of interest can be taken from the same 360 sorce footage. e.g. I start recording just as we're approaching the top of a chair lift and stop recording a few seconds after we've all regrouped at the top. from this one sorce file I can focus on the group sitting in the lift and show as getting off. then reframe to show what are seeing, with a pan off to a point of interest. plus I might have a cool shot of another member of the group, skiing up to me. 360 is the way forward, and to all those who say all that post-editing is a pain. I say the juice is well worth the squeezing!
Thank you for your honest review on the GoPro, mate. I bought a Hero9 last month on a discounted price which I find very affordable that's why I couldn't resist but I wish I had seen this video before. Exciting to see more videos like this. Keep up the most work!
Somebody in the comments mentioned doing a factory reset after updating the firmware to delete conflicting old settings. He says it has worked perfectly for him.
Yes, there’s been problems with every GP model but I think you gave up two generations too early. I have X3 and it’s great. GP11 however finally is perfect and trouble free Gopro. I’m using X3 a lot but Hero 11 is always with me. Amazing image quality on a small robust box.
I'm throwing in the towel with the GP 9. Constant freezing, have to unscrew that ridiculous pin, pull the battery and put it back in probably 50% of the time I'm shooting. Not to mention the unresponsive touch screen which will drive you crazy. Don't get me started on the media mod for external mic. I've replaced it 3 times because the audio port crumbles. Lost a mic because of it and shot video that had no audio. Why would I ever buy another one of these unreliable cameras/accessories hoping it will work. I'm done.
Got an X3 a while ago and just added an Ace Pro to the collection. Sold all of my GoPros except for the Hero Session 5. One note on the X3 - they do sell lens protectors that attach to the camera. I'm a motorcyclist and have them on my X3. Easy and (relatively) cheap to replace if damaged.
personal opinion but i think this kind of analytical and reasoned criticisms/opinion piece are the best. no need for theatrics or jackasseries, just your experiences and thoughts. thank you. i appreciate you.
I've been contemplating on whether X3 or Gp11 and as I have done photography in the past I am leaning towards the Gp11 for one reason ; I do not like the permanent wide angle with everything leaning into the picture at the top. I would only get an X3 to use as a secondary camera for 360° filming on a stick to just enhance the main video from Gp. On a motorcycle it is possible to video a whole days riding with a Gp without changing the batterywith the correct adapters.
We have the GoPro Hero Black 7 and never had those image splits. The only thing is that it sometimes does not record when the record button was hit in order to record. Knowing this issue we simply double check that the cam is indeed recording. And the battery last approx. 30 minutes, so this is not very good.
It’s interesting to hear this. I was not aware of the downsides of go-pros. I bought Garmin VIRB because I liked the idea of the GPS overlays (and I’m a bit of a Garmin fanboy) and they’ve been great. Battery life is long enough for my commute and the video quality is great too. It’s a pity Garmin left the market
Many action cameras have similar problems to gopros. The gopro problems include but are not limited to: Overheating, poor battery life, memory failures etc.
After receiving the GoPro HERO11 Black for Christmas, ...I am soooo done with GoPro. Hi also have a HERO8 and HERO9, ...I was hoping for fewer problems. Thanks a bunch for an excellent overview and review
You should try the Insta360 One RS. It’s modular so you can use a 4K action cam lens or the same 360 lens you like on the X3. There’s also a 1 inch sensor lens. And if you by chance did damage one of the lenses you could replace in theory.
A modular lens action camera? I’ll check it out thanks. Bought a Dragon touch cheap of course. It’s practically useless though. Unreliable and crappy images.
@@rolandthethompsongunner64 yeah it’s worth checking out I think. From what it seems it doesn’t do any one thing fantastically, but it does them all well. It’s going to be in my lineup next.
9:28. I believe the X3 has 1/2" sensors. The One RS has the 1" sensors. Also you can replace the lens. Actually the glass on the outside is not a lens but a glass cover and it can be replaced. There are videos on how to do this if you want to do it yourself or just under $200 to have insta replace them. Not easy or cheap to do but possible.
I've struggled with the Insta360 RSOne. The low light quality is the biggest detractor for me. I am hoping for updates to improve this. I have tried post-processing improvements, but exposes the grain even more. GoPro does have better lighting, but limits shot angles. Anyway, you've got a new follower here and I'll check out more for your updates. Cheers!
Thanks for the sub. Yes, low light performance is always going to be a problem for any action camera. Both the Insta and the GoPro are pretty bad but I think, maybe the GoPro is slightly better.
Hero4 is my first and only such camera. Never had a single problem with it, and still use it today for kayaking, biking and as a dash camera. I use GoPro Studio, which can be hard to find on the internet today. Thankfully, I saved the installer on an external drive, so if I ever have to reinstall it, I have it covered.
For a long time, GoPro was the "go to" for action cameras but the marketplace has moved on and a lot more competitors have come into the game. I like the invisible selfie stick mode😊😊. Yes Insta can improve but considering the time GoPro have been around and various models having same faults that speaks of shoddy R&D. Great video👍👍
The new go pros have no issues lol. They solved overheating, and compared to the insta360 the go pro 11 has better audio, way better stability, better color and is alot easier to use and doesn't look like elmo on a motorcycle helmet
@@That_Black_Menace Obviously you don't know what you're talking about. Stability in the 360° cameras is impossible to beat - not because of the company, but because of physics. When you stabilise gopro, it takes a very wide-angle FOV and crops it down to appear as smooth footage. Fine - it does the job. But your frame is still limited and large changes will surpass its limits. With 360° footage, the technique is different - you don't crop the image to achieve stability - you simply rotate the 360° frame in such a way that lines it up best with the neighbouring frames. Thus, you can always achieve perfect stability and you never have to throw away a single pixel to do so.
@nowandrew4442 360 is far worse. Wind noise is horrific and lower quality. If someone is poor and can't afford an extra $70 then maybe it's good for them. It's a jack of all trades but a master of nothing camera
Though I don't own a Go Pro nor ride a bike, I somehow watch your clip to the end, rare for any clips longer than 5 minutes! It must be your calming narrative that is so mesmerising I could not stop watching eventhough I have no interest in action camera whatsover.😊
Good summary. i have two GoPro Hero 11's and they are disappointing. Heat and battery time are a problem. The main issue is the interface when editing. And sometimes I just cannot delete video files from the GoPro. It just wont' let me. Your recommendation had me at first, but the editing issues are too time consuming, so I'll keep looking for a better alternative.
I am fascinated that some folks have had so many problems with the later GoPro cameras. Years ago I bought a hero 5 black and it worked perfectly so some years later I bought a Hero 9 Black which is still the action camera I use on an electric scooter. With 2 profiles, the first with horizon levelling in linear mode running at 4k x 60 fps it has been an impeccable performer that I have run from a fully charged battery down to 5% with no lockup, no glitches and no weird effects. My only beef with the Hero 9 is the touch screen is sluggish. I hear that the Insta 360 is a good camera but it looks frail, nearly as frail as a DJI Osmo pocket.
Similar experience here. The first GoPro I owned was a hero 7 black and I've had no issues. I've hiked with it in 90F+ heat, taken it on white water rafting trips, gone carting with it, and even had it hanging outside my car while driving around 70 mph and it did not skip a beat. Never had issues live streaming with it either. I just recently bought a hero 11 black and have been having a good time with it also. No issues yet.
