Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition Review

The ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition was originally released on June 28, 2022, and is a 360-degree camera developed by Insta360 in collaboration with Leica. It is designed for enthusiast and professional photographers and videographers seeking to create immersive content.

Equipped with dual 1-inch CMOS sensors, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition can capture 6K 360-degree videos and 21MP 360-degree photos. The large sensors contribute to the camera’s low-light performance, which Insta360 are keen to highlight is excellent; we’ll check that out later in the test! The Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition with those large sensors provides a wide dynamic range and accurate colours in various lighting conditions. This feature instantly makes the camera suitable for numerous applications, such as woodland and interior photography and virtual tours.

The partnership between Insta360 and Leica combines Leica’s expertise in optics and digital imaging with Insta360’s 360-degree capture technology. The dual-lens 360 design enables you to record panoramic 360 footage without worrying about camera orientation, allowing for greater flexibility in post-production.

The camera includes Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization and horizon levelling features, eliminating the need for additional stabilization equipment. AI-powered features like PureShot HDR photo mode and Shot Lab simplify the editing process for users.

With an IPX3 water resistance rating, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is designed for outdoor use in various weather conditions. Its compact size and compatibility with multiple accessories make it adaptable for different applications, such as Google Street View imagery, virtual tours or anything else you can think of.

Available worldwide at US$799.99, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition offers unmatched versatility and performance in 360-degree cameras. For existing ONE R and ONE RS users, an upgrade bundle is available for £700/US$649.99, which includes the 1-Inch 360 Lens, Battery, and Mounting Bracket.

The ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is a testament to Insta360’s commitment to innovation and versatility in action cameras. This 6K 360-degree camera boasts a compact and modular design, making it an ideal companion if your on the go. Its build quality and handling characteristics are essential similiar to the incredible ONE R and ONE RS that I looked at last year.

First and foremost, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition sports a rugged build, with an IPX3 water resistance rating that allows it to withstand light rain, snow, sleet or the British weather at large. This feature ensures that you can continue shooting even in less-than-perfect weather conditions – or standard British weather if you happen to live in the UK. The camera’s body is made of high-quality materials that lend it a sturdy and reliable feel, which is crucial for an action camera intended to withstand various environments and shooting scenarios. A nice addition to the camera is the lens hood, this rubber cover goes over the lenses and helps to protect them when it the backpack as they are large and would otherwise be rather exposed.

The modular design of the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is one of its stand-out features. It allows users to swap out lenses and other components to customize their camera setup according to their specific needs. The 1-Inch 360 Lens, compatible with both the ONE R and ONE RS Cores, can be easily attached or removed, enabling creators to switch between a premium 360 camera and an action camera within seconds. This modularity adds flexibility and helps future-proof the camera, as you can easily upgrade components without needing to purchase an entirely new camera system. I’ve coupled the parts from the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition with the ONE R and ONE RS, and after firmware updates of all modules, everything worked perfectly.

When it comes to handling, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. Its compact form factor and lightweight design make it easy to mount on various surfaces, such as tripods, backpacks, and vehicles. The camera’s ergonomics are well thought out, with buttons and controls that are easily accessible and intuitive, even when wearing gloves or in challenging conditions.

Along with the camera, I also received the extension pole, which screws directly into the 1/4-inch thread on the base of the camera and enables you to get a good reach away from your when filming. What makes the pole stand out aside from the telescopic approach to design is that it becomes invisible to the camera when you playback the footage. It’s all very clever.

The ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition also benefits from Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization and horizon levelling algorithms. These technologies eliminate the need for additional stabilizing equipment, such as gimbals, ensuring the camera’s footage remains smooth and level in various shooting scenarios. Like the digital stabilisation that we’ve seen from DJI and GoPro, this level of stabilisation looks to be impressive; you can read more about the stabilisation in the performance section.

Moreover, the camera’s integration with the Insta360 software suite simplifies the editing process. Through the App for mobile or desktop, you can harness the power of AI to create stunning edits and share content seamlessly across various platforms.

The build and handling of the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition make it a versatile and user-friendly camera for creators who value portability and flexibility. Its rugged construction, modular design, and intuitive controls allow users to capture high-quality content easily. Coupled with its impressive performance capabilities, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is a camera that can adapt to what you want from it. One feature that I really like is the upgradability of the unit due to its well-thought-out modular design.

The Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is an incredibly versatile camera, with features that enable you to produce all sorts of imagery, both stills and video in traditional and completely immersive 360 perspectives.

What’s more, the camera’s modular design allows you to easily switch between a standard 360-degree camera and an action camera, making it a future-proof solution. I looked at the ONE R and ONE RS last year, and the Cores of these two cameras are fully compatible, enabling plenty of customization to meet your needs.

Regarding image quality, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition’s 1-inch sensor captures stunning 6K resolution 360-degree videos and 23MP photos, producing crisp and detailed images even in low-light conditions.

As with the other ONE cameras, the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition features FlowState Stabilisation. This advanced stabilisation technology is on a par with RockSteady from DJI and HyperSmooth from GoPro, providing smooth and stable footage without additional equipment like gimbals.

Horizon levelling is another feature that’s well worth a mention and keeps the horizon level during filming, ensuring stability and professional-looking results in action sports like mountain biking and other situations such as walking off-road where keeping the camera level at all times just isn’t possible.

