Insta360 X3 vs Insta360 Go Ultra

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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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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

Overview of the Insta360 Go Ultra

Insta360 Go Ultra☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Go Ultra
Insta360's latest wearable camera, now with 4K60fps video
The Go Ultra is Insta360's latest wearable camera. It sticks to the same system of a small camera and an ActionPod which extends it's functionalities but adopts a new square shape and new technology which offers superior performance. It also now features a SD card slot, solving the storage limitations of the previous models.
  • Pros
  • MicroSD slot on the camera
  • Low light performance
  • Great battery for the size
  • Wide range of accessories
  • Cons
  • Not waterproof with ActionPod
  • Only 4K60fps

Comparison of the X3 vs the Go Ultra

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Video performance

The X3 and the Go Ultra both offer HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
4K video at 30fps
Max resolution
4K video at 60fps
5.7K30fps 360°
HDR video
4K 30fps
4x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
8x 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 Ultra's battery is not removable
Insta360 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
1800mAh
Battery capacity
500mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Battery life
70min at 1080p
Feature missing
Battery extension capacity
1450mAh
Feature missing
Battery extension run time
200min 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

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the X3 and the Go Ultra support SD cards. The Go Ultra supports a lot more storage than the X3.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSD
1TB
Maximun storage supported
2TB
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 Ultra is a lot more compact than the X3. The Go Ultra is a lot lighter than the X3.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in / 46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm
Dimensions
1.81in x 1.8in x 0.72in / 46mm x 45.7mm x 18.3mm
6.35oz / 180g
Weight
1.87oz / 53g
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 X3 and the Go Ultra are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. The Go Ultra 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 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
164ft / 50m
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
-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 X3 and the Go Ultra both have a similar field of view. The Go Ultra features a much higher bit rate than the X3
Insta360 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
72MP
Pixels
12MP
155°
Field of view
156°
120Mbps
Video bite rate
180Mbps
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 Go Ultra's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to X3's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 Go Ultra
100-3200
ISO range
100-6400
+/-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.

Alternatives to the Insta360 X3

Kandao Qoocam 3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Kandao Qoocam 3Kandao's 2023 360 camera: 5.7K videoInsta360 X5☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 X5Insta360's flaghship 360 camera with new replaceable lensesGoPro Max 2☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Max 2GoPro's latest 360 camera

Alternatives to the Insta360 Go Ultra

SJCam C110 Plus☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★SJCam C110 PlusA pocket camera for an affordable priceSixmou i3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Sixmou i3A thumb sized, budget action cameraInsta360 Go 3S☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Go 3SInsta360's 2024 wearable camera: 4K video in a tiny packageDJI Osmo Nano☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo NanoDJI's latest wearable action camera

Insta360 X3 versus Insta360 Go Ultra specifications

NameInsta360 X3Insta360 Go Ultra
Year of release20222025
Width1.81in / 46mm1.81in / 46mm
Height4.49in / 114mm1.8in / 45.7mm
Depth1.3in / 33.1mm0.72in / 18.3mm
Weight6.35oz / 180g1.87oz / 53g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case164ft / 50m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1800mAh500mAh
Removable batteryYesNo
Battery life81min 5.7K30fps 360°70min at 1080p
Charging time90min-
Battery extension capacity-1450mAh
Battery extension run time-200min at 1080p
Battery extension charging time-40min
Battery extension weight-3.84oz / 109g
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB2TB
Rear screen size-2.5in
Field of view155°156°
Sensor1/1.9"1/1.28"
Pixels72MP12MP
ApertureF1.9F2.85
Focal length6.7mm14.27mm
ISO range100-3200100-6400
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps180Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
4K 360 video60fps-
3K 360 video100fps-
360 video formatINSV-
4K video30fps60fps
2.7K video60fps120fps
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K48
Maximum slow motion4x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR video5.7K30fps 360°4K 30fps
StabilizationFlowStateFlowstate
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streamingYes-
Webcam modeYes-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingYes-
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones42
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacaac
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 5.4
USBType-C USBType-C USB2.0
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
Garmin device
Apple Watch
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNoYes