Insta360 has entered the compact vlogging camera market with its first such device, the dual-lens Luna Ultra, but its launch on June 10 was immediately overshadowed by a patent lawsuit from rival DJI. The lawsuit, filed the same day, alleges that Insta360's new line 'blatantly copies' DJI's Pocket 3 design and features. The dispute comes as DJI faces restricted US market access due to being on the FCC's Covered list, potentially benefiting Insta360's US availability.
Overview of the Insta360 Luna Ultra
The Insta360 Luna Ultra is a modular 8K vlogging camera with two cameras stabilized by a 3-axis gimbal. According to TechRadar, the main camera shoots 8K 30p video with Dolby Vision (HDR) and 4K 120fps slow motion, featuring a 1-inch sensor (Insta360's largest yet, matching DJI) with 14 stops of dynamic range. The telephoto camera has a 3x f/2.0 lens with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, offering 6x lossless zoom and up to 12x digital zoom. The camera includes I-Log color profile for color grading, triple processing chips, and AI subject tracking.
A key differentiator is the detachable 2-inch OLED screen module with up to 20m transmission range, which includes camera controls, a built-in microphone, and enables remote viewing and recording. This modular design, similar to the Insta360 Go 3S, allows the camera to autonomously track subjects. The Luna Ultra is priced at $769.99 / £649 / AU$1,229.99 and became available on June 10.
In comparison, the DJI Pocket 4 (single-lens, launched in April) is smaller and has its own magnetic LED light accessory. The upcoming Pocket 4P dual-lens model, teased at Cannes Film Festival, will more directly compete with the Luna Ultra. According to TechRadar, DJI has teased 17 stops of dynamic range for the Pocket 4P.
| Feature | Insta360 Luna Ultra | DJI Pocket 4 (single-lens) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $769.99 / £649 / AU$1,229.99 | Not specified in source |
| Resolution | 8K 30p, 4K 120fps slow motion | Not specified |
| Sensor | 1-inch (main), 1/1.3-inch (tele) | Not specified |
| Stabilization | 3-axis gimbal | 3-axis gimbal (presumed) |
| Modular screen | Detachable 2-inch OLED with 20m range | Fixed screen |
| AI tracking | Yes | Yes (in Pocket 3/4) |
DJI Lawsuit and Patent Claims
On the same day as the Luna Ultra launch, DJI filed two patent lawsuits in the US against Arashi Vision Inc., which does business as Insta360, according to a Petapixel report cited by TechRadar. The lawsuits cover two design patents and four utility patents.
DJI's lawsuit claims that the Luna cameras 'blatantly copy DJI's patented inventions wholesale.' The suit states: "From its silhouette to its feature set, the Accused Products mirror what DJI has spent the better part of a decade engineering and patenting for its innovative handheld gimbal camera systems." It further alleges that "the visual similarity between the Accused Products and the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 design is striking," sharing "the same general proportions, the same gimbal-on-handle architecture, and the same component arrangement."
The utility patents allegedly violated include:
- Subject-tracking technology
- Seamless gimbal-mode switching (camera direction follows handle movement)
- 'Locked' mode (maintaining fixed shooting direction regardless of handle movement)
DJI is demanding that Luna cameras be banned. The lawsuit was filed on the day the Luna Ultra became available in leading US stores including B&H Photo.
Market Implications
Insta360 co-founder Max Richter told TechRadar at a pre-launch event that the company was "not going to compete on price" but on premium and exclusive features, specifically the removable remote. Due to the DJI ban (which affects any DJI products with a camera in the US), DJI's latest Pocket 4 is unlikely to hit US stores soon. This gives Insta360 a clear field in the US market for now, but the lawsuit could threaten that advantage. Many US-based vloggers are watching the case closely, hoping they won't be denied access to Insta360's Luna cameras on top of missing out on DJI's Pocket 4.
TechRadar's Cameras Editor Timothy Coleman, who tested both cameras, noted that the Luna Ultra "feels surprisingly polished" for a first-generation product. He will publish an in-depth review after further testing.
