360 Camera Reviews 3D

Your Own IMAX 3D Videos: Insta360 EVO Review, Comparison, and Sample Videos and Photos (updated July 16, 2019)

Insta360 EVO Review: your own IMAX 3D!

How would you like to be able to watch and shoot IMAX 3D-like videos or photos?  Insta360 EVO is a new hybrid VR180 and 360 camera, and its VR180 photos and videos are, if anything, even more immersive than IMAX 3D.  How is it different from other 360 cameras?  Should you get one?  In this review, I discuss how it works.  I discuss its specifications and features, and I compare it against some popular VR180 and 360 cameras.  I also provide some sample photos and videos. July 16, 2019 update: dynamic stitching samples  <a name=”review”></a>

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY and REVIEW

Should you buy the Insta360 EVO?  Is it the camera for you?  In this video, I address that question by discussing what is VR and how it is different from 360.  I also discuss how to use the Insta360 EVO.  I then compare it with other 360 and VR180 cameras.  Finally I discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and give suggestions for determining whether you should buy it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Background
Specifications and Features
dynamic stitching (added July 16, 2019)
Sample photos and videos; sample files for download
Comparison
Should you buy one?
Price, availability, and discount

Insta360 EVO comparison with Insta360 One X, GoPro Fusion, Vuze XR, Rylo and other cameras
Insta360 EVO comparison with Insta360 One X, GoPro Fusion, Vuze XR, Rylo and other cameras

 

Background

Photos and videos can help us remember events but for someone who was not at an event, photos and videos don’t really convey what it was like to have been there at the event.   But now, we are closer than ever to being able to capture and share the experience of “being there,” through VR cameras such as the Insta360 EVO.

Insta360 EVO
Insta360 EVO

Unless you’ve tried “true” VR, it is difficult to understand what it’s like.  One way to understand it is to contrast it with conventional 3D glasses, such as a Viewmaster headset.  On a Viewmaster, the scenes you see will have 3D depth.  However, you are fully aware that what you see is within the headset.  With VR, objects that you see will not only have depth, but they appear to stay where they are regardless of how you move your head.  With full VR with six degrees of freedom (6DOF), you’ll even be able to walk around the object and see it from different perspectives.  This creates the illusion that the objects have an existence independent from the headset.   True VR is therefore worlds apart from conventional 3D.

Although capturing a 6DOF VR experience is not yet readily accessible to consumers, VR cameras can capture a VR experience with three degrees of freedom.  They cannot (yet) walk around a VR photo or video, but if they stay standing in one spot, or seated on a swivel chair, the VR scene will appear immersive.

While VR is a powerful medium, it poses several challenges.  Among other things, for storytelling, the unlimited freedom to look around can mean that viewers can get confused about where they ought to look.  In addition, there are many viewers who would prefer to simply relax and look at one direction instead of constantly swiveling around their seats.

VR180 addresses this issue by showing only the front hemisphere of a VR experience.  The process of capturing and viewing the VR experience becomes much simpler.

Insta360 EVO takes this even further by adding 360 capability, which is useful for better stabilization and for capturing a third person view, as if it was an invisible flying camera.

Insta360 EVO Specifications and Features

Here are the Insta360 EVO’s specifications and how they compare to those of its stablemate, the Insta360 One X.

