insta360 X3 vs GoPro 11 - No One Tells You About THIS

[@EatSleep360]

40% OFF my NEW Ultimate 360 Beginner's Course - use code youtube40 at checkout eatsleep360.thinkific.com/courses/360-made-simple

[@carbonunit6573]

I have the X3 and was out with family and friends. I had it extended in 360 mode. There was so much going on around me that I would never have been able to capture what I did with a normal camera. You never miss a shot because you are pointing your camera the wrong way. This is by far the the best feature in an action camera.

[@A1Bokeh]

Ya it is so fun to shoot with. Like you never know what you will get

[@olivejuice5233]

Exactly, and you can throw your camera everywhere with the stick and get sick angles switches etc.

[@nowandrew4442]

And not only that: you can literally reframe the same scene multiple ways and string all of them together as if you had multiple cameras running.

[@carbonunit6573]

@@nowandrew4442 and everyone gets to be a star!

[@BigManAlaska]

Seems like one of the greatest benefits is being able to edit the same shot for different parts of the timeline over an over again. Compared to the GoPro which is what you see is what you get. Both strong cameras depending on the needs for specific features.

[@KristinaAdventures]

this is such a wonderful review of the pros/cons of the one x3. I have the x2 and yes, there is a huge learning curve and lots of keyframes/post production and editing that has to be done, but the results are so worth it to me. thank you for putting this together and sharing with us 😁

[@TroyCollier]

He's wrong imo. Editing with the insta software on your phone is incredible compared to GoPro useless app

[@KennethGreenCMP]

One of my biggest issues with 360 cameras are have to protect the lens. You just can't lay it down. The second day I had my 360 camera, I set it down on the table a Starbucks and it got a scuff on the lens. You can't replace the lens. My GoPro has been tossed in the car, dropped, fallen off a car and all I had to do was wipe it off or replace the lens cover. I agree with your statement, its a use case.

[@EatSleep360]

Yeah I totally abuse my GoPro, I drop it, throw in bags, pockets with keys etc and it’s pretty bulletproof. I love 360 cameras but you just need to know that they need extra care at all times.

[@solotraveler6025]

I have both the X3 and the Hero 11 and for me, the X3 is hands down superior for my type of shooting. I have been a GoPro person from the very beginning and have owned them all right up to the 11, including the Fusion and the MAX and every single one of them had bugs that cost me time, missed shots and lost footage. For me, the whole purpose behind an action camera is to capture the action, kinda hard to do when you have to deal with overheating and frozen camera and you have to pull the battery, especially if you have it mounted in the media mod. I get the editing part of it but for me, again, I don't mind I like figuring it out and getting the look I'm going for but I do get it for a person that just wants to point and shoot. My biggest complaint with GoPro is their customer service. My Hero 9 literally shut down and never turned back on a week after buying it, after phone call after phone call and never being able to connect, I used their call back and never got a call back, I used their email and never got a response I literally complained on twitter and finally was able to connect with customer service after a PM on twitter. They told me that my camera was now out of warranty and I would have to pay the $50 for a replacement, thats how long it took to get them to respond. I love my X3 and have totally abandoned GoPro and my X3 works every single time and never bugs. I will say though, GoPro makes an awesome paperweight.

[@EatSleep360]

Thanks for the comment and insight much appreciated - I also had appalling service from GoPro when I bought the GoPro 10 - they just give you cut and paste responses and don’t care about the customer.

[@seraajregal4663]

I had the same experience with freezing restarting and gopro max quik and player software issues

[@nowandrew4442]

I will add that I've had quite a bit of software failure over the years with my various Insta360 cameras, but the X3 appears so far to be significantly more resilient in that regard.

[@tommydaynjer5334]

This is my experience too. I had a GoPro 9 camera that never froze and had zero bugs so when I heard all the stories I was like wow I’m lucky! …until they auto updated the firmware on my GoPro 9 and it literally broke the rear screen. Two months, tons of complaining later they still said they wouldn’t replace something they broke in a forced update, and oddly enough they finally DID replace the camera once I complained hard about GoPros on Facebook. …so now I have a super glitchy replacement GoPro with all the freezes and bugs people were talking about because they broke my good one and (very stressfully) replaced it with a bad one. I can’t even leave the batteries in or a bug will randomly turn the camera on when I’m nowhere near it and drain the battery so when the time comes for me to actually use it I have no battery left. Got an X3 after that and the GoPro sits in a drawer somewhere now.

[@solotraveler6025]

@@tommydaynjer5334 Yeah, I forgot all about the randomly turning on and draining the battery thing, mine did that too. I have at least six extra batteries for each GoPro but its a pain to have to take your camera out of the media mod if using one. My X3 works every time without fail. No kidding, my kayak mount broke sending my X3 to the bottom of the river a few weeks ago. I didn't have my wetsuit with me so I couldn't go in after it because the water is freezing at the moment. Three days later I went back with my wetsuit, after about ten minutes I found it. not drop of water inside it and apparently it shut itself off because it was still at 73% battery even after running out of memory card. So it recorded underwater for almost two hours and still had 73% battery left. Love my X3.

[@tjthedogtrainer]

Love 360 cameras but always feel like I need to baby it as I'm terrified of scratching the lens. Love my GoPro bc I don't worry about it at all and great quality footage.

[@Richard_FitPku]

So does this mean when you record and action shot (snowboarding, cycling etc) the lens protector has to come off? Leaving the camera vulnerable?

[@tjthedogtrainer]

@@Richard_FitPku They get scratched up pretty easily. I work with pups and having it even get knocked over will scratch the 360 camera. Whereas I've accidentally forgotten the GoPro on top of my car, driven it off, picked it up and it was just fine.

[@alrightdave6135]

Just buy the £20 clear plastic covers

[@Richard_FitPku]

@@alrightdave6135 what are these £20 covers you are talking of?

