Great video, but why not try using the single lens option on the X3? It won't be as sharp as the GoPro, but you will avoid the stitching issue, and the image will be sharper than the 360 lens.
Thanks for watching Mike. Good point, but it still wouldn’t give you the resolution as the single lens GoPro. If you’re resorting to single men’s mode, then there’s no point using the x3. 🙂
True but you are comparing apples and pears. 360 camera with non 360 camera. You could easily say GoPro suck because you need to point camera to object right? Yes goPro has better quality over insta360 but it doesnt cover 360 area.
@@visitwithusyes but the average user won’t be buying both cameras. 360 is better out of the water because it catches more, but if you can’t afford a second camera for underwater using the other mode would be an option, no?
I am literally 2 days away from buying, but I am having a very hard time deciding. Based on reviews and other articles, Insta360 X3 has a lot more features, clearer images and videos (5.7K Insta360 versus 5.3k I think with Go Pro Hero 11). I also find it more aesthetic to be able to use an invisible selfie stick in the Insta360, instead of the Hero 11 which will show a selfie stick when you use it. Another thing I am considering are accessories - The Hero 11 has the accessories included in the bundle here in our country (PHL), while I need to buy the ones for Insta360 separately. Another thing is the frame - Insta360 allows you to select the frame (like orientation or how wide the shot is) after taking the image/video, but the GoPro does not. So feature wise, Insta360 I know wins, but this video just showed how bad it is underwater? This is one of the main reasons why I will be buying an action cam, to use underwater. Hero 11 has less features, but seems to have better underwater shots? So why does it show 5.7K in Insta360 and 5.2k in Hero 11, yet it is bad underwater? Another better thing with Insta360 is the ability to take 360 videos or photos, I believe Hero 11 does not have this? OMG can someone please help me decide!! Also, I believe Insta360 offers free editing apps on a phone without the need to pay, and Hero 11 does not? GoPro subscription is also not available here in the PH. I am so close to going crazy as I do not wish to buy one and then regret it after, so can someone please help me decide! I will mainly use it for underwater and motorcycle shots.
My experience with gopro vs Insta360, the gopro battery is short life. The gopro has lots of loading and transferring time. Wrong angle misses shots. The app is difficult to work with. My experience with insta, long battery, 360 catches all angles so no worries about missing something. The app is a dream to use and loading happens fast. The lenses being 360 bubbles get scratched easy in abusive situations(crashing mountain bike).
If you want 360 footage get the insta 360! I've not used the hero 11 although I know for sure the 360 go pro doe t shoot well underwater if you want 360 footage..all the best!!
Don't get it wrong! X3 I have them since the insta one X, they're really good! It's just the underwater with 360 really sucks! Both gopro and 360 have pros and cons, and this is the cons with 360 don't use it underwater.
I really appreciated this video. You put out a lot of great videos visually (as well as your smooth-talking audio), and it's good to see you do a review of equipment, too.
Disagree. I used my Insta360 in the 11 trips taken since December (24 trips in 2024) to snorkel AND dive, but you need the dive case for great footage. No complaints here. And YES,I also have a GoPro 4 years now and prefer my Insta360 x3
If you use single lense with insta, u get a similar image as a gopro, of course taking 360 video underwater is another story with refraction. That said, even with dive case you need to keep the camera In certain distance to get the best of it. How can you ever expect automatic stitching will work as magic 😃
Great video. Would interesting to know if the X3 stitching was better underwater with the dive case setting enabled, but with no dive case actually present?
I took my insta360 in the water today for the first time and was really disappointed with the terrible stitching! It’s great out of the water, but GoPro definitely seems the way to go once you get in the water! Reviewers should definitely be highlighting this more! Thanks for your video!
@@highsoflyify I disagree. The X3 is really terrible in water from my experience. I now use a DJI osmo 4 in the water which is great, and the X3 for out of water shooting and once it’s out of the water it’s great! Not for underwater shooting though. Really really really really disappointing performance under water.
@@cliffseagull I never said it's good for under water and I can totally understand you being disappointed. But the Insta 360 X3 is more like a GoPro Max and has to be compared with it (not with a single lense Hero 11, otherwise it's like comparing apples and bananas). Seems like 360° lens cameras are not well made for under water in general. Must be a reason in their specific construction.
GoPro 11 should be compared with the Insta360 Ace Pro for under water shots. Then you have a fair and better comparison of what Insta360 can do. I would say, the X3 is more geared for wintersports, skydiving, hiking or driving with vehicles .
Man I’m happy I came across you page🙌🏾great videos n that’s where I’m from and should be home soon for some vlogging as well.. great work keep it up man 🙏🏾🙌🏾
Thank you for your video. It will hopefully stop a lot of people - like myself - to believe 360 X3 is usefull under water. I used my X3 today in Big Island Hawaii and thought I made a mistake setting up the camera, nope I didn't. Good thing I had my DJI Oslo Action with me giving me some clear shots. I like the X3 for some fun stuff, but I will not waste money for the under water housing. I'll be looking forward to see more of your videos.
I was about to make a big mistake. I was ready to buy an Insta360 X3. Fortunately, I watched your underwater camera test of the GoPro Hero11 and Insta360 X3 before I made my purchase. I would have made a big mistake if I had I bought an Insta360 X3, with or without a dive case! Since I live in Florida, I regularly go snorkeling on the coral reefs in the Florida Keys and in Florida’s many spring-feed rivers. (During the winter months, it’s exciting to go snorkeling in Crystal River where there’s one of the world’s largest gatherings of West Indian manatees, from 800 to 1,000.) I have taken a lot of underwater pictures using my GoPro Hero8. I decided to upgrade my GoPro and was ready to purchase an Insta360 X3 based on the many TH-cam reviews I’d watched. I thought I’d get great underwater shots. Boy, was I mistaken. Your video tells an important underwater story that no one is talking about. (I guess TH-camrs don’t like getting wet when they do their camera reviews.) Since the GoPro Hero11 is the clear winner in an underwater competition, this is the new camera I purchased to replace my Hero8.
