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Insta360 One R Review: An Action Camera With a Twist

13 Nov

The post Insta360 One R Review: An Action Camera With a Twist appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Suzi Pratt.

The Insta360 One R debuted in February 2020 and was touted as an all-in-one modular action camera that can transform from a 4K wide-angle camera into a 360 camera – or even into a one-inch camera with an ultra-wide Leica lens.

Insta360 One R review with mods — From left to right: The Insta360 Core Module attached to the 4K Mod, the 360 Mod, and the One-Inch Leica Mod.

The Insta360 One R is supposed to be the ultimate action camera alternative to GoPro models and the DJI Osmo Action. But how does this camera hold up in practice, and does it deliver on its promise of being the ultimate all-in-one action camera?

Read this Insta360 One R review to find out!

Recent firmware updates

When the Insta360 One R first came out, some initial reviewers reported technical problems with the camera, such as bugs and low external microphone sound quality. Fortunately, Insta360 responded very quickly to these problems by issuing several firmware updates. A recent firmware update (version 1.2.13) came out in September 2020 and fixed many of these issues.

So if you read a previous negative review of the Insta360 One R, it’s worth revisiting the camera, since improvements have been made over the past few months.

How the Insta360 One R works

Unlike other action cameras, the Insta360 One R is made of 3 pieces: the Core Module with a touchscreen live view display, the camera module, and an 1190 mAh lithium-ion battery base that holds the two Mods together.

The Camera Module can be swapped out for one of three different options: the 5.7K 360 Mod (7.2mm focal length, f/2.0), a 4K wide-angle Mod (16.4mm focal length, f/2.8), or a One-Inch Mod (14.4mm focal length, f/3.2). The touchscreen block can also be attached to the screen facing forward or backward, which is useful for vlogging situations.

The camera’s battery base can be charged via a USB-C cable. It takes roughly 65 minutes to charge fully. You can also get an optional double battery base hub for faster charging. Battery life is rated at about 70 minutes while shooting at 4K/60p. There’s a single micro-USB card slot, and the camera accepts memory cards up to 256 GB.

Which Mods should you get?

There are several different ways to purchase the Insta360 One R.

The Insta360 One R Twin Edition is the most popular option, as it comes with both the 5.7K 360 Mod and the 4K wide-angle Mod. If you want to add the One-Inch Mod, you can purchase it separately to add to your Twin Edition set.

Alternatively, you can buy the Insta360 One R 1-inch edition if you don’t want the extra two Mods. In practice, I found the 360 Mod and the One-Inch Mod to be the most used of the three.

Photo and video capabilities

Like most action cameras on the market, the Insta360 One R can shoot both videos and photos (JPEG and DNG format). The recent September firmware update introduced PureShot, a new AI-powered shooting mode for creating HDR-like photos when editing images via the Insta360 smartphone app.

But while the photo modes on the Insta360 One R are good, the camera excels at video.

Insta360 One R review — Image taken with the Insta360 One R and the 4K Mod before Pure Shot was added.

Insta360 One R sample image — Image taken with the Insta360 One R and the 4K mod after Pure Shot was added.

Note that image quality and resolution depend on which Mod you use. The 4K wide-angle Mod is equivalent to 16.4mm at f/2.8. It produces 12-megapixel photos, as well as videos at up to 4K/60p, plus high-definition slow motion at 1080p and 200fps.

The Dual-Lens 360 Mod is equivalent to 7.2mm at f/2.0. It produces 18.4-megapixel photos, as well as videos at up to 5.7K/30p, though it can also shoot 100fps at 3K.

The One-Inch Leica Mod uses a 14.4mm equivalent wide-angle lens. It can shoot at up to 5K/30p, as well as 4K/60p.

Insta360 One R sample photo — Taken with the Insta360 One R using the Leica One-Inch Mod.

Compact size, but…

Despite there being many pieces to this camera, it is very compact when it is assembled. The size and weight of the Insta360 One R is comparable to your average action camera.

However, there are a couple of drawbacks to the modular nature of this camera.

First, it takes time to take the camera apart if you ever need to swap out the lens or rearrange the position of the touchscreen.

Second, although there is a nice rubber protective sleeve for the 360 Mod, no carrying case for the camera Mods is included, so you’ll have to come up with your own solution.

Action-ready

Since the Insta360 One R is an action camera, it is waterproof up to five meters and can withstand most rugged conditions, though you’ll want to make sure that your Mods are tightly snapped together and assembled in the included mounting bracket before throwing it in the water.

For those wanting to dive even deeper, there’s an optional Dive Case that lets you submerge the camera at up to 60 meters.

