360 Camera Reviews

Insta360 One RS review and comparison vs GoPro Hero 10, Insta360 One X2, GoPro MAX, Ricoh Theta X

Insta360 One RS review and comparison vs GoPro Hero 10, GoPro MAX, Insta360 One X2, Ricoh Theta X

The Insta360 One RS ($299 and up) has just been released.  It’s the successor to the Insta360 One R (reviewed here).  How does the One RS compare to GoPro Hero 10, GoPro MAX, Insta360 One X2, Ricoh Theta X?  Here are side by side comparisons of the One RS 4K Boost Mod, 360 Mod and 1-inch mod, plus comparisons for other factors including detail, dynamic range, stabilization, endurance (overheating), ruggedness, and other factors (14 in all).

Here is the review video:

Note: Unfortunately, it seems that YouTube’s compression was quite aggressive, so you’ll see many more compression artifacts than are actually in the original video.

Executive Summary

Insta360 One RS is the successor to Insta360 One R, a modular camera that can be converted to a GoPro-like action cam, 360 camera for third person views, or a 1-inch camera.  The key improvements of the One RS are: the larger battery, the faster Core mod with new Quick Zoom and fast access to Presets, newly designed camera bracket for easier use, and the new 4K Boost Mod, which has a new 1/2 inch sensor and has better stabilization than the Hero 10 in some modes, and has a 6K mode that is more detailed than the Hero 10.

If you want to get an action cam like a GoPro but would like to experiment with 3rd person views with a 360 camera, the One RS Twin Edition would be a good camera for you.  Alternatively, if you already shoot in 360 but sometimes don’t need a 360 view, the One RS 4K Boost Mod can capture more detail and simplify your workflow.  One RS is available here.

Insta360 One RS is a modular action cam with interchangeable lenses
Insta360 One RS is a modular action cam with interchangeable lenses

 

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Mic Ty

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  • Thanks for such an honest YT review on the new One RS. I think I’ve decided that I really just want the One X2.

    Do you know of any rumors of a new Insta360 One X2 coming (maybe later this year)? Since it’ll be two years old, I’m wondering if it’ll be refreshed as well.

    • Thanks CG. Insta360 is always working on updating their most popular cameras, so I’m sure there is a model like that in the works, but I don’t know when it will be released. What I do know though is that there aren’t groundbreaking new sensors that have been released, so I don’t expect the video quality to take a quantum leap. see here https://360rumors.com/new-360-camera-2021/ But we’ll see.

  • Thanks for the cool review!

    It’s too bad that the Insta360 ONE RS is not “built to adapt” to a configuration where it would just capture VR180 with the two lenses pointing in the same direction.

    • Insta360 One RS is the core module upgrade, yet the expectation of finally getting the 3D module release is now completely buried … more than two years of “coming soon” misinformation … how sad to see the company ignoring its own promises.

      • Hi Vlad. The 3D Mod has already been built (I tried out a prototype a couple of years ago) so I think the only thing that’s holding it back is insta360 wondering if there’s sufficient demand for it. Please put a hashtag #3D in the comments to let insta360 know that there is demand for it and that we’re still waiting for the 3D mod.

    • Hi Daniel. As I mentioned to Pete and Vlad, the 3D Mod has been built so the only thing that’s holding it back is insta360 wondering if there’s sufficient demand for it. Please put a hashtag #3D in the youtube video comments to let insta360 know that there is demand for it and that we’re still waiting for the 3D mod.

      • Thanks! I commented on it on YT. Even with the same sensors and lenses as the Insta360 EVO, but with a touchscreen on the back for preview and to enable/disable HDR quickly, this would be worthwhile for me to shoot VR180.

  • Thanks for the vid. Much more technical (and useful) than other reviews so far. One thing I did not 100% get from it though is – can the 360 5.7k video be stabilized in-camera too and how it compares to pro mode stabilization.

    I seen samples from some other review that had pretty much the worst stitching I have seen in any recent insta360 consumer camera. Maybe they used the in-camera stabilization and the lower stich quality is the drawback.

    Also… give us finally the 3D mod! I was hoping the RS will double the framerates (so it can drive two 1 inch mods at 30 fps) suspected that it was the only thing holding back the 3D mod.

    • Thanks Piotr. The 360 Mod has only one mode (there is no Pro mode). The 360 Mod doesn’t stitch in-camera but you can see a preview that appears stitched and stabilized, and you can swipe around on the touchscreen.
      I haven’t seen the samples from other channels, but the stitching is pretty good imho, except for objects that are extremely close. I can get a decent stitch even with the stitchline on my face when I hold it at arms length. If you’re seeing bad stitching, it’s probably user error.
      Re 3D mod, pls comment #3d on my video, so I can show insta360 that there’s interest in the 3D Mod.

      • Hi, thanks for the info.

        As you confirmed there is no in-camera stabilization for the 360 mod then it must have been user error. I own multiple insta360 cameras and the stitching normally is best in class.

        I already commented on your YouTube video with the #3D tag but I will gladly repeat here if there is any chance to finally get the 3D mod. #3D make it done!

    • hi Michael. Yes the RS 360 mod can be used for invisible drones such as Invisi360. For invisible drones that use the entire camera such as the CineBird, you can use the RS 360 mod and RS Core, but you’ll need the old battery because the new battery will be too thick.

  • Thank you for posting this. Im a huge fan of of your website.

    I was wondering about the new 4k mod, how are the 48mp stills compared to the old 4k mod and the 1inch mod? Do you think it worth buying the new mod for my old one r?

    • Thanks AG! The 48mp stills are very detailed. I’ll post some samples. As for whether to buy the 4K Boost Mod for your One R, it depends on whether you use the 4k mod. If you do, then you can get the 4k Boost after the firmware update for the One R Core. If you don’t use the 4K mod, then probably you won’t need the 4k Boost Mod either.

  • Thanks for the review.
    Is there any change on the file split after 30 minutes? Does it still loose frames/many seconds in between or is this fixed?
    Also, do you know of any updates so that the insv-files could be directly used in FCPX?

  • I am thinking of getting this to replace my “current” camera MADV360 / Mi Sphere. I got that many years ago for a Disney World trip. It worked great for photos and outside videos there. The ride videos were less than to be desired. OK on the brighter ones but nothing like the videos you see on youtube.

    So I know the 4k boost twin version is a fantastic upgrade to what I have but would the 1 inch lens be better for pics and ride videos over the 4k boost.

    Also any thoughts on a new 360 or 1 inch mod coming later. Maybe just get the RS 4k boost version and see what comes in the next year.

    My action / video needs are more of the dad with kids and travel / vacation stuff. I also like the computer to edit the videos not the apps. If that helps.

    Thanks