[@tjthedogtrainer]

@@alrightdave6135 went through 2 sets already but yea that is an option for sure

[@dutchbicyclerides-ss1ko]

A good compromise is to just pick 4 angles from the 360 view export them and load them into your edit program they can be easy syned using the audio sync tools in say final cut. I do agree with your points and i guess a fix is to take a few 'options' away by exporting the angles you want first.

[@ThatMountainLife]

I use both and love both. And I sometimes I dread the time of the reframing process. I also use a blue tooth wireless mic with both to capture audio at a distance during the action. Thanks for the video! ME Mode on the X3 is an AMAZING selfie-mode option. The Go Pro 11 is really only needed for filming other people or specific shots you know you want.

[@nowandrew4442]

You dread the reframing, except when you realise the X3 has caught things from start to finish that you only would have been able to partially capture by turning the gopro towards the scene after you noticed it happening.

[@Markus65o2]

Excellent video and I agree with all your points. I would add that I did my own GoPro11 vs X3 and included tests run during low-light conditions. I was extremely impressed with the X3 and would say it does much better in low light than the GoPro 11.

[@EatSleep360]

Good to know - thanks for the comment Mark much appreciated

[@AlexInde]

I am stoked on how easy is to edit 360 videos with X3. I use Me Mode when I shoot invisible stick shots and Single Lens mode 4K when I shoot single lens, I spend just seconds in the editing

[@alicejwho]

I got the 360 x3 a week ago. I find the editing quite simple. It's no more difficult than using Powerdirector with my Fuji (i use the app for insta360). There are some really excellent tutorials on YT.

[@svetre87]

So what is the answer to this clickbait title? After a couple of minutes I still don't know WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT

[@SOSA_TrueKing]

I was thinking the same thing then I looked down and seen this post 😂😂

[@JuiceOTG]

2:10 Watch the video

[@rahulm2827]

😂😂 he's basically saying editing is rocket science. still getting insta360.

[@grincadorna4599]

The go pro is dead

[@Sitsolitary]

Here I’ll let you guys know in one post: 360 cameras video quality isn’t as good but you gain the ability to reframe after.. take your pick, if you know your going to shoot well and get the right angles and framing correct then you’ll be better off with a standard GoPro. If you want a set and forget then get a 360

[@stevey500]

I really find the Insta360 mobile app and desktop app a very wonderful experience. Sure, it does take some time to aim and direct your shots but if anything, it forces you to produce more interesting clips with less uninteresting long-winded footage. It only takes time and a learning curve if you do even need to re-aim the shots, it force/allows more content interest creativity. The insta360 app and cameras have been very reliable. I also appreciate that the footage stays on-camera during editing and only uses mobile device space upon exporting the footage to the phone's gallery. Very cool.

[@jamesgroce3125]

Just started using a Insta360 X3. Took videos in 180 mode (single front facing lens) at our recent match. Those mp4 videos were usable without any processing necessary. Getting up to speed on 360 videos - taken a couple of videos and getting comfortable editing. Got this crazy thought - since smart phones have lenses front and back, why isn't there an app that can emulate 360 video? Or does that already exist and I'm simply behind the knowledge curve?

[@Ozpeter]

What an excellent summary of what the X3 is good for - and what it's not good for. Personally I kind of ditch the normal camera mindset when I turn on the X3. It's just something completely different. So I don't particularly mind the extra editing steps because, well, it is what it is. One day I will get to grips with the phone app - despite having had an X1 for some years, and now the X3 for some months, I still just work on the footage on the PC, because as far as I'm concerned, that's where video editing is done! And I don't find it particularly complicated after the first couple of uses. But - we're all different.

[@EatSleep360]

Yes I much prefer editing on the PC - I just wish the desktop app had more useful features - just the ability to join clips together would be helpful to so many people.

[@nowandrew4442]

@@EatSleep360 AVIDemux can do the final stage join very simply if peeps just want a join function and don't want to get into a real video editor.

[@nowandrew4442]

Yes it's basically like, do you want a point-n-shoot that will do exactly what you tell it but nothing more? Or do you want creative flexibility like an SLR to make your own choices about the scene/content you're making? Or put another way, are you a tourist, or an artist? 😬

[@OlivioSarikas]

The main downside for me is that the 360 output in one direction with no distortion is similar to a 1080p video and in many cases a pixelated grainy 1080p, unless you have a bright sunny day. So even with all these option the quality in most situations doesn't come close to the 5.6k Video of a gorpo

[@EatSleep360]

1080 is fine for social media but yes I agree and this is one thing some people don’t understand when buying a 360 camera and all they see is 5.6k, they don’t realise it’s shared across the entire image. I look forward to seeing 8k upwards coming out and then we should be able to reframe to higher resolutions. Thanks for the comment

[@thomza]

The X3 doesn't come even close to the resolution of the Hero 11. Plus if using a 360 camera for everything it's a pain in the A$$ to reframe everything. Buy both and use the X3 for only certain shots. If you can only afford one then buy the GoPro.

[@EatSleep360]

To learn the fastest way to edit your 360 videos without learning keyframes you can watch this video next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2jNeoanlt6YiM0

[@colossusX1]

I bought a GoPro Max because I wanted to play with both styles of shooting. Still experimenting and havent decided what I like most. 360 is cool but sometimes those curved lines are distracting.

[@KnownsenseFilms]

Thanks for the perfect summary. Been there done that, Got whole lot of footage on insta x3 ended up with lying on hard drive coz it was a lot of time taking post process. Keep posting good stuff. Love from India.

[@KorayKüpe]

I sold my X2 and DJI Pocket 2 and bought X3 and GoPro Hero 11 and I am very satisfied with them. X3's audio quality is really impressive. For 4K regular videos I mostly prefer Gopro. For the rest, especially if I need unique perspective I just use the X3.

