Whether you want to capture better video, or turn your shots into better, more watchable and shareworthy clips, these updates from GoPro, Insta360, and DJI should give you an edge. From app-based 360º footage editing that’ll blow your mind, to DJI’s new ActiveTrack 5.0 “follow me” update, here’s the latest action cam updates worth a look…
Insta360 Snap Wizard
The new Snap Wizard feature on the Insta360 app is, quite simply, super impressive. Shoot everything with their One X2 360º camera, drop it into the app, then simply move your phone around to “aim” the camera at what you want to show. Tag a subject and it’ll track them for you. Or tap to add your own keyframes and let the app create a smooth pan between them.
If you’ve never edited 360º footage in a desktop editor like Premiere or Final Cut Pro, you have no idea how powerful this is…it’s kinda mind blowing. Here’s a quick teaser…
This video shows a few other updates, like an improved Flow State mode for the One R action cams. The update allows the cameras to capture fully stabilized video that’s immediately useable, no longer requiring post-production stabilization…really, this just brings those cameras up to speed with what GoPro and DJI have been offering, but still nice to see.
The other standout update is the addition of their Quick Readers. These USB-C to Lightning adapters let you quickly move footage off the camera onto a MicroSD card, and then onto your phone. It’s faster than WiFi, and won’t drain your phone’s battery like maintaining a WiFi connection would, so you have more juice for editing time.
GoPro HERO10 adds frame rates
The latest GoPro HERO 10 Black doesn’t disappoint, and now it’ll capture even more framerates. Here’s the full list that comes with the latest firmware update, which turns on compatibility with the ultra wide angle Max Lens Mod:
- SuperView digital lens to 5.3K60/30
- New resolutions and frame rates including 5K 4:3 24, 4K 4:3 30/25/24, 5.3K24 and 1080p24
- Max Lens Mod
- *NEW* 2.7K 4:3 60fps
- *NEW* 2.7K 4:3 30fps
- 2.7K 60fps
- 2.7K 30fps
- 1080p 60fps
- 1080p 30fps
The cold-weather Enduro battery is also shipping now, just in time for winter (and a great little stocking stuffer for your action cam friends). It’s not just for colder temps, it also boosts recording times in normal temps, too. From GoPro:
At a battery temperature of 14°F / -10°C (note: this is the battery’s temperature, it can be even colder outside), with HERO10 Black the Enduro battery enables, on average, 56 minutes of 5.3K60 video, 50 minutes of 4K120 video, 76 minutes of 4K60 video and 115 minutes of 1080p30 video recording.
Enduro also significantly increases video recording time in moderate temperatures. For example, with HERO10 Black during typical outdoor activities at a temperature of 77°F / 25°C, the Enduro battery enables, on average, 60 minutes of 5.3K60 video (a 28% improvement over the standard battery), 51 minutes of 4K120 video (a 40% improvement over the standard battery), 71 minutes of 4K60 video (a 13% improvement over the standard battery) and 120 minutes of 1080p30 video recording.
The Enduro battery fits HERO9 and HERO10 cameras. Retail is $24.99, available direct.
DJI ActiveTrack 5.0 for Mavic 3
If you’ve watched those Skydio promos but remained loyal to DJI, the wait is finally over. The latest update to the DJI Fly app (v1.5.4) and Mavic 3 firmware (v01.00.0400) enables several intelligent flight modes, including MasterShots and HyperLapse, adds the ability to take photos in RAW Only format, and optimizes RTH, obstacle avoidance and other flight characteristics.
Their ActiveTrack 5.0 announcement was far too understated for an update that should allow the new Mavic 3 drone to track a moving subject while also following it through an obstacle-laden environment. As in, following a mountain biker or trail runner through the forest…which is exactly what we’ll be testing over the coming weeks, stay tuned.
More firmware updates, including QuickTransfer, QuickShots and Panorama mode, will come in January 2022.
