Insta360’s newest camera, the Insta360 ONE, is more than your average 360 camera. It’s the missing link between fixed frame cameras and 360 cameras.

The Insta360 ONE will be able to capture 4K 360 video at 30 fps, but also has an interesting feature that allows users to capture a scene in 4K 360 video and crop out flat 1080p fixed frame video after the fact using the ONE’s companion app. Check out the full review above, from our sister site Photo Gear News‘ Presenter Lok Cheung.

This feature, which Insta360 calls “free capture” (GoPro called it “over capture” on its latest camera) can be done using only the camera and a smartphone. Record the full 360 video, connect the Insta360 ONE to your smartphone, offload the footage, and frame your fixed frame shot as you watch your 360 video using your phone’s display as the viewfinder. You’re essentially “shooting” your video twice.

But, this feature means you can get more than one angle for traditional videos in one shot, or, as Lok shows in his review, you can even attach it to a DSLR to capture three angles at once. It also allows users to create pans and tilts as if they were moving a traditional camera. And, the app has a SmartTrack feature so users can automatically select “a 1080p fixed-frame video where the subject of their choice is always centered” using the app after the fact.

 

The Insta360 ONE also features interal six-axis stabilization with an onboard gyroscope both to stabilize videos, but also to allow users to keep the monopod or selfie stick directly beneath the camera (so it hides in the stitch line) without affecting the nadirThe bottom of the sphere. of the final shot.

In addition to 4K 360 video at 30 fps and 24 MP photos, the camera can also capture timelapse 360 videos and higher frame rates up to 120 fps at lower resolutions. It can capture 2560 x 1280 at 60 fps and 2048 x 512 at 120 fps. It will also be able to live stream when it ships in September.

Its high speed capture feature enables a pretty cool party trick for the camera that makes 360 a bit more shareable on social platforms: bullet time mode.

Using the included string or a selfie stick, users can swing the camera around them and they will remain in the center of the fixed frame 120 fps video that is algorythmically converted to 240 fps using the companion app for Matrix-like slow motion shots.

The camera also features a high dynamic rangeThe varying degrees of brightness that can be captured by a camera or displayed by a playback device. You can think of i... More shooting mode, supports taking photos in RAW format and videos in Log format, and offers manual control of exposureThe measurement of the brightness and range (latitude) of light being captured by the camera. Exposure is governed by ca... More value, ISO, shutter speed, white balance and more.

It can be used as a standalone camera, controlled remotely with a smartphone via Bluetooth, or directly connected to the smartphone’s charging port.

The camera comes with a two-in-one case and camera stand, a MicroSD card, a MicroUSB cable, a lens cloth and the string for the bullet time effect. There’s also an IP68 waterproof housing for the camera, effective up to nearly 100 feet, sold separately.

The Insta360 ONE is now available for purchase for $299.90 at Insta360’s online store, on Amazon and at B&H Photo, with shipping starting September 5. At launch, only an iPhone version will be available, but an Android version is on its way soon, but Insta360 didn’t offer any timeline for the launch of that camera.