[@EatSleep360]

I am also really impressed with the X3 audio

[@noodlessoul8356]

​@@EatSleep360 Really? I've seen GP11, OA3 and Insta compared and Insta had the worst audio

[@1davidsmall]

This video is only really looking at "standard" type of video using a 360 camera. Reframing can be used to do this, however the true power of 360 video is allowing the user to look around the whole 360 degrees as if they were there. If your going to buy a 360 camera, don't limit your creativity to standard video...

[@johnboxxy3432]

After 18 months with a Insta360 one r my editing skills are definitely improving. Just bought a computer with enough omph (technical term) to run 360 studio, disappointing there isn't Jump Cut, a very useful feature .

[@EatSleep360]

Thanks for the comment John, glad to hear your skills are improving. Yes the studio software needs a lot of updates.

[@p6x2]

I use a DGI OSMO Pocket 2, and to me, time spent to edit videos accounts for a big part. As a photographer, I learned a single most useful tip from the bests. Get it right the first time, so you do not have to post process it. This is my motto since. With the X3, you will always need to post-process your shots, maybe not all the time, but very often. With my DGI Pocket 2, editing only consists in cutting to streamline the video.

[@Cake...]

Yep. Keyframes can be difficult and arduous. But if you're just wanting a 360 video, then shooting just in 360 is easy with little post processing required. In the end having both 360 and 180 degree cameras just makes sense.

[@nowandrew4442]

Nonsense. The X3 is already both a 360 and 180 camera. The only reason for gopro to even still exist is when you must have the absolute best image quality/resolution available in that style of camera. Otherwise the X3 with single-lens 4K mode makes the gopro effectively obsolete.

[@rougegan]

I agree with your point of view. 360 edit is a huge time consuming process. Creativity has to express itself during the shooting. I sold my real 360. Now using the Insta 360go that is not a 360 despite its name. Thank you for the video

[@Lou-Lou.]

Never had a 360 camera before, got the x3 yesterday and went on a bike ride, found editing it very easy and intuitive in the mobile app, takes a couple of minutes to get the angle you want, watched a couple of tutorial videos before I started and all good, obviously not as simple as the go pro but really apples to oranges imo

[@ChrisCoxCycling]

Well said. I have an X2 and a GoPro 7, and I use both. I love 360 video, but it really can be tedious to edit. I get better quality reframed 360 video using the desktop app exported at 4K. I know it's upscaled, but it seems to work better than upscaling the 1080p output in my editing suite where I combine it with GoPro footage that is shot in 4K. I've also had a bit of frustration with slow SD card errors on the latest Insta360 firmware, which in the end I had to downgrade again where the errors go away. It's extremely frustrating to find you've setup your 360 camera on your bike, out of sight, you've hit record and you finish your ride and find it didn't record more than about 10 seconds... but I know GoPro has its own reliability issues as well. In case anyone's wondering, I'm using Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards which Insta360 recommends as the ideal card, and they had worked reliably for 18 months until the last firmware update... Anyway, like all things, there are pros and cons to different products, different use cases, and it is a bit frustrating when reviews tend to do direct comparisons, which can be apples and oranges.

[@EatSleep360]

Thanks for the comment. I should do a comparison test on a large screen to see how good the upscaling is. Interesting that you’ve had issues with the card speed - it’s worth posting on their facebook page or emailing them about this as the messages do filter through to their tech team. I use Sandusky extreme pro as well but haven’t shot anything recently with the x2.

[@ChrisCoxCycling]

@Eat Sleep 360 I've got an ongoing email support thread with their engineers. Have tried all sorts of different card formatting tools, benchmark tests etc. They're trying to get to the bottom of it. But definitely looks like a firmware thing since I've not had a problem since downgrading again. Hopefully the engineers get to the bottom of it. Their support is responsive, can't fault that.

[@angeeast4209]

I was on the fence about purchasing a 360 for our vacations. This helped me decide that the 360 would not be a good option for me. I simply do not want to spend any more time editing than I already do with my GoPro. Thank you SO MUCH!

[@sadhuandrei9461]

100% agree! Have done several shootings with an Insta360 and the end result was crap because I was bad at editing… then I realised just how much time and effort all those « look how cool my 360 shoot » videos took before actually getting to those results. This is definitely NOT one for the Instagram/ Tik Tok generation

[@JESSROCKEDChannel]

Kinda disagree with what you're emphasizing here. The only issues with the insta360 are the quality reduction when recording in high FPS and the extra large file size it makes since it's a 360 recording. The learning process is pretty much the same with having to learn a GoPro and its app for the first time.

[@EatSleep360]

Fair enough - I’m just basing it on feedback I get from beginners and keyframing for them can be a steep learning curve. Yes I agree the quality reduction in slow motion can be an issue. Thanks for the comment

[@grahambkk]

Thanks for the work you put into this video, it is great to get an easy to follow comparison of these two front runner action cams. For myself and my needs, I will stay with my GoPro Hero 10 Black that I get great results from, in spite of the short battery life and odd workarounds needed for an external microphone.

[@longstrangejourney4776]