Insta360 EVOInsta360 One X
Lensestwo fisheye lensestwo fisheye lenses
Field of viewfully sphericalfully spherical
Aperturef/2.2f/2.0
Processorunspecified Ambarellaunspecified Ambarella
Photo resolution6080 x 3040 in JPEG or DNG raw
HDR photo option
6080 x 3040 in JPEG or DNG raw
HDR photo option
Video resolution5760 x 2880, 30fps
3840 x 1920 @ 50fps
3840 x 1920 @ 30fps
3008 x 1504 @ 100fps
mp4 (log mode available)
5760 x 2880, 30fps
3840 x 1920 @ 50fps
3840 x 1920 @ 30fps
3008 x 1504 @ 100fps
mp4 (log mode available)
VR180 video resolution5760 x 2880, 30fps
3840 x 1920 @ 50fps
3840 x 1920 @ 30fps
3008 x 1504 @ 100fps
mp4 (log mode available)
None
Bitrate100 mbps100 mbps
Bullet time videonone3008 x 1504 @ 100fps
fully spherical
variable aspect ratio
Live streaming: NoneYes, stabilized.
Compatible with YouTube, Facebook, Periscope / Twitter, Weibo
Shutter speed:1/4000 to 55 seconds1/4000 to 55 seconds
ISO:100 to 3200100 to 3200
Stabilization:6-axis gyro-based image stabilization6-axis gyro-based image stabilization
Microphonesstereostereo
Connector:1/4-20 tripod connector (metal)1/4-20 tripod connector (metal)
Storage:one Micro SD up to 128GBone Micro SD up to 128GB
Working humidity: TBDTBD
Temperature:Running temperature:-10℃~40℃; Storage temperature: -20℃~40℃Running temperature:-10℃~40℃; Storage temperature: -20℃~40℃
Waterproof:NoNo (TWO TYPES of waterproof housing accessories available)
Connectivity:5G WiFi
Bluetooth LE 4.0
5G WiFi
Bluetooth LE 4.0
MFI-certified lightning connector
Compatibility:iOS, Android, Windows, MaciOS, Android, Windows, Mac
Dimensions:360 mode: 50.3 x 49 x 52.5 mm
VR180 mode: 98.4 x 49 x 26.26 mm
115 x 48 x 28 mm
Weight:113g115g with battery
90.9 without battery
Battery:65 mins.
Not removable
60 mins. removable
Other features:HDR video mode
Time lapse mode
Holoframe compatible
Drift shot
Timeshift

HDR video mode
Intervalometer
Multiview
Freecast (live streaming with changeable perspective)
Time lapse mode
Bullet time
MSRP$419.99$399

FEATURES

1. Dual VR180 and 360 camera: use VR180 to capture an immersive experience, or switch to 360 mode for a third person view.

2. Holoframe: see VR180 without a headset.  Through a combination of a specially designed lenticular lens phone case and eye-tracking, Holoframe enables viewing VR180 without a headset.

Insta360 HoloFrame
Insta360 HoloFrame

3. Insta360 VR: this new app enables you to immediately view the EVO’s photos and videos on your headset, without having to stitch them first.  You’ll be able to load the photos and videos wirelessly, within seconds.   Insta360 VR is available for Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR

4. FlowState stabilization (360 and VR180).  EVO features Insta360’s renowned FlowState stabilization, which works both in 360 mode and VR180 mode.  Note however, that in VR180 mode, the stabilization will be more limited.

5. HDR Photos and Videos: Like the One X, the EVO can capture HDR videos as well as multi-exposure HDR photos (see sample below).  The HDR photos can be fused in the smartphone app.  On the desktop, you’ll need to use third party HDR software.  HDR Video requires no processing from the user.  You can use the HDR Video the same way as a regular video.  Please note that HDR Video mode has far greater dynamic range, but slightly less detail than standard mode.

EVO standard mode (left) vs EVO HDR Video mode (right)
EVO standard mode (left) vs EVO HDR Video mode (right)

6. Timeshift: EVO can combine slow motion and hyperlapse to create a speedramp effect.

7. Dynamic stitching: In July 2019, EVO received an app and firmware update that added a much-improved stitching algorithm which Insta360 calls Dynamic Stitching.  The new algorithm analyzes each frame of the video, recalibrates the stitching with every frame, resulting in much smoother stitching.

Sample Photos and Videos

Here is a sample video in VR180 mode, with samples in 5.7K, 5.7K HDR video mode, 4K 50fps and 3K 100fps slow motion.

Here are sample photos from Insta360 EVO:

Here is another sample video in VR180 mode:

Sample files for download

You can download Insta360 EVO sample photos and videos here for PERSONAL, PRIVATE VIEWING only (do not post or upload anywhere, and do not redistribute).  If you want to share with your friends, please direct them to this EVO page instead.

 Comparison

Here is a comparison between the EVO and other 360 and VR180 cameras:


Here are sample videos from the Insta360 EVO in comparison with other 360 cameras and VR180 cameras.  You can maximize the screen and zoom in with your mouse scroll wheel.

Here are comparisons between EVO and other VR180 and 360 cameras:

Insta360 One X

Insta360 told me the EVO and One X have the same sensor.  However, to my surprise, there are some slight differences between them for image quality.

When both are using the non-HDR video mode, it seems the One X has a bit better highlight detail than the EVO, as evidenced by the building toward the back of the sample crops below.

