Insta360 Luna Ultra Review: Dual-Camera Gimbal Takes on DJI

For years, it was clear: If you were looking for a compact gimbal camera for vlogging, there was no getting around DJI’s Osmo Pocket series. With the Insta360 Luna Ultra, unveiled at the end of June, a serious challenger has now entered the scene for the first time—and it’s making quite a splash. Two Leica lenses with their own sensors, 8K video, a detachable touchscreen that doubles as a remote control, and a log color profile—the first of its kind from Insta360. On paper, this reads like every solo creator’s wish list. I took a look at how the Luna Ultra performs in everyday use, where it outperforms the Osmo Pocket 4 (review), and where Insta360 has left a few teething issues with this newcomer. First things first: The Luna Ultra is Insta360’s first foray into this device category. And for a debut product, it’s surprisingly polished. But it’s not perfect—and it’s certainly not cheap.

Technical Specifications of the Insta360 Luna Ultra

Product:	Luna Ultra
Dimensions:	169.9 mm x 52.4 mm x 38.5 mm
Weight:	233 g (Black) / 235 g (White)
Lenses:	20 mm f/1.8 (wide-angle) & 60 mm f/2.0 (telephoto), Leica Summicron
Sensors:	1 inch (wide-angle) & 1/1.3 inch (telephoto)
Video modes:	8K (16:9): 7680×4320@24/25/30fps · 4K (16:9): up to 120fps · 1080p: up to 240fps
Slow motion:	4K@100/120fps · 1080p@200/240fps
PureVideo (Low Light):	4K up to 60fps (without I-Log)
Color Profile:	I-Log (10-bit, Rec.2020), Dolby Vision, up to 14 stops
Video format:	MP4 (H.265), up to 120 Mbit/s
Photo resolution:	9 MP (JPG + RAW/DNG) · 37 MP in UltraPhoto mode · Panorama
Display:	2-inch OLED, detachable; 564 × 318 pixels; 1,000 nits
Storage:	47 GB internal
Storage expansion:	microSD (up to 1 TB)
Battery:	1,550 mAh (camera) + 210 mAh (display module); up to 240 min. (1080p)
Charging:	0 to 80% in approx. 23 min. (15 V / 3 A USB-C PD)
Connectivity:	USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Audio:	4-microphone array, windscreen, 32-bit float & 24-bit
Waterproof:	No
Price:	€ 929.00 *

Insta360 Luna Ultra Review: Design and Build Quality

The first impression feels familiar. The Insta360 Luna Ultra follows the pen-shaped design that DJI established with the Osmo Pocket series: at the top is the camera head mounted on a three-axis gimbal, and below it is the ergonomic handgrip with a touchscreen. Anyone who’s ever held a Pocket in their hand will feel right at home.

But it’s not exactly the same, and that’s mainly due to its size. At 169.9 x 52.4 x 38.5 millimeters and 233 grams, the Luna Ultra is noticeably bulkier than an Osmo Pocket 4 (144.2 x 44.4 x 33.5 mm, 190.5 g). In everyday use, this difference is hardly noticeable. The camera fits comfortably in the hand and is ready to use in a flash. However, if you’re looking for the absolute smallest solution for your jacket pocket, DJI is still your best bet. The Luna is only “pocket-sized” in the strictest sense of the word.

The build quality is beyond reproach. The body feels premium, and the extra weight actually lends the camera a certain sense of quality. Included in the package is a hard-shell case that completely encloses the gimbal and also covers the control panel—significantly safer than the half-cover we saw with the Osmo Pocket 3. The included grip with a 1/4-inch thread features a built-in kickstand, allowing the camera to stand on its own on flat surfaces.

Minor flaws become apparent in the details: The cover for the microSD slot on the right side sits deep and is fiddly to open with larger fingers. And as with the entire category, the same applies here: there’s no real weather protection. The Luna Ultra can withstand light drizzle, but it isn’t truly waterproof.

Two cameras in one body: the dual lenses

The first major unique selling point is the dual-lens system. The Luna Ultra combines a 20-mm wide-angle lens with a fast f/1.8 aperture (on a 1-inch sensor) with a 60-mm telephoto lens with f/2.0 (on a smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor). Both are designated as Leica Summicron lenses and were developed in collaboration with Leica.

