DJI Osmo Action 2 vs Insta360 Go 3S

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Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 2

DJI Osmo Action 2☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo Action 2
DJI's wearable action camera: 4K video in a modular format
The DJI Osmo Action 2 is an extremely modular action camera which delivers incredible 4K120fps footage while still remaining wearable. Thanks to it's magnetic attachement system, you can mix and match modules to transform it to suit every use case you can imagine. It's successor, the DJI Osmo Action 3, has abandonned this modular design, so the Action 2 remains DJI's current wearable camera.
  • Pros
  • 4K120fps footage
  • Wearable
  • Lightweight
  • Cons
  • SD card only with extra module
  • Modules are not waterproof without case
  • Not freeze-proof
  • Overheating issues

Overview of the Insta360 Go 3S

Insta360 Go 3S☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360's latest wearable camera: 4K video in a tiny package
The Go 3S is an amazing pocket action camera offering of 4K video in a very small package. With the ActionPod pairing, it becomes a more traditional action camera with extended battery life and a flip screen.
  • Pros
  • Tiny footprint
  • 4K video
  • Modular design with ActionPod
  • Cons
  • Not waterproof with ActionPod
  • Storage not extendable with SD cards

Comparison of the Action 2 vs the Go 3S

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Video performance

Neither camera offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
4K video at 120fps
Max resolution
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
HDR video unsupported
4x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
6x at 1080p
RockSteady 2.0
Stabilization
Flowstate
Why it matters: A high resolution will give you crisp footage but also allow you to reframe your video without losing too much quality. A higher framerate (fps) will result in smoother video and is important when filming action scenes or fast moving subjects. Image stabilization is a crucial feature for an action camera, as it removes camera shake, vibrations, rotation and other movements that deteriorate your final footage.

Battery life

The Action 2 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Neither camera has a removable battery. The Action 2 and Go 3S have similar battery extension capacities.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
580mAh
Battery capacity
310mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
70min at 1080p
Battery life
38min at 1080p
1300mAh
Battery extension capacity
1270mAh
160m at 1080p
Battery extension run time
140min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Both cameras have built-in storage. Only the Action 2 supports SD cards, the Go 3S is therefore limited to it's built-in storage. The Action 2 supports a lot more storage than the Go 3S.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
32GB or 128GB
Built-in storage
64GB or 128GB
microSD
Storage format
Storage not extendable
256GB
Maximun storage supported
128GB
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Weight and size

The two cameras are of similar size. The Go 3S weighs a little less than the Action 2.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
1.54in x 1.54in x 0.88in / 39mm x 39mm x 22.3mm
Dimensions
1.01in x 2.14in x 0.98in / 25.6mm x 54.4mm x 24.8mm
1.98oz / 56g
Weight
1.38oz / 39.1g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be difficult or uncomfortable to film with. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Waterproofing and usage conditions

Both the Action 2 and the Go 3S are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. Both the Action 2 and the Go 3S are waterproof to 197ft / 60m with a diving case. Both cameras have the same maximum usage temperature.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
197ft / 60m
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
32°F / 0°C
Min operating temperature
-4°F / -20°C
104°F / 40°C
Max operating temperature
104°F / 40°C
Why it matters: Most action cameras are waterproof for accidental splashing or use above water, but if you plan on Snorkeling or Scuba Diving, we recommend choosing a camera which offers a diving case and always using it for underwater footage. If you plan on filming Snowboarding, Skiing or other wintersports in extremely cold conditions, you should pick a camera that is rated for those temperatures, most cameras are only rated down to 14°F / -10°C. Many action cameras are prone to overheating, even in ordinary conditions, so if you plan on filming in hot environments, you should choose a camera that can function at high temperatures.

Camera and sensor technology

The Action 2 and the Go 3S both feature 12MP. With 155°, the Action 2 features a much wider field of view than the Go 3S. The Action 2 has a slightly better video bit rate than the Go 3S.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
12MP
Pixels
12MP
155°
Field of view
134°
130Mbps
Video bite rate
120Mbps
Why it matters: A higher amount of pixels will offer better quality footage and higher resolution photos. A higher field of view means that the camera captures over a wider angle and therefore more action can be seen in the final footage. Some cameras require accessories to enable the maximum FOV. A higher bitrate at a similar resolution will offer higher quality video.

Camera settings

The Action 2's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to Go 3S's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
DJI Osmo Action 2
Insta360 Go 3S
100-6400
ISO range
100-3200
+/-4
Exposure Compensation
+/-4
Why these settings matter: The ISO range and exposure compensation settings will mostly allow you to tweak your action camera for low light situations.

DJI Osmo Action 2 versus Insta360 Go 3S specifications

NameDJI Osmo Action 2Insta360 Go 3S
Year of release20212024
Width1.54in / 39mm1.01in / 25.6mm
Height1.54in / 39mm2.14in / 54.4mm
Depth0.88in / 22.3mm0.98in / 24.8mm
Weight1.98oz / 56g1.38oz / 39.1g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature32°F / 0°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity580mAh310mAh
Removable batteryNoNo
Battery life70min at 1080p38min at 1080p
Battery extension capacity1300mAh1270mAh
Battery extension run time160m at 1080p140min at 1080p
Battery extension charging time90min65min
Battery extension weight2.26oz / 64g3.4oz / 96.3g
Built-in storage32GB
128GB
64GB
128GB
Storage formatmicroSD-
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3-
Maximun storage supported256GB128GB
Rear screen size-With Action Pod
Front screen size-With Action Pod
Field of view155°134°
Sensor1/1.7"1/2.3"
Pixels12MP12MP
ApertureF2.8F2.8
Focal length-16mm
ISO range100-6400100-3200
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate130Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoNo
4K video120fps30fps
2.7K video120fps30fps
1440p video-50fps
1080p video240fps50fps
Slow motion at 4K4-
Maximum slow motion4x at 1080p6x at 1080p
StabilizationRockSteady 2.0Flowstate
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.264 (MP4)
Live streamingNoNo
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones1 (3 with Module)2
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacaac
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 5.0
USBType-C USBType-C USB2.0
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairing-Garmin device
Apple Watch
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-Yes