Why the Insta360 GO 2 Is the Ultimate Action Camera for Spontaneous Travel Videos

A photograph may convey a thousand words, but sometimes video is necessary to genuinely capture a moment. The vibrant swirl of fish I encountered while snorkeling in the Philippines, the exhilarating motorcycle taxi ride through Bangkok, and my son’s first steps on a tatami mat in Tokyo—these were occasions where my reliable mirrorless camera or iPhone fell short, even as a professional travel photographer.

For a while, I searched for an action camera that I could easily stash in my pocket or gear bag—not for client work, but to document those unforgettable moments between assignments and during personal trips. I needed a device that offered superior video quality and flexibility beyond what an iPhone could provide, without the complexities of a high-end action camera.

Key Considerations When Purchasing an Action Camera

• Image stabilization is crucial, and it's one of the primary reasons to opt for an action camera over a smartphone. Most models nowadays include this feature, but action-specific cameras like the GoPro Hero 10 excel at keeping your footage steady even in high-energy scenarios, such as bumpy BMX rides or surfing in rough waters.
• Choose a larger sensor size if you plan to shoot a lot during early mornings or late evenings in challenging lighting conditions.
• Pay attention to frame rates. A higher frames-per-second rate (the “fps” indicated in specifications) leads to smoother slow-motion footage. Aim for a minimum of 60 fps.
• 6K or 1440p? If your primary goal is social media content, a standard resolution of 1440p should suffice. Cameras with higher resolutions provide sharper images for larger displays, but they also come with a heftier price tag. Save money and invest in accessories instead.
• Action cameras come in various shapes and sizes: From chunky GoPros to sleek, bullet-shaped models from Polaroid, each has its pros and cons. Generally, larger cameras offer better battery life and may feature a live view screen, while smaller models provide more versatility for creative shooting and are easier to transport.

The Insta360 GO 2

With all of this in mind, when Insta360 invited me to test out the Insta360 GO 2 (which boasts enhanced image quality, increased storage, and better battery life than the original Insta360 GO), I eagerly accepted the chance—and this compact action camera has been my travel companion ever since.

Why? Because it’s super compact. Without its casing, the pill-shaped camera is hardly larger than my thumb and weighs as light as an AA battery (27 grams, to be exact). It operates without buttons: a simple tap beneath the lens gets the recording started—so easy that even my three-year-old figured it out.

Its small size also lends to its versatility. With a magnetic back, you can attach it to various metal surfaces: I fixed it to my fridge to create a cooking timelapse for TikTok and attached it to a light pole to film my son’s skateboarding practice. The included magnetic pendant necklace was a favorite of mine, allowing me to attach the camera to my son’s chest for POV-style videos without the bulk of a GoPro harness. The package also contains a pivot mount that adheres to smooth surfaces (like car windows, kitchen shelves, or mirrors) and a clip mount to attach it to the brim of your cap.

The case, which resembles an Apple AirPod case in both size and style, is a multifunctional tool: it houses an extra battery, serves as a charger, acts as a remote control, and can transform into a mini-tripod using the collapsible “wings” at the back. It also features a small screen (which the camera itself lacks) that allows you to switch between capture modes, check battery life, and modify settings.

The camera performs adequately outside its case, but after weeks of filming, I found myself using the camera mounted in its case far more frequently. Without the case, the battery depletes in about 30 minutes (even quicker in Pro Video mode, which I’ll discuss later), while the case extends recording time to 150 minutes. Plus, I didn’t have to rely on the camera’s somewhat perplexing beeps and light flashes to determine when and in which mode it was filming.

Now, for the details

The Insta360 GO 2 records 1440p videos at up to 50 frames per second (1080p at 120 fps in Slow Motion mode) and captures images at 9MP. In simpler terms, this means your photos and videos will appear sharp on an average laptop screen but may look blurry on larger displays. Additionally, the camera is waterproof up to 13 feet and offers 32GB of internal storage. Are these specs groundbreaking? Not really, especially when compared to the similarly priced GoPro Hero 8, which records in 4K and features a 12MP sensor. However, that misses the point: the Insta360 GO 2 isn’t designed to produce National Geographic-level footage in perfect pixel detail. It’s crafted for capturing spontaneous, creative clips for travel vlogs, TikToks, and Instagram Stories, and it excels in that regard.

This isn’t to imply that its video quality feels subpar. Since most videos are viewed on mobile screens, the difference between the GO 2’s 1440p output and the 4K footage from comparable action cameras is barely perceptible. To achieve the best quality, I primarily filmed in Pro Video mode, even though it consumed more storage and battery. The enhanced stabilization (compared to standard video mode) and the “horizon lock” feature produced exceptionally smooth footage with vibrant colors and a solid balance of highlights and shadows. While editing Pro Video, along with videos shot in Hyperlapse and Slow Motion modes, using the Insta360 app, I appreciated being able to adjust the video orientation and field of view (from fisheye to linear)—even post-filming. This flexibility allowed me to create a 9:16 Instagram Reel and a 16:9 YouTube video from the same clip without sacrificing quality.

There’s even more to appreciate about the app, which connects seamlessly to the camera via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. You can use it as a remote control with live view (though I found it drains battery quickly) and modify settings and button commands (for instance, one tap on the camera body takes a picture, while two taps start filming in Pro Video mode). In addition to the basic editing features, it includes a robust AI-assisted algorithm that can automatically choose the best segments from longer clips, simplifying the editing process.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind

One clear drawback is the absence of 4K resolution, which is essential if you're looking to create more than just social media clips and need high-definition footage for professional desktop editing. The GO 2 also could benefit from a stronger battery (a trade-off for its compact size), and the microphone quality leaves much to be desired. Additionally, the 32GB internal memory is non-swappable (unlike the GoPro, which uses microSD cards), which can be frustrating on busy trips when there’s little time to transfer footage to my phone or laptop (though a 64GB version is now available for an extra $30).

Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a fun camera for capturing short clips during vacations or bike rides around town, this pocket-sized powerhouse is tough to beat.