Insta360 has announced two new 4K AI-powered webcams with advanced image and audio processing.
With working from home still being a thing, and the need to appear professional during web conferences, it's no surprise that there's a demand for webcams that offer more quality than the one that's built into your laptop.
Granted, built in webcams have improved quite significantly in recent years, but they still fall short of more sophisticated cameras. The pandemic brought about the more widespread use of HDMI to USB converters, so that mirrorless cameras could be used as webcams, drastically increasing the quality that was possible. But, setting such a rig up is a bit of a pain to do each time.
Insta360 responded last year with its Link webcam, which offered 4K resolution and AI tracking capabilities. This year, it has updated the range with the Link 2 and Link 2C, which use the latest advances in image processing and AI.
The two cameras are identical in specification, except that the Link 2C is a static camera, while the Link 2 is attached to a two-axis gimbal. They can both be attached to a monitor or laptop by way of a magnetic mount, or they can be attached to a tripod.
The new webcams feature a 1/2" sensor with an f/1.8 lens. The cameras are HDR capable, and can stream and capture at up to 30fps in 4K and 60fps in 1080p. The size of the sensor, coupled with phase detection autofocus, means that the background can be placed subtly out of focus, increasing the perception of quality. The minimum focus distance is around 4-inches, meaning that it will be possible to demonstrate detailed closeups of products and other objects, should the need arise.
In the case of the Link 2, the camera can track your movement, which could be useful for product demonstrations. A nice touch is that it can be set so that it won't reveal certain portions of the room that you're in. Handy to keep all that laundry you stuffed out of shot invisible to your colleagues.
Cleverly, the AI tracking function can be enabled and disabled with a hand gesture, so it doesn't have to be on all the time. Furthermore, the tracking system can cater for having multiple people in a shot, giving neither person any particular bias in terms of framing.
Another potentially useful feature for presentations is the Whiteboard mode, which will automatically detect a whiteboard and keep it squared off and in focus. Likewise, there's a Desktop mode, too, for showing overhead shots. Both cameras can also be controlled via a smartphone, as well as being able to perform background replacement and even "One Click Makeup", which gives your face a bit of a spruce up, should you happen to arrive for the conference looking like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards.
Audio wise, the Link 2 cameras utilise AI for noise reduction in busy environments, as well as being able to filter out keyboard and mouse board clicks. Audio modes include Voice Focus, Voice Suppression, and Music Balance.
The Link 2 and Link 2C are available now for $199 and $149 respectively.