Speaking of the bracket:

You’ll have to use it if you want to add a GoPro-like connection point for sticking the camera on a handle or tripod. No tripod or GoPro mount is built into the camera itself.

Usability

The Insta360 One R can be controlled via the Core Mod’s touchscreen display, or by connecting to the Insta360 smartphone app via Bluetooth. I found the touchscreen display to be the fastest and easiest way to control the camera.

Touchscreen responsiveness is excellent, but the menu differs from that of other action cameras and is not the most intuitive. That said, it’s easy to use once you learn where all of the features are.

Digital lenses for “zooming”

One of the best features of the Insta360 One R is the ability to use built-in digital lenses. You can choose from ultra-wide, wide, linear, and a narrow field of view when shooting both photos and videos. This adds some flexibility to the otherwise fixed lens on the Camera Mod.

Ability to add an external mic

The internal microphones on the Insta360 One R are okay, but there is a lot of noise when you are moving with the camera. If you plan to vlog with this camera and/or want the very best sound, using an external microphone is your best option.

Like other action cameras on the market, the Insta360 One R does not have a built-in mic jack, but you can add one by purchasing a mic jack adapter. This tiny adapter does not add much bulk or weight to the camera, though it can be easy to misplace. Using an adapter lets you add an external microphone such as a shotgun mic or a wireless mic to enhance sound.

When using an external mic, there’s a handy icon that appears on the camera’s display to verify that the mic is connected. Early reviews reported that external mic levels were too low, but that problem has been corrected as of the September 2020 firmware update.

Image quality and color

Considering that this is a first-generation camera, the image quality for both videos and photos is impressive.

However, as mentioned previously, the Insta360 One R is a video camera first, and that’s where its strengths are concentrated. You can shoot in a flat video mode and apply your own LUT or color grading in post-production. Or you can choose from a color profile built into the camera. New in the recent firmware update is a Vivid color profile, as well as AquaVision, which uses AI to color-correct video shot underwater.

Related to video quality, the Insta360 One R now records video as a .MP4 file as a default. This makes it easier to edit the videos in your video editing software of choice. Prior to the September firmware update, the camera only recorded in a proprietary .INSV video file, which could only be read by the Insta360 Studio app.

Video stabilization

The Insta360 One R provides silky-smooth video footage via FlowState Stabilization, meaning you don’t need to use a gimbal with this camera.

Just note that the stabilization is added in post-production. This means that you must import the video footage into the Insta360 Studio app to enable stabilization, and then export it into your video editing software of choice. This extra step can be a workflow hurdle if you prefer using a single application to edit your videos.

On the plus side, Insta360 has released updates that allow you to add stabilization via Adobe Premiere or Final Cut X. In my experience with Final Cut X, this integration is laggy and not quite usable, but that will likely be fixed in a future firmware update.

Sample photo taken with the Insta360 One R and the 360 Mod.

Use it as a webcam

Also new as of the September firmware update:

The Insta360 One R can be used as a webcam when connected to a Mac or PC. In this work-from-home age of Zoom calls and FaceTime, this is a pretty cool feature, especially since the webcam can be used with the 360 Mod to show a split-screen effect of your surroundings.

When using the 4K wide-angle Mod, the webcam also has an automatic face-tracking effect that can follow you as you move around a room. These features are best demonstrated in video format, but they add an extra layer of fun to otherwise monotonous webcam experiences.

Zero bugs

During my month of vigorously using the Insta360 One R, I was pleased to experience no bugs or glitches when using the camera. It was very responsive and did exactly what I asked it to with no delays or problems. While I might’ve just gotten lucky, this was a welcome seamless experience, given the bugs that tend to be present in other action cameras (e.g., GoPro).

High quality and affordable optional hardware

In addition to the camera Mods, there are lots of useful Insta360 One R accessories that may be worth buying, depending on how you plan to use the camera. The fast-charging hub or boosted battery is a good add-on to ensure that you have enough power for a full day of shooting. Also, the Invisible Selfie Stick is handy, not only for shooting 360 videos, but also for regular use as a handgrip or selfie stick.

There are also dive cases for the 4K Mod and the 360 Mod to dive even deeper (up to 60 meters), rugged lens protectors for the 360 Mod lenses, and an aerial Mod to add the Insta360 One R to a drone.

A few drawbacks

Like any other camera, the Insta360 One R comes with a few drawbacks to consider:

If you need a mount, you must use the Insta360 One R in a case

The Insta360 One R must be placed in a mounting bracket to use it with a tripod. This can be cumbersome when trying to place the One-Inch Mod in the bracket and doing a lens Mod change.

