This 360-Degree Action Camera Is Currently on Sale for 23% Off.
The appeal of a 360-degree camera is that you don’t have to think so much about framing while recording, and the Insta360 X3 is one of the best-known options in this category, earning an “Excellent” rating from PCMag. It’s currently priced at $229.99, down from its previous price of $299.99, which, according to price tracking services, is the lowest price to date.
The camera’s two lenses capture everything around you at 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 have the camera point at you as you walk through the city. This flexibility is especially useful when you’re filming alone or moving too quickly to constantly adjust the camera’s position. You can also switch to single-lens mode and record more traditional footage at up to 4K resolution, so you don’t have to edit each clip as a 360-degree video.
The X3 is also compact enough to carry around without feeling like you’re lugging dedicated camera gear on every trip. It weighs about 6.3 ounces, and the 2.29-inch touchscreen provides plenty of space to change settings and check your footage without constantly using your phone. It’s also waterproof to 33 feet without an additional case, making it easy to use at the beach, pool, or while hiking in rainy weather.
The tradeoff is that 360-degree filming requires more effort after you’ve finished recording. Instead of simply copying the clip and posting it, you typically first need to select the desired angle, adjust the frame, and export it as a regular video. Insta360’s mobile and desktop software simplifies this process, but it still requires more work than a standard action camera . Furthermore, the X3 is several generations old, so newer models offer better resolution and other improvements. However, the core functionality is still useful if creative composition and flexibility are more important to you than having the latest hardware.