The new Insta360 Go Ultra might be the action camera that gets me excited about video capture again.
I’m not a connoisseur of action cameras. I used the first few GoPro generations, but was never bowled over by the less-than-user-friendly experience. I also tried Garmin’s long-forgotten Virb, which was easier to use but had less than optimal recording quality capabilities.
After those less-than-satisfactory experiments, I haven’t been impressed enough to step back into the ride-recording fray.
My camera tech experience since then has been limited to having various cameras strapped to me or my bike by our videographer experts over on Bike Radar’s YouTube channel.
Insta360’s new Go Ultra has got me excited about action cameras again. Not just for its clever camera design, but also because of its excellent app with built-in, easy-to-use editing capabilities.
The Go’s super-compact dimensions set it apart from the X series cameras Insta360 is known for.
The Go Ultra camera looks at first glance to have similar dimensions to a GoPro; the clever part is that the camera can be unclipped from its magnetic locator in the base unit, which Insta 360 calls the Action Pod.
The camera is no bigger than an average-sized wristwatch and weighs only 53g.
What’s new with the Go Ultra?
The new super-compact camera comes with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, 220% larger than the previous Go camera. It also gets a new 5nm AI chip, the most advanced yet for a Go camera. Insta360 claims it can deliver "ultra-smooth, ultra-crisp 4K 60fps video".
This is combined with Insta360’s PureVideo feature, which uses AI algorithms to reduce visual noise and enhance low-light brightness.
The base unit, or Action Pod, connects to the tiny camera via Bluetooth, enabling you to monitor and control recording from a distance on the 2.5in flip touchscreen.
Like the previous Go 3S, the tiny camera element has a magnetic base, although here the magnet is larger and more powerful.
Included with the camera is a magnetic pendant that the camera locks into, meaning on-bike POV video is easier than ever to capture.
Also included is a hat clip with a magnetic base built into a clip that can be attached to a helmet peak, giving another option for POV video.
Action cam mount adaptors are also included in the package.
Plenty of add-ons
Lots of accessories are available at launch, too, with a flexi-strap mount (£13.99 / $14.99) giving lots of bike-mount options and a new angle-adjust cycle mount on the way.
The accessory I find most useful is the new Ring remote (£41.99 / $44.99), a tiny single-button Bluetooth remote that’s attached to a small Velcro strap. Insta360 intends it to be worn like a ring to remotely operate the record function on the camera.
For on-bike users, it’s the perfect size to strap to a handlebar so you can activate the camera while riding, without having to take a hand off the bar.
The Standalone Camera has a claimed run time of 70 minutes on a single charge, and 200 minutes when combined with the Action Pod.
I haven’t managed to get close to 70 minutes, but I’ve only tried the camera on full-fat 4k at 60fps with all the AI stability controls maxed out. So, I’d suggest those claims are for lower resolutions and fewer AI aids in motion.
However, when you do run the tiny camera out, you can simply lock it into the Action Pod and it’ll recharge to 80% after 12 minutes in the base unit.
While the Action Pod isn’t waterproof, the camera is rated to IPX8, so it can be fully submerged down to 10 metres underwater, so it should cope easily on a soggy bike ride.
The Go Ultra also makes the switch to microSD storage; the previous Go 3S only had internal storage. This gives the Ultra Go up to a potential 2TB of storage.
Smart connection and a smart app
The camera connects to the free Insta360 phone app (available on iOS and Android), via a private Wi-Fi connection. The app’s editing software brings multiple cuts, transitions, a wealth of other effects, music and the ability to overlay cycling data from a Strava account in real time.
The user-friendliness of the Go Ultra has impressed me so far, and it could very well be the gateway to getting me excited about action cameras again.
Pricing details
The Insta360 Go Ultra is available now. The standard bundle includes the camera and Action Pod, along with a quick-release safety cord, magnetic easy clip, magnet pendant, USB-C charge cable and a lens guard.
The standard bundle is priced at £389 / $449.99 / €429.
There is also a Creator bundle package, which includes the standard bundle plus a mini two-in-one tripod, quick-release mount and a Pivot stand, priced at £429 / $499.99 / €479.
Key specifications
- Aperture: F2.85
- 35mm equivalent focal length: 14.27mm
- Weight: camera 53g, Action Pod 109g
- Size: camera 46x45.7x18.3mm (1.8x1.8x0.7in), with lens guard: 46x45.7x22.4mm (1.8x1.8x0.9in),
Action Pod (touchscreen closed): 70.4x48.8x33.3mm (2.8x1.9x1.3in) - Photo resolution, 50MP: 8192x6144 (4:3), 37MP: 8192x4608 (16:9), 12MP: 4096x3072 (4:3), 9MP: 4096x2304 (16:9)
- Video resolution, highest video quality: 4K60fps, highest video frame rate: 1080p@240fps
- ISO range: 100–6400
- Shutter speed, photo: 1/8000–120s, Video: 1/8000 – to the limit of frames per second
- Battery capacity, camera: 500mAh, Action Pod: 1450mAh