(Here’s a quick tip for working with the One-Inch Mod: Unscrew the lens to get it to fit!)

Certain features are only unlocked when editing in the app

The Insta360 One R can shoot time lapses, star lapses, and can even use a cool feature called Bullet Time that produces a drone-like circling effect on a subject. There are also some creative video editing effects that can be applied to videos in post-production. However, the resulting videos cannot be previewed on the camera. You must use either the Insta360 phone app or the Insta360 Studio app to get the desired effects.

This can be a drawback if you would rather use your own editing software of choice and not deal with an intermediary step.

Insta360 One R desktop editing program — Insta360 Studio desktop editing program

An uncertain future

Even though the Insta360 One R isn’t even a year old, it’s still fair to question its future. Will this first-generation camera get an update? If so, what’s the timeline, and will the update take full advantage of the modular camera setup?

Ideally, you could reuse certain Mods and not have to buy them again when a newer version comes out. But since this is a first-gen camera, it’s hard to say what direction the company will go in.

Insta360 One R Review: Conclusion

Future speculation aside, the Insta360 One R delivers on its promise of being a unique, all-in-one action camera.

The ability to go from a wide-angle lens to a 360 lens using the same camera is extremely convenient, and other action camera companies should take note.

You can purchase the Insta360 One R here for just under $ 500 USD.

The post Insta360 One R Review: An Action Camera With a Twist appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Suzi Pratt.

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The Insta360 ONE X2 is an image-stabilized 5.7K 360-degree camera that fits in your pocket

29 Oct

Insta360 has announced the ONE X2, a new waterproof 360-degree camera that features stabilized 5.7K recording, a round touchscreen display and built-in editing tools.

The overall shape of the ONE X2 is similar to the Insta360 ONE X, but instead of a black and white OLED display, the ONE X2 features a full-color display that can be used to both compose your shots and navigate through the camera’s settings.

The ONE X2 features four shooting modes: 360, Steady Cam, InstaPano and MultiView. In 360 mode, the camera will capture and stitch together a 5.7K 360-degree video. Steady Cam makes it possible to compose your shot — from the whole 360-degree view — and capture digitally-stabilized video that’s ready to share off the bat. InstaPano is a new mode that captures full panoramas of a scene with a single tap. Lastly, MultiView allows you to capture two angles at once, enabling you to capture both the scene in front of you as well as yourself in two separate videos.

Powering the image stabilization in both the 360 and Steady Cam shooting modes is Insta360’s updated FlowState technology, which is now ‘better than ever’ with improved stabilization performance. Also new is Deep Track, a new algorithm-powered feature that makes it easy to track subjects with a voice command or tap of the screen. Once the video is offloaded into the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, the program will automatically adjsut the video to track humans, animals and other moving objects, keeping them in the center of the frame.

Insta360 has also improved the Shot Lab functionality inside its app, making it easier to create videos with a single tap using built-in templates such as Dolly Zoom, Stop Motion and more.

The ONE X2 is IPX8 rated, meaning you can use it without a case down to 10m (33ft) and down to 45m 9148ft) with the optional Dive Case. To help improve the quality of underwater images, Insta360 has included AquaVision, a specialized shooting mode that auto-balances colors to create a more natural-looking scene. For low-light situations, the ONE X2 features PureShot, a mode that will capture and merge multiple images to increase dynamic range and reduce noise.

Insta360 has packed inside a larger (compared to the Insta360 ONE) 1630mAh battery, which is rated for shooting up to 80 minutes.

Being we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic, Insta360 has also added a webcam option for video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. The usual live video streaming features for Facebook, YouTube and other platforms is also available.

The Insta360 ONE X2 is available to order today through Insta360’s online shop and authorized retailers (Adorama, B&H) for $ 430.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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The Insta360 One R is a super-versatile action/360 camera system

08 Jan

After teasing a modular action/360 camera system last week Insta360 has officially launched the ONE R at CES in Las Vegas today.

The One R consists of a ‘CPU’ with built-in miniature touchscreen and a battery pack which can be combined with one of three camera/lens units:

A 360-degree camera that records at 5.7K resolution
A GoPro style action camera with 16.4mm equivalent focal length that can record 4K footage at 60fps and 1080p video at up to 200 fps.
A wide-angle module with 1-inch sensor and 14.4mm equivalent focal length that records 5.3K footage at 30fps , 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps. This module was developed with the help of camera company Leica.

All three modules can record in Raw format and make use of Insta360’s FlowState stabilization, which has been improved for use in low light, as well as H.265 video encoding. They are attached to the CPU and battery ‘lego-style’ via connector pins. Depending on use case the touchscreen can face forward or backwards and installed in the included mounting bracket any of the combos is fully waterproof down to 5m.

