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I have the X3 and was out with family and friends. I had it extended in 360 mode. There was so much going on around me that I would never have been able to capture what I did with a normal camera. You never miss a shot because you are pointing your camera the wrong way. This is by far the the best feature in an action camera.
Seems like one of the greatest benefits is being able to edit the same shot for different parts of the timeline over an over again. Compared to the GoPro which is what you see is what you get. Both strong cameras depending on the needs for specific features.
Just started using a Insta360 X3. Took videos in 180 mode (single front facing lens) at our recent match. Those mp4 videos were usable without any processing necessary. Getting up to speed on 360 videos - taken a couple of videos and getting comfortable editing. Got this crazy thought - since smart phones have lenses front and back, why isn't there an app that can emulate 360 video? Or does that already exist and I'm simply behind the knowledge curve?
A good compromise is to just pick 4 angles from the 360 view export them and load them into your edit program they can be easy syned using the audio sync tools in say final cut. I do agree with your points and i guess a fix is to take a few 'options' away by exporting the angles you want first.
I use both and love both. And I sometimes I dread the time of the reframing process. I also use a blue tooth wireless mic with both to capture audio at a distance during the action. Thanks for the video! ME Mode on the X3 is an AMAZING selfie-mode option. The Go Pro 11 is really only needed for filming other people or specific shots you know you want.
You dread the reframing, except when you realise the X3 has caught things from start to finish that you only would have been able to partially capture by turning the gopro towards the scene after you noticed it happening.
this is such a wonderful review of the pros/cons of the one x3. I have the x2 and yes, there is a huge learning curve and lots of keyframes/post production and editing that has to be done, but the results are so worth it to me. thank you for putting this together and sharing with us 😁
One of my biggest issues with 360 cameras are have to protect the lens. You just can't lay it down. The second day I had my 360 camera, I set it down on the table a Starbucks and it got a scuff on the lens. You can't replace the lens. My GoPro has been tossed in the car, dropped, fallen off a car and all I had to do was wipe it off or replace the lens cover. I agree with your statement, its a use case.
Yeah I totally abuse my GoPro, I drop it, throw in bags, pockets with keys etc and it’s pretty bulletproof. I love 360 cameras but you just need to know that they need extra care at all times.
Love 360 cameras but always feel like I need to baby it as I'm terrified of scratching the lens. Love my GoPro bc I don't worry about it at all and great quality footage.
@@Richard_FitPku They get scratched up pretty easily. I work with pups and having it even get knocked over will scratch the 360 camera. Whereas I've accidentally forgotten the GoPro on top of my car, driven it off, picked it up and it was just fine.
I am stoked on how easy is to edit 360 videos with X3. I use Me Mode when I shoot invisible stick shots and Single Lens mode 4K when I shoot single lens, I spend just seconds in the editing
I got the 360 x3 a week ago. I find the editing quite simple. It's no more difficult than using Powerdirector with my Fuji (i use the app for insta360). There are some really excellent tutorials on YT.
What an excellent summary of what the X3 is good for - and what it's not good for. Personally I kind of ditch the normal camera mindset when I turn on the X3. It's just something completely different. So I don't particularly mind the extra editing steps because, well, it is what it is. One day I will get to grips with the phone app - despite having had an X1 for some years, and now the X3 for some months, I still just work on the footage on the PC, because as far as I'm concerned, that's where video editing is done! And I don't find it particularly complicated after the first couple of uses. But - we're all different.
Yes I much prefer editing on the PC - I just wish the desktop app had more useful features - just the ability to join clips together would be helpful to so many people.
Yes it's basically like, do you want a point-n-shoot that will do exactly what you tell it but nothing more? Or do you want creative flexibility like an SLR to make your own choices about the scene/content you're making? Or put another way, are you a tourist, or an artist? 😬
Great review - I get asked which is better all the time too - I think I'll send them this link instead of answering, but you are right, both have their pros & cons!! One thing I really like about my X3 is the "set and forget" factor...as long as it's on and recording it captures EVERYTHING, so I can focus on riding and having fun and not being cameraman.
Excellent video and I agree with all your points. I would add that I did my own GoPro11 vs X3 and included tests run during low-light conditions. I was extremely impressed with the X3 and would say it does much better in low light than the GoPro 11.
Thanks for the perfect summary. Been there done that, Got whole lot of footage on insta x3 ended up with lying on hard drive coz it was a lot of time taking post process. Keep posting good stuff. Love from India.
Thanks! I'm still using my X1, and am trying to get back to using my Gopro, but am wondering why(?). Your explanations are spot on. And as stated, the 360 editing get's so much easier, and interesting, with more use!
Never had a 360 camera before, got the x3 yesterday and went on a bike ride, found editing it very easy and intuitive in the mobile app, takes a couple of minutes to get the angle you want, watched a couple of tutorial videos before I started and all good, obviously not as simple as the go pro but really apples to oranges imo
I really find the Insta360 mobile app and desktop app a very wonderful experience. Sure, it does take some time to aim and direct your shots but if anything, it forces you to produce more interesting clips with less uninteresting long-winded footage. It only takes time and a learning curve if you do even need to re-aim the shots, it force/allows more content interest creativity. The insta360 app and cameras have been very reliable. I also appreciate that the footage stays on-camera during editing and only uses mobile device space upon exporting the footage to the phone's gallery. Very cool.
I am a motorcycle rider and want to film my rides for a backup in case I am in a wreck. Which camera would be the best? I'm thinking 🤔 of a GoPro on a chin mount but also have wondered if they make a motorcycle mount for the 360for the top of helmet 🪖? Thanks 🙏👍 for any comments.
Yep. Keyframes can be difficult and arduous. But if you're just wanting a 360 video, then shooting just in 360 is easy with little post processing required. In the end having both 360 and 180 degree cameras just makes sense.
Nonsense. The X3 is already both a 360 and 180 camera. The only reason for gopro to even still exist is when you must have the absolute best image quality/resolution available in that style of camera. Otherwise the X3 with single-lens 4K mode makes the gopro effectively obsolete.
Thank you for the comparisons. For in doors, I probably should continue using my iPhone 14 Pro but get a 360 for outdoors. Can you get an external mic for the Insta360?
Thanks for the work you put into this video, it is great to get an easy to follow comparison of these two front runner action cams. For myself and my needs, I will stay with my GoPro Hero 10 Black that I get great results from, in spite of the short battery life and odd workarounds needed for an external microphone.
Well said. I have an X2 and a GoPro 7, and I use both. I love 360 video, but it really can be tedious to edit. I get better quality reframed 360 video using the desktop app exported at 4K. I know it's upscaled, but it seems to work better than upscaling the 1080p output in my editing suite where I combine it with GoPro footage that is shot in 4K. I've also had a bit of frustration with slow SD card errors on the latest Insta360 firmware, which in the end I had to downgrade again where the errors go away. It's extremely frustrating to find you've setup your 360 camera on your bike, out of sight, you've hit record and you finish your ride and find it didn't record more than about 10 seconds... but I know GoPro has its own reliability issues as well. In case anyone's wondering, I'm using Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards which Insta360 recommends as the ideal card, and they had worked reliably for 18 months until the last firmware update... Anyway, like all things, there are pros and cons to different products, different use cases, and it is a bit frustrating when reviews tend to do direct comparisons, which can be apples and oranges.
Thanks for the comment. I should do a comparison test on a large screen to see how good the upscaling is. Interesting that you’ve had issues with the card speed - it’s worth posting on their facebook page or emailing them about this as the messages do filter through to their tech team. I use Sandusky extreme pro as well but haven’t shot anything recently with the x2.
@Eat Sleep 360 I've got an ongoing email support thread with their engineers. Have tried all sorts of different card formatting tools, benchmark tests etc. They're trying to get to the bottom of it. But definitely looks like a firmware thing since I've not had a problem since downgrading again. Hopefully the engineers get to the bottom of it. Their support is responsive, can't fault that.
Really informative. Been struggling to decide which is best option for motorcycle touring but this has made the choice easier. Great video (going for the gopro 12 for ease of use) Thanks
Another great informative video :-) Which would you recommend and why for someone who needs the camera and accessories to film bullet FAST pets like running, herding, working dogs? Its usually only 1 of us and very rarely 2 to take the dogs and puppies out to work and we need the camera, accessories, mics, clips, etc to be VERY User Friendly, something to use Hands-Free OR to perhaps attach to one of our better behaved dogs to 'see things from their 'perspective' and not a steep learning curve for filming or editing. We have experience in photography with digital and mirrorless cameras such as Canon and some with iPhone 12 Pro with all the bells & whistles But none with GoPro or Insta 360. Thank you!
After 18 months with a Insta360 one r my editing skills are definitely improving. Just bought a computer with enough omph (technical term) to run 360 studio, disappointing there isn't Jump Cut, a very useful feature .
