Insta360 Ace vs Insta360 X3

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Overview of the Insta360 Ace

Insta360 Ace☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Ace
Insta360's budget action camera: 6K video and a flipscreen
The Ace is Insta360's entry level action camera but shares a lot of features with it's premium brother, the Insta360 Ace Pro. The main difference being the sensor technology, which although not as advanced, still offers very good performance, with video up to 6K.
  • Pros
  • Great image stabilization
  • Flip screen
  • Weather proof
  • Cons
  • Heavy
  • Average audio

Overview of the Insta360 X3

Insta360 X3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 X3
Insta360's 2022 360 camera: 5.7K video and a large touchscreen
The Insta360 X3 was released in 2022 and is a few years old now, but it still delivers exceptionnal performance and is the best pick if you are looking for the best value for money. The 5.7K30fps 360 video is more than sufficient for capturing amazing footage unless you need to zoom in aggressively. The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.
  • Pros
  • Great performance
  • Good value for money
  • Diving case for underwater footage
  • Cons
  • Average battery life

Comparison of the Ace vs the X3

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Video performance

The Ace and the X3 both offer HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
Feature missing
Max 360° resolution
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
5.3K video at 30fps
Max resolution
4K video at 30fps
4K 30fps
HDR video
5.7K30fps 360°
8x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
4x at 1080p
Flowstate
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 X3 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
1700mAh
Battery capacity
1800mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
100min at 4K30fps HDR
Battery life
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
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

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Ace and the X3 support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSD
1TB
Maximun storage supported
1TB
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 Ace is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Ace and the X3 have similar weights.
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in / 71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm
Dimensions
1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in / 46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm
6.24oz / 176.8g
Weight
6.35oz / 180g
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 Ace and the X3 are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. The Ace is a lot more waterproof when using a diving case. Both cameras have the same minimal usage temperature. Both cameras have the same maximum usage temperature.
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
197ft / 60m
Waterproof with diving case
164ft / 50m
-4°F / -20°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 X3 features a much higher resolution. The Ace and the X3 both have a similar field of view. The Ace features a much higher bit rate than the X3
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
48MP
Pixels
72MP
157°
Field of view
155°
170Mbps
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 Ace's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to X3's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 Ace
Insta360 X3
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.

Insta360 Ace versus Insta360 X3 specifications

NameInsta360 AceInsta360 X3
Year of release20232022
Width2.83in / 71.9mm1.81in / 46mm
Height2.05in / 52.15mm4.49in / 114mm
Depth1.52in / 38.5mm1.3in / 33.1mm
Weight6.24oz / 176.8g6.35oz / 180g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m164ft / 50m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1700mAh1800mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life100min at 4K30fps HDR81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Charging time70min (5V/3A)90min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Rear screen size2.4in-
Front screen sizeYes-
Field of view157°155°
Sensor1/2"1/1.9"
Pixels48MP72MP
ApertureF2.4F1.9
Focal length16mm6.7mm
ISO range100-6400100-3200
Video zoom4x-
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate170Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
4K 360 video-60fps
3K 360 video-100fps
360 video format-INSV
5.3K video30fps-
4K video120fps30fps
2.7K video120fps60fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p4x at 1080p
HDR video4K 30fps5.7K30fps 360°
StabilizationFlowstateFlowState
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming-Yes
Webcam mode-Yes
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-Yes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones34
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacaac
Audio bluetooth supportBluetooth headsets-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.2BLE 5.0
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsYesNo