Insta360 has just introduced a special edition of its thumb-sized Go 3S camera, and its blend of modern 4K tech with nostalgic style is intriguing.
Dubbed the Insta360 Go 3S Retro Bundle, the new edition brings the nostalgic film aesthetic into 4K video. This new bundle arrives two years after the original Go 3S launched in June 2024. In our review, we gave the Go 3S a tidy 4.5 stars, and found it packed outstanding features — namely 4K video recording, superb battery life, and cool new functions accessible via its smartphone app.
The biggest differences (so far) between the Go 3S and Go 3S Retro are the new add-ons that come with the tiny cam. The most obvious is the new Retro viewfinder, which pairs with the standalone camera to create a handheld shooting experience. The waist-level viewfinder lets you frame shots without looking at the screen and comes with a built-in mirror for quick selfies.
The camera also has new vintage-inspired filters and accessories for hands-free capturing. As with the Go 3S, the camera itself is magnetic, allowing you to mount it easily to many Insta360 mounts (like the included strap and magnet pendant in the bundle). You can also pair it with the accompanying smartphone app for easy editing and remote control of the camera.
Pricewise, the bundle is very similar to the Go 3S, costing $300 / £279 / AU$469.99 for 64GB and $320 / £299 / AU$499.99 for 128GB. The bundles are available now in Canvas White and Classic Red on Amazon and Insta360. If you already own the Go 3S and want to nab the viewfinder, you can pick it up separately for $48 / £46 / AU$80.
Revival of retro-inspired cameras
The new vintage-inspired Insta360 Go 3S joins a long line of other cameras revisiting the retro aesthetic. From the Polaroid Go range to the screen-free Camp Snap and every cute camera in between, the retro aesthetic shots are back, and I'm all for it.
After picking up the Kodak Charmera earlier this year and documenting so much of my everyday life on it, I'm super keen to get my hands on the Insta360 Go 3S Retro. Sure, the specs aren't that different from the original model, but it's a fun new take on the already impressively teeny camera.
Are you hopping on the retro-cam bandwagon? Let me know in the comments below.
