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I Tried the Insta360 Luna Ultra... And Now I'm Questioning My Real Camera

Connor McCaskill

41,420 views

The Insta360 Luna Ultra might be one of the most interesting cameras I've tested in a while.

On paper, it has almost everything a solo creator could ask for: a pocket-sized gimbal, dual lenses, AI tracking, a removable screen, and 8K recording.

But specs only tell part of the story.

So I compared it against one of my favorite mirrorless cameras in a series of real-world tests
including:

image quality, stabilization, photography, audio, and even a cinematic blind test against a much more expensive camera setup.

Snag the Insta360 Luna for yourself here!

The best camera is the one you'll actually take with you. Get your Insta360 Luna Ultra
https://bit.ly/ConnorMcCaskill-LunaUltra
First 5 orders through my link get a FREE Black Mist Filter!

ANSWERS
Shot 1 - LUNA
Shot 2 - LUMIX
Shot 3 - LUNA
Shot 4 - LUMIX
Shot 5 - LUMIX
Shot 6 - LUNA

Follow me:
Instagram: @connor_mccaskill

Like my color? Try my LUTs here:
https://geni.us/MyCustomCreativeLUTs

My Favorite Cameras Right Now!
(Affiliate Links)
LUMIX S1ii - https://geni.us/LUMIXS1IIPreOrder
LUMIX S9: https://geni.us/LUMIXS9Camera
Nikon ZF: https://geni.us/NikonZFCamera

Lenses:
Sony 16-35mm GM: https://geni.us/Sony16-35mm
Sony 24-105mm G: https://geni.us/Sony24-105mm
Lumix 50mm 1.8: https://geni.us/Lumix50mm
Lumix 18mm 1.8: https://geni.us/Lumix18mm

Microphone:
Rode Wireless Pro: https://geni.us/RodeWirelessPros

Backpack:
Wandrd PRVKE 31L: https://geni.us/Wandrd31l

Media:
Samsung T9 SSD: https://geni.us/SamsungT9SSD
AngelBird SDs: https://geni.us/AngelBirdSD

00:00 - Insta360 Luna Ultra or Real Camera?
00:55 - Video Side by Side (6K/8K)
01:35 - Stabilization Side by Side
01:57 - Luna Ultra Built-In Mic
02:22 - Dual Lens vs Real Lenses
03:16 - Luna AI Tracking Test
04:14 - Large Luna Advantage
05:36 - This is Cool
06:05 - Large Camera Advantage
06:46 - Photography Experience
07:29 - Auto Focus Side by Side
07:49 - Real Camera Annoyances
08:50 - Insta360 Luna Ultra Annoyances
10:09 - $5,000 Camera vs Luna Ultra
11:24 - Insta360 Luna Ultra or Real Camera?
#insta360lunaultra #vloggingcamera #lumixs9

20 Comments

@eyemask4725 2 months ago

Seeing Luna Ultra stay locked on you in that tracking test, I can totally see the appeal for solo shoots.

@newera5119 2 months ago

I match the color grade on my s9 and Luna Ultra all the time. Can hardly tell the difference in many situations. Love this camera!

@Thiran 2 months ago

A low light comparison would have been nice.

@PaulFeinberg 2 months ago

These pocket cameras are getting so good and now that we have that zoom lens I can get some separation for certain shots and I just carry it everywhere. My Sony has turned into a studio camera and photography only…..these are just perfect and no one really notices you shooting with them

@REALISTORYhai 2 months ago

this guy coverd every topic out there! GOAT

@MercMan 2 months ago

Just got mine and love it!

