Insta360 One R: The drone action 360-degree ultra-compact camera system
9.1.2020
Translation: machine translated
Insta360 has presented the One R. It combines a 360-degree camera, action camera and 1-inch camera in one system.
The Insta360 One R consists of several parts. The fixed part of the camera contains the processor, the battery and a touchscreen. Three different modules can be inserted into this centrepiece:
- A 360-degree camera
- An action cam
- A wide-angle camera with a large sensor
The sensor is housed in the interchangeable modules. This is why the wide-angle camera has a large 1-inch sensor. Insta360 does not reveal the size of the sensor in the other two, but most action cameras have much smaller sensors in the order of 1/2.3 inches. This modular system means that the touchscreen can be placed on the same side as the lens or on the opposite side.
The Insta360 One R can produce photos in RAW format and videos in H.265 codec. It is waterproof up to 5 metres and there will be an underwater housing that is waterproof up to 60 metres. The camera comes with an app that supposedly selects the best scenes for you and cuts them together to a beat.
The 360-degree camera
The module with the 360-degree camera has a 180-degree lens on both sides. It records videos in 5.7K (5760×2880 pixels) and achieves a maximum of 30 frames per second. 50 fps are possible in UHD and even 100 fps in the further reduced resolution of 3008×1504 pixels.
If this module is used with a (very long) selfie stick, it can serve as a drone replacement. The stick is removed from the image and is therefore not visible.
The 360-degree mode also offers a type of subject tracking. This keeps the subject in the centre of the field of view. According to Insta360, this even works if the subject is temporarily obscured by an obstacle.
The action cam
The action cam is a wide-angle camera in the style of a GoPro. The angle of view corresponds to a 35 mm focal length of 16.4 mm, the lens speed is f/2.8. The action cam films in UHD at a maximum of 60 fps. In full HD, up to 200 fps and thus slow-motion recordings with eightfold deceleration are possible.
The 1-inch wide-angle camera
This module was developed in collaboration with Leica. Thanks to the large sensor, you can expect a generally higher image quality. The lens has a 35 mm focal length of 14.4 mm and an aperture of f/3.2. The resolution is 19 megapixels for photos and 5.3K (5312x2988 pixels) for videos. This at 30 fps. With Full HD, 120 fps are possible.
More modules to follow
These three modules are not the only ones planned. Insta360 has already announced an attachment with twice as much battery power (normal capacity: 1190 mAh) and an "Aerial Edition" for mounting on a drone. This is designed to enable 360-degree shots from the air in which the drone itself cannot be seen.
The Insta360 One R is expected to be available in the following combinations:
- Core piece, 360-degree camera and "small" action cam (Twin Edition)
- Core piece and small action cam
- Core piece and wide-angle camera with 1-inch sensor
It is not yet known when we will have them in our shop. The prices that Insta360 recommends for the US market are USD 299.99 for the version with action cam, USD 499.99 for the Twin Edition and USD 599 for the variant with 1-inch camera.
Insta360's product pages for the 1-inch camera and the both others show a lot of beautiful videos and effects from a perfect world - and the full specs.
Update, 16 January 2020
We now have the products in the shop. However, it is still not known when they will be available.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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