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Insta360, a company that has long been a mainstay in the 360-degree camera market, has today launched its first smartphone gimbal – the Insta360 Flow. The device is aimed at providing smartphone users with an easy way to capture high-quality video footage that is stable, well-framed, and slick. This $159.99 gimbal comes equipped with three-axis stabilization and is now available for purchase across the US, Europe, and Japan.
One of the most obvious competitors for the Insta360 Flow is DJI’s Osmo Mobile 6 lineup of smartphone gimbals. However, Insta360 has made a commendable effort to match DJI’s features on paper. The Flow includes a tripod, while DJI includes a similar accessory in the box with the Osmo Mobile 6. DJI has its ActiveTrack 5.0 automatic subject tracking feature, while Insta360 has Deep Track 3.0. The Flow even has a built-in selfie stick that extends up to 215mm, which is the same length as the Osmo Mobile 6’s extension rod.
One feature that sets the Insta360 Flow apart from its competition is its built-in cold shoe mount for a microphone. This feature solves the space limitation issue that many users face when plugging a microphone directly into their smartphone’s USB or Lightning port. The Flow’s larger 2,900mAh battery also offers up to 12 hours of use and can act as a power bank for a smartphone when needed.
Insta360’s AI technology powers the Flow, which is designed to track, stabilize, and edit content automatically. The Shot Genie feature is particularly interesting as it provides users with recommendations on how to shoot scenes based on over 80 example scenarios. With its various shooting modes, including dolly zooms, time-lapses, and panoramas, the Insta360 Flow is a versatile tool for smartphone videography enthusiasts. The hands-free gesture control and Live Mode features are also worth noting as they provide users with the freedom to capture their footage without worrying about the camera’s position.
The Insta360 Flow is available in Summit White or Stone Gray and uses a magnetic phone clamp to mount smartphones. While the device appears to have a similar range of features to the Osmo Mobile 6, it remains to be seen how it performs in the real world. However, with Insta360’s reputation for producing high-quality camera equipment, there is little doubt that the Flow will be a popular choice for smartphone videography enthusiasts looking to take their footage to the next level.
