Insta360 Link 2C | Incredible Value
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Quick Summary
The Insta360 Link 2C is effectively the Insta360 Link 2 without the gimbal. The 4K footage rivals some of the best webcams on the market like the OBSBOT Meet 2. It has a magnetic monitor mount and a built in privacy shutter.
Specifications
Maximum resolution and frame rate: 4K 30 FPS. 1080p 60 FPS.
Sensor size: 1/2”.
Aperture: f/1.8.
Field of view: 79.5 degrees.
Cable: 60 inch detachable USB-C to C. USB C to A adapter included.
Built-in microphone ✅
Privacy shutter: ✅
Tripod threading ✅
Image Quality
Daylight Only
The Link 2C simply looks amazing. In daylight only at fully automatic settings, the webcam adjusts for the lighting conditions very well and its color accuracy is great. To enable HDR and 60 FPS, you’ll need the Insta360 Link Controller software. The HDR effect is very subtle, but helps with the highlights a little.
Studio Lighting
With manual settings and proper lighting, you really get to see the Link 2C at its best. The sharpness is crisp without looking artificial. The 2C is able to reproduce the blue from my RGB light exceptionally well. I will be comparing this to the Meet 2 in a separate article, but they go back in forth in terms of colors. Both get an A in color reproduction.
The dynamic range is very wide even without HDR on. At 1080p, the sharpness will drop of course, but the increase in fluidity can be worth it depending on your use case.
Microphone Demonstration
Audio modes available in the software.
There are multiple mic filters that can be applied to reduce background noise on the Link 2C. While nothing can ever really make this mic sound good, the filters are quite effective.
Software
In the Insta360 Link Controller software, you get access to all the webcam’s functions - even those you can’t control in OBS. You’ll need the software to enable 60 FPS mode and HDR, but you can also toggle between the different microphone filters here.
Build
The LInk 2C is made of mostly plastic, but it attaches magnetically to the monitor mount. This lets it have easy swivel. Unfortunately, there’s no way to easily orient this into portrait mode because there’s no magnetism on the sides of the webcam.
The privacy shutter can be opened and closed with the switch to the left of the lens. Tripod threading is on the bottom of the device.
Verdict
The Insta360 Link 2C is one of the best webcams at its price range ($150 when I bought it).
Before outright recommending it however, I would definitely look into the OBSBOT Meet 2 as well. Both webcams are an amazing value, but the Link 2C has better sharpness while the Meet 2 performed slightly better in terms of skin tone color accuracy in my case.
My full comparison between the two will be linked here once it’s up!
