Insta360 is camera, video, dashcam and 360 all in one with a much easier to use phone app for editing and posting to social media.
No matter what sport, there are cameras capturing the action. As a photographer, it is always a challenge to find the next POV to showcase the sport. If you have seen my hockey photography, you will have seen images from remote cameras I have placed in the net, on the bench, in the penalty box or above the ice trying to show a new POV of the game. I even put a camera on the helmet of a ref once.
When GoPro came onto the scene, most photographers I knew were packing at least one or two in their gear bags. Most of the riders I knew, it was the same thing. The POV action cameras allowed us to capture solo sports as we experienced them. DRIFT was a competitor at one point with a slimmer POV that when mounted to a helmet, tended to blended in more than the giant beacon that GoPro then was. No matter which one you had, the POV camera greatly expanded video and photo POV.
When riding a motorcycle, I tried DRIFT. I tried GoPro but both could not capture the right images of the rider to compliment a motorcycle review. Despite their continued improvement and technological advancements, it just didn’t suit solo motorcycle reviewing. When you had a riding partner, too much time was spent trying to capture a riding shot from another bike.
Then came the drones. Aerial perspective from flying cameras that can follow you as you blaze a trail down a mountain, do flips behind a ski boat, or cycle in major groups – every angle is covered. Yes. I bought one of those too.
However, with the drone, came registration with Transport Canada, multiple licensing requirements, radio operators license, exams and sometimes flight plans, unlocking geo fences and more. I spent a weekend in ground school and another with an instructor watching my operation to get a Transport Canada Advanced pilot’s license. It wasn’t easy.
I did not buy into the dashcam trend as I saw no further use aside from safety and explanation in the aftermath of car accidents.
Then Insta360 x3 appeared on my radar. After looking at all the specs and watching posted video, I had to add it to my arsenal of photography gear. The Insta360 is just what it says. Instant 360º video/photo/dashcam all in one. Attach it to your motorcycle and the ride has completely changed. Not only can you capture scenery travelled (completely all around you), but you can also capture video/photo of yourself riding your motorcycle.
When I speak to people about the bikes I have experienced, the first question asked is “Did you ride it?” It’s a valid question as every image I have produced, while reviewing motorcycles, are beautiful scenic shots surrounding the bike but I am often not in the photo as I am out riding solo.
That is about to change. The Insta360 x3 is able to capture images and video from every angle while I am riding. It requires no input from me other than to hit record and go. The 360º images themselves are 72 mega pixels captured using dual ½” 48 mega pixel sensors. All that on your handlebar or wherever you choose to mount the camera. Even though I bought this camera for automotive and motorcycle journalism, I have since found many other uses.
As a pro photographer, in order to capture that type of imagery, it requires DSLRs, a few friends, many passes plus coordination of crew and time. With the Insta360 x3, I can capture images of me while riding, showing the entire motorcycle, plus the scenery around me. After the ride, I can review the footage and with the drag of a finger across the screen, reframe any image or video until I find the angle I am looking for.
The biggest selling feature for solo sport enthusiasts is the invisible selfie stick. You can see it but it somehow has green screen capabilities that makes it not show up in the 5.7K video footage. Truly amazing.
The footage is tack-sharp, beautiful color and needs no post production touch ups. Ride for an hour, stop for coffee and view, edit, cut, create and post a video from your phone. No need to frame each image or video during filming because with 360º degrees, you can do on the fly. Don’t like what you have captured? Keep watching and editing the footage until you do.
Back to the dashcam. The Insta360 x3 is the best dashcam a motorcyclist could ask for. Every angle is covered. In front, behind, above, below, facing you, facing away from you – it’s all there. There will be no arguing about what happened in the event of an incident. It will tell the whole story. You can even set your 360º to loop in time increments of your choice to save space on your card. If something occurs, you can save that portion of the video and carry on.
If you were not a video creator before, you will become one simply because of the ease of capturing footage, the simplicity of editing right in your phone and the elimination of any need for post-production special effects or color enhancements.
