Best insta360 Camera: X4 vs GO 3 vs Ace Pro

Summary

In this comparison, three cameras – the Insta360 X4, Ace Pro, and Go3 – are examined for their unique features and uses. The X4 offers flexibility with 360-degree video and extensive editing options, making it perfect for creative filmmakers. The Ace Pro delivers excellent 8K video, superior low-light performance, and a traditional action camera design for users focused on image quality. Meanwhile, the Go3 excels in portability and versatility, offering unique mounting options but at the cost of lower resolution. Each camera caters to different needs, from creative freedom to high-quality footage or compact, innovative shooting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Insta360 X4 is a 360-degree camera that captures everything around you, offering a passive filming approach without worrying about framing.
• 😀 The X4 allows for creative editing with keyframes in the app or software, but simpler options like Deep track and Auto Edit are available for quick edits.
• 😀 The X4’s 8K resolution is shared across the entire 360 image, which reduces image quality when reframed for standard video formats.
• 😀 Insta360’s Ace Pro is a traditional single-lens action camera with a robust design, perfect for action shots and low-light filming.
• 😀 The Ace Pro shoots in 8K with a single lens in one direction, ensuring better image quality than the X4’s 360 capture method.
• 😀 The Ace Pro excels in low-light filming with noise-free footage, beating competitors like GoPro in dark environments.
• 😀 The Go3 is incredibly compact and versatile, with a magnetic mounting system that lets you mount it almost anywhere for unique creative shots.
• 😀 Despite its small size, the Go3 can only record in 2.7K resolution, making it less powerful than the X4 and Ace Pro in terms of image quality.
• 😀 The Go3 offers short battery life (30 minutes), but its action pod allows for recharging, extending the camera's usability for multiple shots.
• 😀 The Ace Pro’s AI Assist feature helps identify the best parts of your footage, making editing easier and faster on the Insta360 app.
• 😀 The X4 is best for users looking for flexibility and control in both shooting and editing, with a steeper learning curve to get the most out of the camera.
• 😀 The Go3 is the go-to option for those who prioritize portability, versatility, and creative mounting options, rather than pure resolution or battery life.

Q & A

What makes the Insta360 X4 unique compared to other cameras?

The Insta360 X4 is unique because it is a 360-degree camera, allowing users to capture everything around them without worrying about framing. It also offers various shooting modes and powerful editing features that let you reframe and manipulate footage in post-production for creative control.

How does the editing process differ when using the X4?

With the X4, after shooting your video, you need to reframe it using Insta360’s app or software. You can add key frames to decide which part of the 360 footage to focus on. While this gives you control, it reduces the image quality slightly since you're cropping from the 8K footage.

What are the main advantages of using the Ace Pro?

The Ace Pro stands out due to its high-quality 8K resolution, excellent low-light performance, and Clarity zoom, which allows for zooming without losing image quality. It’s perfect for users seeking traditional action camera features with superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions.

What is the Clarity Zoom feature in the Ace Pro?

Clarity Zoom in the Ace Pro allows you to zoom into the video with a 2x magnification while maintaining high image quality with virtually no loss of detail. This is an impressive feature, especially for action shots that require zooming in on distant subjects.

Can the Go3 compete with the image quality of the X4 or Ace Pro?

No, the Go3 has a smaller sensor and can only shoot up to 2.7K resolution, which makes its image quality lower than the X4 or Ace Pro. However, the Go3 offers unique versatility and creativity with its compact size and magnetic mounting options.

How is the battery life of the three cameras compared?

The X4 offers the longest battery life, shooting at 5.7K for 135 minutes. The Ace Pro has around 100 minutes of battery life when shooting in 4K, while the Go3, when used without its action pod, offers about 30 minutes of shooting time at 2.7K. However, the Go3’s action pod can recharge the camera multiple times, extending its usage.

What is Mi mode in the Insta360 X4?

Mi mode in the X4 takes advantage of the camera's 360-degree capability, but it automatically reframes and edits the footage for you in-camera. This allows you to capture dynamic, floating camera shots without needing post-production work.

What makes the Go3’s size and design special?

The Go3 is incredibly compact and features a magnetic back, making it highly versatile for mounting on various surfaces. It’s small enough to be carried around easily and can capture shots from places where larger cameras wouldn’t fit.

How does the Ace Pro’s image quality hold up in low light conditions?

The Ace Pro excels in low light, offering almost noise-free footage compared to other action cameras like the GoPro. This is thanks to its larger sensor and pure video mode, which allows it to capture high-quality images even in dim lighting.

What types of users would benefit most from the X4?

The X4 is best for users who enjoy capturing footage with full creative flexibility. It’s ideal for those who want to experiment with 360-degree video, dynamic shots, and those willing to invest time in post-production editing to get the most out of their footage.