Insta360 Go 2 review: a small action camera that's almost illegal

There are many reasons why people prefer action cameras over traditional cameras or smartphones. One of the main things is that such cameras allow you to shoot truly unique videos. A very compact example of such a model is the Insta360 Go 2.

Thanks to its compact size, the Go 2 camera will give you the opportunity to get the most unusual angle, while being almost invisible.

Characteristics of Insta360 Go 2

• Sensor resolution: 9 MP (2560×1440)
• 35mm equivalent focal length: 11.24mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.2
• Fixed Focus: Yes
• Memory card slot: No
• Internal memory: 32 GB
• Display type: LCD
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Exposure Modes: Auto
• White Balance Modes: 6500K
• Image stabilization: digital
• Preset shooting modes: Yes
• Slow motion mode: 120 fps at 1920x1080 pixels
• Still image support: DNG (2560×1440); (2560×2560); (1440×2560); (2938×1088)
• Shutter speed: 1/8000 – 1/30 second (video)
• Photo ISO range: 100 to 3200 (manual)
• Video ISO range: 100 to 3200 (manual)
• Video format: 2560×1440p at 24/25/30 fps (80 Mbps) MP4, 1920×1080p at 24/25/30 fps (80 Mbps) MP4
• Built-in microphone: Yes
• Built-in speaker: No
• Built-in flash: No
• Communication: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth5.0
• Inputs: 1×USB 3.1 Type-C
• Outputs: 1×USB 3.0 Type-C
• Waterproof: 13.0m (camera)

EKEN H9R

• Video resolution: 4096x2160
• Viewing Angle: 170°
• Matrix: CMOS
• Number of matrices: 1
• Autonomy: 70 minutes

Price: from 4,290 rubles

Another inexpensive action camera capable of shooting in 4K resolution at 25 fps. A 12-megapixel sensor with a viewing angle of 170 degrees is responsible for recording in the EKEN H9H. The gadget is equipped with a compact 2-inch display, a remote control with a range of 3 meters and Wi-Fi support.

The H9R will be appreciated by extreme sports enthusiasts who love diving. A waterproof case is included for this purpose. The camera holds an average charge - when recording in 4K, the battery lasts up to 70 minutes.

Advantages:

• Rich equipment.
• Video recording quality.
• Availability of a waterproof case.
• Built-in Wi-Fi module.

Flaws:

• Sound recording quality.

Design and kit

Insta360 Go 2 is different in that it can be placed almost anywhere, and allows you to shoot video from the most interesting angles. This model is about four times smaller than other action cameras like the DJI Osmo Action.

The kit includes convenient accessories: a magnetic suspension, a swivel stand and a lightweight clamp. Each of them turns out to be useful in certain situations. Using the clip, the camera can be mounted on the visor of a cap and filmed in first person. The clip can also be tilted slightly to capture your hands or face.

It’s worth saying a few words about the case. It not only charges the device, but also serves as a remote control or mini-tripod. No other camera has such a solution.

The Go 2 is incredibly small, weighing less than 30 grams, so it weighs no more than an AA battery. When used in conjunction with magnetic suspension, the camera can become almost invisible, with only the LED backlight always blinking during recording.

Sony FDR-X3000R – great sound and video in the dark

An action camera for bloggers with good sound, loop recording, UHD 4K support and high-quality optical stabilization. A convenient control panel in the form of a bracelet allows you to shoot remotely without occupying your hands with unnecessary devices. The Sony FDR-X3000R shoots video well in low light and even in complete darkness (in night mode). The model has the longest battery life among devices in its class (with GPS tracking disabled).

Main characteristics:

Pros of the Sony FDR-X3000R action camera: + simple menu that even a novice blogger can easily master; + 3x digital zoom without loss of quality; + ability to shoot using powerbank; + with the included aquabox you can dive to a depth of up to 60 m.

Cons Sony FDR-X3000R : - there is no screen on the video camera itself - only on the control panel; — poor sound when shooting in aquabox; - inconvenient memory card slot - difficult to get at the right angle; — the strap for the remote control is made of poor quality; — few quality settings when taking photos; — slight fish-eye effect in 4K videos; — turning on GPS greatly drains the battery.

Note! An elongated body is more aerodynamic than a rectangular one, so when moving quickly, the Sony FDR-X3000R microphone produces less wind noise.

Functions and controls

It's hard to truly love a camera if you can't see what you're shooting. In the case of Insta360 Go 2, this problem can only be solved by connecting to a smartphone through a special application. Otherwise, you'll have to shoot blindly and hope the video turns out well.

To start recording, you need to press the small button under the lens, when double-pressing it will take a photo. You can reassign these functions in the application.

There are other features too. For example, 24fps recording is only available in HDR. In normal and professional mode, you only have a choice of 30 fps and 50 fps. There is also a slow-mo mode with a resolution of 1080p and a frequency of 120 fps.

When it comes to taking photos on the Go 2, we only have the option of a 16:9 aspect ratio, although 3:2 or 4:3 would be much more suitable. The internal storage capacity is 32 GB, so from time to time you will have to delete unnecessary files.

The battery life, taking into account the charging case, reaches 2.5 hours. Go 2 also has IPX8 protection rating. This means that if you drop the camera into water, you don’t have to worry about its safety.

