Like an observer that follows you and a camera that lets you walk through the images - the Insta360 X3 exudes magic and brings your photos and videos into a whole new perspective while on vacation. I vacillate between great enthusiasm and a certain aversion to the innovative 360-degree camera. What strengths and weaknesses does the cam have? Who is it suitable for? In my detailed Insta360 X3 test, I checked the model in detail for you in everyday life and when traveling.

The recording seems like magic - as if a cameraman is walking behind you and filming you whatever you are doing. And wherever you are. But you have the cam in your own hands. With an invisible selfie stick. The camera follows you and shows your surroundings.

I could look at Insta360 photos and videos all day long. You can practically move around in the recordings - zoom out, zoom in, rotate. You see yourself and the surroundings with that Gadget from a whole new perspective. This is when traveling and in Vacation of course a special pleasure.

The Insta360 X3 takes magical shots from a third-person perspective. It is my camera for unusual shots that complements my main Sony Alpha and iPhone cameras. The X3 also replaces my drone when drone flights are not permitted or desired.

Sascha Tegtmeyer, travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com

The Insta360 for special use cases

The Insta360 X3 is fascinating. Unfortunately, the image quality still leaves something to be desired. The images are slightly discolored and become a bit pixelated towards the edges. However, the whole way of shooting is so innovative and special that I can't get over the image quality. Whether you will like the camera depends on the individual case and use case.

I'm a blogger and influencer - I tell stories with my pictures. The recordings don't have to be perfect. It's enough if they captivate the audience. The Insta360 Destination are prohibited. If you're a demanding photographer, the Insta360 won't necessarily excite you. The image quality is not yet good enough for that.

Video – Insta360 X3 review

Below I have selected an informative video for you with an insightful Insta360 X3 test report. This will give you a different impression of the cam.

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My experiences with the 360 ​​degree action camera

This is how the Insta360 X3 performs in the test

On my last trip I was alone. I discovered the island of Krk in Croatia and had the Insta360 X3 with me while hiking. This was a wise decision because it made filming and taking photos during my tours much easier. With the 3m selfie stick you can film incredibly exciting perspectives. And with the short, invisible selfie stick you can record yourself from a third person perspective.

You take exciting videos and photos from a 360-degree perspective that help viewers Instagram or on yours Travel Blog give exciting insights into the places you are. In my opinion, the Insta360 X3 is intended more as an addition to your photography setup and is less suitable as a standalone camera. I use mine iPhone 15 Pro Max and my Sony Alpha as primary cameras.

And the Insta360 as a supplement to take videos and photos from further perspectives. I think that's what the manufacturer intended. To be a camera for all occasions, the features of the cam are simply too specific.

intuitive operation

The great thing about the Insta360 X3 is that it is so intuitive to use. You switch it on, make some settings using the touch display and get started straight away. At the beginning you have to get a feeling for how to hold the camera in order to get the best possible shots. You'll need to experiment a bit to figure out how to find the optimal angle and perspective. You can look at your photos on the integrated display and see how the shot turned out.

My highlight – moving around in the photos and videos

My highlight with the Insta360 X3 is that you can move around in the recordings in the app. You can zoom and change perspective. You can view the location where you took the photo from all perspectives. Although I mainly use the cam as a blogger and influencer, I really enjoy it Pictures just look at it again in the app and move around. This is my personal highlight of the cam. For that alone I give a purchase recommendation.

Numerous setting options

You have numerous setting options that you can change in the Insta360 X3 menu. On the one hand, you can switch between photos and videos - with or without HDR - as well as numerous other videos such as slow motion and time lapse. You can of course also set a shutter release delay. I basically set everything to automatic. I didn't want to worry too much about the individual settings, I just wanted to document my journey with the cam.

Not without a selfie stick – replacement for a drone?

You can also use the Insta360 X3 without a selfie stick, but I don't think the shots will be very successful. You would then have to put it down somewhere or place it on a tripod. If you hold it in your hand while taking photos, you will cover a large part of the 360-degree photo or video. Accordingly, it makes sense to only use the camera hands-free like an action cam in single-lens mode.

Accordingly, you need the invisible selfie stick to exploit the full potential of the camera - or to be able to use the potential of the cam in the first place. This means you take the third person perspective. You can reliably film yourself from behind, in front, above or below, while it looks as if an external cameraman or drone is filming you.

Take drone shots with a 3 meter selfie stick

To create shots that look like they were taken by a drone, you need the extra-long 3m selfie stick, which you have to fully extend. But then you get amazing images that really look like they were taken by a low-flying drone.

