Insta360 has a variety of amazing action cameras. They continue to push the boundaries of action camera technology with products like the Insta360 EVO and Insta360 ONE X. Another fantastic product is the Insta360 GO.
This is a small action camera meant for creating quick video footage on the go. It has an incredibly small design and weighs just 20 grams. In addition, it’s simple to operate and you can quickly create short videos at either 30 or 60 seconds long. This is a great travel companion for those who want to document their travels.
It’s also a superb sports action camera. You can easily clip it to your helmet, cap, or clothing to record first-person footage of your adventures.
Main Features
The Insta360 GO is a relatively simple device without an amazing array of features. It has been designed for pure functionality and gives you just the tools you need to create quality video footage. The following are the basic specifications of this camera:
- Weight: 20 grams
- Dimensions: 1.94 x 0.59 x 0.84 inches
- Camera: 3040 x 3040
- Video: 1080p
- Video Formats: MP4
- Image Stabilization: Yes
Like the Insta360 EVO and Insta360 ONE X, it has built-in image stabilization (IS). This is one of the main selling points of the camera. It is one of the smallest action cameras to feature a high level of IS.
The camera resolution is not fantastic; however, the Insta360 GO is meant for video. It is not really meant to be used as a camera although you can take stills from the video footage. That is made up for by the 1080p quality video which is superb.
The standard box comes with a myriad of useful accessories. You receive the camera, a magnetic pendant, charge case, angle wedge, sticky base, pivot stand base, and charging cable. Essentially, everything you need to use the Insta360 GO and attach it to different surfaces.
Design
We love the design of the Insta360 GO. It is a tiny device that looks amazing. The sleek, curved design and white finish make it look stylish. Due to its small size, it is also highly portable and can easily be carried on your travels.
The basic package comes with a range of mounting options including:
- Magnetic Pendant
- Angle Wedge
- Stick Base
- Pivot Stand Base
The different mounting options mean you can use the camera in a multitude of ways. For example, you can use the sticky base to secure the GO to a flat surface for time-lapse videos. Alternatively, you can use the pendant to hold the camera whilst you walk or run.
The Insta360 GO is water-resistant and has a durable exterior casing. It is not fully waterproof, though it can be submerged in water for up to 10 seconds. This means you can create some basic underwater footage too.
It also offers some good connectivity options. It has a cable and charger that can be connected to both iOS and Android devices. This means you can easily upload videos from the device to your smartphone.
Performance
Despite the small size of this device, it performs fantastically. You can record footage using a single click. In addition, the Insta360 GO records video in either 15, 30, or 60 second bursts. We have listed the main features below:
- Clip lengths of 15, 30, or 60 seconds
- One charge lasts for approximately 200 clips
- Can add engraving to the camera casing
- Adjust video rotation in post-processing
- 100fps slow-motion recording
- Fixed perspective time lapse
- Edit using the FlashCut app
- Hyperlapse compilations
The flow-state stabilization cannot be emphasized enough; it makes a huge difference. When creating sports and action footage, you don’t have to worry about shaky hands, for example.
We love the other video features too like time-lapse and hyper-lapse. These simple but effective functions provide excellent creative options. All of this is complemented by the FlashCut app.
Using this app you can create seamless videos manually. Alternatively, you can make use of the advanced AI technology and let FlashCut stitch together footage for you.
These features and the ease of use make the Insta360 GO a brilliant product to use. You can have fun making videos, but also create some spectacular footage. It certainly performs well and is great for beginners.
Insta360 EVO vs. GoPro HERO8 Black
So how does this device compare to other action cameras on the market? The GoPro HERO8 is one of the best action cameras available. Let’s see how the Insta360 GO compares. In the below, we can see a basic specs table for the two devices:
Insta360 GO | GoPro HERO8 | |
Weight | 20 grams | 21 grams |
Dimensions | 1.94 x 0.59 x 0.84 inches | 1.14 x 1.89 x 2.6 inches |
Camera Resolution | 3040 x 3040 | 12MP |
Video Quality | 1080p | 1080p |
As you can see, the HERO8 has superior photo capabilities. The Insta360 GO shouldn’t really be used for photography and the HERO8 Black is better suited for this purpose.
In terms of video quality, both record at 1080p. Also, both have built-in image stabilization, though the Insta360 GO does have better stabilization and the videos look smoother.
It is difficult to choose between the two devices. The Insta360 GO is a brilliant action camera for recording sports and travel footage, but that is the limit of its functionality. In contrast, the GoPro HERO8 can be used for photography too. It depends, therefore, on what you want from your action camera.
Is the Insta360 GO a GoPro Competitor?
Not particularly. It offers different functionality and usage. GoPro cameras allow you to create in-depth footage and long-length videos. In contrast, the Insta360 GO is generally meant for recording short video snippets, though this doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great product.
As a simple video recording device, the GO works fantastically. The video quality is excellent, and the image stabilization leaves your footage smooth. If you want a simple, fun vlogging device to document your travels or sporting ventures, the Insta360 GO is a great choice.