WHY? Insta360 GO 3S Vs GO 3 FreeFrame: Explainer & Comparison

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It looks like Freeframe on the Insta360 GO 3s has changed from how it worked on the Insta360 GO 3. And some people are quite upset about this. So, has it changed? And if so, why? What’s going on here? In this video, I’ll try and explain what I think is going on. Confused about the differences between the Insta360 GO 3s and GO 3 FreeFrame? Watch this comparison video for an in-depth explanation of each camera's features and see which one is right for you - complete with comparison shots from both cameras - side-by-side!
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[@TEVIDEOS]

I've loved my GO3 since the day I bought it. I create vertical 9:16 videos with the camera horizontal in the hat clip. GO3s FOV when doing this is perfectly wide enough to capture everything I need. The new 4:3 sensor is a deal breaker for my style of filing with these cameras. They have now made it impossible to film in 9:16 with the camera horizontal unless you are using free frame mode which absolutely guts the FOV and you are left with a cropped in low quality image that is way below 4K.. Only way to get a good 9:16 video is to have the camera vertical and I am not trying to look like a unicorn or Squidward with it mounted on my hat straight up or down between my eyes 😅👌. Just returned my 3S for another 3. All I wanted to do was be able to use both cameras in conjunction so when one is close to dying, I can swap it for the other and just continuously charge the cameras. They should have kept the 1:1 sensor. -10 points Griffendor.

[@TheTechPacker]

love your sign off :)

[@SneekyFauker]

@@TEVIDEOS This! I didn't do research between the 3S and 3. I just figured the 3S is better. The moment I got it I was extremely disappointed I lost out on 9:16 recording with the hat clip since this is going to be recording my blue collar job. I'm returning the 3s and getting the 3

[@RoyceLithgo]

Just discovered this on unboxing and setting up my Go 3S. I mostly shot in Freeframe on the Go 3. This change is a huge impact for me. Now i need to consider the orientation of the camera before recording. The display actually shows you the output with vertical and horizontal orientation so you can judge which aspect you want to have more detail in. If the camera is vertical, you'll get a bigger portrait image and a narrower landscape. If it's horizontal, you get a broader landscape image and narrower portrait. You need to decided before you start shooting what your primary display device aspect is going to be. For me, it would most likely be landscape. I will still be able to output a portrait video but it will be cropped. The old Go 3 had so much flexibility in freeframe - didn't matter how the camera was oriented and there was scope for slight reframe of the image if the camera was off target a little. That is gone now. I have mixed feelings about this "upgrade". In all other ways Go 3S is superior unless you are a freeframe shooter. I watched so many videos before i purchased and no one mentioned this change. The other thing i just noticed, Mega view doesn't work when you shoot freeframe with vertical camera orientation. Only works in horizontal orientation. This makes no sense at all.

[@TheTechPacker]

Pity you found my video after rather than before

[@RoyceLithgo]

@@TheTechPacker Yes a very big pitty. I am returning the camera. This is a show stopper for me. I love the freedom that freeframe gives you on the Go 3. I hope they rethink the sensor change for the Go 4.

[@RMSFAM09]

@@RoyceLithgo its a deal breaker for me as well. I love the freeform because I like vertical video and horizon lock. so with the 3s I can still have vertical high quality video so as long as I film vertically correct? but there is no horizon lock if I shoot that way?

[@Bobobirb24]

I just upgraded from go3 to go3s and i'm starting to regret my decision. I mostly used freeframe so it seems I made a bad choice. Will have to adapt now

[@RMSFAM09]

@@Bobobirb24 i just got the go3s today…havent played with it yet but yes i will adapt as well but anyways its def a much better camera than my go2 lol

[@chriscapune7873]

Love the rainbow in the background 😃 I have been enjoying my Go 3s since I got it 4 days ago. Your videos have been very helpful!! Thank you. 👏🐾🐈‍⬛😃🍻

[@IMRROcom]

