Well, let’s be clear right away: our Sony ZV-E10 has given up the ghost. And somewhere, we had been sensing it for a while. We film more and more, the villages of the Algarve, local events, the restaurants we love, and each time it was the same little ridiculous dance, pulling out the big camera, screwing on the tripod, wondering if the sound would be decent (spoiler, no).
So when it let us down, instead of buying the same combo again, we asked ourselves a real question, the one you might be asking yourself too: what is the best camera for traveling today when you want to film beautifully, quickly, and without dragging around a whole backpack. Our answer, we ended up ordering it, and it’s an object we had never wanted to face until then, the Insta360 Luna Ultra.
Here is our complete opinion: why we fell for this one, what stands out from those who have already filmed a lot with it, and especially its real flaws, because we are not here to sell you dreams.
Our verdict
Benefits
- 1" dual lens + Leica co-designed telephoto, 8K video: image quality above the rest
- Integrated 3-axis mechanical gimbal, no need for a separate stabilizer
- 2" detachable touchscreen: discreetly film yourself (restaurant review, solo vlog)
- 233 g and pocket-sized: designed for vanlife, travel, and cabin baggage
- 4 built-in microphones + compatible with Insta360 wireless microphones (Mic Air / Mic Pro)
Disadvantages
- Starting price that feels like a classic action camera
- Brand new product: ecosystem of packs and accessories still young
- High demand at launch, risk of stock shortage
For a creator or a travel duo looking for a single finished, stable, and compact camera rather than a bulky hybrid, the Luna Ultra is an obvious choice. We ordered it ourselves to replace our Sony, which says a lot.
Our little graveyard of cameras (and why nothing really fit)
Before getting to the Luna, we went through quite a bit of equipment. And honestly, each camera had one dealbreaker for us. We’ll give you the rundown, it might save you from our mistakes.
Our very first was a GoPro. Great on paper, except that the battery life, on this kind of camera, is a disaster, you shoot three clips and it’s already on its last legs (we ended up keeping it for quick shots, and that’s it).
Then there was our trusty Sony ZV-E10. Let’s be clear, it’s a very good camera, interchangeable lenses, stunning image. But it’s big, it’s bulky, you always needed a tripod to use it, and since we got it without a lavalier mic, the base sound was a bit poor. A very good tool, but a tool that requires you to organize around it.
We also tried a gimbal stabilizer for phone. Same problem, it becomes bulky in the bag, and especially it drains way too fast. Caroline struggled to hold a three-hour live without the gimbal giving up halfway (try explaining to your community that “it’s the battery,” it doesn’t go over well). And on the DJI side, we were familiar with the Osmo family, without ever finding the case that solves everything.
And then there’s this case that keeps coming up for us: filming a review in a restaurant. When you point a camera at your plate, the people at the next table stare at you, you feel obliged to justify yourself, in short, the opposite of the authenticity we seek. We dreamed of something we could discreetly place in a corner of the table, and that’s it.
First contact: sturdier than we imagined
The first surprise upon discovering the beast (and it’s something that comes up with almost everyone who handles it): it’s a bit bigger and heavier than we imagined for a pocket camera. But far from being a flaw, it gives a reassuring feeling, an impression of a truly quality product, something solid in hand rather than a gadget.
And this is where we want to be honest with you, because it’s the story we hear the most: many slightly jaded videographers, used to big gear, initially looked down on this object, like “this thing isn’t that great”. Then the more they use it, the more they change their minds for the better, until the famous “I admit, I was wrong.” It’s exactly this kind of turnaround that convinced us to take the plunge.
What exactly is the Insta360 Luna Ultra?
The Luna Ultra is the first gimbal camera from Insta360, and it’s exactly the kind of all-in-one object we were looking for. In a pocket-sized case weighing 233 grams, you combine image, mechanical stabilization, and sound, where our old setup required a camera, a stabilizer, AND a separate mic.