So what would people choose ? I’ve just got in to cameras the last few months using them on my bike . After using a camera from 2018 I want to step it up to something a lot newer and these are the exact 2 I’ve short listed . Which is better battery ? Which is better for catching sunrises and sunsets while riding ?
I bought a GoPro Max because I wanted to play with both styles of shooting. Still experimenting and havent decided what I like most. 360 is cool but sometimes those curved lines are distracting.
I have been on the fence for a while on which camera to buy. Looking to use it outdoors as I am a part time beekeeper. As well as for a dash cam. But with the gopro overheating issues I don't know that it's the right option for me. I don't need the 360 degree view or selfie stick modes. I have been wondering how the insta360 compares to the dji pocket 2 or the osmo action 3.
Great comparison for those of us that already own one or the other. I was interested in the insta 360 microphone and it's not that bad compared to the constantly overheating GoPro.
Thanks so much for your insight Rich. My problem with Gopro is the unreliability. 20% of the time I go to check footage on my Gopro 7 and find it stopped recording a minute after it started. Then more times it may go for 30 mins and just stop. 50% of the time it works just fine. I use it as a black box flight recorder when flying my light plane. Handy to see what I did wrong when the CAA say I have infringed, but no good if it has stopped recording at the crucial moments. High definition is definitely an advantage, as it allows me to see instrument settings in detail, as well as the view outside. Another commentator on YT said the Gopro 11 is no more reliable than the 7. It is time to upgrade and I would buy the X3 to use it single lens mode if it can be relied upon. As a professional TV camera operator, do you find the Gopro 11 reliable enough? What is your opinion of the X3 for reliability and do you know if it can be run from an external battery pack for extended recording time?
Hi Dennis, thanks for the comment - I can see that reliability would be a major concern if you’re using it as a black box flight recorder. Most of the stuff I shoot is 5 min shots where it’s mounted on a jet ski or a person, in a car etc and you get the shot and then mount it somewhere else and for those shorter shots i haven’t had any issues. I have only had the GoPro 11 a short time so haven’t used it enough to say about reliability but the 10 and 7 have always been reliable for these shorter shots. I also do long time lapse shots and the only time the GoPro let me down was when it didn’t stay powered with the attached power bank - luckily I had two cameras set up. The X3 has always been reliable and it’s the most reliable Insta360 camera and yes it does take a power bank or you can use the power stick which is a power bank selfie stick. For longer record times it stops recording after 30min and there’s a 15sec gap and then it starts again so this may be an issue for you. I am certainly aware of the reliability issues with GoPros others have had and my friend Leonard who runs a cycling channel made a video about it recently. I guess I’ve just been lucky. If you do get the X3 I look forward to seeing your future comments.
@@EatSleep360 In regards to the GoPro and power bank: I also got frustrated a couple of times while trying to do long time lapses at night. I set the schedule for a later capture and chose to have the GP shutdown while waiting. When it powered back up, it never used the attached PB. In researching a solution I learned that less sophisticated PBs will timeout and shutdown if they don't sense a minimum power draw. I believe this is what was happening when I told the GP to shutdown. I've since bought a PB that specifically avoids that problem and everything has been fine. However, I also add a measure of security in by not having the GP shutdown while waiting, just to be sure. Hope that helps.
If I were to use it for skiing only, when one would be the ideal choice? I was thinking 360 because I don't need to pay much attention to where I'm pointing my mount, but I also want videos that can pretty much be taken straight out of the camera. I just want to share some footages with family and friends, and to preserve some memories.
360 camera for skiing is amazing - it captures everything which is what you need on the slopes. I’ve used a helmet mount and a wrist mount. You have to be careful on the chairlifts if it’s on your helmet. You can use the snap wizard feature which makes editing easier and is ok for shorter videos. Just be disciplined and shoot a few minutes at a time if you can. Use hand warmers to keep the batteries warm if you have spares. You can watch this video here on the wrist mount, it’s old now but you’ll still see the wrist mount in action ua-cam.com/video/knztGWoEXx0/v-deo.html
@@EatSleep360 I am using currently gopro 8 for skiing and mountaineering and looking for a new model. Looking at those x3 videos taken by others, the video looks somewhat distorted. Example would be a ridge walk, on those 360 videos it just look insane and not natural at all, so viewers don't get an impression of how that ridge or trail/climb/slope looks in reality. Is that due to lack of editing skills?
Yes the x3 can be helmet mounted - I usually use a helmet strap as I don’t trust the sticky mounts. You can convert the 1/4” thread to a GoPro finger mount with a cheap adapter from Amazon if needed.
The main downside for me is that the 360 output in one direction with no distortion is similar to a 1080p video and in many cases a pixelated grainy 1080p, unless you have a bright sunny day. So even with all these option the quality in most situations doesn't come close to the 5.6k Video of a gorpo
1080 is fine for social media but yes I agree and this is one thing some people don’t understand when buying a 360 camera and all they see is 5.6k, they don’t realise it’s shared across the entire image. I look forward to seeing 8k upwards coming out and then we should be able to reframe to higher resolutions. Thanks for the comment
I was on the fence about purchasing a 360 for our vacations. This helped me decide that the 360 would not be a good option for me. I simply do not want to spend any more time editing than I already do with my GoPro. Thank you SO MUCH!
I have the x3 and found i was spending far too much time reframing in the editing. I have 2 gopro 7's. My wife films and I film Then i take the best of that for the final edit. Admittedly you have to be mindful of what you capture.. This saves me so much time. Great video as always. Thanks
For the insta use the app and the Insta360 desktop studio unless you have premiere in which case you can get a plug-in. For GoPro the app is very good and has excellent ai editing but for desktop you can use davinci resolve which is free or premiere if you want to pay.
my question is how it functions well or not with social media?! can one upload to instagram directly from the camera for example? does it have wifi connection and apps for social media platforms? If not, are there other cameras that have such app function so one do not need to use a smartphone or iPad at all for short videos to instagram or similar?... that would be really neat! :)* thanks for the video!
The x3 has integrated social media options within the app but not built into the camera. The same with the GoPro (I think) although the x3 is much better for social media as it has an effects library that a lot of people like using. I’m not sure of any camera that uploads directly to social media - you need to at least trim the start and end of clips so it makes sense to edit it first. Thanks for your comment.
@@EatSleep360 yes, I am used to edit for film ... but now I want a camera only for socialmedia that is small, portable and can edit in the screen of the camera for simple social media things such as with my Fixed Gear Bike or with my dog trips.. I do not want o use a smartphone like apple or google phones like android phones that track me and got a lot of stuff or apps I do not need or want in my equipment! So, this is why I was hoping to find a social media camera that can film, edit and publicise and hopefully send live broadcasts directly from the camera... would be good at invents and demonstrations when one interview people and so on... is there really no such handheld camera with stabiliser that you can upload directly from and make simple editing with.. you know editing good enough forthe news or short clips... :) is my dream and idea to do such projects without the need of a smart phone which I never bring to a demonstration or clumsy DSLR that I never can use when on my fixed Gera bicycle ... you see my point? I want a direct contact with my audience
Thanks for the great information. Since you work in TV I just wanted to ask if the Cameras that are used to film in Car scenes, and out of car angles are done on a go pro? Or do the Beeb use a professional type camera. I do find the quality of those shots quite comparable to their professional video cameras, which makes me question if the idea of buying a full frame like the new ZV E1 from Sony, is even worth the hassle, unless of course there is the need for lens zooming, and low light filming.
Thanks for the comment. For drama and high end productions with bigger budgets they would use full size pro cameras with proper car rigs. Lower budgets would do car to car filming out of car windows and I’ve shot stuff from the back of a car for tv harnessed into the boot. Lower budget tv may use GoPros especially for in car shots and a pov shot on the bonnet. As soon as you rig a full size camera on a car you need more insurance and a bigger risk assessment and also may need to get permission from local council and police dependent on how big the rig is. So TV is a real mix and a lot of productions just don’t want to spend the money to do it properly so crews just do what they can to make it work. The new Sony ZV E1 looks great but I think it’s over priced - it just depends what you want to use your camera for, how big you want it and what features you need.
@@EatSleep360 Thanks for the detailed update regarding the use of Go Pros with TV filming use. Yes, as great as the Zve1 is, not only is it expensive, but so are the decent wide angle lenses you'd need for vlogging. Cheers.👍
That's my thoughts exactly. On location, I'm in flow, picking the shots for the edit. But with the 360 shot, I'm not at home wondering what shot to edit. To the point that I've not edited any holiday vids. The moment has gone. So the edit when done is not the same.
Thank you very much! Very relevant and unbiased. I keep hearing about GoPro quality control issues. I wish you had address that as well. Is is true? How do the cameras compare in reliability overall?
