Five things I like about the Insta360 Link 2

Jan Johannsen

10/4/2026

Translation: Natalie McKay

Pictures: Jan Johannsen

I just wanted to give the Insta360 Link 2 a brief try, but it quickly won me over and became a part of my daily routine.

I was sent the Insta360 Link 2 to review almost a year ago, and have since made it a part of my daily work routine. It fits in so seamlessly that I forgot to write a review. So here are five reasons why I’m still a big fan of this webcam. A Pro version has since been released, but this doesn’t make the Insta360 Link 2 any worse – just more affordable. It’s still relatively expensive, though.

Webcams

EUR233,71

Insta360 Link 2

8.30 Mpx

31

1. It makes me look good

Every time I use the standard webcam in the office – or even the one on my laptop – I get a little shock. Who does that pixelated, poorly lit face belong to? What must other people think if I look this bad?

Thanks to the Insta360 Link 2's 4K resolution, the image looks sharper, while its aperture means I’m less dependent on the lighting conditions wherever I am. Even though the video call isn’t in 4K and I usually only use 1080p, the webcam’s 1/2-inch image sensor ensures high image quality. With this sensor size, it goes one better than almost all smartphone cameras.

With an f/1.8 aperture, an ISO sensitivity from 100 to 3,200, shutter speeds from 1/8,000th to 1/30th of a second and up to three levels of exposure compensation in either direction, the Link 2 has everything you need for low-light conditions. I can adjust the exposure, focus and white balance manually, but the camera's automatic settings are good enough for me.

I blame the brief audio glitches in the example video on the wind. They don’t occur in other recordings I took indoors. The synchronisation between my lip movements and the audio output could be better.

On Windows, all I have to do is connect the webcam using a cable and it’s recognised automatically. I don’t need any drivers or special software. But I do need to install the Insta360 Link Controller to use the webcam’s special features. The manufacturer offers this program for Windows and macOS. It also gives me the option to choose a make-up look, which the camera’s software then applies to my face. The only caveat is not every video chat app supports virtual make-up.

When I’m using the webcam to record myself away from my computer, I can control the camera settings with my smartphone: I just scan the QR code, and a webpage opens in the browser. This is where I can find all the options from the Insta360 Link Controller. However, the settings that other programs support vary greatly.

2. The focus is always on me

With the Insta360 Link 2, I can move around a lot and still be clearly visible. Thanks to its gimbal, I can move around much more during video calls. It doesn’t just follow me when I’m sitting at my desk, I can also get up and step to the side. Its face recognition system tracks me and turns the camera towards me.

I can use gestures to control the field of view. I zoom in or out by making an «L» shape with my hand and moving it up or down. When I hold my whole hand in front of the camera, I turn AI Tracking (Auto Framing) on and off. I can access Whiteboard mode by making the peace sign.

3. It’s not confined to the monitor

I usually keep the Link 2 on my monitor. Thanks to its folding mount, it’s quick to attach and doesn’t get in the way of my screen. I like how versatile it is as a webcam.

Thanks to its standard thread, I can screw it onto large and small tripods. The only factor limiting where I can set it up is the length of the USB-C cable connecting it to the computer.

The magnet in the base of the webcam offers another way to mount it. I can use this to attach the gadget not only to the supplied folding mount on the screen, but also to any magnetic object.

4. More than just a webcam for video calls

The Insta360 Link 2 isn’t just for ordinary video calls. In DeskView mode, it films my desk. This means I can present physical objects or demonstrate things I can’t hold up in front of the camera.

With the Link 2, not only can I stream live videos, I can also save them to my computer. Whiteboard mode might also come in handy for this purpose. In this mode, the camera software recognises the whiteboard next to me automatically or with a little help. Either way, I can give a talk while pointing to the presentation next to me. The webcam’s also able to record vertical videos.

5. There’s a static version with a lower price tag

The Link 2C is Insta360’s more affordable version of this webcam. It has the same camera technology. The only thing missing’s the gimbal – so it isn’t movable and can’t film my desk. However, it can zoom in and out within the fixed field of view. If you’re just sitting at your desk in front of the webcam, the zoom within the 4K image usually does the job.

Webcams

EUR183,59

Insta360 Link 2C

8.30 Mpx

14

In a nutshell

A webcam with excellent image quality always keeps you perfectly centred

The Insta360 Link 2 impresses me with its outstanding image quality. Plus, it automatically keeps me in the frame at all times, and can follow me as I move. The software offers many options, and I can also use it to record videos.

On the other hand, the image and audio could be more in sync, and the webcam isn’t cheap.

Pro

• Outstanding image quality
• Camera boasts a huge range of motion
• Software with many settings

Contra

• High hardware requirements
• Not all software features are available in third-party programs
• Image and audio could be more in sync

Webcams

EUR233,71

Insta360 Link 2

8.30 Mpx

31

Jan Johannsen

Senior Editor

Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.de

As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus. more

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