The Ultimate Pocket Camera: Insta360 X3!

The Insta360 X3 is presented as a highly versatile pocket camera that centers around capturing a true 360 degree sphere of video and then letting you decide the final framing in post. The two back-to-back 1/2 inch sensors stitch together a seamless 360 view, with a built-in ability to remove the selfie stick and even the camera itself from the shot, thanks to precise spatial awareness and Stitching AI. Marques demonstrates FlowState Stabilization, an AI-driven horizon tracking feature that keeps the intended horizon level while locking onto a selectable target inside the sphere, allowing for smooth, cinematic motion while you or the subject move. The video emphasizes that this is not only about spherical footage but about choosing any angle from the entire sphere after the fact, enabling incredibly flexible editing. The X3 records 5.7K HDR 360 video and can do 8K time lapses, powered by a new 1/2 inch sensor and a 2.3 inch touchscreen, all within an IPX8 waterproof design and a removable 1800 mAh battery. Beyond specs, the camera system is highlighted for its software workflow, where editing and effects like Sky Swap, Bullet Time, and various reframings are executed entirely on a smartphone via the Insta360 app, making high-end production accessible on a mobile device. Marques also covers practical usage scenarios from Me Mode to First Person and Nose Mode, and discusses accessories like a USB-C reader, mic jack, and dash-cam style loop recording, reinforcing the ecosystem around the device. The review closes with thoughts on weaknesses, mainly seam distortion at the two-camera boundary when subjects are very close, and a reminder that the system remains incredibly versatile and ready for creative experimentation on the Auto Focus channel.

Topics · technology · video-production · photography · consumer-electronics