It's often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's true, then the power of high-quality, immersive action footage from the FPV perspective is incalculable. Cue the Insta360 Go 3, an intriguing camera offering that's causing quite a stir in the FPV community. But what makes this camera so unique, and is it right for your FPV endeavors? We're here to help you decide. We’ll discuss everything from the camera’s innovative design to its extensive feature set, and from its impressive image quality to the limitations you might want to consider before buying. So, buckle up and join us as we take a deep dive into the Insta360 Go 3.
The Insta360 Go 3: An Action Camera with a Twist
When it comes to versatile, adaptable cameras, the Insta360 Go 3 makes a strong case. Unlike traditional action cameras, this device takes flexibility and functionality up a notch. It’s an impressive fusion of the wearable camera and GoPro paradigms, wrapped up in a small yet power-packed form factor. It might not be the top action camera on the market, but its versatility makes it a contender worth considering.
TL:DR
If you don't want to read the full article, here are the main takeaways from this article.
The Good
- Versatility: The Insta360 Go 3 is a versatile action camera offering unique mounting options and modes. The device can be easily adapted to a variety of shooting scenarios, ideal for creative FPV footage.
- Compact Design: Its tiny, thumb-sized form factor makes it easy to mount on FPV drones without adding significant weight, ensuring flight performance is minimally affected.
- Impressive Stabilization: Insta360’s FlowState image stabilization works well in well-lit conditions, smoothing out bounces and judders, which is crucial for producing high-quality FPV footage.
- Innovative Action Pod: The Action Pod (charging case) adds practical functionality by transforming the Go 3 into a pseudo-GoPro, complete with a touchscreen interface and a booster battery.
The Bad
- Lack of 4K Video Recording: The Go 3 is capped at 2.7K recording, which falls short when compared to other cameras in its price range that offer 4K recording capabilities.
- Limited Storage: There's no expandable storage or microSD slot, which might limit the duration and number of flights you can record before needing to transfer and clear footage.
- Non-removable Battery: The camera doesn't feature a removable battery, which could restrict your usage if you're planning a long day of flying and filming.
- Poor Low-Light Performance: While the image stabilization is impressive under well-lit conditions, it struggles to maintain smoothness without introducing artifacts in low-light situations.
🛍️Where To Buy
- Unmanned Tech
- Amazon
Get More Bang for Your Buck
Priced at around £380 for the 32GB model, the Go 3 might make you pause and evaluate the competition. Its direct counterparts like the GoPro Hero 11 Black and Insta360’s own One RS 4K modular camera are worth considering. However, the Go 3 makes up for the cost with its unique form factor and multiple mounting options.
Tiny But Mighty
Despite its thumb-sized build, the Go 3 manages to pack quite a punch. The main camera unit can be mounted in various ways, offering a host of creative possibilities for FPV pilots. Its magnetic pendant allows you to attach the camera over your clothing, or you can opt for the clip mount for attachment to a peaked hat or any other surface using the sticky pad.
All Hail the Action Pod
Insta360’s “Action Pod” is the real show-stealer here. This charging case transforms the Go 3 into a GoPro-like camera, complete with a 2.2in articulating touchscreen and an extra boost of battery power.
A Worthy Successor?
Despite being a successor to the Go 2, the Go 3 manages to offer significant enhancements, including a full-colour articulating touchscreen on the charging case, higher resolution video capture, and an array of fresh features.
Recording Resolution: A Potential Downside?
One area where the Go 3 seems to lag behind the competition is its recording resolution. Topping out at 2.7K, it doesn't match the 4K capability of rivals like the Hero11 Black or the One RS. However, it still represents an improvement over its predecessor, the Go 2, which maxed out at 1440p.
More Than Just a Camera: Various Shooting Modes
The Go 3 isn't all about traditional video capture. It offers a variety of shooting modes including timeshift, interval, slow motion, and even a new Freeform mode. The new loop mode also makes this camera handy for those seeking a cycling dashcam alternative.
Intuitive Design with Few Drawbacks
The Go 3 boasts an ingeniously designed package that’s both sleek and practical. While the absence of a 4K video recording capability might disappoint some users, its versatility makes it a compelling choice in various scenarios.
Storage Limitations and Battery Life
The Go 3’s lack of expandable storage and removable battery may limit your usage, especially for longer FPV flights. Once the battery runs out, you’re grounded until it’s recharged. But considering the myriad features packed into this tiny device, some might find these limitations a small price to pay.
Comparing to the Runcam Thumb Pro
The RunCam Thumb or Thumb Pro offers higher video resolution, is cheaper and supports more storage (via a microSD card), while not having any integrated battery. While the Insta360 Go 3 has more connectivity options and a quicker charging time, along with better image quality and accessory ecosystem. This lets you mount the camera on your quadcopter, or use it as a stick cam, or other aspects of your FPV adventures, making the Go 3 alot more versatile.
Is the Insta360 Go 3 Right for You?
Despite its quirks and limitations, the Insta360 Go 3 is a testament to innovative engineering and versatility. It's a unique camera that will appeal to FPV pilots looking for flexibility, adaptability, and a new way to capture their flights. Yet, considering its price and limited resolution, it might not be for everyone. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you prioritize in an action camera.
So, FPV pilots, strap in and decide for yourself: is the Insta360 Go 3 the companion your flights have been waiting for?