The 360-degree module can be used with lens protection filters which are, like we’ve already seen with selfie-sticks in previous Insta360 models, automatically removed from the footage by software.

The touchscreen can be used for framing or image/video review and alternatively lets you adjust a range of settings including manual exposure parameters. Most special features are provided through the mobile app or desktop application, however.

One R users have the choice of letting the app create shareable clips automatically, or dive deep into the controls and edit footage manually.

The Auto Frame feature automatically frames 360 content using AI-powered image recognition and tracking technology. It lets you pick from a selection of pre-framed shots and all you need to do is trim and export the clips you like best.

In addition you can create automatically reframed hyperlapses which works best with video of a few minutes in length walking outside in a varied environment. You can choose the landmarks you want to include from a menu or let the app decide for you.

A new AI-powered tracking algorithm lets track a subject in your 360-degree video either in the app when editing, or in real time by locking onto a target at the start of recording.

In addition Insta360 has improved the app over previous versions by implementing editing via WiFi without downloading footage to your mobile device, and background downloading which lets you continue working in the app while video files are being transferred.

First impressions

We’ve had a chance to play with the new hardware and app before launch and the package looks pretty impressive, especially when considering we were using a pre-production unit.

Video output quality is not quite there yet (which is why Insta360 has asked us to not post any samples) but the build quality of the hardware looks excellent and gives the system a premium look and feel. Swapping camera modules is easy and fast and despite the small size of the built-in display it allows for easy modification of settings and changing of modes, thanks to a responsive touchscreen.

The updated mobile app comes with an abundance of features and modes and should cater to anyone, from casual users who want automatically generated highlight-clips delivered to their phone, to advanced videographers who know how to reframe their 360-degree and edit action cam footage manually.

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If the Insta 360 One R will be able to deliver on image quality it’s an extremely attractive option for any creative video maker. It offers the resolution of a high-end action camera and the versatility and ability to reframe clips after shooting that you can only get from a 360-degree camera at a price point that is very close to high-end action cameras.

Those who want the dynamic range and low light performance of a 1-inch sensor have the option to further expand the system with the optionally available 1-inch module, offering one of the currently most versatile consumer video solutions available.

The Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition includes the Dual-Lens 360 Mod and 4K Wide Angle Mod and will set you back $ 479.99. The Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition comes standard with the premium 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod and retails for $ 549.99. The Insta360 ONE R 4K Edition comes with CPU, battery and 4K action cam and is $ 299.99. More information is available at Insta360.com.

Press Release:

Insta360 ONE R Is an Adaptive Action Cam Co-Engineered with Leica

AI-powered Auto Frame makes editing 360 video easy.

Innovative camera maker Insta360 today announced ONE R, an adaptive action cam whose unique interchangeable-lens design enables 360-degree capture, standard 4K wide-angle capture, and use of a groundbreaking 5.3K 1-inch sensor — all with a single device.

The concept is simple — one battery, one processor and a selection of quick-swapping lens Mods. In an instant, ONE R transforms from a dual-lens 360 shooter to a standard action cam. ONE R currently offers three ways to shoot with three available lens Mods — the Dual-Lens 360 Mod, the 4K Wide-Angle Mod and the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica.

The 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod achieves the best performance ever in an action camera, combining a 1-inch sensor with the legendary optical expertise of Leica and 5.3K resolution — in a compact, rugged body backed by Insta360’s signature FlowState stabilization.

ONE R is available to order today via Insta360.com and select retailers worldwide, including Best Buy.

The right tool for every job.

ONE R is designed to give creators, athletes and adventurers a single tool that can adapt to any shoot.

In terms of creative freedom, nothing beats a dual-lens 360 camera. It unlocks the ability to reframe shots after the fact, ensures that users never miss the action, and enables unique techniques such as drone-like aerial angles. But for scenes in which action is concentrated in one direction, a reframed shot from a 360 camera still doesn’t achieve the same level of quality and resolution as a specialized single-lens shooter.

These two camera formats have unique strengths and tradeoffs — just as telephoto and wide-angle setups on an SLR camera have equal but opposite strengths. The only way to take advantage of both formats is with an easy, efficient way to switch from one to the other on the fly. ONE R is just that.

Best quality ever in an action cam.

ONE R redefines what’s possible with an action cam. Each of its three available Mods unlock breakthrough imaging and quality.

Dual-Lens 360 Mod: This Mod supports 5.7K capture on two lenses that cover every direction at once. It enables a real-time 360-degree preview on ONE R’s touchscreen, while innovations like Color Plus, HDR video and Night Shot achieve the best color accuracy and low-light performance in any consumer 360 camera.

