Craig Wilson

Reviews

This 360 camera is the easiest way to create bullet time videos

The Insta360 One RS is a thoughtfully designed, versatile, and pocketable powerhouse 360-degree action camera.

Insta360 is best known for its 360-degree cameras (most notably, the $399 One X2, which is the gold standard). But it also makes action cameras in two formats, the ultra-compact Go 2, and the GoPro-rivalling, modular, R range.

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The RS is the second model in the R series, and adds some welcome features. Like the R, the key selling point of the RS is the ability to attach various lens modules to the processor-housing “core” and the battery-housing base.

There are three lens modules: 4K action, 360 cam, and 1-inch cam (as the name suggests, has a 1-inch sensor and is “co-engineered” with Leica).

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The main upgrade from the R is the new “4K Boost Lens.” It includes a 1/2-inch sensor — twice the size of the 4K lens module it replaces. The 360 and 1-inch modules remain unchanged for the RS.

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That 1/2-inch sensor on the new 4K unit not only delivers better color reproduction and low-light, but sees the resolution for stills jump from 18.4 megapixels on the previous model to 42 megapixels, making the One RS a surprisingly respectable compact camera… as long as the lighting is good.

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There’s also a new 6K widescreen mode for cinematic-looking footage and 2.7x digital zoom. An additional microphone in the core brings the total to three and cuts down on wind noise using the power of algorithms.

And if you want, an optional microphone accessory lets you connect a 3.5mm mic cable via the USB-C port.

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The good thing for owners of the original R is that all modules and batteries from it work with the RS and vice versa. It’s doubly good considering the R is discontinued.

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Those looking to upgrade may be disappointed the 360 and 1-inch modules are unchanged, but they’re still brilliant.

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One of Insta360’s biggest selling points is its “invisible selfie stick” which erases the rod.

It’s not perfect — there are still unavoidable shadows, and if you’re holding a selfie stick it can be tricky to maintain a pose where it doesn’t look like one — but it’s still pretty amazing and makes it possible to get inventive, third-person-style footage and faux drone shots, especially using the 360 mod.

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If you’re really bold and don’t mind strangers staring at you, Insta360 makes a 10-foot selfie stick that enables convincing drone-like shots.

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Insta360 cameras are also stable AF handheld. The app is super flexible, too. Insta360 calls its stabilization, “FlowState,” and it holds up against GoPro’s “HyperSmooth” really well.

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The app, meanwhile, outperforms GoPro’s. It’s packed with editing tools, filters, and tutorials on how to achieve the sorts of gobsmacking shots the 360 camera enables.

You might be wondering, why bother with a 360 camera when you already have an action camera? The answer is: shoot now, frame later.

Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to assign keyframes to 360 footage and smoothly shift the POV between them. There’s also the option to track people or pets automatically.

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Like GoPro, Insta360 includes automatic editing tools. Select clips and stills and the app will select highlights, put them on a timeline, and add a royalty-free soundtrack.

If you don’t like auto edits it’s simple to remove clips, adjust how they’re chopped up, and make other changes. The results are mostly impressive, which means you’re far more likely to share what you shoot, as opposed to forgetting about them in your camera.

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In order to mount the RS on anything — and for it to be waterproof — you need to cage it in the included mounting bracket. If you’re using one of the single-lens modules you can choose to have the core’s screen facing in either direction, which is ingenious, and likely saves battery power when compared to cameras with two displays.

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The touchscreen is easy to navigate despite its diminutive size, and you can create a list of your favorite settings for the Quick menu.

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In addition to the shooting modes you’d expect, there’s a really wild one available when using the 360 module: a Matrix-like mode called “Bullet Time.”

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To shoot a Bullet Time video you either need Insta360’s mini-tripod with a rotating head, or the Bullet Time cable. You swing the camera around you and it does the rest. Like the pole-vaulter’s selfie stick, this is something that’s going to attract strange looks in public.

1,445 mAh

The capacity of the battery base. Spare bases cost $29.99.

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The spec list for the RS is seriously lengthy, but the key ones are:

• Up to 70 minutes on a charge

• Weighs between 4.4oz and 5.7oz (depending on the configuration)

• Waterproof up to 16 feet before you need a dive case

The 4K base version costs $299 and both the Twin Edition (which includes the 4K and 360 mods) and the 1-inch Edition are $549. If you want all three mods, you’re looking at $849.

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If you only want an action camera, the One RS may be excessive. But if you want unrivaled flexibility and editing tools that don’t require much expertise to get good results, it’s easy to recommend.

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