GoPro Hero 11 is superior to the Insta360 GO 3S in terms of its higher resolution and external microphone support. However, the GO 3S offers a tiny design for capturing unique angles, along with user-friendly features that make it compelling for those seeking an easy-to-use action camera.
Insta360 GO 3S vs GoPro Hero 11: Five Aspects Compared
By Naila Syifa
Updated July 2024
The Insta360 GO 3S and GoPro Hero 11 are some of the most well-known action cameras on the market, offering a range of features and capabilities for capturing adventures.
While both cameras boast impressive specifications, it's important to understand the key differences between them to determine which one best suits your needs.
In this comparison, we'll delve into the design, video capabilities, audio features, battery life, and overall value of the Insta360 GO 3S and GoPro Hero 11 to help you make an informed decision on which one to add to your gear.
Key Takeaways
GoPro Hero 11 is superior to the Insta360 GO 3S in terms of its higher resolution and external microphone support. However, the GO 3S offers a tiny design for capturing unique angles, along with user-friendly features that make it compelling for those seeking an easy-to-use action camera.
Insta360 GO 3S
Tiny Mighty Action Cam
✓ 4K Video + 12 MP Photo
✓ Compact, Lightweight, Magnetic
✓ FreeFrame & Interval Video Mode
✓ Free Auto Editing
GoPro Hero 11 Black
Professional Action Cam
✓ 5.3K Video + 27 MP Photo
✓ 8:7 Aspect Ratio
✓ 10-Bit Color
✓ External Mic Support
#1 Design & Durability
Insta360 GO 3S
Insta360 GO 3S stands out with its tiny design, measuring only 25.6 x 54.4 x 24.8 mm and weighing just 39 grams. Though the GoPro Hero 11 can be considered small and lightweight, its boxy design is significantly larger than the Insta360 GO 3S.
Such a small size gives the GO 3S an advantage in terms of placement and mounting options, making it ideal for capturing unique perspectives. The camera even includes 3 mounting accessories (a magnet pendant, an easy clip, and a pivot stand) to facilitate creative and versatile mounting options.
GoPro Hero 11
The GO 3S also comes with an Action Pod, which features a 2.2" flip touchscreen for remote preview and control of the camera unit. The Action Pod is only water-resistant, but the camera unit of the GO 3S is fully waterproof up to 10 meters without any additional housing, which is the same waterproof rating as the GoPro Hero 11.
While both cameras are durable and can withstand extreme temperatures, the Insta360 GO 3S has better temperature resistance, operating in temperatures from -20°C to 40°C, compared to the GoPro Hero 11's operating temperature range of -10°C to 35°C.
#2 Video & Photo
GoPro Hero 11
GoPro Hero 11 offers a higher maximum video resolution of 5.3K/60 fps and a maximum photo resolution of 27MP, compared to the Insta360 GO 3S which maxes out at 4K/30 fps video and 12MP photos.
GoPro Hero 11 also supports 10-bit color, which results in more vibrant and rich footage with greater dynamic range and post-production flexibility compared to the 8-bit color of the Insta360 GO 3S.
Another unique feature of the GoPro Hero 11 is its 8:7 aspect ratio, which allows for more flexibility in cropping the footage during post-processing to suit different aspect ratios preferred by different social media.
Insta360 GO 3S
Though the Insta360 GO 3S doesn't offer an 8:7 aspect ratio, it has a similar capability with a feature known as the FreeFrame Video mode, which allows users to capture footage in a flexible aspect ratio that can be chosen later during the editing process.
Insta360 GO 3S also offers an innovative Interval Video mode. When recording with this mode, the camera automatically records at a set length and interval, and then stitches the clips together into a shareable video. This mode makes it easy to create highlight reels without the need for continuous recording or complex editing.
#3 Audio
Insta360 GO 3S
In terms of audio features, the Hero 11 is much more equipped. The camera offers 3 built-in microphones and provides support for external microphone connection, though a separate purchase of a Media Mod or Pro Mic Adapter will be required.
It gives users more flexibility in capturing high-quality audio compared to the Insta360 GO 3S, which doesn't offer external microphone support and relies only on its 2 built-in microphones for audio capture.
#4 Features
GoPro Hero 11
Both cameras come with various additional features beyond their core recording capabilities, which can help enhance the overall user experience.
For example, both offer voice control for hands-free operation during activities where using your hands may be difficult. The Insta360 GO 3S also adds gesture control to further improve the ease of use, making it a more intuitive and convenient option in certain scenarios.
Both camera also offer their own companion apps for editing, with AI-powered auto-editing features for quickly creating polished videos. The difference is that while the Insta360 app offers the Auto Editing tool for free, GoPro's Quik app requires a subscription to access the Automatic Highlight Videos feature, which is an auto-editing feature that sends curated clips to your phone for easy sharing.
Insta360 GO 3S
Insta360 GO 3S has another advantage with its Stats Dashboard feature, which allows users to overlay data from compatible Garmin devices and Apple Watches into the footage, providing more context and insights about the recorded activities.
In addition, the GO 3S is trackable using Apple Find My, so in case it gets lost, it can be more easily located. GoPro Hero 11 lacks this capability, but you may not need it anyway due to the camera's larger size and design, which makes it less prone to getting lost.
#5 Battery Life
GoPro Hero 11
Deciding the winner in terms of battery life is a bit tricky. At 1080p/30 fps of continuous recording, the GoPro Hero 11 claims to last up to 137 minutes, while the Insta360 GO 3S can record slightly longer for up to 140 minutes, when used with the Action Pod.
However, without the Action Pod, the Insta360 GO 3S has a significantly shorter runtime of 38 minutes, which is a notable limitation compared to the GoPro Hero 11's longer standalone battery life.
Insta360 GO 3S vs GoPro Hero 11
Final Thoughts
Insta360 GO 3S
While both cameras offer impressive features and capabilities, the decision will depend on the type of content you plan to create and the overall user experience you desire.
Due to its tiny size, the Insta360 GO 3S may be the better fit if you're looking to create content with unique perspectives. The GO 3S also has more user-friendly features that make it easy to use for everyone, such as the Interval Video mode, free Auto Editing, and gesture control.
However, if you require higher video and photo resolutions, better audio capabilities, and longer standalone battery life, the GoPro Hero 11 could be the more suitable option. The Hero 11 also features professional-level 10-bit color depth, which makes it more suitable for advanced post-production and color grading.
If you’d like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
Insta360 GO 3S vs ONE RS 1-inch 360 Edition
Insta360 GO 3S vs GoPro Hero 12
Insta360 GO 3S vs GoPro Hero 11 Mini
Insta360 GO 3S vs DJI Osmo Action 4
Don't miss out on tech
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest tech trends and guides on the best gadgets around.
Recommended reading
8 Things to Know Before Implementing a Tech-Free Zone in Your Home
By Naila Syifa | Oct 19, 2024
Read more
Leave a comment
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.