GoPro HERO9 Black Edition takes video to the next level

Action camera for vlogging with a good microphone, the ability to shoot in UHD 5K and record video at night. GoPro HERO9 Black Edition supports voice control and can automatically upload footage directly to your smartphone. A new generation electronic stabilizer and horizon leveling system without loss of quality (even when shooting in 5K) allow the blogger to record smooth video while driving over rough terrain.

HERO9 Black Edition can be used as a webcam, as well as for live broadcasting (at 1080 resolution) or streaming on Twitch, YouTube or Facebook. The ninth generation of GoPro has a second color display and a folding mount built into the base, allowing you to install the camera without an additional frame or case. The model also supports the installation of interchangeable lenses and has a 1.5 times more powerful battery than the eighth version.

HERO9 Black Edition Features:

Advantages of GoPro HERO9: + you can switch from accelerated mode to normal mode (and back) without stopping video recording; + good picture detail; + clear sound recording even when driving in a headwind; + cyclic recording mode; + the battery lasts a long time - up to 1.5 hours of continuous shooting on a single charge; + water resistance - 10 m (in aquabox - 60 m).

Disadvantages : - when shooting in 4K, the body heats up; — small functionality of a proprietary application for PCs and smartphones; — the touch display is a little slow.

HERO9 Black Edition's proprietary detachable MAX Lens improves stabilization and expands the viewing angle of HERO9 Black Edition to 155 degrees. The camera with the lens installed can be submerged under water to a depth of 5 meters.

Application for work

As already mentioned, the compact dimensions of the Insta360 Go 2 allow you to shoot from a variety of angles. Processing algorithms straighten the captured clips, so you don't need to use a smartphone to adjust the frame.

However, you are unlikely to want to do this yourself - the application on your phone often shows an error. Crashes happen all the time - when you connect the camera, watch the footage or make settings. In this situation, I got annoyed and started to miss the display like the DJI Osmo Action. The latter had two screens - one allowed you to frame a frame, while the second helped when filming yourself.

A cable connection via the USB-C connector on the charging case could partially solve this problem. Although the DJI Pocket 2 has a special adapter for this, this is not the case here. The Go 2's Wi-Fi connection is so poorly implemented that it creates problems rather than solves them.

Shooting quality

As for the shooting quality of the Insta360 Go 2 in daylight, it is expectedly good. On a sunny day, you'll get detailed videos in 1440p resolution. Recording in Pro mode occurs at a resolution of 2880×2880 pixels, at a frequency of 30 fps. The action camera will then programmatically reduce the quality to 1440p, and the video will become more stabilized.

When shooting in the dark, the picture becomes soft and noise appears in the shadows. Therefore, you should only use the Go 2 in good lighting.

It's impressive how the device manages to maintain a flat horizon line. No matter how you hold the camera, the recordings will be aligned horizontally. The algorithms do all the work on their own, without your help. Together with FlowState stabilization technology, this allows you to get higher quality video files that do not require additional processing.

GoPro HERO7 (CHDHX-701) – best for blogger with 4K video

In 2002, the American company GoPro released the first device for dynamic video recording in any conditions, setting a new standard for vlogging. Since then, every operator knows which action cameras are best for a video blogger - the concept of “Go Pro” has become a household word. A new series - HERO appeared in 2012, the seventh model of the line is distinguished by support for UHD 4K, the ability to shoot wide-format photos and videos (including in the dark) and an electronic image stabilizer.

GoPro HERO7 is equipped with a touch screen and has a waterproof housing for diving to a depth of 10 m without additional housings. Voice control of the action camera allows the video blogger to film even in cold or windy weather without removing gloves.

GoPro HERO7 (CHDHX-701) parameters:

Pros of GoPro HERO7: + realistic color rendering; + clear recognition of voice commands; + 2x digital zoom; + high-quality sound recording without unnecessary noise and wind; + natural white balance.

Disadvantages : - large videos are divided into several parts; — in the cold (below +5 degrees) the battery drains quickly.

On a note. In order to film without problems at sub-zero temperatures, a video blogger should purchase several spare batteries.

You will be interested in: Which action camera is the best - manufacturer ratings, pros and cons, price How to shoot with an action camera and make interesting videos

Sound recording quality

The Insta360 Go 2 has only one microphone, it is located on the top, and there is even a cutout in the case/tripod.

Unfortunately, one microphone gives a limited sense of environmental sounds, the location of objects, animals or people. There is also a soft hissing background, and wind noise is a problem that is partially eliminated using the suppression mode.

But, after conducting voice tests at home, I was pleasantly surprised. The single mic picked up vocals with a decent amount of bass, the mids were pronounced and the highs were very clear.

Battery autonomy

Like the original Insta360 Go, the Go 2 doesn't last too long. The camera is rated for 30 minutes of recording on its own, or 150 minutes with a fully charged case.

There is no way to quickly replace batteries. I also found that if you shoot short clips with the camera constantly on and off, you won't be able to achieve the 30/150 minute claims. But considering how convenient it is to use the Go 2 with a case, battery life here actually reaches the norm for an action camera. I have no serious complaints.

Cost of Insta360 Go 2 and alternatives

Go 2 from Insta360 Go 2 costs about 30 thousand rubles. That's about the same as what you'd pay for a model like the GoPro Hero 8.

Naturally, the Insta360 Go 2 action camera is inferior to its competitors in terms of shooting quality. However, it already has a number of convenient accessories, it is very small when the stabilization is excellent. If shooting quality is more important to you than size, there are many better models. For example, GoPro Hero 9 or DJI Osmo Action, both cameras also have two screens.