The Insta360 software suite utilizes AI for simplified editing, allowing users to create visually stunning content through features like Shot Lab, which offers creative templates and effects. These features are accessed through the app.

Back to the invisible selfie stick, and the software uses clever algorithms to create the illusion of a floating camera, offering unique perspectives and immersive 360-degree videos – which are quite peculiar the first time you see them. This feature isn’t new and is a standard of the Insta360 cameras.

TimeShift mode enables users to create impressive hyperlapse and timelapse videos with ease. At the same time, voice control allows for hands-free camera operation, particularly useful when hands are occupied or wearing gloves.

One thing to note about the camera is the IPX3 water resistance rating; while this will protect the camera from the odd downpour or splash through the New Forest puddles, Insta360 recommend purchasing an additional dive case can make the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition for any real water-intensive activities. The casing is waterproof for up to 60 meters, expanding its usability for capturing underwater footage. The camera also supports live streaming in 360 degrees, which could be entertaining if I could get it to work over teams!

The ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is a feature-rich camera offering exceptional flexibility and adaptability. Its modular design, high-quality image capture, advanced shooting modes, and AI-powered editing capabilities make it extremely easy to use and a great way to create truly unique images and videos. Overall it’s an exciting camera for anyone who loves looking at new ways to create images.

The Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is exceptional from the outset and offers a huge range of features that can be accessed directly through the small screen or app. When the camera arrives, however, it’s not a simple case of switching on and getting started, and the first time I powered up after the initial charge of power, I headed into the Forest to shoot some footage. Unfortunately, in my haste, I hadn’t installed the app and powering up the camera notified me that I needed to activate through the App. There were two issues here, firstly, I didn’t have the app, and secondly, I’m in the New Forest, and any type of connection is minimal if not non-existent.

A long walk later and back home, the App was downloaded, and the camera activated, which all took about three minutes, and the camera was ready to use. On the next adventure, at least, I would now be set.

On heading out the following day, the camera activated, charged and ready to go with the pole attached, and the sun of the previous day had vanished to be replaced by the usual dull rain-filled skies of a British winter/Early Spring.

Switching on the camera and the small screen jumps to life – to get started a quick push of the record button, and the camera starts with a small preview on the screen. Using the camera with the pole fully extended, there’s nothing much to use in the same way as most other action cameras.

Booting up the app and you have a few more details and options, but no live view while the camera is recording. Checking out the footage on the small screen or through the app and you start to see the potential and quality of the footage. Some of the instant stand-out features that you can really see around the image.

Looking at the image quality and the two 1-inch sensors and lenses really qualify their worth, with striking video clarity, tone and colour. Even through most of the footage I have shot has been taken on relatively dull days the video still looks great considering, and a touch up on what I am used to from GoPro and DJI.

The image stabilisation, FlowState, is outstanding and ensures that the footage you shoot is smooth and stable. This gimbal-like Stabilisation makes it perfect for various shooting scenarios, providing professional-looking results – the quality of the stabilisation is visually on a par with the likes of GoPro and DJI.

The Stabilisation is just the start, and alongside this essential feature are the reframing capabilities; as the camera is shooting full 360º, you can reframe the footage to standard 16:9 through the editing process. Alternatively, you can use one of the camera preset modes that enable special video effects. These modes include Shot Lab, a range of creative templates and effects powered by AI, and TimeShift, which enables you to create dynamic and engaging hyperlapse and timelapse videos.

The invisible selfie stick is an essential part of the 360 system, and the invisible feature adds another layer of creativity; it creates the illusion of a floating camera, providing unique perspectives and immersive 360-degree videos. The camera also supports live streaming in 360 degrees, which is impressive and visually striking!

Overall for a straight 360º video, the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is impressive for three major reasons. Firstly the build quality is outstanding, and it feels of high quality with a decent finish, ergonomic design and usability. Secondly is the outstanding image quality, which leads the action camera market and performs well in low light even if there is still a little noise. The dynamic range and colour really make it stand-out. Finally, there’s the modular design which means that if you want it to be a high-end 360º camera, then it will be; then with a quick swap of the modules, you can add option extras to make it into a purebred action camera.

The Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is a groundbreaking camera that follows on from the ONE R and ONE RS and meets Insta360 VR cameras perfectly in the middle. The camera offers even more versatility and adaptability than the other ONE cameras, although you are paying a slight premium over the ONE RS.

The ONE series’ unique modular design is boosted here with the exceptional image quality provided by those large dual 1-inch sensors and lenses, along with advanced features that make it a valuable tool for photographers, videographers, and adventurers.

Over all, I’ve been incredibly impressed with the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition. Filming 360º video or images is straight forward and the timelapse and other modes are all easily accessible using the small touch screen on the device. Alternatively, you can use the Insta360 which is packed with features but crosses the huge Insta360 community with direct control and use of the camera which I find a little overwhelming.

Once the footage has been shot those files can then be edited in the App or desktop application with relative ease. I’ll do a break-out review and tutorial on these. But, suffice to say again the software is impressive and enables you to edit and reframe the footage you shoot and then upload it to the Insta360 community or your chosen platform.

If you have an interest in 360º video then this is the camera you want. If you work in real estate or any profession where 360º video is needed then this is a great tool professionally as well as being great fun, it’s essentially the step before Matterport.