Insta360 X3 vs Insta360 X4

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 The X3 has since been replaced by the Insta360 X4 which introduces 8K 360 video.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

Insta360 X4☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 X4
Insta360's flaghship 360 camera: 8K30fps video and great battery life
The Insta360 X4 is Insta360's latest 360 degree action camera and delivers incredible 8K spherical video. 360 cameras are the best way to capture group activities or footage where it is difficult to keep focus on a subject. The X4 is the overall best 360 camera right now.
  • Pros
  • 8K 360 video
  • Great battery life
  • Improved lens guard system
  • Cons
  • Not great at low light

Comparison of the X3 vs the X4

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Video performance

The X3 and the X4 both offer HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
8K 360 video at 30fps
4K video at 30fps
Max resolution
4K video at 60fps
5.7K30fps 360°
HDR video
5.7K30fps 360°
4x 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 X4 offers a much larger battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
1800mAh
Battery capacity
2290mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
81min 5.7K30fps 360°
Battery life
135min 5.7K30fps 360° and 75min 8K30fps 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 X3 and the X4 support SD cards. Both support up to 1TB.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
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 X3 is a slightly smaller camera. The X3 weighs a little less than the X4.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
1.81in x 4.49in x 1.3in / 46mm x 114mm x 33.1mm
Dimensions
1.81in x 4.87in x 1.48in / 46mm x 123.6mm x 37.6mm
6.35oz / 180g
Weight
7.16oz / 203g
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 X4 are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. Both the X3 and the X4 are waterproof to 164ft / 50m with a diving case. Both cameras have the same minimal usage temperature. Both cameras have the same maximum usage temperature.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
164ft / 50m
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 and the X4 both feature 72MP. The field of view of the X4 is a little better than the X3's. The X4 features a much higher bit rate than the X3
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
72MP
Pixels
72MP
155°
Field of view
170°
120Mbps
Video bite rate
200Mbps
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 X4's 100-6400 ISO range is far superior to X3's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X4
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.

Insta360 X3 versus Insta360 X4 specifications

NameInsta360 X3Insta360 X4
Year of release20222024
Width1.81in / 46mm1.81in / 46mm
Height4.49in / 114mm4.87in / 123.6mm
Depth1.3in / 33.1mm1.48in / 37.6mm
Weight6.35oz / 180g7.16oz / 203g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case164ft / 50m164ft / 50m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1800mAh2290mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life81min 5.7K30fps 360°135min 5.7K30fps 360°
75min 8K30fps 360°
Charging time90min55min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1TB
Field of view155°170°
Sensor1/1.9"1/2.0"
Pixels72MP72MP
ApertureF1.9F1.9
Focal length6.7mm6.7mm
ISO range100-3200100-6400
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps200Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoYesYes
8K 360 video-30fps
5.7K 360 video30fps60fps
4K 360 video60fps100fps
3K 360 video100fps-
360 video formatINSVINSV
4K video30fps60fps
2.7K video60fps60fps
1080p video60fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K44
Maximum slow motion4x at 1080p4x at 1080p
HDR video5.7K30fps 360°5.7K30fps 360°
StabilizationFlowStateFlowState
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streamingYesYes
Webcam modeYesYes
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingYesYes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones44
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacaac
Audio bluetooth support-SENA: 50S, ST1, 10S
Cardo: PACKTALK EDGE
Airide: G7+
ASMAX: F1
Lexinmoto: G4
Vimoto: V9S, V9X
Apple AirPods 2
Apple AirPods 3
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 5.2
USBType-C USBType-C USB 3.0
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNoYes