Insta360 X3

I have never owned a GoPro, but started 360 photography in 2005 with a mirror-ball add on for a digital camera. I’ve owned 360 cams from Giroptic, RICOH, Kodak and now have Insta360 and DJI. While my RICOH had better photos than the ONE X2, I got a ONE X2 because it had better software and was more fun. I instantly used a "worse" camera more than any of the other models I had. As I moved from X2 to X3 to X4 to X5, each comparison always had some things I thought the earlier model did better. With my DJI Osmo 360, I got it specifically for low light, hoping it might be my "go to" for low light situations, and the X5 for everything else. I’ve already seen alot of footage comparing it to other cameras, and some things look better on the Max 2, and other things look worse. Personal preference is a b-tch ;) What do you expect the niche of the Max 2 to be? What are the things that GoPro does better?

I have the x3. Same perks, honestly, but it peaks at 4k. I use it for my motorcycle rides. It's effectively my dashcam. Only downside I have in that use case, is I really need to carry a spare battery and an external battery charger, as it dies after about 1-2 hours of riding. I went for a 4 hour ride, and it died in the middle. The most exciting parts I missed entirely due to the battery life. I have a USB to charge my phone on the bike, so it would be easy enough to plug in the spare battery while I ride and then swap when I need to, but I don't know they have an external battery charger. 

I have the insta360 one X3 and if it’s in good lighting it’s fine. For normal scuba (up to about 8-9 meters) I prefer the colors of GoPro. But check the reviews for the new action cameras (DJI/insta Ace Pro 2, they’ve come a long way). There’s scuba related reviews (Matthias Lebo or Dive In).

The Insta360 ski pole mount is awesome. I have had an X3 for a couple of years and ordered an X5 on Black Friday. But it is more for piste skiing, not off-piste. Off-piste you need a head/chest mount. I wouldn't use a non-360 camera for any sort of POV footage now, the ability to reframe it is gold. The follow-cam footage and pieces to camera in these reviews are shot with an Ace Pro and the POV is all X3. Looking forward to testing out the X5. [https://www.youtube.com/@Aussieskier/videos](https://www.youtube.com/@Aussieskier/videos) This video is a good example of how well-stabilised a 360 head cam is: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1yJGZxs5GQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1yJGZxs5GQ)

I have an Ace Pro, X3 and just got an X5. Remember that the X5 resolution is spread out over the entire sphere so you’re nowhere near 4k if you crop your field to a typical 16:9 action cam focal length/POV. So it’s horses for courses, if you want a conventional hi res camera, Ace Pro 2 is the right tool, but if you want an infinitely reframe-able, stabilised view then X5 is amazing

You want action or 360? If you need 360, that's not one camera, it's 2. It's affordable. It's 4k - but clumsy. Really needs phone/desktop software to work, and that's kinda clumsy. I've had 3 360 cams. - ricoh theta sc (ok, old, can do one button image or long press video.) - moto z phone with 360 cam addon (amazing? The moto z 360 addon was going for $50. Decent quality, but bring party of the phone made the interface amazing.) - insta 360 x3 - current. Had accessories like lens protectors (important!) interface on the camera itself is great. Can shoot RAW if you want to attempt processing the image yourself. I looked at the Kodak and considered it, but paid the little extra for the 360. Usability is worth it. None of these give great video, but the images are quite nice. VLC can open either. The 360 x3 video was a nice bump, but if you don't need 360, a regular action can will give better video.

I just got an Insta 360 X3 and in the future to get better footage I’m going to buy some [shot poles](https://shotpoles.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor-SCwEBmZXxHaP5b7DaIvQDhUELERJnHPtd7vfEoYrFTkywzjo) that might be your solution if you’re down to spend $150 on poles

Same here. I use my X3 a ton and didn’t see a big need to go to X4. But looks like a no brainer to go to the X5 for low light alone. X3 low light is just unusable.

Agree totally here. Also have been using 360 cameras since Theta as well. Feel like X3 was first camera could really use and wasn’t gimmicky. Issue has always been anything but perfect lighting and not usable. If the X5 is really that much better in low light makes a huge improvement.

A 360 is cool too. I use the Insta360 X3. I’m intrigued by the new DJI 360 though. I’m a big an of DJI stuff. Just works well.

Agree regarding the lenses. I keep the covers on my X3 and use it for specialty shots and then the Osmo4 for most stuff, which does have a replaceable lens. …and when stuff happens, I add it to the pile of smashed action cameras and gimbals:)

Was about to post the same: Buy a used X3. X3 footage is still pretty spectacular with the right settings.