Insta360 ONE RS
MSRP $299.00

“The Insta360 ONE RS is the best you can buy to gain entry into the 360-degree camera space and the fact that it’s modular means it will last for years to come.”

Pros

Built-in Flowstate video stabilization

Flexible modular design

Good worth for cash

Excellent strategy to get began taking pictures 360 video

Upgradeable system guarantees longevity

Great software program and app integration

Cons

Can’t shoot 4K at 120 fps

Fully assembled digicam is cumbersome

360 digicam decision is greatest suited to small screens

With their functionality to seize an all-encompassing discipline of view, 360 cameras provide an attractive prospect for creators. Not solely do these cameras allow you to vlog, seize easy footage of your environment, and create dynamic transferring pictures, in addition they let you movie actually distinctive and trippy movies of “tiny planets”, and different uncommon results. The drawback for me has all the time been that I’ve shot extra conventional, narrowly centered video, which has stored me from investing in a devoted 360 digicam that I’m unsure I’d find yourself utilizing.
It could be the right instrument for introducing cautious creators equivalent to myself to the world of 360 video.

The Insta360 One RS solves this conundrum for me by making 360 taking pictures an choice, along with functioning as a standard motion digicam, a sort of system I take advantage of on an virtually every day foundation. It could be the right instrument for introducing cautious creators equivalent to myself to the world of 360 video.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
Design
The One RS, when assembled, could be very comparable in look to a typical motion digicam. The system consists of 4 separate parts: a module with a display screen, a battery module, a digicam module, and a bracket that wraps round and waterproofs the One RS. The key right here is the digicam module and the truth that it may be swapped out to allow completely different performance.
There’s the 4K increase lens, which is your conventional wide-angle motion digicam lens, a lens with Leica glass and a big 1-inch sensor, and the 360 digicam module. Also, the brand new 4K increase lens and core module are appropriate with the unique One R, which means that in the event you already personal that system with the 360 lens and/or the 1-inch sensor module, then you possibly can improve at a decrease price.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
Speaking of upgrades, the brand new core module within the One RS provides an additional mic for higher audio recording, 50% sooner Wi-Fi, a digital zoom operate whereas recording movies, and a fast menu system to supply quick entry to preset taking pictures modes. All of those are welcome upgrades over the One R, along with the upper efficiency of the brand new 4K increase module.
There is a variety of equipment obtainable for the One RS, from dive instances to a bigger battery. Newly added to this vary is the One RS Mounting Bracket, which I can verify makes it very simple to swap lense and battery modules. It additionally encompasses a windscreen that improves audio efficiency. For the system to be totally practical and rugged, you’ll need to use this mounting bracket more often than not. However, it should be famous that due to this, the assembled system is pretty giant and ponderous in comparison with different up to date motion cameras.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
Another new accent is the One RS Quick Reader, which is a microSD card reader that plugs instantly into the digicam to avoid wasting recordsdata from the digicam onto a microSD, and into your telephone for modifying. Using it means you now not should switch recordsdata from the digicam to your telephone for modifying. This saves battery life within the gadgets and in your telephone.
I additionally use the One RS with the “Invisible Selfie Stick”, which I discover to be surprisingly efficient. It’s nice for recording 360 footage, and likewise simply as an general glorious selfie stick.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
After a brief interval of adjusting to the modular system of the One RS, I discover all of it to be fairly intuitive to make use of. Swapping modules is fairly fast, and the entire thing snaps collectively fairly simply. The show is small however usable. The menus are easy and I’ve no drawback navigating them.
It’s waterproof all the way down to 16 ft with an IPX8 score (or extra with the addition of non-compulsory equipment.) It feels properly constructed and rugged, and I really feel as assured tossing it round as I do every other motion digicam.
Performance
The 4K increase lens module stands up fairly properly to different present motion cameras. It encompasses a half-inch 48MP sensor, which lets you seize footage at as much as 6K decision in 2.35:1 side ratio. In the extra typical 16:9 side ratio, you possibly can seize 4K at as much as 60 fps. Unfortunately, there’s no 4K 120 fps choice, although the digicam can seize 100fps in 2.7K and 120 fps in 1080p.
While the digicam lags behind in sluggish movement, the 4K increase lens module is in any other case an especially competent motion digicam. The footage is comparable in high quality to different present motion cameras, and there’s a brand new Active HDR mode designed to protect particulars within the highlights and shadows whereas minimizing the ghosting points typically related to HDR taking pictures.

My favourite a part of the 4K increase module was the Insta360’s Flowstate digital picture stabilization, which may now be utilized in-camera whereas taking pictures. Before it wanted to be utilized whereas post-processing. Flowstate is extraordinarily spectacular, and yields remarkably steady footage. You may also shoot high-resolution 48MP nonetheless photographs with the 4K increase lens module.
It’s good for capturing every part surrounding you to be able to seize a number of angles from one clip when post-processing.