@goodeggproductions 2 months ago

Thanks for setting up a shoot with actual lighting and forethought. I’m a film maker and part of a group that challenges itself to make 9 minute shorts a couple times a year. Usually, I shoot with RED Komodo or Sony A7iv, A7Siii, and FX30. But I wanted to challenge myself to shoot a narrative short entirely with this Luna Ultra. The ability to put this anywhere with little setup is attractive to me. A car mount that’s just a simple suction cup. Or putting it on a 10 foot pole for cinematic crane shots.
With all of the reviews I’ve seen, no one has put it to the test of a more cinema focused production. I appreciate you taking the time to do such a thing.

@thebetterbuy 2 months ago

It's clear the LUMIX looks better in a side by side to me. BUT.... If you had filmed this whole video with just the luna ultra image quality I would have been MORE than happy with the visual audio experience and I think that's where most "content consumers" are. I have 2 of the Luna Ultra's and I'm super excited to push it's ability.

@TheGeoDaddy 2 months ago

This was a no-brainer for me…

I brought my FX2 and RSC Mini with me for Route 66 (100 years) but the setup/take down was slowing me down… so I just did stills… yeah, I was shooting with my A1 and A9iii but switching between stills vs movies just really messes up my mindset as a “phoyy to photographer 😵‍💫

Had I had this - with the remote monitor - it would have been MUCH EASIER to shoot my BTS and narrative!!!

Nice that I got it (and an X5) I’m tempted to do the WHOLE trip again!!!

@SolidarityDroneVideos 2 months ago (edited)

The accidental warranty you can get from insta covers you for 4 units for 2 years at 80$ replacement, pretty good if you do happen to have accidents, you don't have to be as careful with it. Awesome review and comparison.

@lifetimestandard 2 months ago

Yes it can 🎉

@BlairAir 2 months ago

The Luna Ultra actually has a 4 mic in camera array, as well as control for single, front/back or Omni. Control for voice flat, rich, bright, and the front mic removes with the controller display. Mic Pro adds addional 32 bit float, and another 3 mic array. The audio setup alone is amazing.

@especiacollective 1 month ago

Holy shit, I can't believe that I almost got all the answers lmao, nice review! I want the Luna for vlogging so bad.

@aadiwrizz 1 month ago

Best Insta360 settings for maximum dynamic range? ISO, shutter speed & EV compensation

@itsjustpaz 12 days ago

Should flick luna into 3x zoom to get the nice background blur

@therealboogie23 2 months ago

I sold my S9 because I'm now more interested in micro 4/3 because I just have ti try it to see if I really dont need fullframe but I compared them like you did and I was blown away as well I literally pick up my luna for video and photos first now and that wasn't the plan lol I grabbed the G9II to give micro 4/3 a try and I still love the luna! Excited for it to get better with updates!!

@MC1-z9j 2 months ago

Hey, Connor, thanks for all the work you did on this. What do you think about doing a comparison of these cameras that focuses on the resolution and rendering differences in max DOF scenes like landscapes/scenery and maybe architecture, or other scenes with edge to edge and front to back sharpness? As a travel and B-roll camera, and even as a primary, a lot of folks are wanting to see how the Luna Ultra's supposed "8K" stacks up against true 8K and 6K sensors. Thanks!

@angryrabbitproductions1690 2 months ago

Great review. Both have their place… for now. I’m certain a S35 version of these pocket cameras will be coming sooner than later. If they can give us a single sensor zoom equipped with at least f2.8 and a 20-70mm range, that will have most of us covered for 90% of video task. Especially if that sensor can be LOFIC. Here’s hoping. Cheers!

@jimcano3998 2 months ago

For a second I thought Mike Portnoy was doing tech reviews. 😅 nice comparison. Sold my old DJI Pocket 2 after getting my Osmo Action 6 and deciding to use that alongside my Lumix S9 instead. But the Luna does seem interesting.

@Th1dastn 2 days ago

I have s9 and pocket 4p .. but Im shocked how good luna looks compared to s9
noting that I'm someone who care a lot about the quality and I have never liked the previous pocket cameras ( pocket 3 ) it was silly for me.. but now I completely changed my mind after the release of 4p and luna... this is insane