Ricoh Theta X vs Insta360 Go 3S
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Overview of the Ricoh Theta X
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
Comparison of the Theta X vs the Go 3S
Quick links:
Video performance
Neither camera offers HDR video. Only the Go 3S features slow motion video. Only the Go 3S has image stabilization.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
4K video at 60fps
Max resolution
4K video at 30fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
HDR video unsupported
No slow motion video
Maximum slow motion
6x at 1080p
No image stabilization
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 Theta X offers a much larger battery capacity. Neither camera has a removable battery.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
1350mAh
Battery capacity
310mAh
Non removable
Removable battery
Removable
30min 5.7K30fps 360° and 55min 4K30fps 360°
Battery life
38min at 1080p
Feature missing
Battery extension capacity
1270mAh
Feature missing
Battery extension run time
140min 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
Both cameras have built-in storage. Only the Theta X supports SD cards, the Go 3S is therefore limited to it's built-in storage.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
46GB
Built-in storage
64GB or 128GB
microSDXC
Storage format
Storage not extendable
Feature missing
Maximun storage supported
128GB
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 Theta X. The Go 3S is a lot lighter than the Theta X.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
2.04in x 5.36in x 1.14in / 51.7mm x 136.2mm x 29mm
Dimensions
1.01in x 2.14in x 0.98in / 25.6mm x 54.4mm x 24.8mm
6oz / 170g
Weight
1.38oz / 39.1g
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
The Go 3S is a lot more waterproof when using a diving case. Both cameras have the same maximum usage temperature.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
Feature missing
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
131ft / 40m
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
32°F / 0°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 Theta X features a much higher resolution. Both cameras feature 120Mbps bit rate video.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
60MP
Pixels
12MP
Feature missing
Field of view
134°
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 two cameras have a similar ISO range. The Go 3S's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
Ricoh Theta X
Insta360 Go 3S
50-3200
ISO range
100-3200
+/-2
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.
Ricoh Theta X versus Insta360 Go 3S specifications
Name | Ricoh Theta X | Insta360 Go 3S |
Year of release | 2022 | 2024 |
Width | 2.04in / 51.7mm | 1.01in / 25.6mm |
Height | 5.36in / 136.2mm | 2.14in / 54.4mm |
Depth | 1.14in / 29mm | 0.98in / 24.8mm |
Weight | 6oz / 170g | 1.38oz / 39.1g |
Waterproof | - | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | 131ft / 40m | 197ft / 60m |
Min operating temperature | 32°F / 0°C | -4°F / -20°C |
Max operating temperature | 104°F / 40°C | 104°F / 40°C |
Battery capacity | 1350mAh | 310mAh |
Removable battery | - | No |
Battery life | 30min 5.7K30fps 360° 55min 4K30fps 360° | 38min at 1080p |
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 | 46GB | 64GB 128GB |
Storage format | microSDXC | - |
Storage rating required | V30 | - |
Maximun storage supported | - | 128GB |
Rear screen size | 2.25in | With Action Pod |
Front screen size | - | With Action Pod |
Field of view | - | 134° |
Sensor | 1/1.7" BSI-COMS | 1/2.3" |
Pixels | 60MP | 12MP |
Aperture | F2.4 | F2.8 |
Focal length | - | 16mm |
ISO range | 50-3200 | 100-3200 |
Color Depth | 8bit | 8bit |
Video bite rate | 120Mbps | 120Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-2 | +/-4 |
360-degree video | Yes | No |
5.7K 360 video | 30fps | - |
4K 360 video | 60fps | - |
4K video | 60fps | 30fps |
2.7K video | 100fps | 30fps |
1440p video | - | 50fps |
1080p video | - | 50fps |
Maximum slow motion | - | 6x at 1080p |
Stabilization | - | Flowstate |
Horizon lock | Yes | - |
Video format | H.264 (MP4) | H.264 (MP4) |
Live streaming | - | No |
Webcam mode | Yes | - |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | - | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Photo burst mode | - | No |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 1 | 2 |
Stereo audio | No | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | aac | aac |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.0 |
USB | Type-C USB | Type-C USB2.0 |
GPS integrated | Yes | No |
GPS pairing | - | Garmin device Apple Watch |
Voice commands | - | Yes |
Gesture commands | - | Yes |