I use insta360 one X2 and Go 2 for b-roll. Never let me down. As you said: that’s the huge advantage over GoPro. Regarding internal microphones GoPro still got the edge. Overall a very good video comparing the two 👍
I bought an Insta360 X3 last year, after my Ricoh Theta X fell over on its monopod, smashed against concrete and was ruined. The Insta360 X3 is a good product, and I'm generally happy with it. Incidentally, it has a 1/2-inch sensor, not a 1-inch sensor, contrary to what is stated in the video. I have a problem that Interval shooting produces highly warped stitching when I walk around with the camera. None of the other modes do that; they all keep the horizon reasonably level. The lenses of most of the inexpensive 360 cameras are vulnerable to damage. Fortunately, Insta360 sells lens guards, which guards have saved my camera more than once. Also, as others have mentioned, you can change the field of view of your camera in Insta360 Studio, pretty much to whatever you want it. You can select the view you want to see in Studio, too.
Yes, it is really sad and weird that Insta360 has not put a replaceable lens on their cameras yet. That would make it soo much better is you could unscrew and replace the lens if you damage it. Sending it in for repair costs way too much.
I apologizes for not watching this sooner, But I want to say Thank You for being so considerate, so I can view your blog with such perfection. The landscape in which you ride is simply stunning. Most of all, how you apply little hints of history along your rides. Impressive work. I don't film my rides but I'm positive this video will be very useful to many.
Great review. Thanks! I’ve been using a Sony hdr as300 for a few years and its been wonderful. It catches a lot of wind noise but with an external mic it is sorted out. The mini camcorder shape is a little awkward to be stuck on my helmet tho. I also recently bought an insta360 x2 and it’s kind of been a love hate relationship. It’s a bit unreliable in recognising sd cards and yea I get what you mean on the screen fragility. Keep up the good work. Enjoy your video!
Thanks for this well done video. My GoPro HERO 10 arrived yesterday. I set it up to use in my car. It ran for approximately 28 minutes and then gave me the warning sign "Your GoPro has overheated and is turning off." Instantly it shut off. I was shocked. Needless to say, I returned it with the accessories I bought for it and will not buy another. I'm looking at the features of the "Insta 360 x3" camera you suggested. It is always nice to have a recommendation BEFORE purchasing an expensive piece of electronics.
If they can put tiny cameras with high quality inside cell phones, GoPro can improve their quality. It seems like a constant money grab with incremental improvements that don't fall in line with the price.
Absolutely 100% agree with you! GoPro is a great pioneer but I am probably never going to buy one again. I have had GP 2, 7 and just bought three 9s for shooting long timalapses of a big build. Always had some sort of problem with these cameras like freezing, battery life etc. but now it turns out I can't even shoot a simple time lapse with GoPro 9 without it freezing after a couple of days and that is just sad. Thanks for the video!
I used the GoPro 5 & 7 before switching to the Max, which I really like since it can be both a 360 and a 'standard' GoPro - I tried the Insta 360 but found them too fragile for my use. However, I have considered getting one again for the software features. Great video!
I love my Max, but at +30° C it froze on me constantly, screwing up almost all recordings the entire day. Apparently heating is the culprit. I've had the same freeze issues on GoPro 7 & 8 and hear that the new are even worse. I still hope to get the Max stable - it is lovely!
@@jenschristensen1774 You could possibly say that this is the Achilles' Heel of Insta360. The X3 is much improved, but people still report instances of it overheating during video recording. The X2 was atrocious for this. Craig though, it set - his -15 is the perfect env. to combat overheating issues 😁
Great, video, but just couple of small corrections. X3 does not have a one inch sensor. It is actually half inch. Secondly, you can replace a damaged lens in insta cameras. They are not cheap to replace though.
My actioncam timeline: Until 2016 I only filmed with photo or film cameras (Nikon & Canon), which works quite well, but this was a problem in moving or stabilization. Then came the Phone, DJI Gimbals it got better and for the motorcycle a Hero4. Because a Hero4 is somewhat difficult to place on an integral helmet with a folding chin strap, I switched to the Contour Roam cameras and those are formidable tube action cameras only in HD, Contour went bankrupt. I now own 2x Hero9 with the necessary accessories and I actually encounter few negatives, have two MediMods, a GravGrip v2 and a Telesin length stick, also have a DigiWorld Re-Fuel frame for the motorcycle for longer continuous filming. Also a Telesin neckband for the bike where I have a different battery cover without MediaMod, where I connect the USB-C port (rainproof) to a power bank. I only use the old Hero4 for on the water (kayak).
Great review! Just bought a Sony FDR-r3000 on Ebay! Replaced my Nikon so that I can Scuba dive. Really like the form factor so I can point and shoot vs something with a screen And with the Gopro, you are paying for the name
I own Gopro 7, 8 and 9. One thing not mentioned in this video is the battery and battery life. On hero 7 it's not possible to replace the battery. So whatever you get out with, that's it. You ain't getting more footage if the battery dies. Hero 8 fixes that, but the battery life is way too short. I found myself consistently changing battery throughout the day. Bought 6 batteries just to be able to keep recording. Hero 9 is a bit bigger than the other 2 and the battery is bigger as well, which makes it last a lot longer. I only carry 1 extra battery with me and I almost never have to use it. The hero 9 really does everything and I don't need anything else. Except the 360 option. So I'm going to buy the Insta 360 one RS. Because of it's smaller size than the 360 max, it's also cheaper, and with the water proof case I can still use all my Gopro adaptors. Cheers.
I have a GoPro hero 7 for years now and it works really well. Only once did I experience the issue with the freeze. Has not happened since. You should look up issues with the Insta360 One X2 or x3 as well... You'd be surprised. They all seem to have glitches and issues wether it's a GoPro or some other brand. Unfortunately we live in a period where products are released half assed and then they attempt to fix issues with firmware updates...
I have 2 GoPro Hero 7s and Three GoPro Hero 8's that I use for motovlogging. I use external power banks on all cameras for all day recording. I have never experienced split screen with any of them. Having said that, one of the Hero 7's now Freezes most of the time. The other Hero 7 is on my motorcycle helmet and is still working flawlessly. The only issue I have with the Hero 8's is that the date and time has to be set during the initial startup of the camera each and every time. I looked at the Insta360, just now. It might be my new camera because and external power source can be connect.
Thank you for the excellent video, very informative. I picked up an X3 a couple of months ago and so I’m much happier with the X3 than my old GoPro. As you mentioned, stabilization is very good.
I didn't think that I needed to but recently when I decided I needed a cam for "insurance" (just in case) I immediately hopped onto UA-cams to find your channel about the video you made about the subject, thank you :)
Typically the audio being off is because your video format is different than your video editing software settings. Not saying that's what your issue was but it's the first thing you should look at if you find that issue
I just bought a Gopro to compliment my X3. im a paraglider pilot focusing on hike and fly. this involves finding a great looking mountain peak, hiking up to the top amd flying down. i use my x3 either on my helmet mount or selfiestick during flight, but i also like to vlog a little while hiking up. a gopro fits in my trouser pocket and is more convenient for the hike up. The x3, with its exposed lenses is NOT the best choice for this. the GP9 is now on offer here in Austria and fits my needs perfectly. for me the answer to whether the x3 replaces a gopro is a clear no. thanks for the vid. kind regards.
Fellow paraglider pilot here. I bought the X1 with high hopes, and ended up using it for a single video (a hyperlapse of a hike and fly). I typically fly with a GoPro on my helmet, and an Osmo Pocket, mounted in my 'flight deck'. The Osmo footage frequently gets me accused of flying a drone around paragliding sites. "No dude, I am the drone" :D I have a playlist of flight vids on my YT channel with examples of X1, Osmo, GoPro and iPhone footage.