Glad we could help. You’re right. Nobody talks about how awful it is underwater. Hero11 a winner by a country mile. Enjoy your new purchase. I’d love to see those manatees! 😀
Thanks , I bought the dive case and it worked good, but it’s started getting fogged up, it only comes with 5 fog strips, the fogging go so bad I spent a ton of time managing it. No one mentions it’s a hassle to edit , can’t put SIM card in reader has to be done through the app
Thanks for watching Patrick. Yes, you have to have a decent supply of fog strips. Also we found the camera overheated very often and switched itself off in the middle of a session. Most annoying and I'm annoyed I forgot to mention it in the review too!
You may have already done so, but how about a video of how you use the X3 for your (non underwater) travel vlogs. I understand the deficiency you point out in this video and thank you for that. For me, I'm really interested to get proficient at using my X3 (and especially the editing platforms) when we cruise to Iceland & Norway later this year and in Alaska next year. And my output is simply for personal use to archive and share with family & friends.
Hi Todd. Thanks for watching. Well, I DO use the X3 for certain shots but I like to use it subtly, so it's not always apparent it's a 360 camera. I'm not one for all the 'Tiny Planet' type stuff. I might do a video in the future so thanks for the interest. :)
all the issues you have mentioned is apparently solved with the announcement of invisible dive case, unfortunately it means you have to buy the new dive case :)
Thanks for watching. I have my doubts the invisible dive case will improve the quality - it’ll just remove the lozenge shaped piece of plastic you see at certain angles. 🙂
You need to work around the stitch line, especially in low light. Don't hold the camera at a fixed angle and rely on the stitching. You also need to use the underwater housing to account for refraction. That would be the case with any 360 camera.
Hi great video! I'm just trying to figure out which camera to buy for underwater shooting (snorkeling). I understood that the X3 even with the underwater case is not very good, so what do you recommend? Osmo 3? gopro 11? Thank you
have you tried turning the x3 on while under water? Seems like the x3, when turned on above the water, sets itself normal mode. Then adjust underwater.
I'm really curious to see a new video about the x3 and the x4 in those scenarios. A friend of mine has the x3 and we used it a couple of times in the water with no case at all and it's not as bad as you show. Probably new software updates made it better?
The whole point of buying a 360 camera is to not have to think about where you point it at. No thinking about composition etc. It is very easy to miss things because they happen right above or behind you and you just weren't looking that way. You do need a dive cage indeed and even with it, the stitching is not perfect always and the flaring can be quite bad as well. But with the GoPro you are going to miss things because in the rough sea or due to the speed of the subject (dolphins) you are not going to point it at the subject all the time.
I am so sorry but you missed like 2 years, almost three, of comments all over the world talking about this issue. NEVER use it underwater without the dive case. I accept you don't understand about optics underwater, nor have to... but there are MILLUONS OF DISCUSSIONS about this in foruns, facebook and all around. Always use a dome to shoot underwater if you want to have the full FOV of the camera, otherwise you will lose about 33% of it. So, if you lose it there is no way the stitch would work, right? But try the 360 with only one lens. And try a dome with gopro. You will see the difference. Just don't say it isn't a well known fact. Thanks.
X3 underwater cons: > 360 feature is crap, might as well use single lens > If you're using single lens might as well get a gopro that will give better single lens images > If you're using a dive case, the amount of refraction and light being bounced back and forth inside that bubble lens is detrimental to the image you're capturing >and lastly, because the bubble lens/dome has so much volume, you will have tonnes of fogging issues as the camera heats up whilst in use. all in all, x360 isn't the best thing for underwater imagery/video
So WhT your saying based on the videos the dive case made for good pictures? Thanks for the video I will buy the x3 and the dive case. Cheers Vancouver island Canada
I’ve been on the lookout for a quality GoPro, so this review is most helpful. I know it’s from LAST April, but if I can avoid buying BRAND new when quality is still fetch, I will.
in my opinion and according to my experience it only works if the object is very close, if you want to shoot objects three metres away or more it doesn't focus, what do you think?
If they claim it does something and shout it from the rooftops in their marketing, we should expect it to do that thing they claim. Doesn't matter about the price in that respect. Thanks for watching. :)
wish i had come across this video before buying an x3, the x4 might be good enough for underwater. I had trouble deciding but ended up getting both a gopro12 and the x3 for different activities. insta 360 underwater quality sux looks blurry, stitching is not great but its practical to use the 360 to pan through the scenery.
Out of the water, the quality is great, especially in HDR mode. We love it for those occasions I want that type of shot. If you’re not bothered by the underwater capabilities, you definitely don’t need both. 🙂
The GoPro definitely gives a much better-quality image with or without color correction for underwater video. Insta 360 X3 might be better in other situations, as with a selfie stick while skiing/snowboarding.
Sadly, I was also a victim of this… had an epic moment with a school of Baraccudas around me in Thailand … but the footage was terrible. Do you think the new clear Dive case makes it better? Or should I just use the larger 1.5 lens and shoot normal mode?
I have a Hawaii Channel and I was looking into the Insta360. It's a good looking camera but thanks to your video I know I will need a case or another camera for underwater shots. Mahalo!
The X3 also has a single-lens 4k option that would avoid the stitching issue you would see in this video and would provide a sharper image. Not as good as the GoPro image, but should be more useable.
I caught this video after watching iJustine's rave over the X3 w/UW housing! She did not mention the problem you pointedly hi-lighted, but I think she didn't even try to shoot without the housing. I would tend to think her omission an innocent one, as. she appeared to be excitedly promoting the housing! It's hard to imagine anyone deliberately omitting the "flaw" once it is noticed. On the other hand the problem appears to be a software issue, something that could be corrected soon, making your critique moot. But comparing the Insta360Xn with any other camera is not a valid concept, as they occupy their own perhaps even unique niche that no other camera has considered doing, that of taking 360º vids & shots, mostly meant to include the creator. One would not buy this tool to the exclusion of a GoPro or an Olympus TG-x, but in addition, no different than one might buy a bicycle in addition to a motor bike and not think to compare them as options for the same role.
