Report ● Yuki Saijo
〇Is ISO sensitivity noise significantly improved?
The new sensor of Insta360 Pro 2 has improved performance such as dynamic range. Is it true because the sensor size is the same? I verified it while doubting. Insta360 Pro has a sharp increase in high-sensitivity noise when ISO is raised. At ISO 6400, the noise is so bad that it looks like stripes. ISO3200 and ISO6400 are useless. First, compare the ISO sensitivities. The shooting mode was manual with a shutter of 1/30 second and a white balance of 5000K. Check the comparison video for each ISO sensitivity.
・ Comparison video 01 of "Insta360 Pro" and "Insta360 Pro 2"
The Insta360 Pro 2 has clearly reduced ISO sensitivity noise. There is little high-sensitivity noise about 2 steps. Insta360 Pro 2 has more options to increase (increase) ISO sensitivity. It is an impression that it can be used even with ISO1600. Performance is definitely improving. If you want to check the noise of each ISO sensitivity more, please check each video below.
・ Insta360 Pro, ISO100-6400 comparison video
・ Insta360 Pro2, ISO100-6400 comparison video
〇What is the HDR function of video?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is complicated. The author is also uncertain. In the case of still, it is HDR that synthesizes multiple images with different exposures, but there are also HDR-like (not HDR) mixed images such as pseudo HDR from RAW. For videos, it's even more complicated. There are various types of HDR, and it is complicated because it is not clear whether it is a camera or monitor compatible with Rec.2020, whether it is a result of changing other data to Rec.2020, or a composite of videos with different exposures. .. There is HDR shooting with a camera compatible with HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) that can shoot in the color gamut called Rec.2020. The HDR monitor is a monitor that supports Rec.2020 (BT.2100). If you are shooting a video in RAW, which is the raw data as it is, you can also convert it to the HDR standard of Rec.2020. With Cinema Camera RED, there is also HDR x composition that changes the exposure for each frame and records at the same time. If you're shooting with Log Gamma, which has a wide dynamic range, you might think it's equivalent to HDR.
When I investigated what the HDR of Insta360 Pro 2 was, the website of the agency Hakosuko found "DOL-HDR". The DOL (Digital Overlap) method seems to be a technique that changes the exposure time according to the brightness of each pixel of the sensor. That's probably because many small cameras use Sony sensors.
● Reference materials (Source: Naoritsu Co., Ltd.)
https://www.sunnic.com/japanese/05_news/02_detail.php?NID=90
As of the end of December 2018, Insta360 Pro 2's HDR was a beta feature. You can select HDR by turning on the HDR feature from the app and entering the video settings. It may be a formal feature in the latest firmware. In HDR mode, there are more restrictions such as not being able to use the stabilization function or operating only at a specific resolution. Unfortunately, it is still experimental performance. It has no effect if it is bright or dark. Rather, it is counterproductive. It seems to be effective only under certain conditions such as at dusk. This may be a technical characteristic called DOL. It is expected that it will be greatly improved by firmware etc. The current conclusion is that it's better to shoot with i-Log.
・ Comparison video of Insta360 Pro2 normal, i-Log, video HDR mode
〇 Can you like i-Log?
The author is a Sony α7RⅢ user and he is I Love S-Log. Verify if you like his i-Log for Insta360 Pro 2. The shooting mode was manually set to ISO100, shutter 1/30 second, and white balance 5000K. It is important to set the Log at the time of shooting to maximize its performance, and it is also largely due to the technical capabilities of color correction and grading. Performance may change significantly depending on the firmware. Note that it is difficult to make a true judgment unless you use it. The previous model Insta360 Pro does not have a Log shooting mode (a function called Flat-Color is installed), and the Log shooting function has been installed from Insta360 Pro 2. Watch the video below to see the differences between them. Insta360 Pro 2 has more information in either mode, and even if the difference between light and dark is large, i-Log still has highlights and shadows.
〇Comparison video of Insta360 Pro Flat-Color and his Insta360 Pro 2 i-Log
I also tried the author's color collection. The Insta360 Pro's Flat-color is also surprisingly easy to use, but the highlights did not return well probably because the exposure was processed a little over. As you increase the saturation, the red color of the stapler also feels strange. The i-Log of Insta360 Pro2 has information on the highlight part, and the red color of the stapler can be reproduced deeply. As the notation changed from Flat-color to i-Log, I certainly feel the evolution to Log. With Insta360 Pro 2, there may be "shoot with Log for the time being". It is a Log that you will like. * As an 8-bit Log.