I use FreeFrame all the time with my GO 3. I use it as a stick it and go for odd angles. Film things with makeshift, jibs, booms sliders etc. I just want the video to be level. One of my favorite shots is to hold the camera in my hand vertical. put my elbow on the next and make an arc over the object I'm shooting. It looks like I'm arm wrestling nobody. I tried to do this with my new GO 3S in FreeFrame and I'm up tell four AM trying to figure out why it no longer works (I eventually figured out the problem with FreeFrame). I was and still will be connecting my GO 3 and GO 3S together for a side by side and do the same shot. I also use it for B role or fit in tight spots. So Horizon Level needs to work in FreeFrame. I'm faking edelkrone shots with out spending the 1000s of dollars to do them. I got the GO 3 to replace my DJI Pocket. Both can do close to the same shot, but the GO 3 is smaller format and less likely to get broken or damaged and fit on smaller spots. If I do not see any gains with the Go 3S in FreeForm, I'm thinking about returning it and getting a new DGI Pocket 2 or 3.

[@TheTechPacker]

There is tilt shift now too to help with some of that shooting straight video mode. Check out the chapter section in my First Impressions video.

[@IMRROcom]

@@TheTechPacker Yes, but it does not fix the huge angle change you see if working on a car. When you lay down then stand up etc. If I'm leaning over the engine on one side of the car working on the engine, then walk around to the other side of the car and lean the other direction. It looks like you are rocking back and forth on a boat. Not good. The GO 3 did not do this but the GO 3S does. Granted most people use it for looking at them vloging etc. but for people that would use it when working on something and have it head mounted etc. it does some funny. the fact that 360 mode crops the video over 50% with the GO 3S vs the GO 3. A little reframe in post can fix it to make sure you camera is pointed at your hands, The GO 3S is so far cropped in that you hands could be out of frame and you would not know it. Granted my use case is not the same as others, but I will give up some clarity if it just stayed level in the shot and was not cropped in 50%. I did a ruler test. The GO 3 would get over 48 inches into view at around 2 feet distance. The GO 3S you get around 24 inches at that same distance. According to the spec. FreeFrame Video is the same as 4K Video. 4K: 3840x2880@24/25/30fps. To me that does not add up with he 50% crop in that you get in post. Just my observations, I'm no Tech guy or anything like that, I just want it to be the same and or better than the previse version in the mode I use it. Thanks for your time.

[@TheTechPacker]

@IMRROcom yes. It is behaving quite strangely when you look at the specs. And tilt fix wont help with huge angles. Thanks for sharing so much detail with the community here!

[@MpchBrwn]

Thats the same reason why I returned mine, is all about how you shoot and with the Go2 I was shooting same as you explained

[@CalvinCarlo]

Oh get the 3. It’s at least 5 times bettee than the Pocket 2!

[@MpchBrwn]

For me the issue is more about switching between horizontal vertical while filming. most of the time i had the go2 mounted on the selfie stick, so to make some landscape/vacation shots I started filming low, go2 on horizontal position, selfie stick paralell to the ground, then I started moving the selfie stick up, to a perpendicular position to the ground, so the go2 goes in vertical position rather than the initial horizontal position, thats why I need the horizon lock, that can in the go3s can only be achived in freeform mode, 360 horizon lock view, and then it crops a lot, so the shot is useless if you are shooting wide angle to show some ladnscape , buildings, architecture...

[@IMRROcom]

I have a tall light stand I use with my GO 3 some times. This "easy switch?" is another problem. But I think I can get past it with a reframe in post. I use the magnet to stick the camera to the vertical post of the light stand, or a light pole, hood support rod on my car etc. all the place the camera in a vertical position or 9:16 "easy switch?" If I set the aspect to 16:9, stay 16:9. If I want a 9:16 video I will crop out the 9:16 from the 16:9. To be fair people watching a video on the cell phone etc. could care less if the resolution is4K for that 1 minute click.

[@solarw2008]

thanks a lot. still using my go 2 with free frame and like this option so much. now I don't think go3s is good for me, cause some mounts I used to use don't allow to choose orientation, so I will be limited in quality and fov. so go3s goes with less lifetime in comparison to go3, without good free frame option. honestly looks like a one step forward two steps back for me thanks for this review, I was really interested in this topic.

