Insta360 GO 3 vs. GoPro HERO8 Black

I recently picked up the Insta360 GO 3 and I wanted to see how it compared to my GoPro! In this video, we use both cameras at the same time to see the differences!
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0:00 Introduction
1:32 Riding Comparison
3:11 Comparison Analysis

[@Prizz419]

Big fan of the GoPro, the new Hero12 is incredible. The one thing GoPro lacks in is the 360 camera. The Maxx was cool, but it’s outdated by comparison of the Insta360. For a dedicated POV camera, GoPro is still the answer for me. However 360 edits are sick so it’s fun using the Insta360s features.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

I completely agree. I have the Max, but honestly most of the time I use it I end up editing it to POV anyways, so I tend to just use the non-360 cameras. At least I have the options for anything!

[@haydennharves]

I’d definitely still use the hero 8, but man the GO 3 is impressive for how small it is. Audio quality is obviously the main factor, but it’s a damn impressive camera by any means. This just crossed my mind ( and I’m sure you already considered it ) but what about utilizing the smaller GO 3 when the footage isn’t as vital? EX: using the GO 3 for race laps only for less distraction on your head, or using it for practice footage only. Maybe not as practical, but it could work if you prefer the GO 3’s size that much more.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

I’ve definitely thought of that! That’s the reason I got it, so I have multiple options. When I want top-notch quality, I can bring the GoPro out. For racing, I’ll probably use the GO 3 since it’s so out of the way.

[@jrsisson1978]

Just a thought if you edit in something like Premiere Pro. Have you considered sticking a mike on the camera like the DJI mic? They have internal recording and wind muffs so you could attach one to your frame, capture stellar audio and just sync up the video and audio later which is very easy within Premiere (and probably other video editing programs).

[@DrewPolkBMX]

I’ve thought about it, but I like my action camera to be out of the way and simple. That’s why the GO 3 is so nice, it’s super tiny and convenient, but doesn’t lose too much quality. Adding in an external mic would just be more to keep track of and do.

[@jrsisson1978]

@@DrewPolkBMX That’s understandable. I’m sure you could stick a tiny wind muff on it if you decide you want better sound (as you could turn off the wind protection in camera, if it has that option and you would get clearer sound) and it wouldn’t add any extra hassle past the sticking on part 👍

[@AdamOravetz]

Thanks Drew. I’m looking at the Ace Pro but that would be more for doing training content and probably some vlog stuff! Insta seems to be innovating rather than just making small improvements on specks.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

They really are! It’s been cool to see another company come into play. It’s nice having something new!

[@davebourne1172]

I use the Go3 and it small size and ease of use is why I use it over my Gopro for the Bmx track. The footage isnt as good as my gopro but the image difference is not enough of a deal breaker for me. I think ultimately if youre primary concerned about the quailty of the footage, the best route is a 360 camera.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

I completely agree, there is a slight difference in quality but it’s not extreme. Both have their advantages!

[@drake29a]

Honestly, checked out comparison of Hero8 to Hero12, and while the new one looks better, I don't think that a lot of people will notice those better details, so can't rationalize expense. 360 got me by ability to re-frame video after it's recorded.

[@lochlunwarren]

Try the GoPro 11 mini it’s very good size is perfect and the battery is good

[@Jimmy81R]

I’m a fan of the insta360 cameras, but when I tried the GO2 it was junk and I had to return it. I haven’t tried the GO3 yet. My biggest issues with the GO2 was that it didn’t use an external sd card, it didn’t have an external battery, and it would overheat because it was too small. Unfortunately, most KZbinrs were paid to review the GO2 and were not honest with their reviews.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

You pretty much nailed my other dislikes about the camera, but they seem small enough that I’m able to overlook them (for now at least haha). I wasn’t paid to make this and I bought the camera myself, so I’m not biased either way. Just wanted to see for myself how they looked side by side.

[@Jimmy81R]

@@DrewPolkBMX it was a very nice review. I love how little the camera is. Thanks for all your great content.

