Insta360 Go 3S vs GoPro Hero 12 Black
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Overview of the Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 Go 3SInsta360'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
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Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro Hero 12 BlackGoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
- Pros
- Performance similar to newer model
- HDR video introduction
- Cons
- No integrated GPS
Comparison of the Go 3S vs the Hero 12
Quick links:
Video performance
Only the Hero 12 offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
4K video at 30fps
Max resolution
5.3K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
5.3K 30fps
6x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
8x at 1080p
Flowstate
Stabilization
HyperSmooth 6.0
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 Hero 12 offers a much larger battery capacity. The Hero 12 has a removable battery whereas the Go 3S's battery is not removable
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
310mAh
Battery capacity
1720mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
38min at 1080p
Battery life
150min at 1080p
1270mAh
Battery extension capacity
Feature missing
140min at 1080p
Battery extension run time
Feature missing
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
Only the Go 3S features built-in storage. Only the Hero 12 supports SD cards, the Go 3S is therefore limited to it's built-in storage. The Hero 12 supports a lot more storage than the Go 3S.
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
64GB or 128GB
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
Storage not extendable
Storage format
microSD
128GB
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 Go 3S is a lot more compact than the Hero 12. The Go 3S is a lot lighter than the Hero 12.
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1.01in x 2.14in x 0.98in / 25.6mm x 54.4mm x 24.8mm
Dimensions
2.83in x 2in x 1.32in / 71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm
1.38oz / 39.1g
Weight
5.43oz / 154g
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 Go 3S and the Hero 12 are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. Both the Go 3S and the Hero 12 are waterproof to 197ft / 60m with a diving case. The Go 3S is far better for extreme cold. The Go 3S beats the Hero 12 in high heat conditions.
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
197ft / 60m
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
-4°F / -20°C
Min operating temperature
14°F / -10°C
104°F / 40°C
Max operating temperature
95°F / 35°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 Hero 12 features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Hero 12 is a little better than the Go 3S's. Both cameras feature 120Mbps bit rate video.
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
12MP
Pixels
27.6MP
134°
Field of view
148°
120Mbps
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 Hero 12's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to Go 3S's. The Go 3S's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
Insta360 Go 3S
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-3200
ISO range
100-6400
+/-4
Exposure Compensation
+/-2
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 Go 3S versus GoPro Hero 12 Black specifications
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| Name | Insta360 Go 3S | GoPro Hero 12 Black |
| Year of release | 2024 | 2023 |
| Width | 1.01in / 25.6mm | 2.83in / 71.8mm |
| Height | 2.14in / 54.4mm | 2in / 50.8mm |
| Depth | 0.98in / 24.8mm | 1.32in / 33.6mm |
| Weight | 1.38oz / 39.1g | 5.43oz / 154g |
| Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 33ft / 10m |
| Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | 197ft / 60m |
| Min operating temperature | -4°F / -20°C | 14°F / -10°C |
| Max operating temperature | 104°F / 40°C | 95°F / 35°C |
| Battery capacity | 310mAh | 1720mAh |
| Removable battery | No | Yes |
| Battery life | 38min at 1080p | 150min at 1080p |
| Charging time | - | 3h (5W) |
| Battery extension capacity | 1270mAh | - |
| Battery extension run time | 140min at 1080p | - |
| Battery extension charging time | 65min | - |
| Battery extension weight | 3.4oz / 96.3g | - |
| Built-in storage | 64GB 128GB | - |
| Storage format | - | microSD |
| Storage rating required | - | V30 or UHS-3 |
| Maximun storage supported | 128GB | 1TB |
| Rear screen size | With Action Pod | 2.27in |
| Front screen size | With Action Pod | 1.4in |
| Field of view | 134° | 148° |
| Sensor | 1/2.3" | 1/1.9" CMOS |
| Pixels | 12MP | 27.6MP |
| Aperture | F2.8 | F2.5 |
| Focal length | 16mm | 12-39mm |
| ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-6400 |
| Video zoom | - | 2x |
| Color Depth | 8bit | 10bit |
| Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-2 |
| 360-degree video | No | No |
| 5.3K video | - | 60fps |
| 4K video | 30fps | 60fps |
| 2.7K video | 30fps | 120fps |
| 1440p video | 50fps | - |
| 1080p video | 50fps | 240fps |
| Slow motion at 4K | - | 4x |
| Maximum slow motion | 6x at 1080p | 8x at 1080p |
| HDR video | - | 5.3K 30fps |
| Stabilization | Flowstate | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
| Horizon lock | - | Yes |
| Video format | H.264 (MP4) | H.265 (HEVC) |
| Live streaming | No | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 |
| Webcam mode | - | 1080p30 |
| Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
| Photo burst mode | No | Yes |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 2 | 3 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | aac | wav |
| Audio input | - | Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B) Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter |
| Wifi | 802.11a/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 4.2 |
| USB | Type-C USB2.0 | USB-C |
| GPS integrated | No | No |
| GPS pairing | Garmin device Apple Watch | - |
| Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture commands | Yes | - |