Wait... Choice being taken away from you in reframing is a good thing? With respect, this is a completely confusing review. "IF you know the exact shot you want..." That is a very big statement. I am new to the X3 as of December and have use GoPro from Hero3+ Black, Hero5 and Hero8. So far, I am completely head-over-heels with the X3. The intermediate editing is hardly a significant workflow issue. I cannot tell you how many video events have been lost opportunities, at least three this year due to the perennial issues with GoPro, from the dreaded 27K Video file, other corruption forms, GoPro mysteriously stopping filming, lock-ups and overheating. Oh yeah, and you get a good video, but the action was not in frame. And the challenge is not those events taking place within a camera model, but they have taken place over many major releases in GoPro where they just haven't solved them unless you buy into the notion that Hero11 has solved them all. Only some of us bought into that notion that Hero8 fixed the Hero5, etc. The answer to any GoPro quirk is to go buy the latest, which usually has the quirk or a new quirk. And those quirks have cost me numerous video products. Then there is the anemic battery, and as someone who doesn't need to really go beyond the capabilities of my GoPro8, the battery choices quickly become worse. And feeding a USB-C power through a aftermarket battery door usually leads to more corrupted videos as the power-demand apparently exceeds the USB-C capability. Upwards of 80 mins on a X3 battery is excellent alternative. Back to the X3 and the Studio/App. This may seem like a bother, until you realize that you can shoot 15 mins of footage on X3 and get 3, 5 or more framed vantage points from that same video. That is actually quite significant. I think you make a valid point coming from a profession as a cameraman. "IF you Know the exact shots you want" you can take more advantage of the GoPro. If you are strapping a GoPro onto a boat or a bike or a motorcycle and you don't know what frame-able vantage points (one of many perhaps) will present themselves until post. IF you have four people fishing in four locations on a boat and you want to capture all the potential actions and activities. IF a unique event happens, and not only do you capture it in frame, but you capture the reactions of, say three different people who aren't in-the-same-frame, but ARE in the 360-capture window, it is huge that you can get that with 360 video. I think you are providing expert advice and that is certainly appreciated, but it is perhaps from a singular perspective and being too broadly applied. As someone who has used "Action Cameras" to capture action and that action can occur in a less planned way, the 360 is a huge advantage over the GoPro. I use my GoPro Hero8 with the Feiyutech wearable gimbal on the front strap of a backpack with stuntman branded backpack strap mount and that allows for quick re-framing of the GoPro, and it can still take tons of effort to stay on frame. The learning curve of the X3 Studio is not much and the pay-off is huge. You just need to not let that X3 App or Studio try to disrupt your workflow. Use it to extract framed vantage points and then do your editing in your editor where you apply your techniques, etc. Also, while you are playing up the intermediate editing of the X3, let's compare that to the nagging, whine-a-thon of the GoPro Quick app desperately seeking a cloud subscription from me before trying to be useful. I tried to be fair, but I think you offer a perspective that is a good one, but cannot not be so broadly applied as you did. Cheers. Hope the feedback is taken in good spirit.

[@BigManAlaska]

Great comparison for those of us that already own one or the other. I was interested in the insta 360 microphone and it's not that bad compared to the constantly overheating GoPro.

[@Living_Our_Best_Life]

Great video and great points. I love the X3, but GoPro footage to me just looks a bit crisper.

[@A1Bokeh]

It Def if my last 2 videos were 360 and gopro and the gopro video looks way better. I'm guessing it's partly me doing something wrong

[@rickthiel]

Thanks! I'm still using my X1, and am trying to get back to using my Gopro, but am wondering why(?). Your explanations are spot on. And as stated, the 360 editing get's so much easier, and interesting, with more use!

[@Sitsolitary]

Here I’ll let you guys know in one post: 360 cameras video quality isn’t as good but you gain the ability to reframe after.. take your pick, if you know your going to shoot well and get the right angles and framing correct then you’ll be better off with a standard GoPro. If you want a set and forget then get a 360. Also note that a 360 camera is more work to clip and edit in post.

[@nareshmadnani]

Very Simple Select single lens mode on Insta 360 x3 Or the new x4. It becomes go pro. Just render the footage out from insta software as. MP4 and use your favourite software for editing.

[@baddevotions]

One thing missing from this is durability. They are both touted as being action cameras and the GoPro is much more rugged; the lens can be swapped if it is cracked and GoPro support for repair is very good. Smash a lens on the x3 and it’s a long wait for repair as it has to be sent to a service centre.

[@EatSleep360]

If they bring out an X4 I hope they address this and have lens guards similar to the GoPro or user replaceable lenses.

[@spectrumvlogs]

Really well done comparison I personally feel like the X3 is worth the learning curve Especially utilizing the Built-in orientation and motion features that our cellphones have as a way to reframe shots, Rewatching entire videos is already naturally a part of editing And in my opinion I feel The additional feature of reframe capabilities adds that much more Possible action and content within the final cut mix

[@EatSleep360]

Yes I really enjoy using the snap editor and viewfinder mode for shorter videos

[@age0906]

@Eat Sleep 360 Thanks for an excellent comparison highlighting the pros and cons @Eatsleep360 of these two bits of kit. I am torn between getting a Gopro Hero 11, insta360 X3, or the DJI Osmo Action 3. It's for recording footage of my car journey's in 4k, with the camera mounted to the car roof. Any advice on which one to go for? I'm looking for the least motion blur, pixelation and best stabilisation features. I was leaning towards the GoPro, but after seeing some of the issues regarding GoPro's overheating, shutting down, freezing, etc. I am now super wary of them. Which way would you go?

[@spectrumvlogs]

@@age0906 for sure get the insta360! it has motion stabilization built in as well as recording times up to 4 hours or better at 5.6k 30fps when paired up with a sandisk extreme 256 gb micro SD card and the best feature for longer videos is for sure the removable battery for a full day of shooting! it only gets better when you use single lens mode as the file sizes are 1080P which can go up to even 6 hours of shooting depending on battery life as well, all youl really need at that point is a proper mount and of course your car! i just uploaded a basic car mounted video on my channel to test the playback and its not bad at all compared to dji camera's, personally go pro doesnt even make my list as the heating and freezing issues speak for themselves so in my opinion- for sure go with the insta360 👍

[@age0906]

@Spectrum Vlogs OK, thanks for advice. Will definitely have a closer look at the insta360

[@age0906]

@Eat Sleep 360 Do you have any idea what device is being used here along with the mounting setup? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4jJkod6ZauAZ8k It's clearly mounted outside of the cabin and the image quality is super sharp. No motion blur or anything. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

[@edittide9842]

I have been a 360 camera users since the original insta 360 One. As others have said there is a learning curve, you need to edit (the AI assisted App makes it easier if not entirely useful some instances) and all this means you need to be invested in the camera which will definitely put off many many many many people. However if you are prepared to learn it will give you a new experience which is rewarding.

[@WiljanWiljan]

Insta360 x3 is the way to go. But insta needs to really improve the studio software and add all the shotlabs to the studio software.

