GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X3: Which is Better for Who?
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
The newly released Hero 13 from the industry leader GoPro is often compared to the rising Insta360's latest flagship X4 in the action camera market. However, comparing the GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X4 may not be very neck and neck because the X4 is significantly more costly.
So then how does the Hero 13 compare with Insta360 last year's flagship model X3, which is priced more similarly to the GoPro Hero 13?
Key Takeaways
With features like Timecode Sync, interchangeable HB-Series Lenses, and 10-bit HLG HDR, the GoPro Hero 13 is better suited for professional videographers. Meanwhile, with its 360° FOV, AI Editing tools, and Invisible Selfie Stick, the Insta360 X3 is more appealing to casual content creators who want to experiment and explore their creativity.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Best for Professional Uses
✓ 5.3K/60 Video + 27 MP Photo
✓ 10-Bit HLG HDR
✓ Timecode Sync
✓ Combine with HB-Series Lenses
Insta360 X3
Best for Creative Pursuits
✓ 5.7K/30 Video + 72 MP Photo
✓ Reframeable 360 FOV
✓ AI-Powered Editing Tools
✓ Invisible Selfie Stick
#1 Design & Display
GoPro Hero 13
Both action cams are suitable for outdoor adventures, offering rugged construction and waterproofing to 33ft (10m) without a housing.
While the Insta360 X3 is compact and lightweight at 46 x 114 x 33.1 mm dimensions and 180 g weight, the GoPro Hero 13 is more compact and portable at 50.8 x 71.8 x 33.6 mm dimensions and 154 g weight.
The Hero 13 also offers a built-in folding finger, a 1/4-20 tripod screw hole, and an optional magnetic mount for easy attachment/detachment to various mounts. That's 3 ways to mount compared to the X3 with only one mounting option – the built-in 1/4" thread.
In terms of display, the Insta360 X3 has a slightly larger 2.29" touchscreen compared to the GoPro Hero 13 with a 2.27" touchscreen on the rear and a 1.4" preview display on the front.
The Insta360 X3 also has an advantage with its extreme temperature resistance that allows it to operate in temperatures from -20°C to 40°C, while the GoPro Hero 13 is rated for temperatures from -10°C to 35°C.
#2 Video & Photo Quality
Insta360 X3
As a 360 camera that uses a dual lens to take a full 360° image or video, the Insta360 X3's main advantage lies in its immersive 360° field of view compared to the GoPro Hero 13's more limited 156° FOV.
The 360 footage produced by the X3 is also reframeable in post-production, allowing users to extract the optimal framing and perspective from a single footage to create multiple videos for different purposes. This means, Insta360 wins when it comes to flexibility and creative control over the final video.
However, when it comes to resolution, the GoPro Hero 13 wins with a maximum video and photo resolution of 5.3K/60 fps and 27 MP. Insta360 X3 offers a seemingly higher 8K/30 fps and 72 MP resolution, but that resolution is spread across the 360° field of view, resulting in a lower effective resolution for the final exported footage. In the single lens mode, the maximum resolution supported is 4K/30fps.
GoPro Hero 13
For slow-motion footage, the GoPro Hero 13 stands out with an incredible 400fps Burst Slow-Mo at 720p or 120fps at 5.3K. In comparison, the X3 only supports up to 180fps in 3K or 120fps in 4K with Bullet Time feature.
The image sensor in the GoPro Hero 13 is also larger at 1/1.9" compared to the 1/2" sensor in the Insta360 X3, which allows the GoPro to produce better image quality with less noise, especially in low light conditions.
Another advantage that the GoPro Hero 13 has will be appreciated by professional videographers and content creators - 10-bit Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) HDR. It allows the Hero 13 to capture more dynamic range and color information for improved post-processing flexibility, as well as meeting the broadcast standard Rec. 2100 for HDR content. Meanwhile, the Insta360 X3 is limited to 8-bit color depth without HLG support.
#3 Audio Quality
Insta360 X3
GoPro Hero 13 is equipped with three microphones and an Audio Tuning feature that offers two options – Standard mode for true-to-life audio capture and Voice mode for enhanced voice pickup.
The Voice mode in the Hero 13 may be comparable to the Wind Reduction Mode in the Insta360 X3, as both aim to suppress ambient noise to capture clearer audio for your recordings. Two other modes offered by the X3 include a Stereo Mode and Direction Focus Mode, which respectively enhance the distinction between left and right channels or focus the audio pickup from a specific direction.
