LAS VEGAS—I've reviewed quite a few 360-degree video cameras at this point, and time and time again the same issue has popped up—there simply aren't enough pixels in a 4K video to capture the world in the crisp, clear vision that we've come to expect from traditional cameras and camcorders.
Even our favorite dual-lens model to date, the Nikon KeyMission 360, suffers from a lack of resolution. When you're recording the entire world around you, 4K resolution just doesn't cut it.
Insta360, maker of the compact Insta360 Nano iPhone add-on camera, is hoping to change that with the Insta360 Pro, which uses six lenses to capture footage at an astounding 8K (7,680-by-3,840) resolution. That's equivalent to a 30MP frame, and it can do so at 30fps.
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Of course, to achieve that resolution, you'll need to stitch video in post-production. For those that are interested in in-camera stitching or live streaming, the Pro can do that at up to 4K quality using H.264 or H.265 video compression. It also supports 3D capture at up to 6K resolution with post-processing, or at 4K in-camera.
Supported live-streaming platforms include Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. To leverage this functionality you'll need to connect it to your Android or iOS device and use an app to control the stream. The Pro does have a USB 3.0 port, which can accommodate an Ethernet adapter, in addition to Wi-Fi, so you can ensure you've got enough bandwidth to stream immersive 4K footage out to the world.
You will have to pay a professional price for the Insta360 Pro. It's priced at $3,000 and is expected to go on sale later his year. That's a lot to ask from enthusiasts and consumers, but studios producing content will no doubt see it as a bargain.