[@EatSleep360]

Yes there is sooo much missing from The studio software - it’s very frustrating

[@fathertimencUSA]

I have the X2 and X3 for awhile. Never had a issue with them. I got a GOPro Hero 10 and nothing but problems since I have had it. You never know for sure when it will acted up like shutting down or not turning on at all.

[@YQZhang-bh8xj]

X3 is the best camera I ever have, much much better than goPro, and dji action camera in my opinion.

[@adegreen2731]

Found myself revisiting this video after recently selling my x3. Had full intension of purchasing x4 only to find insta360 have removed ability to send gps data and control camera from Apple Watch. Started me re-thinking about whether I really need another 360 or whether I’d be better off with a GoPro 11 or 12. The main issue I found is having lots of 10-20minute clips saved off but never having edited/reframed them. Just so time consuming. Bad enough cutting and tweaking 10 minutes of a standard flat file let alone having to reframe the video as well. Love the idea of 360 cameras and you can get some great shots (plus it can be fun initially editing and reframing). But I could get a GoPro 11 and DJI mini 4k drone for price of the insta360 x4 with an as card and selfie stick now! (And have footage I could immediately watch and use!)

[@EatSleep360]

Adding gps with Apple Watch and garmin is a feature of the X4. All I would add is the auto editing feature which reframes and adds music to several clips is now pretty impressive so might be worth considering.

[@adegreen2731]

@@EatSleep360 Their promo videos certainly show it but this is the response I recently got from Insta360: “…Yes, the X4 camera is not compatible with the Apple Watch for the time being. But we will try to make them compatible in the future camera firmware version. We are constantly listening, reading, and being told what users would like from Insta360. Your demand has been passed to our related department, but every new feature/product needs to be evaluated and tested whether it launches or not. It takes time to do that. So I'm sorry it is hard for us to tell you the detailed date to solve the issue….”

[@OrlandoPla]

I do not understand why people compare these two cameras. Comparing peaches to bananas ..... I have my GoPro in my pocket ALL THE TIME because I cannot put in my pocket my GH6. It is small and I do not have to worry about scratching the lens because it is easily replaced. It records at 4k/60p 100+ mbs at 10 bit (that is better than the Lumix G85) with enough image quality for b-roll to be sold in places like Shutterstock. I do not use my cellphone for video. I go directly to my pocket take my GoPro 11 and press record. Image stabilization and horizon leveling are fantastic. For cycling, mountain climbing, surfing, skateboarding where you need a "record/forget" camera ..... that is the kingdom of 360 .... but I would not carry a 360 in my pocket as I do with the GoPro. Buy both and be happy.

[@EatSleep360]

These cameras are compared because they are both action cameras but some people don’t realise the fundamental difference in how they are used which is why I made this video. I agree though owning both cameras is an ideal scenario - thanks for the comment.

[@stratolestele7611]

I just want the easiest and most reliable camera that will constantly loop, and not miss the scene where someone hits me, pulls out in front of me, road rage, etc., on my bike. I'm leaning towards towards the X3. Any opinions?

[@rep3e4]

Thanks

[@BrydenMcKinnie]

That's my thoughts exactly. On location, I'm in flow, picking the shots for the edit. But with the 360 shot, I'm not at home wondering what shot to edit. To the point that I've not edited any holiday vids. The moment has gone. So the edit when done is not the same.

[@CookandBakewithSamer]

Thank you for the comparisons. For in doors, I probably should continue using my iPhone 14 Pro but get a 360 for outdoors. Can you get an external mic for the Insta360?

[@chopciriacruz6030]

Can I use insta 360x3 to record my full court basketball games if attached to a tripod?

[@slojam100]

I have the x3 and found i was spending far too much time reframing in the editing. I have 2 gopro 7's. My wife films and I film Then i take the best of that for the final edit. Admittedly you have to be mindful of what you capture.. This saves me so much time. Great video as always. Thanks

[@WoodyWanderer]

So what would people choose ? I’ve just got in to cameras the last few months using them on my bike . After using a camera from 2018 I want to step it up to something a lot newer and these are the exact 2 I’ve short listed . Which is better battery ? Which is better for catching sunrises and sunsets while riding ?

[@paularckless7254]

I went for the Go Pro 11 because image quality is more important to me, if i am going to record something i like to be able to capture every little detail, i use it mainly for cycling and when i look at the footage later it's like i was there again.

[@nowandrew4442]

Then you should be carrying an M4/3 mirrorless ILC, not an action camera.

[@hereweare9011]

@@nowandrew4442 why would you carry a heavy ass camera for what they want to use it for?

[@nowandrew4442]

@@hereweare9011 you don't know what m4/3 cameras are, do you... yes it's not gopro but they are far from heavy-ass. And it's because he said image quality is of utmost importance. That's why.

[@hereweare9011]

@@nowandrew4442 compared to a gopro.....heavy ass camera!

[@nowandrew4442]

@@hereweare9011 perspective is everything. You want image quality? Here's the answer. You want extreme portability, you gotta give something up. OP's comment was, IQ is priority.

[@ian-mucarruthers441]

At one point you say that the X3 'has the creative edge'. I feel it depends. I plan my shots and think about what I'm going to do before I shoot. My creative bent is based on planning. Capture everything and then edit, is not how I work. A really interesting video. Thanks

[@colinlow1167]

The Insta360 app and Windows editor are the best camera apps I have used. Remarkably solid, fast and clever.

[@ProfSimonHolland]

good one....as an editor i agree....just shoot the shots you need

[@tommydaynjer5334]

This is my experience too. I had a GoPro 9 camera that never froze and had zero bugs so when I heard all the stories I was like wow I’m lucky! …until they auto updated the firmware on my GoPro 9 and it literally broke the rear screen. Two months, tons of complaining later they still said they wouldn’t replace something they broke in a forced update, and oddly enough they finally DID replace the camera once I complained hard about GoPros on Facebook. …so now I have a super glitchy replacement GoPro with all the freezes and bugs people were talking about because they broke my good one and (very stressfully) replaced it with a bad one. I can’t even leave the batteries in or a bug will randomly turn the camera on when I’m nowhere near it and drain the battery so when the time comes for me to actually use it I have no battery left. Got an X3 after that and the GoPro sits in a drawer somewhere now.

