The Insta360 Go 2: A Tiny Action Camera With Big Potential, But Needs Work
If you’re in the market for a compact and versatile action camera, the Insta360 Go 2 might pique your interest. This tiny camera, smaller than an AA battery, packs a punch with its unique 360-degree capture capabilities. However, at a price tag of Rs. 34,999, it faces stiff competition from the likes of the GoPro Hero8 Black and Hero9 Black. Does the Insta360 Go 2 manage to stand out? Let’s dive in and find out.
Insta360 Go 2 Design: Small But Mighty, With Quirks
The Insta360 Go 2 boasts a tiny, pill-shaped body, available only in white, which stands out but can be challenging to spot in certain environments. Weighing just 26.5g, the plastic body feels surprisingly sturdy. It features a single LED indicator below the lens and contact pins for charging, located at the back when docked in its case. The front panel acts as a button for starting and stopping recordings, although the implementation leaves room for improvement. The lens cover is easily replaceable, a welcome feature for protecting against scratches and cracks.
The charging case is crucial to the Go 2’s functionality, acting as both a charger and a remote control. It resembles an AirPods Pro charging case, featuring a USB Type-C port, a standard tripod mount, and two collapsable feet for vertical shooting. Inside, the case holds the camera and features a backlit monochrome display showing shooting modes, battery status, and remote control options.
While the build quality of the case is excellent, including the hinge, the white color may not be ideal for everyone. The Go 2 comes with a range of accessories, including a magnetic pendant accessory, a clip mount, and a pivot stand. An optional mount adapter bundle offers compatibility with GoPro accessories.
Features and App: Limited Recording Options with a Powerful Editing Companion
The Insta360 Go 2 offers modest video recording capabilities, with its 1/2.3-inch sensor capturing up to 1440p (2560×1440) at 50fps. Notably, the lack of 4K video recording is surprising, especially considering older GoPro models supported it. The available video modes include Standard, ProVideo, HDR, Timelapse, TimeShift, and Slow Motion, offering a basic selection. Photo modes are similarly limited, with options for Standard, Interval, Starlapse, and Night Shot.
Interestingly, photos can only be saved as INSP or DNG, with no JPEG option, requiring users to export them via the mobile or desktop app for sharing. The Go 2 supports Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi, and comes with 32GB of built-in memory. However, no microSD card slot is available, limiting storage expansion. The camera is IPX8 waterproof, allowing for use up to 4 meters underwater, but the case itself isn’t waterproof.
The Insta360 app for iOS and Android provides remote control, firmware updates, and video and photo offload capabilities. A key highlight is its robust editing tools for both photos and videos, allowing for significant post-production tweaking.
Performance and Battery Life: Versatility but Limited Endurance
One of the Go 2’s primary advantages over a GoPro is its versatility and flexibility in mounting. The camera’s magnetic back allows for easy attachment to any metal surface, eliminating the need for additional mounts. However, the magnets could be stronger, as the camera might detach during intense activity.
The charging case can remotely activate recording, a handy feature for situations where a smartphone isn’t available. Video quality in daylight is good, particularly in ProVideo mode, which offers horizon levelling and FlowState stabilisation, comparable to GoPro’s HyperSmooth. However, during intense movement like running, FlowState stabilisation struggles to keep pace with HyperSmooth.
Timelapse videos in 1440p offer excellent quality, while HDR videos offer little noticeable improvement over standard videos. Slow Motion videos, limited to 1080p at 120fps, look good. Still photos can be stunning, with the app’s PureShot and Color Plus post-processing presets enhancing shadows and boosting contrast for dramatic results. Unfortunately, low-light and night-time videos and photos suffer from graininess and weak detail. Night Shot mode produces cleaner images with the PureShot filter. The "remove grain" option during video export helps reduce noise but extends processing time.
The Go 2’s battery life is a significant drawback. While improved over the first generation, the camera can only record videos for up to 30 minutes at 1440p in Standard mode. In reality, recording frequently ends before 30 minutes, due to the camera shutting down at 10 percent battery. Still photos are impossible below 10 percent, further hindering its usability.
Shooting in ProVideo mode limits clip length to 10 minutes, depleting the battery significantly. While the case can charge the camera twice, its use for remote control consumes the battery.
Shortcomings and Areas for Improvement
Despite its size and versatility, the Go 2 suffers from a few notable shortcomings:
- The single-frame shutter button leads to numerous accidental presses.
- The white LED indicator for recording is difficult to see against the white body.
- The camera overheats easily, leading to crashes and corrupted files.
- The shooting modes are too basic, lacking features like burst mode for photos.
- The case needs weatherproofing, limiting its usability in certain environments.
- The charging process is finicky, requiring a specific cable and power adapter.
Verdict: A Fun But Flawed Camera with Room for Growth
The Insta360 Go 2 has a promising concept, but its execution needs refinement. Its miniaturization and unique 360-degree capabilities offer creative potential, but its high price, limited recording options, and battery deficiencies hinder its appeal.
For users who prioritize versatility and small size, the Go 2 offers an intriguing alternative. However, for those seeking a feature-rich and reliable action camera, the GoPro Hero8 Black and Hero9 Black offer better value and performance at comparable prices.
Ultimately, the Go 2’s success hinges on addressing its shortcomings, like improving battery life and recording capabilities, expanding shooting modes, and adding a display on the camera itself. Addressing these issues would greatly enhance the Go 2’s value proposition and solidify its position in the action camera market.
