SMO 4K Hands-On Review: 30gr 4K FPV Camera by Insta360 & BetaFPV!

[@ChrisParayno]

Footage looks great to me, even one year later. I think too many folks are so caught up in side by side comparisons with other cameras and at the end of the day its how you work the data that really matters. Keep up the great work.

[@Scratchish_Golf]

Best review I have seen of this camera yet. Awesome to see actual cinematic color graded shots taken with the camera to show what it really can do.

[@DroneSupremacy]

Thanks a lot Devin 🙌🏼

[@filiped7298]

The production level is off the chart, Mike. Excellent job!

[@steve_beatty]

In case anyone was wondering...The ND filters for the Mavic mini fit...snugly..but they fit..

[@CarbonGlassMan]

Just got the camera in the mail today. The first thing I don't like are the wiring harnesses they send with it. Hard wire with plastic insulation. I foresee the wire breaking inside the insulation before too long. The camera seems nice. I'd like to glue foam to the front of the camera to protect it better in a crash.

[@MarvinBoydCo]

The log profile actually might be a good work around since the camera only comes with a 16 ND. In some of your footage the shadows have almost no data but at least with log you can choose how far your log-709 will adjust the image. Log will probably have more data than standard but it’s an action camera so since the sensor is crazy small, I wouldn’t expect something micro 4/3 or even a 1 inch sensor good.

[@airmatics_FPV]

Hi! Why is the footage so stuttering @0:35? Is this because of the SMO 4K? Your GoPro Vids are always so smooth but this is stuttering.....

[@c47force15]

Isnt shooting LOG better so you can do proper colour grading after?

[@Alex-nh1hb]

What screw did you use for the camera mount? Most of the GoPro ones have a huge knob on the end

[@DroneSupremacy]

It was a screw that came in the package with the camera.

[@alittt]

I got one after I saw this review. But after mine arrived, I couldn’t connect to mobile apps. I found the name of the camera on the app, but it needs me to click confirmation button on the display. Yet, the camera has no display. I read the manual book, it says I need to connect the wifi with password provided. But I couldn’t find the access point name. Now I don’t know what to do. Any clue? Thanks in advance.

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

Goto your phone wifi in settings. Click search. Look for a wifi called One R. Connect to that click to stay on it even with no internet. Then go back to app and it should connect to camera automatically.. But my app crashes when it goes to connect

[@jirizarsky]

@@divingfalconfpv4602 Me too, i dont see wifi One R :(

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

@@jirizarsky hmm.. my first one wouldn't display preview screen. Insta360 took it back Sent a new. Now this one works all the way. But I did turn it on and see one r on my wifi list after refresh. I'd email insta360. They made me jump so many hoops but did replace it. Even after telling them didn't work on 2 different androids and a iPad lol

[@PS-so5zc]

Nice video. How long can the camera record in one piece? How many minutes to record? Greetings

[@RGMGFitness]

Nice Mike! Was that an After Effects edit I saw in the intro (0:06)...thinking Saber Plugin maybe? Someone's upping their editing game...nice! Loved that intro! I think this camera's going on my Christmas list.....I didn't even know this was out yet. Thanks for the info Mike...

[@RGMGFitness]

Also, based on your feedback I'm sure Insta360/BetaFPV will do some firmware updates hopefully to fix some of the 'jello'ing' on bigger FPVs. Or, like they do on some other quads come up with a more flexible mount to remove the jello'ing effect. Great review Mike...nailed this one!

[@Alex-nh1hb]

What mount did you use to attach the 3-5inch 3D printed mount to the Protek 25? I printed it but it fits a standard GoPro mount, not what comes on the Protek 25. Thank you Edit: I think the drone was supposed to come with one but mine didn’t

[@danoc51]

What a great intro! I'm usually bored with intros but this one had me totally engaged. Two questions/concerns: 1) It appears that you can power the camera on and off by doing it manually before and after flights (not during). 2) I don't know when one could get useful audio unless all you want is the whirring from the blades. Thanks for all your effort on this and your usual commitment to quality.!

[@FilipposSdralias]

I really enjoyed the footage you captured with the drone! I have a question? What controller did you use? What range can it cover?

[@ProjectAnubisUSA]

Can you run multiple cameras on the app at once?

[@E-sk8Fr]

dope review. How noisy is the drone itself? that would be dope if you could measure the decibels. This variable is often forgotten in videos but for a toothpick that is used into small areas is the reduced noise level

[@svenniefpv]

i think if you can 3d print a more stable mount on a larger quad the yellow will disappear. experienced that on my gopro session 5, on my quads. A well tuned quad will be very stable these days.

[@SiamFpv]

This intro is 🔥🔥🔥

[@mahanths1353]

Can't find the song used in the intro... mind please sharing the name... thanks

[@dhardjono]

how to mount on a v2 frame beta 95 x? ok you just answere my question

[@mcferran6720]

Download in BetaFPV.