I have owned a GoPro hero 3, hero 7 and a hero 9. Have not had any of the issues you describe in your video. I used the hero 3 and 7 in my car taking videos while driving. The hero 9 I have used on my motorcycle and am pleased with the result. Only fault is the battery life of the GoPro. I will try the new enduro batteries they offer to see what they can do.
Leonard-You just answered my question of which camera to buy! You also have a more logical blog speech than most of the younger bloggers who talk fast and confuse me no end. Have you ever done a video on the basics of EDITING I would love to see it. I still have the horrors of snipping the wrong bits off to reduce the time. I have never got the basics right of cutting down the length of a video, and certain other aspects of editing. They say you cant teach new tricks to the aged-well in my case that is correct but I am still riding an Electric assist recumbent trike at 83 so not doing too bad.
Hi Keith, great to hear that you are still out and about on your recumbent. It’s a shame we weren’t able to get the VIRB overlays to work that time. I have indeed made a video about basic editing. You can watch it here: Edit Your Vlogs Like A Pro! ua-cam.com/video/Y0zON9nF5V8/v-deo.html
Very nice comparison that explained differences in functions and qualities between models concisely, and didnt put a knot in my stomach wasting loads of time with fluff! Thank you! Only thing I am wondering still is if any have a high speed shutter function for slo-mos
The GoPro 3 was fantastic, it was indestructible, and 100% reliable. GoPro 6 was excellent too, but then started to go downhill. It's the reliability problem. with my gopro 10 sometimes the battery concks out saying "low battery" when I just charged it. Other times you have to shut down and restart because some bug freezes the camera. My DJI osmo 4 works 100% all the time everytime. I switched.
I have the GoPro hero 6 and yes it always froze on me. I then bought the Here 8 which was great and only froze occasionally. I now have the Hero 11 Black and it's a game changer. It never lets me down. I love it. 👍😊🇮🇪🇬🇧
I own 3 GoPro's, I rarely use them anymore. I got tired of issues with overheating and short battery life also occasionally freeze up or blank images. Not good at all. I 100% agree
Fotunately my GoPros (4, 7 and 11) have been good for reliability. I did get the freezing issue with the Hero 7 Black but I traced it to the low-light feature automatically changing the frame rate. Once I turned that off it was fine. Incidentally, rebooting the 7 after a freeze just needed a 10-second press on the On/Off button, no need to remove the batteries, which was just as well as most of my filming is under water! I've never had any split image or time sync problems on any of the cameras.
Interesting what you say about the GoPro's. I have been following a young lady called Noraly. She travels the world on her motorcycles, off road as much as possible. She has covered tens of thousands of miles. She uses GoPro and more recently Insta 360. She has had a few problems with the GoPro, only to be expected as she falls of her bike and the camera does take a hammering. Watch her videos on Itchy Boots. I would think you seem to have had more than your share of trouble with all yours, compared to her vastly superior travels. You must have a jinx on cameras!
Thank you for your honest review, the go pro i bought hero 7 white had same problem. The Freeze of the device Go Pro Hero 7 White is so frustating for me.. its time for me to change my device to insta x3 like yours.. Very Good Video
I started my channel in July 2020 with a Hero 8 and I've had a love/hate relationship with it. I've lost audio on multiple clips over the years. Its battery has occasionally drained to zero and abruptly shut down several times, especially in the cold. But my last usage took the cake. The GoPro seemed to work fine in the field, other than one battery shutdown. But during editing, I found that the last several clips I recorded were completely corrupted. After a few seconds, weird purple and white flashes started appearing on scattered frames; then the video froze while the audio kept playing. So I couldn't use them. Then, after I finished the video and went to render it, rendering froze at the same point multiple times. It turned out that one important clip was corrupted, although it played normally on DaVinci. The video wouldn't render until I removed the clip, which I replaced with a text scroll explaining what my piece to camera would have looked like. I actually use my tripod-mounted Canon R6 for most of my videos, reserving the GoPro for walk-and-talk pieces. But after this last issue, I think I'm done with it.
Really brilliant video. Very well presented. Thanks for uploading, explaining, and not speaking too fast. - very clear. Great bio reference for the compact activity camera.
That's strange...I got myself a second-hand Hero 7 to upgrade for my channel, and so far it has never failed me. Ok to be fair, I never used the live stream function but audio-wise there were no issues.
I know what you mean when you say "unreliable", I have a GoPro9 and it doesn't like very cold weather, shuts down despite battery indicator saying 85%, it also doesn't like sunrise/sunset when lighting is very low with blurred and not sharp video as a result. I have a GoPro-10 and am having issues getting a suitable settings in "cinematic" mode with filming moving trains at speed (any suggestions welocome). GoPro10 will be my last. Great video Leonard.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Free Download video editing software:bit.ly/3XbDjdO
reframe 360 degree video with Premiere Pro
ua-cam.com/video/t2AVZNkPgu0/v-deo.html
Just saying... You can replace the lens. I have replaced the lens on my Insta360 One X.
Now, I would send my X3 to the Insta360 repair center if I damaged the lens but the Lens CAN be replaced.
@@gundeck859 Thanks, that is good to know. I’m guessing it might be expensive.
sounds like the download is free, but not the software
After soo much cycling as you said in the video, why do you still remain, you know on the higher side of the weight scale?
Sold! This reliability issue has been an ongoing problem for me with the Gopro for years. I've lost a lot of great shots! I was considering the insta360 just to try out a 360 camera. But now I'm sure it will be my primary action cam! Thanks for addressing my primary question about it!
enjoy overheating and lower quality image with 360 cameras
Mine has never overheated quality is best for 360 it is NOT a 4k 110 deg camera
I agree strongly on your analysis of GoPro.. they have never cared about reliability. I think there's this general disease in tech of "add 600 crazy features that you can advertise instead of making the product actually work reliably" but GP is really on the extreme end of this. The fact that after endless thousands of consumer complaints about the same recurring issues that they haven't managed to address them generation after generation is just laughable and pretty much a direct insult to their customers.
I switched to the DJI Oslo Action and it isn't perfect but it is far more reliable.
Love DJI cameras go pro companies hates there costumers no respect
Fantastic review, as a newbie to action cameras I found this very informative. Thanks so much and cheers from the Central Coast of California.
Thank for the informative video. I've never owned an action camera, but I'm in the market. I've been looking at GoPro, Insta360, and DJI Osmo varieties. From everything I have gleaned on-line, it looks like GoPro wins in the image quality department, while DJI wins in the battery life tests. Insta's products seem to win in the versatility arena with so many physical configurations possible. They also appear to be the least expensive of the three. All that said, what I am really interested in are three things; 1) Reliability; 2) Image Quality; 3) Data Privacy. The first two speak for themselves. The third is about being able to use a camera without the manufacturer requiring an activation before the unit is useable, collecting biometric data, etc., or taking over your smart phone when all you want to do is shoot some video while you're out for a walk. In terms of features, as long as I can get good reliable 1080P out of the camera at a reasonable frame rate, I'll be happy. Given these prerequisites, I wonder if you'd have a recommendation? Anyway, thanks again for the informative video. I found it quite helpful in highlighting some of the potential issues with the GoPro.
Hey, just a heads up, you can use 30fps in PAL countries without lights flickering if you use it with a 1/50th shutter speed. Good way to upgrade your footage without much hit on storage space. You can also do 50fps 1/60th of a second to have HFR with ZERO soap opera effect. On top of that, BOTH of those setups are universal, meaning they'll film in any country without lights flickering.