You need a mic adaptor for the X3 and then you can use the rode wireless go. There’s a bracket which keeps the mic receiver invisible in your shots so you can get great sound and reframe anywhere within the 360 image without the receiver or selfie stick showing up. With the GoPro you need the media mod to allow you to plug in a mic. I haven’t compared the sound between the two cameras with an external mic but I know the X3 sound is very good with and without the rode wireless go and I’m sure the GoPro sound will be good as well. You can also change the audio input level on the X3 which is essential to avoid the audio getting over recorded.
Love your content! What program do you use to edit the footage post Insta app? I’ve jump cut and edited plenty, but don’t know how to combine multiple Insta footage from different days together
I have the X2 and X3 for awhile. Never had a issue with them. I got a GOPro Hero 10 and nothing but problems since I have had it. You never know for sure when it will acted up like shutting down or not turning on at all.
I'm thinking of upgrading my old DJI Osmo action. Pros for an Insta X3: -it is kinda both - single lens action cam and 360 for everything else -I don't mind less resolution - I often use just 1080p only anyway -I even have a MetaQuest2 VR headset so I could watch my own footage in 360. Cons against an Insta X3: -I think it is less mountable. You cannot just stand it somewhere like a GoPro without any mini tripod or mount. The selfie pod is a great idea but occupies one of your hands. -I am a bit worried about more fish-eye - even in single lens mode. (i think it is the nature of having a 360 lens - something for something) -What you just explained is also a concern. I don't mind the longer editing or learning curve, however I may overcomplicate things a bit. So less is often more ;)
I agree with your point of view. 360 edit is a huge time consuming process. Creativity has to express itself during the shooting. I sold my real 360. Now using the Insta 360go that is not a 360 despite its name. Thank you for the video
I have the sphere for use on the DJI Air 2 drone, and you ain't kidding about the learning curve! it's steep, frustrating, but very rewarding when finished and done right. Most often shots look robotic due to the app, and to remove this takes many more steps to take away that automated feel when scanning from one direction to another.
I just want the easiest and most reliable camera that will constantly loop, and not miss the scene where someone hits me, pulls out in front of me, road rage, etc., on my bike. I'm leaning towards towards the X3. Any opinions?
I would buy a dedicated dash cam - they are more discrete, cheaper, probably more reliable for continuous filming and you can buy a pack of two so you have the front and rear covered, plus they will have night vision recording.
Just curious since the 360 takes images from both sides of the camera could you set it up between 2 people during an interview and film both people, then in post edit it to show the person talking?
Yes absolutely- you would just need to reframe the the shot in the edit. If you use a pro editor you be would then be able to cut out the camera movement from one person to the next. In the app or studio software you would see the camera pan across (if that makes sense). You can also add a radio mic with two mics and one receiver so you get better sound. Rode or DJI are a good brand to go for although I’ve only tested the Rode.
Found myself revisiting this video after recently selling my x3. Had full intension of purchasing x4 only to find insta360 have removed ability to send gps data and control camera from Apple Watch. Started me re-thinking about whether I really need another 360 or whether I’d be better off with a GoPro 11 or 12. The main issue I found is having lots of 10-20minute clips saved off but never having edited/reframed them. Just so time consuming. Bad enough cutting and tweaking 10 minutes of a standard flat file let alone having to reframe the video as well. Love the idea of 360 cameras and you can get some great shots (plus it can be fun initially editing and reframing). But I could get a GoPro 11 and DJI mini 4k drone for price of the insta360 x4 with an as card and selfie stick now! (And have footage I could immediately watch and use!)
Adding gps with Apple Watch and garmin is a feature of the X4. All I would add is the auto editing feature which reframes and adds music to several clips is now pretty impressive so might be worth considering.
@@EatSleep360 Their promo videos certainly show it but this is the response I recently got from Insta360: “…Yes, the X4 camera is not compatible with the Apple Watch for the time being. But we will try to make them compatible in the future camera firmware version. We are constantly listening, reading, and being told what users would like from Insta360. Your demand has been passed to our related department, but every new feature/product needs to be evaluated and tested whether it launches or not. It takes time to do that. So I'm sorry it is hard for us to tell you the detailed date to solve the issue….”
I have average (or less) technical skills. What is the best camera option for me to use to discretely collect audio and video evidence of my interactions with someone outdoors? I need to collect audio video footage of interactions that occur from time to time and need it to be easy and simple and not obvious. I just bought a Pocket 2 and returned it after having trouble with the App and not liking the terms which require giving up access to a lot of your smartphone and personal data and info. Ideally this camera would be easy on, easy off, simple to download, not obvious and can be used while I am working outdoors but can capture good audio video out to about 30 or 50 feet.
These cameras aren’t designed for that type of filming and neither would be able to pick up audio that far away. You should Google spy cameras or hidden cameras but I have no experience of this type of filming sorry.
@@EatSleep360 I'm not spying on anybody. I'm outside on my own property mining my own business and the neighbors come up to the property line with their dog barking and growling at me to bother me. I just want to shoot video on demand without being obvious as it will cause them to escalate and they are nutso.
Can you please tell which mobile are you using at 2:04 for GoPro video playback and editing.. coz most of the mobiles I've tried on just didn't work out and is laggy/choppy.
I want to buy my first actioncam. I decided to go for the hero9. Is it there a reason i should consider another camera. By the way, i hate the insta360 warped pictures or the lower resulution.
If you don’t want 360 then the hero 9 is a good choice. You can reframe to a natural view with 360 so that there is less distortion. If you want more versatility then 360 is the way to go, it just depends on your needs.
This video is only really looking at "standard" type of video using a 360 camera. Reframing can be used to do this, however the true power of 360 video is allowing the user to look around the whole 360 degrees as if they were there. If your going to buy a 360 camera, don't limit your creativity to standard video...
Yes you have to export it as a 360 video in the app or n the desktop software and then you can load it into the video section of the headset via your desktop. If you’re using the pico4 you can plug it into the side of the headset on a usb stick. Alternatively upload it to UA-cam as a 360 video and then use the UA-cam app in the headset. Hope this helps
I've been subscribed and watching your channel since it started and I find your videos very informative and well produced. Good job! However, since 360 camera is in your channels name, I would really like to see some reviews and comparisons of "entry level" PROFESSIONAL 360 cameras. As a content creator I need to be able to produce video that shows at 4k 60 FPS. Unfortunately, all of Insta360 cameras (except the pro models) are unable to to do so. But, there are many cameras on the market that are nearly the same size as the X3 and produce 8k 30 FPS and/or 4k 60 FPS. These include: Ricoh THETA Z1, Labpano Pilot Era 8K, Ricoh THETA X 360°, Labpano Pilot One (EE) 8K, and that is just a few that I found on B&H Photo. Most of these camera are also available for rent from a company like B&H. Maybe you could rent a few and do a test and comparison? Thank you for your consideration!
Thanks for your comment and for continuing to support my channel and sorry I haven’t been making enough review videos. The Theta ZV1 and Theta X are focused more on 360 photos so virtual tours. You will find review/comparison of these two cameras on Ben Claremont’s channel. Any 360 camera that shoots in 4k won’t be good enough quality especially when it’s been reframed. The Labpano cameras just didn’t seem to have great reviews for video and are now quite old. The 360 Guy and 360 Rumors may have reviews on the cameras you are interested in but I would suggest waiting. There’s a new Labpano camera out soon which may be a good alternative and also one from Qoocam. I will review newer cameras when they get launched and if I can get hold of them but in the meantime I have a number of tips videos and tutorials coming up that I hope you find useful. Thanks, Rich
I use a DGI OSMO Pocket 2, and to me, time spent to edit videos accounts for a big part. As a photographer, I learned a single most useful tip from the bests. Get it right the first time, so you do not have to post process it. This is my motto since. With the X3, you will always need to post-process your shots, maybe not all the time, but very often. With my DGI Pocket 2, editing only consists in cutting to streamline the video.
I have been a 360 camera users since the original insta 360 One. As others have said there is a learning curve, you need to edit (the AI assisted App makes it easier if not entirely useful some instances) and all this means you need to be invested in the camera which will definitely put off many many many many people. However if you are prepared to learn it will give you a new experience which is rewarding.
Thank you for this review. I was in two minds but going to go pro route as I can’t deal with editing for hours. Also wondered about the underwater capability of both cameras and if there was much difference ? Michael down in cornwall :-)
Hi Michael, the GoPro has a better track record when it comes to underwater filming without the need for an extra dive case. The X3 is waterproof to a certain depth (5m I think, maybe more) but I always feel it’s more vulnerable with the extra usb door. There is an extra dive case for the X3 to give you total protection and take you deeper. They have similar capability but the X3 is more vulnerable I would say. Love Cornwall - I was in Polzeath recently. Thanks for the comment.
@@EatSleep360 Thank you so much for coming back to me :-) I watched another review with done on. It doesn’t do well with 360 due to the metal ring all around the dome. I also have a 13 year old daughter who would be as gentle as a heard of buffalo with it so probably the GoPro a little more robust. :-)
Can you just have a video one way and just turn around at what you're looking at? Just like a GoPro 10 without the 360 stuff. And you have to download any stuff to the camera. When you buy it, does it come box ready? I just want to be able to video. Tape it and then turn it around at something.
