I tested the Insta360 Link 2 pan-and-track webcam - and it's helped me deliver far more engaging online training
SOURCE:TechRadar|BY: Alastair Jennings
The Insta360 Link 2 is essentially an evolved webcam, and features an AI-powered 4K camera with a physical gimbal and advanced modes such as DeskView, whiteboard mode, and gesture control that make it a perfect partner for anyone looking to livestream, hold online lectures, or engage in more advanced video conferencing.
As soon as the Insta360 Link 2 is plugged in, it's instantly recognised as an external webcam for almost all applications, both desktop and browser-based. Once the Link Controller software is installed, you essentially have a mini PTZ camera that’s able to track you around the room automatically. It’s far more than most people need, but if you’re holding online lectures or more advanced business meetings, features such as whiteboard and DeskView make it a valuable tool.
Pros
Incredibly clear video
Subject tracking
Simple plug-and-play
Cons
-
Far more expensive than a webcam
-
Built-in mic quality is average
-
Limited 4K frame capture
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Insta360 Link 2: 30-second review
The Insta360 Link 2 is, for all purposes, just a standard external webcam that features a magnetic articulated mount, making it easy to position on top of your laptop or monitor. For desktop users with standard monitors, this gives you a webcam for live conferencing, streaming or any other situation where a camera is required on your computer. For laptop users, while most will have an inbuilt webcam, this not only elevates the quality of the built-in option but also adds more advanced features.
What stands out here is that Insta360 has made this camera as easy to use as any other plug-and-play webcam. Once it's plugged in, it will be recognised in exactly the same way. Straight out of the box, you can use hand gestures to start tracking, as well as to switch the camera on and off.
However, it's only once you install the Insta360 Link Controller that the full feature set becomes available. More advanced features, such as DeskView, allow you to flip the camera to look straight down at your desk. So, if you're trying to show others paperwork or images that you have on your desktop, it does require a physical rotation and the addition of the tripod and head accessory.
If you're holding a lecture or you're in a meeting and you have a whiteboard where you're drawing examples for others to follow, then the whiteboard mode will automatically select the whiteboard and make that full screen, so it's not just a small area within the stream. The setup for this requires markers, but it’s again simple to set up.
Having used the Insta360 Link 2 for a couple of lectures and web meetings, it’s very obvious that the video streaming quality is exceptionally high, with all the usual blurred backgrounds and AI-enhanced self-beautification features. What makes this one of the I've used is that when it's used as a mini PTZ on top of your monitor, able to follow you around (unlike the similiar but static ). For all manner of streaming uses, this is actually a relatively affordable option, with features comparable to many more expensive alternatives.
Where can you get it? Widely available from Insta360 and online retailers.
When you consider that you can pick up a relatively decent webcam for around $50 / £50, jumping to nearly $200 / £200 is quite a leap, so this camera won’t be for everyone.
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However, if you compare that price against dedicated PTZ cameras, against which this camera holds up well, then it offers exceptional value.
Connectivity: USB-C Cable (USB 2.0) or USB-C to USB-A adapter Audio: Dual noise-cancelling mics Max Video resolution: Landscape: 4K@30/25/24fps, Portrait: 4K@30/25/24fps Camera: 1/2" sensor, 4K @30fps, HDR, 2-axis gimbal Size: 69 × 41 × 45 mm OS Compatibility: Windows 11, macOS Accessories: USB-C cable, USB-A adapter, monitor mount, tripod thread mount
Insta360 Link 2: Design
Insta360 has made its name in the 360° action camera market, and with the success of those cameras, they have now ventured into the business arena with products like the Insta360 Link 2 and the Insta360 Connect, which I looked at last year.
The design is minimalistic and extremely elegant, with its black plastic body being of exceptionally high quality. What makes this camera stand out against other webcams is the fact that the camera itself is mounted onto a physical gimbal that enables it to rotate around 270º, rather than being fixed like more standard models.
The camera is extremely small and compact – designed to sit or perch on top of your monitor. While slightly larger than most webcams, measuring 71.3x58.9x38 mm and weighing just 101.5g (or 166.5 g with the magnetic mount attached), it remains portable.
The magnetic mount unfolds and hooks over the top of your monitor, with plenty of width and adjustability, allowing it to fit both the slim profile of the latest MacBook Pro and older 4K design-ready monitors in the studio. Once the mount is hooked onto the monitor, the Link 2 simply attaches to the top.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
If you're running a class and want the camera positioned on a desk like a PTZ camera, the unit’s design allows that as well. You can fold the mount down flat to add weight and position it neatly on a desktop or surface.
