There’s a lot to be said for versatility and user friendliness in an action camera, and the One R delivers on both fronts. It’d take us a month or two to really explore everything this camera can do – and with the firmware and app being frequently updated, even more features and shooting modes could be added in the near future. As an alternative to a GoPro Hero, the One R is definitely a strong shout – particularly if you see yourself shooting a lot of 360 videos or photos. We suspect GoPro’s reputation for reliability and all-round performance will keep it as the go-to choice for action cam buyers, but if Insta360 continues to support and improve upon its products, it may overtake its closest rival very soon.

Tons of features; Decent image quality; Powerful mobile app;

Some (pre-release) app issues;

The Insta360 One R is a unique action camera that offers comparatively good value when compared to non-modular rivals like the GoPro Hero 8 Black and GoPro Max. Neither its standard 4K footage or 360-degree video are a match for those cameras, while its small screen and software issues also make it less user-friendly. But the modular design is a success and gives you the flexibility of adding further modules, like the One-inch Edition. If you're prepared to accept its foibles and compromises, it's a good option for those who want to dabble in both 4K and 360-degree video.

It’s two (or three) cameras in one; Solid 4K and 360-degree image quality; Largely successful modular design;

Sub-GoPro image processing; Very small screen; Significant bugs at launch

I wouldn’t consider this a perfect buy for established YouTubers, or filmmakers who will intersperse Insta360 One R footage with that of a more traditional camera or edit on industry standard software. However, the creative potential here is huge. Multi-lens modularity aside, the app-based software offers extremely accessible dynamic editing that can be worked into a larger project if you want to get ambitious. It may not set new standards for image quality and polish, but the Insta360 One R's modular flexibility is hard to beat.

Largely successful modular design; Reversible screen is vlog-friendly;

Flaky software and interface; Motion blur with low light and faster movement shooting; Video quality sub-GoPro level, but solid; Small screen is fiddly;

Despite having the ability to see everything around them, 360-degree cameras have a limited number of uses. The Insta360 One R, however, isn’t your typical 360 camera. In fact, it doesn’t have to be a 360 camera at all. Its modular platform allows you to swap out the 360 lens for a traditional wide-angle action camera lens. There’s even a Leica-branded 1-inch sensor mod for capturing higher image quality and better low-light shots. The One R is made of three main components — the swappable camera module, battery base, and touchscreen. Each is a separate piece, but the latter two are more permanent as they are used with either camera module. The $480 Twin Edition includes a 5.7K 360 mod and a 4K wide-angle mod. The 1-inch Edition includes the mod that houses a larger one-inch sensor for better image quality. The Insta360 One R also builds in a long list of features and a well-designed mobile app for accessing them. It doesn’t just break 360 out of its niche — it competes with GoPro as a...

Modular design; Excellent stabilization; Sharp videos; Long list of extra features; Well-built editing app; Competitive price;

Small screen; Shutter lag; Occasional bugs;

So far not that impressed. My GoPro 9 is much better

Tons of features; Decent image quality; Powerful mobile app;

Some (pre-release) app issues;

Tons of features; Decent image quality; Powerful mobile app;

Some (pre-release) app issues;