Insta360 ONE RS vs. Theta Z1 and Trisio for virtual tours

In this episode I review the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition for virtual tours, comparing it to its closest rivals, the Ricoh Theta Z1 and Trisio Lite 2. While portable 360 cameras like the ONE RS contain other features, this review will concentrate on features used for real estate virtual tours in real-world situations, including not just quality, but workflow as well. Below are links to the results and other info mentioned in the video:

Basic Inside Comparison:

RAW Blending vs. HDR Comparison:

Outside Comparison:

Stitching Tests:

Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch

Theta Z1:

Trisio:

My real estate photography series:

Virtual Tour Photography for Real Estate

Mastering Color in Photography

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:16 - Inside Basic Results
4:12 - HDR vs. DNG Blended Results
5:39 - Outside Test Results
8:00 - Stitching Software
10:30 - Stitching Tests
12:25 - Small Room Test
14:01 - Spec and Price Comparisons
15:58 - Control Application
17:29 - Modularity and Batteries
19:43 - Problems and Issues
22:44 - Recommendations

[JustinHolder]

I ALWAYS go with whatever NC recommends! Thanks for always giving thorough, candid feedback and explanations! Justin

[Flamamacue]

I got the 1 Inch just after launch as I finally felt happy enough with the image quality and the promise of Matterport capability got me over the line. It certainly does seem like the better option of those in it's class. Really quite impressed with what the PureShot does for a feature that requires 0 post time in a workflow context.

I reeeeally wish they had've been able to get the MP compatibility out much sooner though, I've been waiting to cut the giant Matterport camera out of my kit as it will mean being able to fit photo, video and virtual tour kit all in one camera backpack for me.

[fredric]

It´s been 1 year now since the video. Do you still recomend the Insta360 ONE RS over Theta Z1?

[mikestewart]

Nathan, the Z1 just recently had a firmware update and can not shoot AEB automatically with up to 9 exposures and can save images as dng files. Would be great to see you do an update on the Z1 and compare this to the Dual Fisheye plug in and the Insta 360 RS one inch.

[MonaShieldPayne]

Hi Nathan, Great information. I purchased the One RS for architectural photography. It's worked fine for about 15 shoots. Last week it produced these arched blackish banding lines on the DNG images. The merged DNG eliminated them; so I had to edit the merged instead of working with the individual DNGS. Have you ever run into this? Tech Support has not been helpful. BTW I have updated the firmware. I wish I could send you a jpg example.

[ARCUS]

A very good review! Sounds complicated to work with the separate DNG files and stitching them manually like in the old days which made me give up on 360 photography with multiple GoPro's or DSLR's. But maybe not that complicated with the current software out there. It's nice to have an option to shoot footage in 360 and immediately using it with a light editting probably. I think I will go for the Instat360 ONE RS because of the purple fringing it does not seem to have compared to the Theta Z1 (which is unacceptable looking at the higher price Theta charges and Insta360 does not).

[andrescherding]

Is the RS compatible with the Matterport software? It seems matterport has a grasp on a large portion of this market and not sure wether i would go for a camera that doesn’t allow for it? Would love to hear your thoughts! Great vid as always

[wonderfulgapara]

Great content by the way. Do you think agents would hire me just to come in to do 360 work and not the photography? I have a camera but I do not know if they wouldn't hire me since I am an amateur. Or should I try to get clients for both? Do you think the virtual tour model can get me money?

[boruchlen]

I've really been enjoying your channel and learning a lot. Thanks so much for all your tutorials.
A quick question if I may.
Considering the types of images you can create with the Insta360, would you still use a full frame camera and create the image in PtGui, or use the Insta360?

[dushhyant]

Hi Nathan I follow you regularly and intact have your virtual tour book as well. My question to you is that I already have the Ricoh Z1. Do you recommend me keeping that or sell it to get the Insta360?

[khalidhashemi]

Hi Nathan i work in construction and will be taking many shots which camera will be the best? For construction

[kellymackeyphoto]

Hi Nathan. Thanks for the great tutorial and I am finding out when you pointed out there is no documentation. Very frustrating! The export information was so valuable! I found when I export one HDR merged photo that once done, all the images vanish from the thumbnail screen. I'm lost on how to export all of them! Can you help?

[davidvasquezmedia]

Thanks Nathan. I just recently purchased the One RS-1 and was having second thoughts about choosing it over the Z1. I had the same issue the USB port, but it wasn't much of a concern. I feel better about the purchase now that you made a video on this topic. I just have to learn how to hand blend the DNG files, see if I can do a better job than the HDR programming.

Do you by chance have a recommendation as to which site I should use to host the tour? I was leaning towards Cloud Pano, but I haven't made up my mind. Thanks 🙏🏽

[violett]

Thank you for that awesome video ! You helped me a lot for my choice 😃
I have a question, right now I would probably go for Insta 360 One RS and I will use it with the software Ricoh 360 Tours. I want professionnel easy and fast results with just one software that also offers unlimited tours in pricing choices. Would you recommend me any other software than this one ? (Matterport is too expensive and not unlimited) Ricoh also uses AI many features it seems great !

[camexplora]

Hi, how recent did you capture the photos with the Trisio and was it on the latest firmware. I’m interested in the Trisio for outdoor Google maps but some images online are really good and some are washed out. Thanks

[RussellWatsonFMHL]

Nice Review! I just purchased the RS 1 inch for interior videos and shots in smaller (mobile/manufactured) homes; which is my channel's niche. I have read some of your books on real estate photography and they were very helpful in getting started. You mention something you would use to remove the tripod from the mirror in one of the bathroom shots. This is often a problem for me. What do you use/how is this done?

[WaridiExplores]

Will you be doing more tutorials on the 360 cameras?

[marcboileau]

Nice review. I have the Zeta and recently got the insta360. The 360 Low light is not good. Very noisy. The 360 support is laughable. I had an outdoor shoot and was testing the 6K video and it overheated and I could never get it to power up. It wasnt even a warm day. But for virtual shooting it did not overheat. Matterport does not support the 360 which is a shame becuase matterport is still the best deliverable option to clients. What platform do you use with the insta360 camera when you deliver to clients? Thanks again for making the review

[Marcus_Visbal]

What is your workflow for virtual tours now that Photoshop does not have 3-D support?

[corydwyer]

Is the Insta360 One X ok for inside shots?