Insta360
GO 3
Thumb-sized magnetic POV camera with 2.7K30 video, 12MP photos, Action Pod flip-screen remote, FlowState stabilization, and 10m waterproof 35g body.
$399
Launch priceReleased Jun 2023
Insta360
X4 Air
Ultralight 165g 8K 360 camera with dual 1/1.8-inch sensors, replaceable lenses, AdaptiveTone exposure, 15m waterproofing, and swappable 2010mAh battery.
$400
Launch priceReleased Oct 2025
X4 Air is 2.3 years newer.
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Wins
GO 3
Wins
X4 Air
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AGO 3 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs -1 shots)
- AGO 3 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 3,200)
- BX4 Air has lower Weight (165 g vs 580 g)
- BX4 Air has higher Resolution (29 MP vs 12 MP)
- BX4 Air has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareGO 3
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
X4 Air
46 × 114 × 37 mm
165 g (0.36 lb / 5.82 oz)
GO 3 is 23mm shorter than X4 Air but it is also 88mm wider and 35mm thicker.
GO 3 is 415 g heavier than X4 Air.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm GO 3 · 37mm X4 Air
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GO 3
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
X4 Air
46 × 114 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
GO 3
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
X4 Air
46 × 37 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GO 3
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
GO 3
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs -1 shots — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 3,200 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Reasons to choose
X4 Air
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 46, 113.8, 37
Card types
Adds microSD, microSDHC
Weight
165 g vs 580 g — lower is better
Resolution
29 MP vs 12 MP — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Codecs
Adds AVC, HEVC
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 200 Mbps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GO 3
Pros
- ✓35g magnetic thumb camera
- ✓Action Pod with 2.2-inch flip screen
- ✓170 min runtime with Action Pod
- ✓FlowState + Horizon Lock
- ✓IPX8 waterproof (camera body)
Cons
- –Max 2.7K30 (no 4K vs GO 3S)
- –Built-in storage only (32/64/128GB)
- –Tiny sensor limits low light
- –Superseded by GO 3S / GO Ultra
X4 Air
Pros
- ✓Lightest Insta360 8K 360 (165g)
- ✓Dual 1/1.8-inch sensors (134% more pixel area vs X4)
- ✓8K30 + 6K50 360; 4K single-lens mode
- ✓Replaceable lenses + 15m waterproof
- ✓AdaptiveTone + Portrait Mode
Cons
- –No 8K60 vs X5 flagship
- –8K runtime ~88 min
- –360 workflow needs reframing
- –Fewer pro codecs than X5
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GO 3 and X4 Air at major authorized retailers.
Insta360 GO 3
Insta360 X4 Air
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, GO 3 or X4 Air?
X4 Air scores 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for GO 3 — 20fps burst — fast action ready.
What's the resolution difference between the GO 3 and X4 Air?
GO 3 is 12 MP and X4 Air is 29 MP, so the X4 Air captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GO 3 and X4 Air have in-body image stabilization?
GO 3 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while X4 Air has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GO 3 or the X4 Air?
GO 3 reaches 15 fps electronic. X4 Air reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GO 3 and X4 Air?
GO 3 weighs 580 g and X4 Air weighs 165 g, so the X4 Air is 415 g lighter.
Do the GO 3 and X4 Air record 4K video?
GO 3: 4K up to 60p. X4 Air: 4K up to 30p.
Are the GO 3 and X4 Air weather sealed?
GO 3: Yes. X4 Air: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the GO 3 and -1 shots for the X4 Air, giving the GO 3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
GO 3 launched at $399 and X4 Air at $400. The GO 3 is $1 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GO 3 vs X4 Air vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Insta360 press materials.