On the technical side, it packs a punch for its size: a 1-inch sensor co-signed by Leica, 8K video, a 3-axis motorized gimbal, four built-in microphones (and compatibility with Mic Air and Mic Pro wireless), plus this detail that caught our eye, a detachable OLED touchscreen that serves as both a monitor, a remote control, and an external mic.
For the detail-oriented, here is the complete technical sheet of the camera:
Technical specifications
| Color | Cosmic Black, Stellar White |
|---|---|
| Net Weight | 0.23 kg (0.51 lb) |
| Display | ✗ |
| Application | ✗ |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.0 |
| Storage | 47 GB internal + microSD up to 1 TB |
| Audio | 4 built-in mics + compatible Insta360 Mic Air / Mic Pro |
| Sensor size | 1" main sensor + 1/1.3" telephoto |
| Max video resolution | 8K at 30 fps (up to 4K at 120 fps) |
| Photo resolution | 37 MP (UltraPhoto), 200 MP panorama |
What’s amusing is that Insta360 was a brand we had never had. We had DJI, Sony, GoPro, phones, but not this. The 360, very little for us, it wasn’t our thing. It was really the Luna, with its classic pocket format and that famous Leica lens, that made us switch.
The detachable screen, the real revolution (the one we didn’t expect)
If there’s one thing that everyone agrees on, it’s this, and frankly it’s what excited us the most. At first glance, you think “meh, a detachable screen, what’s the point,” and then you end up using it all the time. It completely frees you from the smartphone, nothing to configure, it just works, and it completely changes the way you film when you’re alone.
The craziest part is the discretion it offers. You place the camera in a corner, step away, and control it remotely while keeping an eye on the frame. Imagine being able to film an animal while staying twenty meters away without scaring it off, or capturing the atmosphere of a show from the stands without disturbing anyone around you. For our restaurant use, where we want to be forgotten, it’s exactly what we’ve been looking for for years.
The dual lens: the little thing that changes everything
The other big surprise is the optical zoom and its telephoto lens. On a pocket camera, having real focal lengths is extremely rare, and it opens up a world of possibilities. Switching to the telephoto, we get a nice background blur, a depth of field worthy of a classic camera, that kind of rendering we thought was reserved for big bodies.
In practical terms, this means we can step back instead of being glued to our subject (ideal for not being intrusive in reporting), vary the shots, and give a cinematic feel to images shot with something that fits in your pocket. What stands out everywhere is that this dual lens is the game changer for the Luna, the thing that no other pocket competitor really offers today.
Stabilization, low light, and rendering: where the 1-inch sensor shines
Stabilization is the crux of the matter with this type of camera, and on this front, the Luna clearly plays in the big leagues. Even if your hand shakes or it gets bumpy, the framing remains clean, you frame and boom, it’s done. We expect nothing less from a 3-axis gimbal, and clearly, the contract is fulfilled.
But the real pleasant surprise, the one that justifies the 1-inch sensor, is the low light. Where our old little cameras would drop out as soon as the sun went down, this one handles the evening, indoors, night ambiance, with accurate colors and natural skin tones, without that digital noise and ugly color casts we hate. Add in the dynamic range close to a full frame and that slightly cinematic rendering, and we understand why some talk about the most beautiful images they’ve filmed, with a pocket camera.
AI tracking: filming alone, as if someone is framing you
For a duo that often works solo, the AI subject tracking is a huge selling point. One tap, the camera locks onto you and keeps you in frame, even if you move, even on the telephoto where it’s the hardest. As a result, we get shots that feel like there’s a cameraman behind the camera, while we’re all alone on the field.
A small bonus that matters: the framing respects the rule of thirds rather than sticking you right in the middle of the image, and that makes it look much more polished, less amateurish. These little touches show that Insta360 designed the camera for people who really create.
Battery life and robustness: the point that reassures us
This is THE point where all our previous cameras have betrayed us (hello GoPro and the gimbal that gave up in the middle of shooting). On the Luna, the feedback is clearly more reassuring: long shooting days without running out of battery, a camera that heats up but doesn’t quit, even pushed in extreme conditions, and a fast charge that gets you back up in about twenty minutes. For van life and long days, it’s exactly the kind of reliability we demand.
