When it comes to my films there is no such thing as the perfect do it all camera.
I use a larger high quality mirrorless camera for shots like this
but it's much too large and heavy to take on my adventures.
For that I rely on a series of smaller action cameras
and these are like different tools in my tool kit, something I've talked about before
each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
A little over two years ago I introduced you to a tiny action camera from insta360 the GO 2
which filled a gap in my storytelling toolbox for a
camera that could go where no other cameras could.
And the world's smallest action camera has been improved with the release of the GO 3
which is priced starting at about $380 USD depending on the size of
internal storage including several accessories.
So in this video I'll tell you about the improvements made to the GO 3
and I'll show you some test footage that I shot here recently while in England's Lake District.
Thank you very much to Insta360 for both providing the camera and for sponsoring this video.
Let's start with the form factor.
The GO 3 is a completely self-contained camera with a built-in battery and memory.
It's designed to be as lightweight and simple to use as possible.
There's just one button which you press once to start recording when using Quick Capture mode
and again to stop recording and to turn it off.
Or you can press and hold the button to both turn it on and
off if you'd prefer to have it in Standby mode.
The camera is magnetic so it snaps securely into place using various attachments
like the included Easy Clip, the Pivot Stand, and Magnetic Pendant.
It's waterproof to up to five meters so no worries about wearing it outside in the rain.
While the camera is on and in the included Action Pod
you can now see a preview of the image on the built-in screen which flips up for selfie mode.
The screen is a brand new feature on the GO 3.
It's a touch screen which allows you to customize all of the settings on the camera
without having to connect it to a separate app on your phone like with the previous version
although that is still an option.
So this is a major Improvement for someone like me who's using it out in the field.
I can now quickly preview my shot once I get
the camera into place to make sure that I like the framing.
The case also now has a lock. So in addition to holding the camera in place magnetically
there's a button that you need to press to release it as well which keeps it much more secure.
I store the entire unit in a small neoprene case when
not in use to keep it safe and the lens clean.
The next major Improvement is in both battery life and recording time,
up to 50% longer battery life than the GO 2 when using it standalone.
The camera is charged whenever it's in the Action Pod which is
also used to unload the files to your computer.
The final major Improvement is in image quality.
Filming in video mode allows for up to 2.7K resolution at up
to 30 frames per second with three levels of in-camera stabilization.
But I tend to shoot in what's called a Free Frame Video mode at 1440p
so that I can reframe my shot and add stabilization in the Insta360 Studio App.
This way I don't have to worry quite as much about cutting anything out on
the top or bottom of the frame while I'm filming.
The camera now also features built-in stabilization in case you want to skip
the step of stabilizing in post using Insta360's desktop software
which is intended more for professionals but it
does in my experience yield slightly better results and with some additional options.
But the mobile app is much more user friendly and
comes with AI features that simplify the editing process significantly.
There's also a time lapse time shift and slow motion mode
as well as Star Lapse for shooting time lapses at night, and interval recording.
And of course it's got a regular and an HDR Photo mode for increased dynamic range.
So what use do I personally see for a camera like this?
Well mainly for hands-free POV shots like when I'm scrambling or otherwise just need my hands.
Say when using my poles or at an aid station during a race.
I can clip it directly to the brim of my hat using the included Easy Clip and then tilt it as needed
or using the Pendant I can mount it directly to my chest.
I also like to use it for any creative shots where
a larger or potentially just more expensive camera wouldn't be ideal.
With a camera this small there are just so many creative possibilities
especially given that it will stick to pretty much anything metal.
There are so many shots that just wouldn't be practical with my GoPro Hero 11
which weighs 153 grams compared to just 35 grams
for the GO 3 which is also close to a third the size.
When mounted to the optional Selfie Stick the flip up screen allows you to capture
selfie shots as well with a much larger screen than the front screen of the GoPro.
Now this camera certainly will not replace all of the other
action cameras that I regularly use but it is a nice supplement.
Like having yet another specialized lens for my mirrorless camera
allowing me to tell more visually creative and engaging stories.
So if you'd like to learn more visit the link in the description below
and be sure to tell me as well in the comments how
you might see using this camera in your own storytelling toolbox.