Lightning-connected Insta360 One camera promises 24MP stills, 360-degree 4K video

Camera and accessory maker Insta360 has debuted the One, a 4K 360-degree camera with "selfie-stick" eradication built into software for the device.

The Insta360 One shoots 360-degree video at resolutions of 3840 x 1920 at 30fps, or 2560 x 1280 at 60fps. Stills are captured at 24 MP (2912 x 3456) resolution.

The device can be operated as a standalone camera, be remotely controlled with Bluetooth, or directly controlled by a tethered phone through Lightning or microUSB.

After a video is captured, and the camera connected to an iPhone, the FreeCapture software interfaces with gyroscope data to use the iPhone display as a viewfinder. FreeCapture also allows users to shift from standard perspectives to 360-degree camera effects, such as "tiny planet" and "rabbit hole" effects.

Using only a selfie stick or a string attachment, creators can capture up to 120 frames per second interpolated in software to 240 FPS slow-motion shots. In the action shots, the One "circles" the user, always keeping them center-frame, while the accessory used to spin the camera is concealed digitally.

The camera is attached to selfie sticks or other apparatuses with standard 1/4-inch 20 thread pitch screws. Insta360 claims that the standard mount allows for easy installation on helmets, drones, cars, tripods, and a wide range of other tools and accessories.

The US retail price of an Insta360 One including a camera, a two-in-one case and camera stand, a MicroSD card, a Micro-USB cable, a lens cloth, and a string attachment to achieve the bullet-time effect is $299. A selfie-stick, Bluetooth remote control, and IP68 waterproof housing are sold separately.

The iPhone version is available for order now with shipments starting in September, and the Android version is shipping shortly.

4 Comments

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

About 7 years ago

I find these types of camera cool and at the same time I have no idea what I would use them for. "Check out the 360 video of me taking the baby for a walk!" sounds like a tough sell. I have never used a wing suit and I don't do motocross (although I live pretty close to a fairly well known track). Most of my boating is on a pontoon boat, which tends not to be particularly exciting. For now I think I'll spend my money elsewhere.

theirongiant 78 comments · 14 Years

@ihatescreennames - the primary audience is sports / activity enthusiasts, just like the GoPro. Selfie sticks are banned at most amusement parks and some outdoor venues for safety reasons. The camera would still work as a handheld attachment to the iPhone, of course.

anome 1545 comments · 16 Years

ihatescreennames said:

I find these types of camera cool and at the same time I have no idea what I would use them for. "Check out the 360 video of me taking the baby for a walk!" sounds like a tough sell. I have never used a wing suit and I don't do motocross (although I live pretty close to a fairly well known track). Most of my boating is on a pontoon boat, which tends not to be particularly exciting. For now I think I'll spend my money elsewhere.

I feel pretty much the same way. I'm not a great photographer, I don't take a lot of pictures, and the ones I do aren't that good, but I appreciate the technology in something like this. I might be convinced to buy one of these, but I don't think I can really justify the expense.

theirongiant said:

@ihatescreennames - the primary audience is sports / activity enthusiasts, just like the GoPro.

It's hard to tell from their video. Here are a few things I saw in the video that aren't really sports/activity related (although, "activity" can mean many things, I'm thinking you mean it as in "I'm doing something physical", like hiking):

Riding in a car
Drinking
Hanging out on a roof
Playing ping-pong
Walking in the ocean
At a concert
In fireworks

And several of those are in the first 30 seconds. Most of those I listed can be accomplished by people who don't think of themselves as sports/activity enthusiasts.