I used this extensively in Croatia to take landscape photos of myself while hiking. This function of the Insta360

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Strengths and weaknesses of the Insta360 X3

In my Insta360 X3 test, the camera showed many strengths and also some weaknesses. Whether you will be enthusiastic about the camera depends entirely on its intended use. If photo quality and video quality aren't that important to you because it's the content that matters, then you'll like the cam. If you expect perfect image quality, you can easily be disappointed. But the cam has great potential and the image quality will certainly be significantly improved in future versions.

In addition, the memory management gave me a bit of trouble. You have the recordings, which require a lot of storage space, on the cam and upload them to your smartphone using the app. If you want to back up the pictures and videos, you have to at least leave them on your smartphone. I wanted to transfer the original files to external storage via the desktop. Once you remove them from the cam's memory card, there's no going back. You can then only edit them using the desktop app on Windows and Mac. But that works perfectly.

Power

• Completely new perspectives for photos and videos
• Exciting shots from a third person perspective
• With a 3m selfie stick, drone shots are even possible
• The Insta360 app is clear and intuitive
• Photos and videos can be extensively edited
• Post-processing possible on a desktop computer
• Numerous possible applications and great compatibility

weaknesses

• Image quality can still be improved significantly
• Requires a lot of memory on the smartphone
• Saving and sorting the recordings is a bit complicated

test conclusion

I no longer travel without the Insta360 X3. It is suitable for bloggers, influencers and digital creators and is an ideal complement to the large cam and smartphone camera. It is also for users who want to inspire their family and friends with new photo perspectives. But it is just a supplement and certainly not a replacement. The camera is ideal for visual storytelling - when you have a story to tell. However, if you want to take particularly high-quality recordings, the action cam is not the right one. Then you might want to use a mirrorless system camera or a modern smartphone.

Insta360 X3 compared to its predecessor Insta360 X2

At around 360 euros (including German VAT), the Insta3 X500 is not exactly cheap. This raises the question of whether you can fall back on the previous model. I would clearly say no, because the cam is not yet sophisticated enough for the improvements to be just nuances. The Insta360 X3 is significantly better than its predecessor.

Better battery

The Insta360 X3 offers several advantages over the Insta360 One X2 that could make it a better choice for users. First of all, the X3 has a higher battery capacity of 1800mAh, compared to 1630mAh on the One X2, which means about 10 percent improved battery life. This allows for longer recording times without the need to frequently charge the battery.

More flexibility

Another important feature of the X3 is the adjustable field of view, which offers more flexibility when shooting and allows you to adjust the perspective as needed. When it comes to aperture, the X3 also performs better, with a 5% larger aperture at minimum focal length (f/1.9 compared to f/2.0 on the One X2), resulting in better low-light performance.

Significantly better resolution

In terms of image quality, the X3 offers a significantly higher resolution with 72 megapixels in the main camera, compared to 18,4 megapixels on the One This results in sharper and more detailed images. The X2 is also superior when it comes to video recording, with a 3,91 Mbps higher bit rate (3 Mbps compared to 20 Mbps for the One X120), which ensures better video quality.

AF tracking

Another useful feature of the X3 is AF tracking, which helps track moving objects while recording video, which is missing from the One X2. The X3 is also equipped with a newer Bluetooth version (5.0 compared to 4.2 on the One X2), which ensures a more stable and faster connection. Finally, the X3 supports continuous shooting, a feature that's particularly useful for fast-paced action scenes.

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How does the Insta360 compare to the competition?

I haven't yet had the opportunity to test the main competing products for the Insta360 X3. For me, the 360-degree cam replaces the GoPro Hero 11, which of course offers a completely different format and is therefore only comparable to a limited extent. I was also amazed that Kodak had a competing product. Of course you could try this again in the future. Below is a video test report in which the most important alternatives to the Insta360 X3 are tested.

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Features of the Insta360 X3

The Insta360 X3 is a groundbreaking action camera that sets new standards in 360° videography. It allows you to record vivid 5,7K 360° videos, making creative possibilities almost limitless. With the Insta360 app's AI-powered reframing tools, users can easily align their shots and share them directly to social media without suffering any loss of quality.

48MP 1/2″ sensors

A key feature of the X3 is its 1/2″ 48MP sensors, which ensure improved sharpness and detail – even in difficult lighting conditions. Additionally, the camera sets new standards in the industry with its ability to capture 360° photos at up to 72 megapixels.

HDR mode

The X3 offers an innovative 360° Active HDR mode that brings details to the fore even in challenging lighting conditions. For solo shooting, single-lens mode offers 4K first-person perspectives, while first-person mode allows for unique self-portraits at 60 fps without the need for a selfie stick. This invisible selfie stick also allows for breathtaking third-person perspectives that were previously difficult to achieve.

