Insta360 Go 3S Review, Greatest Action Camera?

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The Insta360 GO 3S is a powerful, pocket-sized action camera that delivers impressive 4K footage with exceptional stabilization. Priced at $399 (64GB) or $429 (128GB), it offers remarkable versatility for vloggers, travelers, and sports enthusiasts. While it excels in portability and ease-of-use, it has some limitations in low-light performance and connectivity options.

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Insta360 GO 3S Official Amazon Starting At 399$

Having recently acquired the GO 3S as our first action camera, We were eager to put it to the test. From its sleek, pocket-sized design to its impressive array of features, the GO 3S has already made a strong impression on us. Whether you’re new to action cameras or a seasoned user, this review will delve into every aspect of the GO 3S, including its design and build quality, features, performance in various scenarios, and the overall value it offers.

Tiny Camera, Big Performance

Released in June 2024, the Insta360 GO 3S represents the latest evolution in compact action cameras. Building upon its predecessor's foundation, this tiny powerhouse manages to pack professional-level features into a device smaller than your thumb. As first-time action camera users, we were immediately impressed by how much capability Insta360 has squeezed into such a small package.

Whether you're capturing POV adventures, travel moments, or creating content for social media, the GO 3S offers a compelling combination of portability, quality, and innovative features that set it apart from bulkier alternatives.

Design and Build Quality: Pocket-Sized Perfection

Size and Weight

  • Camera: 25.6 × 54.4 × 24.8 mm (1.0 × 2.1 × 1.0 inches); 39.1 grams (1.38 ounces)
  • Action Pod: 63.5 × 47.6 × 29.5 mm (2.5 × 1.9 × 1.2 inches) with screen folded; 96.3 grams (3.40 ounces)

The GO 3S maintains an impressively minimal footprint while feeling sturdy and well-built. Available in white and black, its sleek design blends modern aesthetics with practical functionality.

Magnetic Mounting System

One of the standout design elements is the fast-clipping magnetic mounting system. Strong magnets ensure the camera stays securely attached during intense activities while allowing for quick repositioning when needed. This thoughtful design choice significantly enhances the camera's versatility.

Included Accessories

The GO 3S comes with essential mounting accessories right out of the box:

  • Lens Guard (pre-installed)
  • Magnet Pendant
  • Reusable Pivot Stand
  • Easy Clip

These included accessories immediately expand your shooting possibilities without requiring additional purchases.

Durability and Water Resistance

The camera itself is waterproof up to 10 meters (with the lens guard installed), while the Action Pod offers IPX4 splash resistance. This durability ensures the GO 3S can handle varied environments from rainy hikes to underwater adventures.

Key Features: Small Size, Big Capabilities

MEGAVIEW FOV

The new wide-angle MEGAVIEW field of view delivers remarkably clean footage with reduced distortion and straighter edges compared to typical action cameras. This feature alone makes the GO 3S worth considering if you're deciding between this and the previous GO 3 model.

FlowState Stabilization

Perhaps the most impressive feature is the FlowState stabilization technology. It effectively eliminates shakes, bumps, and rolls—even during high-motion activities. Combined with the Tilt Fix feature (which corrects camera tilt by up to 10 degrees), you'll get consistently level, professional-looking footage without post-processing.

QuickCapture

The QuickCapture feature deserves special mention as it allows you to start recording instantly with a single button press, even when the camera is powered off. This thoughtful design ensures you never miss spontaneous moments, and the programmable button options (different for the camera and Action Pod) offer excellent customization.

Action Pod with Flip Screen

The accompanying Action Pod isn't just a battery extender—it transforms the GO 3S into a more traditional action camera with its flip-up touchscreen that rotates 180 degrees. This makes framing selfie shots and vlogs remarkably simple while providing intuitive access to camera settings.

Smart Shooting Modes

The GO 3S offers several intelligent shooting options:

  • Interval Video: Automatically captures moments throughout your day and combines highlights
  • Pre-Recording: Records 30 seconds before you press the record button
  • FreeFrame Mode: Shoot now, choose aspect ratio later for different platforms
  • Voice Control 2.0: Hands-free operation through simple voice commands

Apple Find My Integration

A particularly useful feature is the integration with Apple's Find My network, making it easy to locate your camera if misplaced or lost—something especially valuable given its small size.

Camera Modes: Versatile Creative Options

The GO 3S offers an impressive array of shooting modes to match virtually any creative scenario:

Photo Modes

  • HDR Photo: Enhanced color and detail (requires steady hand)
  • Normal Photo: Standard mode for everyday shooting

Video Modes

  • Standard Video: High-quality footage in various resolutions and frame rates
  • FreeFrame: Flexible aspect ratio selection after recording
  • Slow Motion: Up to 8x slowdown (200fps at 1080p, 100fps at 2.7K)
  • Loop Recording: Continuous recording with automatic overwriting
  • TimeShift: Create dynamic hyperlapse effects with speed adjustments

Time-Based Modes

  • Timelapse: Condense time into fluid motion sequences
  • Starlapse: Specialized for night sky photography
  • Interval Photo: Automatic photo capture at set intervals

Each mode comes with thoughtfully designed presets for specific activities like biking or skiing, and you can create up to five custom presets tailored to your unique needs.

