Insta 360 One
High-quality 360° videos.
This camera is a small lozenge with 4K, 180° cameras on each side, combining to create 360° footage. The device feels solidly made, and operating it standalone is relatively straightforward – one press of the single button to turn it on, another press to take a photo, a double-press to begin video recording, and three presses to start 120fps ‘ bullet time’ recording.
Connecting it to an iOS device reveals the Insta360 One’s true power, though. The integrated Lightning connector is tidy, and the app works well, bar a few translational mistakes. From the app, you can start and stop 360° recording and set shutter speeds and ISO. In relatively dim light, footage is impressively crisp and clear. In good light our videos were outstanding.
It’s the app that really makes the Insta360 as good as it is, thanks to its raw power coupled with topnotch ease of use. You can use the app to generate spherical 360° videos, but your audience needs access to a device capable of virtual reality playback (iOS isn’t natively capable, but the YouTube app is).
However, you can opt for the app’s FixFrame mode, which flattens footage to 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1. You can add tracking points to your footage, swinging the virtual camera around the world, or have the app automatically add a tracking point, keeping your subject in the frame. It works brilliantly well and elevates the Insta360 One above the status of one-trick pony.