The Insta360 One X2 keeps its predecessor's easy-to-handle shape
Insta360 has announced its latest 360-degree action camera, the Insta360 One X2. It sits in a comfy middle-ground between the GoPro Max and GoPro Hero 9 Black.
The Insta360 One X2 has two 180-degree lenses, one on each side, and a stick-like shape that lets you hold it without using a selfie stick. Attach one, though, and it can work a little magic trick that hides the stick stem in the final video.
Max capture resolution is 5.7k but this only applies to 360-degree footage. There’s a standard non-360 action camera view, capped at 1440p.
Still, this beats the GoPro Max. It can only shoot widescreen 1080p or 4:3 1920 x 1440 video when not in 360 mode. The Insta360 One X2 shoots widescreen 1440p, at 2560 x 1440 pixels. Much better, although the maximum frame rate is 50fps, not 60fps.
You might use this non-360 mode for the quickest, edit-free shooting. But Insta360 has an app that lets you edit the full 5.7k feed on your phone. You can smoothly zoom between fields of view, and follow subjects without doing the cinematography work yourself.
A 360-degree field of view also allows for “unbreakable” stabilization. Insta360’s take on electronic stabilization is called FlowState, and works well even in the company’s lower-end cameras.
Why would you still buy a GoPro? I’ve used several Insta360 cameras, and the image processing is not as good as GoPro’s in each case. The workflow is slower than GoPro’s too. Much of the processing is done by your phone or laptop. A powerful mobile is a must.
Insta360 One X2 Versus One X
The Insta360 One X2 is the sequel to the much-praised Insta360 One X. What’s new?
This camera has a proper display, letting you compose your shot properly when capturing 18MP stills or non-360 video. Its battery is also significantly larger, with 1630mAh capacity to the original’s 1200mAh.
Insta360 says it lasts 80 minutes when shooting at the max 5.7k resolution.
Water resistance has been improved dramatically too. Where the original was splash-proof, this sequel is rated at IPX8 and can handle 10m depth just like a GoPro.
The Insta360 One X2 costs $429.99, $20 less than the GoPro Hero 9 Black and the current Amazon price for the GoPro Max, and $30 more than the original price of the Insta360 One X.
