Insta360 is working on a mirrorless camera that is said to look unlike anything else on the market. CEO Jingkang “JK” Liu revealed this in recent interviews with the Japanese magazine Mynavi News. He also confirmed that a second interchangeable-lens camera is in the works. The company plans to unveil a finished prototype at CP+ 2027 in Yokohama at the earliest.
For a company that has so far been known primarily for 360-degree cameras and action cams, this would be a significant step toward traditional photography—just not in the traditional way.
What Insta360’s CEO Really Revealed
Liu has been laying the groundwork for the announcement for months. Back in January 2026, he posted a photo on Weibo of a white camera held vertically, accompanied by the cryptic caption “向新的焦段出发” (roughly: “off to new focal lengths”). At the time, it was unclear whether this was a compact camera with an L-mount or a competitor to the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
Now it’s clear: these are two separate projects. Liu explicitly referred to one of them as a camera concept that “has the potential to change the very way we take photos,” featuring a completely new approach to composition, focusing, and the shutter release. His key statement on the matter: “The best camera is the one that disappears.”
A form that hasn’t existed before
Insta360 hasn’t shown any concrete renderings or sketches yet. Liu himself speaks only of a “form that no one has considered yet”—an understatement that, given the company’s history with 360-degree cameras, is entirely believable. Insta360 has proven time and again that unusual form factors don’t necessarily compromise ergonomics—as seen with the Insta360 X6, which houses larger sensors despite its compact body.
According to initial reports, the new camera is said to be a full-fledged Micro Four Thirds system with interchangeable lenses, internally referred to in some circles by the codename “Z One.” However, this has not yet been confirmed. Insta360 itself officially refers only to “two mirrorless cameras in development.”
AI Instead of Manual Focus: Insta360 Targets Beginners
The key difference from traditional interchangeable-lens cameras lies in the target audience. Liu describes it unequivocally: The camera is designed to make it easy for “people who don’t know how to use an interchangeable-lens camera” to take good photos. AI features are designed to automatically focus, expose, and compose shots. This is intended to prevent common user errors made by beginners with interchangeable-lens cameras from occurring in the first place.
This is a deliberate distinction from brands like Sony, Canon, or Fujifilm, whose mirrorless cameras still rely primarily on manual control. Insta360, on the other hand, positions itself closer to smartphone photography: plenty of automation, but with a larger sensor and true interchangeable lenses.
Insta360 vs. GoPro: A Race with GoPro in the Lead
The competition is heating things up: GoPro has already announced its own interchangeable-lens camera, the Mission 1 Pro ILS, which is set to launch in September 2026 for $699.99—about five months before Insta360’s potential CP+ prototype. However, the two concepts differ significantly in their focus:
| Feature | GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS | Insta360 (codename “Z One,” speculative) |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor format | 1 inch (2.7x crop) | Full-size Micro Four Thirds |
| Focus | Manual, no electrical contact | Autofocus via electronic contacts |
| Target Audience | Filmmakers with MFT experience | Beginners with no prior experience with mirrorless cameras |
| Market launch | September 2026 | Prototype February 2027 (CP+), market launch TBD |
| Price (rumored) | $699.99 | $599 to $799 (speculated) |
GoPro’s MFT mount deliberately omits electrical contacts—a decision that works for videographers who use manual focus but doesn’t allow full access to the MFT ecosystem. Insta360 aims to counter this with true electronic contacts and full autofocus support. Which company ultimately builds the better camera for beginners will only be decided once both devices are actually in the hands of testers.
Timeline: Prototype at CP+ 2027
So far, the only concrete announcement is a prototype that Insta360 plans to showcase at the CP+ 2027 photography trade show, which takes place in Yokohama starting February 25. A mass production launch is therefore not yet in sight. Realistically, a market launch is likely to follow in the second half of 2027 at the earliest—if the schedule is adhered to at all. Insta360 is no stranger to delays with ambitious product announcements.
Conclusion: An exciting move, but many questions remain
It makes perfect sense that Insta360, of all companies, is entering the market for mirrorless system cameras: With its unconventional form factors and AI-powered controls, the company has already proven with action cameras and 360-degree cameras that it thinks outside the box. However, whether the new Insta360 mirrorless camera will actually be as revolutionary as CEO JK Liu suggests can only be assessed once concrete renderings or a prototype are available. Until CP+ 2027, there’s really only one thing to do: wait and see. If you’re already eyeing a compact alternative, our review of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 offers a current point of comparison from the competition.