Performance: Where It Shines (And Where It Doesn't)

Video Quality

The 4K/30fps video recording (with bitrates up to 120 Mbps) delivers impressive detail and vibrant colors, especially when using the MEGAVIEW FOV. While the small sensor size inevitably creates some limitations, the overall quality exceeds expectations for such a compact device.

One adjustment we found beneficial was reducing the sharpness setting to its lowest level, which produced more natural-looking footage, particularly when viewing on larger screens.

Stabilization Performance

The FlowState stabilization truly impresses in real-world testing. Our walking and running tests using the magnetic pendant produced remarkably smooth footage that rivals much larger action cameras. The Tilt Fix feature proved especially useful when quickly mounting the camera on uneven surfaces.

Audio Quality

The dual built-in microphones perform admirably, particularly with the effective Wind Reduction mode. We tested in windy conditions and near fans, and the noise cancellation handled these challenging environments well. For indoor recording, switching to Directional Focus mode provides clearer audio capture.

While the audio quality won't replace a dedicated external microphone (which isn't supported anyway), it's more than adequate for vlogging and casual use.

Battery Life

Battery performance aligns well with Insta360's claims:

  • Camera only: Up to 38 minutes recording time
  • With Action Pod: Up to 140 minutes

During our summer testing in 30°C temperatures, we didn't experience any overheating issues that caused shutdowns, though the camera did become noticeably warm during extended 4K recording sessions. When worn on the magnetic pendant, you can feel the warmth against your chest.

Low-Light Performance

This is one area where the GO 3S shows its limitations. While footage in dim conditions is usable, you'll notice increased grain and reduced detail. The camera performs best in well-lit environments, making it less ideal for nighttime adventures.

Usability Highlights

The intuitive operation stands out as a major strength. Features like Voice Control 2.0 and QuickCapture make the GO 3S accessible even to beginners. The Action Pod's remote control functionality (working up to 5 meters away) adds significant versatility to shooting setups.

Interval Video Mode

This frequently-used feature has some limitations worth noting. It only works with standard video (not FreeFrame or slow motion), maxes out at 5-minute clips with intervals up to 1 hour, and doesn't offer complete customization. However, you can adjust filters and exposure, and choose whether to record only when the camera is not in the Action Pod or in both scenarios.

Best Use Cases: Where The GO 3S Excels

The GO 3S particularly shines in these scenarios:

Vlogging

The flip-up touchscreen and compact form factor make it ideal for travel vlogging and on-the-go content creation.

POV Videos

The magnetic mounting system and included accessories create unique, immersive perspectives without cumbersome gear.

Action Sports

Exceptional stabilization captures smooth footage during high-movement activities like biking, skiing, or running.

Travel Documentation

Its pocket-sized design and "set it and forget it" interval recording are perfect for travelers wanting to capture memories without constantly managing equipment.

Pros and Cons: The Complete Picture

What We Love

  • Remarkably stable 4K/30fps video
  • Waterproof camera (up to 10 meters)
  • Convenient flip-forward touchscreen on Action Pod
  • Intuitive, feature-rich app experience
  • Unique magnetic mounting system for creative POV shots
  • Flexible FreeFrame video mode now in 4K
  • Set-and-forget Interval Video mode

What Could Be Better

  • Non-removable battery
  • No storage expansion slot
  • Action Pod isn't fully waterproof
  • No external microphone support
  • Image can appear oversharpened on larger displays
  • Limited low-light performance
  • Relatively slow file transfers

Value and Pricing: Worth The Investment?

At $399 for the 64GB model and $429 for the 128GB version, the GO 3S offers exceptional value considering its feature set and build quality. We opted for the 128GB version and recommend this higher-capacity model for most users, as 4K video files quickly consume storage space.

When compared to other action cameras in this price range, the GO 3S stands out for its unmatched portability and unique mounting options, though larger competitors may offer slightly better image quality or more connectivity options.

Conclusion: Small Wonder With Big Potential

The Insta360 GO 3S successfully delivers on its promise of bringing professional-level features to an incredibly compact form factor. Its combination of stellar stabilization, versatile mounting options, and intuitive operation make it an excellent choice for content creators who value portability and spontaneity.

While it has limitations—particularly in low-light performance and connectivity options—the GO 3S excels in its intended use cases. For vloggers, travelers, and action enthusiasts looking for a camera that can go anywhere and capture moments with minimal setup, the GO 3S represents a compelling option that's worth the investment.

If you prioritize portability and ease-of-use over absolute image quality or extensive manual controls, the Insta360 GO 3S deserves a prime spot on your gear shortlist.