Our reservations: because an honest opinion has its “buts”
We promised you, no sponsored content. Even the most enthusiastic testers (and especially the only one we’ve seen test without a partnership) point out real flaws to know before buying. Here are the complaints that come up most often.
The compact all-in-one that replaces three devices. The detachable screen that frees you from the smartphone. The dual lens and its great bokeh. Finally clean low light. The AI tracking for solo filming. And this ability to whip it out faster than your phone to catch the moment.
The price, clearly its biggest flaw. Slow-motion capped at 1080p (the competition goes up to 4K). No native vertical (you have to crop). A first-generation software that’s still young, with some bugs and missing options. The little legs of the integrated tripod that don’t inspire much confidence over time. And a slightly slow cold start.
Nothing prohibitive for our use, but let’s be completely transparent: it’s a very promising first generation, improvable, that probably deserves a major update to smooth out its little quirks. It’s up to you to see if these shortcomings affect your filming style.
So, the best camera for traveling? Our Insta360 comparison
Tricky question, because “best” depends on what you film. Against the competition, the Luna has a clear positioning: on stabilization, it holds its own against the DJI Pocket, but it gains an advantage thanks to its detachable screen and second lens, two things the Pocket lacks. On the other hand, DJI maintains an advantage with 4K slow motion and a more mature autofocus. It’s not a “goodbye competition” rant, it’s a reasoned choice towards more unique possibilities.
And within the Insta360 range itself, three models compete for the traveler’s bag without playing the same role. We’ve put the three cameras head to head below.
Luna Ultra vs Ace Pro 2 vs GO 3S: which travel camera?
£649,00
See the product
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£339,00
See the product
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£259,00
See the product
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|
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Weight | 0.23 kg (0.51 lb) | 0.18 kg (0.40 lb) | 0.04 kg (0.09 lb) |
| Application | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth BLE 5.2, USB-C | Wi-Fi 802.11a/n/ac (5 GHz), Bluetooth BLE 5.0, USB-C 2.0 |
| Storage | 47 GB internal + microSD up to 1 TB | microSD up to 1 TB | 64 GB or 128 GB internal (no microSD) |
| Audio | 4 built-in mics + compatible Insta360 Mic Air / Mic Pro | 2 mics, wind noise reduction (clip-on windscreen included) | Wind reduction, stereo, directional enhancement, 48 kHz/24-bit AAC |
| Sensor size | 1" main sensor + 1/1.3" telephoto | 1/1.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Max video resolution | 8K at 30 fps (up to 4K at 120 fps) | 8K (7680×4320) at 30/25/24 fps, 4K up to 120 fps | 4K (3840×2160) at 30/25/24 fps, 1080p at 200 fps (slow-mo) |
| Photo resolution | 37 MP (UltraPhoto), 200 MP panorama | 50 MP (8192×6144) | 12 MP (4000×3000) |
| Zoom | 1-12x (photo and video) | 2x (clarity zoom) | - |
| Stabilization | Mechanical 3-axis gimbal | FlowState + 360° horizon lock | FlowState + horizon lock |
| Battery life | 240 min | up to 180 min (endurance mode) | 38 min (camera) / 140 min with Action Pod |
| Dynamic range | 14 stops (10-bit I-Log) | 13.5 stops (PureVideo, Active HDR) | - |
| Colour profiles | Standard, Dolby Vision, 10-bit I-Log | Leica profiles (Natural, Vivid, B&W) + I-Log | Standard, Vivid, Flat, Portrait |
| Dimensions | - | 71.9 × 52.2 × 38 | 25.6 × 54.4 × 24.8 |
| Waterproof Rating | - | 12 m without case, 60 m with dive case | 10 m camera only, Action Pod IPX4 splash-resistant |
| Video Compression | - | - | H.264 (up to 120 Mbps) |
To summarize our reading: the Luna Ultra is the laid-back vlog, the clean framing, the restaurant review, the city stroll where we film beautifully. The Ace Pro 2 remains the queen of action and low light when things get moving and it’s dark. And the GO 3S, tiny and magnetic, is the hands-free POV for immersive shots. For our travel and restaurant use, it’s the Luna, without hesitation.
