Insta360’s new Link webcams are cheaper but can still follow you around

Insta360 has announced two new versions of its Link webcam with smaller designs and new automated tracking capabilities optimized for presentations or livestreaming. The $199 Link 2 carries forward the innovative two-axis gimbal of the original while introducing improvements to its noise reduction capabilities, while the $149 Link 2C doesn’t move itself at all.

Both webcams also come with a new magnetic mount making them easier to attach to some surfaces and are much cheaper than the original Insta360 Link, which debuted at $299.99 in 2022.

Both the Link 2 and new Link 2C use the same half-inch sensor of the original Link paired with a 26-millimeter equivalent f1.8 lens. Video captures still max out at 4K at 30fps, with the ability to drop down to 1080p to boost frame rates to 60fps.

Insta360 says both cameras are now much better at filtering out unwanted noise, such as the sounds of keyboards, traffic, or the din of a coffee shop. Users can select from three different sound profiles, including one that prioritizes voices and one optimized for music.

The Link 2 and Link 2C feature the same auto tracking and framing capabilities of the original, but new options include a group tracking option that will ensure multiple presenters are always in frame, plus expanded hand gestures for controlling the webcam’s zoom and activating or turning off various features without having to approach the computer.

A new “Smart Whiteboard Mode” can automatically detect a whiteboard and keep it squared off in frame so that it’s easier for others on a call to see. Previously, stickers had to be applied to the corners of a whiteboard for the original Link to be able to focus on it. Insta360 is also introducing “Pause-Track Areas,” allowing users to designate areas where the webcams shouldn’t follow people. This will allow presenters to step out of frame while the webcams focus on something else, but it can also be used to hide sensitive areas or information and prevent the webcams from panning over to them.