Thank you for your Video! Finally, somebody who talks about the GoPro problems. I’ve also used a few GoPros and they were always a pain in the ass with their unreliability.
amazing
What you are talking about, the unreliability of staying on, was the exact problem I had with the first GoPro I bought in 2013. I took it back to Best Buy. It wouldn't stay on no matter what I did. I bough a Sony underwater camera that worked awesome, bluetooth, wifi, everything. Now I own a Kaiser Baas that has never done what you are saying the GoPros still do, apparently. The color quality is good even thought it doesn't have a 8/7 sensor. I don't know what it has but the images come out like 4K HD sharp. Vivid colors too. Thanks for this tip. I was thinking of an upgrade to the Hero 11 but now you reminded me of something forgotten for 10 years and saved me buyers remorse. Lesson learned: Be happy with what I got because it works just fine (for the past year now).
I've had 3 go pros and everyone without fail has been a nightmare, constantly freezing. Total waste of money.
That seems to be a pretty common story.
Had them for years, 0,0 problems.
Also a common story
@@VeniVidiAjaxyou haven’t used them then. Not for what they were designed for that’s for sure. Pieces of crap
Yep I can get mine to record in slow motion to save my life
I love my Hero7 Black and I've had little problem with Hero 10. I'm sure there could be better cameras out there but I haven't found one that works as good as Gropro for underwater which is where I mostly use mine.
You Sir - are a beast when it comes to professionalism with your camera work & always creating engaging content. Ever since you introduced us to the Insta360, I've been toying with the idea of getting one and trying my hand at documenting my rides. Nothing as epic as your work - just for my own enjoyment. The GoPro is the "go to" for almost everyone else and being a total noob on these things, I've continually put it off. After this vlog however, I'm going to get the Insta360 and start in my own humble & armature way to document my rides. Thank you for always being so thorough on your vids & informative.
Thanks for your review. I didn’t know most of these issues. But I haven’t started buying cameras yet. This has helped significantly
One thing people forget to do, is a factory reset after each up date. Doesn’t help that gopro doesn’t tell you this.
I even do this with my phone after an OS update.
Doesn't a "factory reset" remove all updates and return it as it was when it left the factory?
@@timriggs8651 it changes any custom settings like ISO to default but retains the latest firmware.
@@timriggs8651 nope! its just removes all your settings that still use the old firmware. Leaving you with a gopro with only the new clean firm wear. You’ll see from the version log you have the latest version and its just a matter of recreating your own settings again.
Why exactly would one do this? What does this do that is beneficial? Recently updated the firmware on my 11 but have not done a factory reset, first time I've heard of it.
I've had a cheap action camera for a few years and wanted something much better, so I'd read reviews on the GoPro Hero 11 and Insta360 One RS, and after careful consideration and seeing so many reviews which mentioned how unreliable GoPro's are, I went for the Insta360 One RS, I love the fact it's a fully Modular camera and the Extra features it has over the hero 11 too.
Might be worthwhile for you to try out a One RS as a true alternative to your Hero 9 👌🏻
The good thing with the One RS is that if the camera for whatever reason did have a fall and the lens got damaged, you can just replace the lens with it being a modular design, they also do sticky lens protectors that protect the lens in the event of a fall too 👍🏻
one RS is not as goof 360 camera as their other models but.... you need to replace only what you want to upgrade, change, i got my 360 lens damaged on my one R, i just changed the lens.
@@jatinscameratales I didn't go for the 360 model, as it's not a feature I'd use, just the regular 4K version, but it's good how they're modular, so you can easily add it if you wish or replace a lens if it gets damaged.
Respect to you. I'd never get out on my bike If I had to do all the stuff you're doing to shoot, edit and produce your videos. 3 batteries on 1 ride!?! No way!
I use a Drift Ghost XL for no other reason than the incredible battery life. I was on a (motorbike) ride a while ago and forgot to turn the camera off at stops so, essentially, it recorded video for just over 8 hours, and there was still life in the battery when I returned home. It is completely waterproof even with the external mic attached, another bonus. The lack of image stabilisation does not have to significant impact on my video
you only need three batteries if you're making a documentary or waffle endlessly. I can do a 100mile ride vlog on one battery
@@keithogden1770 I attach a powerbank somewhere securely. No need for any special endurance feats from the camera that way. Then you can pick any camera.
"If you didn't record it, did the ride really happen?"
YES, yes it did. LOL.
@@keithogden1770 Big downside of the drift Ghost camera's is that they are extremely poor quality. Its fairly normal for them to break within a year. For the rest its a pretty decent camera if you dont care for great image quality
I’ve had a much better experience with the osmo action 1 than any go pro I’ve owned. Extremely responsive screen, no crashes, and I think the image is better than go pros at the same resolution. Plus the dji log looks and grades better imo than GoPros outside of the original action not having any option for 10bit.
I also like the dewarp feature.
Osmo Pocket 1 is great too, excellent HD footage. On hikes I prefer it to my GoPros.
@@williamdahl3318 Totally agree. The sound quality is also excellent for doing a commentary, so long as the wind isn't too strong, and also you always have a horizontal horizon.
How is the waterproofing? I think my Hero 7 Black just bit the dust after I finally used it underwater and the SOB leaked!
@@AdviceandAdventures it’s great! About 30 feet with no housing. Once I didn’t shut my battery door all the way and it crashed after a dunk in a spring. But that was user error. I pulled it out it dried over a couple days and still works like new!
I haven’t needed a housing for it since I don’t scuba. So it’s been totally fine!
@@RiceCubeTech nice! Well, it's on my list to buy next because GoPros have always given me problems for one reason or another. I usually baby them and this underwater dunk was my first time testing their limits....in less than 5 feet of water!
I'm crossing my fingers that the Hero 7 will survive after a few days of drying out but my hopes are not up after reading others' reports.
I agree with your analysis of the Insta 360 X3. I’ve had a few action cameras, but the Insta 360, is by far the best for its versatility and picture quality. Yes, you do need to protect the lenses, as they are quite vulnerable. However, there are plastic covers that you can buy. You have to replace them every so often and use the special feature in the camera, when they are on. Most of the time I just use the lens hood, and only take it off when it is safely on the selfie stick, or tripod. You can remove the fisheye effect, by the choosing linear option during editing.😊
The reason I haven't bought it is because of the fish eye distortion. You're saying there's a way to flatten it out?
@@kaitlinwalters7879 Yes by using the
Linear option when editing. It will remove the fisheye effect and flatten everything out. Making the image, or video appear to have been shot on a standard camera. It is all part of the insta360 editing software, which you get with the camera.
@@kaitlinwalters7879 What Steve says is accurate, plus, you can also choose the field of view. If you don't want any distortion, then don't frame such a wide angle that requires the edges of the image to start to wrap.
The quality can't even remotely be compared. GoPro is WAY sharper. I have the GoPro 10 which is very good quality- and price-wise. It's cheaper and better than the competition. I never had it fail on me.
I got 600 euro insta x3 and disappointed bad quality I sold it and bought gopro 10 300 euro it is good for me 4k quality and shapness way better than x3
Such an Insightful video! just what I needed because I'm new to all of these but I really need proper equipment for my adventures!! Great video Sr!
I really enjoy your videos and would be very interested in seeing a technical video that specifically focuses on production and post production. I have been using Hero 2 HD's since the day they came out and never had any issues. The only downside is zero stabilization...(and all the clunky backpacs, accessories and housings). I recently purchased a Hero 9 and can't believe how incredibly easy it is to use.