4K Wide Angle Mod: Ready for 4K@60fps, this Mod captures crisp, vibrant, stabilized action and supports up to 8x slow mo. Its reversible design lets you flip the touchscreen from back to front in a snap — perfect for getting real-time feedback when filming yourself.

1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica: This Mod achieves a level of quality never before seen in an action cam. The 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod uses a best-in-class 1-inch sensor to capture brilliant 5.3K video and 19MP photos even in complex lighting conditions. Premium performance in a device that’s ready to go anywhere — the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod is a game-changer.

Leica worked closely with Insta360 on the optical engineering and industrial design of the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod, and contributed its unmatched expertise in image quality and color reproduction.

Smooth moves. Even in the dark.

The ONE R uses a fully upgraded FlowState stabilization algorithm to achieve gimbal-like stabilization whether you’re shooting in 360 or with a standard wide angle. Using a smart scene-detection algorithm, ONE R outclasses the competition with stabilization that holds steady even in low-light scenes.

Waterproof whenever.

ONE R is IPX8 waterproof to depths of 5 meters (16.4 feet) straight out of the box. For those who want to go deeper, a Dive Case enables descents of up to 60 meters (197 feet).

Voice control.

Voice control lets you control ONE R with a few simple commands. If ONE R is mounted on a helmet or out of reach, just give it a shout.

Auto Frame changes the game.

The best thing about shooting 360 video is that you capture an infinite number of possible angles and edits. The worst thing about shooting 360 video is that you capture an infinite number of possible angles and edits. If only there were some kind of artificial intelligence that could analyze a scene in every direction at once to find the most interesting moments and angles.

Enter Auto Frame. Insta360 has developed its own computer vision algorithm to identify the best parts of any 360 video and recommend them to creators. There’s still plenty of choice, but the ONE R app’s Auto Frame feature helps you quickly narrow down the shots worth considering and does the reframing for you.

Deep Track.

AI-powered computer vision also enables ONE R’s mind-blowing tracking capabilities. When editing 360 video, creators can simply select a subject to follow with a tap. The ONE R app will automatically keep it locked in center-frame. Even if a subject is obscured by an obstacle, ONE R’s algorithm will remember it and start tracking again as soon as it reappears.

And if you don’t want to wait for post-production to choose your subject, you can also use Deep Track in real time. ONE R’s unique “Point to Track” feature lets you lock onto a subject with the voice prompt “Mark that!”. The next time you connect to your camera, you’ll get an automatically reframed shot that follows your chosen subject — it’s like having a cameraman with you wherever you go.

No drone. No problem.

ONE R brings back Insta360’s endlessly fun and versatile Invisible Selfie Stick feature. Easily capture aerial angles and video-game-style third-person views by making your camera grip invisible. Invisible Selfie Stick is only supported when using the Dual-Lens 360 Mod.

Low light. Done right.

ONE R offers a range of both hardware and software upgrades to achieve best-in-class low-light performance. New Night Shot mode captures low-light photos that pop, while automatic de-noising preserves detail in low-light video.

ONE R also supports HDR modes for both photos and video, and creators can take advantage of Color Plus to do an automatic, one-touch color grade that brings out brighter, more vibrant hues.

When it comes to color reproduction and low-light performance, the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica is in a class of its own. Its 1-Inch sensor brings out highlights and shadows in vivid detail. Vloggers will be tempted to leave the rest of their kit at home.

Sounds good.

Every ONE R build comes standard with two onboard mics and an automatic wind-reduction algorithm that achieves great sound straight off the camera. However, its USB Type-C port and top-mounted Accessory Shoe also allow for easy third-party 3.5mm mic connection.

Infinite possibilities.

The ONE R app comes with a range of new editing features designed to help creators take advantage of all its capabilities. The TimeShift hyperlapse effect popularized by ONE X can now be completed with a couple taps, and a new pose-detection algorithm lets creators instantly identify and extract every frame of a clip in which they strike a similar posture — enabling mind-bending stop-motion effects that used to take hours of work.

New Starlapse mode automatically calibrates exposure settings to capture stunning time-lapses of the night sky — creators just pick a time and a place and hit record. The ONE series’ signature Bullet Time effect has also been upgraded with a smart horizon-leveling algorithm.

FlashCut auto-editing.

FlashCut is the ONE R app’s content-aware editing algorithm. First, it finds shots based on a theme set by the creator — like food, travel or pets. Then it combines them on beat into a stylish edit. FlashCut can filter and combine footage captured by any ONE R build — 360 or standard.

