The Insta360 X3's main function is to capture 5.7K 360-degree footage, which is then often "reframed" into a flat video.
Here is a step-by-step guide and some pro tips for shooting high-quality 5.7K 360 videos:
📸 Step-by-Step Shooting Guide
1. Set the Camera Mode 
* Power On: Press the power button.
* Select 360 Video Mode: On the X3's touchscreen, swipe or tap until you are in Video Mode (the icon is typically a regular video camera). This is the default 360-degree shooting mode.
* Confirm Resolution: Tap the settings icon on the screen (often in the corner) and ensure the resolution is set to 5.7K and the frame rate is set to 30fps (frames per second). 5.7K@30fps is generally the sweet spot for the best balance of quality and smooth motion.
2. Choose Your Shooting Settings
* Exposure (Auto vs. Manual):
* For most situations with good, consistent lighting, Auto exposure is best to keep the exposure balanced across both lenses.
* For more control, especially in low light or complex lighting, switch to Manual and adjust the shutter speed, ISO, and White Balance.
* Color Profile:
* Standard: Good for a finished look without extra editing.
* Vivid: Boosts color and saturation.
* Log: Best for professional color grading in post-production.
* Sharpness: It is generally recommended to set sharpness to Medium or even Low. You can add sharpness later in editing software, which often looks more natural than the camera's built-in digital sharpening.
3. Position the Camera
* Use the Invisible Selfie Stick: This is essential for almost all 360 shots. Extend it to about half or full length.
* Maintain Distance: Try to keep the main subjects (including yourself) at least 2.5 to 3 feet (80cm to 1m) away from the camera. This helps the camera's stitching algorithm work better, making the selfie stick (and the stitch line) truly invisible.
* Stitch Line Awareness: The camera automatically stitches the footage from the two lenses.
* Avoid placing key subjects directly on the camera's side. This is where the stitch line is located and objects too close will look distorted or poorly aligned.
🎬 Post-Production: Where the Magic Happens
The "5.7K" resolution is distributed across the entire 360-degree sphere. When you edit, you are only viewing and "reframing" a smaller, flat portion of that sphere. This reframed clip will usually have a resolution equivalent to about 1080p, which is normal for this generation of 360 cameras.
To get the most out of your footage, you must use the Insta360 App (mobile) or Insta360 Studio (desktop):
* Reframing: This is the process of choosing the angle, movement, and perspective you want your final flat video to have. You use keyframes to control the virtual camera's motion, creating effects like "tiny planet," "dolly zoom," or just a stable, traditionally-framed shot.
* Stabilization: The Insta360 X3's excellent FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock are applied automatically during the reframing and export process, ensuring a smooth, level video.
* Export: For the best quality, transfer your files to a computer and export using Insta360 Studio. This often allows for higher export quality settings (up to 5.7K in a 360 format, or 4K/higher bitrate for a reframed flat video) than the mobile app.
💡 Quick Summary of Best 5.7K Settings
| Setting | Recommended Value | Note |
| Video Mode | 360 Video | Ensure you are not in Single-Lens Mode. |
| Resolution/FPS | 5.7K@30fps | Best balance of detail and smoothness. |
| Exposure | Auto (or Manual for controlled lighting) | Auto is usually best for consistent stitching. |
| Color Profile | Standard or Vivid | Use "Log" only if you plan to color grade. |
| Sharpness | Medium or Low | Avoid the overly-digital look of high sharpness. |
| Essential Accessory | Invisible Selfie Stick | Key to getting the unique 360 shots. |
Would you like a more in-depth guide on how to reframe and edit your 360 video using the Insta360 mobile app?