You are comparing two different tools here and try to mimic the gopro with the 360. Sure you can correct and use a 4k image with the insta 360. But it's really meant to be used as a creative tool. Not take ultra sharp videos in normal format. In that respect the gopro will win every time. Appreciate the video in that you actually need the dive case to film under water. I am considering getting it just to use it on my motorcycle. Simply because a crushed insect somewhere on the camera is bad news in highway speeds.
Yes, I appreciate everything you point out but if someone was to be tempted to buy an X3 because of the underwater 'capabilities', then they need to be warned - it is NOT a serious tool for underwater video capture!
Read the manual! You would have known that the stitching does not work underwater. If you focus on using one lens side - everything is fine. Used our x3 snorkeling without case in Phuket. It was fine. Old x2 after a few years may not be waterproof. SO buy a new one just before you go.
I've been trying to get surf footage with the insta360 x3 and the quality is terrible. I will keep trying with different configurations but, aside from the stitching issues (no dive case) the variation in colour and exposure in log, it is near impossible to keep water drops of the lens when you go from under a wave to above and the fact the quality is way too low to pull decent stills makes it a brick in the surf. Fortunately I bought it more for work on dry land and in that respect it is sensational. I will stick to putting the Sony mirrorless in a water housing for water shots. I'm not giving up on the 360 as I'd like to have it on the water housing to capture some video so maybe resort to single lens shooting.
Latest invisible dive housing for X3 is far better than the original dive housing in this video and removes all stitching superbly. Basic understanding of refraction of light underwater will obviously cause problems with any form of unprotected lense and stitching. GoPro will invariably be a better single lense solution and much easier to process and edit the films.
Spot on video. Unfortunately just back from the Galapagos with my InstaX3 and while I got some decent videos def wish I had brought a GoPro instead. The Insta is rubbish underwater indeed and no other reviewers are saying that.
Thank you Joe. You’re right, nobody says how rubbish it is under water, so I just had to make this video so others didn’t make the same mistake we both did. 😫
Hey I've experienced this with the first 360 Camera I've ever purchased it was a Nikon. Key mission 360! I think the light quality is what t makes this occur try it in good lighting ,it may do the trick! Also as another person mentioned try in Me mode :)
So, the I sta 396 without the Invisible case it should NOT be used for 360 underwear. It says that actually. So let's make your video real and if u going to do 360 underwear use the correct case and set the camera in the case mode. Now do me a 360 video with the gopro. ....
I wish I had seen this before my last trip, I was in the Philippines and we went to see the Dugong. I had forgotten the selfie stick to dive case adaptor so, because it was going to be shallow, I dove with the selfie stick and no dive case. I was almost sick when I got back to my hotel and reviewed the footage, absolutely horrible!! So dissapointing !!
I just bought the 360x3 to go on shark diving so far I can't even get decent footage on dry land its absolutely awful no matter what I try footage is always blurry and I only have my phone to edit
Thanks for watching and we share your pain! This camera is the WORST for any underwater footage. Best stick with a decent GoPro if you want good results.
You are not supposed to use the Insta360 x3 underwater without the a case- which is way they make an underwater case. Of course it's going to be "rubbish".
If I was buying a camera for "all shots" I'd choose that little GoPro. It was the clearest and best quality in my opinion. No fuss, no muss... just good clear shots like you want.
@@visitwithus absolutely! But you’re absolutely right that there’s no fixing a cut-in-half subject! I’m actually surprised at the GoPro - not only did it not cut the subject in half lol, but the native image stabilization was great! We tend to be big Sony fans in this house but maybe I’ll reconsider the action cam choice when the time comes. Thanks again for this info 😁
Two very different cameras for very different uses. I don't really think of any 360 camera as an "action" camera because they are fragile. That's the reason I carry the Max, the 11, the 7 and the Olympus Tough whenever I shoot "action" shots. Already well known that 360 camera will not shoot underwater shots among the Max community.
To be honest waterproof untill 10 meters says enough... designed to jump into water and survive but hardly to use as 360 dive camera... an avarage dive (scuba or freedive) is around 15 to 20 meters at least. (50 to 65 ft)
I agree with You. I have X2 and case, and results are very mediocre in comparison with X3000 with case or similar cam. I hate Gopro colors, but underwater is very good too.
Yes, I'd agree, the GoPro colours are almost cartoony but the simple fact is it can't be beaten underwater without a much bigger and more expensive camera (with dive case) :)
if i were to pick just 1 camera, i would pick X3 all the time. in the water ill just use single lens mode.out of the water then i can use 360 mode which hero 11 cant do, not to mention all other hero 11 problems😅
I’ll be honest, we DO take and use our X3 on every trip - it’s a great versatile little piece of kit. Just not as good in underwater situations than a Hero11 even in single lens mode. And yes, the GoPro’s are still beset with all their enduring frustrating little quirks and problems. 😆
think you summed it up there, each camera has its own merit, i got so frustrated with 2 x failed gp pro units due to water ingress and the appalling software interface, x3 is amazing on dry land and app software, btw just heading to the maldives and a bit underwhelmed that the x3 even with dive case will let us down...we will see...@@visitwithus
I had the same issue. My insta360 x 3 failed me on my first day of a 5 week island tour in asia!!!. On the very first dip underwater at one foot deep. Water went into the unit. It was defective . ANd to make matter worse, i didnt have a gopro as back up. Ended up using my iphone the whole trip. If only i saw this video before purchasing my insta360. Guess i can say charge to experience
When you go to Antarctica and plan on getting underwater footage, you do not bring a TOY camera! And you learn about refraction and optics AHEAD OF TIME, Instead of blaming the toy camera, blame your lack of prior educating yourself about underwater optics. You get what you pay for. These cameras are for partygoers, social media etc. You were privileged enough to have an encounter with an amazing creature and you brought a toy? Somehow you can post on the web it is rubbish. I would say a 4K or 5.7K gopro would suffice in a pinch much better than this but even then, hopefully this was a learning experience. If you want to get Blue Planet stuff, make sure the sensor on your camera is huge, not the size of your pinky fingernail and then stretched out over a 360 degree space.