More Mods.

ONE R doesn’t stop at three Mods. Its unique design enables a huge range of efficient add-ons and upgrades. The standard Battery Base can be swapped for a double-size Boosted Battery Base for extended shooting.

Meanwhile, Insta360 today also announced the groundbreaking Insta360 ONE R Aerial Edition, which offers a specialized mounting system to make supported drones completely invisible and captures an unobstructed, airborne 360-degree view.

An Edition for every mission.

ONE R is all about choice. Creators can purchase exactly the combination of gear that suits their needs. However, Insta360 also offers a range of prepackaged Editions that give creators everything they need to get started with some of the most powerful combinations of Mods.

Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition brings together two great ways to shoot — the Dual-Lens 360 Mod and 4K Wide Angle Mod — in one convenient package for $ 479.99 USD; Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition comes standard with the premium 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica, and retails for $ 549.99 USD; and Insta360 ONE R 4K Edition offers creators all they need to enjoy the versatile 4K Wide Angle Mod for $ 299.99 USD.

More details on ONE R can be found at Insta360.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Insta360 teases a combined action, 360-degree, drone and 1-inch camera

03 Jan

Insta360, the company behind consumer 360-degree cameras, such as the Insta360 Go or One X, as well as professional models like the Pro 2, has posted a teaser video hinting at the launch of some kind of multi-purpose or modular camera on the 7th of January.

In the video footage of several electronics items being shredded in a blender is interspersed with various action-cam and drone-filmed scenes and viewers can read the sentence ‘our next camera combines an action-cam, a 360 cam, a drone, a 1-inch cam into one.’

It appears the company is close to launching a camera that is capable of providing the functionality of a GoPro-style action cam, presumably a consumer-level 360-cam like the One X, and a camera with 1″ sensor, like the Sony RX0. And presumably this camera or modular camera system can be used for aerial filming in conjunction with a drone.

This sounds like quite a unique concept that, depending on pricing, accessory compatibility and other factors, has the potential to appeal to a very wide range of customers. We’ll know more on the 7th of January when the new product is scheduled to launch.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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The Insta360 Go is a 20 gram wearable cam with FlowState stabilization

29 Aug

Insta360 has just launched the GO, a minuscule wearable camera that can be attached to most things via a clip or its magnetic body. Its small size and low weight (18.3g/0.65oz) means it can fit into places where larger cameras can’t, allowing for unusual angles and new viewpoints.

The camera doesn’t have a screen and operation is simple: Pressing its button once records a clip for up to 30 seconds, pressing a second time stops it. Insta360’s FlowState stabilization should make for steady footage in all situations and the company’s FlashCut auto editing saves you from sorting and editing movie files manually.

The function uses AI to select your best clips and combines them into a longer stylized video. If you are more of a hands-on user, manual editing options are available in the GO app as well. You can modify transitions, color palette and playback speed among other parameters. It also lets you include video footage recorded on your smartphone.

The camera features a F2.1 aperture lens and records video with a 2720 x 2720 resolution at 25fps in its standard mode. The app outputs 1080p/25fps clips. Additionally, the camera comes with a Hyperlapse mode that can record at 6x speed for up to 30 minutes. A 100 fps slow-motion mode is available, too.

The camera body is IPX4 water-resistant, meaning it should withstand splashes, rain, and submersion in water for up to 10 seconds. A full charge allows for approximately 200 clips and when the camera is connected to the charger case at the end of the day, all footage is automatically transferred to your phone.

The Insta360 GO is available now Insta360.com and select retailers for $ 199.99. In the box you’ll find a range of accessories for charging and mounting, including a charge case, magnet pendant, pivot stand, clip and sticky base. More information is available on the Insta360 website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Insta360 Titan 11K 360-degree cinematic camera now available to purchase

03 Jul

In January, Insta360 unveiled Titan, an 11K 360-degree cinematic camera featuring eight lenses with Micro Four Thirds sensors. The camera is designed for VR video production, offering shooting modes ranging from 5.3K/120fps through 11K/30fps with 10-bit color. The model is now available to order from Insta360.

Titan offers a number of high-end features for professional productions, including an integrated 9-axis gyro with FlowState stabilization for smooth shots without a gimbal. Insta360 boasts that its Titan camera offers superior low-light performance, color depth, and clarity compared to ‘conventional’ VR cameras.

The 360-degree camera produces stitched 2D videos at up to 10,560 x 5280 pixels and 3D stitched videos at up to 9600 x 9600 pixels. Stitched 2D images are processed at 10,560 x 5280 and stitched 3D images at 10,560 x 10,560 pixels in JPEG and DNG formats.

