Insta360 Link vs Logitech Brio
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Differences Summary
Specifications
Image Quality
Technical issues with the Insta360 Link
Microphone Quality
Build and Mounting Options
Verdict
Differences Summary
The Logitech Brio is straightforward 4K webcam. The Insta360 Link is a feature packed device with a gimbal, AI face-tracking, and gesture controls. The Link also has much better image quality.
However, the Brio does not need any proprietary software to unlock any of its functionality, and it’s also a more stable device.
Specifications
Insta360 Link
Max frame rate and resolution: 4K 30 FPS. 1080p 60 FPS.
Video format: MJPEG, H.264.
Connection type: USB 3.0 Type-C to Type-C. Type-A adapter included.
Important limitations: The Insta360 Link can only do 1080p 60 FPS when you download the Insta360 Link Controller software. Without it, you can only use it at 30 FPS max.
Additionally, you must download and install the latest firmware update to use the webcam in 4K 30 FPS MJPEG. Otherwise, 4K 30 FPS is limited to H.264 which causes significant delay. 4K 25 FPS is the highest you can get out the box with MJPEG.
Logitech Brio
Max frame rate and resolution: 4K 30 FPS. 1080p 60 FPS.
Video format: MJPEG (all resolutions). YUY2, NV12 (1080p 30 FPS and below).
Connection type: USB 3.0 Type-C to Type-A.
Image Quality
The Insta360 beats out the Logitech Brio in image quality across the board. The image is more detailed with far less grain. The colors - especially the browns and blues - are much more accurate. Dark areas also don’t look as washed out as the Brio.
Due to the face-tracking tech, the Insta360 Link has better and faster autofocus.
If this comparison was strictly about image quality, I’d give the win to the Insta360 Link and recommend it over the Brio right now. However, the Link has a ton of limitations that I’ll discuss in the next section.
Technical Issues with the Insta360 Link
I’m going to break this down into two sections. First - objective limitations that all Insta360 Link users will experience. Second - technical issues I personally experienced.
Objective limitations
The Insta360 Link is heavily reliant on the company’s software. There are several settings and controls that you simply cannot access through OBS or anywhere else without the Insta360 Link Controller desktop app.
Some of these settings include: exposure (shutter speed), turning off gesture controls, and 60 FPS. And of course, without the firmware update, you’re limited to a max resolution and frame rate of 4K 25 FPS unless you want the 500 ms + delay of H.264 encoding.
In other words, this device isn’t really plug and play since it’s severely kneecapped without the software. Now, you could say - well just download the app. Fair enough, but would you really want a program that is nothing short of spyware on your computer?
TOS from Insta360’s website.
Not me. Which is why I did not install it and would not recommend installing it. If that type of thing doesn’t bother you then you have nothing to be concerned about. Except…
Technical issues I personally experienced
Over the span of 2 days of recording, the Insta360 Link froze on me at least 15 times. In the middle of recording, the device would blink blue, go into standby mode, and then shut off. That already is a dealbreaker for me recommending it, especially for business use. But there’s more.
The Insta360 Link’s settings do not save to the device itself. This means every time it turns itself off or every time you close your streaming or recording software, your settings get reset each time.
All pan-tilt-zoom, gesture control enabled modes, and face tracking settings go back to their default. So every freeze meant yet another reset of the settings. Trying to use this webcam has been a very frustrating experience since the technical problems offset the good image quality.
Microphone Quality
Not much to say here. Two typical, low quality mics that are potentially useful if you don’t have anything else.
Build and mounting options
The Logitech Brio has a satisfactory build with a combination of metal and plastic. It also comes with a privacy cover. The monitor clip is detachable and it reveals tripod threading. Unfortunately, the device is stationary and it cannot be tilted up and down or swiveled side to side.
The Insta360 Link is completely plastic, but it has a much more capable build. The gimbal keeps the horizon level and the device can physically track your face with ease unlike other webcams that use fake cropping and zooming techniques.
Insta360 also makes a tripod for the webcam and while it’s not the sturdiest, it makes getting the perfect angle even easier.
Verdict
I would buy the Logitech Brio before considering the Insta360 Link. Despite its great feature set and well above average image quality, the Link is just too buggy and it’s also too reliant on Insta360’s intrusive software.
If you want the best of the best, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is far superior to both of these devices in terms of image quality.
