I really like the Insta360 GO when it first came out, and now they just dropped an upgraded version – the Insta360 GO 2 camera! This is a powerful tiny action camera that you can put on small FPV drones to capture cinematic footage.
Table of Contents
Where to Buy?
You can get the Insta360 GO 2 from these vendors (these are affiliate links):
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFzZxfr
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NgHo1x
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-u7sq
The standalone version comes with the following accessories:
- 1 x Insta360 GO V2 Camera
- 1 x Charge Case
- 1 x Magnet Pendant
- 1 x Stand
- 1 x Easy Clip
- 1 x Lens Guard (already installed on camera)
Differences Between GO and GO 2
Left: GO 2; Right: GO V1
Here’s a summary of the differences and improvements between the GO V1 and GO V2. You can see my review of the Insta360 GO camera here.
| Go 2 | Go | GoPro Hero 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (US$) | $300 | $200 | $430 |
| Shops | Banggood GetFPV NBD | GetFPV Amazon RDQ | Amazon |
| Weight | 26.7g | 18.7g | 158g |
| Size | 52.9x23.6x20.7mm | 49.4x21.4x14.85mm | 71x55x33.6mm |
| Max Resolution | 3K/1440p 50FPS | 1080p 25FPS | 5K 30FPS |
| Max Clip Length | 30 mins | 5 mins | Unlimited |
| Stabilization | FlowState (software) | FlowState (software) | Hypersmooth 3.0 (built-in) |
| Battery Life | 150 mins | 60 mins | |
| Storage | Onboard 32GB | Onboard 8GB | SD Card |
Left: GO 2; Right: GO V1
Charging case differences.
Left: GO 2; Right: GO V1
Insta360 GO 2 Improvements
Image quality is overall improved from the previous GO as you can see in this comparison video:
The maximum clip length has been increased from 5 mins to 15 mins.
The GO 2 has 4 times the onboard memory – used to be 8GB, now 32GB.
The GO 2 uses a larger image sensor (1/2.3″), in fact it’s the same size as the GoPro Hero 9 which results in better low light performance than the previous version.
Resolution and FPS have been improved as well up to 1440p 50FPS – smoother videos and more suitable for slow motion.
Maximum video bitrate has been doubled from 40Mbps to 80Mbps.
Both the GO and GO2 are water-resistant to some extent, but the newer camera can be used in deeper water up to 4 meters (GO – IPX4, GO2 IPX8).
The case of the GO 2 has an integrated battery, it can charge the camera on the go, same as the GO. It also can be used as the remote for changing camera settings with the small screen which is very handy.
Both cameras support FlowState stabilization – a feature in their software that is available on Windows as well as Android and iOS. That means you can edit footage on your phone if you wish.
FlowState is a powerful tool as you can see in my comparison between before and after FlowState is applied. This video is from my GO V1 review.
Downsides of the GO 2
The GO 2 (27g) is almost 10 grams heavier than the original Insta360 GO (18g). If you have used the GO V1 on your quads, you will need new 3D printed mounts for the V2 as it’s slightly larger in size.
The new camera is also $100 more expensive, though I think it’s reasonable because of all the hardware upgrades.
Insta360 GO 2 vs GoPro Hero 9
It’s interesting to see how many people are actually comparing the Insta360 GO 2 to the mighty GoPro Hero 9, because there is just no way this tiny little camera can beat the Hero 9, right?
Well, it’s true that the Hero 9 is still a better camera, I am actually surprised at how small the gap is in image quality between these two cameras.
Yes, the 5K resolution of the Hero 9 is a huge jump from the 1440p of the GO2, but most people on Youtube only watch videos on their phones at 1080p, so the difference might not be that noticeable.
Video bitrate of the GO 2 is 80Mbps while the Hero 9 is 100Mbps.
The biggest advantage of the Insta360 GO 2 over the GoPro is definitely size and weight. The GO 2 is only 27g while the Hero 9 is 158g! You can put the GO 2 on most micro quads, but the GoPro would be a struggle for a lot of FPV drones even the powerful 5″. You can make a Naked GoPro 9 and drop the weight to 30g but it’s still considerably larger than the GO 2.
Insta360 GO 2 Specification
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
- Camera: 52.9 x 23.6 x 20.7mm (2.08 x 0.93 x 0.81in)
- Charge Case:
- 68.1 x 48.54 x 26.6mm (Closed)
- 132.5 x 26.03 x 26.6mm (Open)
- Weight Camera: 26.5g (0.93oz) Case: 63.5g (2.24oz)
- Aperture: f/2.2
- 35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 11.24mm
- ISO: Auto, 100-3200
- White Balance: Auto, 2700K, 4000K, 5000K, 6500K, 7500K
- Exposure Value (EV): -4 to 4
- Waterproofing: IPX8 to 4 meters (13ft)
- Audio: Mono with optional Wind Noise Reduction
- Bluetooth: BLE 5.0
- Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Storage: 32GB (~28GB usable)
- Battery Capacity: Camera: 210mAh Case: 1100mAh
- Run Time: Standalone: 30 mins – 1440p30 Basic stabilization video
- In Case: 150 mins – 1080p30 Basic stabilization video
- Charging Method: Type-C USB
- Charging Time: Camera: 23 mins to 80%, 35 mins to 100%
- Case: 47 mins to 80%, 65 mins to 100%
- Use Environment: 14°F to 104°F (-10℃ to 40℃)
- Compatible Devices: iOS: A11 or above chip, iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X and newer models.