Titan supports capturing in-camera HDR images, 10 continuous burst shots, and time-lapses in addition to single shot images. The model offers multiple exposure modes (auto, manual, etc.), 12 stops exposure range, ISO 100 – 6400, and records data to nine full-size SD cards.

When the camera was announced in January, interested customers could reserve a unit with a $ 150 deposit. Titan is now available to directly purchase from Insta360 bundled with the Farsight live monitoring device for $ 14,999 USD; there’s also a bundle that includes memory cards with Titan and Farsight for $ 15,339 USD.

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Meet the Insta360 EVO, a foldable camera that shoots 3D 180º video and 360º 5.7K video

13 Mar

Insta360 has launched EVO, a cube-style camera that shoots 360-degree and stereoscopic 3D 180-degree video footage and stills thanks to its unique folding design.

The camera features the same 5.7K video resolution and 18-megapixel still resolution as the Insta360 One X, as well as Insta360’s six-axis FlowState stabilization technology. In fact, the camera as a whole has similar specs to the One X as a whole, including F2.2 apertures on both lenses, various exposure modes in video and stills, Bluetooth 4.0, 5Ghz Wi-Fi and a microSD card slot with a maximum storage of 128GB.

But the internal specs are where the similarities end. Unlike the One X, the EVO doesn’t have any integrated LCD display. Instead, the camera features a hinged design that enables the cameras to capture a full 360-degree image when the lenses are facing opposite directions or stereoscopic 3D 180-degree images when the EVO is folded out with the lenses facing the same direction.

The camera itself has only a few buttons and ports on it, including a power button and a button for switching between various shooting modes and settings. On the side of the camera is the microSD card slot and a micro USB slot (unusual Insta360 didn’t opt for a USB Type-C port instead).

Since the EVO doesn’t have a screen of its own, the camera is dependent on an Insta360 EVO app to compose the images, change the settings and overall control the camera with more finesse than the limited on-device controls. The app will be available in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

The EVO is currently available for order on Insta360’s website and B&H for $ 419.99.

Insta360 has also announced Insta360 VR, a new app for Oculus Go, HTC Vive Focus and Samsung Gear VR that will allow users to connect an EVO camera to a headset for simple wireless playback of the stereoscopic 3D 180-degree video or 360-degree video.

For phones that don’t have stereoscopic playback capabilities, Insta360 has also announced Holoframe, a specialized phone display cover that will enable standard smartphones to view photos and videos in 3D with the naked eye. In its press release, Insta360 says ‘It’s simple, mind-blowing and feels like magic.’

The HoloFrame is available for iPhone X/Xs, iPhone X Max and iPhone XR for $ 29.99 from Insta360’s online shop.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Insta360 launches desktop software for One X 360-degree camera

05 Feb

Insta360 has officially launched Insta360 Studio for ONE X, a desktop editing application for its ONE X 360-degree camera. The software had previously been available as a beta version but is now in full production, giving One X users a new reliable editing option in addition to the Android and iOS mobile apps.

Insta360 Studio for One X version 3.2.1 has been designed for editing the One X 5.7K 360-degree footage and comes with a comprehensive editing feature set, including keyframes for creating cinematic pans, real-time FlowState Stabilization for smooth and stable footage, preset perspectives, such as Tiny Planet, Crystal Ball or Natural View, and support for the MP4 file format.

You can download the latest version of the software for Windows and Mac on the Insta360 website. More information is available on the Insta360 blog.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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The Insta360 Titan is an 11K 360-degree camera with 8 Micro Four thirds sensors

09 Jan

Insta360 has most user types of 360-degree cameras covered, offering cameras from the consumer-level One X all the way up to pro-level 8K models. However, it seems there is demand for even more powerful cameras with higher resolutions.

With the new 11K Titan camera Insta360 is catering to VR cinema professionals with the highest demands. The camera features eight lenses with Micro Four Thirds sensors, which is the largest sensor size on any stand-alone VR camera.

The camera supports 10-bit color and in video mode can shoot 11K or 10K 3D at 30 fps, 8K at 60 fps or 5.3K at 120 fps. In still mode it can capture 11K 360-degree images in 3D and monoscopic.

To cope with the amounts of image data that is captured, each lens/sensor combo requires a high-speed SD card. Gyroscopic metadata for Insta360’s FlowState stabilization and low-resolution proxy files, which can be used for quicker editing with Insta360’s Adobe Premiere Pro plug-in, are stored on an additional card.