All that being said, I am no vlogger but your videos have inspired me to take things more seriously, so I would be very interested in seeing your process.
Thank you for doing what you do!
Hope we seeing the videoing sooning and having some tech teaching to
Can you share your feedback after long use?
I see everywhere that the gopro 9, 10 and above.
Shutdown if you record at 4k 60fps for longer than 20 minutes and even lower on the newer modules.
As a cyclist, i made the switch from a GoPro to the Insta360 camera and haven’t looked back. Not just for the reliability, but for the infinite number of editing choices with the 360 camera. I also have the smaller Insta360 Go camera. Btwn those two cameras, my gopro is collecting dust.
I see good for u buddy then coul u giveaway go pro to me? I'm trying to upgrade but financially struggling 😅
I use the insta360 that has the interchangeable lenses. It has the ability to go from a 360 cam to a regular action cam. The footage is great, however the whole edit suite issue is the main reason I dont use it often.
My 8 crapped out totally (over heating as well) they sent me a 9 at no extra charge
This one has been 100x better though it still overheats but I am in the Yucatan Mexico where it's super hot. I've been lucky as of lately. It's been ok. Thanks for sharing
GREAT points (BUT….)! Being an avid GoPro user like yourself, and suffering actually more faults with my various GoPro’s throughout the years (isn’t it crazy that a company can bring out a glitchy/faulty product each year and still grow and make a profit), I have to say because the GoPro is so good when it’s firing on all cylinders, me personally I cannot move away from it.
As I’m a mountain bikers I need some small and I have to say the hero 10 made an improved jump up in low light capabilities, whereas for yourself clearly that isn’t needed (once riding in dense woodland I need the best low light action cam option) and also the new Insta 360 is just too big for a mountain biker really, although it looks AWESOME!
I also fly FPV and the GoPro is a big win there (when it works, as there have been many moments I want to cry after missing once in a lifetime shots).
On my personal page I tested the hero 10 HARD in low light etc, and for any mountain bikers out there it may be useful.
Great video dude
ua-cam.com/video/-lS5L1E78tk/v-deo.html
P.s I’ll get an insta360 just not for MTB
Great video! I'm so glad to see the actual perspective of your use and struggles with each camera you came into and the complete honesty of what made you love the camera instead of entirely putting hate upon every camera. I definitely got a subscriber and liked this video, and I hope to see more!
I’d love an insta 360! It looks really useful for capturing a ride, but it also looks like something that needs careful usage to stop your footage looking like an 80’s pop video!
yeah. none of the angles really look appealing at all...
Glad I ran across this video. I have 2 GoPro 5 Black cameras that I bought "refurbished" from the manufacturer. I have encountered problems with them both, stopping recording or (rarely) the "freeze". I thought it was because they were "refurbs". It's somewhat reassuring to know this happens with ALL of them.
The GoPro 11 seems very stable for me. I have not been disappointed.
I agree.
I'm still using the Hero 4 and it works well, just had to replace the battery one time
This is good news sense I just bought lol
I started with the 4 and the 5 Session, both of which I like. I still use the Session. I have the 7 and have found it rock solid. Had no problems with the 8 but don't like the colors as well as the non-replaceable lens protector issue. Bought the 10 and have been very pleased with it. I also have the ONE X2 and while I like it for what it does, quality of output is not good enough for it to replace a GoPro. Both camera types have their place, as you point out at the end, and contrary to your video title.
My Session 5 has weak battery after so many years. Did you replace yours?
NO excuse after all these years to STILL be unreliable! Great review, thanks!
Thank you for this excellent review. Three years ago I purchased a GoPro for use as a dash cam. Less than 5 minutes into the first trial (on a warm day in south Ontario) it shut down due to overheating. I was NEVER able to resolve that major issue so returned the camera - very disappointing. This review has provided the option I've been looking for. Thank you.
Interesting to hear you opinion on the GoPro Cameras. I have had several from the range and they have all experienced issues despite my lite use. I could have lived with the infrequent problems had GOPro customer service given a damn. In fact getting any kind of help was extremely frustrating and very patronising (in an American way). I still have a Hero Session 5 which I had to return twice but now 3rd camera all is ok (touch wood). I now own the DJI Osmo Action 3 and it really is so good. It does everything and more that I could wish for and is very intuitive. It does feel that in many respects GoPro became somewhat complacent relying on the fact that competition was limited and their cameras were often seen being used by TV companies as well as the huge followings on social media. Now that DJI and Insta have entered the field hopefully this will make the market better for everyone and those Companies that have not been so good in the past will wake up and change for the better after all having hind site won't bring back the customers that have been lost.
I had the 5 black (my first gopro), the 7 black, 8 black and the last was the 10. Had issues with all of them in some form or another but to be fair the 5 black was the worst. I purchased the DJI action 3 back in early 2023 and have not had a single freeze, connectivity issue or card corruption since. Not to mention, I am a mobile editor and use Luma fusion on my iPad. The gopro 10 could never connect to the files app on the iPad. My dji connects every single time. I will never go back to gopro.
I feel your pain about the reliability of the GoPro. I started with the GoPro 4+ and it was good, then 6/7/8/9. I got the 11 recently for the night features, but that was extra buggy so I returned it. :(
I think I'll wait for DJI to fix the Action 3 lens focus problem before I jump at it. :)
Buggy? How?
@@enhidri160 , on my first day of use. See for your.
GoPro 11 - Great New Features, but Still Buggy
ua-cam.com/video/lAcAT6wTBCk/v-deo.html
@@enhidri160 I think these guys are paid for their propaganda. The things they say are nonsense, look at the inferior quality of their videos with fake post-production lense flares. If the GoPro did really freeze often (which it does not, I have had a 4 black ever since it came out as new), I'd still choose the GoPro 4 vs the new Insta360.
Amazingly, when you ask questions, these aficionados never reply.
6:55 I ROFL. I think you do too. Nobody in the right mind wants this cam based on this.
@GoPro Dog I love GoPro and have several 8’s and a 10. On a motorcycle helmet, reliability and consistency is huge, because I won’t see the footage until after the ride. One of the 8’s freezes off and on where I get audio only and a never moving ‘frozen’ picture. Also, every time I try to do a one button record (same 8), first try after changing a battery always results in Time Lapse and not ‘normal’ record. I tested all batteries and the ‘problem’ card in multiple GoPros. Issues were only on the one Hero 8. This is not propaganda. It’s fact. The 10 is bigger and heavier, but with greater resolution. I switched to the GoPro 10 on my mc helmet, hoping the glue holds it, and so far no problems. I’m open to other tiny cameras that would perform well on a mc helmet.
yer, I was a gopro user and have taken a number of different heroes skiing. they are nicely compact cameras, but when you factor in all the accessories, all the various arms, clamps, do-dads and what-nots - you don't travel light when you're using a gopro!
the horizon levelling on the gopro uses a cropped in, so there's a limit to how much it can adjust.
But, then I was introduced to 360 videoing, and I never looked back. yes the lenses are very vulnerable, but that's how it's able to remove the camera pole (yes I said camera pole, it's not a "selfie stick, I'm a professional photographer!).
I sold off all my gopro stuff and gone fully 360 and my skiing rig is now too simple, it's ridiculous to thick back to all the Heath rombinson, Meccano-esc, setups I used to run with.
a good 360 tip, to help reduce the post-editing time is to shoot short clips. multiple angles, pans, or points of interest can be taken from the same 360 sorce footage. e.g. I start recording just as we're approaching the top of a chair lift and stop recording a few seconds after we've all regrouped at the top.
from this one sorce file I can focus on the group sitting in the lift and show as getting off. then reframe to show what are seeing, with a pan off to a point of interest. plus I might have a cool shot of another member of the group, skiing up to me.