In practice, this means you actually have two cameras in one device. The 20-mm wide-angle lens is the classic vlogging focal length for selfies and tracking shots. The 60-mm telephoto lens, on the other hand, opens up a perspective previously unseen in this class of device: closer-up portraits, more compact B-roll, and—thanks to the comparatively large sensor—a pleasing depth of field that isolates the subject. Fortunately, both lenses can even record in 8K.

The zoom system, which switches between the lenses, is cleverly designed. Up to 2x, the camera digitally zooms into the wide-angle view. At 3x, it switches to the telephoto sensor. So there’s a real optical leap here. Up to 6x, the image is cropped losslessly from the 8K sensor, and the quality remains consistently very good. Only beyond 6x does the purely digital zoom kick in up to 12x, and upon close inspection, the image looks noticeably blurry. It’s there for emergencies, but not for serious photography.

After a few weeks of use, it becomes clear: You quickly get used to the flexibility of switching from a wide establishing shot to a telephoto portrait right in the middle of a scene. This is exactly where the Luna Ultra has an advantage that single-lens competitors like the Osmo Pocket 4 simply don’t offer.

The Detachable Touchscreen as a Remote Control

The second highlight (and for many, the real selling point) is the detachable control module. Press the two red buttons on the sides, and the front module—featuring a 2-inch OLED touchscreen, the main camera buttons, and a built-in microphone—detaches from the body.

The best part: When detached, the module works exactly the same as when attached to the device. You can see the live view, control the gimbal, zoom, and recording, and—thanks to the built-in microphone—even speak directly into the remote control. Insta360 specifies the range as 20 meters—enough to capture yourself full-body using a telephoto lens. Combined with subject tracking, it feels like having your own cameraman with you who keeps you in the frame while you’re performing in front of the camera. For solo vloggers, this is a real lifesaver.

However, it’s not entirely without limitations. The transmission is sensitive to obstacles: In busy environments, the image can freeze if passersby step between the module and the camera—usually well below the promised 20 meters. The 2-inch screen is also small at 564 x 318 pixels; making it difficult to reliably check the focus. At least it gets quite bright at 1,000 nits and is readable even outdoors.

And here’s another downside: The module has its own 210-mAh battery that needs to be charged. Anyone who frequently removes and reattaches the display should also be careful—repeated mechanical contact could lead to wear and tear over time. If the module breaks, it’s expensive to replace; the camera wouldn’t be completely inoperable without it, but a key feature would be lost.

Battery Life and Heat Generation

Insta360 specifies up to four hours of runtime. This was measured under lab conditions at 1080p/24fps. As is often the case, this figure is an ideal value. In practice, with plenty of 8K and slow-motion footage, you’ll likely end up with around two hours. In controlled tests, the camera lasted just under 2 hours and 51 minutes at 4K/24fps before the battery ran out. That’s a good result for seated interviews or events.

On the plus side: The battery charges quickly. It goes from 0 to 80 percent in about 23 minutes when using a 15 V/3 A USB-C PD power adapter. So if you have a power bank with you on the go, you can easily bridge any breaks. For longer shooting days, there’s also an optional battery grip.

When it comes to heat, you should adjust your expectations. In computationally intensive modes, both the grip and the display module get noticeably warm. No overheating warnings occurred during field use, but they did appear in controlled tests: 4K/120fps ran for about 44 minutes, and 8K/24fps for about 49 minutes, before the camera shut down due to overheating. This isn’t an issue for short slow-motion sequences—but anyone planning long 8K takes in one go should keep this in mind. As is typical for this category, the battery is also non-removable.

App Integration and Pro Workflow

The Insta360 app connects quickly to the Luna Ultra and provides what the small on-camera screen cannot: a large, responsive preview, manual controls, and (important for Log footage) a histogram. Without this display, it’s difficult to properly expose the flat I-Log footage.

However, this is also where the biggest weakness lies: as soon as the app is connected, the camera’s screen goes black and the controls are locked. So you can either control the camera remotely via the app or work directly on the camera—but not both at the same time. For a classic two-person setup, where one person “directs” via the app and a second person operates the camera, this is a real nuisance.

