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What is the best action camera for families in 2026? Capturing precious moments with your kids can be very challenging. Whether it’s their first steps, the look of amazement when they see an elephant or the exhilaration of seeing a coral reef for the first time. These moments are precious – but notoriously hard to capture. Kids are unpredictable and things happen in the blink of an eye. You have ONE shot at it.
Even if you can capture the moment – shouldn’t you be enjoying it through your own eyes and not a lens? And there’s the BIG dilemma in family travel. Do you lose a moment by trying to capture it or do you lose the moment by not trying to capture it?
What if there was a way to capture those “one shot” moments that meant you didn’t need to miss the moment worrying about camera angles and framing your shot? What if you could capture everything with the single push of a button and focus on the things that matter in the moment? And what if you could do all of this with one of the most advanced action cameras on the market?
ONE camera delivers…
In our humble opinion – there is ONE camera that delivers. There is only ONE camera that delivers all of this with true life-like vibrance. Meet the Insta360 ONE RS.
As a full time travel vlogging family we decided to put Insta360 to the test. Can she capture some of our BEST moments – and still allow us to be present in the moment? And is the footage high enough quality for a professional youtube channel?
Putting Insta360 to the test
They say “Never work with kids or animals”. This is especially true when you’re trying to create quality videos that capture precious authentic moments. So we thought we would put Insta360 to the ultimate test. Can this cutting edge action camera really capture every precious moment without detracting from our experience? Join us on one of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL islands in the world, equipped with our Insta360, to see what we could capture.
Why is Insta360 the BEST action camera for families?
Insta360 really performs when it comes to capturing those “one shot moments”. In our opinion this really is the BEST action camera for families. Here are 10 reasons that we LOVE Insta360 for family videography:
- Shoot first, reframe later – Don’t lose moments worrying about your camera angle – just enjoy the moment and connect with your kids whilst the 360 lens captures everything
- We all know things get knocked and dropped with kids. No problem for Insta360. As a tough camera Insta360 will survive – even if your toddler decides it is a space rocket!
- Moments with kids come and go in the blink of an eye – don’t miss a thing with Insta360 responsive quick start function (hit record without needing to switch it on first)
- Adventures with kids can be a bumpy ride – capture smooth footage with Insta360 flow state stabilization and horizon lock. You can add further stabilization in the editing suite.
- Don’t miss amazing moments – even if you’re not looking the camera is
- Insta360 design versatile cameras to capture every sweet moment – quick lens switch over is essential when you are trying to capture fleeting moments with kids
- Insta360 is built to adapt – the Insta360 One RS offers Dynamic HDR to allow unrivaled amazing dynamic range – get pristine shots in any condition
- Let the camera follow you with the seamless invisible selfie stick – it’s a bit like having your own drone. At full extension you can get whole body shots of you AND your family.
- Get plenty of shots through the day with long battery life. 70 – 80 minutes of runtime – great for those longer wild adventures!
- Edit like a pro video with the innovative Insta360 studio (free platform for Insta360) – make a video that helps you re-live those precious moments with kids.
TOP TIP: We mentioned that Insta360 is tough. The only vulnerability is the lens which is at risk of scratching. We recommend using a case to store your camera. ALSO consider getting the 360 sticky lens guard to protect your lens.
Insta360 action camera series
In this article we are focusing on the Insta360 ONE RS as the best action camera for families. Insta360 has THREE main action camera ranges: the ONE series, the X series and the GO Series:
1 The ONE series (Insta360 ONE RS)
“Built to adapt”
Modular ergonomic horizontal design with 3 units – battery, LCD and lens. 3 lenses to choose from: 4K boost, 360 lens and the 1” wide angle lens. Very versatile and powerful system. This is our TOP PICK action camera for families and we’re going to dive in head first and review this camera. The twin edition includes the 4K booster lens and 360 lens. Keep reading to find out why we think this is the best action camera for families.