With the X3 you can shoot in single lens mode which is like a GoPro so you point it in the direction you want to look at. But if you’re not going to use the 360 side then you’re better off getting a GoPro. Out of the box you’ll need to update the firmware and connect to your phone and you’ll need to buy a selfie stick.
A lot of the same things will apply to the ace pro but I will do a video in the new year. The biggest selling point is the low light performance of the ace pro. You can watch my video on it here ua-cam.com/video/vDVNFj2s9qg/v-deo.htmlsi=bljnEGBMDPO-9QLV
Just a quick question i have a hero 9 but have been toying with the idea of x3. What puts me off is the editing i never use my phone i only use Filmora 12 as it is now so question is can you do editing in Filmora? . Thank You
If you want to edit on desktop You will have reframe your shots first using Insta360 studio and then import your clips into filmora to join them all together and add music etc - I have a tutorial here for Insta360 studio ua-cam.com/video/tLINIvnMts8/v-deo.html
Thanks for the comparison…. I’ve been thinking about getting the X3, but was unaware of the editing. Now I’ll be a bit prepared for any challenges it my present, if I decide to get one. Thanks!
Is it possible to use the X3 and upload a 360 video directly to YT to allow people to look around? For example in a venue with a band? And then use YT to look around the room?
You can go live with your 360 camera using the camera and the app at the same time. To create a video to upload later i think there have been issues doing it from the app. Export the 360 video to your desktop from Insta360 studio and then upload to UA-cam. UA-cam should recognise it as a 360 video but it may take several hours to process so upload it as private or unlisted.
One thing missing from this is durability. They are both touted as being action cameras and the GoPro is much more rugged; the lens can be swapped if it is cracked and GoPro support for repair is very good. Smash a lens on the x3 and it’s a long wait for repair as it has to be sent to a service centre.
At one point you say that the X3 'has the creative edge'. I feel it depends. I plan my shots and think about what I'm going to do before I shoot. My creative bent is based on planning. Capture everything and then edit, is not how I work. A really interesting video. Thanks
I've had a camera for a few months, a GoPro 11 and I confirm that it was an error, the camera is plugged into the power bank and I still have problems with the camera freezing in addition there is no option for dates and times on recordings and for the setting menu and the display on the screen of the camera it is very basic it looks like a display menu for telephones from the beginning of the year 2000
I bought 2 GoPro hero 7 blacks in 2019 for motovlog. It is now 2024 and they are very unreliable - freeze, turn off by self, over heat. Also, I bough 3 Hero 8 Blacks, 1 in 2021 and 2 in 2022. All three of those do not work anymore - they flat out stopped working. One hero 8, after being on for 20 seconds, like clock work, repeatedly cycles on and off. The other two freeze after running about 1 minute. I am done with GoPros. All three do not give me any quality recording time. Thinking about getting DJI Action camera.
I am wanting to buy a nice quality camera to make POV videos of my dogs playing, Which camera would be best for this? I also want nice smooth video with amazing stability so it's a nice smooth watching experience. Camera will be mounted using the gopro dog harness on the dogs back.
For mounting to dogs I would choose a GoPro if the dog is big enough to hold it easily on their back. For smaller dogs and for alternative shots you could consider the insta360 GO3 - they have a fetch stick where you can mount the camera at the end of a rubber stick.
Direction lock is your friend. If you intend a single view video, then just lock it. Otherwise, choose portions where you want to focus on. it's not as tedious if you dont want other effects. It would take you a lot of time as well with a gopro if you wanted some other type of editing. Insta360 app already have some templates for shot effects if you explore it. It will save you a lot of time. One thing i really like with the 360 is you dont lose any precious moments. You capture it wherever it's positioned. But then again, these are to my use. You obviously do pro shoots. And gopros will still be better in video quality and with the single purpose of shooting as directed. But with me, with family and unexpected bloopers, 360 is the way to go. 😊 thanks for the wonderful vid. Keep the great work. 😊
Really nice comparison between these to cameras! Exactly what i needed since i am just considering buying one of these devices. Since you seem to be very competent, how would you rate the insta one rs in this regard? Cheers!
The one RS is a great combination of both cameras as you can turn it into a GoPro style single lens camera or a 360 camera. It’s more robust than the x3 but not as pocket friendly. Image quality and features are pretty much the same.
It’s super wide so if you want to capture player movements and the overall feel of the game especially if it’s at a higher angle it will work well. But if you want to zoom in on the action the quality won’t be very good unless the player happens to be closer to the camera.
Great video, thanks! I did wonder about 360 video editing as there are only so many ways you can do it without it being complicated. I'm a beginner at this with not a lot of time so simple is good for me. Turns out you're not far from me at all. If you haven't already done it, (and hopefully without giving too much location away) there's a really good walk and a good view if you go up the gravel footpath, under the underpass and up the hill towards the old Fort. It's best walked in spring before the brambles start to regrow and when the bluebells come out. It's good to know it's there if you find you can't get out of town for any reason. Such as, what feels like 15 years of solid roadworks for example ;-)
Im curious - I’m not familiar with the old fort - is this on the same road that leads to the trig point on the hill ? I am familiar with the life long roadworks though!! 👍
This is my experience too. I had a GoPro 9 camera that never froze and had zero bugs so when I heard all the stories I was like wow I’m lucky! …until they auto updated the firmware on my GoPro 9 and it literally broke the rear screen. Two months, tons of complaining later they still said they wouldn’t replace something they broke in a forced update, and oddly enough they finally DID replace the camera once I complained hard about GoPros on Facebook. …so now I have a super glitchy replacement GoPro with all the freezes and bugs people were talking about because they broke my good one and (very stressfully) replaced it with a bad one. I can’t even leave the batteries in or a bug will randomly turn the camera on when I’m nowhere near it and drain the battery so when the time comes for me to actually use it I have no battery left. Got an X3 after that and the GoPro sits in a drawer somewhere now.
I’ve heard a lot of problems with the 9 in particular- I’m pleased I skipped this model. GoPro has awful customer service, I’m surprised they have managed to stay afloat. Thanks for the comment.
insta360 BLACK FRIDAY SALE until Dec 5th Save up to 15% on X4, 10% on GO3s, 27% on X3 plus free selfie stick or carry case - check it out here: 1store.insta360.com/black-friday?INRVHEV
I have the X3 and was out with family and friends. I had it extended in 360 mode. There was so much going on around me that I would never have been able to capture what I did with a normal camera. You never miss a shot because you are pointing your camera the wrong way. This is by far the the best feature in an action camera.
Ya it is so fun to shoot with. Like you never know what you will get
Exactly, and you can throw your camera everywhere with the stick and get sick angles switches etc.
And not only that: you can literally reframe the same scene multiple ways and string all of them together as if you had multiple cameras running.
@@nowandrew4442 and everyone gets to be a star!
Seems like one of the greatest benefits is being able to edit the same shot for different parts of the timeline over an over again. Compared to the GoPro which is what you see is what you get. Both strong cameras depending on the needs for specific features.
Just started using a Insta360 X3. Took videos in 180 mode (single front facing lens) at our recent match. Those mp4 videos were usable without any processing necessary. Getting up to speed on 360 videos - taken a couple of videos and getting comfortable editing.
Got this crazy thought - since smart phones have lenses front and back, why isn't there an app that can emulate 360 video?
Or does that already exist and I'm simply behind the knowledge curve?
A good compromise is to just pick 4 angles from the 360 view export them and load them into your edit program they can be easy syned using the audio sync tools in say final cut. I do agree with your points and i guess a fix is to take a few 'options' away by exporting the angles you want first.
I use both and love both. And I sometimes I dread the time of the reframing process. I also use a blue tooth wireless mic with both to capture audio at a distance during the action. Thanks for the video! ME Mode on the X3 is an AMAZING selfie-mode option. The Go Pro 11 is really only needed for filming other people or specific shots you know you want.
You dread the reframing, except when you realise the X3 has caught things from start to finish that you only would have been able to partially capture by turning the gopro towards the scene after you noticed it happening.
this is such a wonderful review of the pros/cons of the one x3. I have the x2 and yes, there is a huge learning curve and lots of keyframes/post production and editing that has to be done, but the results are so worth it to me. thank you for putting this together and sharing with us 😁
He's wrong imo. Editing with the insta software on your phone is incredible compared to GoPro useless app
One of my biggest issues with 360 cameras are have to protect the lens. You just can't lay it down. The second day I had my 360 camera, I set it down on the table a Starbucks and it got a scuff on the lens. You can't replace the lens. My GoPro has been tossed in the car, dropped, fallen off a car and all I had to do was wipe it off or replace the lens cover. I agree with your statement, its a use case.
Yeah I totally abuse my GoPro, I drop it, throw in bags, pockets with keys etc and it’s pretty bulletproof. I love 360 cameras but you just need to know that they need extra care at all times.
