Insta360’s latest modular action cam has built-in video stabilization

Following last year’s GoPro Hero 10 Black and DJI Action 2, it’s finally Insta360’s turn to bring out its latest action cam — along with a new 4K wide-angle lens to go with it.

The new Insta360 One RS is yet another modular action cam from the company, but this time featuring an upgraded processor to support onboard “FlowState Stabilization” (this used to be handled by the app, which takes time) as well as “Active HDR” video capture — one that is apparently powerful enough to handle action sports without ghosting issues. 

While the One RS looks almost identical to the older One R, the core’s touch display has been given a slight facelift: you’ll now see a marker for the “quick menu” and another for “instant zoom.” Other less visible bonuses include improved WiFi connectivity (for faster file transfers and more stable live preview), as well as an additional mic (for crispier audio capture) and 21-percent more battery.

The new “4K Boost Lens” features a larger 1/2-inch 48MP sensor. This can capture 4K 60 fps footage, “6K Widescreen Mode” (6,016 x 2,560) videos at 25/24fps or 1080p clips at up to 200fps. You can get this One RS “4K Edition” kit for $299.99. And if you already own a One R, you’ll be pleased to know that this 4K Boost Lens is backwards compatible, pending firmware update. (Speaking of, the new battery base is also backwards compatible, though it won’t fit in the old mounting bracket.)

Alternatively, you may also consider the “Twin Edition” kit which adds a 5.7K 360 lens (same specs as before, except for its lighter shade of gray), and this is asking for $549.99. Like before, with the 360 lens, you’ll be able to capture spherical videos and photos, and export 2D content with the selfie stick rendered invisible.

If you want the absolute best wide-angle camera mod and don’t need a 360 lens, there’s a third option: you can bundle the One RS with the good old Leica 1-inch 5.3K lens mod. This also costs $549.99.

Insta360

Launching alongside the One RS is a new easy-release mounting bracket, which allows for quicker lens swapping, better heat dissipation and better mic wind-proofing. You’ll also be needing this bracket to ensure that the entire camera is waterproof up to 16 feet (5 meters) deep; or you can get the dive case instead, should you need to go deeper.