Purchase your Insta360 ONE RS directly from Insta360 and save up to 20%. The twin edition retails for around $550.
2 The X series (Insta360 X3)
“Magic in Action”
Vertical camera system. 360 lens compatible with the Insta360 dive case (vertical) – so great for divers and free divers alike. Waterproof to 10m without the dive case. They also have a snow kit available. Large LCD screen. Can be used in single lens mode or 360 mode. Another great choice for families.
Get your Insta360 X3 from directly from Insta360 to selected the perfect kit for you. This action cam normally retails around $550
3 The GO Series (Insta360 GO2)
“The tiny mighty action cam”
Compact, light and powerful action cam. Hand’s free, mount anywhere. Offers many of the features of the X2 and ONE series including powerful sensor, flow state stabilization, horizon lock, hyperlapse, slow mo, waterproof (to 4m). Internal storage. Only a single inbuilt lens is available.
Keep an eye out for flash discounts and seasonal deals. Get you Insta360 GO2 directly from Insta360. Normally retails around $360
Insta360 One RS vs GoPro Hero 11 – comparison
If you’re looking for the best action camera for families the chances are you have also been looking at GoPro. So which action camera is best – Insta360 or GoPro? We have used both cameras for adventure shots and travel vlogging around the world. In our opinion Insta360 wins hands down. To help you make your own mind up here is a summary of Insta360 One RS compared to the GoPro HERO11.
| Insta360 One RS action camera | GoPro HERO11 |
| Great value for money: $550 (twin edition action + 360 lenses)$300 for the 4k edition | Expensive: $1,100 (for action + 360 cameras)$550 for Hero11 |
| Versatile, flexible, modular | Traditional non-modular |
| 6K widescreen mode (with the boost lens 24FPS), 5.7K with the 360 lens and 5.3K with the 1 inch wide angle lens | 5.3K at 60FPS and 4K at 120FPS |
| Interchangeable lenses Easy to upgrade and replace parts | Inbuilt lens Not possible to upgrade and replace parts |
| Affordable accessories. Awesome bundles & accessories to pick the perfect package for you. | Official Gopro accessories are expensive. Nice creator bundle available with mic and light. |
| One LCD screen (can face forwards or backwards) | Front and back LCD screen |
| 4.8m (16ft) waterproof – we recommend a dive case for any underwater work | 10m (33ft) waterproof without a dive case |
| Built to adapt: The only action camera that offers an active HDR setting (amazing dynamic range) | Can lose detail in extremes of light or dark in a shot |
| Excellent stabilization Built in horizon lock whilst tilting the camera | Also offers excellent stabilization. Horizon lock (not when you tilt the camera) |
| Don’t miss a detail – amazing 48MP photos | 27MP photos |
| Versatile selfie stick Dynamic shots with spinning selfie stick, invisible selfie stick & tripod base to the selfie stick. Full extension range allows FULL body shots plus other people too! | Standard selfie stick and tripod base. Compatible with other kit like dome lenses. |
| Impressive technical shooting modes: Hyperlapse (moving time lapse), interval shooting, slo mo, star lapse photo mode and static time lapse | Creative & fun shooting modes: Light trails, star trails, hindsight, schedule capture and duration capture |
| New features and updates for the camera and apps | Don’t generally release updates or new features |
| Unlimited FREE AI pro editing software: Insta360 studio – a pro desktop suite for exporting and editing videos and a very impressive Insta360 mobile app | Expensive gopro subscription includes cloud storage and the Quick App. Watch out for deals that include a 12 month subscription with the HERO11. |
Which camera makes better videos? Insta360 vs Gopro
As a relatively new company Insta360 has been competing hard to be THE BEST Action Camera on the market. And we think they’re winning! Lots of people stick with GoPro out of habit and their long term reputation. But a quick look at the specifications, features and accessories shows that Insta360 offers a lot more.