〇Comparison of Insta360 Pro and his Insta360 Pro 2 color correction
If you want to see the change of scope by each mode, please check each capture below.
▲ Insta360 Pro nomal scope (bright environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro flat scope (bright environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro nomal scope (dark environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro flat scope (dark environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro2 nomal scope (bright environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro2 i-Log scope (bright environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro2 nomal scope (dark environment)
▲ Insta360 Pro2 i-Log scope (dark environment)
〇 How to use FarSight, a remote video monitoring system
FarSight is a remote video monitoring system. "Insta360 Pro" was a paid option (91,000 yen). It is now an accessory in Insta360 Pro 2. By using the 5.18GHz band radio, it is strong against radio wave crosstalk, and if there is no obstruction, the radio wave can reach farther. Insta360 Pro2 has an additional external AP (Wi-Fi) antenna. The 2.4GHz band radio has also been enhanced. FarSight is not required for simple usage. Of course, it will be effective when you want to perform stable monitoring. By using FarSight, it is possible to monitor at 1080p and high image quality.
FarSight is ideal if you have a base at the shooting site (a monitor or computer is placed near the shooting site and used as a base). Even if you don't use it all the time, the merit of being able to preview a stable 360-degree camera with high image quality in the 5.18GHz band is great. It is also effective when mounted on a drone operated using the 2.4 GHz band.
FarSight consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The battery is built-in. Long-term operation is possible by using the included AC power supply. IPhone, iPad, smartphone, tablet, etc. are fixed to the receiver. I was also able to install the Amazon Fire HD 10 inch size. iPhone, smartphone, etc. can be installed vertically. First, connect the main unit and the transmitter with a LAN cable. Next, connect a smartphone etc. to the receiver. A USB Type-C cable, Micro USB cable, and Lightning cable are included in the accessories. It is designed so that it can be connected to each terminal. After that, set the IP etc. and the connection is completed.
▲ The camera and transmitter are connected with a LAN cable.
〇 Crystal View technology
4K is the maximum video resolution that can be played on a general HMD (head-mounted display). If it is more than that, the load will be heavy and playback will not be possible. CrystalView is a technology that raises the resolution of only the part of the 360-degree video that the viewer is watching. It's a commonly used process, but it's great that it's offered as a consumer app. As stated on the manufacturer's site, the feature is "We will deliver 8K 360-degree video to viewers in 8K with iPhone, Android smartphone, Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Go." I have a dream to watch 8K on Oculus Go. I verified it with Oculus Go.
Install Insta360 Moment on Oculus Go from the Oculus store. Move the vrb file of the 8K video exported on your computer to the Insta360 Moment folder of Oculus Go. Now you are ready to go. Certainly I was able to play 8K video on Oculus Go. However, I can't watch it properly. You may see it if you don't move your head, but unfortunately it's not of practical quality. I look forward to future improvements.
Also, it is an impression when comparing 4K and 8K, but if you compare it many times, you can see that 8K certainly looks sharper. Conversely, it can be said that the difference cannot be seen without comparison. This may be due to the problem of frame clutter, as well as the display resolution of Oculus Go itself.
Summary of various verifications
I borrowed and verified Insta360 Pro and Insta360 Pro2 for a long time. If you're asked which camera you want to use for your shooting business, I would choose the Insta360 Pro2. Insta360 Pro2 has a negative point that it is about 150g (1228g → 1386g) heavier and the battery operation is shortened by about 25 minutes (75 minutes → 50 minutes) due to the addition of GPS etc. I'm disappointed with the HDR function, I have a hard time extracting data from 6 Mciro SD cards + 1 SD card, and I also feel that FarSight wants a 100,000 yen discount as it is sold separately. However, the number of apps and accessories has increased, and the price has nearly doubled, but the sensor has become more versatile even when shooting at 8K, a practical stabilization function, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity noise, and a high bit rate. , Easy-to-use i-Log is a good impression. A wide dynamic range can also be achieved with i-Log. Although it could not be verified in this article, there was a sense of expectation that it could be used for various purposes because it also supports 3D stereoscopic VR180.