Love 360 cameras but always feel like I need to baby it as I'm terrified of scratching the lens. Love my GoPro bc I don't worry about it at all and great quality footage.
So does this mean when you record and action shot (snowboarding, cycling etc) the lens protector has to come off? Leaving the camera vulnerable?
@@Richard_FitPku
They get scratched up pretty easily. I work with pups and having it even get knocked over will scratch the 360 camera. Whereas I've accidentally forgotten the GoPro on top of my car, driven it off, picked it up and it was just fine.
Just buy the £20 clear plastic covers
@@alrightdave6135 what are these £20 covers you are talking of?
@@alrightdave6135 went through 2 sets already but yea that is an option for sure
I am stoked on how easy is to edit 360 videos with X3. I use Me Mode when I shoot invisible stick shots and Single Lens mode 4K when I shoot single lens, I spend just seconds in the editing
I got the 360 x3 a week ago. I find the editing quite simple. It's no more difficult than using Powerdirector with my Fuji (i use the app for insta360). There are some really excellent tutorials on YT.
What an excellent summary of what the X3 is good for - and what it's not good for. Personally I kind of ditch the normal camera mindset when I turn on the X3. It's just something completely different. So I don't particularly mind the extra editing steps because, well, it is what it is. One day I will get to grips with the phone app - despite having had an X1 for some years, and now the X3 for some months, I still just work on the footage on the PC, because as far as I'm concerned, that's where video editing is done! And I don't find it particularly complicated after the first couple of uses. But - we're all different.
Yes I much prefer editing on the PC - I just wish the desktop app had more useful features - just the ability to join clips together would be helpful to so many people.
@@EatSleep360 AVIDemux can do the final stage join very simply if peeps just want a join function and don't want to get into a real video editor.
Yes it's basically like, do you want a point-n-shoot that will do exactly what you tell it but nothing more? Or do you want creative flexibility like an SLR to make your own choices about the scene/content you're making? Or put another way, are you a tourist, or an artist? 😬
Great review - I get asked which is better all the time too - I think I'll send them this link instead of answering, but you are right, both have their pros & cons!! One thing I really like about my X3 is the "set and forget" factor...as long as it's on and recording it captures EVERYTHING, so I can focus on riding and having fun and not being cameraman.
Excellent video and I agree with all your points. I would add that I did my own GoPro11 vs X3 and included tests run during low-light conditions. I was extremely impressed with the X3 and would say it does much better in low light than the GoPro 11.
Good to know - thanks for the comment Mark much appreciated
Thanks for the perfect summary. Been there done that, Got whole lot of footage on insta x3 ended up with lying on hard drive coz it was a lot of time taking post process. Keep posting good stuff. Love from India.
Thanks! I'm still using my X1, and am trying to get back to using my Gopro, but am wondering why(?). Your explanations are spot on. And as stated, the 360 editing get's so much easier, and interesting, with more use!
Good video, thanks!
Thanks much appreciated 👍
Never had a 360 camera before, got the x3 yesterday and went on a bike ride, found editing it very easy and intuitive in the mobile app, takes a couple of minutes to get the angle you want, watched a couple of tutorial videos before I started and all good, obviously not as simple as the go pro but really apples to oranges imo
I really find the Insta360 mobile app and desktop app a very wonderful experience. Sure, it does take some time to aim and direct your shots but if anything, it forces you to produce more interesting clips with less uninteresting long-winded footage. It only takes time and a learning curve if you do even need to re-aim the shots, it force/allows more content interest creativity. The insta360 app and cameras have been very reliable. I also appreciate that the footage stays on-camera during editing and only uses mobile device space upon exporting the footage to the phone's gallery. Very cool.
I am a motorcycle rider and want to film my rides for a backup in case I am in a wreck. Which camera would be the best? I'm thinking 🤔 of a GoPro on a chin mount but also have wondered if they make a motorcycle mount for the 360for the top of helmet 🪖? Thanks 🙏👍 for any comments.
Great video and great points. I love the X3, but GoPro footage to me just looks a bit crisper.
It Def if my last 2 videos were 360 and gopro and the gopro video looks way better. I'm guessing it's partly me doing something wrong
Yep. Keyframes can be difficult and arduous. But if you're just wanting a 360 video, then shooting just in 360 is easy with little post processing required. In the end having both 360 and 180 degree cameras just makes sense.
Nonsense. The X3 is already both a 360 and 180 camera. The only reason for gopro to even still exist is when you must have the absolute best image quality/resolution available in that style of camera. Otherwise the X3 with single-lens 4K mode makes the gopro effectively obsolete.
Thank you for the comparisons. For in doors, I probably should continue using my iPhone 14 Pro but get a 360 for outdoors. Can you get an external mic for the Insta360?
Thanks for the work you put into this video, it is great to get an easy to follow comparison of these two front runner action cams. For myself and my needs, I will stay with my GoPro Hero 10 Black that I get great results from, in spite of the short battery life and odd workarounds needed for an external microphone.
Well said. I have an X2 and a GoPro 7, and I use both. I love 360 video, but it really can be tedious to edit. I get better quality reframed 360 video using the desktop app exported at 4K. I know it's upscaled, but it seems to work better than upscaling the 1080p output in my editing suite where I combine it with GoPro footage that is shot in 4K.
I've also had a bit of frustration with slow SD card errors on the latest Insta360 firmware, which in the end I had to downgrade again where the errors go away. It's extremely frustrating to find you've setup your 360 camera on your bike, out of sight, you've hit record and you finish your ride and find it didn't record more than about 10 seconds... but I know GoPro has its own reliability issues as well. In case anyone's wondering, I'm using Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards which Insta360 recommends as the ideal card, and they had worked reliably for 18 months until the last firmware update...
Anyway, like all things, there are pros and cons to different products, different use cases, and it is a bit frustrating when reviews tend to do direct comparisons, which can be apples and oranges.
Thanks for the comment. I should do a comparison test on a large screen to see how good the upscaling is. Interesting that you’ve had issues with the card speed - it’s worth posting on their facebook page or emailing them about this as the messages do filter through to their tech team. I use Sandusky extreme pro as well but haven’t shot anything recently with the x2.
@Eat Sleep 360 I've got an ongoing email support thread with their engineers. Have tried all sorts of different card formatting tools, benchmark tests etc. They're trying to get to the bottom of it. But definitely looks like a firmware thing since I've not had a problem since downgrading again. Hopefully the engineers get to the bottom of it. Their support is responsive, can't fault that.
Nice and succinct review, thanks. Qu: are the Insta 360 video files huge, as it presumably its catching way more pixels than the GoPro at say 4k?
Really informative. Been struggling to decide which is best option for motorcycle touring but this has made the choice easier. Great video (going for the gopro 12 for ease of use) Thanks
Another great informative video :-)
Which would you recommend and why for someone who needs the camera and accessories to film bullet FAST pets like running, herding, working dogs? Its usually only 1 of us and very rarely 2 to take the dogs and puppies out to work and we need the camera, accessories, mics, clips, etc to be VERY User Friendly, something to use Hands-Free OR to perhaps attach to one of our better behaved dogs to 'see things from their 'perspective' and not a steep learning curve for filming or editing. We have experience in photography with digital and mirrorless cameras such as Canon and some with iPhone 12 Pro with all the bells & whistles But none with GoPro or Insta 360.
Thank you!
After 18 months with a Insta360 one r my editing skills are definitely improving.
Just bought a computer with enough omph (technical term) to run 360 studio, disappointing there isn't Jump Cut, a very useful feature .
Thanks for the comment John, glad to hear your skills are improving. Yes the studio software needs a lot of updates.
So what would people choose ? I’ve just got in to cameras the last few months using them on my bike . After using a camera from 2018 I want to step it up to something a lot newer and these are the exact 2 I’ve short listed .
Which is better battery ? Which is better for catching sunrises and sunsets while riding ?
I bought a GoPro Max because I wanted to play with both styles of shooting. Still experimenting and havent decided what I like most. 360 is cool but sometimes those curved lines are distracting.
I have been on the fence for a while on which camera to buy. Looking to use it outdoors as I am a part time beekeeper. As well as for a dash cam. But with the gopro overheating issues I don't know that it's the right option for me. I don't need the 360 degree view or selfie stick modes. I have been wondering how the insta360 compares to the dji pocket 2 or the osmo action 3.
Great comparison for those of us that already own one or the other. I was interested in the insta 360 microphone and it's not that bad compared to the constantly overheating GoPro.