For professional audio recording, both action cams support connection to external microphones, but the Insta360 X3 only supports wired connection via the mic adapter while the GoPro Hero 13 supports both wired and wireless connection.
The wireless connection via Bluetooth allows for more flexibility and convenience when recording audio, allowing users to use Bluetooth-enabled headsets and earbuds, including AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and even motorcycle helmet headsets like SENA to capture high-quality audio without being tethered to the camera.
#4 Features
GoPro Hero 13
Insta360 X3 stands out with its companion app, the Insta360 app, which offers a robust set of AI-driven editing tools and features that allow users to reframe, track subjects, and apply creative effects to their 360 footage with ease. Auto Edit is one of the notable features that automatically generates a highlight reel from your 360 footage for effortless video editing.
GoPro Quik app has a similar Automatic Highlight Video feature, which can select the best moments from your footage and create a shareable video. However, this feature requires a subscription, whereas the Insta360 app's AI features are all totally free.
For professional users who use multiple camera setups, the GoPro Hero 13 has an advantage with the Timecode Sync feature, which allows for easy synchronization of footage from multiple GoPro cameras during post-production.
GoPro Hero 13 can also record GPS data and overlay them on the videos. While the Insta360 X3 also supports this, it requires an additional device to enable GPS tracking, either a phone, an Apple Watch, a Garmin Device, or the Insta360 GPS Preview Remote. The Hero 13 has the GPS tracking functionality built-in, providing more convenience for users.
However, one thing that sets the Insta360 X3 apart is its distinctive Apple Watch Control feature, which allows users to control the camera directly from their Apple Watch, providing a convenient way to capture footage from afar.
Other features like live streaming, webcam mode, and voice control are equally offered by both the Insta360 X3 and GoPro Hero 13.
#5 Additional Accessories
Insta360 X3's Invisible Selfie Stick
Among the many accessories and mounts that the GoPro Hero 13 and Insta360 X3 offer, there are a few that stand out as particularly special.
For the Insta360 X3, it is the Invisible Selfie Stick accessory, which allows users to capture immersive 360° footage without the selfie stick visible in the frame, creating the illusion of the camera floating in mid-air. The selfie stick comes in various lengths, with the longest version measuring 9.8 feet (3 meters). It is long enough to capture drone-like aerial shots without the cost and skills for a drone.
Meanwhile, GoPro Hero 13 stands out with HB-Series Lenses, a suite of interchangeable lens accessories that allow users to expand the camera's creative capabilities. The HB-Series Lenses include:
1. Ultra Wide Lens Mod ($99). Expands the field of view to 177°. Similar to the Max Lens Mod 2.0 ($99), but it adds support for the 1:1 aspect ratio.
2. Macro Lens Mod ($129). Brings 4x closer focus up to 4.3" (11 cm) to the subject for capturing intricate details and textures.
3. ND Filter ($69). Includes ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters for easy motion blur in different lighting conditions.
4. Anamorphic Lens Mod ($129). Captures a cinematic 21:9 footage with anamorphic lens flare and soft corner.
#6 Battery Life
GoPro Hero 13
GoPro Hero 13 offers a 5% larger battery capacity than the Insta360 X3 – 1900mAh battery compared to 1800mAh in the X3.
While the Insta360 X3 can last for up to 81 minutes when recording a 360 video at 5.7K/30fps, the Hero 13 can last for up to 98 minutes at 5.3K/30 fps or 163 minutes at 1080p/30 fps. This shows that the GoPro Hero 13 has a clear advantage in terms of battery and runtime.
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X3
Final Thoughts
GoPro Hero 13
The GoPro Hero 13 and Insta360 X3 both offer impressive features and capabilities, but the choice between the two ultimately depends on the user's specific needs and preferences.
While the GoPro Hero 13 excels in video and photo quality, with its larger sensor and support for 10-bit HDR, the Insta360 X3 shines in its 360-degree capabilities and AI-driven editing tools. For professional videographers, the GoPro Hero 13's Timecode Sync and interchangeable lens options may be more appealing, while the Insta360 X3's Invisible Selfie Stick and Apple Watch control could be more attractive to casual content creators.
If you would like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
GoPro Hero 12 vs 13
GoPro Hero 11 vs 13
GoPro Hero 11 vs 12
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X4
GoPro Hero 12 vs Insta360 X4
GoPro Hero 12 vs Insta360 X3
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