I travel a lot for work, and no matter where I roam I bring my Insta360Go 3S camera to document my travels. This tiny action camera easily fits into my bag without taking up much space, and right now it's on sale for Black Friday.Â
This Insta360 Go 3S usually runs for $399, but you can snag the white model on Amazon for just $280. That's $120 or 30% in savings, making it a great deal for the season. If you've been considering grabbing a new action camera, this is a deal you don't want to miss.
The Insta360 Go 3S, released last summer, introduced a minor but significant upgrade to its predecessor by adding 4K video recording -- a first for this ultracompact camera line. I've been using it since its launch, and so far, I've been pleased with the image quality, stabilization and the magnet mounting system. This action cam lets me get POV shots with unmatched ease, far beyond what I can get with my phone.Â
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Why I chose the Insta360 Go 3S
I carry the Insta360 Go 3S with me for its portability and quality. It's smaller than the GoPro Hero cameras I've used and weighs 3.4 ounces (96.3 grams) with the Action Pod and just 1.38 ounces (39.1 grams) for the camera unit.
The design is slick, with a capsule-shaped camera that pops out of its "Action Pod" and can be mounted magnetically to unconventional places like railings, poles, streetlights and so on. This lets me capture myself on the go without needing a tripod. The Go 3S also comes with a pendant-style accessory in the box, which I wasn't entirely sure I would use. But unlike the GoPro Hero 13 Black, this pendant allows me to attach a camera to my chest without needing a strap, so I've used it a lot.
Apart from the sharp 4K footage, Insta360's Go 3S can also shoot slow motion at 200fps in 1080p resolution, but I found the 2.7K at 100fps videos to be better in quality. I've also noticed better footage of motion shots than the Go 3, likely because of the higher bit rate of 120Mbps (versus 80Mbps). It obviously shoots the best quality videos in bright daylight with vibrant colors, great dynamic range and better shadows. Insta360's FloState stabilization is good, too -- I've used it while running and riding a bike. The videos were close to GoPro-level stability.
I shoot most of my 4K videos in FreeFrame mode at 30fps so I can edit them later in the aspect ratio I want. It goes up to 50fps in 1080p resolution but I prefer 4K. The app allows me to transfer media, edit videos, add color profiles, add fun effects and more.
The Insta360 Go 3S offers a narrower field of view (16mm versus 11 of 35mm equivalent) than the Go 3 but the difference is barely noticeable. It's slightly narrower. While it can also capture images (JPG as well as DNG), I use my Go 3S to shoot videos. The only downsides of Insta360's camera are nonexpandable storage and average battery life. I recommend you buy the 128GB version instead of the base 64GB, which is double that of the predecessor but might not be enough for everyone. Plus, add a power bank to your backpack to keep it charged.
Essential Insta360 Go 3S specs
- Size (camera): 1x2.1x0.9 inchesÂ
- Size (Action Pod): 2.5x1.9x1.2 inches
- Weight (camera): 1.38 ounces (39.1g)Â
- Weight (Action Pod): 3.4 ounces (96.3g)Â
- Video resolution: 4K
- Maximum waterproof depth: 33 feet
- Battery life: 140 minutes (with Action Pod)
A standard bundle includes the Insta 360 Go 3S camera, magnet pendant, Easy Clip, Action Pod and pivot stand.
Yes, there are lots of action-cam alternatives
As much as I travel, I appreciate the convenience and portability of the Insta360 Go 3S, and with its current discount, it's a pretty great deal right now. But there are plenty of worthy action cam competitors, depending on your needs and budget. If you're interested in checking out other action cameras from the likes of GoPro, DJI and Akaso, here are CNET's top action cams tested by our expert reviewers.Â