The mount gives you a good range of options, and there is a tripod thread on the base of the magnetic mount if you need it, although the tripod and mini head are an additional cost.
Next to the lens is a large circular LED that shows the camera status. It glows green when ready and flickers when gesture control or advanced features are used. It integrates seamlessly with online conferencing software like Google Meet.
Design: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Insta360 Link 2: Features
As you’d expect for a camera costing this much, and despite being a similar size to your average webcam, there’s a lot more on offer here than just fixed-position HD live streaming.
The first standout feature is its ability to stream up to 4K UHD video at 3840 × 2160 at 30fps, a significant increase from the usual. It’s a bit of a shame that it doesn’t go up to 60fps, which would be more useful for exercise classes or lectures involving more movement.
To ensure the best possible quality, the webcam also has a larger 1/2" sensor, offering better low-light performance, which is definitely ideal for lecture theatres and offices.
As mentioned earlier, it features a mechanical 2-axis gimbal, very similar to those used on drones, for pan and tilt, though not roll, as the assumption is that the camera will sit on a level surface.
Alongside the plug-and-play nature, the Insta360 Link Controller software allows manual and automatic adjustments. Within it, you can beautify your appearance, blur or replace backgrounds, and enhance vocal audio. It also enables advanced features.
DeskView rotates the camera to look down at your desk or keyboard. If you're drawing or showing paperwork, it frames and composes the desk view without scanning.
The whiteboard mode zooms and composes around a whiteboard, filling the screen for viewers. It’s quick to set up and very effective once configured.
You can also rotate the camera to portrait mode for mobile viewers, though this requires manual repositioning using a tripod. The software then automatically recognises the new orientation for streaming.
AI enhancements also include auto-framing and exposure, ensuring clarity.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Features: 4 / 5
Insta360 Link 2: Performance
Getting started with the Link 2 is extremely straightforward. First, download the Insta360 Link Controller app for Windows or macOS. Once installed, pop the camera onto the magnetic mount, place it on your monitor, and plug in the USB-C cable.
The camera spins briefly to calibrate before resting in its ready-to-use position, with the lens and large green LED facing you.
Even before diving into advanced features, you can open your streaming app of choice, Zoom, Google Meet, etc., and select the Insta360 Link 2 as your video and audio source. On both the MacBook Pro and Windows 11 desktop I tested, it was instantly recognised.
The difference between the MacBook Pro’s built-in webcam and the Insta360 Link 2 was instantly apparent. The clarity and visual quality were far superior. On a casual morning call, a colleague immediately remarked that the image quality seemed noticeably better, particularly in the lower light of the office.
However, I did find that the audio pickup wasn’t quite as good as my usual mic but was on a par with the MacBook Pro’s built-in mic, so I reverted to using the usual mic instead of the Link 2’s during calls.
During that initial call, I tested the tracking features. Using hand gestures to get the camera moving was exceptionally quick and easy. My colleague did find the camera's small movements a little disconcerting at first, but quickly adjusted. I moved around the studio to highlight items without having to pick up my laptop, which avoided the usual shaky footage. The Zoom also focused smoothly on my location.
I’ve used PTZ cameras in the studio before for online lessons, and this small monitor-mounted version worked just as well. I’ve used similar devices, and the Link 2 is definitely in line with the likes of the OBSBOT Tiny 2.
You can use the webcam without the software, but installing it unlocks features like AI beautify, background blur, and custom backgrounds, all of which are of much higher quality than those built into most apps.
These features, including smart whiteboard mode, DeskView mode, and AI tracking, are what justify the higher price tag. The AI tracking is perhaps the most impressive. A simple tap on the circular icon on the front of the camera activates it. The green LED flashes to confirm activation, and the camera begins tracking. This works without the software – it’s built into the hardware.
To stop tracking, tap the icon again, and it reverts to a standard webcam. The pan and tilt are smooth and not jerky, keeping up well with movement. Even after walking out of frame, the camera was able to pick me up again smoothly as I re-entered.
Visual quality was excellent in both well-lit and dim conditions. Once the software is installed, double-tapping the front button on the Link 2 activates AI tracking with gesture controls, although I opted to set the tracking to Auto in the controls. Holding a flat hand up starts and stops tracking, though you must avoid covering your face, or the camera won’t be able to track properly.