Insta360 EVO non-HDR (left) vs One X non-HDR (right)
Insta360 EVO non-HDR (left) vs One X non-HDR (right)

 

GoPro Fusion

EVO is more detailed than Fusion’s 5.2K 30fps mode.  In the crops below, you can see the net around the basketball court, which is not visible in the Fusion video.  On the other hand, the Fusion appears to have better highlight detail, most noticeably in the building at the back, which is blown out in the EVO video.

Insta360 EVO (left) vs GoPro Fusion 5.2K (right)
Insta360 EVO (left) vs GoPro Fusion 5.2K (right)

Fusion was updated to add a new 5.6K mode in January 2019.  Compared to the 5.6K mode, the EVO appears to have approximately similar amount of detail.  Both EVO and Fusion are able to capture the net around the court, although EVO seems to have higher edge contrast.  For dynamic range, Fusion once more outperforms EVO.

Insta360 EVO (left) vs GoPro Fusion 5.6K (right)
Insta360 EVO (left) vs GoPro Fusion 5.6K (right)

Rylo 5.8K

Below is a comparison between Insta360 EVO in non-HDR mode compared to the Rylo at 5.8K.  Both cameras are able to capture fine details such as the net around the basketball court.  The Rylo may be slightly more detailed.  It might seem that the Rylo has much better highlight range and less shadow range, but it seems that at least part of this difference is due to the difference in exposure — Rylo chose a darker exposure, perhaps as much as 2/3 or 1 stop exposure difference.

Insta360 EVO (left) vs Rylo at 5.8K (right)

Vuze XR

In this comparison between EVO and Vuze XR, EVO looks like it has slightly better detail (the net is not visible in the Vuze sample).  Vuze appears to have better highlight detail, but it also could be due to a difference in exposure (the tone of the shrub and basketball ring seems slightly darker in the Vuze XR).

Insta360 EVO (left) vs Vuze XR (right)
Insta360 EVO (left) vs Vuze XR (right)

Yi 360 VR

EVO has more detail than Yi 360 VR.  The Yi 360 VR video below may have a slightly darker exposure.  For what it’s worth, in log mode Yi 360 VR has more highlight detail but less shadow detail than the EVO standard mode.  I’ll try EVO’s log mode next time.

The Yi Horizon reportedly uses the same sensor and lens as the Yi 360 VR.  If so, then the results here should also be representative of the Yi Horizon.

Insta360 EVO (left) vs Yi 360 VR (right)
Insta360 EVO (left) vs Yi 360 VR (right)

Qoocam

Insta360 EVO has easily more detail than Qoocam.

Insta360 EVO (left) vs Kandao Qoocam (right)
Insta360 EVO (left) vs Kandao Qoocam (right)

Lenovo Mirage

Insta360 EVO has far greater detail than Lenovo Mirage.  For dynamic range, Mirage may have better highlight range and worse shadow range.  I thought it might be a difference in exposure but the red basketball ring and the sunlit shrubs appear similarly exposed in both shots.

Insta360 EVO (left) vs Lenovo Mirage (right)
Insta360 EVO (left) vs Lenovo Mirage (right)

Should you get the Insta360 EVO?

If you don’t look closely, it seems that Insta360 EVO is like having an Insta360 One X (reviewed here) with a bonus ability to do VR180, for almost the same price.  Does that mean you should get the EVO instead?

The truth is that One X has several advantages over EVO.  You’ll need to weigh those advantages against the value of getting VR180.  Here are the One X’s advantages over EVO:

Insta360 One X advantages vs. EVO

1. Better stitching: The One X’s slimmer profile means it has less parallax stitching error and has much smoother stitching.  However, the EVO’s stitching has improved significantly with Dynamic Stitching.
2. OLED display: The One X’s OLED display and in-camera menu enables you to change settings quickly without using the phone. On the EVO, you’ll need to use the phone for anything other than taking a normal photo or normal video.
3. Waterproof case: The One X has a waterproof case accessory whereas the EVO does not.
4. Removable battery: The One X’s battery is removable, which means you can bring spare batteries. The EVO’s battery is not removable.
5. Live streaming: The One X has live streaming with realtime stabilization, and can stream in 360 or as a flat video.
6. Insta360 Stats: One X can add a GPS overlay to videos when connected to the app.
7. Bullet time: The One X can be used for bullet time videos using the optional bullet time handle. The EVO does not have a bullet time shooting mode. However, it can shoot at 3K 100fps, and you can enable direction lock, which will be somewhat like bullet time mode.
8. Quick Capture: One X has a quick capture mode that enables you to hit the shutter while the camera is on standby.  The camera will then automatically turn on and start recording.  EVO does not have this feature as of March 2019.
9. USB cable: The One X includes a special USB cable for transferring its files more quickly and more efficiently to your phone. The EVO relies only on wireless transfers.