360 is the way forward, and to all those who say all that post-editing is a pain. I say the juice is well worth the squeezing!
Thank you for your honest review on the GoPro, mate. I bought a Hero9 last month on a discounted price which I find very affordable that's why I couldn't resist but I wish I had seen this video before. Exciting to see more videos like this. Keep up the most work!
Hi. I Just bought a 9 3 days ago. Trying to justify buying the media .od for motovlogging. Any thoughts? Cheers
Somebody in the comments mentioned doing a factory reset after updating the firmware to delete conflicting old settings. He says it has worked perfectly for him.
How is ur gopro 9 working so far bro
Would also Like to know If i should buy a 9 for about 240€
Nice feedback! Really interesting points raised! Good information all round! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, there’s been problems with every GP model but I think you gave up two generations too early. I have X3 and it’s great. GP11 however finally is perfect and trouble free Gopro. I’m using X3 a lot but Hero 11 is always with me. Amazing image quality on a small robust box.
GoPro 11 is still too new to know what long-term issues people might have.
Also, if it takes you ten tries to get something right … you suck.
I'm throwing in the towel with the GP 9. Constant freezing, have to unscrew that ridiculous pin, pull the battery and put it back in probably 50% of the time I'm shooting. Not to mention the unresponsive touch screen which will drive you crazy. Don't get me started on the media mod for external mic. I've replaced it 3 times because the audio port crumbles. Lost a mic because of it and shot video that had no audio. Why would I ever buy another one of these unreliable cameras/accessories hoping it will work. I'm done.
I agree - I love the 11 and it's new batteries. So far so good.
Software is still ASS
Got an X3 a while ago and just added an Ace Pro to the collection. Sold all of my GoPros except for the Hero Session 5.
One note on the X3 - they do sell lens protectors that attach to the camera. I'm a motorcyclist and have them on my X3. Easy and (relatively) cheap to replace if damaged.
I’m confused the video title says don’t buy a GoPro but at the end the guy says I’ll use a GoPro 😂
yup...
personal opinion but i think this kind of analytical and reasoned criticisms/opinion piece are the best. no need for theatrics or jackasseries, just your experiences and thoughts.
thank you. i appreciate you.
I've been contemplating on whether X3 or Gp11 and as I have done photography in the past I am leaning towards the Gp11 for one reason ; I do not like the permanent wide angle with everything leaning into the picture at the top. I would only get an X3 to use as a secondary camera for 360° filming on a stick to just enhance the main video from Gp. On a motorcycle it is possible to video a whole days riding with a Gp without changing the batterywith the correct adapters.
Gopro 11 has a lot of bugs. Has not been a good thing
We have the GoPro Hero Black 7 and never had those image splits. The only thing is that it sometimes does not record when the record button was hit in order to record. Knowing this issue we simply double check that the cam is indeed recording. And the battery last approx. 30 minutes, so this is not very good.
It’s interesting to hear this. I was not aware of the downsides of go-pros.
I bought Garmin VIRB because I liked the idea of the GPS overlays (and I’m a bit of a Garmin fanboy) and they’ve been great. Battery life is long enough for my commute and the video quality is great too. It’s a pity Garmin left the market
Many action cameras have similar problems to gopros. The gopro problems include but are not limited to: Overheating, poor battery life, memory failures etc.
After receiving the GoPro HERO11 Black for Christmas, ...I am soooo done with GoPro. Hi also have a HERO8 and HERO9, ...I was hoping for fewer problems. Thanks a bunch for an excellent overview and review
You should try the Insta360 One RS. It’s modular so you can use a 4K action cam lens or the same 360 lens you like on the X3. There’s also a 1 inch sensor lens. And if you by chance did damage one of the lenses you could replace in theory.
A modular lens action camera? I’ll check it out thanks. Bought a Dragon touch cheap of course. It’s practically useless though. Unreliable and crappy images.
@@rolandthethompsongunner64 yeah it’s worth checking out I think. From what it seems it doesn’t do any one thing fantastically, but it does them all well. It’s going to be in my lineup next.
9:28. I believe the X3 has 1/2" sensors. The One RS has the 1" sensors. Also you can replace the lens. Actually the glass on the outside is not a lens but a glass cover and it can be replaced. There are videos on how to do this if you want to do it yourself or just under $200 to have insta replace them. Not easy or cheap to do but possible.
I've struggled with the Insta360 RSOne. The low light quality is the biggest detractor for me. I am hoping for updates to improve this. I have tried post-processing improvements, but exposes the grain even more. GoPro does have better lighting, but limits shot angles. Anyway, you've got a new follower here and I'll check out more for your updates. Cheers!
Thanks for the sub. Yes, low light performance is always going to be a problem for any action camera. Both the Insta and the GoPro are pretty bad but I think, maybe the GoPro is slightly better.
@@jollygoodvelo Agreed!
Hero4 is my first and only such camera. Never had a single problem with it, and still use it today for kayaking, biking and as a dash camera. I use GoPro Studio, which can be hard to find on the internet today. Thankfully, I saved the installer on an external drive, so if I ever have to reinstall it, I have it covered.
For a long time, GoPro was the "go to" for action cameras but the marketplace has moved on and a lot more competitors have come into the game. I like the invisible selfie stick mode😊😊. Yes Insta can improve but considering the time GoPro have been around and various models having same faults that speaks of shoddy R&D. Great video👍👍
The new go pros have no issues lol. They solved overheating, and compared to the insta360 the go pro 11 has better audio, way better stability, better color and is alot easier to use and doesn't look like elmo on a motorcycle helmet
@@That_Black_Menace Obviously you don't know what you're talking about. Stability in the 360° cameras is impossible to beat - not because of the company, but because of physics.
When you stabilise gopro, it takes a very wide-angle FOV and crops it down to appear as smooth footage. Fine - it does the job. But your frame is still limited and large changes will surpass its limits.
With 360° footage, the technique is different - you don't crop the image to achieve stability - you simply rotate the 360° frame in such a way that lines it up best with the neighbouring frames. Thus, you can always achieve perfect stability and you never have to throw away a single pixel to do so.
@nowandrew4442 360 is far worse. Wind noise is horrific and lower quality. If someone is poor and can't afford an extra $70 then maybe it's good for them. It's a jack of all trades but a master of nothing camera
Though I don't own a Go Pro nor ride a bike, I somehow watch your clip to the end, rare for any clips longer than 5 minutes! It must be your calming narrative that is so mesmerising I could not stop watching eventhough I have no interest in action camera whatsover.😊
Good summary. i have two GoPro Hero 11's and they are disappointing. Heat and battery time are a problem. The main issue is the interface when editing. And sometimes I just cannot delete video files from the GoPro. It just wont' let me. Your recommendation had me at first, but the editing issues are too time consuming, so I'll keep looking for a better alternative.
I am fascinated that some folks have had so many problems with the later GoPro cameras. Years ago I bought a hero 5 black and it worked perfectly so some years later I bought a Hero 9 Black which is still the action camera I use on an electric scooter. With 2 profiles, the first with horizon levelling in linear mode running at 4k x 60 fps it has been an impeccable performer that I have run from a fully charged battery down to 5% with no lockup, no glitches and no weird effects. My only beef with the Hero 9 is the touch screen is sluggish. I hear that the Insta 360 is a good camera but it looks frail, nearly as frail as a DJI Osmo pocket.
