Insta360 Go 3S vs Insta360 X3
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Overview of the 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
Overview of the 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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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 Go 3S vs the X3
Quick links:
Video performance
Only the X3 offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 X3
Feature missing
Max 360° resolution
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
4K video at 30fps
Max resolution
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
5.7K30fps 360°
6x 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 much larger battery capacity. The X3 has a removable battery whereas the Go 3S's battery is not removable
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 X3
310mAh
Battery capacity
1800mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
38min at 1080p
Battery life
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
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 X3 supports SD cards, the Go 3S is therefore limited to it's built-in storage. The X3 supports a lot more storage than the Go 3S.
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 X3
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 X3. The Go 3S is a lot lighter than the X3.
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 X3
1.01in x 2.14in x 0.98in / 25.6mm x 54.4mm x 24.8mm
Dimensions
1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in / 46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm
1.38oz / 39.1g
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 Go 3S and the X3 are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. The Go 3S 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 Go 3S
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. With 155°, the X3 features a much wider field of view than the Go 3S. Both cameras feature 120Mbps bit rate video.
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 X3
12MP
Pixels
72MP
134°
Field of view
155°
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
Both the Go 3S and the X3 have the same ISO range. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 X3
100-3200
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 Go 3S versus Insta360 X3 specifications
Name | Insta360 Go 3S | Insta360 X3 |
Year of release | 2024 | 2022 |
Width | 1.01in / 25.6mm | 1.81in / 46mm |
Height | 2.14in / 54.4mm | 4.49in / 114mm |
Depth | 0.98in / 24.8mm | 1.3in / 33.1mm |
Weight | 1.38oz / 39.1g | 6.35oz / 180g |
Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | 164ft / 50m |
Min operating temperature | -4°F / -20°C | -4°F / -20°C |
Max operating temperature | 104°F / 40°C | 104°F / 40°C |
Battery capacity | 310mAh | 1800mAh |
Removable battery | No | Yes |
Battery life | 38min at 1080p | 81min 5.7K30fps 360° |
Charging time | - | 90min |
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 | - |
Front screen size | With Action Pod | - |
Field of view | 134° | 155° |
Sensor | 1/2.3" | 1/1.9" |
Pixels | 12MP | 72MP |
Aperture | F2.8 | F1.9 |
Focal length | 16mm | 6.7mm |
ISO range | 100-3200 | 100-3200 |
Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 120Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-4 |
360-degree video | No | Yes |
5.7K 360 video | - | 30fps |
4K 360 video | - | 60fps |
3K 360 video | - | 100fps |
360 video format | - | INSV |
4K video | 30fps | 30fps |
2.7K video | 30fps | 60fps |
1440p video | 50fps | - |
1080p video | 50fps | 60fps |
Slow motion at 4K | - | 4 |
Maximum slow motion | 6x at 1080p | 4x at 1080p |
HDR video | - | 5.7K30fps 360° |
Stabilization | Flowstate | FlowState |
Horizon lock | - | Yes |
Video format | H.264 (MP4) | H.264 (MP4) |
Live streaming | No | Yes |
Webcam mode | - | Yes |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | - | Yes |
Photo burst mode | No | Yes |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 2 | 4 |
Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | aac | aac |
Wifi | 802.11a/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.0 |
USB | Type-C USB2.0 | Type-C USB |
GPS integrated | No | No |
GPS pairing | Garmin device Apple Watch | iOS Application Android Application |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
Gesture commands | Yes | No |