You’ll need to weigh those benefits against having VR180 capability.  If you decide that you prefer the VR180 capability, you probably should also consider the Vuze XR and the Kandao Qoocam.  Here are their key advantages and disadvantages compared to the EVO:

Kandao Qoocam (reviewed here)
+ 3 hour battery life (vs. 1 hour for the EVO)
+ best stitching among hybrid VR180 cameras
+ depth map: can be used to simulate 6DOF effects or for Facebook 3D photos.
+ DNG8 mode: can shoot a burst of 8 DNG photos and combine them in order to get very high quality.
– lowest photo and video quality among these three hybrid cameras.
–  vulnerable to glare

Vuze XR (reviewed here)
+ best shooting controls in this group (easiest to switch between photo and video, easiest to switch to VR180)
+ underwater case
+ best exposure blending / flare resistance in this group
+ video is much more detailed than Qoocam
– worst stitching among these three hybrid cameras
– stabilization has drifting

Insta360 EVO
+ best detail and dynamic range among hybrid VR180 cameras
+ stitching is better than Vuze XR, especially after the Dynamic Stitching update.
+ best smartphone app and desktop app among hybrid VR180 cameras
+ Holoframe and Insta360 VR make it easier to view photos and videos
– stitching is not as good as Qoocam

In my opinion, among VR180 cameras, I would choose the EVO unless you want the Qoocam’s stitching, or the Vuze XR’s underwater case option.  If you already have another 360 camera that has good stitching or has good underwater stitching, then that would be a reason to get the EVO.

Price and availability

Insta360 EVO is $419.99 and available for order directly from Insta360, with a free invisible selfie stick using this link.  Thanks for using these links to support 360 Rumors at no additional cost to you so I can do more tests and reviews.  I will have more information about the Insta360 EVO over the next few days.

If you’d like to keep informed about the Insta360 EVO, bookmark this page and join the Insta360 EVO Group

Insta360 EVO Review
  • 8.7/10
    Photo - 8.7/10
  • 8.9/10
    Video - 8.9/10
  • 9/10
    Usability - 9/10
8.9/10

Summary

Insta360 EVO is a 5.7K hybrid VR180 (3D 180) and 360 camera. Among consumer VR180 cameras, it has the highest detail and the best stabilization. In standard mode, it has less dynamic range than Vuze XR but in HDR Video mode, its dynamic range easily exceeds that of the Vuze XR.
EVO’s toughest competitor is probably the Insta360 One X, which has much better stitching, slightly more detail, and has several features that the EVO does not have, such as live streaming.
Whether you should get EVO depends primarily on whether you have a VR headset or plan to get one. If so, and you’d like to capture VR experiences, the Insta360 EVO is an accessible way to do so. On the other hand, if you don’t plan to get a VR headset, then Insta360 One X will be a better camera.

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  • I think is something related with Facebook 3Dish pictures, now they´ll offer it with video (in fact last firmware introduced 3D Tiny Planets)

  • Is it an app that uses both front and rear phone cameras together to make a 360 camera/video?!!!

  • It’s very clear to me from the clip that this is a glasses-free 3D lenticular screen add-on either licensed or copied from the Mopic Snap 3D that’s been available for a couple of years now.

    Just Google Mopic 3D to check their website. Looks identical.

    What is unclear to me is why they would market a 3D screen given that none of their consumer cameras are designed for 3D.

    • I would think that the majority of phone users are unwilling to don/doff a 3D screen to watch 3D content. There is no way that I would carry a screen around to stick on my phone just to watch 3D content. It seems a little odd to make a big-ta-do over something that is neither new nor earth shattering. You could be right, but I don’t see the marketability nor the hype if that is all it is.