Similar experience here. The first GoPro I owned was a hero 7 black and I've had no issues. I've hiked with it in 90F+ heat, taken it on white water rafting trips, gone carting with it, and even had it hanging outside my car while driving around 70 mph and it did not skip a beat. Never had issues live streaming with it either. I just recently bought a hero 11 black and have been having a good time with it also. No issues yet.
Great info brother Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico 🇲🇽
I use insta360 one X2 and Go 2 for b-roll. Never let me down. As you said: that’s the huge advantage over GoPro.
Regarding internal microphones GoPro still got the edge.
Overall a very good video comparing the two 👍
Pardon my ignorance. I'm a noob to vlogging; actually just getting started.
What is b-roll?
It’s just secondary footage. Maybe some on bike footage, from the landscape etc.
I bought an Insta360 X3 last year, after my Ricoh Theta X fell over on its monopod, smashed against concrete and was ruined. The Insta360 X3 is a good product, and I'm generally happy with it. Incidentally, it has a 1/2-inch sensor, not a 1-inch sensor, contrary to what is stated in the video. I have a problem that Interval shooting produces highly warped stitching when I walk around with the camera. None of the other modes do that; they all keep the horizon reasonably level. The lenses of most of the inexpensive 360 cameras are vulnerable to damage. Fortunately, Insta360 sells lens guards, which guards have saved my camera more than once. Also, as others have mentioned, you can change the field of view of your camera in Insta360 Studio, pretty much to whatever you want it. You can select the view you want to see in Studio, too.
Until you drop it just once … which is why action cameras are “action cameras” insta360 is not an action cam 😅 thanks for the review!
Yes, it is really sad and weird that Insta360 has not put a replaceable lens on their cameras yet. That would make it soo much better is you could unscrew and replace the lens if you damage it. Sending it in for repair costs way too much.
Great review and glad I found your channel. Only one thing… the X3 has a 1/2 inch sensor, not 1 inch. Cheers!
Small correction, the x3 does not have a 1in. The insta 360rs 1in mod has the 1in. But the x 3 does indeed look a bit better than the x2.
I apologizes for not watching this sooner, But I want to say Thank You for being so considerate, so I can view your blog with such perfection. The landscape in which you ride is simply stunning. Most of all, how you apply little hints of history along your rides. Impressive work. I don't film my rides but I'm positive this video will be very useful to many.
Great review. Thanks! I’ve been using a Sony hdr as300 for a few years and its been wonderful. It catches a lot of wind noise but with an external mic it is sorted out. The mini camcorder shape is a little awkward to be stuck on my helmet tho.
I also recently bought an insta360 x2 and it’s kind of been a love hate relationship. It’s a bit unreliable in recognising sd cards and yea I get what you mean on the screen fragility.
Keep up the good work. Enjoy your video!
Including you, I respect everyone who uses any kinda Sony gadget
Thanks for this well done video. My GoPro HERO 10 arrived yesterday. I set it up to use in my car. It ran for approximately 28 minutes and then gave me the warning sign "Your GoPro has overheated and is turning off." Instantly it shut off. I was shocked. Needless to say, I returned it with the accessories I bought for it and will not buy another. I'm looking at the features of the "Insta 360 x3" camera you suggested. It is always nice to have a recommendation BEFORE purchasing an expensive piece of electronics.
Sadly, overheating is a well known issue with GoPros when they are recording long clips.
If they can put tiny cameras with high quality inside cell phones, GoPro can improve their quality. It seems like a constant money grab with incremental improvements that don't fall in line with the price.
Very well covered material for GoPro and Insta360. Well done and thank you Sir!
Absolutely 100% agree with you! GoPro is a great pioneer but I am probably never going to buy one again. I have had GP 2, 7 and just bought three 9s for shooting long timalapses of a big build. Always had some sort of problem with these cameras like freezing, battery life etc. but now it turns out I can't even shoot a simple time lapse with GoPro 9 without it freezing after a couple of days and that is just sad. Thanks for the video!
I used the GoPro 5 & 7 before switching to the Max, which I really like since it can be both a 360 and a 'standard' GoPro - I tried the Insta 360 but found them too fragile for my use. However, I have considered getting one again for the software features. Great video!
I love my Max, but at +30° C it froze on me constantly, screwing up almost all recordings the entire day. Apparently heating is the culprit. I've had the same freeze issues on GoPro 7 & 8 and hear that the new are even worse. I still hope to get the Max stable - it is lovely!
@@jenschristensen1774 I'm more worried about freezing due to freezing. Only time I have issues is below -15
@@CraigMartinNB I rarely have those temperatures here, but overheating is a well known issue.
I need to look into lowering the processor load.
@@jenschristensen1774 You could possibly say that this is the Achilles' Heel of Insta360. The X3 is much improved, but people still report instances of it overheating during video recording. The X2 was atrocious for this. Craig though, it set - his -15 is the perfect env. to combat overheating issues 😁
Great, video, but just couple of small corrections. X3 does not have a one inch sensor. It is actually half inch. Secondly, you can replace a damaged lens in insta cameras. They are not cheap to replace though.
My actioncam timeline: Until 2016 I only filmed with photo or film cameras (Nikon & Canon), which works quite well, but this was a problem in moving or stabilization. Then came the Phone, DJI Gimbals it got better and for the motorcycle a Hero4. Because a Hero4 is somewhat difficult to place on an integral helmet with a folding chin strap, I switched to the Contour Roam cameras and those are formidable tube action cameras only in HD, Contour went bankrupt. I now own 2x Hero9 with the necessary accessories and I actually encounter few negatives, have two MediMods, a GravGrip v2 and a Telesin length stick, also have a DigiWorld Re-Fuel frame for the motorcycle for longer continuous filming. Also a Telesin neckband for the bike where I have a different battery cover without MediaMod, where I connect the USB-C port (rainproof) to a power bank. I only use the old Hero4 for on the water (kayak).
Great transparency! I’m looking forward to using
Enjoyed your video. I am in Indiana USA, Thanks for your videos. I learn a lot.
Great review! Just bought a Sony FDR-r3000 on Ebay! Replaced my Nikon so that I can Scuba dive. Really like the form factor so I can point and shoot vs something with a screen
And with the Gopro, you are paying for the name
I own Gopro 7, 8 and 9. One thing not mentioned in this video is the battery and battery life. On hero 7 it's not possible to replace the battery. So whatever you get out with, that's it. You ain't getting more footage if the battery dies. Hero 8 fixes that, but the battery life is way too short. I found myself consistently changing battery throughout the day. Bought 6 batteries just to be able to keep recording. Hero 9 is a bit bigger than the other 2 and the battery is bigger as well, which makes it last a lot longer. I only carry 1 extra battery with me and I almost never have to use it.
The hero 9 really does everything and I don't need anything else. Except the 360 option. So I'm going to buy the Insta 360 one RS. Because of it's smaller size than the 360 max, it's also cheaper, and with the water proof case I can still use all my Gopro adaptors.
Cheers.
I have a GoPro hero 7 for years now and it works really well. Only once did I experience the issue with the freeze. Has not happened since. You should look up issues with the Insta360 One X2 or x3 as well... You'd be surprised. They all seem to have glitches and issues wether it's a GoPro or some other brand. Unfortunately we live in a period where products are released half assed and then they attempt to fix issues with firmware updates...
Great review. One more disadvantage with GoPro is that it can’t focus objects closer than 2 feet, whereas Insta360 is great at focusing close objects.