There are also a few other limitations that become apparent in professional use, which are more firmware-related than hardware-related: The “timecode” function is ultimately just a running clock with no option to sync to an external source via jam sync. Third-party microphones (such as a DJI Mic 2) aren’t recognized via Bluetooth pairing. Only Insta360’s own microphones, like the Mic Pro and Mic Air, pair directly. However, an external microphone receiver can be connected via USB. None of these are deal-breakers for the typical creator, but they are areas where it’s clear that Insta360 is still in its early stages in this category. Much of this could be improved via a software update.

Image and Audio Quality of the Insta360 Luna Ultra

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: How does the footage look? In short: really good. The Luna Ultra stands out in this category with its 8K resolution—twice that of the Osmo Pocket 4’s 4K. Both lenses record in 8K at up to 30 fps, including Dolby Vision (HDR) and the new I-Log profile.

This I-Log is the first-ever log profile in an Insta360 camera and is designed for anyone who wants to shape their footage during color grading. It delivers up to 14 stops of dynamic range, is 10-bit, and, according to the manufacturer, is based on Rec.2020, making it suitable even for ambitious color grading workflows. An interesting detail from real-world use: In high-contrast scenes, the 4K footage shot in I-Log has noticeably less noise than the 8K footage. So 8K is particularly worthwhile in low-contrast situations where maximum resolution is key—otherwise, you’re often better off with 4K.

If you don’t want to spend time on color grading, there’s a whole range of preset looks available: Leica Natural, Leica Vivid, and Leica Chrome emulate classic Leica styles, and there are also filters like Fresh, Cinematic, and Pos Film. This is great for quick results without post-production.

For low-light conditions, there’s PureVideo mode, which can be activated manually or automatically. It’s limited to 4K at 60 fps and doesn’t support I-Log, but it delivers surprisingly clean footage. The Luna Ultra clearly outperforms a current smartphone in this regard. One minor criticism for professionals: In PureVideo mode, irregular frame rates occasionally occur (such as 60.2 instead of 60 fps), which can be annoying in post-production. This behavior did not occur in I-Log mode.

Insta360 has really stepped up its game when it comes to audio. A 4-microphone array, an included windscreen, and 32-bit float recording that virtually eliminates clipping. For simpler edits, the 24-bit setting is usually the more practical choice. The microphone in the detachable module is also impressive, but it’s finicky when it comes to distance and alignment. If you want maximum voice quality, go for the wireless Insta360 Mic Pro (our review).

When it comes to photos, the Luna Ultra Vlogging Camera delivers 9-megapixel images in JPG and RAW (8-bit only), which are upscaled to 37 megapixels in UltraPhoto mode. The image quality is good across the board, but it can’t replace a traditional smartphone or even a camera—that’s something to keep in mind.

Insta360 Luna Ultra Review: Conclusion

The Insta360 Luna Ultra is a remarkable debut and shows that it can easily compete with DJI. For the manufacturer’s first foray into this category, it’s surprisingly polished and introduces two features that, once you get used to them, you won’t want to do without: the dual lenses with a true telephoto lens and the detachable touchscreen, which makes solo vlogging noticeably easier. Add to that excellent image quality, Insta360’s first I-Log profile, and robust audio options.

At the same time, it’s clear that a newcomer is at work here. The tracking isn’t quite up to DJI’s level yet, some firmware decisions (the app locks the camera, limited timecode, no third-party mics via Bluetooth) feel unfinished, the camera gets warm at 8K, and at 729 euros and up, it’s significantly more expensive than the single-lens Osmo Pocket 4, which starts at 479 euros.

So who is the Luna Ultra worth it for? If you value the second focal length, often film yourself alone, and appreciate the flexible remote control concept, you’ll find a tool here that’s currently unrivaled in this form. On the other hand, if you’re looking for the most compact, affordable solution, prioritize excellent slow-motion capabilities, or rely on mature firmware, you’ll still be very well served by DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4. The Luna Ultra isn’t a clear winner. But it’s a serious contender that’s really shaking up the market. And that’s exactly what was long overdue.