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The appeal of a 360-degree camera is that you don’t have to think as much about framing while you are recording, and the Insta360 X3 is one of the better-known options in the category, earning an “excellent” rating from PCMag. It is currently $229.99, down from $299.99, which price trackers show is its lowest price so far.
Its two lenses capture everything around the camera in up to 5.7K resolution, so you can decide later whether you want the final clip to follow a skier, show the road behind a cyclist, or keep the camera pointed at yourself as you walk through a city. That flexibility is especially useful when you are filming alone or moving too quickly to keep adjusting the camera. You can also switch to a single-lens mode and record more conventional footage at up to 4K, so you are not forced to edit every clip as a 360-degree video.
The X3 is also small enough to carry without making it feel like you’re packing dedicated camera gear for every trip. It weighs about 6.3 ounces, and the 2.29-inch touchscreen gives you enough room to change settings and check what you recorded without constantly reaching for your phone. It is also waterproof up to 33 feet without an extra case, which makes it easier to bring along for beach days, pool trips, or wet-weather hikes.
The tradeoff is that 360 footage asks more of you once the recording is finished. Instead of simply copying a clip and posting it, you will usually need to choose the angle you want, reframe the footage, and export it as a regular video first. Insta360’s mobile and desktop software makes that process easier, but there is still more work involved than with a standard action camera. The X3 is also several generations old now, so newer models offer better resolution and other upgrades. Even so, the core experience is still useful if you care more about creative framing and flexibility than having the newest hardware.
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