[@EatSleep360]

I’ve heard a lot of problems with the 9 in particular- I’m pleased I skipped this model. GoPro has awful customer service, I’m surprised they have managed to stay afloat. Thanks for the comment.

[@stephenfry4685]

Really informative. Been struggling to decide which is best option for motorcycle touring but this has made the choice easier. Great video (going for the gopro 12 for ease of use) Thanks

[@dennismurphy746]

Thanks so much for your insight Rich. My problem with Gopro is the unreliability. 20% of the time I go to check footage on my Gopro 7 and find it stopped recording a minute after it started. Then more times it may go for 30 mins and just stop. 50% of the time it works just fine. I use it as a black box flight recorder when flying my light plane. Handy to see what I did wrong when the CAA say I have infringed, but no good if it has stopped recording at the crucial moments. High definition is definitely an advantage, as it allows me to see instrument settings in detail, as well as the view outside. Another commentator on YT said the Gopro 11 is no more reliable than the 7. It is time to upgrade and I would buy the X3 to use it single lens mode if it can be relied upon. As a professional TV camera operator, do you find the Gopro 11 reliable enough? What is your opinion of the X3 for reliability and do you know if it can be run from an external battery pack for extended recording time?

[@EatSleep360]

Hi Dennis, thanks for the comment - I can see that reliability would be a major concern if you’re using it as a black box flight recorder. Most of the stuff I shoot is 5 min shots where it’s mounted on a jet ski or a person, in a car etc and you get the shot and then mount it somewhere else and for those shorter shots i haven’t had any issues. I have only had the GoPro 11 a short time so haven’t used it enough to say about reliability but the 10 and 7 have always been reliable for these shorter shots. I also do long time lapse shots and the only time the GoPro let me down was when it didn’t stay powered with the attached power bank - luckily I had two cameras set up. The X3 has always been reliable and it’s the most reliable Insta360 camera and yes it does take a power bank or you can use the power stick which is a power bank selfie stick. For longer record times it stops recording after 30min and there’s a 15sec gap and then it starts again so this may be an issue for you. I am certainly aware of the reliability issues with GoPros others have had and my friend Leonard who runs a cycling channel made a video about it recently. I guess I’ve just been lucky. If you do get the X3 I look forward to seeing your future comments.

[@markwornom1050]

​@@EatSleep360 In regards to the GoPro and power bank: I also got frustrated a couple of times while trying to do long time lapses at night. I set the schedule for a later capture and chose to have the GP shutdown while waiting. When it powered back up, it never used the attached PB. In researching a solution I learned that less sophisticated PBs will timeout and shutdown if they don't sense a minimum power draw. I believe this is what was happening when I told the GP to shutdown. I've since bought a PB that specifically avoids that problem and everything has been fine. However, I also add a measure of security in by not having the GP shutdown while waiting, just to be sure. Hope that helps.

[@milda197905]

I don't think that "No One Tells You About THIS". The fact that 360 needs some post-process is mentioned in almost any review video. I'd say that marketing of 360 cameras is bit twisted. Majority of people want/expect to record video and send it directly to social networks and insta360 marketing tries to follow that trend. For me, recording video is just start of the process. I actually like to do post-process, so I'm looking more for cameras allowing things like D-log videos and raw photos rather than "fancy" mobile apps allowing for instant sharing. So, as usual, depends on customer's taste... I'd not buy 360 camera as "instant" result thing. But with proper post process (and I do not agree that learning curve is "steep". That might be caused by the fact that I'm in photo/video for a while) 360 can provide interesting results.

[@frankmoralesiii6908]

I bought 2 GoPro hero 7 blacks in 2019 for motovlog. It is now 2024 and they are very unreliable - freeze, turn off by self, over heat. Also, I bough 3 Hero 8 Blacks, 1 in 2021 and 2 in 2022. All three of those do not work anymore - they flat out stopped working. One hero 8, after being on for 20 seconds, like clock work, repeatedly cycles on and off. The other two freeze after running about 1 minute. I am done with GoPros. All three do not give me any quality recording time. Thinking about getting DJI Action camera.

[@rickinhawaii]

Insta360 x3 is great the app for it sux. You need a top of the line phone or tablet for it to work properly. If you have a lower level phone/ tablet it simply won't work with the app. When in 360 mode you may need to edit twice. The exporting time is extremely long. Unless you spend more for the rapid exporter device. X3 doesn't come with enough instructions so learning how to use it take forever. I don't have the gopro 11 so no comments on that...

[@EatSleep360]

Yeah I had to upgrade my phone because of the rendering and export times with my older phones. I think Android users have always had a worse experience as well, I’m not sure if that’s still the case.

[@HKFromAbove]

The big negative on a traditional camera is getting home and realising the subject is out of shot. On a traditional cam you can't fix. On a 360 this usually can be fixed. Sound sounded identical. So for me if your on a budget then the insta x3 is your best bet. 360 and two choices of camera, front facing or back.

[@EatSleep360]

➡insta360 Christmas DISCOUNTS in December 2023 with my affiliate link ⬅➡including 10% off insta360 X3 with free selfie stick and memory card⬅store.insta360.com/holiday-sale?insrc=INRVHEV

[@bilaltahir9978]

Are you still able to get 10% off?

[@YoutiaoVlogs]

Audio is key 🗝 I use x3 and DJI Action 3 for this reason over gopro and my old gopro hero 7 Black always has issues connecting to app

[@Suna.X]

this was a brilliant review. so simple and straight forward man. thanks!