      • Perhaps you haven’t looked at the Mopic Snap 3D attentively enough. The beauty of the system is that it acts as a protective case when not used for 3D. In other words, it snaps to the back of the phone and when you want to watch 3D content, you just snap it to the front.

        Of course, the suggestion that the new Insta360 product is the same thing is only my theory ! 😉

        • Alright Francois, I have been busted. I have not ever looked at the Mopic Snap 3D but you have peeked my interest so I am going to order one 🙂 I may be pleasantly surprised!! Take care and I will be watching with you guys to see what comes down the pipeline next week.

        • Francois, I found out they don’t have the Mopic Snap 3D for ipads (I have the Mini 4). My phone is a Pixel 2 XL and they don’t have it for that either. So I guess I wont’ be looking attentively after all. And I was ready to check it out 🙂

          • I thought you had already checked their products page when you said that. Yes of course, since the case must fit a phone perfectly, they have decided to limit themselves to specific models in the Apple and Samsung range. That is a limiting factor but they figure they should focus on the most popular phones.

    • wow i didn’t know about mopic! sounds cool. if that is what it is, it may be for viewing insta360 pro

      • Essentially, the Mopic Snap 3D does the same thing as the display on your W3. It isn’t a new idea. Way back around 2011, a company called 3DeeSlide did exactly the same thing for the iPhone 4. Another of other enterprises such as Grilli 3D and more recently Eyefly3D produced “no-frame” versions based on the same principle. Dispensing with the frame means that the lenticular film must be mounted permanently over the glass – something which some people didn’t like. For one thing, you only have one chance to align it correctly and, for another, if you decide you no longer want it, the act of removing the film renders it useless as it cannot be mounted again on another phone.

        The disadvantage of a frame of course is that you need to have a phone that is compatible with Mopic’s range. Mopic’s policy has been to design a new frame for each recent phone from Samsung or Apple.

      • As to the notion it’s for viewing Insta360 Pro content, I would doubt it because the product appears to very much be a consumer product while the Insta360 Pro is strictly a professional product.

  • By the way, when I first saw the add with the O’s made into two lenses, for a moment there I thought they were finally introducing a VR180 camera. So it was quite a downer to realize it’s an already available product. 🙁

      • One thing that came back to mind is that, a few years ago, Insta360 showed a prototype 3D lens module for phone. Perhaps the complete kit may include a stereo lens – whether it’s 180 or not ?

        I was also reminded that Mopic’s app can convert 3D 180 content for viewing with the Snap 3D.

        So maybe it’s along the same lines: a VR 180 camera with an app that allows 3D viewing on a phone using something similar to the Snap 3D ???

    • hm….it actually might be 180 VR camera, but this screen will be included as extra part so you can easily share 3D photos/videos with others. they have this kind of indirect marketing strategy: insta 360 one was marketed via string/bullet time feature, one X was marketed via ‘impossible’ shots made using drifter… I really hope it’s 180 VR camera.

      • That was my first thought when I saw the graphic they show with the two lenses. But they did this last time and it wasn’t that at all.

        Anyway let’s hope there will be some surprises on March 13 because the video itself looks like an already existing product.

  • What would be nice is that they at last announce the promised accessories are all being released but it will a firmware update with 3d mapping I expect!

  • We don’t need 8k cinematographers don’t use it 4K is plenty, depth mapping would be nice , accessories promised but not delivered would be better, probably a new app. Can’t be a phone.

        • It could not be that for two reasons: First, Insta360 confirmed that the the announcement is for a product – not software related. Secondly, it’s clear from the teaser this is a product for consumers while Matterport is for pro use.

      • I don’t know about that. The thing that’s kept me from buying the one x is the 5.7k isn’t pretty enough for me yet. If I want to integrate the video from a 360 camera, it has to make an image that is closer to the 1080p from my ICL camera. Maybe 8k is overkill, but 5.7k isn’t enough.

        • And I think folks mix 8k opinions of standard video resolution with 8k 360 video resolution. Huge difference since viewers are only watching a small portion of the 8k 360 video which ends up being a lot lower resolution. Same goes for 5.7k.

          • Yeah. I think that’s still not clear to a lot of people. But you also have to keep in mind that not all headsets can even display 8K resolution. I don’t mean that they don’t have an 8K display, I mean that the processors on standalone headsets are not necessarily able to display 8K content. My own headset can only display up to 4K. If I try to display 4.5K or higher, all I get is a blank !