In addition to the company’s very efficient FlowState stabilization, the Titan also supports Insta360’s Farsight radio technology which allows for remote control of the camera and was first introduced with the Pro 2 model. The CrystalView conversion tool can be used to play back and watch the camera’s 11K video output.

This much technology does not come cheap, of course, and priced at $ 14,999, the Titan is squarely aimed at the VR professionals camp. If you think the camera could be a profitable investment for your business, you can reserve one now with a $ 150 deposit. Shipment is expected for April. If you’d like to get an idea of the image quality the camera is capable of, head to the Insta360 Youtube channel for resolution, low-light and stabilization comparisons.

This Is Titan: Insta360 Opens Reservations on 11K, Eight-Lens VR Cinema Camera

Insta360 today opened reservations for the Insta360 Titan, an eight-lens cinematic VR camera that captures 360 photos and video at up to 11K resolution.

The Titan uses eight Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensors, the largest sensors available in any standalone VR camera. These sensors maximize image quality, dynamic range, low-light performance and color depth, raising the bar for realism in high-end professional VR capture.

Insta360 will show the new camera at the CES show in Las Vegas this week. The Titan is set to ship in April, following a pilot program with select filmmaker partners.

Creators can reserve their Titan here today to secure a priority shipment in the first batch.

Introducing Insta360 Titan: https://youtu.be/9VhxtmV7mZQ

Turn it up to 11.

The Titan is the first standalone 360 camera ready to record in 11K. Key shooting modes include 11K at 30 FPS, 10K 3D at 30 FPS, as well as 11K 360 photos in 3D and monoscopic formats.

Additional shooting modes include 8K at 60 FPS and 5.3K at 120 FPS.

A sensor so good you’ll want eight.

360 cameras use an array of sensors to cover every direction of the action. Most use small sensors on par with those found in smartphones or action cameras — useful for installing in a smaller camera body but not for maximizing image quality.

The Titan bucks this trend, sporting eight optimized Micro Four Thirds sensors that combine the benefits of a large sensor area with a relatively compact design. These high-performance sensors are the key to achieving a cinematic image quality that’s been unattainable to VR creators until now.

Natural light and color.

The Titan supports shooting in 10 bit color, allowing for billions of color combinations and extreme color accuracy, while its high dynamic range lets creators capture natural lighting and low-light scenes to achieve an unparalleled realism in VR.

Make your move with FlowState Stabilization.

The Titan uses Insta360’s signature onboard FlowState Stabilization technology, allowing for gimbal-like 9-axis stabilization with no accessories or added effort from the user. Onboard stabilization lets creators achieve the stunning dynamic shots necessary to tell a compelling story in VR.

Not in the shot. But still in the action.

The Titan comes standard with Insta360’s Farsight live monitoring system, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver that can be easily attached to a phone or tablet.

Using Farsight, VR filmmakers can easily preview and control their shoots remotely. VR directors used to have to yell “action” and then jump behind a tree to avoid ruining the shot. Farsight saves them the sweat.

Deliver what you shoot.

Ultra-high-res VR content presents a distribution challenge. Most playback systems aren’t ready to decode immersive video at higher than 4K, let alone 11K.

CrystalView, Insta360’s proprietary playback tech, lets creators deliver what they really shot. It renders in real time exactly the part of a video a viewer is watching – with no computing power wasted on displaying what’s behind their head — so that even mainstream smartphones can play back full-quality Titan content.

Reservations open now.

Starting today, VR filmmakers can reserve their Insta360 Titan and be among the first owners when the camera ships this April.

The Titan is priced at $ 14,999 USD, and the reservation is confirmed with a fully refundable deposit.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Insta360 One X update brings HDR video and Google Street View integration

06 Dec

Insta360 has released a software update for its One X 5.7K 360-degree camera. With version software version 1.1.0 the camera is now capable of capturing HDR video — previously HDR recording was only available for still images. The One X HDR mode makes sure highlight and shadow clipping in your 360-degree videos are kept to a minimum and should make for more natural looking footage, without minimal need for post processing.

The second new feature in the update is Google Maps Street View Integration. One X owners can now use their camera to capture 360-degree content for Google Maps Street View and directly upload to Street View via the One X mobile app. The latter automatically converts video files into a series of evenly spaced 360 photo spheres for viewing on the Google platform.

In addition the company has announced that the One X is now available in a bundle that is exclusive to Apple. The bundle includes a number of accessories, including Insta360’s Bullet Time handle that also serves as a tripod, a selfie stick that is rendered invisible by the camera software, two batteries, and a protective pouch.

The Insta360 ONE X Camera Bundle is now available at Apple.com for $ 449.95. You can read our review of the Insta360 One X here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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