Insta360 - Insta360 X3

Here's my take. Cameras like the X4 are great 'lazy' cameras. You don't do anything with them live - just stick them in place and let them do their thing. They are also 'you get what you get' cameras. Low light noise, visible stitch lines are part of what you get. Finally they are 'get it all' cameras with the 360 degree dome - even if the camera operator is unaware of something interesting happening - the camera will catch it. The post-processing on the app is also fun in the X4 with lots of novel shots available to you. If you're planning on using this for motorcycles - do you need more than 180 degrees? If not - then the X4 is not necessary. Get the best quality 180 degree camera you can get. Reminder - you can set the X4 into single lens mode and get better quality 180 degree footage too. I edit my videos - so I can handle the stitch lines and noise profiles easily. My favorite camera (out of GoPro, RX100VII, FX30, FX3, Pocket 3, X3, X4) is the X4. It's just goofy, easy, low-risk fun. My best camera is the FX3 (and the FX30 actually). My photo camera/daily carry is the RX100VII. The Pocket 3 proved less useful for what I do and unfortunately it gathers dust. The X4 was not really any kind of improvement over the X3 - which I believe was part of your question.

I’ve had ONE X2, X3 and now X4. Only downside was the X4 was larger and heavier but I quickly got used to that. Depending on how you use it, it might not be a big deal. It is missing some bracketing photo features earlier models had. If you don’t use them, no big deal. Check out many side by side video comparisons. I record them when I get a new X camera to decide if the upgrade is worth it.

I have never owned a GoPro, but started 360 photography in 2005 with a mirror-ball add on for a digital camera. I’ve owned 360 cams from Giroptic, RICOH, Kodak and now have Insta360 and DJI. While my RICOH had better photos than the ONE X2, I got a ONE X2 because it had better software and was more fun. I instantly used a "worse" camera more than any of the other models I had. As I moved from X2 to X3 to X4 to X5, each comparison always had some things I thought the earlier model did better. With my DJI Osmo 360, I got it specifically for low light, hoping it might be my "go to" for low light situations, and the X5 for everything else. I’ve already seen alot of footage comparing it to other cameras, and some things look better on the Max 2, and other things look worse. Personal preference is a b-tch ;) What do you expect the niche of the Max 2 to be? What are the things that GoPro does better?

I have the x3. Same perks, honestly, but it peaks at 4k. I use it for my motorcycle rides. It's effectively my dashcam. Only downside I have in that use case, is I really need to carry a spare battery and an external battery charger, as it dies after about 1-2 hours of riding. I went for a 4 hour ride, and it died in the middle. The most exciting parts I missed entirely due to the battery life. I have a USB to charge my phone on the bike, so it would be easy enough to plug in the spare battery while I ride and then swap when I need to, but I don't know they have an external battery charger. 

I have the insta360 one X3 and if it’s in good lighting it’s fine. For normal scuba (up to about 8-9 meters) I prefer the colors of GoPro. But check the reviews for the new action cameras (DJI/insta Ace Pro 2, they’ve come a long way). There’s scuba related reviews (Matthias Lebo or Dive In).

I just bought a like new X3 on eBay for like half the price I could find an X4. There's your biggest argument. The X4 isn't twice the camera. Some things to consider: Batteries for the X3 are cheap. I bought 2 for £20 and it's not a big job to swap them. You may be able to use AI upscaling software to improve the X3 past the native quality of the X4 if you can find the software for "free" The X3 is lighter which is a bonus when it's hanging off the back of your bike on a selfie stick. You can buy tempered glass lens covers on AliExpress very cheap for the X3 and you would always want them on so not really a bonus on the X4 Don't compare the colours and of people comparing stock footage. It's incredibly easy to change in the app. The two cameras have the same sensors so I don't imagine low light footage would be much better on the X4. Honestly if I had the money to spare I would have just got the X4 but the X3 is a really good camera and a better deal (for me anyway)

You want action or 360? If you need 360, that's not one camera, it's 2. It's affordable. It's 4k - but clumsy. Really needs phone/desktop software to work, and that's kinda clumsy. I've had 3 360 cams. - ricoh theta sc (ok, old, can do one button image or long press video.) - moto z phone with 360 cam addon (amazing? The moto z 360 addon was going for $50. Decent quality, but bring party of the phone made the interface amazing.) - insta 360 x3 - current. Had accessories like lens protectors (important!) interface on the camera itself is great. Can shoot RAW if you want to attempt processing the image yourself. I looked at the Kodak and considered it, but paid the little extra for the 360. Usability is worth it. None of these give great video, but the images are quite nice. VLC can open either. The 360 x3 video was a nice bump, but if you don't need 360, a regular action can will give better video.

Same here. I use my X3 a ton and didn’t see a big need to go to X4. But looks like a no brainer to go to the X5 for low light alone. X3 low light is just unusable.

A 360 is cool too. I use the Insta360 X3. I’m intrigued by the new DJI 360 though. I’m a big an of DJI stuff. Just works well.

Agree regarding the lenses. I keep the covers on my X3 and use it for specialty shots and then the Osmo4 for most stuff, which does have a replaceable lens. …and when stuff happens, I add it to the pile of smashed action cameras and gimbals:)

How is the audio of the X5 in a festival setting like in the beginning of this video? The audio on my X3/X4 is barely usable in loud environments, while my iPhone 14 has no problems at all capturing very acceptable audio.

Big advantage for me, I went X3, skipped X4, X5, was the user replaceable lenses. This means you can actually use the camera as an action cam, as opposed to having to nanny it.