[@ashtonbrownbmx]

I know personally I'd still use the gopro. There are many deal breakers for me if I were to use it, and things I felt you glossed over: After you edited the Insta360go 3's footage, the highlights are quite muted, making the track look like mush compared to the gopro. Although the gopro was slightly weird with its exposure coming out of the turns, that could probably be fixed with protune. The dynamic range for the audio on the insta360 is frankly, terrible. I'm working on an audio engineering degree among other things in the field and I can say that it sounds like the insta 360 is clipping and has a lower bitrate, which is something that CANNOT ever be made to sound clear. While the gopro sounds muffled itself, you can hear the tires on the dirt much better, leading to better immersion. Your muffled sound on the gopro could be from the built-in wind noise reduction. You might be able to turn it off with essentially the fuzzy stuff put on microphones. There's an old Berm Peak/Seth's Bike Hack's video which shows how to make a wind noise reducer out of a fake beard on the cheap if you haven't tried that already. The only thing I can see about it in comparison that is better is size, but didn't gopro just make a new mini/session camera? I know this is smaller than that but idk. As much as I'd like the battery to be replaceable, it somewhat makes sense. However there is a bigger issue in the fact that the lenses seem to be non replaceable and not protected by its charging case which would be terrible if it were the only camera I brought to a race were it to break or scratch. I tend to use my cameras for a long time and those two things will make you repeatedly buy the cameras again and again forever, instead of one or two small parts over years. Also I saw that you and Barry Nobles put out videos very close together which makes it seem like this video is a paid advertisement/sponsorship which is cool and all (because we all need money), But if true, isn't that something which should be disclosed? I feel like that could crop up as a potential legal issue if it is.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

The GoPro is superior in video quality, no doubt. It has more size and packs a larger punch. Admittedly, my least favorite thing about the GO 3 is the fps options: 24, 30, and 50. I edit in 24, so I have to bite the bullet and shoot in 50fps so I have the option to slowmo, but they don't align perfectly. The GoPro has much more contrast for sure, but I can match that in post-editing. The extra contrast and quality from the GoPro makes it look way better. However, both videos are in 432p which makes it difficult to fully compare the quality (Realistically I should have exported in 4k so the downscaled clips were better quality). Audio-wise, the GO 3 seems to have the wind reduction, as you can hear when the wind direction switches (different straight directions) and the audio noticeably changes. The GoPro seems more raw, but also sounds more muffled. I have tried using a windscreen cover on the GoPro, but it made almost no difference. As I mentioned in the video, my main reason for getting the GO 3 was for the smaller size. I already have a GoPro, so getting another GoPro didn't seem wise to me. Now, I have both options I can utilize. Yes, the quality may lack slightly with the GO 3, but the convenience is much greater. GoPro has the session series (I had the first model) and the size was perfect, but they aren't up to par anymore, lacking Hypersmooth and quality. They released a mini 11, but the camera is only smaller in width. The height is the same, so it would still block my vision the same as my current GoPro when used under the visor. Also, the GO 3 has the upper hand with lens replacement (in my case). The GO 3 has a lens protector, in the form of a clear threaded glass filter. The GoPro 8 does not have a detachable lens like the 7 and newer GoPros. I have a tempered glass lens protector on the GoPro though, so there is some protection. I ordered my GO 3 exactly 3 weeks ago, but I only now was able to ride the track due to weather. I wanted to make this video sooner, but just wasn't able to. I just saw Barry's video and thought the timing was pretty funny. I can assure you, I am not sponsored by either GoPro or Insta360, although I wish I was haha.

[@ashtonbrownbmx]

@@DrewPolkBMX @DrewPolkBMX Cool! Didn't know the go 3 had a replaceable lense since I didn't look that closely. I knew one of the newer gopros had a lense that you had to ship in to replace, but I forgot it was the 8 specifically. I haven't kept super up-to-date on GoPro & Action Cam news lol. Anyhow thanks for the unique video! I'm still rocking a hero 5 black so I'm a bit behind the times.

[@DrewPolkBMX]

@ashtonbrownbmx Of course! I would definitely recommend the 7 or newer, that’s when they started getting good 😉

[@Sharkeyvr.]

GoPro hero 8 is beter in my opinion

[@Sharkeyvr.]

Hi

[@GOATBMXEDITS]

60 or 27?