[@RMSFAM09]

same as me. I am still using the go2 "pro mode" aka free frame. wanted to upgrade now not sure if I should wait and see what the go4 looks like. even tho my go2 camera won't charge and is not working at the moment

[@granciporro]

Thanks for the video, i'm not upgrading, this and the smaller aperture F2.8 explain why it costs less then the go3. I'm waiting for the 4 or 5 to upgrade.

[@presence360]

Thank you for replying to my question posted on your previous video with an in depth review on this topic 😊 As a matter of fact with the go2 I can actually shift the 16:9 or 9:16 frame pretty much within the round sensor image. This allows to look "more on the left/right/up/down" than originally intended. I can also change angle throughout the footage using keyframes giving this fpv look or barrel roll. Apparently this is gone for the 3s. Sorry deal breaker for me 😢😢 might get a go3 during sales....thanks a lot nice video as usual keep up going 😊😊😊😊

[@TheTechPacker]

Cheers!

[@see.prash.87]

Hey just curious with regards to the FOV, is there any reason to shoot in any of the different video FOVs actually? like is there any advantage to shooting video in narrow fov vs just in freeframe? especially when editing on the laptop using their native app in post? thanks in advance!

[@rgarrettphoto]

Slight correction at 1:00. I believe the GO3 and GO3S have the same dimension sensor 4:3. The GO3 projects light from the circular lens on just the inner boundaries of the sensor. This allows the GO3 to use free frame in any orientation and cropping to 16:9 in post (same as the GO2). The GO3S works like a regular DSLR/Mirrorless camera - the light from the lens covers the whole 4:3 sensor. As you point out: this is great when not using free frame, but when choosing to use free frame you make the trade off to crop in, in favor of orienting the camera any way during filming. Personally, I always used my GO2 oriented vertically, because I use the pendant a lot, and then I'd create my 16:9 in post. With the new GO3S, the pendant supports horizontal, which I'll use instead and forget free frame. I also like the ability to attach the hat clip to the pendant. In short, better to orient the GO3S like you do a cell phone for better FOV at 4k and limit free frame for action shots where there's lots of horizon change, in which case the cropped in FOV is probably less of a concern.

[@GenuineArticle71]

By the way, this was a much needed video and thanks for the breakdown!

[@TheTechPacker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@flippedbyabby]

Thanks for the awesome video! If you are a content creator trying to shoot vertical and horizontal using free frame for social media, would you recommend the 3 then?

[@TheTechPacker]

If you want a consistent look and experience without having to think about framing all the time, then yes. 2.7k is great in all my experience with the 3. Hope that helps!

[@carlostucho]

Finally someone who explain this clearly 👍. So for you to have a 4k image the go3s should record in 6k and then crop the image 😂. I still love me go2 then. Thanks again 👍👍👍👍

[@gordonrobb]

It’s only an issue in Free-frame. If you film in normal video you’re recording a 4K video.

[@TheTechPacker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@imStelios_]

Which camera has wider vertical fov ? 3 or 3s ? (I mean about the normal record not the free frame)

[@woshitomtom]

Hi, does it mean we can't have the best quality possible when recording with the hat clips and portrait mode?

[@joelberman5981]

This was a great explanation of how the sensor works on the GO 3S. So now you have to determine what aspect ratio you want and the orientation of the camera if you want to use anything other than Freeform mode? Does the same thing happened at lower resolutions or does it act more like the circular sensor at lower resolutions? If you shoot at lower resolutions does the larger sensor enable you to have greater latitude when reframing in just Freeform mode? Is that the real hidden trick?

[@russellrheath]

I was wondering this too.

[@FelipeRio]

They could just enabled the old and gold free frame key frame/roll back on the 1440p50 mode, that would be a life saver

[@camofpv]

I think with the pressing from the community, the old freeframe will be back on 3s in no time, with resolution 2.7k so it can fit on the sensor. That's an obvious fix but we'll see. Otherwise people will not be happy.