[@johnnyo3947]

Yes, i do it.

[@MrJasonodonnell]

Interesting about Jello on more Potent drones (your Badger for exsample), I have been playing about with DIY softmounting solutions at home with mixed but surprizing results. Im sitting at my bench with some DJI Phantom 3 camera softmounts in my hand and a 30g weighted box,

[@film_pi_vox]

Mate congrats for this video. i gotta ask you a favour. There's no manual nothing. As for the camera cables (4 of them red black blue and yellow) only the red and black are already soldered to the FC. Do the blue and yellow ones need to be connected anywhere or not? Also as for the TBS nano receiver Rx that I want to connect, where it's cables need to be connected to? I have a picture that I can send you to help me out. Pleaaaaaaseeeeee

[@shadowfaxproductions4787]

This may sound like a stupid question and sorry in advance, just curious is it hard to connect fpv drones to goggles and remote?

[@checkeredflagfilms]

it wasn't clear...do you remove the SD card...where is it located? can you go directly to FCP or PP with these files and bypass their desktop app?

[@DroneSupremacy]

The sd-card is located on the side of the camera. You should remove it to transfer the footage to your computer if you don't want to edit directly from your phone (you can do that from the phone app when you connect the camera to your drone and then go to the phone app) The files are saved as a different file format so in order to open them you need to convert them to .mov or .mp4 via the Desktop app.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

@@DroneSupremacy ahh...so unlike the GoPro...these files will not input directly into FCP or PP....you HAVE to use their proprietary app to convert them...correct? If so, that a pain in the butt...an extra time wasting step.

[@flying-oyvinator]

@@checkeredflagfilms the app and video software on pc is really simple to use and intuitive.. it takes like 5 minutes to get a hang of it

[@MukiFPV]

Very nice! How does it compare with reel steady go?

[@pjm714]

Nice review! Seems like a dope camera. Was there any additional editing done to your footage? Looks like it may have a hard time picking up darker areas

[@DroneSupremacy]

A light grading, nothing more :)

[@AngelVlad100]

Gopro removed protune settings from app. So what about "poor camera settings" of insta360 comparing to gopro? :D

[@DroneSupremacy]

Good point!

[@GlobalDesignHD]

You have to solder power wires to ur drone?? So it drains your drone battery??

[@DroneSupremacy]

It definitely doesn’t drain too much! You can barely notice.

[@husky041]

Does it fit onto regular GoPro mounts?

[@olacfpv]

Which LUTS do you recommend with this camera ?

[@pirchoo]

Thanks for the video, it answered many of my concerns about this... the auto exposure compensation on your clips looks kind of stepped and hars vs. the Gopro I think it is smooth. I saw you have both cameras, can you maybe make a comparison - mounting both on the same drone? PLEEASE!!! I also belive that you just need to secure it better on a big quad, and you can get rid of jello - I rather afraid that its the limitation of flowstate :/ Its not really a good test of testing stabilisation on stable flights - make a propwash test, decending with small quadcopter - I know RSGO just nails it.

[@redrattler4058]

Hi Mike, great review . Just wondering can I power up the camera with a battery without wiring it into the flight controller if I want to swap drones?. Thanks mate.

[@DroneSupremacy]

You can, yes! You can do power it through the battery and use the balance plug I believe

[@kevinroell9007]

If you use the flat back panel and TPU mount, could this resolve some of the vibration you got using the mount you chose?

[@zoltanmeszaros8001]

Why I dont have FPV view in the insta360 studio 2021?

[@DroneSupremacy]

No idea, maybe you don’t have the latest version of the app?

[@alessandrodionisivm]

How do you attach to Protek 25? Can you link mount?

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

mine wont connect to app./ App keeps crashing. everytime it goes to connect

[@davethorup]

Really great review. I enjoyed seeing some real world footage from some great locations. Question: is it possible to wire it to the flight controller such that you can start & stop recording via your transmitter? That would be really great if you could do that.

[@DroneSupremacy]

Thanks! Yeah it’s possible, I just didn’t do it on mine.

[@DRAGenDROP]

no flowstate?, and the sky is hanging a lot in the shots, same problem with the one R !!!

[@omidmohajerani]

the best review on SMO till now as I saw other channels. thanks

[@DroneSupremacy]

Appreciate that!

[@maximumdrone5334]

Wow @1:12 It's a LOT of tires! Haha Thanks again for this awesome review Mike! I now know what to buy when I'll start equipping myself for FPV next year. By the way, Happy Holidays to you and your family! :)

[@chewsan7733]

in the app I can import photo and video ?

[@rubenvaneupen7327]

What shutter speed values can you select?

[@imothy]

I wouldn't say that everyone is going to get jello with larger quads, this is always something you can tune out in your betaflight config. Filters have gotten really good within the past couple versions of betaflight and i've had quads that would give my insta360GO jello, after updating betaflight and tweaking a few things jello gone! So don't give up!