      • Maybe some kind of device that holds two insta 360 X’s together side by side the right distance apart and they work together to produce 180 3D photo and video

        • I don’t think people would be too warm to the idea of having to purchase two of the same camera. The cost would be too high considering that some competing cameras already provide 3D 180 and 2D 360 at the cost of a single Insta360 One X.

          It’s gotta be a single camera. The question is what form will it take ?

          Suggestions made so far:

          * Insta360 One clone but with both lenses on the same side
          * 3D 180 / 2D 360 (along the lines of the Vuze XR or the Qoocam)
          * 3D 360 with 4 lenses (essentially the same design as the Vuo360)

          But unfortunately, it may very well be “none of the above” ! 😉

    • In other words, another take on the Qoocam and the Vuze XR ?

      It’s possible but I doubt it because it’s already been done twice and these combined format cameras have some shortcomings. For example, the Qoocam ends up being rather long and needs to be bent into an “L” to work as a 3D 180 camera (which ends up being awkward to hold), while the flip design of the XR is subject to wear and damage. Already some people have complained that the lenses would not flip out.

      Personally, I still believe that if there is indeed a new camera, it may be a 3D 180 version on the Insta360 One.

  • Now that they clarified that it’s a product launch, everything is clear:
    Look deep – depth is made with 3d, so it needs two lens per side, as the OO suggests. Paw coming out of the screen suggests also 3d. This was pretty obvious from the beginning, but being so close to the previous launch of One X, I also fell in the trap of those who hoped that it’s a firmware update like the one when stabilisation suddenly made magic.
    Now the interesting part comes, with how sensing and measuring suddenly becomes consumer-ready (from budget point of view, obviously). The answer might be also in the new Matterport collaboration. Maybe it’s not this itself, but the idea can be close. I mean until now, also for Matterport, you needed a pro camera which did measure. What now also Matterport says, why this is suddenly possible with One X: AI. And if Insta360 adds one more camera per side AND maybe adds a cloud AI feature, it might create a revolution in this business which was available only to pro´s until now.

    • The ambiguity about the teasers is that they suggest not one but two products. The lenses in the “LOOK” design suggest a 3D 180 camera while the paw coming out of the display suggests a 3D case such as the Mopic Snap 3D.

      So… are we going to get two products or one ? That is the big mystery. I don’t believe it has anything to do with Matterport very simply because that is a software solution.

      As to the new camera (if there is one) having two lenses on each side, that would be pretty wild and would essentially render the lower quality Vuo360 (formerly “TwoEyesVR”) obsolete !

  • Finally got the answer at 1:30am this morning. it’s indeed a foldable 3D 180 camera that converts to 2D 360. It’s called the Insta360 EVO and a picture of it first showed up on the FocusPulling FB page. Still no other pictures or information on any of the Insta360 FB pages or on their website as I write this, but I guess it’s a matter of hours.

    The biggest surprise to me is how similar the design is to Kodak’s PixPro 3D Pivot, right down to the angular surfaces on the version shown at CES 2019. From what I read, the EVO does not – like every other 3D 180 camera released so far – have an LCD display. So I guess I’ll still be waiting for the Horizon or something similar coming up in the future…

    There is still no update about that 3D screen they have been showing. I still feel it’s very likely to be a Snap 3D clone and it may very well be that the EVO will have a 3D 16:9 mode.

    • Not so interested in 3d via screen cover/goggles but on facebook 3d … also will it be matterport compatible?

      • I think Facebook 3D requires interfacing with an iPhone. As to Matterport compatibility, the One X is the only model I am aware of that is Matterport compatible. But maybe it’s just a matter of firmware updates…

    • When I first saw your leak, I thought “why the ** didn’t they make a device like the VUO360, with 4 lens, to make 3d 360 panos, giving softwares/cloud the possibility to measure depth? The answer was in each and every product launched: NO manufacturer shoots with his full artilery from the beginning, they have to keep something for the future, too.
      I bought the OneX two weeks ago and I was happy that I bought it from Amazon, having the possibility to send it back. But it seems I will keep it.

      • The truth is I was hoping for something innovative as one usually gets from Insta360 – not a copycat design of the Kodak Pixpro 3D Pivot.