[@TheTechPacker]

Interesting idea - and I think pretty workable as an option. Will see how @Insta360 respond!

[@MpchBrwn]

Unfortunately not. The issue is the design of the new lens physically spreads the light off the image across the whole rectangle. Stepping down the resolution can’t change that so no matter if you select 4K, 2.7K or 1080p you still will only being seeing the middle of that sensor which still will only contain part of the real field of view that is spread across the entire sensor by the new lens

[@uldmedia]

A software update in FreeFrame mode with 2.7k to get the same field of view as with the Go 3 is impossible for hardware reasons - see also the answer from @MpchBrwn. If you film in FreeFrame mode with 4k, the 4:3 image with a resolution of 4,000 * 3,000 pixels must first be converted into a rectangular format with a resolution of 3,000 * 3,000 pixels in the app if you want have the possibility to rotate the image as desired - the resolution that is the same as the sensor of the Go 3 has. However, since the horizontal field of view of the Go 3s in landscape format is more or less identical to the field of view of the Go 3's square sensor, this cropping results in a 25% loss of horizontal field of view for the Go 3s. A sensor area of 3,000 * 3,000 pixels makes it possible to rotate a 1440p image in 16:9 format at 360 degree and, of course, to move it up and down - even a little better than with the Go 3, as the lens has not darkened the corners. What Insta could and should definitely change, however, would be to simply use only the middle 3,000 * 3,000 pixels of the sensor at a resolution of 2.7k or better 1,440p (which are only minimal differences). You would still have a 25% smaller field of view as Go 3, but you could at least use 50p in FreeFrame mode. Unfortunately, this is currently not the case, as Insta reads the entire sensor in 4:3 format at 2.7k and even 1080p and then simply scales the image down accordingly, resulting in a resolution of 3,072 * 2,304 pixels at 2.7k. This means that in order to freely rotate the image at all degree, the app must perform a crop to a square format with a resolution of 2,304 * 2,304 pixels. This leads to a further 25% reduction in the field of view - in comparison, the Go 3s would only have around 56% of the Go 3's field of view. In addition, with a resolution of 2,304 * 2,304 pixels, only a 1080p 16:9 image can be freely rotated 360 degrees - so the resolution is also unnecessarily reduced. This means that the FreeFrame mode can only be used to a limited extent with the Go 3s and at the moment you should never select a resolution other than 4k at this mode.

[@David994]

If you want 360 horizon lock on the go3s it crops in a lot! No longer can you animate rotation in post in the app and changing camera angel is not working either...

[@gavindavis1300]

Hi. Useful video as ever, thanks. I sometimes use free frame. The issue for me will be the wearing of the magnetic necklace. Whilst the Go3 had the “wedge” to keep things level, the 3S relies on the hat clip. The problem is that only works when orientated horizontally. Has anyone worked out if you can preserve FF quality if you start recording vertically and then mount the 3S horizontally in the clip. Sorry, being thick & I can’t work it out!

[@TheTechPacker]

When you select FF, in the bottomow right hand corner there is a 'cross' icon that you can turn on or off. I haven't quite figured out what this is yet. I'll test in over the next week or so. Maybe. Too much other stuff coming on my channel! :) Let me know what happens if you experiment with this. Thanks for watching.

[@uldmedia]

