Insta360 One RS 1-inch 360 Edition review: The Best Camera Edition Ever

Over the past year, I have been introduced to  360 photography through Insta360's many varied new cameras. Shooting photos and videos in 360 capturing everything around me opened up a wealth of new creative opportunities and endless possibilities with the magic of post-production. But in my experience, image quality is the only thing holding these cameras back at the consumer level. The resolution, low-light capability, and dynamic range have been limiting factors in the cameras I've tested so far.

The Insta360 One RS 1-Inch 360 Edition aims to solve all the problems with which I have long criticized such cameras. As the name suggests, the 1-inch 360 camera has a 1-inch sensor, or two 1-inch cameras, each capturing a hemispherical view. But that's off-topic. All you need to know is that the 1-inch 360 Edition is one of the most impressive cameras in its class.

Design

The 1-inch 360 Edition comes pre-assembled with an RS core and battery in a bracket that clips the 1-inch 360 camera. It's ergonomically comfortable and convenient to hold, and the controls will be instantly familiar to anyone using the One RS system. Even if it isn't, it's very straightforward, with simple touchscreen controls and a power and record button.

Near the bottom of the camera is a covered power port, and the base has a screw slot where you can mount it to a tripod or a selfie stick. The 1-inch 360 is compatible with Insta360's advertised invisible selfie stick, which is very high quality. The power port is USB-C and can also be used to transfer data or plug in an external microphone. If the microphone is small enough, it will be invisible even to the camera.

While the 1-inch 360 version is more significant than Insta360's other cameras, the form factor is excellent. I didn't find it too big or heavy.

Image quality

Although I've grown as a fan of the 360 ​​camera over the past year due to its incredible flexibility and creative potential, my only complaint is that they often disappoint the image quality department—the 1-inch 360 addresses this issue with a larger, higher-resolution sensor, impressive results.

On paper, the 6K resolution of the 1-inch 360 doesn't look much bigger than the 5.7K of other Insta360 cameras (like the One X2). In practice, however, this extra resolution is noticeable and results in much sharper images than I usually associate with 360 cameras. More important is the size of the large 1-inch sensors behind its twin lenses. These provide significantly more light and offer a much better dynamic range, allowing the camera to perform well in low-light and high-contrast situations.

An excellent example of these improvements being critical is a deep, dark forest on a sunny day. You're shooting in a dim environment, but the treetops and the sky overhead are very bright, and the scene around you has a lot of intricate, fine detail. Earlier, I noticed that when shooting with 360 cameras with smaller sensors and lower resolution, they tried very hard to get adequate results. However, the 1-inch 360 handles these harsh conditions and produces good-looking videos. Honestly, this might be the best camera to capture the night sky easily.

Another example of where the 1-inch sensor shines is on the night when stargazing was recorded. Honestly, this might be the best camera to easily capture the night sky, and it delivers genuinely spectacular results that can be fine-tuned and customized post-processing. Astrophotography is hard work because it captures even a short time-lapse. But with a 1-inch 360, you can create half a dozen different shots from the same clip and make each one look unique by applying various effects and choosing a variety of angles and zooms.

It's a great feeling to shoot with a 360 camera, and knows you'll get high-quality results.

Durability and waterproofing

If there's one thing I don't like about the 1-inch 360 camera, it's not entirely waterproof unless you pack it in an optional diving bag. This is a minor gripe as the camera is water-resistant and can easily withstand humid conditions unless you try to submerge it in the ocean.

It's also pretty solid, something I accidentally tested while recording an early morning shooting star. A bird decided to use it as a perch and knocked the tripod over the sand and gravel. It arrived intact, apart from a few minor scratches on the glass. These scratches did not noticeably affect the image quality. It's worth noting, however, that these big lenses are more likely to cause accidental scratches in scenarios like this because of their sheer size.

Software and connectivity

I've been a long-time fan of Insta360's comprehensive and intuitive approach that lets you connect your camera to almost any device and edit footage. Android and iOS apps are excellent, as are Insta360's desktop app and Adobe Premiere Pro plugin. I used all these platforms when testing the 1-inch 360 and have no complaints about the experience. The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi system in the 1-inch 360 makes connecting to your phone or tablet effortless.

Performance

Insta360 rates the battery life of the 1-inch 360 camera at 62 minutes of 6K 30fps recording time. I found this to be roughly correct, and while I wouldn't say the battery life is awe-inspiring, it's pretty adequate. Stargazing consumes the battery after about three hours, so if you plan to shoot more than one stargazing per night, you'll want to carry a few spare batteries.

price and availability

The Insta360 One RS 1-inch 360 version is available today for $800. That's certainly a pretty penny, but considering the camera's sensor size and outstanding capabilities, that cost is very cheap. There isn't even a 360 camera that can rival this price for image quality. An upgrade kit is available for One R and One RS system users for $650, so if you own one of these cameras, you can get a 1-inch 360 lens for less.

The 1-inch 360 is an awe-inspiring choice as an all-in-one creator.

Could you take it?

The Insta360 One RS 1-inch 360 Edition is the best 360 camera you can buy right now. It takes all of Insta360's fantastic software that creates stable, seamless 360 content and applies it to a camera that offers a massive upgrade in resolution, low-light performance and dynamic range. The result is a 360 camera that is far more versatile than before. Add to that its compatibility with external microphones, and the 1-inch 360 becomes an awe-inspiring choice as an all-in-one creator.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're willing to spend less money, an Insta360 One RS with the old 360 modules is a great option. The image quality isn't nearly as good, but it's usable, and the camera is completely waterproof without needing external housing. It's also smaller and lighter, which can be a definite advantage. And you can always take advantage of the modular One RS system and later upgrade to a 1-inch 360 camera.

Another potential alternative is the Insta360 Sphere, which attaches to a drone and captures some genuinely incredible aerial images, rendering the drone invisible in the final shot. However, remember that you will also need a compatible drone to use that camera.

A competing high-end 360 camera is the Ricoh Theta Z1. That said, the 1-inch 360 is the apparent winner in this comparison, given that the Theta Z1 is much more expensive, records at a much lower resolution, and is starting to look old-fashioned overall.

How long will it take?

One of the great things about Insta360's modular system is that it extends the life of its products by allowing you to upgrade them incrementally. With that in mind, you can drive the 1-inch 360 camera through several generations of Insta360 One series cameras and continue to use it for many years in the future. Given that this modular platform has been around for several years and is both successful and passionately supported by Insta360, I'm sure it has a long life ahead of it.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a 360 camera with higher image quality, this is it. Despite its high price, this is what I would recommend to most people interested in 360 videography.

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