Insta360 Luna Pro vs. Luna Ultra: Which Gimbal Camera Is Better?

The Insta360 Luna Ultra and Luna Pro are both highly capable and easy-to-use gimbal cameras. Both have a maximum 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, can shoot vertical 4K video and best of all, have a removable screen that makes it easy to line up shots when the camera is placed out of reach. Plus, they’re both available in the US, and their biggest competition, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and Pocket 4P, are not.

I’ve used both of these cameras for several weeks and have a strong preference for one over the other. Your needs and budget might be different, though. Here’s a look at which is the better option for you.

More zoom goes a long way

While there are some additional minor differences, the only major one is the amount of zoom. That difference does have some knock-on effects I’ll get to shortly, but, as you can see from the photos below, the Ultra has two discrete cameras, while the Pro has just one.

The Ultra’s second sensor has a 3x zoom compared with the main camera’s sensor. By cropping in on the image, the Ultra can have a somewhat seamless transition between the two lenses, and a maximum lossless zoom of 6x. The Pro’s lossless zoom maxes out at 2x. Technically, the Ultra’s maximum zoom is 15x, and the Pro’s is 4x, but to get that reach, the photo/video is cropped in significantly and then upconverted, so the results, while usable for social media, are noticeably softer than what you get within the “lossless” zoom ranges.

I’ve been traveling and using both of these cameras extensively over the last few weeks, and the zoom has been one of the most useful aspects. I’ve been primarily using the Luna Ultra as a phone and camera replacement. Being able to frame a subject better or get closer to one that’s distant has been something I’ve done almost every time I’ve used the Ultra.

The better framing aspect is artistically very useful. Ever notice how your face looks different in a selfie compared to when someone else takes your photo from a few feet away? The camera’s distance from a subject changes how that subject looks, especially compared to the background. With the Ultra’s zoom camera, I was able to get better, more interesting photos by being farther from the subject but zoomed in without losing detail, as I would have with the Pro.

So personally, having used both, I’d get the Ultra over the Pro even knowing the price difference. It’s just a more versatile camera. That said, there are two aspects where the Pro wins out over the Ultra.

Price, bulk and a missing feature

With only a single camera, the price of the Pro drops to around 20% less than the Ultra. In this age of expensive everything, saving nearly $170 is worth considering. As I mentioned above, I think the Ultra is the more useful camera with the greater zoom, but again, that’s me. 

While the cameras are basically the same from the gimbal head down, that smaller gimbal head means the Pro is a slightly less bulky camera. I can more easily slip it into and out of a pocket, which is ideal for a camera that’s definitely made to capture moments quickly. I haven’t found the Ultra to be cumbersome, even with its included big plastic case, but all my pants have big pockets, and I almost always have a backpack full of random camera gear. So they’re both easy to use and handle, but the Pro is just that bit less bulky, which might be better for smaller hands or anyone who doesn’t usually have big pockets.

While not a huge deal, the silicone cover included with the Pro (instead of the Ultra’s plastic case) slides off a little too easily. So if you place it in your pocket or backpack, it will either fall off on its own or stay behind as you take out the camera to record. I found myself worried about the Pro loose in my bag in a way that I didn’t with the Ultra. In fact, the latter survived several weeks of travel in a crowded backpack without issue.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

There’s one other, somewhat minor, feature the Pro lacks that I think is worth mentioning. The Ultra can take 200-megapixel panorama photos. These extremely high-resolution, ultra-wide images capture a surprising amount of detail. The Pro lacks this feature. The main camera on both models is a fairly wide 20mm (35mm equivalent), but being able to automatically take far wider photos is handy in certain situations.

Both cameras can also take 32-megapixel 360 photospheres, similar to what a 360 camera can take. However, while a 360 camera can take a photo instantly, both Lunas must capture 19 individual images and then process them. The delay makes this feature far less useful than it seems. Also, if the camera isn’t on a selfie stick, tripod or sitting somewhere by itself, your arm and body will be extremely distorted in the final image.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Bottom line

If you’re just looking for a camera to document your life and escapades, and you can’t imagine needing a zoom (for either practical or artistic reasons), the Luna Pro is likely fine. You still get some zoom, though not nearly as much as the Ultra. If your current phone doesn’t have a telephoto lens and you’ve never felt the need for one, the Pro will save you some money.

I typically don’t like recommending the more expensive version of things I review, but in this case, my preference is definitely for the more expensive Luna Ultra. The Pro doesn’t feel like that much of an upgrade over my phone. Sure, the image sensor is larger, and the removable screen/controls are handy, but my phone cameras are “good enough” and at least have ultrawide and telephoto options. The Ultra can do everything my phone cameras can do, but in higher quality. It’s also nearly as fast to use. That’s my pick.

Geoffrey Morrison

Contributor

Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer about tech and travel for CNET, The New York Times, and other web and print publications. He’s also the Editor-at-Large for Wirecutter. He is the author of Budget Travel for Dummies as well as the bestselling sci-fi novels Undersea, and Undersea Atrophia. He’s NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Audio Production from Ithaca College. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com and on his Instagram and YouTube channel.

See full bio