Action Camera for Snowboarding: Insta360 X3 Review

Action Camera for Snowboarding: Insta360 X3 Review
Action Camera for Snowboarding: Insta360 X3 Review Introduction
The Insta360 X3 is a versatile and easy-to-use 360-degree action camera that takes the best features of its predecessor, the One X2, and enhances them even further. It offers handheld convenience, a large and improved screen, powerful stabilization, and advanced editing capabilities. This article will delve into the various aspects of the Insta360 X3, discussing its design, features, and performance.
Design
The Insta360 X3 has a stick-like design, similar to its predecessor. It is compact and fits comfortably in the hand, although it lacks ergonomic grip contouring. The camera is constructed with...
Action Camera for Snowboarding: Insta360 X3 Review Introduction
The Insta360 X3 is a versatile and easy-to-use 360-degree action camera that takes the best features of its predecessor, the One X2, and enhances them even further. It offers handheld convenience, a large and improved screen, powerful stabilization, and advanced editing capabilities. This article will delve into the various aspects of the Insta360 X3, discussing its design, features, and performance.
Design
The Insta360 X3 has a stick-like design, similar to its predecessor. It is compact and fits comfortably in the hand, although it lacks ergonomic grip contouring. The camera is constructed with plastic on the sides and a soft-touch plastic on the front and back. The glass areas, particularly the display glass and lenses, require extra care and protection. The camera offers a threaded mount point on the bottom for attaching a selfie stick.
Features and Performance
Screen
The Insta360 X3 boasts a significantly larger screen compared to its predecessors. The 2.6-inch touchscreen is bright and clear, although it may require manually adjusting the brightness in bright sunlight. The larger screen provides better previewing of images and makes navigating the menu system easier. The screen’s orientation is best suited for videos shared on social media networks, and it does not auto-rotate.
Water Resistance
The Insta360 X3 has double the water resistance of the GoPro Max, with a depth rating of 10m/33ft. However, for diving or capturing footage at greater depths, it is recommended to use the Insta360 Dive Case for added protection. The camera achieves its water resistance through single-layer rubber seals around the charging socket and battery compartment.
Battery Life
The Insta360 X3 utilizes an 1800mAh battery, providing a higher capacity compared to the GoPro Max’s 1600mAh battery. Insta360 claims a battery life of 81 minutes in 360-degree, 5.7K resolution mode. During testing, the battery showed non-linear reporting, initially holding a 100% charge for longer before gradually decreasing. However, the battery life aligned with Insta360’s claim of 81 minutes.
Stabilization
The Insta360 X3 features the renowned FlowState stabilization, which offers excellent stabilization performance. Its 360-degree field of view allows for infinite possibilities in stabilization. The camera also includes horizon leveling, making stabilization almost automatic. Additionally, the Direction Lock feature counteracts any twisting of the camera, ensuring a steady shot.
Image and Video Quality
The Insta360 X3 excels in capturing 360-degree footage at up to 5.7K resolution and 30 frames per second. One standout feature is the Active HDR mode, which merges two exposures per frame to preserve more highlight detail. This is particularly useful for shooting outdoors or in situations with varying exposure levels. However, HDR mode can produce noise in certain conditions and may flatten contrast.
In terms of single-lens video, the Insta360 X3 offers 4K video at 30 frames per second. The sharpness of the video is superior to the GoPro Max’s single-lens mode, which is limited to 1080p. However, the Insta360 X3’s single-lens videos do not match the quality of dedicated single-lens cameras from GoPro or Insta360. The 360-degree videos produced by the Insta360 X3 rival those of the GoPro Max, with the added benefit of Active HDR.
Editing
The Insta360 X3 provides a range of editing tools that are user-friendly and enjoyable to use. The Insta360 app and Insta360 Studio offer similar editing capabilities, including the ability to reframe 360-degree footage and generate smooth transitions between key frames. The desktop software provides more precise control with mouse input, while the ap...