It's a video camera, but the photos were great. I took the Insta360 Luna Ultra out into the city
The Insta360 Luna Ultra was released as a gimbal-integrated video camera. Looking at the official website, the focus is clearly on video, with features like 8K shooting, AI tracking, and a lens co-engineered with Leica. But what caught my attention wasn't the video.
A 1-inch sensor and a Leica lens.
What kind of colors would I get if I took photos with this combination? That curiosity is what led me to pick it up.
To conclude, it was exactly as I expected, and I was satisfied with it.
Since I was able to purchase it a day early, I'd like to introduce it by sharing the points I liked after actually using it, along with some straight-out-of-camera examples.
Points I was curious about, having used the Leica Q2
First, let me list the cameras I usually use: RICOH GR IIIx, FUJIFILM X-Pro3 + XF35mm F1.4, SONY ZV-E1, and the Leica Q2. That's why the phrase "Leica co-engineered" on the Insta360 Luna Ultra caught my eye. It's a common story that even if it has the Leica name, it's not the real thing, so I was just hoping it would have enough of a "Leica-like" feel by my own standards.
However, when I actually took photos with it, it felt a step above a smartphone, and I realized it had an atmosphere I liked for photography.
Of course, it's not fair to compare the full-frame Q2 with the 1-inch sensor Luna Ultra in terms of absolute image quality, but even so, I can see the veins of hydrangeas and the stamens and pistils, and with the background blur, I felt it was enough. Carrying a Leica Q2 in my bag every day is a bit heavy. The Luna Ultra is light, small, and has an image quality with an atmosphere I like; I thought this point alone was a sufficient attraction.
The Leica signature colors are good
The Luna Ultra comes with Leica-derived color profiles such as Leica Natural, Leica Vivid, and Leica Chrome. I usually like Classic Chrome or Kodak-style color tones, and I often shoot while being conscious of light and shadow.
I especially like Leica Vivid and Leica Chrome. Vivid produces solid colors without being too flashy, and the shadows are well-defined. Chrome has a slightly calmer tone, making casual city scenes look like a scene from a movie.
The 233g weight is also a plus
If you're going to use it as a camera, weight is important. Compared to other 1-inch sensor cameras, the Luna Ultra is 233g. It fits easily into the bag I carry every day, so there's no "it's too heavy today, so I'll leave it behind" moment.
As for snapshot cameras, the X half got a lot of attention last year, but it couldn't shoot in RAW (DNG) (I can't do advanced development, so it's just a "nice to have" insurance level for me), and the RICOH GR3x is 40mm. The Luna Ultra is equipped with two lenses: a 60mm telephoto and a 20mm wide-angle.
Summary
My way of using it might be a bit unique. The Luna Ultra is a product that debuted as a video camera, but I picked it up with the intention of taking photos from the start. After actually using it, I think that choice was the right one.
A 1-inch sensor and a Leica lens. Colors that come out pleasantly even straight out of the camera. The 233g lightness that makes you want to carry it every day. And the fun of being able to use two focal lengths, 20mm and 60mm. Of course, it's not a camera that replaces the Leica Q2 or GR IIIx. But it has a charm all its own.
It's easy to take out, fun to shoot with, and the photos are better than I thought. For now, that's what the Insta360 Luna Ultra is to me.
