Social media cameras are a new battleground for tech. DJI tends to lead the way, but Insta360‘s new Luna Ultra hopes to steal the front position. Given that it’s rocking Leica optics, it’s got a decent shot at it. It’s also rocking a R13,000 price tag, so maybe it’s worth waiting for a price drop.
The newly announced Insta360 camera specifically takes on the DJI Osmo Pocket range, particularly the premium lineup. Leica’s involvement isn’t just theoretical, either. The gimbal camera sports a 1in camera sensor along with that Leica Summicron lens.
Luna Ultra camera
There are other features involved, too. Three-axis stabilisation helps the sensor capture video in up to 8K at 30fps (with Dolby Vision supported). It’ll nab 37MP stills and up to 200MP panorama shots, if you happen to waste the Luna Ultra’s talents that way.
Insta360’s fondness for detachable screens continues with the Luna Ultra. It’s got a 2in OLED panel that sticks to the gimbal or can be removed to operate the camera remotely. The company reckons the screen has a twenty-metre range. Whether you’re comfortable wandering that far from your expensive camera is entirely up to you.
47GB of onboard storage and support for up to 1TB via microSD are included in the package. The gimbal setup uses a 1,550mAh battery that should give users up to four hours of video before needing a recharge. The OLED screen has its own 210mAh battery.
The gimbal hosts three microphones. The screen has one. There’s a range of tracking options and smart features built into Insta360’s product. It should prove as capable as the best DJI has to offer. That’s not bad for a first effort from the action cam specialist.
If you absolutely must have one today, the Insta360 Luna Ultra is available via Amazon. In that case, since it’s an American purchase, you can expect to pay R15,150. Pricy, sure, but you won’t have to wait for local availability.