Price, promo code, and where to buy it
The Luna Ultra comes in several packs (Standard, Endurance, Essentials, POV, Vlog, Creator), to choose from depending on whether you just want the camera or all the gear. The price updates automatically below, so no outdated pricing to worry about (and yes, it’s a budget, it’s even its main flaw, let’s not kid ourselves).
Insta360 Luna Ultra Camera gimbal 8K Leica promo code
In stock
Insta360 Luna Ultra Camera gimbal 8K Leica
VANTOUR*
*Verified price on 23 June 2026. The final price may vary.
By using our partner link, you benefit from the Insta360 promo code VANTOUR which gives you -5% off. And if the code doesn’t work, we’ve detailed all the tips on our dedicated Insta360 promo code page.
Our real field test is coming, come back to see us
Let’s be clear until the end: at the moment we publish, the beast is still on its way to Tavira. This article is our reasoned opinion, our “why we chose this one” based on everything we’ve been able to sift through, not yet our feedback hands-on (we hate fake tests, you know us).
What we’re going to do with it, very concretely, as soon as it arrives: redo our videos of the cities and destinations of the Algarve, cover local events, and finally film our restaurants and activities in horizontal format (until now we were stuck in vertical, the Luna opens up another format for our articles). While waiting for our own images, here is the official presentation of the camera to give you an idea.
A complete YouTube video and a gallery of field photos will follow right here. Add the page to your favorites, or come back in a few weeks, we’ll have put it through its paces.
Do we recommend it? For whom, and for whom not
If you are a travel content creator, solo vlogger, and you want beautiful images without breaking the bank on a big body or carrying a bag of gear, the Luna Ultra checks pretty much all the boxes we’ve been looking for for years. It’s the tool for “I whip it out, I catch the moment, it’s clean,” perfect also for vacations, short films, and even events thanks to its telephoto lens.
If, on the other hand, your thing is big 4K slow motion, pure photography, extreme sports, or diving, you might want to look at a DJI Pocket, an action camera, or a 360, it’s not the same job. We will give you our complete feedback very soon, with real experience. We’ve already gotten into the habit of telling you about our tested gear on the road, this one will be no exception. And if your goal is also to live off your content while traveling, a camera that is quick and renders well is the crux of the matter.
Your questions about the Insta360 Luna Ultra
Does the Insta360 Luna Ultra replace a hybrid camera?
For video and vlogging, largely yes: it combines image, mechanical stabilization, sound, and a control screen in a single 233 g body, whereas a hybrid requires a stabilizer and an additional microphone. That's exactly why we chose it after the death of our Sony ZV-E10. However, for pure photography, a hybrid with its lenses remains more versatile.
Is it really a good camera for traveling and vlogging?
For a travel content creator, this is one of their best playgrounds: 233 g, pocket-sized that fits in the cabin, detachable screen for solo filming, 3-axis stabilization, and finally decent low-light performance thanks to the 1-inch sensor. You can whip it out faster than your phone to capture the moment, and that's exactly what we were looking for.
Does the Luna Ultra film vertically for social media?
Yes, but let's be honest: there is no native vertical mode at the time of writing. The camera crops the image (we switch to 3K), which is still very good for reels or TikToks, but we would have liked a true full sensor vertical mode. This is one of the points that an update could improve.
Luna Ultra or DJI Osmo Pocket: which one to choose?
On stabilization, it's a tie, impossible to separate. The Luna takes the lead thanks to its detachable screen and its second lens (telephoto with a nice background blur), two things that the Pocket lacks. On the other hand, DJI maintains the advantage with 4K slow motion and a more mature autofocus. For our travel vlog and restaurant use, we preferred the Luna.
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