Video Resolution
- Video Modes: Basic stabilization, FlowState stabilization, HDR, Timelapse, TimeShift (Hyperlapse), Slow Motion
- FlowState stabilization:
- 2560×1440@50fps, 30fps
- 1920×1080@50fps, 30fps
- Basic stabilization:
- 2560×1440@50fps, 30fps
- 1920×1080@50fps, 30fps
- HDR:
- 2560×1440@25fps, 24fps
- 1920×1080@25fps, 24fps
- Timelapse:
- Interval: 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s, 60s, 120s
- 2560×1440@30fps
- 1920×1080@30fps
- TimeShift (Hyperlapse):
- Speed: Auto (up to 6x)
- 2560×1440@30fps
- 1920×1080@30fps
- Slow motion: 1920×1080@120fps
Max. Clip Length
- FlowState stabilization: 10 mins
- Basic stabilization: 15 mins
- FPV mode: 30 mins
- Timelapse: Adjustable interval, record up to 110 minutes with the Charge Case for a 7-minute clip
Video Files
- Video Format: MP4
- Video Exposure Modes: Auto, Manual (Shutter 1/8000 – 1/30, ISO 100-3200)
- Video Coding: H.264
- Max. Video Bitrate: 80Mbps
Photos
- Photo Modes: Standard, Interval, Night Shot, Starlapse, PureShot
- Photo Resolution: 16:9, 1920×1088；1:1, 2000×2000；9:16, 1088×1920
- Photo Format:
- INSP (can be exported via App or Studio)
- DNG (can be exported via App or Studio)
- Photo Exposure Modes: Auto, Manual (Shutter 1/8000s-120s, ISO 100-3200), Shutter Priority (1/8000s-1s), ISO Priority (100-3200)
Manual on how to use the GO2:
Best Settings
Always use Pro mode and high bitrate, then you will have all the possibility in post production.
When exporting from the Insta360 APP, enable “Use Flowstate Stablization”, and select the “FPV Stabilization” option. This will make your footage look silky smooth similar to Reelsteady and Hypersmooth.
For FOV option, I recommend Ultrawide and ActionView. ActionView gives a wider vertical view while UltraWide has a wider horizontal FOV. Personally I prefer UltraWide for FPV as the image looks less distorted.
For advanced users, order some ND filters if you can. The GO2 really shines with the correct ISO, EV and shutter speed settings combined with the correct ND filter.
Get your ND filters here:
- Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-b4ic
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AOvjVa
Conclusion
I really like the original GO, the video quality is pretty good already for how little that camera is, and now it just got even better with the GO2. Between the two, if you don’t mind the extra 10g, the GO 2 is definitely the way to go.
No SD card is needed thanks to the internal storage, just pop it on the quad and it’s ready to go. It’s tiny and water proof, it can be charged inside the case which can be used to change settings. Don’t forget FlowState stabilization which is essential for cinematic FPV videos.
7 comments
I like mine – for what it does – small lightweight HD. But it does jello, whenever I standoff and just look at stuff – like group of trees – there’s jello in the view.
Hi Oscar. Thx for your work for FPV ! Great job.
I have got a Go2 but cannot eliminate jello/motion blur. How do you handle this ? Can you share your settings ? What mount do you use ? Is ND-filter the solution for jello/motion blur ?
Great, informative review! Is there any possible way to use this as your goggles camera? If not, why has Insta (and GoPro) ignored the obvious selling feature of allowing it to be the only camera onboard your aircraft, by just adding a lo-res stream for your VTX?
No it does not have video output. The GO 2 is not primarily designed for FPV to begin with, FPV is way too small as a market to have an impact on their design decisions. Having a video output will lower its water resistance. Also HD camera doesn’t always produce desirable image quality for FPV flying, and vise versa. Runcam has demonstrated that contradiction very well in their Split series.
I have one and like it, especially on my 4″ FPVCycle Fouride. The lightweight and small size have their place. However, I think the image quality is still way behind even an older GoPro like the 7. Doesn’t matter so much if you’re shooting for social media as I’m sure most do with the Go 2. But wow even in Pro mode, the differences are obvious when viewing the raw footage on a full screen. I think of it more of a Session 5 replacement, where it is more comparable in Image Quality.
Received mine today :)
Hopefully, tomorrow’s weather will allow a few packs with it.
Real bummer, that it’s only 50fps instead of 60fps. Together with the high price, that kills it for me.
If it had 60fps, I’d probably buy it.