So which camera actually makes better action videos? Which camera performs better when you look at the final output? The Insta360 ONE RS or the GoPro Hero 11?
Insta360 and GoPro both deliver
Ok, straight up both cameras are absolutely amazing. Both systems pack a lot of technology and both cameras (Insta360 ONE RS and GoPro HERO11) produce crisp, sharp and pro videos. No need for an expensive gimbal – both cameras have amazing stabilization. Both cameras are action cameras and perform amazingly under extreme conditions. GoPro Hero 11 has a slight edge with water depth. GoPro HERO 11 also has two LCD screens that can be handy too. Insta360 has the edge with dynamic HDR.
Insta360 is leading
We already mentioned that Insta360 ONE RS has better specs. At this level of tech – we are talking minor details. For example, the INSTA360 might capture a few details on part of a shot more clearly on a bright day. So although Insta360 is better in terms of video quality – you need to look closely to see the difference.
One thing we have noticed is that Insta360 has amazing in-built colour grading compared to GoPro. Insta360 shots are lively, bright and vivid without being over-saturated. It is almost surreal how lifelike these shots are! As family travel vloggers, colour is a big deal to us. Best of all, the Insta360 can capture things that GoPro HERO11 cannot. You spend less time worrying about camera angles and you can frame things how you want later. This is the perfect combi of experience and creativity that we value.
Some examples of Insta360 at it’s best
In our humble opinion Insta360 ONE RS really is the best action camera for families. Here are a few situations where Insta360 stands out…
As a family we have been pushing our limits freediving. Our little 5 year old can now dive to 5m on a single breath and loves to say “hello” to starfish and turtles sleeping on the ocean floor. BUT freediving plus kids is an ultimate challenge to capture. In open water you’re dealing with safety, waves, currents and elusive sea creatures. Our boy can normally swim under water for around 30s – 1 minute.
And he needs to set off when he is ready. So we’re trying to capture short bursts of action in an unpredictable environment. The only way to make sure you capture everything is to take a camera that actually captures EVERYTHING. Enter the Insta360. Set up your Insta360 with a dive case (more on this soon) and off you go. One touch and your camera will do the rest for you.
We also LOVE using the Insta360 on those exhilarating high elevation shots. Whether it’s a zipline, high ropes course, the trapeze, a canopy walkway or a mountain viewpoint. The invisible selfie stick creates the impression of having a drone flying close to you. The immersive 360 shots help you capture the breathtaking panorama around you – without losing the moment yourself.
There is of course LOADS more that your Insta360 will be able to do. This camera packs plenty of fun and creative filming modes and functions. Whether you want to capture a sunset cuddle or mountain biking through the woods – Insta360 in ONE camera for every occasion.
What lenses can you use with the Insta360 ONE RS action camera?
Insta360 is the most versatile action camera for families. There are three lenses that you can use with the Insta360:
- The 4K booster lens – allows you to shoot whooping 48K photos AND it has 6K widescreen mode AND it has active HDR mode.
- The 360 lens (actually it is two lenses) 5.7K and films in every direction making the selfie stick invisible. The stitching is seamless. No need to worry about framing shots – just let your camera capture everything.
- The 5.3K Leica 1” wide angle lens – Amazing for panoramic scenery, incredible colour and low light levels.
Switching lenses is quick and easy. If you are organized you can switch lenses in under a minute. This is very important when you’re trying to film with kids in versatile and changing environments.
Can you attach a microphone to an Insta360 ONE RS camera?