Thanks so much for your insight Rich. My problem with Gopro is the unreliability. 20% of the time I go to check footage on my Gopro 7 and find it stopped recording a minute after it started. Then more times it may go for 30 mins and just stop. 50% of the time it works just fine. I use it as a black box flight recorder when flying my light plane. Handy to see what I did wrong when the CAA say I have infringed, but no good if it has stopped recording at the crucial moments. High definition is definitely an advantage, as it allows me to see instrument settings in detail, as well as the view outside. Another commentator on YT said the Gopro 11 is no more reliable than the 7. It is time to upgrade and I would buy the X3 to use it single lens mode if it can be relied upon. As a professional TV camera operator, do you find the Gopro 11 reliable enough? What is your opinion of the X3 for reliability and do you know if it can be run from an external battery pack for extended recording time?
Hi Dennis, thanks for the comment - I can see that reliability would be a major concern if you’re using it as a black box flight recorder. Most of the stuff I shoot is 5 min shots where it’s mounted on a jet ski or a person, in a car etc and you get the shot and then mount it somewhere else and for those shorter shots i haven’t had any issues. I have only had the GoPro 11 a short time so haven’t used it enough to say about reliability but the 10 and 7 have always been reliable for these shorter shots. I also do long time lapse shots and the only time the GoPro let me down was when it didn’t stay powered with the attached power bank - luckily I had two cameras set up. The X3 has always been reliable and it’s the most reliable Insta360 camera and yes it does take a power bank or you can use the power stick which is a power bank selfie stick. For longer record times it stops recording after 30min and there’s a 15sec gap and then it starts again so this may be an issue for you. I am certainly aware of the reliability issues with GoPros others have had and my friend Leonard who runs a cycling channel made a video about it recently. I guess I’ve just been lucky. If you do get the X3 I look forward to seeing your future comments.
@@EatSleep360 In regards to the GoPro and power bank: I also got frustrated a couple of times while trying to do long time lapses at night. I set the schedule for a later capture and chose to have the GP shutdown while waiting. When it powered back up, it never used the attached PB. In researching a solution I learned that less sophisticated PBs will timeout and shutdown if they don't sense a minimum power draw. I believe this is what was happening when I told the GP to shutdown. I've since bought a PB that specifically avoids that problem and everything has been fine. However, I also add a measure of security in by not having the GP shutdown while waiting, just to be sure. Hope that helps.
If I were to use it for skiing only, when one would be the ideal choice? I was thinking 360 because I don't need to pay much attention to where I'm pointing my mount, but I also want videos that can pretty much be taken straight out of the camera. I just want to share some footages with family and friends, and to preserve some memories.
360 camera for skiing is amazing - it captures everything which is what you need on the slopes. I’ve used a helmet mount and a wrist mount. You have to be careful on the chairlifts if it’s on your helmet. You can use the snap wizard feature which makes editing easier and is ok for shorter videos. Just be disciplined and shoot a few minutes at a time if you can. Use hand warmers to keep the batteries warm if you have spares. You can watch this video here on the wrist mount, it’s old now but you’ll still see the wrist mount in action ua-cam.com/video/knztGWoEXx0/v-deo.html
@@EatSleep360 I am using currently gopro 8 for skiing and mountaineering and looking for a new model. Looking at those x3 videos taken by others, the video looks somewhat distorted. Example would be a ridge walk, on those 360 videos it just look insane and not natural at all, so viewers don't get an impression of how that ridge or trail/climb/slope looks in reality. Is that due to lack of editing skills?
Nicely explained sir 👏 👌 👍 but pls tell me can we mount this on helmet also?
Yes the x3 can be helmet mounted - I usually use a helmet strap as I don’t trust the sticky mounts. You can convert the 1/4” thread to a GoPro finger mount with a cheap adapter from Amazon if needed.
@@EatSleep360 thank you sir ❤️
The main downside for me is that the 360 output in one direction with no distortion is similar to a 1080p video and in many cases a pixelated grainy 1080p, unless you have a bright sunny day. So even with all these option the quality in most situations doesn't come close to the 5.6k Video of a gorpo
1080 is fine for social media but yes I agree and this is one thing some people don’t understand when buying a 360 camera and all they see is 5.6k, they don’t realise it’s shared across the entire image. I look forward to seeing 8k upwards coming out and then we should be able to reframe to higher resolutions. Thanks for the comment
I was on the fence about purchasing a 360 for our vacations. This helped me decide that the 360 would not be a good option for me. I simply do not want to spend any more time editing than I already do with my GoPro. Thank you SO MUCH!
I have the x3 and found i was spending far too much time reframing in the editing.
I have 2 gopro 7's.
My wife films and I film
Then i take the best of that for the final edit.
Admittedly you have to be mindful of what you capture..
This saves me so much time.
Great video as always.
Thanks
Great video! What editing software would you recommend for x360 and go pro ⁉️
For the insta use the app and the Insta360 desktop studio unless you have premiere in which case you can get a plug-in. For GoPro the app is very good and has excellent ai editing but for desktop you can use davinci resolve which is free or premiere if you want to pay.
@@EatSleep360 thank you buddy. 😊🙏
What do you think about the Mevo start cam??
my question is how it functions well or not with social media?! can one upload to instagram directly from the camera for example? does it have wifi connection and apps for social media platforms? If not, are there other cameras that have such app function so one do not need to use a smartphone or iPad at all for short videos to instagram or similar?... that would be really neat! :)* thanks for the video!
The x3 has integrated social media options within the app but not built into the camera. The same with the GoPro (I think) although the x3 is much better for social media as it has an effects library that a lot of people like using. I’m not sure of any camera that uploads directly to social media - you need to at least trim the start and end of clips so it makes sense to edit it first. Thanks for your comment.
@@EatSleep360 yes, I am used to edit for film ... but now I want a camera only for socialmedia that is small, portable and can edit in the screen of the camera for simple social media things such as with my Fixed Gear Bike or with my dog trips.. I do not want o use a smartphone like apple or google phones like android phones that track me and got a lot of stuff or apps I do not need or want in my equipment! So, this is why I was hoping to find a social media camera that can film, edit and publicise and hopefully send live broadcasts directly from the camera... would be good at invents and demonstrations when one interview people and so on... is there really no such handheld camera with stabiliser that you can upload directly from and make simple editing with.. you know editing good enough forthe news or short clips... :) is my dream and idea to do such projects without the need of a smart phone which I never bring to a demonstration or clumsy DSLR that I never can use when on my fixed Gera bicycle ... you see my point? I want a direct contact with my audience
Thanks for the great information.
Since you work in TV I just wanted to ask if the Cameras that are used to film in Car scenes, and out of car angles are done on a go pro? Or do the Beeb use a professional type camera.
I do find the quality of those shots quite comparable to their professional video cameras, which makes me question if the idea of buying a full frame like the new ZV E1 from Sony, is even worth the hassle, unless of course there is the need for lens zooming, and low light filming.
Thanks for the comment. For drama and high end productions with bigger budgets they would use full size pro cameras with proper car rigs. Lower budgets would do car to car filming out of car windows and I’ve shot stuff from the back of a car for tv harnessed into the boot. Lower budget tv may use GoPros especially for in car shots and a pov shot on the bonnet. As soon as you rig a full size camera on a car you need more insurance and a bigger risk assessment and also may need to get permission from local council and police dependent on how big the rig is. So TV is a real mix and a lot of productions just don’t want to spend the money to do it properly so crews just do what they can to make it work. The new Sony ZV E1 looks great but I think it’s over priced - it just depends what you want to use your camera for, how big you want it and what features you need.
@@EatSleep360 Thanks for the detailed update regarding the use of Go Pros with TV filming use.
Yes, as great as the Zve1 is, not only is it expensive, but so are the decent wide angle lenses you'd need for vlogging.
Cheers.👍
That's my thoughts exactly. On location, I'm in flow, picking the shots for the edit. But with the 360 shot, I'm not at home wondering what shot to edit. To the point that I've not edited any holiday vids. The moment has gone. So the edit when done is not the same.
Um curious if they are good for filming at a slight distance - like my kids football games etc
I would say it’s too wide - but it will capture everything you just have to zoom in to get closer shots and you then lose quality
this was a brilliant review. so simple and straight forward man. thanks!
Thank you very much! Very relevant and unbiased. I keep hearing about GoPro quality control issues. I wish you had address that as well. Is is true? How do the cameras compare in reliability overall?
Great video comparison 📸 what about mic in/ out options for vloggers
You need a mic adaptor for the X3 and then you can use the rode wireless go. There’s a bracket which keeps the mic receiver invisible in your shots so you can get great sound and reframe anywhere within the 360 image without the receiver or selfie stick showing up. With the GoPro you need the media mod to allow you to plug in a mic. I haven’t compared the sound between the two cameras with an external mic but I know the X3 sound is very good with and without the rode wireless go and I’m sure the GoPro sound will be good as well. You can also change the audio input level on the X3 which is essential to avoid the audio getting over recorded.
Love your content! What program do you use to edit the footage post Insta app? I’ve jump cut and edited plenty, but don’t know how to combine multiple Insta footage from different days together
Thanks - I use premiere pro but there are some good free ones out there like capcut or Davinci resolve
Thank you for the clear review. Watching from Marudi Sarawak
I have the X2 and X3 for awhile. Never had a issue with them. I got a GOPro Hero 10 and nothing but problems since I have had it. You never know for sure when it will acted up like shutting down or not turning on at all.