The whiteboard mode is particularly impressive. The box includes corner markers for your whiteboard. Stick them in place, and with a two-finger gesture, the camera automatically zooms and corrects the whiteboard’s angle so it fills the frame.
If you're not using your own whiteboard, there's also a detection mode that scans for a board and then zooms and crops the image. This works well, although you may need to pause briefly while it recomposes. If the composition is off, you can manually adjust the four anchor points and confirm, and it then reframes accordingly. This feature is especially useful, and it works not just in the Insta360 Link software but also with external streaming apps.
Some features, like DeskView and portrait mode, are more manual than expected. For DeskView, use the mount to angle the camera downward. The software then helps correct the shot and orientation. Switching between landscape and portrait is also manual – you physically rotate the camera using the provided mount, and the software adjusts the feed for correct output.
There’s also a mobile app. If your camera is connected to your PC and your phone is on the same network, you can then control the camera remotely. This is especially handy during presentations. I found I could quickly switch from tracking to whiteboard mode, zoom, and start/stop tracking. That said, I mostly relied on gesture controls, which worked well once everyone on the calls was used to me signalling at an invisible entity.
I also liked the virtual joystick on the mobile app, which gave even more control over camera movement.
By the end of testing, I was impressed by most aspects of the camera. The only weak point was the microphone quality, which didn’t quite match that of the mic I usually use, but that said, it was still of decent quality. Another point when moving around with the audio was that while the camera compensates for volume, there is some perceptible drop in clarity.
Still, compared to fixed webcams, the PTZ-style camera makes sense if you're mobile during presentations or livestreams, and that audio is still a level up when compared with the MacBook Pro that I’m using.
Performance: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Insta360 Link 2: Final verdict
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Small, AI-enhanced PTZ-style webcams are exceptionally useful – but they’re not cheap compared with standard external or built-in options. While the video streaming quality is high and the AI features genuinely add value to online presentations, the cost may be prohibitive and the features overkill for occasional business meetings.
However, if you’re making online content, streaming, conducting lectures or classes, then having this small camera absolutely makes sense. It really is like having your own personal camera operator in the room. The tracking is smooth and subtle, without being distracting for viewers.
The video quality stands out. With the ability to beautify your appearance, blur or replace backgrounds, and customise your setup via the Insta360 Link software, it offers all the features you'd expect – just at a higher 4K quality.
It is, however, a shame that the 4K resolution is limited to 30fps. Just a small upgrade to 60fps could make a noticeable difference in motion smoothness. Still, for most use cases, especially with normal-paced movement, 30fps is more than enough.
My only real issue was with the mic quality, which, while adequate, didn’t quite match the MacBook Pro’s built-in mic. That said, it was still far better than the audio from my PC, and most people would find it more than acceptable.
Throughout testing, it became clear that for standard business meetings, the quality of the visuals was far better than my standard MacBook Pro’s camera, which just meant the people I was speaking to got me in greater visual clarity than normal. However, it really comes into its own when running lectures; the mini PTZ-style camera proved extremely useful. AI tracking with gesture control felt intuitive, and I appreciated the ability to control it via my phone. Whiteboard mode also stood out, not just for me, but for anyone using it in a business setting, thanks to its ability to detect, crop, and compose the board quickly and accurately.
This camera might be overkill for some, but in many situations, especially for educators or professionals delivering online classes, its advanced video streaming capabilities make it a valuable tool.
Should I buy a Insta360 Link 2?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Value
Simple plug-and-play performance makes it cheaper than a larger PTZ camera, but still expensive
4
Design
Simple, sleek and stylish design that’s lightweight and easy to transport
4.5
Features
The smart features really stand out; however, some aspects, such as flipping from landscape to portrait, are more manual than expected
4.5
Performance
The software, tracking, and advanced features, such as whiteboard, make this a simple, no-fuss solution
5
Overalls
If you're often on your feet when streaming business presentations, lectures or classes, this is a great option
Alastair is a photographer, filmmaker and tech writer who has been working in the publishing industry since the late 1990s. For more than 25 years he has covered photography, video and technology across Future's photography, technology and gaming brands. He runs a photography and video production company and lectures in TV and film. He can usually be found testing mini PCs or prototyping and prop building with the aid of 3D printing.
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