Thanks for the camera lesson. I had the latest GoPro with me but decided on the X3 for that particular zodiac because the reviews had (incorrectly) reported its usefulness as a point and shoot underwater camera. BTW, a TOY does not cost £500 and although I brought my professional A7Siii with three G-Master lenses, and despite its excellent weather sealing properties, which was great against the sideways sleet and howling wind we encountered, I was not about to go plunging that into freezing sea water. I’m sure you’ll understand why. 🙄
Não aconselho a meter na água sem capa na primeira vez que meti a minha uns 20 segundos debaixo de água não ligou mais vou enviar pá garantia 10 metros mas deve ser nos sonhos deles nem um metro.
Im so sorry.. u are so bad at educating urself on the usage of the 360 x3😂😂😂.. u just have no idea how to use it. Ur comparing 360 view with a gopro single lens? Try comparing both on single lens mode, old man
Old man. 😂 I’ve had all three Insta360 cameras and every GoPro since 4. I’m a professional videographer who lives with these cameras on a daily basis. I’m educated thanks. The X3 is still inferior to the Hero11 underwater, single lens or 360. Why buy an X3 if you’re just going to have to use single lens mode to get adequate quality? Weird logic that, even to an old man.
Just found your video. Wish I would have found it sooner. I tested my X3 underwater yesterday without the dive case and using the Single Lens Mode to more closely mimic a GoPro, and *in single lens mode everything is still a blurry, unusable crappy mess.* Above the water it's ok. As soon as it enters the water everything sucks. You can't even use it to film static coral up close. th-cam.com/video/HPPfRyzHTZQ/w-d-xo.html&feature=share9 So the 10m waterproofness rating is only for splashes, because you can't use any underwater footage from it *anyway* because the quality is so bad 🤦
@visitwithus strange the videos I had been watching up til yours and all the ones after played just fine. Even stopped and rewound your video, yet it still did it, solely, with yours.
![[Sub Thai] APT. - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bYjhzP8x_uc/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video, but why not try using the single lens option on the X3? It won't be as sharp as the GoPro, but you will avoid the stitching issue, and the image will be sharper than the 360 lens.
Thanks for watching Mike. Good point, but it still wouldn’t give you the resolution as the single lens GoPro. If you’re resorting to single men’s mode, then there’s no point using the x3. 🙂
@@visitwithus yeah I agree not worth it if you don't get the 360...
True but you are comparing apples and pears. 360 camera with non 360 camera. You could easily say GoPro suck because you need to point camera to object right? Yes goPro has better quality over insta360 but it doesnt cover 360 area.
@@visitwithusyes but the average user won’t be buying both cameras. 360 is better out of the water because it catches more, but if you can’t afford a second camera for underwater using the other mode would be an option, no?
Then why even bought a 360 if you're just going to use it as a single lens?
I am literally 2 days away from buying, but I am having a very hard time deciding. Based on reviews and other articles, Insta360 X3 has a lot more features, clearer images and videos (5.7K Insta360 versus 5.3k I think with Go Pro Hero 11). I also find it more aesthetic to be able to use an invisible selfie stick in the Insta360, instead of the Hero 11 which will show a selfie stick when you use it. Another thing I am considering are accessories - The Hero 11 has the accessories included in the bundle here in our country (PHL), while I need to buy the ones for Insta360 separately. Another thing is the frame - Insta360 allows you to select the frame (like orientation or how wide the shot is) after taking the image/video, but the GoPro does not. So feature wise, Insta360 I know wins, but this video just showed how bad it is underwater? This is one of the main reasons why I will be buying an action cam, to use underwater. Hero 11 has less features, but seems to have better underwater shots? So why does it show 5.7K in Insta360 and 5.2k in Hero 11, yet it is bad underwater? Another better thing with Insta360 is the ability to take 360 videos or photos, I believe Hero 11 does not have this? OMG can someone please help me decide!! Also, I believe Insta360 offers free editing apps on a phone without the need to pay, and Hero 11 does not? GoPro subscription is also not available here in the PH. I am so close to going crazy as I do not wish to buy one and then regret it after, so can someone please help me decide! I will mainly use it for underwater and motorcycle shots.
can I please ask which one u actually choose because I have the same exact problem
Sorry I’m late replying. Which did you go for in the end?
My experience with gopro vs Insta360, the gopro battery is short life. The gopro has lots of loading and transferring time. Wrong angle misses shots. The app is difficult to work with. My experience with insta, long battery, 360 catches all angles so no worries about missing something. The app is a dream to use and loading happens fast. The lenses being 360 bubbles get scratched easy in abusive situations(crashing mountain bike).
If you want 360 footage get the insta 360! I've not used the hero 11 although I know for sure the 360 go pro doe t shoot well underwater if you want 360 footage..all the best!!
Don't get it wrong! X3 I have them since the insta one X, they're really good! It's just the underwater with 360 really sucks! Both gopro and 360 have pros and cons, and this is the cons with 360 don't use it underwater.
I really appreciated this video. You put out a lot of great videos visually (as well as your smooth-talking audio), and it's good to see you do a review of equipment, too.
Thank you, that's really appreciated. I want to do more techie videos for holiday makers. All part of the eco-system don't you think? :)
Disagree. I used my Insta360 in the 11 trips taken since December (24 trips in 2024) to snorkel AND dive, but you need the dive case for great footage. No complaints here. And YES,I also have a GoPro 4 years now and prefer my Insta360 x3
Thanks for watching and commenting.
