The market for 360 degree cameras is slowly gaining popularity among users, however, in the professional sector the options are much more limited and the models to choose from are smaller. The Insta360 Pro camera is one of the references in the current market, dazzling with its 6 peace-eye lenses capable of recording photos in 8K resolution.
If you want more details about this VR camera, we will tell you all its features below:
Unboxing
The unboxing of the Insta360 Pro surprises. The cardboard box has been replaced by a very resistant plastic case with two safety locks that prevent accidental openings that could endanger the integrity of the equipment (which is valued at almost 4.000 euros, here you can buy it).
Now that you know what this 360 camera costs, you won't be surprised at all that it comes so protected. It is vital for a product that is going to be in constant motion.
Once the briefcase is opened we appreciate that external protection is also transferred to the interior with a huge layer of high-quality foam. The plastic case receives the blows and the foam will absorb the force and vibrations so that the Insta360 Pro suffers absolutely nothing.
Apart from the above, in the briefcase we find the following accessories:
- 12V and 5A charger
- USB-C cable
- Rubber tape to protect lenses from bumps and dust
- 5100 mAh battery to provide about 70 minutes of autonomy
- Ethernet cable
- USB to Ethernet adapter
- Microfiber cloth
- Cintra to carry the camera on the shoulder comfortably
- Documentation and letter of appreciation from the company
Although quite a few accessories have been included, to start using the camera you will need an SD Extreme PRO V30, V60 or V90 memory card to support the transfer rates required to record 8K video. We also have the option of connecting an SSD hard drive using the USB 3.0 connection. As you can see, we cannot use any memory since the demands are high.
Insta360 Pro Features
So that you know a little more about the Insta360 Pro, below you have a summary of its main characteristics:
| Lenses |
|
| Field of View |
|
| Opening |
|
| Resolution in photos |
|
| Video resolution |
|
| Resolution for live streaming |
|
| Audio |
|
| Shutter speed |
|
| ISO |
|
| Stabilization |
|
| Stand for tripods |
|
| Storage |
|
| Water resistance |
|
| Connectivity |
|
| Compatibility |
|
| Dimensions |
|
| Weight : |
|
| Battery |
|
First impressions
The robustness of the Insta360 Pro gives us a good clue that we are facing an expensive team, suspicions that are confirmed the first time we turn on the equipment and a fan begins to rotate to promote cooling, something that the aluminum housing also takes care of.
A total of six large fisheye lenses look at us sideways permanently. They have an aperture of f / 2.4 so they are bright enough to obtain good results even in poorly lit environments. If at any time the camera is in trouble, we have an ISO that is adjusted automatically but that we can also adjust manually with values ranging from 100 to 6400, although at such high values the perception of noise in the image is remarkable and sharpness is lost.
The camera works autonomously. We only need to have an Extreme PRO V30 SD memory card (if it is V90, better) or a USB 3.0 SSD hard disk and have the battery charged. With that we have up to 75 minutes of autonomy to record video or capture photos in resolutions that reach up to 8K.
The basic operation of the camera can be done from the small screen and the buttons on the front. It is very simple and intuitive to handle since we only have buttons to move through the menus, a button to accept and another to go back. Of course, turning it on takes time (about 90 seconds) so you must take it into account before you can take the photo or video.
Optionally we can take advantage of the extensive connectivity that the Insta360 Pro offers us to connect external accessories such as a microphone (as standard we have 4 microphones compatible with spatial audio capture, although their performance is very fair) or an HDMI viewfinder to view the image captured by the camera.
We can also take advantage of the RJ45 connection to enjoy a very high bandwidth by using an Ethernet cable, although if we like the wireless option more, the Insta360 Pro It comes equipped with WiFi so that we can connect our laptop or smartphone and be able to use it as a viewfinder, remote trigger, make image adjustments, direct on social networks, etc.
As you can see, there is a wide range of options available when it comes to connectivity.
Insta360 Pro Image Quality
Image quality is the main strength of the equipment. Not only can we enjoy 8K resolutions but the sharpness of the image is well above the usual, something especially important for those who want to capture images in 3D or for virtual reality, something that is on the rise thanks to glasses like Oculus and that the world of marketing or entertainment wants to exploit to offer new experiences to users.
The treatment and union of all the images captured by each of the lenses is very effective and that gives the video a much more real result for the viewer.
If we use the camera sharpness is greatly improved for taking pictures regarding the video. Below you can see an example of a snapshot taken with the Insta360 Pro shown flat, and then the same photograph with the "little planet" effect applied.
Flat photo (see original size)
It is really difficult to describe in words a section that offers so many possibilities, both creative and technical. What is clear is that the hardware accompanies and with the Insta360 Pro we can achieve magnificent results without necessarily being for professional use. Photography and video enthusiasts can also take advantage of this 360 camera, although they should be clear about the cost of buying equipment of this caliber (something that we already have assumed in SLR cameras such as Canon 5D Mark).
Software
And it is the software that is to blame for the Insta360 Pro being aimed at all audiences. We have the professional editing programs that we all know but the manufacturer offers us a wide variety of multiplatform applications very easy to use, whatever our knowledge:
- Camera control app: as its name suggests, it is an app to be able to operate the Insta360 Pro from our mobile, tablet or computer.
- Insta360 Pro Stitcher: it is a software that helps eliminate possible errors in the union of the images captured by the camera, something that is more common in more basic models of the company. The latest firmware updates the Insta 360 Pro has received have greatly improved this aspect.
- Insta360 Player: is a player for captured images and videos. We simply drag the file generated by the camera and we can automatically enjoy it in 360 degree format.
- Insta360 Studio: if we want to export or make light edits to photos or videos, this program will allow you to do so.
These are the main apps that the manufacturer offers us but as I say, we can use any other editing software image and video.
Conclusions
The Insta360 Pro It is a very complete team and oriented to a very specific sector of the population. The rise of augmented and virtual reality is causing sectors such as marketing to reorient themselves by offering users new ways of interacting with products and that is where this camera can play a differentiating role for local business.
Pros
- Image processing
- Build quality and finishes
- Professional and creative possibilities
Cons
- Low autonomy. Better to have several spare batteries or work with the camera plugged into the network.
- Ignition timing
If you are not a professional and you simply like the world of photography and video, the Insta360 Pro she is a perfect travel companion. We will always have the memory recorded in a 360 degree video or photo on our computer and with a more than good quality, although far from the results we get with any SLR or APS-C camera. In this case, we must decide if we prefer interactive content over traditional content, although we can keep the best of both worlds.
Hit it? 3.950 euros that you will have to pay to get it.
- Editor's rating
- 4.5 star rating
- Exceptional
- Insta360 Pro
- Review of: Nacho Cuesta
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Integrated
- Performance
- Camera
- Autonomy
- Portability (size / weight)
- Price quality
Pros
- Image processing
- Build quality and finishes
- Professional and creative possibilities
Cons
- Low autonomy. Better to have several spare batteries or work with the camera plugged into the network.
- Ignition timing