Can I use insta 360x3 to record my full court basketball games if attached to a tripod?
I'm thinking of upgrading my old DJI Osmo action.
Pros for an Insta X3:
-it is kinda both - single lens action cam and 360 for everything else
-I don't mind less resolution - I often use just 1080p only anyway
-I even have a MetaQuest2 VR headset so I could watch my own footage in 360.
Cons against an Insta X3:
-I think it is less mountable. You cannot just stand it somewhere like a GoPro without any mini tripod or mount. The selfie pod is a great idea but occupies one of your hands.
-I am a bit worried about more fish-eye - even in single lens mode. (i think it is the nature of having a 360 lens - something for something)
-What you just explained is also a concern. I don't mind the longer editing or learning curve, however I may overcomplicate things a bit. So less is often more ;)
Yes less is more is the way forward with any camera and will save a lot of time and creates a more focused mindset for making videos
Rich, I'd love to see how you'd do a Timelapse video (manual settings, etc). Look forward to your posts, as you've got the best 360 channel out there.
Thanks, much appreciated
Hi, What camera are you using for your up front face presentations?.
I use Sony FX6 with 20mm prime lens
Audio is key 🗝 I use x3 and DJI Action 3 for this reason over gopro and my old gopro hero 7 Black always has issues connecting to app
Can u use the app to edit on a Mac and can u use iMovie to edit as well?
I agree with your point of view. 360 edit is a huge time consuming process. Creativity has to express itself during the shooting. I sold my real 360. Now using the Insta 360go that is not a 360 despite its name. Thank you for the video
I have the sphere for use on the DJI Air 2 drone, and you ain't kidding about the learning curve! it's steep, frustrating, but very rewarding when finished and done right. Most often shots look robotic due to the app, and to remove this takes many more steps to take away that automated feel when scanning from one direction to another.
Great Video, answered the issue I have been struggling with
Super Job mate, helped me make my decision. Thank you.
Glad it helped, thanks for the comment
Wonderful video presentation style, low key and honest. Thanks.
Thanks Paul, much appreciated
I just want the easiest and most reliable camera that will constantly loop, and not miss the scene where someone hits me, pulls out in front of me, road rage, etc., on my bike.
I'm leaning towards towards the X3. Any opinions?
Which Camera would you recommend for use as a Dash Cam? If neither one which camera would you recommend?
I would buy a dedicated dash cam - they are more discrete, cheaper, probably more reliable for continuous filming and you can buy a pack of two so you have the front and rear covered, plus they will have night vision recording.
Can you add downloaded music from UA-cam to Insta insta360 if you are an Android user?
Just curious since the 360 takes images from both sides of the camera could you set it up between 2 people during an interview and film both people, then in post edit it to show the person talking?
Yes absolutely- you would just need to reframe the the shot in the edit. If you use a pro editor you be would then be able to cut out the camera movement from one person to the next. In the app or studio software you would see the camera pan across (if that makes sense). You can also add a radio mic with two mics and one receiver so you get better sound. Rode or DJI are a good brand to go for although I’ve only tested the Rode.
good one....as an editor i agree....just shoot the shots you need
Found myself revisiting this video after recently selling my x3. Had full intension of purchasing x4 only to find insta360 have removed ability to send gps data and control camera from Apple Watch. Started me re-thinking about whether I really need another 360 or whether I’d be better off with a GoPro 11 or 12. The main issue I found is having lots of 10-20minute clips saved off but never having edited/reframed them. Just so time consuming. Bad enough cutting and tweaking 10 minutes of a standard flat file let alone having to reframe the video as well. Love the idea of 360 cameras and you can get some great shots (plus it can be fun initially editing and reframing). But I could get a GoPro 11 and DJI mini 4k drone for price of the insta360 x4 with an as card and selfie stick now! (And have footage I could immediately watch and use!)
Adding gps with Apple Watch and garmin is a feature of the X4. All I would add is the auto editing feature which reframes and adds music to several clips is now pretty impressive so might be worth considering.
@@EatSleep360 Their promo videos certainly show it but this is the response I recently got from Insta360: “…Yes, the X4 camera is not compatible with the Apple Watch for the time being. But we will try to make them compatible in the future camera firmware version.
We are constantly listening, reading, and being told what users would like from Insta360. Your demand has been passed to our related department, but every new feature/product needs to be evaluated and tested whether it launches or not. It takes time to do that. So I'm sorry it is hard for us to tell you the detailed date to solve the issue….”
I have average (or less) technical skills. What is the best camera option for me to use to discretely collect audio and video evidence of my interactions with someone outdoors? I need to collect audio video footage of interactions that occur from time to time and need it to be easy and simple and not obvious. I just bought a Pocket 2 and returned it after having trouble with the App and not liking the terms which require giving up access to a lot of your smartphone and personal data and info. Ideally this camera would be easy on, easy off, simple to download, not obvious and can be used while I am working outdoors but can capture good audio video out to about 30 or 50 feet.
These cameras aren’t designed for that type of filming and neither would be able to pick up audio that far away. You should Google spy cameras or hidden cameras but I have no experience of this type of filming sorry.
@@EatSleep360 I'm not spying on anybody. I'm outside on my own property mining my own business and the neighbors come up to the property line with their dog barking and growling at me to bother me. I just want to shoot video on demand without being obvious as it will cause them to escalate and they are nutso.
Can you please tell which mobile are you using at 2:04 for GoPro video playback and editing.. coz most of the mobiles I've tried on just didn't work out and is laggy/choppy.
iPhone 14 pro Max
I want to buy my first actioncam. I decided to go for the hero9. Is it there a reason i should consider another camera. By the way, i hate the insta360 warped pictures or the lower resulution.
If you don’t want 360 then the hero 9 is a good choice. You can reframe to a natural view with 360 so that there is less distortion. If you want more versatility then 360 is the way to go, it just depends on your needs.
How about DJI Osmo camera against Gopro11?
This video is only really looking at "standard" type of video using a 360 camera. Reframing can be used to do this, however the true power of 360 video is allowing the user to look around the whole 360 degrees as if they were there. If your going to buy a 360 camera, don't limit your creativity to standard video...
good. Just got mine and started editing! AS you said no one told you about the amount of work needed to edit. well lucky i got time to learn 🙂
Is there a way to connect a VR headset and watch the videos from X3 as if you were there?
Yes you have to export it as a 360 video in the app or n the desktop software and then you can load it into the video section of the headset via your desktop. If you’re using the pico4 you can plug it into the side of the headset on a usb stick. Alternatively upload it to UA-cam as a 360 video and then use the UA-cam app in the headset. Hope this helps
I've been subscribed and watching your channel since it started and I find your videos very informative and well produced. Good job! However, since 360 camera is in your channels name, I would really like to see some reviews and comparisons of "entry level" PROFESSIONAL 360 cameras. As a content creator I need to be able to produce video that shows at 4k 60 FPS. Unfortunately, all of Insta360 cameras (except the pro models) are unable to to do so. But, there are many cameras on the market that are nearly the same size as the X3 and produce 8k 30 FPS and/or 4k 60 FPS. These include: Ricoh THETA Z1, Labpano Pilot Era 8K, Ricoh THETA X 360°, Labpano Pilot One (EE) 8K, and that is just a few that I found on B&H Photo. Most of these camera are also available for rent from a company like B&H. Maybe you could rent a few and do a test and comparison? Thank you for your consideration!
Thanks for your comment and for continuing to support my channel and sorry I haven’t been making enough review videos. The Theta ZV1 and Theta X are focused more on 360 photos so virtual tours. You will find review/comparison of these two cameras on Ben Claremont’s channel. Any 360 camera that shoots in 4k won’t be good enough quality especially when it’s been reframed. The Labpano cameras just didn’t seem to have great reviews for video and are now quite old. The 360 Guy and 360 Rumors may have reviews on the cameras you are interested in but I would suggest waiting. There’s a new Labpano camera out soon which may be a good alternative and also one from Qoocam. I will review newer cameras when they get launched and if I can get hold of them but in the meantime I have a number of tips videos and tutorials coming up that I hope you find useful. Thanks, Rich
I use a DGI OSMO Pocket 2, and to me, time spent to edit videos accounts for a big part. As a photographer, I learned a single most useful tip from the bests. Get it right the first time, so you do not have to post process it.
This is my motto since. With the X3, you will always need to post-process your shots, maybe not all the time, but very often.
With my DGI Pocket 2, editing only consists in cutting to streamline the video.
I have been a 360 camera users since the original insta 360 One. As others have said there is a learning curve, you need to edit (the AI assisted App makes it easier if not entirely useful some instances) and all this means you need to be invested in the camera which will definitely put off many many many many people.
