Insta360’s camera has been using the same 360 sensor setup for about three years, and it’s getting a serious update now. Will quality make up for the bulk?
This camera weighs 250 grams, about 100 grams more than Insta360 ONE X2 and often ONE RS 360 setup. Still, it feels really great in your hand. Even though it’s built from three connecting sections, the stand holds everything together well and tight. The ONE X2 feels like a little brother next to it.
The new”360 degree 1 inch version“Not a toy. Insta360 is aiming beyond the average consumer here, with a $800 price tag. If this is the best handheld 360-degree camera Insta360 can conjure up, then it should capture the interest of videographers, creators, and businesses alike. The next step is Insta360’s Professional Camera $4,500. So I suppose this upgraded module is a gratifying medium between the two.
Technical parameters
- 6K video at up to 30p
- Dual 1-inch CMOS sensor
- Dual f/2.2 lenses, with a focal length of 6.52mm
- The image has been “co-designed” with Leica
- Compatible with previous ONE R/RS setups
- IPX3 waterproof, so waterproof like ONE X2
When the ONE RS was released earlier this year, I wondered if Insta360 would ever release a new module for the ecosystem. At that time, they only updated the 4K fixed lens mod. While this is a welcome update, it still doesn’t feel like the promise of modularity and flexibility is coming to fruition.
However, with this 1-inch 360 mod, things are starting to make sense. Users can now choose between the standard 5.7K 360 module and this compact 1-inch version of the 6K sensor. If you already own a ONE R or RS, the cost to upgrade is $649.99. That’s not a cheap price, but again, this module is intended for a more advanced audience. This means that the RS body alone is worth $150.
Theoretically, ONE RS users should be able to shoot with the best handheld 360 mod Insta360 has produced and their best fixed lens mod, all on the same SD card and camera. From an expert’s point of view, I find the idea of having a single brand of action camera on set for multiple purposes quite appealing. This way, only one application is needed for post-processing. However, I wonder if the larger productions will only rent Insta360’s Pro cameras, for about $350 a week.
Professional Features
There really aren’t many professional features included here that aren’t available on other Insta360 cameras. That’s largely because this mod is using the ONE R/RS body. This setting won’t be especially better for larger-scale productions, other than increasing image quality. Like other models, it can shoot in log color profiles and ProRes is available from the app, although it still records in H.264.
It has a quarter-twenty-fibre mount below the camera, built into the bottom of the battery. Interestingly, the battery has extra slots to attach to its holder, but the case that holds it together does not. SmallRig has made cages for the ONE R/RS, so I’m sure there’s a market for professional cages.
It works well with Insta360’s radio mic mount, specifically for Rode’s GO radio mic. You can use a radio microphone to jam the audio timecode into the Insta360, or at the very least, feed it a feed from an audio engineer. I also think you can use this mount for safety cables. I’m not sure I want to mount this to a car or to the ceiling without the safety cables. Thankfully, the setup is writable when powered by an external power source. This will help with direct production, long elapsed time and anyone who doesn’t want to invest in a lot of batteries.
As far as bitrate goes, 1-inch mods through the ONE RS hit around 120 Mbps. That’s not too big for a 6K image. I have a feeling that the arrival of the RS “brain” updated a few months ago should have brought higher bandwidth capabilities with it. This is probably why there aren’t any meaningful slow motion features on the 360 1-inch version.
Inference
360 video definitely has a moment right away. Adding more options also makes sense, but I was actually quite surprised when Insta360 released the 1-inch 360 module. This is a pretty serious add-on. Therefore, I’m not sure people should consider upgrading if they already own ONE R/RS. The original 360 camera that came with the ONE R/RS is great, as it resembles the ONE X2. If you’re going to shoot a daytime holiday video, then you’ll be fine.
Low light is better than ever. I wouldn’t use the 360 action camera at night anyway, but for the first time, I felt quite comfortable taking the 1-inch 360 version out at night. This is the best handheld 360-degree camera Insta360 has ever made, and it shows up in low light.
The full package is available at $799.99and the upgrade package is $649.99 if you already own the brain. This price tag is not as eye-catching as Kandao QooCam 8Kcost about $2,000, nor Theta Z1at $1,050.
This module is super easy to use and is also made for serious tasks. Real estate, documentary filmmakers, consumers and professional creators will love it. The 1-inch sensor offers reliability in uncertain shooting conditions. For the first time, I felt like I could actually deliver 360 captured content to my clients.