        As for the “full artillery”, I think that 180/360 camera manufacturers have been withholding “basic artillery” for a long time now. I am use to working with regular 2D cameras and even the most basic compact cameras have LCD displays and at least basic adjustment controls directly on the camera. With 180/360, even a basic LCD display is considered a luxury and all we get in terms of controls is an on/off button and a release button. No way to know the settings of the camera without having to carry a phone with you.

        So I am waiting for that time when a 3D 180 camera is introduced that is entirely independent from a phone.

          • Yes, but Pivot is nothing more than a prototype and, I suspect, a non-working one. Anyhow, the tiny LCD on the pivot is most likely for settings only – like the LCD displays on other Kodak 360 cameras.

            What I want is a liveview display such as was promised for the Horizon.

            Anyhow, I am in no hurry. I’ll just sit back and watch what comes up next. I still have a sneaky suspicion that Insta360 will release a prosumer 3D 180 camera within the next year.

          • Pivot has working copies currently being tested. As for a pro 3d180 from insta, it’s possible but i havent heard anything like that

          • “Pivot has working copies currently being tested.” Glad to hear that. I have to say I had noticed that the model they showed at CES 2019 had several improvements over the one shown at CES 2018. So maybe the 2018 version was a mock-up and the 2019 was a working prototype ? But contrary to Yi, who showed working models of their planned camera (and even distributed some to select YT channels), Kodak never showed their camera in “on” status at the tech fairs.

            Nonetheless, if they actually have working prototypes and are seriously moving towards production, then all power to them. I just hope they don’t have second thoughts about it due to Insta360 having introduced a copycat design. The 3D Pivot has several advantages over the EVO. For one thing, it has a much sturdier pivoting mechanism and a centrally located tripod socket. And of course yes, it has an LCD display which allows adjusting settings without needing a phone connection. It also appears very clear – looking at the back of the 2019 prototype – that it has an interchangeable battery.

            Add to this the fact that it can shoot not only 2D 360, 3D 180 but also 3D 16:9, which makes it compatible to all glasses-free 3D tablets and phones available as well as to the millions of 3D TVs sold worldwide. So it definitely can enter the 180 arena and be competitive. However, in terms of IQ, they are up against the Vuze XR ad the EVO, so they really need to make sure that they can produce images that are at least as good.

            “As for a pro 3d180 from insta, it’s possible…” I base my suspicions on the fact that Insta360 showed a pro 3D 180 prototype at CES back in 2016 so it’s clearly something they’ve had in the back of their mind for a long time. And now, with the building public interest in 3D 180 and so many requesting a more advanced model, this could just be the right time for them to move forward with such a camera. But who knows ? Maybe the dream 180 camera will come from a totally unexpected source !

  • Here’s the problem. They are announcing a brand new product, and yet I STILL DON’T HAVE the case I purchased for the One X that I ordered almost 3 months ago now! I love my 360 One X, but man does this company frustrate me. My guess is that if you purchased this 3D/360 camera the filter for your phone to be able to watch in 3D wouldn’t be available for probably another 6 months; about the same time they release their next camera.

    • Hi Aaron! I’m sorry to hear that. FWIW, I’ve been using this case, which works well for me and it has a separate pocket where I store the cables and extra battery: https://amzn.to/2UBafMp I can also attach it to or remove it from my belt without having to undo my belt 🙂

    • That “filter for your phone” is an already existing product called the MOPIC Snap 3D. Just google Mopic 3D and their website will come up. Go to “products” and you can order it via eBay. The catch is that it is made for only a limited number of phones in the Apple and Samsung lines. If your phone doesn’t happen to be either, you’re out of luck.

    • Hi Mark. Pls. try again. on my end it took a couple of seconds to load but they’re there (public, not unlisted).

  • Ben Claremont just posted an excellent review of the EVO. He points to the two “flaws”: built-in battery and no LCD display, But otherwise, it’s quite a positive review.

    The “Holoframe” is definitely a rebranded Mopic Snap 3D. It can only be used on certain specific models of iPhones (and some flagship Samsung phones).

    Several other reviews are popping up on YT… from CreatorUp, 360 guy and Mixed Reality TV. Probably others are coming in the next…. minutes !

    One thing for sure, there is quite a buzz about it on the net. Let’s hope that will get other manufacturers to get into the ring and make a better – more professional – model.