FlowState stabilization

Another outstanding feature is the FlowState stabilization, which, in combination with the 360° horizon lock, ensures stable recordings even during extreme movements. Time-lapse videos can be recorded in stunning 8K quality, and the Bullet Time feature offers Hollywood-ready slow-motion footage.

IPX8 waterproof

The pre-recording feature ensures no important moment is missed, while the loop recording mode turns the X3 into an effective dashcam. The camera is also IPX8 waterproof up to a depth of 10 meters and is characterized by a robust construction with tempered glass on the touchscreen.

Improved battery

In addition to easy handling and vibration feedback, the X3 also offers improved voice control and 50% faster Wi-Fi data transfers compared to the previous model. The powerful 1800mAh battery ensures long-lasting performance.

When it comes to audio, the X3 offers excellent sound quality with four microphones and an improved algorithm. The Quick Reader function significantly speeds up data transfer and editing.

With additional features such as automatic framing, Snap Wizard for easy reframing, Deep Track 2.0 for tracking moving objects, Photo Animator and the Shot Lab app, the X3 offers comprehensive possibilities for creative video and photography. It also supports 360° live streaming and can be used as a webcam for online meetings.

All statements are without guarantee.

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Insta360 X3 specifications

Technical data	Details
cover	f / 1,9
35 mm equivalent focal length	6,7 mm
picture resolution	72MP (11968x5984) 18MP (5952x2976)
video Resolution	360° mode: – 5.7K: 5760 * 2880@30/25/24fps – 4K: 3840 * 1920@60/50/30/25/24fps – 3K: 3008 * 1504@100fps Single lens mode: – 4K: 3840 x 2160 @ 30/25/24 fps – 3,6K: 3584x2016 @ 60/50/30/25/24 fps – 2,7K: 2720x1530 @ 60/50/30/25/24 fps – 1080P: 1920x1088 @ 60/50/30/25/24 fps
Photo formats	insp, DNG Raw
video formats	Single lens: MP4 360°: INV
Photo modes	Standard, HDR, Series, Interval, Starlapse
Video modes	Standard, Active HDR, Time Lapse, TimeShift, Bullet Time, Loop Recording, Pre-Recording
color profiles	Lively, Standard, LOG
Weight	180 g
Dimensions (W × H × D)	46,0 * 114,0 * 33,1 mm
Runtime	up to 81 min
Max. Video bit rate	120 MBit / s
Gyro	6-axis gyro
Compatible devices	iOS devices (A11 or higher), Android devices (Kirin 980/Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 or better)
Live streaming	360 Live, Reframe Live
exposure value	± 4EV
ISO range	100-3200
shutter speed	Photo: 1/8000 – 120 s Video: 1/8000 - max. fps
White balance	2000 K - 10000 K
Audio modes	Wind noise reduction, stereo, directional amplification
Audio formats	48kHz, 16bits, AAC
Bluetooth	BLE 5.0
Wi-Fi	2.4GHz, 5GHz 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
USB	Type-C
microSD card	Recommended: UHS-I V30, exFAT, up to 1TB
Battery Capacity	1800mAh
charging method	USB Type-C
Charging time	90min (5V/3A)
Operating temperature	-20 ° C to +40 ° C

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A new perspective with the Insta360 X3

My conclusion

To conclude, I'm a fan of the Insta360 X3, even though it still has some weaknesses. The recording seems really magical to you at first. I like to look at them myself in the smartphone app because you can practically move around in the photos and videos. You can also record yourself as a solo traveler from the third person if you have the optional, invisible selfie stick.

You can even take pseudo-drone shots with the extra-long selfie stick, which is also optional. This is particularly exciting if you are not traveling to a country Drone you are allowed to take with you or filming with the drone is subject to a permit - such as in Croatia or Thailand.

No need to repeat it again - the image quality is okay, but not amazing. If you're looking for a high-resolution action cam, the Insta360 X3 may not be the right model for you. If in doubt, I would test that. You can order the cam from an online store, have it sent to you and test it.

My conclusion is therefore clear: the cam is ideal for many areas of use and I wouldn't want to be without it in everyday life or when traveling. It replaces my previous action cam, so I'm currently taking photos with a trio - a Sony Alpha, a current iPhone and the Insta360 X3. I also use a camera drone. With this combination of cameras I am prepared for every situation and can take different shots that are appropriate for the respective purpose. The Insta360 X3 is a wonderful addition. But it is certainly not my main camera.

I bought the Insta360 X3 myself. All assessments of the cam are my own. I tested and evaluated the camera to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Do you already own a 360 degree camera or are you planning to purchase one? What are you planning to do with the Insta360? Share your experiences in the comments.