I came to similar conclusions and today I took a closer look at the FreeFrame mode of my new Go 3s and have to say that I no longer see much value in it. The problem is that the image circle that the lens has to cover due to the 4:3 sensor had to be larger. As a result, they had to give the camera a different lens. And although the Go 3s now has a 16mm lens instead of an 11mm lens like the Go 3 when converted to 35mm, this is not noticeable when the camera is correctly aligned due to the wider 4:3 sensor of the Go 3s, as the field of view is then very similar. However, this looks different in FeeFrame mode, whereby the camera always reads the entire sensor, regardless of the resolution selected, so that it does not have to crop the image section, but then scales the image down to the set resolution before saving and presumably internal processing. This means that you should always film in FreeFrame mode with 4K, especially if you want to use 360-degree stabilization later in the app, for which the image must be significantly cropped. This way, at least after the almost 2x crop, a resolution between 2.7 K and Full HD remains. If you were to film at 2.7 K straight away, the app would crop the image already scaled down to 2.7 K in the camera and the resolution would be significantly lower than Full HD. The bad thing is that this is not displayed and when you export the clip in 2.7 K, the image is simply scaled up again and you wonder why it looks so bad. The alternative would be to read out only a sensor range of 3 K * 3 K in FreeFrame mode at 2.7 K and save it - you could then use the 360 degree stabilization with a much smaller loss of resolution, as is probably the case with the Go 3. The disadvantage is that the larger focal length of 16mm would then be visible and you would have a smaller field of view than in free frame mode with the Go 3 with its 11mm. So it's best to always shoot in 4 K in FreeFrame mode too - you won't have 50p but you can at least use the other editing functions. If you absolutely want to use the FreeFrame mode with 50p, you should at least keep your hands off the 360 degree stabilization. I hope everything I wanted to say become clear.

[@TheTechPacker]

I think so ... thanks for sharing!

[@TabilismaFamily]

I feel like o gotta read this one a few time over

[@uldmedia]

@@TabilismaFamily Unfortunately, it's a very complex topic and it's really difficult to explain with words alone without illustrations. What's more, although I understand English tec videos quite well, I'm not so good at writing. Here is a small addition that might be helpful. If you have a square of 3,000 * 3,000 pixels, you can fit a 16:9 rectangle with a width of 3,000 pixels in both horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait) orientation. You could also move this 16:9 rectangle up and down in horizontal orientation (landscape format) or sideways in vertical orientation (portrait format). However, you cannot rotate the 16:9 rectangle without reducing its size. The more freely you want to rotate the 16:9 rectangle without it extending beyond the boundaries of the square with its corners, the smaller it must be. If you want to rotate the 16:9 rectangle completely freely by 360 degrees, the diagonal of the rectangle must not be larger than 3,000 pixels. At 1,440p in 16:9 format, the resolution of the image is 2,560 * 1,440 pixels, which corresponds to a diagonal of 2,937 pixels. This means that a 1,440p 16:9 section can be rotated as desired on a sensor surface that is at least 3,000 pixels high and wide. I think I'd better make a little explanatory video with drawings and pictures - that should make a lot of things much easier to understand.

[@saynofx]

does this mean if we shoot in GO3S in 4K Freeframe we will get better result than like the one in this video (1440 Freeframe)? and how will it compare to GO3? cc @thetechPacker

[@trongnhangoaipho1090]

really hope they have FW update that fix the freeframe mode same as Go3.... i used only freeframe when recording on the Go3.. it is super useful, even if they drop it down to 2.7K for Freeframe then it is still better than now

[@TheTechPacker]

I have read mixed reports as to whether that would even be possible. We shall see.

[@uberacx]

Freeframe is important. The 3S lack that and the FOV is narrower than the GO 3. The essense of this camera is the compactness and versatility. If I do want proper 4K I would get the ACE Pro anyday over the GO series. And obviously they are working day and night to come out with a 4K GO 4 without the compromises. I will keep my GO 3 for now. Thanks.

[@imStelios_]

Which camera has wider vertical fov ? 3 or 3s ? (I mean about the normal record not the free frame)

[@crawfb]

Thank you, professor, most educational. 😀

[@TheTechPacker]

You are very welcome ;)

[@Lucy_chan]

I have GO 2 and was thinking to upgrade, but thanks to this video I will know to go for regular GO3 as oppose to GO3s, that zoomed in footage looks bad, if I want to have zoomed in footage I will use my phone, action camera's supposed to be wide angle. Why would they do that weird change

[@TheTechPacker]

its pretty different - maybe it was the only way to get 4K - for now ...

[@OneTakeSunday]

Do you know if the res using the Go3s as a webcam has improved?