  • I was hyped up until I saw the specs and samples. This thing is ugly and bulky, has a non interchangeable battery with low battery life, terrible stitching due to its bulkiness, switching modes is not as intuitive as on other interchangeable 360/3D cameras and the core feature for 3D shows the disparity is too high. I think Kandao went in the right direction and Insta360 went for hyped marketing instead.

    • Yeah, but having owned both the Kandao and the Insta360 One X, Insta’s image quality blows Kandao out of the water, it’s not even close. I liked the Kandao, but it was also bulky in it’s own way (def not pocketable) and it also had a non interchangeable battery! Worst cast you can plug a USB battery into this thing and it’s still smaller than Kandao.

  • “Storage: one Micro SD up to 128GB”

    So I take it larger class U3 cards will not work? With the new 1 TB cards coming out this would be a little disappointing. Did larger cards work on the One X?

    • Yes but One X has the same spec and i’m able to use a 512GB micro sd. actually let me try that same card on the evo..

  • Really glad to see this. I just ordered a One X last week (still waiting for it to arrive from China) and then I see this and I thought maybe I ordered at the wrong time, but after seeing this I feel confident that the One X is the better camera for me, the smaller profile, the OLED screen and removeable battery seal the deal.

    • yes unless you are into VR i think one x is better for most people. also see the comparison i will be posting

      • In a couple of years, everyone’s phone is gonna be replaced by (or at least complimented by) some kind of AR glasses, and having an album full of 3D photos and videos from years past won’t seem like such a novel idea afterall. Since my kids will probably be pretty much grown up by then, I want to start collecting the photos now.

        • yes i believe you are right. Facebook is working on using AI to convert your photos and videos into 6DOF. When that happens, you should be able to see them as 3d objects in AR.

    • Same as it’s possible to stack several gopros or any other cameras. You just need the proper stitching software. Which in this case is quite complicated, but not impossible.

    • Take a look at the Vuo360. It has two lenses at the front and two more at the back. Overall IQ however is not very good. But I wonder if a company like Human Eyes made something similar if this could work.

      In theory, this shouldn’t work very well because a twin lens 180 camera doesn’t see in 3D over the full 180 area. So two such cameras facing each other should not show strong 3D at the sides. Therefore such a design would be a compromise, That is why 3D 360 cameras use a minimum of six lenses and at least eight lenses are required for close range shooting.

        • “For this design there is no stereo effect at the stitch line.” In theory, that should be so. However I have examined one of their clips and one does get a spatial effect over 360 degrees. But the questions is: Was this demo really shot with that camera ?

          I would need to see quite a few more samples to determine what’s really going on there. And it didn’t help that the IQ was poor and the left/right sync was totally off !

  • Mic, how much of a difference would you say there is between the EVO’s stitching and the OneX’s? Subtle or night and day?
    I got the EVO for the vr180 aspect, but find myself using it more for 360-output-to-1080 video, and find issues with the stitching. Wondering if I should’ve gone with the One X instead. Specifically I’m seeing seem lines over faces when using the invisible selfie stick. I know this can’t be totally avoided, just wondering if I’d see a difference with the One X

  • Hi, great review, I just bought it 🙂

    Any idea how to capture HDR picture in standalone mode (i.e. without using a smartphone)?

    Thanks

  • Are Insta360 still supporting this camera. 2019 is the latest update that I can find. It a great camera and takes really good 360 and 180 images. It would be nice to have some of the features of the newer One X2 and One R. I would like to be able to control with the remote or watch.

    • Hi Paul. I agree it is one of the best 360 cameras. Sadly, Insta360 stopped selling it and is no longer updating it. 🙁

      • I’m sad to say that Mic is completely right, I have been after an Evo for quite some time and was not able to get one anywhere at a sensible price, however on contacting Insta and grovelling nicely they have managed to find the very last Evo they have which was repaired and I have purchased that of yesterday.

        they did say to me that there is no support whatsoever anymore for the Evo system, They have no spares or accessories, everything has gone now apart from this last camera.

        so it would seem that they do a run of the cameras, keep it for about 2 years while they design something new and then pull the plug, now if it goes wrong and you are in guarantee i guess you would get your money back.

        have to admit I dont like this throwaway system thats developing in the camera market however I was desperate to get hold of a camera as my normal stereo camera a fuji W3 is broken and cant be repaired. Bummer…..