The Insta360 One X2

Over the past decade, action cameras have exploded in popularity among adventure enthusiasts, travelers, and content creators. As technology has advanced, innovative companies have pushed the limits on what these durable cameras can capture hands-free. One of the leaders in the action camera space is Insta360, a Chinese company founded in 2014. Their latest release, the Insta360 One X2, builds upon the success of their previous models and offers impressive upgrades. In this review, we’ll provide an in-depth look at the One X2’s features, usability, accessories, and overall value as a versatile 360-degree camera.

The One X2 model provides 5.7K resolution on both its dual lenses, making it capable of extremely detailed immersive video. It also introduces the new Steady Cam mode which leverages gimbal-like stabilization for smoother footage while moving. We’ll cover how it compares against competitors like the GoPro Max and whether it lives up to its $429.99 price tag. If you’re looking for an all-in-one action camera that can shoot 360, standard wide-angle, and utilize intelligent editing features, the One X2 warrants strong consideration.

 

Insta360 One X2: First Impressions

Right out of the box, the One X2 makes a strong first impression with its thoughtful design aesthetic and robust feature set. It retains the same compact form factor as the previous One X at just 115x48x28mm while weighing only 149g. The slim and minimalist body features two protruding lens modules on either side which house the dual fisheye lenses. Despite the small size, the One X2 doesn’t feel fragile or cheap. The exterior uses a durable matte plastic shell and buttons with a sturdy tactile press.

On the back panel, it contains a large and responsive 2.25” touchscreen akin to a smartphone. This allows for convenient live previews and playback of shots. The intuitive controls and interface make navigating the camera straightforward for beginners. It also enables useful capabilities like exposure adjustment, manual focus, and accessing advanced settings on the fly.

One of the most useful upgrades is the expanded 1630mAh battery. It enables up to 80 minutes of continuous 5.7K recording per charge, doubling the run time of the prior model. The One X2 maintains the waterproof design up to 10 meters, giving users the freedom to capture underwater shots or adventures in the rain worry-free. It also retains the useful voice control functionality to start recording or switch modes hands-free.

At $429.99 for the standalone camera, the One X2 comes in at a lower cost than the GoPro Max while matching or exceeding many of its capabilities. It feels poised to deliver an excellent combination of performance, features, and usability. Powered by Insta360’s best-in-class FlowState stabilization, the One X2 looks ready for any dynamic shooting scenarios an owner’s imagination can conjure up.

 

Build and Design

Despite measuring just 115x48x28mm, the One X2 crams an impressive amount of technology into a portable, durable exterior. The slim body fits comfortably in your hand or mounts securely during activities. The matte plastic finish resists fingerprints while providing a secure grip. While mostly minimalist in its design, the One X2 features thoughtful touches like grip ridges and a finger loop for attaching accessories.

The protruding lens modules on either side give the camera its unique look. These are precision engineered with six-element fisheye lenses to capture immersive 360 video and photos. The lenses are the most sensitive components, so the included protective lenses guards are useful for safeguarding them during adventures.

Overall, the One X2 retains the streamlined yet functional design philosophy of Insta360 cameras. The body feels tailor-made for dynamic POV shooting while still retaining approachability and ease of use. It’s compact and durable enough to take anywhere while delivering a premium shooting experience.

Setup Process

Getting started shooting with the One X2 is an intuitive process, especially for those familiar with handling action cameras. The touchscreen display makes navigating menus and modes simple. After charging the battery and inserting a microSD card, you can power on the camera and connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. The Insta360 app detects the camera and walks through getting them paired.

From there, you can view a live preview of your shot on your phone, make adjustments, and start recording. The One X2 offers several mounting options for attachment to helmets, bodies, or gear to shoot hands-free. The included adhesive mount, two-in-one extended selfie stick, and invisible selfie stick make capturing the perfect angle during activities convenient. Shooting modes like Steady Cam are also optimized for moving footage when you are in motion.

Overall, we found the One X2 quick and painless to set up. Even beginners should have it capturing 360 and standard footage minutes after opening the box. The range of mounting and accessory options enables creativity right from the first shot.

Video Quality

As expected from one of the leading 360 camera brands, the One X2 delivers excellent video quality. Its dual fisheye lenses combine to enable 5.7K video recording at 30fps along with 3K at 50fps and 100mbps. This high-resolution capture allows for immersive 360 footage as well as stunning wide-angle video when converted to standard 16:9.

