Pocket Wars: DJI vs. Insta360 – in Court and Outside, More Industry Consolidation – CineD Focus Check ep121

June 18^th, 2026

by Felix TappeinerJune 18^th, 2026

This week’s Focus Check finds the industry in a distinctly tumultuous phase – the kind where companies spend their energy suing and acquiring each other rather than innovating. Nino and Johnnie open with the escalating DJI vs. Insta360 patent war before moving through a run of consolidation stories: Artlist’s layoffs, the US approval of Paramount’s Warner Bros. merger, and the surprise liquidation of MRMC just weeks after Nikon sold it off.

From there the episode shifts into new gear, with budget anamorphic glass, large-format cinema zooms, a capable new PTZ camera, drones, inflatable lights, a foldable charger, and two longer reads on virtual production and Apple Immersive Video. Here’s everything covered in this episode.

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DJI sues Insta360, and Insta360 countersues DJI over Luna Ultra patent war

(05:35 in the episode)

Nino and Johnnie open with the fastest-moving rivalry in imaging, which escalated into a two-front legal war within a week. After Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra in the US – its first true gimbal camera and a direct shot at the DJI Osmo Pocket line – the dispute widened into competing patent claims. The hosts walk through the timeline and explain why the core issue is less about who copied whom and more about whether DJI can legally sell its latest pocket camera in the US market.

Artlist lays off 200 employees a year after hiring 120

(35:57 in the episode)

Artlist confirmed it is laying off 200 employees, just a year after hiring 120. The hosts connect the move to the company’s controversial pivot toward AI generation and away from its roots as a stock music, imagery, and footage platform – a shift that has unsettled many of the creators who both use and contribute to the site.

Paramount’s $111 billion Warner Bros. merger wins US approval

Paramount – Warner Bros. merger approved by the Department of Justice in the US. Image credit: CineD

(45:45 in the episode)

Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. cleared a major hurdle with US approval, but the hosts stress the fight is far from over. They place the deal in the wider context of production-market consolidation and the concerns it raises about how many productions will keep happening in the US and beyond.

MRMC enters liquidation weeks after Nikon exit

(48:25 in the episode)

Mark Roberts Motion Control, recently sold off by Nikon, entered liquidation only weeks later – an unusually fast turn. An asset sale has reportedly been agreed but not yet closed, and the buyer has not been named. The hosts unpack what is known so far.

Blazar Sentinel anamorphic zoom announced – 35-60mm, 1.33X squeeze, full-frame coverage

Blazar Sentinel anamorphic zoom. Image credit: Blazar

(51:28 in the episode)

Blazar continues its run of affordable anamorphic glass with the Sentinel zoom: a 35-60mm, 1.33X squeeze lens with full-frame coverage at around 970g. The hosts note how budget anamorphic zooms are quickly going mainstream.

Angénieux EZ 65 series announced – two large-format zooms, LPL mount

(56:44 in the episode)

At the higher end, Angénieux announced the EZ 65 series – two large-format zooms with a 60mm image circle and LPL mount, aimed at modern large-format cinema cameras.

Hollyland Astra P1 PTZ camera announced – UHD 4K60, 30x optical zoom, AI auto tracking

Hollyland Astra P1 PTZ camera. Image credit: Hollyland

(59:31 in the episode)

Hollyland introduced the Astra P1 PTZ camera, a capable unit offering UHD 4K60, 30x optical zoom, and AI auto tracking, among other features.

DJI Lito 1 review – entry-level drone with 4K100 and omnidirectional vision

(1:03:12 in the episode)

Jacob reviews the DJI Lito 1, an entry-level drone that still manages 4K100 and brings omnidirectional vision – a first for a drone in this size class.

SKYROVER S1 and X1 Fly More combos add a new touchscreen remote

(1:08:44 in the episode)

Staying with drones, the SKYROVER S1 and X1 Fly More combos add a new touchscreen remote with a 5.5-inch display. The hosts note the striking similarity to certain DJI drones on the market.

Godox LR150 Air and LC500R Air released – inflatable ring and wand heads

(1:15:32 in the episode)

Godox released the LR150 Air and LC500R Air – inflatable ring and wand heads sharing one battery grip with a 92-minute runtime. The hosts highlight how packable and practical inflatable lights are on location.

Tilta foldable charging station introduced – 6-channel NP-F charging

(1:19:30 in the episode)

Tilta introduced a foldable charging station with 6-channel NP-F charging, a priority fast-charge mode, and a TFT status display – a real space-saver for travel.

Self-made virtual production – what do you need to get started?

(1:22:49 in the episode)

Drawing on Bero Florin’s MZED course, this piece lays out what you actually need to start your own virtual production – not an LED volume, but an accessible green screen studio you can build on a modest budget.

Shooting a rocket launch in Apple Immersive Video with the URSA Cine Immersive

(1:24:53 in the episode)

Finally, the hosts look at shooting a rocket launch in Apple Immersive Video with the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive. Read more: Shooting a Rocket Launch in Apple Immersive Video With the URSA Cine Immersive

You can watch and listen to the full video episode of Focus Check ep121 embedded on top, and find all episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.