If you use single lense with insta, u get a similar image as a gopro, of course taking 360 video underwater is another story with refraction. That said, even with dive case you need to keep the camera In certain distance to get the best of it. How can you ever expect automatic stitching will work as magic 😃
This video is rubbish 😂
Agreed.
Great video.
Would interesting to know if the X3 stitching was better underwater with the dive case setting enabled, but with no dive case actually present?
Ooh, I didn’t try that. Good idea. I’ll try it next time. 👍
nope, does not improve anything. Tried it out about 2 hours ago while Fishing...
I took my insta360 in the water today for the first time and was really disappointed with the terrible stitching! It’s great out of the water, but GoPro definitely seems the way to go once you get in the water! Reviewers should definitely be highlighting this more! Thanks for your video!
Thanks for watching sir. I’m just annoyed that larger tech vloggers are down playing this issue. 🙂
You have to compare Insta 360 ONE RS or Go camera with the GoPro 11. Can't compare the X3. Totally different types of cameras for different use cases.
@@highsoflyify I disagree. The X3 is really terrible in water from my experience. I now use a DJI osmo 4 in the water which is great, and the X3 for out of water shooting and once it’s out of the water it’s great! Not for underwater shooting though. Really really really really disappointing performance under water.
@@cliffseagull
I never said it's good for under water and I can totally understand you being disappointed.
But the Insta 360 X3 is more like a GoPro Max and has to be compared with it (not with a single lense Hero 11, otherwise it's like comparing apples and bananas). Seems like 360° lens cameras are not well made for under water in general. Must be a reason in their specific construction.
GoPro 11 should be compared with the Insta360 Ace Pro for under water shots. Then you have a fair and better comparison of what Insta360 can do. I would say, the X3 is more geared for wintersports, skydiving, hiking or driving with vehicles .
Man I’m happy I came across you page🙌🏾great videos n that’s where I’m from and should be home soon for some vlogging as well.. great work keep it up man 🙏🏾🙌🏾
Thank you 😊
Thank you for your video. It will hopefully stop a lot of people - like myself - to believe 360 X3 is usefull under water. I used my X3 today in Big Island Hawaii and thought I made a mistake setting up the camera, nope I didn't. Good thing I had my DJI Oslo Action with me giving me some clear shots. I like the X3 for some fun stuff, but I will not waste money for the under water housing. I'll be looking forward to see more of your videos.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
I was about to make a big mistake. I was ready to buy an Insta360 X3. Fortunately, I watched your underwater camera test of the GoPro Hero11 and Insta360 X3 before I made my purchase. I would have made a big mistake if I had I bought an Insta360 X3, with or without a dive case! Since I live in Florida, I regularly go snorkeling on the coral reefs in the Florida Keys and in Florida’s many spring-feed rivers. (During the winter months, it’s exciting to go snorkeling in Crystal River where there’s one of the world’s largest gatherings of West Indian manatees, from 800 to 1,000.) I have taken a lot of underwater pictures using my GoPro Hero8. I decided to upgrade my GoPro and was ready to purchase an Insta360 X3 based on the many TH-cam reviews I’d watched. I thought I’d get great underwater shots. Boy, was I mistaken. Your video tells an important underwater story that no one is talking about. (I guess TH-camrs don’t like getting wet when they do their camera reviews.) Since the GoPro Hero11 is the clear winner in an underwater competition, this is the new camera I purchased to replace my Hero8.
Glad we could help. You’re right. Nobody talks about how awful it is underwater. Hero11 a winner by a country mile. Enjoy your new purchase. I’d love to see those manatees! 😀
Thanks , I bought the dive case and it worked good, but it’s started getting fogged up, it only comes with 5 fog strips, the fogging go so bad I spent a ton of time managing it. No one mentions it’s a hassle to edit , can’t put SIM card in reader has to be done through the app
Thanks for watching Patrick. Yes, you have to have a decent supply of fog strips. Also we found the camera overheated very often and switched itself off in the middle of a session. Most annoying and I'm annoyed I forgot to mention it in the review too!
now that you mention it,
my camera was shutting down on me too.
@@patrickballas Yep. At full resolution it overheats in the case.
You may have already done so, but how about a video of how you use the X3 for your (non underwater) travel vlogs. I understand the deficiency you point out in this video and thank you for that. For me, I'm really interested to get proficient at using my X3 (and especially the editing platforms) when we cruise to Iceland & Norway later this year and in Alaska next year. And my output is simply for personal use to archive and share with family & friends.
Hi Todd. Thanks for watching. Well, I DO use the X3 for certain shots but I like to use it subtly, so it's not always apparent it's a 360 camera. I'm not one for all the 'Tiny Planet' type stuff. I might do a video in the future so thanks for the interest. :)
all the issues you have mentioned is apparently solved with the announcement of invisible dive case, unfortunately it means you have to buy the new dive case :)
Thanks for watching. I have my doubts the invisible dive case will improve the quality - it’ll just remove the lozenge shaped piece of plastic you see at certain angles. 🙂
@@visitwithus yes I have watched other footage and the new dive case still produces blurry images
You need to work around the stitch line, especially in low light.
Don't hold the camera at a fixed angle and rely on the stitching.
You also need to use the underwater housing to account for refraction. That would be the case with any 360 camera.
Thanks for watching and for your comment 👍
Am in awe of your abilities to use technology, edit, and select music. Bravo.
Thank you Bob. We're glad all the effort pays off with a pleasant watching experience. :D
Hi great video! I'm just trying to figure out which camera to buy for underwater shooting (snorkeling). I understood that the X3 even with the underwater case is not very good, so what do you recommend? Osmo 3? gopro 11? Thank you
Consider Olympus TG-6 as well in your search.
Update edit: Now TG-7 available!!
We like the GoPro for underwater shots best 👍
I use the x3 - but carefully turn the lens to face the subject matter (me or the fish). Not perfect. But a quick fix on a tropical island.
have you tried turning the x3 on while under water? Seems like the x3, when turned on above the water, sets itself normal mode. Then adjust underwater.
