New Insta360 X3 360 Action Camera

[advrider]

Insta360 is moving its line of 360-degree action cameras forward again. The new Insta360 X3 has several updates over the previous One X2 model (see our review here) which should result in better footage, starting with a new sensor. Like the previous entries in this lineup, the X3 has capabilities that can be particularly appealing to motorcyclists, although like its predecessors, it’s not cheap and the software will come with a learning curve.

The X3 (not the “One X3″—they’ve shortened the name) comes with a new half-inch sensor that’s supposed to offer improved imagery, including a new 4K Single-Lens Mode, and a new 170-degree MaxView available in 2.7K resolution. While these modes do not take advantage of the camera’s 360-degree capability, some users may wish to use the camera in a chest-mount orientation, which is where these modes come in handy.

Mount the X3 camera on an Invisible Selfie Stick setup, and you can get a third-person perspective, as seen here on Kawasaki’s WSB racebike. Photo: Insta360

There’s also a new Active HDR option for the 5.7K 360-degree video mode; the presser says this mode “uses an innovative algorithm to stabilize action footage, minimizing ghosting and revealing details that other action cams miss in over and underexposed areas.” Interesting.

The camera also shoots 72MP stills, and 8K 360-degree timelapse footage.

Importantly for motorcyclists, Insta360 also says the new X3 camera is waterproof (to 33 feet), and comes with new tempered-glass 2.29-inch touchscreen (as you can see in the photos). Note that the One X2 was also claimed to be waterproof, and some users did have problems, so be cautious with your expectations.

Another mounting arrangement for motorcycles. There’s tons of capability with this camera, if you can spare the cash for buying in, and then spare the time to learn the software. Photo: Insta360

The Invisible Selfie Stick technology also returns, with AI stitching the selfie stick out of footage to create an omniscient third-party perspective; FlowState stabilization technology also returns, and the 360-degree horizon lock. And, the camera is designed to work in conjunction with Insta360’s AI editing suite (see some discussion of that in our One X2 review). There’s a loop recording mode as well, if you want to use the Insta360 in a dashcam setup. New Direction Focus technology directs the camera’s onboard microphones to follow the subject of the camera’s action, which is beneficial when setting up panning shots—a very easy process with the Insta360 video editor.

The non-removable battery comes with 1800mAh capacity; it charges via USB-C.

Asking price is $449.50 in the US, where the camera is already available on Insta360.com. More details—and more importantly, test footage—can be found at that website.

 

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