[@TheTechPacker]

Haven't tested yet, sorry

[@Wobbegong_th]

Still have a question. I'm using Go2, and shoot mostly in Freeframe (Pro Video - as it was called on Go2). With clips from Go2, you can tilt/pan or roll the clip in post - can you still do that with Go3S? (Or even Ace Pro)

[@TheTechPacker]

Ok - I think I know what you mean here - I used to do this. Check out my motion timelapse videos for GO 2 and 3. But, if I long press in app in FF footage on GO 3S, I can't set a key frame to tilt / pan / scroll around. However, I can do this in GO 3. Just tried both now. Hope that helps.

[@Wobbegong_th]

@@TheTechPacker yes, that's the answer to my question. So, change from circular sensor lost a lot of unique selling point of this series..

[@Wobbegong_th]

@@TheTechPacker Thanks. I'll stick to my Go2 for now then... until it became unusable then may be get Go3.

[@waydewatanabe5023]

@@Wobbegong_th I would like to ask some questions regarding the usability of your go 2 unit. Can yours still turn on and record independently from the charging case or do you have to keep it in the case to keep it constantly charged so it wont just shut off? Thanks.

[@Wobbegong_th]

@@waydewatanabe5023 My unit can be considered new as of Sep 2021 - that was when I got a replacement from Insta360 after the original unit went unresponsive. So, mine was almost 3 years old now. Battery life of my camera unit is noticeably reduced. However, I can still use it independently from the chargecase. However, most of my use were 2-3 minutes clips from camera unit as 'standalone' with at least 30mins of 'idle time' in between - so I get to keep it charged during those idle time.

[@FelipeRio]

Another thing that they can change, the quick button actions out of the pod are ruined because you need to power on the camera first and after you done you also have to power off to prevent waste of battery life... 😢 You could turn this on and off on the pod or phone insta360...

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Catching up... I was shooting video for my own channel over the weekend. Nice diagrams BTW

[@TheTechPacker]

Thanks!

[@MiroslavMates]

Got mine today. May I ask what software do you use for posprocessing? Appreciated

[@TheTechPacker]

Just the app for this video, and pulled together using Lumafusion on ipad - no colour grading, just as is

[@MiroslavMates]

@@TheTechPacker Impressive, so far I am not happy with the video quality of mine so wondering what am I doing wrong :) Thanks!

[@silver__toad]

I understood the uncomfortable part and let him know. Since I still used go3, it's still inconvenient to enlarge the pre-frame screen of go3s Adaptation is the answer, right?

[@TheTechPacker]

Absolutely, adaptation is key to overcoming any inconvenience. Keep exploring different options to find what works best for you!

[@gmg3precision]

So, if i record vertically, can i change that to horizontal in post? Thx for the video!

[@user-tn7fr1mg2l]

Yea this is what I want to know too!

[@TheTechPacker]

Depends what mode. In FF, yes. But you can see the results in this video.

[@DaftFPV]

Yes you can change the it from horizontal to vertical in post, but it will be cropped it a lot due to the 4:3 sensor. It's not like the 1:1 sensor in the GO2. Because of this I think I may just return my GO3S. Kind of a deal breaker for me. My main use was to slap this on my FPV drone and I like to choose between 16:9 for KZbin and 9:16 for Reels/shorts.

[@TomCaptures]

For me that's such a shame, I've always used my Go2 to film POV vertical clips with the hat mount. Since it has the camera horizontally mounted I cannot do that anymore without a big crop

[@TheTechPacker]

Yes, workarounds definitely needed. Easy shift can do a good job, but it has limitations.