Thanks for watching and for your comment 👍
Great video. Good to see such honesty about the camera, and showing real results!
Have you done any testing with the Insta360 One RS 4K boost lens?
Thank you David. Appreciate you watching. No, I don't own a One RS or a boost lens but I'm sure the results would be better.
I'm really curious to see a new video about the x3 and the x4 in those scenarios. A friend of mine has the x3 and we used it a couple of times in the water with no case at all and it's not as bad as you show. Probably new software updates made it better?
Thanks for watching. Might do that in the future 👍
@@visitwithus i just bought the X4 so i will try to record something as soon as i can
Great video. I do a bunch of water filming. I'd really like to be able to 360.
Maybe I'll give that case a go.
Got the case, but am unable to figure out how to get the buttons to work. Updated via app, says current, but no option for the new case.
Thanks for watching 👍
The whole point of buying a 360 camera is to not have to think about where you point it at. No thinking about composition etc. It is very easy to miss things because they happen right above or behind you and you just weren't looking that way. You do need a dive cage indeed and even with it, the stitching is not perfect always and the flaring can be quite bad as well. But with the GoPro you are going to miss things because in the rough sea or due to the speed of the subject (dolphins) you are not going to point it at the subject all the time.
I am so sorry but you missed like 2 years, almost three, of comments all over the world talking about this issue. NEVER use it underwater without the dive case.
I accept you don't understand about optics underwater, nor have to... but there are MILLUONS OF DISCUSSIONS about this in foruns, facebook and all around.
Always use a dome to shoot underwater if you want to have the full FOV of the camera, otherwise you will lose about 33% of it.
So, if you lose it there is no way the stitch would work, right?
But try the 360 with only one lens.
And try a dome with gopro. You will see the difference.
Just don't say it isn't a well known fact.
Thanks.
Thanks for watching
X3 underwater cons:
> 360 feature is crap, might as well use single lens
> If you're using single lens might as well get a gopro that will give better single lens images
> If you're using a dive case, the amount of refraction and light being bounced back and forth inside that bubble lens is detrimental to the image you're capturing
>and lastly, because the bubble lens/dome has so much volume, you will have tonnes of fogging issues as the camera heats up whilst in use.
all in all, x360 isn't the best thing for underwater imagery/video
Thanks for the advice.
In Insta Studio you can correct the stitching, right?
Not in all cases. 🙂
So WhT your saying based on the videos the dive case made for good pictures? Thanks for the video I will buy the x3 and the dive case. Cheers Vancouver island Canada
That is correct. The dive case made a huge difference. 🙂
I’ve been on the lookout for a quality GoPro, so this review is most helpful. I know it’s from LAST April, but if I can avoid buying BRAND new when quality is still fetch, I will.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Have you tried the invisible dive case with the insta360 X3?
I wonder if that would be a rubbish too?
I’ve had a look and tbh it looks like it wouldn’t really improve the optic quality of the video produced.
Use the new one for SCUBA down to 40m and works great.
in my opinion and according to my experience it only works if the object is very close, if you want to shoot objects three metres away or more it doesn't focus, what do you think?
Thanks for watching.
I think most of you are expecting too much from a $400 action camera.
If they claim it does something and shout it from the rooftops in their marketing, we should expect it to do that thing they claim. Doesn't matter about the price in that respect. Thanks for watching. :)
1:50 I think they should put 3 cameras on this device to have more angles to work with when doing the stitching
wish i had come across this video before buying an x3, the x4 might be good enough for underwater. I had trouble deciding but ended up getting both a gopro12 and the x3 for different activities. insta 360 underwater quality sux looks blurry, stitching is not great but its practical to use the 360 to pan through the scenery.
Thanks for watching, sorry it wasn’t soon enough 😞
How is quality in other places not under water?
Is the quality similar to gopro?
Or we need to buy both
Out of the water, the quality is great, especially in HDR mode. We love it for those occasions I want that type of shot. If you’re not bothered by the underwater capabilities, you definitely don’t need both. 🙂
The GoPro definitely gives a much better-quality image with or without color correction for underwater video. Insta 360 X3 might be better in other situations, as with a selfie stick while skiing/snowboarding.
Totally agree. Thanks for watching. 👍
Sadly, I was also a victim of this… had an epic moment with a school of Baraccudas around me in Thailand … but the footage was terrible. Do you think the new clear Dive case makes it better? Or should I just use the larger 1.5 lens and shoot normal mode?
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
Sorry you had this experience, always a pity to miss capturing such a memorable occasion 😞
I have a Hawaii Channel and I was looking into the Insta360. It's a good looking camera but thanks to your video I know I will need a case or another camera for underwater shots. Mahalo!
The X3 also has a single-lens 4k option that would avoid the stitching issue you would see in this video and would provide a sharper image. Not as good as the GoPro image, but should be more useable.
@@MichaelLefortS6 thank you. A single lense shot would always be an option. I would include a 360 view to show beaches and such.
Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
I caught this video after watching iJustine's rave over the X3 w/UW housing! She did not mention the problem you pointedly hi-lighted, but I think she didn't even try to shoot without the housing. I would tend to think her omission an innocent one, as. she appeared to be excitedly promoting the housing! It's hard to imagine anyone deliberately omitting the "flaw" once it is noticed. On the other hand the problem appears to be a software issue, something that could be corrected soon, making your critique moot.
But comparing the Insta360Xn with any other camera is not a valid concept, as they occupy their own perhaps even unique niche that no other camera has considered doing, that of taking 360º vids & shots, mostly meant to include the creator. One would not buy this tool to the exclusion of a GoPro or an Olympus TG-x, but in addition, no different than one might buy a bicycle in addition to a motor bike and not think to compare them as options for the same role.
Thanks for watching
3 months later,@@visitwithus, the problem has already been superseded..... 😎
Thank you, you saved me from experiencing a lot of unnecessary frustration 😅 Cheers !