I have 2 GoPro Hero 7s and Three GoPro Hero 8's that I use for motovlogging. I use external power banks on all cameras for all day recording. I have never experienced split screen with any of them. Having said that, one of the Hero 7's now Freezes most of the time. The other Hero 7 is on my motorcycle helmet and is still working flawlessly. The only issue I have with the Hero 8's is that the date and time has to be set during the initial startup of the camera each and every time.
I looked at the Insta360, just now. It might be my new camera because and external power source can be connect.
Once I started using the Insta360 go2, I never touched my GoPro again. The options for export on insta camera is amazing
Thank you for the excellent video, very informative. I picked up an X3 a couple of months ago and so I’m much happier with the X3 than my old GoPro. As you mentioned, stabilization is very good.
I didn't think that I needed to but recently when I decided I needed a cam for "insurance" (just in case) I immediately hopped onto UA-cams to find your channel about the video you made about the subject, thank you :)
Typically the audio being off is because your video format is different than your video editing software settings. Not saying that's what your issue was but it's the first thing you should look at if you find that issue
Clear explanation from experience, thank you leonard !!
I just bought a Gopro to compliment my X3. im a paraglider pilot focusing on hike and fly. this involves finding a great looking mountain peak, hiking up to the top amd flying down. i use my x3 either on my helmet mount or selfiestick during flight, but i also like to vlog a little while hiking up. a gopro fits in my trouser pocket and is more convenient for the hike up. The x3, with its exposed lenses is NOT the best choice for this. the GP9 is now on offer here in Austria and fits my needs perfectly. for me the answer to whether the x3 replaces a gopro is a clear no. thanks for the vid. kind regards.
Fellow paraglider pilot here. I bought the X1 with high hopes, and ended up using it for a single video (a hyperlapse of a hike and fly). I typically fly with a GoPro on my helmet, and an Osmo Pocket, mounted in my 'flight deck'. The Osmo footage frequently gets me accused of flying a drone around paragliding sites. "No dude, I am the drone" :D
I have a playlist of flight vids on my YT channel with examples of X1, Osmo, GoPro and iPhone footage.
I have owned a GoPro hero 3, hero 7 and a hero 9. Have not had any of the issues you describe in your video. I used the hero 3 and 7 in my car taking videos while driving. The hero 9 I have used on my motorcycle and am pleased with the result. Only fault is the battery life of the GoPro. I will try the new enduro batteries they offer to see what they can do.
Leonard-You just answered my question of which camera to buy! You also have a more logical blog speech than most of the younger bloggers who talk fast and confuse me no end. Have you ever done a video on the basics of EDITING I would love to see it. I still have the horrors of snipping the wrong bits off to reduce the time. I have never got the basics right of cutting down the length of a video, and certain other aspects of editing. They say you cant teach new tricks to the aged-well in my case that is correct but I am still riding an Electric assist recumbent trike at 83 so not doing too bad.
Hi Keith, great to hear that you are still out and about on your recumbent. It’s a shame we weren’t able to get the VIRB overlays to work that time. I have indeed made a video about basic editing. You can watch it here: Edit Your Vlogs Like A Pro!
ua-cam.com/video/Y0zON9nF5V8/v-deo.html
Very nice comparison that explained differences in functions and qualities between models concisely, and didnt put a knot in my stomach wasting loads of time with fluff! Thank you! Only thing I am wondering still is if any have a high speed shutter function for slo-mos
Unfortunately, the Insta360 X3 doesn’t really have a slow mo mode.
@@jollygoodvelo Good to know though, thanks for the feedback.
The GoPro 3 was fantastic, it was indestructible, and 100% reliable. GoPro 6 was excellent too, but then started to go downhill. It's the reliability problem. with my gopro 10 sometimes the battery concks out saying "low battery" when I just charged it. Other times you have to shut down and restart because some bug freezes the camera. My DJI osmo 4 works 100% all the time everytime. I switched.
I have the GoPro hero 6 and yes it always froze on me. I then bought the Here 8 which was great and only froze occasionally. I now have the Hero 11 Black and it's a game changer. It never lets me down. I love it. 👍😊🇮🇪🇬🇧
I own 3 GoPro's, I rarely use them anymore.
I got tired of issues with overheating and short battery life also occasionally freeze up or blank images.
Not good at all.
I 100% agree
Fotunately my GoPros (4, 7 and 11) have been good for reliability. I did get the freezing issue with the Hero 7 Black but I traced it to the low-light feature automatically changing the frame rate. Once I turned that off it was fine. Incidentally, rebooting the 7 after a freeze just needed a 10-second press on the On/Off button, no need to remove the batteries, which was just as well as most of my filming is under water! I've never had any split image or time sync problems on any of the cameras.
Interesting what you say about the GoPro's. I have been following a young lady called Noraly. She travels the world on her motorcycles, off road as much as possible. She has covered tens of thousands of miles. She uses GoPro and more recently Insta 360. She has had a few problems with the GoPro, only to be expected as she falls of her bike and the camera does take a hammering. Watch her videos on Itchy Boots. I would think you seem to have had more than your share of trouble with all yours, compared to her vastly superior travels. You must have a jinx on cameras!
Thanks for this video
Cleared all my doubts
Thank you for your honest review, the go pro i bought hero 7 white had same problem. The Freeze of the device Go Pro Hero 7 White is so frustating for me.. its time for me to change my device to insta x3 like yours.. Very Good Video
I bought a go pro 5 many years ago. Does the job for the 3 times a year I use it. Interesting to hear so many issues with the newer ones.
The live stream is working perfectly good
You are the perfect customer for go pro, even though it's a garbage product you keep buying a new one. Business 101.
This was amazingly informative! Thanks!
I started my channel in July 2020 with a Hero 8 and I've had a love/hate relationship with it. I've lost audio on multiple clips over the years. Its battery has occasionally drained to zero and abruptly shut down several times, especially in the cold. But my last usage took the cake.
The GoPro seemed to work fine in the field, other than one battery shutdown. But during editing, I found that the last several clips I recorded were completely corrupted. After a few seconds, weird purple and white flashes started appearing on scattered frames; then the video froze while the audio kept playing. So I couldn't use them. Then, after I finished the video and went to render it, rendering froze at the same point multiple times. It turned out that one important clip was corrupted, although it played normally on DaVinci. The video wouldn't render until I removed the clip, which I replaced with a text scroll explaining what my piece to camera would have looked like.
I actually use my tripod-mounted Canon R6 for most of my videos, reserving the GoPro for walk-and-talk pieces. But after this last issue, I think I'm done with it.
Sounds like a nightmare!
I have a 5 and 7 black and both have worked flawlessly. I use mine to film my rides on different bikes, mini bikes, a scooter and now E-bike I have.
I don't understand the fascination over these fisheye lens cameras. Everything looks bent in the shot.
Exactly why I took the Go Pro Back for the Inta360 X3! Thank you!
Really brilliant video. Very well presented. Thanks for uploading, explaining, and not speaking too fast. - very clear. Great bio reference for the compact activity camera.
That's strange...I got myself a second-hand Hero 7 to upgrade for my channel, and so far it has never failed me. Ok to be fair, I never used the live stream function but audio-wise there were no issues.
I know what you mean when you say "unreliable", I have a GoPro9 and it doesn't like very cold weather, shuts down despite battery indicator saying 85%, it also doesn't like sunrise/sunset when lighting is very low with blurred and not sharp video as a result. I have a GoPro-10 and am having issues getting a suitable settings in "cinematic" mode with filming moving trains at speed (any suggestions welocome). GoPro10 will be my last. Great video Leonard.