The One X2 introduces Auto Frame, an AI that automatically pans and follows subjects to keep them in the shot. For times when you still want full stability, the new Steady Cam mode provides gimbal-style stabilization even during fast movements. This helps smooth out bumps and jitter while moving for clean, cinematic-style shots.

We found colors to be vivid and accurate with plenty of detail in contrast and dynamic range. The excellent stabilization lived up to its promises, delivering gimbal-quality steadiness. Low light performance was also solid, aided by HDR recording and PureShot photo features. For 360 capture, the One X2 sets a new standard for resolution and video quality in a compact form.

Image Quality

In addition to its 360 video prowess, the One X2 also takes impressive 21MP photos. The new PureShot photo algorithm Insta360 developed for the camera delivers enhanced detail and dynamic range. It’s particularly useful for low light scenes where noise and graininess often become an issue. We found PureShot photos to retain excellent colors and clarity in indoor, nighttime, and other challenging scenarios.

The One X2 also enables convenient shooting of panoramic photos. Its InstaPano mode activates AI to automatically scan the surrounding scene while you rotate the camera. This simplifies capturing stunning panoramas in one seamless shot rather than stitching together multiples. Such capabilities make the One X2 a versatile still photo camera in addition to its video strengths. For travel, real estate, and other applications, it’s a compelling all-in-one imaging tool.

Audio Quality

Capturing immersive 360-degree video isn’t impactful without equally surrounding audio. The One X2 records spatial audio via its four built-in microphones. They deliver realistic sound reproduction whether you’re in ASMR ambient settings or noisier environments. For vlogging, interviews, and other scenarios where speaking audio clarity is critical, the One X2 enables connecting external mics via the USB-C port.

You can also leverage Bluetooth to record audio separately using wireless earbuds. We tested recording with Apple Airpods Pro and found the syncing process seamless during post editing. Lav microphones connected to smartphones or standalone recorders can further enhance audio capture flexibility. Overall, while the internal mics are very capable, the options to connect external mics really unlock the One X2’s potential for pro-grade sound.

The Editing Software

Insta360 provides complimentary editing software options for the One X2 that make accessing all its capabilities straightforward even for beginners. The Insta360 app covers basic editing needs on your smartphone. The Shot Lab offers streamlined features for trimming clips, applying filters, tweaking settings, and sharing edited content out to social media. Everything functions smoothly thanks to the app’s clear interface and responsive performance.

For more advanced editing, Insta360 Studio desktop software unlocks greater refinement for 360 footage. The software imports your clips for stitching, then enables multi-track timelines, color grading, adding graphics/titles, lens correction, and exporting content in various formats. The editing tools rival even premium software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere.

We did find the Studio software’s interface less intuitive than the mobile app’s. The plethora of menus and customization options have a learning curve. But the power and creativity unlocked is invaluable for any video or content pro. For quick edits, the Shot Lab mobile app brings excellent convenience, while Studio adds power for serious post-production.

Accessories

One of the One X2’s biggest perks is its ecosystem of compatible accessories. These optional add-ons allow you to customize and expand the camera’s capabilities for your specific needs. The Venture Case ($79.99) seals the One X2 for underwater use down to 16 feet, protecting it during scuba diving, snorkeling, and other marine adventures. The Dive Case ($149.99) extends bottom depth to 196 feet.

The Invisible Selfie Stick ($29.99) attaches to the bottom for capturing unique vantage points inconspicuously. Similarly, you can mount the camera to helmets, vehicles, gear and more using the included adhesive mount. For bullet time matrix-style shots, the $99.99 Bullet Time bundle adds a folding tripod handle. When used with two One X2 cameras, it enables visually stunning freeze frame effects.

Overall, Insta360 offers one of the most diverse accessory ecosystems for a compact 360 camera. It enables extensively customizing the One X2 for niche applications from underwater usage to specialty shots like bullet time. The accessories are a bit pricey, but provide high value for unlocking new creative possibilities.

 

Comparisons with Previous Models

When comparing the One X2 against the first One X camera, the upgrades become very apparent. The One X2 builds upon the solid foundation of the One X while improving its weak points and expanding capabilities. It doubles the battery life for up to 80 minutes of 5.7K recording. The core image quality receives a boost to 21MP stills and 5.7K video resolution at 30fps.

The One X2 also introduces useful new shooting modes like Steady Cam stabilization and Auto Frame subject tracking. While the One X shot excellent 360 footage, the One X2 really pulls ahead for standard video with its gimbal-like stabilization. It retains the compact, durable form factor while including a larger touchscreen. At its lower price point, the One X2 gives owners more functionality and value for their money in an upgraded package.