However if you are prepared to learn it will give you a new experience which is rewarding.
Thank you for this review. I was in two minds but going to go pro route as I can’t deal with editing for hours. Also wondered about the underwater capability of both cameras and if there was much difference ? Michael down in cornwall :-)
Hi Michael, the GoPro has a better track record when it comes to underwater filming without the need for an extra dive case. The X3 is waterproof to a certain depth (5m I think, maybe more) but I always feel it’s more vulnerable with the extra usb door. There is an extra dive case for the X3 to give you total protection and take you deeper. They have similar capability but the X3 is more vulnerable I would say. Love Cornwall - I was in Polzeath recently. Thanks for the comment.
@@EatSleep360 Thank you so much for coming back to me :-) I watched another review with done on. It doesn’t do well with 360 due to the metal ring all around the dome. I also have a 13 year old daughter who would be as gentle as a heard of buffalo with it so probably the GoPro a little more robust. :-)
Can you just have a video one way and just turn around at what you're looking at? Just like a GoPro 10 without the 360 stuff. And you have to download any stuff to the camera. When you buy it, does it come box ready? I just want to be able to video. Tape it and then turn it around at something.
With the X3 you can shoot in single lens mode which is like a GoPro so you point it in the direction you want to look at. But if you’re not going to use the 360 side then you’re better off getting a GoPro. Out of the box you’ll need to update the firmware and connect to your phone and you’ll need to buy a selfie stick.
Hey , do you have any idea where to get the original insta 360 dive case for the X2 in the US ?
You could try aliexpress or maybe b&h New York
@@EatSleep360 ok wow would not think of Ali express .... thanks ! Let's see how it works ( quality wise )
How about the X3 vs the new Ace Pro?
A lot of the same things will apply to the ace pro but I will do a video in the new year. The biggest selling point is the low light performance of the ace pro. You can watch my video on it here ua-cam.com/video/vDVNFj2s9qg/v-deo.htmlsi=bljnEGBMDPO-9QLV
Just a quick question i have a hero 9 but have been toying with the idea of x3. What puts me off is the editing i never use my phone i only use Filmora 12 as it is now so question is can you do editing in Filmora? .
Thank You
If you want to edit on desktop You will have reframe your shots first using Insta360 studio and then import your clips into filmora to join them all together and add music etc - I have a tutorial here for Insta360 studio ua-cam.com/video/tLINIvnMts8/v-deo.html
Thanks for the comparison…. I’ve been thinking about getting the X3, but was unaware of the editing. Now I’ll be a bit prepared for any challenges it my present, if I decide to get one.
Thanks!
Thanks for the comment - check out the snap wizard tutorial at the end as this is an easier way to edit.
@@EatSleep360 , Thanks, I’ll check it out.
This has been very helpful. Thank you! I have a GoPro but considering the 360 for my rides.
Do you know if there is a solution for using ND Filters? Want to remove Prop Wobble in my plane.
With the ONE R freewell sell nd filters for the 360 mod but there’s nothing available for the x3 unfortunately
@@EatSleep360 Thanks. Hopefully they come available someday soon. :)
Is it possible to use the X3 and upload a 360 video directly to YT to allow people to look around? For example in a venue with a band? And then use YT to look around the room?
You can go live with your 360 camera using the camera and the app at the same time. To create a video to upload later i think there have been issues doing it from the app. Export the 360 video to your desktop from Insta360 studio and then upload to UA-cam. UA-cam should recognise it as a 360 video but it may take several hours to process so upload it as private or unlisted.
@Eat Sleep 360 Thank you - Im just in the process of getting one if it'll do the trick - ALways up for a challenge :)
Thanks for the video. Important inputs. Made me rethink and reevaluate my desire for the 360. Cheers
One thing missing from this is durability. They are both touted as being action cameras and the GoPro is much more rugged; the lens can be swapped if it is cracked and GoPro support for repair is very good. Smash a lens on the x3 and it’s a long wait for repair as it has to be sent to a service centre.
If they bring out an X4 I hope they address this and have lens guards similar to the GoPro or user replaceable lenses.
At one point you say that the X3 'has the creative edge'. I feel it depends. I plan my shots and think about what I'm going to do before I shoot. My creative bent is based on planning. Capture everything and then edit, is not how I work.
A really interesting video. Thanks
I've had a camera for a few months, a GoPro 11 and I confirm that it was an error, the camera is plugged into the power bank and I still have problems with the camera freezing in addition there is no option for dates and times on recordings and for the setting menu and the display on the screen of the camera it is very basic it looks like a display menu for telephones from the beginning of the year 2000
To learn the fastest way to edit your 360 videos without learning keyframes you can watch this video next: ua-cam.com/video/E7jISqayeRk/v-deo.html
I bought 2 GoPro hero 7 blacks in 2019 for motovlog. It is now 2024 and they are very unreliable - freeze, turn off by self, over heat. Also, I bough 3 Hero 8 Blacks, 1 in 2021 and 2 in 2022. All three of those do not work anymore - they flat out stopped working. One hero 8, after being on for 20 seconds, like clock work, repeatedly cycles on and off. The other two freeze after running about 1 minute. I am done with GoPros. All three do not give me any quality recording time. Thinking about getting DJI Action camera.
I am wanting to buy a nice quality camera to make POV videos of my dogs playing, Which camera would be best for this? I also want nice smooth video with amazing stability so it's a nice smooth watching experience. Camera will be mounted using the gopro dog harness on the dogs back.
For mounting to dogs I would choose a GoPro if the dog is big enough to hold it easily on their back. For smaller dogs and for alternative shots you could consider the insta360 GO3 - they have a fetch stick where you can mount the camera at the end of a rubber stick.
Thankssss a ton for making this video!!! I own a GoPro 11, & all these “cool” videos of the 360. But, here’s getting to the point! Thanks!
Direction lock is your friend. If you intend a single view video, then just lock it. Otherwise, choose portions where you want to focus on. it's not as tedious if you dont want other effects. It would take you a lot of time as well with a gopro if you wanted some other type of editing. Insta360 app already have some templates for shot effects if you explore it. It will save you a lot of time. One thing i really like with the 360 is you dont lose any precious moments. You capture it wherever it's positioned. But then again, these are to my use. You obviously do pro shoots. And gopros will still be better in video quality and with the single purpose of shooting as directed. But with me, with family and unexpected bloopers, 360 is the way to go. 😊 thanks for the wonderful vid. Keep the great work. 😊
Thanks for the comment, much appreciated
Really nice comparison between these to cameras! Exactly what i needed since i am just considering buying one of these devices. Since you seem to be very competent, how would you rate the insta one rs in this regard?
Cheers!
The one RS is a great combination of both cameras as you can turn it into a GoPro style single lens camera or a 360 camera. It’s more robust than the x3 but not as pocket friendly. Image quality and features are pretty much the same.
Wow that was fast! 🙏
hey guys... I ve seen videos of pple using the x3 to film kid footie matches from the sidelines... would that work well?
It’s super wide so if you want to capture player movements and the overall feel of the game especially if it’s at a higher angle it will work well. But if you want to zoom in on the action the quality won’t be very good unless the player happens to be closer to the camera.
Great review of Insta360 X3 and GoPro11 @Eat Sleep 360! Thanks for sharing this video. Now, I know which sports cam I'm gonna buy for my vlogging. 👋🤩
Great video, thanks! I did wonder about 360 video editing as there are only so many ways you can do it without it being complicated. I'm a beginner at this with not a lot of time so simple is good for me.
Turns out you're not far from me at all. If you haven't already done it, (and hopefully without giving too much location away) there's a really good walk and a good view if you go up the gravel footpath, under the underpass and up the hill towards the old Fort. It's best walked in spring before the brambles start to regrow and when the bluebells come out. It's good to know it's there if you find you can't get out of town for any reason. Such as, what feels like 15 years of solid roadworks for example ;-)
Im curious - I’m not familiar with the old fort - is this on the same road that leads to the trig point on the hill ? I am familiar with the life long roadworks though!! 👍
This is my experience too. I had a GoPro 9 camera that never froze and had zero bugs so when I heard all the stories I was like wow I’m lucky!
…until they auto updated the firmware on my GoPro 9 and it literally broke the rear screen. Two months, tons of complaining later they still said they wouldn’t replace something they broke in a forced update, and oddly enough they finally DID replace the camera once I complained hard about GoPros on Facebook.
…so now I have a super glitchy replacement GoPro with all the freezes and bugs people were talking about because they broke my good one and (very stressfully) replaced it with a bad one. I can’t even leave the batteries in or a bug will randomly turn the camera on when I’m nowhere near it and drain the battery so when the time comes for me to actually use it I have no battery left.
Got an X3 after that and the GoPro sits in a drawer somewhere now.
I’ve heard a lot of problems with the 9 in particular- I’m pleased I skipped this model. GoPro has awful customer service, I’m surprised they have managed to stay afloat. Thanks for the comment.