[@GenuineArticle71]

I've noticed in Freeframe, if i start recording in Horizontal i can spin the camera (outside of the pod) around and it is able to maintain 360-degree horizon-lock when footage is input into the app for 16:9 editing. However if i record with the standalone camera vertically *can* maintain 360-degree horizon-lock but will discontinue doing so when i choose 16:9 ratio in the app. Therefore, every Freeframe video i shoot i need to make sure i start with the camera perfectly level and then i can move it around however i want. Rather annoying and not user friendly. Since the footage always usable, couldn't Insta360 disable this feature of physically positioning Horizontal/Vertical or override it in the app? It seems something should be adjustable. I shoot B-roll all the time with my Go2 and have it attached to my bag that i take on and off. As you stated, yes, the shape of the frame is different between Go2/Go3/Go3s. In FreeFrame recording (know as "ProVideo" in the Go2) I never have to worry which way the Go2 camera was and can record without any fuss.

[@carlostucho]

That's why I still, love my go2 😂😂👍👍

[@TheTechPacker]

Yes, it behaves pretty differently now I think. And i see more differences the more I test FF. Such as not being able to set keyframes and scroll / pan / tilt between one part of the video to another point in the video. That was a key feature for in the GO series previous to the 3S

[@flitschflatsch1096]

And that’s why I send the 3s back.

[@MpchBrwn]

Thanks!!

[@TheTechPacker]

No problem!

[@Rollerlife]

Great video! Seems like you're right!😊 Although I don't really mind, it's good to know this!🤗 Thank you

[@TheTechPacker]

You're welcome 😊

[@greginfla7211]

I am the new owner of Go 3s (which arrived yesterday). Also, this is my first action camera. After watching the video and reading the comments several times, I understand 50% of the issue. Never heard the word FreeFrame before. I am still not sure if that is a term used just for 360 cameras or a term describing the mode of recording for any action camera However, I am under pressure to understand 100% since I have a return window clock ticking. The problem is... I don't know what I don't know... I purchased the camera to have a hassle-free camera to record family outings.... trips ..etc. is it correct to say that the biggest issue is how much the 3S camera crops, especially in the vertical mood when recording? (I just learned 9:16 is another way to say record vertically ... just to show how uninformed I am on this topic) I guess filming in freeframe mode gives you flexibility when editing the recording for use? thanks for any help

[@TheTechPacker]

Hi. If you just wanted a small cam to record 4k in horizontal, and you didn't come from a GO 3, then it's most likely going to be great for you. Shooting in Freeframe mode will give you horizon levelling, and flexibility when editing in the app after you've recorded, for different kinds of output - horizontal, vertical or square.. In the GO 3, this looked the same no matter what orientation you hell the camera. For the GO 3S, its different depending on the orientation in which you start the recording. But if you're just shooting in 4K mode and not editing in the app, it'll be less of an issue. Like I say, most of the dissatisfaction comes understandably from GO 3 users who wanted 4K, but wanted the cam to perform as it did on the GO 3 when using Freeframe. Looks like you can't have both.

[@vanessamartinez4917]

How much record time are you realistically getting out of it? Filming at 4k 30 fps? Is the camera 30 minutes and the pod plus camera is 60 minutes??? 😀📸

[@tonysimon8060]

The camera alone can get you about 30 to 33 minutes of shooting time, and using it with the action pod it will go up to about 2 hours and 20 minutes or so

[@TheTechPacker]

Insta360 stats in my First Impressions video in battery section. I haven't tested to exhaustion yet. I'd have to film the camera, because I don't have time to hang around to see when battery runs out :)

[@Wobbegong_th]

A reviewer in Thailand tested this - his result was Camera alone last for 34 min, no overheat. Camera+Action Pod 1hr 20mins then overheat. His test was conducted outdoor in shade during Thailand Day heat (about 33-35deg C). However, when tested at night it lasted longer, almost 2hrs and did not overheated.

[@TheTechPacker]

@Wobbegong_th thanks. I just had the Insta360 data for this!

[@MpchBrwn]

The sensor is the same, what has changed is the lens size, now the active sensor área is is the same as the proyected image in 16:9 format, thats why you cant reframe, you already got all the active sensor area.

[@AlexEhn]

That's what I suspected. Thank you!

[@MrPlaneTalk]

Did you verify with Insta360 that the sensor is different on the 3S?

[@TheTechPacker]

They confirmed that the lens x processor x sensor behave differently. Lens is different, hence Go3 ND filters won’t work.