 

Battery and Storage

The One X2 includes a 1630mAh lithium-ion battery which offers a significant improvement over the One X’s 800mAh capacity. In testing, we captured around 80 minutes of continuous 5.7K video on a full charge. This gives you ample shooting time during activities like hiking or biking without worrying about battery drain. When you do need to recharge, the bundled fast charger fully tops off the One X2 in around 70 minutes.

For storage, the base One X2 model includes 32GB of internal capacity. You can expand this using the microSD slot to store hours of high-resolution footage and photos externally. Cards of up to 256GB are supported if you max it out. The ample battery life and storage options make the One X2 highly capable for long shooting days traveling or capturing events without interruption.

 

User Experience

Despite its wealth of features and settings, Insta360 designed the One X2 to deliver excellent usability. The touchscreen streamlines changing modes and accessing settings on the fly. Everything is controlled intuitively using a responsive touch interface akin to a smartphone. The voice control functionality also works reliably for quick commands like starting recording or switching modes hands-free.

Connecting the camera to your smartphone via Bluetooth enables full remote control and live previews. The Insta360 app works smoothly whether you use iOS or Android. This takes the guesswork out of framing shots when the camera is mounted in hard to see spots. Everything we tested felt polished and intuitive for new users while offering depth for more advanced exploration. The One X2 hits the sweet spot between power and approachability in user experience.

Waterproof and Rugged Design

Following in the footsteps of previous Insta360 action cameras, the One X2 retains an impressively rugged, waterproof exterior. It earns an IPX8 waterproof rating allowing continuous operation down to 10 meters depth. The rubberized shell securely seals the internal components while providing a grippy feel. This gives you confidence using the One X2 worry-free in wet environments like rivers or your next snorkeling session.

The durable build also shrugs off rain, splashes, and other splatters during outdoor use. You can capture exciting footage hiking, biking, and climbing without delicately babying the camera. Between the waterproofing and scratch-resistant ceramic lens covers, the One X2 is ready to record your adventures in almost any conditions you throw at it.

AI-Powered Editing

While excellent image quality keeps subjects sharp, Insta360 also developed intelligent editing features to make the One X2 shine. Its Shot Lab mobile app utilizes AI to simplify editing tasks that once required tedious manual work. FlowState stabilization ensures your footage stays smooth and level during activities while Auto Framing keeps subjects centered automatically.

Quick editing presets like Magic Cut 2.0 let you easily convert 360 footage into standard video from any angle. The app’s editing algorithms handle stitching seamlessly with ghost-free transitions. For more advanced work, Insta360 Studio unlocks multi-angle editing, color grading, and powerful export capabilities. The robust software ecosystem maximizes possibilities for even novice users.

Pricing and Availability

The Insta360 One X2 retails at $429.99 for the standalone camera model with included accessories. You can often find it discounted to around $400 at major retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo. Insta360 also offers a premium pack which adds a bunch of useful accessories like extended batteries, a drone mount, filters, and a carrying case all for $539.99.

The One X2 is widely available both directly from Insta360 and from most major electronics retailers. Compared to competing models like the GoPro Max or newer GoPro Hero 11 bundles, the One X2 delivers better value with more included in its base package. Overall, it hits a compelling mix of price, features, and availability.

 

Should You Buy the Insta360 One X2?

For adventure seekers, content creators, or anyone seeking an affordable, user-friendly 360 camera, the One X2 is easy to recommend. It outclasses its predecessor while standing as one of the best consumer 360 cameras available today. The excellent image quality, stabilization, suite of shooting modes, and useful editing software make capturing engaging content remarkably accessible.

While more advanced users may still gravitate to pricier cinema cameras with greater customization, the One X2 packs remarkable capabilities into its compact body. For social sharing, virtual tours, VR content, and other applications, it’s a versatile creative tool. Unless you require high-end pro features, the One X2 offers tremendous value worth the investment for most buyers.

With its versatile imaging power, durable design, and intuitive shooting features, the Insta360 One X2 represents an outstanding refinement of the original One X. It retains everything that worked well in a more travel-friendly package with upgrades like 5.7K video, extended battery life, and gimbal-style stabilization. Enthusiastic users will appreciate the included accessories and optional add-ons to customize the camera for their needs.

For 360 capture in a compact consumer model, the One X2 sets the bar for balancing quality, cost, and ease of use. Whether you’re a real estate agent wanting virtual tours, an adventurer needing durable action cam footage, or a social creator desiring quick and engaging content, the One X2 shines. It earns our recommendation as one of the best 360 cameras currently available.