Insta360 Viewfinder Transforms Action Cam Into Retro Shooter

The Insta360 Go 3S, a pill-shaped 4K action camera that launched in June 2024, has long been a capable companion for hands-free shooting. Now, the company is trying to make it feel like a classic film camera with a new Retro Viewfinder accessory. But while the idea is charming, the execution leaves much to be desired.

Available today from Insta360’s online store, the Retro Viewfinder costs $47.99 on its own or as part of a Go 3S Retro Bundle starting at $299.99 (which includes the 64GB version of the camera). That bundle is actually $50 cheaper than the Standard Bundle that pairs the same camera with Insta360’s Action Pod dock. But before you pull the trigger, consider whether the novelty is worth the trade-offs.

Like most tiny action cams, the Go 3S lacks its own screen. You typically rely on a smartphone app for live previews and settings, but the camera is designed for mounting in places where you wouldn’t see a screen anyway,like atop a helmet. The Retro Viewfinder attempts to repurpose the Go 3S as a handheld shooter, letting you frame subjects like a vintage camera. The camera slots into the front of the accessory and is held in place with strong magnets. Insta360 even includes a brown leather carrying case.

The experience is meant to evoke a “vintage shooting experience inspired by classic film cameras.” Instead of holding the accessory to your eye, you hold it at chest level and look down into the optical viewfinder. The front panel of the Go 3S acts as your shutter button. At first, it feels novel,I even felt a little like Ansel Adams framing a row of mailboxes. But the novelty quickly fades.

The viewing angle is extremely narrow. Tilt the Retro Viewfinder just 15 to 20 degrees in any direction, and you see nothing at all. The image in the viewfinder is also flipped horizontally, which makes intuitive framing nearly impossible. Even after a week of practice, I struggled to position subjects exactly where I wanted them or to ensure a shot was level. It still feels like trial and error.

Worse, the optical viewfinder doesn’t accurately preview the wide field of view the Go 3S actually captures. Walking around my neighborhood, I tried to focus on tree lines and a beautiful cloudy sky, only to end up with random people, houses, and cars in the frame. You can crop later in the Insta360 app, but that defeats the purpose of a deliberate framing tool. There’s still a “shoot and see what you get” element.

The accessory does include a magnetic plastic cover that turns the front lens into a selfie mirror, but the reflection is dark and hard to use,even in bright light. Framing yourself or a group remains tricky.

Battery life is another pain point. The Go 3S has a 310mAh battery, and the included clip-on charger extends it to over 700mAh. But the charger is clunky and ruins the camera’s retro aesthetic. During an hour-long walk, I managed about 150 photos before the camera died. Shooting 4K video drains it even faster, as does connecting to the Insta360 app.

Speaking of the app: changing any settings,including film-emulating filters or color profiles,requires a direct Wi-Fi connection to your smartphone. The Retro Viewfinder includes a hidden NFC tag that streamlines launching and connecting, but it still takes 15 to 20 seconds. That’s far less convenient than the Action Pod, whose flip-up LCD screen gives you on-device access to most settings and makes capturing selfies much easier.

Turning the Go 3S into a pocketable handheld camera is a clever idea. Tiny retro cameras like Kodak’s Charmera are still popular for a reason. But the Retro Viewfinder’s execution falls short. It succeeds in making the camera easier to hold, but its other functionality is often frustrating. If you already own the Go 3S, the accessory is cheap enough to consider. But if you’re buying a bundle, spending an extra $50 for the Action Pod will serve you better,no matter how you plan to shoot.