Yes, you can attach a microphone to the Insta360 ONE RS camera. If your microphone has bluetooth capabilities, you can connect with the Insta360 without needing a cable. Alternatively you can buy a mic adaptor and you may also need an Insta360 mic mount (both are available from Insta360 and relatively cheap). The Insta360 ONE RS has a 48kHZ AAC audio output. It is compatible with many external mics, including RODE mics, Sony mics and Boya mics. Here are the external microphones the Insta360 have tested with:
- RODE Wireless GO (Omnidirectional) Black version
- RODE Wireless GO II (Merged mode only)
- RODE VideoMicro (Cardioid)
- RODE VideoMic Pro (Cardioid)
- XFAN D1 (Cardioid)
- BOYA-MM1 (Cardioid)
- BOYA-M1Pro (Omnidirectional)
- SONY UWP-D21 (Omnidirectional)
TOP TIP: We only recommend using an additional mic if you are trying to use your Insta360 for professional videography (e.g. vlogging). Insta360 also has an inbuilt stereo mic with directional enhancement, noise reduction and wind reduction. If sound is not a big feature in your filming, don’t worry about using an external mic.
Can you get a dive case for an Insta360 ONE RS camera?
YES, you can get a dive case for the Insta360 ONE RS. In fact, as a modular system, we recommend using a dive case for water work. There are two options here.
If you are only planning to use the 4K booster lens (forward facing), then you can buy a dive case for around $60. However, the 360 lens doesn’t fit in this standard dive case. This dive case is only compatible with the 4K booster lens for the ONE RS camera. The dive case has great specs. It is IPX8 waterproof down to 60m or 196ft. To put it into perspective – most fun dives only go to around 20m at the most.
If you want to film immersive 360 shots in the water, you will need to purchase a special vertical battery unit and a vertical dive case. The vertical dive case costs around $130 on its own and a dive case with a vertical battery costs $200.
TOP TIP: Don’t forget to rinse the selfie stick and dive case with fresh water when you’re done AND let everything fully dry before packing it away.
What file format does the Insta360 ONE RS
If you are using the 4K Booster lens or the 1”wide angle lens the Insta360 outputs MP4 for videos and JPEG for photos. If you’re using the 360 lens, then the camera outputs Insv. files for video and Insp. files for photos. If you want to edit 360 video files we recommend using the free Insta360 editing suites (the Insta360 app or the Insta360 studio for desktop).
Insta360 editing suites
One of the many things we love about Insta360 is the FREE and powerful editing suites. For quick and easy editing you can use the app and edit on your phone. For versatile pro edits you can use the Insta360 desktop studio. AI editing tools make editing pro videos easier than ever.
What can you do in the Insta360 app?
The Insta360 app allows fast, easy and high quality video editing on your phone. The Insta360 ONE RS camera uses wifi to sync with your phone. This means that you can see footage and control the camera using your phone straight away. The app reframing is impressive. If you want total control of your shots you can choose the perspective with Key Frame. For an easier edit you can select parts of your shot to focus on and Deep Track 2.0 will frame it for you. If you’re not sure how to frame the shot then let AI do the work and use Auto Frame. The app also offers Flash cut – let AI edit your wide angle videos – quick and pro editing. AND for your creative slow mo, timelapse, hyperlapse shots there is the Shot Lab – just import the footage and choose an effect.
What can you do in the Insta360 studio?
If you’re planning to edit professional videos we recommend using the Insta360 studio for desktop. This innovative editing suite offers the highest level of creativity, functionality and customisability. Reframe, stabilize, adjust and tweak your videos to perfection. This epic software offers a lot of tools so it does take some time to learn to use. There are loads of tutorials available on the Insta360 studio. The awesome editing suite makes insta360 an amazing action camera for families who create professional content (youtube,
Insta360 ONE RS (twin edition) – what’s in the box?
The standard Insta360 ONE RS includes the following items in the box:
- 4K booster lens
- 360 lens
- LCD unit
- Battery unit
- Mounting bracket
- Tripod clamp
- Rubber 360 lens cover (protect your 360 lens when it’s not in use)
You can upgrade to different kits to include extra accessories. For example, the Get Set kit also includes an invisible selfie stick and a 64GB memory card.
What are the disadvantages of Insta360 One RS action camera?