Thank you for watching. I’m glad I could help. 😀
You are comparing two different tools here and try to mimic the gopro with the 360. Sure you can correct and use a 4k image with the insta 360. But it's really meant to be used as a creative tool. Not take ultra sharp videos in normal format. In that respect the gopro will win every time. Appreciate the video in that you actually need the dive case to film under water. I am considering getting it just to use it on my motorcycle. Simply because a crushed insect somewhere on the camera is bad news in highway speeds.
Yes, I appreciate everything you point out but if someone was to be tempted to buy an X3 because of the underwater 'capabilities', then they need to be warned - it is NOT a serious tool for underwater video capture!
Read the manual! You would have known that the stitching does not work underwater. If you focus on using one lens side - everything is fine. Used our x3 snorkeling without case in Phuket. It was fine. Old x2 after a few years may not be waterproof. SO buy a new one just before you go.
Thanks for the advice.
How does the insta360 4K single lens mode in underwater ? Is it at par with gopro 11 ?
Not in our opinion, no. The X4 however… 🤔
have u tried the gopro max?
I've been trying to get surf footage with the insta360 x3 and the quality is terrible. I will keep trying with different configurations but, aside from the stitching issues (no dive case) the variation in colour and exposure in log, it is near impossible to keep water drops of the lens when you go from under a wave to above and the fact the quality is way too low to pull decent stills makes it a brick in the surf. Fortunately I bought it more for work on dry land and in that respect it is sensational. I will stick to putting the Sony mirrorless in a water housing for water shots. I'm not giving up on the 360 as I'd like to have it on the water housing to capture some video so maybe resort to single lens shooting.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
I agree the GoPro has better quality but the insta360 is better for getting the things you wouldn't have seen behind you
Very true indeed. Love the invisible selfie stick feature too. Incredibly good. 👍😀
Do we need waterproof case for go pro?
No. Perfectly good enough if snorkelling but do check max depth if using it for scuba. 👍
@@visitwithus oh great...thanks
@@DynoSquad you’re welcome. 😀
Thanks for your video. Nobody says about it. I hated my footage without the case. I am going to buy this dive case
Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
Thanks a lot for pointing out this flaw which would otherwise definitely have been swept under the rug by others.
Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful.
Latest invisible dive housing for X3 is far better than the original dive housing in this video and removes all stitching superbly. Basic understanding of refraction of light underwater will obviously cause problems with any form of unprotected lense and stitching. GoPro will invariably be a better single lense solution and much easier to process and edit the films.
But its so blurry
Spot on video. Unfortunately just back from the Galapagos with my InstaX3 and while I got some decent videos def wish I had brought a GoPro instead. The Insta is rubbish underwater indeed and no other reviewers are saying that.
Thank you Joe. You’re right, nobody says how rubbish it is under water, so I just had to make this video so others didn’t make the same mistake we both did. 😫
Hey I've experienced this with the first 360 Camera I've ever purchased it was a Nikon. Key mission 360! I think the light quality is what t makes this occur try it in good lighting ,it may do the trick! Also as another person mentioned try in Me mode :)
Thanks for watching. I think refraction of the light and water rather than the light quality itself is more the issue. 🙂
You should compare insta 360 with gopro max 360.
Thanks for watching
Still not sure why 99% of the videos uploaded for this are not in the 360 format just to see for our selves.
Thanks for watching
So, the I sta 396 without the Invisible case it should NOT be used for 360 underwear. It says that actually.
So let's make your video real and if u going to do 360 underwear use the correct case and set the camera in the case mode.
Now do me a 360 video with the gopro. ....
This video WAS about using the 360 in ‘case mode’. I haven’t tried 360 underwear though. Swimming trunks FTW.
This would have made way more sense comparing against gopro max. 🤦♂️
Thanks for watching
there is a new invisble under water housing avaible from insta hope it will do better
Thanks 👍
i found this out for myself this weekend.
😞
Thanks for watching 👍
How can i record underwater and keep charging ?
I don't think that's possible because all the connections have to be sealed.
I wish I had seen this before my last trip, I was in the Philippines and we went to see the Dugong. I had forgotten the selfie stick to dive case adaptor so, because it was going to be shallow, I dove with the selfie stick and no dive case. I was almost sick when I got back to my hotel and reviewed the footage, absolutely horrible!! So dissapointing !!
Yeah tell me about it! They never said anything about it in the reviews did they? 🤨
Will you please record with and without dive case on bike
🤔
I just bought the 360x3 to go on shark diving so far I can't even get decent footage on dry land its absolutely awful no matter what I try footage is always blurry and I only have my phone to edit
Thanks for watching and we share your pain! This camera is the WORST for any underwater footage. Best stick with a decent GoPro if you want good results.
Dive Case Not worth??
Thanks for watching.
Is this the first diving case or the second ? Did you put the protection lens or not ?
1st. Hope the second edition is better 🤞
Thanks for watching
tq for doing this video . I totally agree with you. I came back and purchased gopro 12 now. I think insta 360 is worth above water.
Thanks for watching 👍
You are not supposed to use the Insta360 x3 underwater without the a case- which is way they make an underwater case. Of course it's going to be "rubbish".
Thanks for watching.
If I was buying a camera for "all shots" I'd choose that little GoPro. It was the clearest and best quality in my opinion. No fuss, no muss... just good clear shots like you want.
Absolutely agree. 😀
This is great info! I am totally a “get the shot and fix it in post” person.
Thank you. Yes, you can improve things so much in post. It's no bad thing! :D
@@visitwithus absolutely! But you’re absolutely right that there’s no fixing a cut-in-half subject!
I’m actually surprised at the GoPro - not only did it not cut the subject in half lol, but the native image stabilization was great! We tend to be big Sony fans in this house but maybe I’ll reconsider the action cam choice when the time comes. Thanks again for this info 😁
You need the waterproof case and that changes everything. Others have already spoken about that.
The waterproof case is covered in this review. It doesn’t change everything I’m afraid.