[@MrPlaneTalk]

@@TheTechPacker hmmmm. They said “lens x processor x sensor BEHAVE differently.” My experience with Insta360 is that there is a HUGE language barrier and they don’t really understand detail and nuance and OFTEN say stuff that is just untrue. Unless they specifically said the sensor on the GO 3 was round and the sensor on the GO 3S is a new 4:3 sensor, then it is still unclear. Another KZbinr (TTL) stated that tech support said the physical sensor on GO 3S is same as GO 3

[@TheTechPacker]

@MrPlaneTalk as I said in my video, it’s just a theory. Seems to be borne out by the sorts of results I’m getting. But who knows?

[@gamingfunfacts]

Sorry your information is not correct. Of course the Go 3 does not have a circular sensor (there is not even a circular sensor existing). I think a insta representative even said that both have the same sensor and they achieved the 4k just with the different lense (and maybe a bit stronger processor?). The trick of the old free frame was, that they were just cutting it to 16:9 or 9:16 from the rectangular orientation you chose. Meaning that you had on either side a worse resolution. You can validate it by using a free frame video and then exporting it in full resolution in 16:9 and then in 9:16. Now cut the 16:9 export afterwards to 9:16 and you have exactly the same amount of detail like with an initial export of 9:16 (it is just scaled differently but the resolution or pixels of the sensor are the same). So actually the 3S makes it much better with the orientation (or at least more clear whats happening inside). So you will get a better quality in exporting at the end of the day.

[@TheTechPacker]

I don't know about that. Any mine is just a theory, and you can see the results of my tests for yourself. I will certainly be sticking to easy shift. But trying to get the right angle shooting vertically using the megnet pendat will be limited now, because it relies on the hat clip which cannot tilt in that orientation.

[@MrSKB69]

Why do I have this horrible feeling in my gut now, I get what you are saying, I have just upgraded from Insta360 GO2 to the GO3s, I assumed this would be an amazing upgrade, one of the things I loved with the GO2 was the Pro Video mode (spin the cam around and the footage stayed stationary) as far as I can see, the GO3s doesn't have Pro video mode and it crops the buggery out of the footage... WTAF 😳 £400 down the drain 😭

[@TheTechPacker]

It has have the freeframe mode - which is actually what you’re describing here. But it depends on the orientation you are in when you hit record.

[@MrSKB69]

@@TheTechPacker Thx for reply, I'll keep at it, I did set the free frame record but it crops it worse than 4:3 ratio :O

[@c_kemper]

I never knew there is such a thing as a "circular" sensor... 🤔

[@stephanosphilippou1300]

Please stop with the minute long introductions. We read the title we dont need further elaboration saying the same thing with three different approaches

[@TheTechPacker]

Thanks for the feedback 👀 quite happy for you not to watch if you don’t like it.

[@marcusbiller867]

It is not a good idea to not take feedback from viewers into consideration. I was looking to get more info, but the prolonged intro and slow pace put me off ao I stopped

[@TheTechPacker]

@@marcusbiller867sure thanks. Maybe someone else makes videos better suited for you.

[@hulufake]

Everyone in my sport uses these cameras as hat cameras to film 9:16 for ig. The 3s is essentially worthless for this. Huge waste of money. They really should have explained this difference.

[@TheTechPacker]

Kind of motivated to make the video, just so people could see, as they were already talking about it. Not sure I got absolutely everything right - just a theory, and I think I arrive at the same conclusion as others

[@TabilismaFamily]

This is just cropping then, why even have Freeform mode

[@TheTechPacker]

Not just cropping, I think - I think there's some processing going on too. But yeah - it is cropped. Like I say, I very rarely use FF, but still love using the GO series.

[@Greggie_D]

Vertical clips suck. That’s not how our eyes see the world. Hold your hands out to your maximum peripheral vision. Pretty much 16:9. Fad bought on by lazy phone users who won’t turn their phone when videoing.

[@TheTechPacker]

Vertical videos, love 'em or hate 'em, they're here to stay!