The 360 lens is identical as within the earlier One R digicam and is a high quality entry-level 360 digicam. It’s good for capturing every part surrounding you to be able to seize a number of angles from one clip when post-processing. The footage seems to be incredible on a small display screen, however as I’ve discovered prior to now, 5.7K isn’t really that a lot decision in a 360 digicam. For viewing in your telephone or pill it’s nice, however the decision breaks down on giant screens and TVs. Keep in thoughts that in the event you’re capturing actually thrilling content material this doesn’t matter, and the pliability for post-processing compensates for the decision in high-octane motion eventualities.

I’ve to say that I did often run into some inexplicable glitches with the One RS. Most noticeable have been when it will freeze and crash, which occurred on a number of events. I gained’t rely this towards the digicam, nevertheless, as I did check it utilizing pre-release firmware. Also, I didn’t have the 1-inch sensor module to check, so I can’t touch upon its efficiency.
Overall, the One RS presents each strong efficiency as an motion digicam, in addition to a really enjoyable and accessible 360 video expertise.
Battery life
I used to be very pleased with the size of time the One RS was capable of go while not having to recharge. It’s sufficient to do a good bit of taking pictures, and swapping battery packs is a really fast course of.
Software and connectivity
Insta360 has created a sturdy array of software program for Mac and PC, in addition to an Adobe Premiere integration and apps for Apple and Android gadgets. While the pc software program and Premiere plugin are nice to have, I actually need to give attention to the expertise of utilizing the cellular app, because it’s actually fairly exceptional.
The wi-fi linking of the digicam to the app is slickly automated in a manner that removes practically all of the frustration that usually prevents me from doing so recurrently with different cameras.

For a begin, the wi-fi linking of the digicam to the app is slickly automated in a manner that removes practically all of the frustration that usually prevents me from doing so recurrently with different cameras.Everything within the app is extraordinarily accessible, and it’s a good way of controlling the digicam remotely. It’s notably helpful for modifying, because it’s a simple and enjoyable methodology of modifying 360 footage. The inventive instruments for conducting this are actually at your fingertips, and with just a bit trial and error I used to be capable of put collectively some actually cool pictures.
The app was a significantly better manner of modifying 360 footage than with desktop software program in my expertise.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
Price and availability
The Insta360 One RS is offered now and is available in a number of completely different bundles at completely different value factors. The 4K version, which incorporates solely the 4K increase lens, is simply $300. If you need the 360 lens as properly, you’ll want to purchase the Twin version which prices $550. Alternatively, you may go for the 1-inch version, which can even retail for $550.
This really makes this digicam system a greater cut price than competing choices, and every one among these bundles represents glorious worth for cash in comparison with its opponents.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
Our take
The Insta360 One RS is probably the most enjoyable I’ve ever had with an motion digicam. In the 2 weeks I spent taking pictures with it, I really feel like I solely scratched the floor of the inventive potentialities it presents. It removes lots of the limitations to moving into taking pictures 360 video, and the companion app integration is seamless, intuitive, and wealthy with options. Insta360 has affirmed its dedication to the upgradeable modular system they launched with the One R, and the One RS is a triumphant follow-up that establishes them as a contender in an thrilling new period for motion cameras.
Is there a greater different?
The One RS has fairly stiff competitors within the motion digicam house. The GoPro Hero 10 is an especially refined and highly effective choice. It’s obtained a standard design, nevertheless, so isn’t as versatile because the One RS.

The DJI Action 2 has a modular design much like the One RS, however with just one digicam choice. Instead, it makes use of modularity to scale back its general measurement and so as to add different performance, equivalent to compatibility with the DJI Mic.
The benefit the One RS has over its opponents is that it’s the one motion digicam that gives swappable digicam modules, which might be both a standard wide-angle motion digicam or a 360 digicam. Additionally, there’s a module with a 1-inch sensor and Leica lens if you wish to maximize picture high quality.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
How lengthy will it final?
Due to its modular design and Insta360’s obvious dedication to cross-generational compatibility, the One RS is a system that looks as if a great funding in the long run. For instance, house owners of the earlier One R Twin version bundle solely want to purchase the essential 4K version, primarily saving the $250 that purchasing a brand new Twin version bundle would have price them.
This upgradeability is analogous in idea to purchasing a DSLR or mirrorless ILC digicam and lenses and with the ability to proceed utilizing your lenses over a number of generations of cameras. It’s great to see this idea make it to the motion digicam house, and it dramatically expands the longevity of your gear.
Digital Trends / Andy Zahn
Should you purchase it?
Yes. The Insta360 One RS is the right digicam system in the event you’re taken with 360 cameras, however don’t need to commit to purchasing a devoted system. The One RS presents an immense quantity of flexibility and worth.

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