OK. Others seem to think it does and looking at the images they look quite good. Maybe it was different settings.
The latest invisible dive housing is great underwater for the X3.
Two very different cameras for very different uses. I don't really think of any 360 camera as an "action" camera because they are fragile. That's the reason I carry the Max, the 11, the 7 and the Olympus Tough whenever I shoot "action" shots. Already well known that 360 camera will not shoot underwater shots among the Max community.
Not true......
Thanks for watching
To be honest waterproof untill 10 meters says enough... designed to jump into water and survive but hardly to use as 360 dive camera...
an avarage dive (scuba or freedive) is around 15 to 20 meters at least. (50 to 65 ft)
Yeah, ‘dive case’ is a bit of an optimistic name. 😆
what is going on with your audio? are you eating your mic
Some of them are delicious.
Your review is pretty pointless when you have deliberately gone out of your way to make sure the subject is in the stitch line
I agree with You. I have X2 and case, and results are very mediocre in comparison with X3000 with case or similar cam. I hate Gopro colors, but underwater is very good too.
Yes, I'd agree, the GoPro colours are almost cartoony but the simple fact is it can't be beaten underwater without a much bigger and more expensive camera (with dive case) :)
Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching Fernando 👍
Absolute rubbish! I just tried 360 x3 underwater and the footage was worst than iPhone 3...
It was like nothing in common with GoPro 11.
Agreed! Why don’t other reviewers declare this?
if i were to pick just 1 camera, i would pick X3 all the time. in the water ill just use single lens mode.out of the water then i can use 360 mode which hero 11 cant do, not to mention all other hero 11 problems😅
I’ll be honest, we DO take and use our X3 on every trip - it’s a great versatile little piece of kit. Just not as good in underwater situations than a Hero11 even in single lens mode. And yes, the GoPro’s are still beset with all their enduring frustrating little quirks and problems. 😆
think you summed it up there, each camera has its own merit, i got so frustrated with 2 x failed gp pro units due to water ingress and the appalling software interface, x3 is amazing on dry land and app software, btw just heading to the maldives and a bit underwhelmed that the x3 even with dive case will let us down...we will see...@@visitwithus
Thank you for this video!
Thank you for watching. ☺️
I had the same issue. My insta360 x 3 failed me on my first day of a 5 week island tour in asia!!!. On the very first dip underwater at one foot deep. Water went into the unit. It was defective . ANd to make matter worse, i didnt have a gopro as back up. Ended up using my iphone the whole trip. If only i saw this video before purchasing my insta360. Guess i can say charge to experience
Thanks for watching
Thank sir
Thank you 😊
When you go to Antarctica and plan on getting underwater footage, you do not bring a TOY camera! And you learn about refraction and optics AHEAD OF TIME, Instead of blaming the toy camera, blame your lack of prior educating yourself about underwater optics. You get what you pay for. These cameras are for partygoers, social media etc. You were privileged enough to have an encounter with an amazing creature and you brought a toy? Somehow you can post on the web it is rubbish. I would say a 4K or 5.7K gopro would suffice in a pinch much better than this but even then, hopefully this was a learning experience. If you want to get Blue Planet stuff, make sure the sensor on your camera is huge, not the size of your pinky fingernail and then stretched out over a 360 degree space.
Thanks for the camera lesson. I had the latest GoPro with me but decided on the X3 for that particular zodiac because the reviews had (incorrectly) reported its usefulness as a point and shoot underwater camera. BTW, a TOY does not cost £500 and although I brought my professional A7Siii with three G-Master lenses, and despite its excellent weather sealing properties, which was great against the sideways sleet and howling wind we encountered, I was not about to go plunging that into freezing sea water. I’m sure you’ll understand why. 🙄
It would of been interesting if you had the go pro max
I don't think it would've been different enough to the Insta360 underwater to be honest. And it's getting a bit long in the tooth too! :D
cool review man
Thank you! :D
Não aconselho a meter na água sem capa na primeira vez que meti a minha uns 20 segundos debaixo de água não ligou mais vou enviar pá garantia 10 metros mas deve ser nos sonhos deles nem um metro.
Thanks for watching
It didn’t die under water to me that’s water profe
Thanks for watching
x3 is tremendously blurry underwater
Thanks
Naah. The 360 does great for myself and so many others underwater. I'll just go with the 360.
Your choice. Thanks for watching. 😀
I hope you got your money back 😂😂😂😂
Unfortunately not. Feel a bit short changed though tbh. :/
Im so sorry.. u are so bad at educating urself on the usage of the 360 x3😂😂😂.. u just have no idea how to use it. Ur comparing 360 view with a gopro single lens? Try comparing both on single lens mode, old man
Old man. 😂 I’ve had all three Insta360 cameras and every GoPro since 4. I’m a professional videographer who lives with these cameras on a daily basis. I’m educated thanks. The X3 is still inferior to the Hero11 underwater, single lens or 360. Why buy an X3 if you’re just going to have to use single lens mode to get adequate quality? Weird logic that, even to an old man.
Just found your video. Wish I would have found it sooner.
I tested my X3 underwater yesterday without the dive case and using the Single Lens Mode to more closely mimic a GoPro, and *in single lens mode everything is still a blurry, unusable crappy mess.*
Above the water it's ok. As soon as it enters the water everything sucks. You can't even use it to film static coral up close.
th-cam.com/video/HPPfRyzHTZQ/w-d-xo.html&feature=share9
So the 10m waterproofness rating is only for splashes, because you can't use any underwater footage from it *anyway* because the quality is so bad 🤦
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
The purpose of your video is good but your video quality is RUBBISH as it keeps skipping!
Think the problem might be your end. Thanks for watching though.
@visitwithus strange the videos I had been watching up til yours and all the ones after played just fine. Even stopped and rewound your video, yet it still did it, solely, with yours.
TFS
Thanks for watching! 👍
This is the perfect video for me I’m looking for a good action camera for my trip to the Bahamas
Thanks for watching. Have a great time! :D