Insta360 ONE X2 Announced – Specs & First Look Review

by Jakub HanOctober 28^th, 2020

Insta360 just launched the new Insta360 ONE X2 – a pocket-sized camera offering FlowState stabilization, 5.7K 360 video capture, IPX8 waterproofing, a 360 touch display, and a handful of smart editing features. The camera is available now for $430.

From the Insta360 One X to the One X2

Roughly two years ago in October 2018, Insta360 announced the ONE X. This VR 360 camera was capable of shooting 5.7K 30fps 360 video and offered some interesting smart features including capable stabilization and “Shoot first, point later” workflow. You can check our Insta360 ONE X article with a video interview to refresh your memories.

Today, Insta360 launches the new generation pocket-sized 5.7K 360 camera called simply Insta360 ONE X2. Let’s take a look at what’s new.

Insta360 ONE X2 Features

The Insta360 ONE X offers four ways to shoot:

• 360 Mode films everything in its surroundings just like a traditional 360 camera. Available resolutions and frame rates are 5.7K (30fps, 25fps, 24fps), 4K (50fps, 30fps), and 3K (100fps). You can later, of course, choose the desired angle and export the frames.
• Steady Cam only activates one of the camera’s lenses and works more like a traditional camera with an ultra-wide lens. It still utilizes Insta360’s FlowState stabilization. The available resolutions are 2560×1440 (50fps, 30fps), 1920×1440 (50fps, 30fps), or 1920×1080 (50fps, 30fps).
• InstaPano is a new photo mode for capturing panoramas. There is no need to move the camera in any way (like a phone).
• MultiView is a new mode for vloggers. It can display and capture two angles at once with different fields of view. With the Insta360 app’s face tracking, the camera makes sure that the face always stays in the frame.

When it comes to photo mode, the maximum resolution is 6080×3040 (2:1) in the 360 mode. The camera can capture photos either in JPEG or DNG RAW. When it comes to video mode, the files are captured either in INSV format (360 mode) or in MP4 (Steady Cam mode). The codec is either H.264 or H.265 with a maximum bitrate of 100Mbps, and color profiles can be either Vivid, Standard, or LOG.

Touch Display, Waterproof, Better Audio and Stabilization

One of the most visible improvements is the addition of the bright rounded display. It offers touch screen operation and enables users to monitor the framing (in certain modes if necessary). Another improvement is a larger battery. The Insta360 ONE X2 incorporates a 1630mAh battery that provides up to 80minutes of shooting (in 5.7K 30p).

The camera weighs 149g (5.25oz) and its dimensions are 4.62 x 11.30 x 2.98cm (1.82 x 4.45 x 1.17″). Without any case, the ONE X2 is rated at IPX8 which means it can be taken underwater down to 10m (33ft). With the dive case, the camera can function as deep as 45m below the water surface.

With four built-in microphones and a new smart wind-reduction, the audio capture got improved as well. You can select between stereo or ambisonic sound capture. The camera can be voice-controlled and it can even communicate with AirPods (control the camera or record audio).

According to Insta360, the FlowState stabilization (already seen in the ONE X) and horizon leveling algorithms got further improved. Insta360 ONE X2 is also again compatible with the Invisible Selfie Stick. When used, it creates a sense of floating camera as the selfie stick disappears.

Insta360 Shot Lab

Shot Lab is Insta360’s desktop application that hosts a collection of one-tap templates to automatically create edits from the given Insta360 footage. There are templates like Dolly Zoom, Stop Motion, Clone Trail, Shadow Clone, Ghost Town (creates an unobstructed photo without people from a captured timelapse), and more. The Auto Frame feature automatically reframes any 360 shot to include the desired action.

More Smart Features

TimeShift hyperlapse feature allows users to adjust the video playback speed while reframing the shot. With the ONE X2 it is available for both 360 and Steady Cam shots. It is also possible to add a freeze frame anywhere if desired.

PureShot mode should improve the lowlight capability of the camera and reduce noise. For shooting underwater, Insta360 utilizes a so-called AquaVision (Insta360 seems to have a special term for everything) that performs an automatic white balance for better looking underwater shots.

The ONE X2 can act as a webcam and it can also live stream in 360-degrees directly to Facebook, Youtube, or any other 360-degrees channel with the customized RTMP feature.

Price and Availability

The good news is that the Insta360 ONE X2 is available now. The retail price for the barebones camera has been set to $430. The new accessories like Lens Guards and a Bullet Time Cord should also be available now.

What do you think about the new Insta360 ONE X2? Do you have any experience with the original ONE X or any other Insta360 camera? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below the article.