The Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick is a must-have accessory that really enhances the unique and creative features of Insta360’s 360-degree cameras, like the X3, ONE RS 360 Edition, and the latest X4. It’s not your typical selfie stick; its standout “invisibility” is a key feature made possible by a clever mix of hardware design and cutting-edge software.

How it Works

The Magic Behind the Invisibility The invisible selfie stick effect showcases the brilliance of computational photography, where smart design meets powerful software.

Dual-Lens Camera Design

Insta360’s 360-degree cameras come with two ultra-wide, fisheye lenses, each capturing a field of view that exceeds 180 degrees. This means they can capture more than a full 360 degrees, resulting in a significant overlap between the two lenses.

The “Blind Spot”

Because the lenses are positioned on opposite sides of the camera body, there’s a small “blind spot” or “stitch line” right in between them. This is the area where the lenses can’t fully see.

Engineered Design:

The Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick is crafted to be slim enough to fit perfectly within this narrow blind spot. By holding the stick straight and aligned with the camera’s body, it ends up in the one spot the camera can’t capture.

The Stitching Algorithm:

Here’s where the real magic happens. After you shoot your footage, Insta360’s proprietary software (whether on mobile or desktop) automatically “stitches” together the footage from the two lenses to create a single, seamless 360-degree spherical video or photo. The algorithm is smart enough to identify the stick’s profile and, using the surrounding data from the overlapping footage, it cleverly “paints over” or “erases” the stick from the final image. The end result? A video that appears as if the camera is floating in mid-air, allowing for stunning third-person, drone-like, and “bullet-time” shots without any visible support.

When it comes to invisible selfie sticks, Insta360 has a fantastic range to meet various needs and preferences.

While they all utilize the same innovative “invisibility” technology, they each have their own unique features, lengths, and materials.

Standard Invisible Selfie Stick

This is the go-to model, usually crafted from lightweight aluminum. It strikes a great balance between portability and reach, making it perfect for everyday vlogging and travel. Plus, it’s compact when retracted and extends to a comfortable length.

Extended Edition Selfie Stick: Just as the name implies, this one is significantly longer, reaching up to 3 meters! It’s designed for those dramatic, high-angle shots that give the illusion of a drone soaring above you—without the drone.

Action Invisible Selfie Stick: This stick is built tough, made from durable materials like carbon fiber. It’s perfect for high-energy activities, able to handle vibrations and rough conditions, making it ideal for extreme sports like mountain biking, skiing, and motorcycling.

2-in-1 Invisible Selfie Stick + Tripod: A fan favorite, this model merges the functionality of an invisible selfie stick with a handy mini tripod. The tripod legs fold out from the handle, allowing you to set your camera down for stable, hands-free shots.

Power Selfie Stick.This innovative stick comes with a built-in battery to charge your camera while you’re filming, extending your shooting time. It’s perfect for those long sessions and even features remote control buttons for added convenience.

Key Considerations for Use Compatibility:

The invisibility effect works best with Insta360’s 360-degree cameras (like the X series and ONE series). While some sticks may fit other cameras using the standard 1/4″ screw mount, the invisibility magic is exclusive to Insta360’s stitching software.

Alignment: To achieve the desired effect, you need to hold the stick straight and aligned with the camera’s body. Any tilt can cause the stick to slip out of the blind spot and become visible.

Reflections and Shadows: The software is capable of removing the stick from the image itself, but keep in mind that reflections and shadows can sometimes be tricky.