[@Janggut40]

Thank you for the clear review. Watching from Marudi Sarawak

[@ZotmundSzele]

I'm thinking of upgrading my old DJI Osmo action. Pros for an Insta X3: -it is kinda both - single lens action cam and 360 for everything else -I don't mind less resolution - I often use just 1080p only anyway -I even have a MetaQuest2 VR headset so I could watch my own footage in 360. Cons against an Insta X3: -I think it is less mountable. You cannot just stand it somewhere like a GoPro without any mini tripod or mount. The selfie pod is a great idea but occupies one of your hands. -I am a bit worried about more fish-eye - even in single lens mode. (i think it is the nature of having a 360 lens - something for something) -What you just explained is also a concern. I don't mind the longer editing or learning curve, however I may overcomplicate things a bit. So less is often more ;)

[@EatSleep360]

Yes less is more is the way forward with any camera and will save a lot of time and creates a more focused mindset for making videos

[@konpadelic]

What do you think about the Mevo start cam??

[@manoftheroad55]

Refreshing chang to hear someone whose gone through the mill...and been in the real world

[@habana6595]

I own the Gopro 9 (with the Max Lens mod) and thinking about getting the X3. BUT l’m gonna keep my Gopro for POV shots which it should be better for than the X3. The X3 will be more a selfie stick camera for me.

[@EatSleep360]

That’s a great camera combo 👍

[@ulfbro3973]

You're absolutely right. I spend a lot of time editing insta360. But it's worthwhile.

[@ralphlaurengulapa331]

Direction lock is your friend. If you intend a single view video, then just lock it. Otherwise, choose portions where you want to focus on. it's not as tedious if you dont want other effects. It would take you a lot of time as well with a gopro if you wanted some other type of editing. Insta360 app already have some templates for shot effects if you explore it. It will save you a lot of time. One thing i really like with the 360 is you dont lose any precious moments. You capture it wherever it's positioned. But then again, these are to my use. You obviously do pro shoots. And gopros will still be better in video quality and with the single purpose of shooting as directed. But with me, with family and unexpected bloopers, 360 is the way to go. 😊 thanks for the wonderful vid. Keep the great work. 😊

[@EatSleep360]

Thanks for the comment, much appreciated

[@tomstc]

This is what I tell people, in my videos I use both. But editing the 360 footage ready for your normal software is a painfully long process!

[@sirhansel]

the learning curve for 360 took me less time to learn how to edit my first X3 video than it did to film the actual clip.

[@biggooseadventures]

Nice video, My experiences with GoPro have been super negative. I won’t ever buy another. Issues have been connecting to app issues, videos not showing up on app when it connects, splitting videos that are longer than 7 mins or jumping into slow motion by itself. They always lie about shipping times. Won’t ever buy another GoPro it’s crap and their customer Service department in the Philippines is useless. I returned my GoPro 11 and the GoPro 8 will be my last ever. Not to mention they lied about the free year of GoPro subscription as they would not extend my current subscription for another year after I bought a go pro 11. They are the worst company.😅 I joined the Insta X3 Family and loving it so far! The X3 app also destroys the GoPro app.

[@EatSleep360]

I had terrible customer service from GoPro when I bought my GoPro 10 - they didn’t care when my GoPro didn’t get delivered. I think their subscription service was a big mistake. Glad you’re loving the X3 - I have lots of videos planned for this year. Thanks for the comment

[@onecrazywheel]

I am a motorcycle rider and want to film my rides for a backup in case I am in a wreck. Which camera would be the best? I'm thinking 🤔 of a GoPro on a chin mount but also have wondered if they make a motorcycle mount for the 360for the top of helmet 🪖? Thanks 🙏👍 for any comments.

[@Bob_Betty]

I have the sphere for use on the DJI Air 2 drone, and you ain't kidding about the learning curve! it's steep, frustrating, but very rewarding when finished and done right. Most often shots look robotic due to the app, and to remove this takes many more steps to take away that automated feel when scanning from one direction to another.

[@giotto4321]

Nice and succinct review, thanks. Qu: are the Insta 360 video files huge, as it presumably its catching way more pixels than the GoPro at say 4k?

[@SimplicityForGood]

my question is how it functions well or not with social media?! can one upload to instagram directly from the camera for example? does it have wifi connection and apps for social media platforms? If not, are there other cameras that have such app function so one do not need to use a smartphone or iPad at all for short videos to instagram or similar?... that would be really neat! :)* thanks for the video!

[@EatSleep360]

The x3 has integrated social media options within the app but not built into the camera. The same with the GoPro (I think) although the x3 is much better for social media as it has an effects library that a lot of people like using. I’m not sure of any camera that uploads directly to social media - you need to at least trim the start and end of clips so it makes sense to edit it first. Thanks for your comment.

[@SimplicityForGood]

@@EatSleep360 yes, I am used to edit for film ... but now I want a camera only for socialmedia that is small, portable and can edit in the screen of the camera for simple social media things such as with my Fixed Gear Bike or with my dog trips.. I do not want o use a smartphone like apple or google phones like android phones that track me and got a lot of stuff or apps I do not need or want in my equipment! So, this is why I was hoping to find a social media camera that can film, edit and publicise and hopefully send live broadcasts directly from the camera... would be good at invents and demonstrations when one interview people and so on... is there really no such handheld camera with stabiliser that you can upload directly from and make simple editing with.. you know editing good enough forthe news or short clips... :) is my dream and idea to do such projects without the need of a smart phone which I never bring to a demonstration or clumsy DSLR that I never can use when on my fixed Gera bicycle ... you see my point? I want a direct contact with my audience

[@bobski36]

Rich, I'd love to see how you'd do a Timelapse video (manual settings, etc). Look forward to your posts, as you've got the best 360 channel out there.

[@EatSleep360]

Thanks, much appreciated

[@peelypeelmeister6432]

I have a go pro 7. I'm over it. I'm in Vietnam. Got it all set up with a power bank, so I didn't have to keep changing batteries. Did a test run, and it seemed to work okay. We are now doing our trip, and it just keeps freezing, "repairing files" battery life changes within a minute. Go pro has demonstrated to me it's very unreliable.

