Insta360 enters premium gimbal market with 8K Leica co-engineered camera

The Luna Ultra represents a significant escalation in the portable production hardware market, directly challenging DJI’s Osmo Pocket dominance with 8K resolution and a dual-lens configuration. By including 10-bit I-Log and timecode synchronization, Insta360 is positioning the device as a legitimate professional secondary camera rather than a consumer toy. This move consolidates the trend of computational photography entering the gimbal sector, where AI-driven tracking and low-light noise reduction are now baseline requirements for B2B video creators. Watch for DJI's response with the rumored Pocket 4P, particularly as regulatory hurdles in the U.S. currently limit DJI’s official retail availability.

The launch of the Luna Ultra follows a significant strategic pivot for Insta360. Per 36Kr in March 2026, the company maintained a dominant 66% global market share in the panoramic camera sector during 2025, yet its internal financials indicate a aggressive shift toward broader hardware categories. Reports from Caixin Media in June 2026 suggest that gimbal camera shipments are projected to reach 14.8 million units globally by 2026 — a 16-fold increase since 2023 — driven primarily by the professionalization of vlogging and social media production.

Insta360’s expansion comes during a period of intense R&D investment. Per financial disclosures in April 2026, the company’s R&D spending in 2025 nearly doubled year-over-year to 1.53 billion yuan (~$223 million), exceeding the cumulative total of the previous three years. This surge fueled the development of custom silicon and the multi-lens architecture seen in the Luna Ultra. Meanwhile, incumbent rival DJI has been sidelined in the crucial U.S. market since December 2025, when the FCC blocked authorizations for new DJI equipment, creating a significant market opening for Insta360 to capture professional users.

Beyond hardware, the partnership between Insta360 and Leica has deepened since it began in 2020. According to PetaPixel and DPReview in June 2026, the collaboration on the Luna Ultra was a primary driver for its 8K capabilities and color science. This coincides with a broader industry trend noted by GSM Arena, where smartphone manufacturers like Oppo and Vivo are reportedly exploring similar handheld gimbal projects with premium optical brands like Hasselblad and Zeiss to compete in the high-growth creator economy.