I've talked about the Insta360 GO 2 a lot. And with good reason. It's an awesome little powerhouse of a camera. While the release of the "Minions Edition" of the camera doesn't fundamentally change that camera, it's just plain cool.
The last time I took a look at the 64 GB memory-upgraded version of this camera, I lamented the long-delayed release of the Minions version of this camera. In case you don't know what a Minion is, they are the lovable yellow pill-shaped characters that helped the main character of the 2010 movie "Despicable Me" be so, well, despicable, but in the cutest, most unintelligible way possible. They've since gotten their own spin-off movies and become stars in their own right. The camera's release is timed to coincide with the next movie due out in 2022, "Minions: The Rise of Gru."
That pill shape lends itself perfectly to the shape of the Insta360 GO 2. Since many of the Minions have one large eye, the camera's lens stands in as a substitute for that, while the rest of the camera is designed to mimic the classic overalls that the yellow creatures wear in the movies. The charging case itself has also been painted the same shade of yellow and features a large black-and-white minion eye greeting users on the outside. The lens element also has a silver guard in this version, to mimic the goggles the creatures wear, vs. the standard blackguard.
The features of the camera remain the same, shooting a higher-than-HD-though-not-quite-4K 2560x1440 at 50, 30, 25, and 24 fps with very good quality and stabilization. The same host of mounts is included to stick the camera onto all sorts of objects (or yourself): The magnetic pendant, pivot stand, and easy clip. The charging case, which is slightly larger than an Apple AirPods case, also features its own mini-tripod and tripod mount, and can serve as a remote control for the camera. It's really what makes the camera stand out from the original version. If you want to know more about the camera, you can read the full review here.
If there's a downer to this Minions package, it's the premium price. I recently lauded HEX for not charging extra for the stylish takes on the company's original bags. That's definitely not the case here. At $329, the camera carries a $30 premium over the standard white version of the camera. $60 if you factor in current holiday sales. The Minions edition comes only in 32 GB. The same $329 buys the higher capacity 64 GB version of the camera, albeit without the cool factor. If you truly value style, you'll, unfortunately, have to pay a hefty surcharge for it here. It's disappointing to see no extras or upgraded capabilities for that price, and the long delay for the model to even see the light of day.
That said, if there's a photographer in your life who's also a huge Minions fan, or a budding child photographer that might be more inclined to take photos with something that looks like a minion, it makes a great stocking stuffer.