Ok by now you may have noticed that we absolutely love insta360! However, if you’re reading this review you’re probably interested in some of the disadvantages and challenges with Insta360. Here are some of the main disadvantages of Insta360.
Firstly, if you’re planning to film and edit 360 videos you will need to invest some time learning to use the Insta360 studio. There are tutorials and plenty of videos on youtube to help you learn. The Insta360 studio is an AMAZING suite that enables you to edit pro videos and we are very impressed that this is FREE. The user interface is great – but there are so many awesome tools and functions – it does take some learning time.
TOP TIP: Use the Insta360 app to edit fast, easy and high impact videos
Insta360 has a modular design. We have already mentioned some of the benefits of this (versatility and replacement of parts). However, this system is more vulnerable in water – we recommend a dive case for underwater shots.
The other vulnerability is the lens. Insta360 are already on this. They have included a super handy rubber lens protector in your kit! TOP TIP: If you’re using your Insta360 on the beach always make sure the lens protector is clear of sand.
You can also buy an additional 360 sticky lens guard – this provides protection from scratches and bumps without compromising filming quality or output.
These disadvantages are pretty small compared to the amazing advantages of the Insta360 ONE RS – this really is the best action camera for families.
Specifications Insta360 One RS Action camera
Ok we couldn’t resist geeking up with some specs. One of the things that really impresses us with the ONE RS camera is the versatility and range of options. Here is a summary of the specifications for the Insta360 ONE RS action camera.
| Boost 4K Lens | 360 dual lens | 5.3K 1” wide angle lens | |
| Aperture | F2.4 | F2.0 | F3.2 |
| Video resolution | 6016×2560 up to 25fps 6K 4000×3000 (up to 30fps)3840×2160 (up to 60fps)2720×1530( up to 100fps)1920×1080 (up to 200fps) | 5760×2880 (up to 30fps)3840×1920 (up to 50fps)3008×1504 (up to 100fps) | 5472×2328 (up to 30 fps)5312×2988 (up to 30fps)3840×2160 (up to 60fps)2720×1530 (up to 60fps)1920×1080 (up to 120fps) |
| Photo resolution | 8000×6000 (4:3)8000×4500 (16:9)4000×3000 (4:3)4000×2250 (16:9) | 6080×3040 (2:1) | 5312×3552 (3:2)5312×2988 (16:9) |
| ISO range | 100-6400 | 100-3200 | 100-3200 |
| File format | MP4 and JPEG | Insv. and Insp. (need to edit on the Insta360 studio) | MP4 and JPEG |
| Weight | 125.3g | 135.3g | 163g |
| Dimensions | 70.1×49.1×32.6mm | 70.1×49.1x43mm | 78.7×55.7×47.2mm |
| Video modes | Standard Video, Slow Motion, Active HDR, Timelapse, TimeShift, Loop Recording, 6K WidescreenFlowState (in-camera stabilization) | Standard Video, HDR, Timelapse, TimeShift, Bullet Time, Loop Recording | Standard Video, Slow Motion, Timelapse, TimeShift, Loop Recording, WidescreenFlowState (in-camera stabilization) |
SUMMARY – Is the insta360 One RS camera worth it?
Insta360 does come with a high price tag – normally costing around $550 for the twin edition (the 4K lens and a 360 lens). However, despite the high price it is much better value for money than competing products on the market. BUT is Insta360 worth the price? Ultimately, the answer to this question is personal. How and when do you plan to use it? And how much do you value its ability to capture moments?
In our opinion, the Insta360 really is the best action camera for families. Given that this camera can help you capture precious family moments to a professional standard without detracting from your experience in the moment – we think this camera is worth every penny.
We also love the fact that this is a tough action camera, so a one-off investment is likely to last many years. Furthermore, if parts are broken the modular design enables you to replace parts rather than disposing of the whole unit. Great for the environment and your finances.
Where next?
Find the perfect adventure for your new action camera. Don’t miss our genius tips on how to book an affordable family holiday step by step