[@gre-vo]

Answered a lot of questions I had on this camera. Dope review! 🤙🏻

[@falconfpv9467]

Every new video reaches a higher level.

[@choerefischer]

I cannot record with this Camera, Wien i Presse record in the App, it disconnects, and if i Start the Camera directly, there is no Clip on the sd Card... 💁🏻‍♂️

[@jManraM]

Is the Insta 360 Go 2 better??

[@DroneSupremacy]

Haven’t tested one yet, but I will soon!

[@MrEddieNunez]

great review Mike. I hope gopro releases a naked camera soon.

[@jManraM]

Doubt it

[@bkfpv]

@@jManraM GEPRC har released a naked Hero8

[@bisarowood]

nice , I think on larger drone you need to mount it very ridgid so it does not wobble around

[@DroneSupremacy]

Indeed! I hope soon people will start designing more & better mounts for bigger quads :)

[@neilfpv]

Hi Drone Supremacy. So glad to find this video. I've been looking for a camera that I can use with my cinewhoop 2.5". I'm planning to use it for real estate tours. Do you still remember if you like the image quality produced by this camera? Btw, I subbed :)

[@DroneSupremacy]

Hey man! Yes, at the time i liked it although i think there are now some better options out there. You might want to check out the naked gopro versions that GepRC offers, they have a naked Hero9/10/11 I believe and the prices are pretty reasonable, the quality is much better too. Best of luck 🙌🏼

[@neilfpv]

@@DroneSupremacy I already bought SMO 4K like 3 hours ago. I got it for $167 at RaceDayQuads. I hope that I can return if I am not happy. I don't know if that's enough excuse that they will accept.

[@neilfpv]

@@DroneSupremacy btw, awesome rippage! Nice color grading too!🔥🔥🔥

[@makesomemore_]

Creater on the rise right here bros

[@film_pi_vox]

Dude you’re very good. At a different level vs anyone else...congrats

[@raykreisel]

Does this camera also shoot 4K 60 fps?

[@DroneSupremacy]

Yes it does!

[@daFexKM]

So would you choose it over the Hero 6?

[@daFexKM]

Just considering the video quality..

[@DroneSupremacy]

Not really, as I love the Reelsteady stabilisation. But i'd keep it as a backup camera!

[@daFexKM]

@@DroneSupremacy alright, thanks!

[@bvisuals6295]

Nice video and supreme editing 🙌 the camera needs much higher bitrate to be on pair with latest gopro's IMO, at least as I can see from the video, but I'm also a insta360 one R user and never got that feeling.

[@yvesinformel221]

not sure a microphone is very usefull as you will only ear the motors

[@SerJG]

Thank you for the review, it’s very informative

[@gZoAdventures]

Nd 8 and 4 is what I use the most. Unless I’m flying in broad day light a bit unfortunate, but that they include those 2 is not bad.

[@adinwalls]

That white balance issue is actually a deal breaker for me.

[@2toeninja]

I think I would rather a battery where that speaker is. Good vid thanks👍

[@DroneSupremacy]

You don't need battery though, it's all powered by your drone :)

[@FPVHans]

Thank you for this review. I’ll buy it :)

[@biscuitsalive]

Good review. It has jello. That’s all in need to know. :( By way I just did a vid on the new insta 360 go2. That has jello too. :( GoPro wins on that front. GoPro’s are just much more resilient to vibrations.

[@paulbaker9879]

Tune your quad properly and mount it sufficiently.

[@biscuitsalive]

@@paulbaker9879 tried it on 5 different quads. All of which cause no jello for GoPro. But all got jello with the smo4k. So don’t think it’s the quad or mount.

[@thegoodrun6130]

I really wanted to love the footage from this... but it's not GoPro footage obviously. Here's to hoping that GoPro brings back the session with Hypersmooth.

[@bkfpv]

Very good review. Thank you.

[@fpvmello3069]

Beautiful 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@fireislandmavic5939]

very cool set up

[@choppergirl]

watching this at 144p on a 1080p monitor... *shrug* bandwidth usage, it adds up. me thinks 4k cameras are probably a waste.. when people watch video son their tiny 360po smart phone screens across wifi or the cellular network.

[@lynsmith1096]

Good video Mike

[@retro93277]

Not waterproof :( Might as will get the GoPro 7 for same price.

[@MukiFPV]

It's purpose is for light weight cinewhoop types. Get a hero 7 if you only fly 5 inch

[@advfix]

GoPro slips up again, letting their competition getting ahead of them by simply being in touch with what people want.

[@xiwei2640]

I taked one

[@alexromo7990]

this cam its tush!! so you review as you dont mention that you cant use manual shutter and iso!(i mean you can but cant set a range for iso like the gopro unless you put it in auto) will never compete with a gopro.

[@AlexTikonoff]

Completely shit camera.