[@CreativeLi]

This was really great, thanks! I love taking the X2 and Go2 combo as my daily drivers for many theses reason. You’re totally right - if you can ride the learning curve of Insta360 editing it’s a gem 💎. If I ever need higher quality video or sound, I love using my iPhone or GoPro with a wireless system and NDA. Cant wait to see more comparisons like these! Would love to see this done with photos from each device! 🫶🏾✨

[@ccmassis]

You need to raise the stick on your gopro higher compared to the Inta360 or crop gopro video.

[@bradrichardson08]

Um curious if they are good for filming at a slight distance - like my kids football games etc

[@EatSleep360]

I would say it’s too wide - but it will capture everything you just have to zoom in to get closer shots and you then lose quality

[@the_dog_goddess]

Another great informative video :-) Which would you recommend and why for someone who needs the camera and accessories to film bullet FAST pets like running, herding, working dogs? Its usually only 1 of us and very rarely 2 to take the dogs and puppies out to work and we need the camera, accessories, mics, clips, etc to be VERY User Friendly, something to use Hands-Free OR to perhaps attach to one of our better behaved dogs to 'see things from their 'perspective' and not a steep learning curve for filming or editing. We have experience in photography with digital and mirrorless cameras such as Canon and some with iPhone 12 Pro with all the bells & whistles But none with GoPro or Insta 360. Thank you!

[@fezwhy]

I have been on the fence for a while on which camera to buy. Looking to use it outdoors as I am a part time beekeeper. As well as for a dash cam. But with the gopro overheating issues I don't know that it's the right option for me. I don't need the 360 degree view or selfie stick modes. I have been wondering how the insta360 compares to the dji pocket 2 or the osmo action 3.

[@jp4431]

If I were to use it for skiing only, when one would be the ideal choice? I was thinking 360 because I don't need to pay much attention to where I'm pointing my mount, but I also want videos that can pretty much be taken straight out of the camera. I just want to share some footages with family and friends, and to preserve some memories.

[@EatSleep360]

360 camera for skiing is amazing - it captures everything which is what you need on the slopes. I’ve used a helmet mount and a wrist mount. You have to be careful on the chairlifts if it’s on your helmet. You can use the snap wizard feature which makes editing easier and is ok for shorter videos. Just be disciplined and shoot a few minutes at a time if you can. Use hand warmers to keep the batteries warm if you have spares. You can watch this video here on the wrist mount, it’s old now but you’ll still see the wrist mount in action kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ_dpXqNpKqLrpI

[@jenshoefer7944]

​@@EatSleep360 I am using currently gopro 8 for skiing and mountaineering and looking for a new model. Looking at those x3 videos taken by others, the video looks somewhat distorted. Example would be a ridge walk, on those 360 videos it just look insane and not natural at all, so viewers don't get an impression of how that ridge or trail/climb/slope looks in reality. Is that due to lack of editing skills?

[@piratelz4164]

Great review - I get asked which is better all the time too - I think I'll send them this link instead of answering, but you are right, both have their pros & cons!! One thing I really like about my X3 is the "set and forget" factor...as long as it's on and recording it captures EVERYTHING, so I can focus on riding and having fun and not being cameraman.

[@ultradiabetic]

Can u use the app to edit on a Mac and can u use iMovie to edit as well?

[@Crotoua]

Interesting thanks. Apart from the resolution itself, I don’t like the Insta360 cameras IQ. I’ve always found their colors ugly, like the cyan overexposed skies. My GoPro Max’s colors are much better. GoPro Max vs GoPro 11 : what are your thoughts ?

[@EatSleep360]

It was interesting looking at the setting sun and skin tones in this video - the GoPro produces much more natural colour and skin tones. GoPro Max is great if you want 360 video but again it doesn’t compete in single lens mode - doesn’t even come close to the GoPro 11. For 360 I would choose the X3 over the Max as I prefer the design and features - and Insta360 are continuously improving their and updating their products whereas GoPro just release and forget (Gopro Max).

[@_mids]

How come when you do the microphone test the GoPro was a lot closer to you and when you did the 360 test, it was a lot further away

[@moguerlain7158]

I've had a camera for a few months, a GoPro 11 and I confirm that it was an error, the camera is plugged into the power bank and I still have problems with the camera freezing in addition there is no option for dates and times on recordings and for the setting menu and the display on the screen of the camera it is very basic it looks like a display menu for telephones from the beginning of the year 2000

[@TowynEvans]

Can you add downloaded music from KZbin to Insta insta360 if you are an Android user?

[@LK-bz9sk]

This review really differentiated the cameras and knowing I am not the only one struggling with the Insta makes me feel a bit better.

[@corujariousa]

Thank you very much! Very relevant and unbiased. I keep hearing about GoPro quality control issues. I wish you had address that as well. Is is true? How do the cameras compare in reliability overall?

[@CowpotePodcast62]

Can you just have a video one way and just turn around at what you're looking at? Just like a GoPro 10 without the 360 stuff. And you have to download any stuff to the camera. When you buy it, does it come box ready? I just want to be able to video. Tape it and then turn it around at something.

[@EatSleep360]

With the X3 you can shoot in single lens mode which is like a GoPro so you point it in the direction you want to look at. But if you’re not going to use the 360 side then you’re better off getting a GoPro. Out of the box you’ll need to update the firmware and connect to your phone and you’ll need to buy a selfie stick.

[@projectmayhem2330]

Love your content! What program do you use to edit the footage post Insta app? I’ve jump cut and edited plenty, but don’t know how to combine multiple Insta footage from different days together

[@EatSleep360]

Thanks - I use premiere pro but there are some good free ones out there like capcut or Davinci resolve

[@BenjaminHarris101]

Great Video, answered the issue I have been struggling with