Insta360’s X4 captures 8K 360-degree video

360-degree cameras have a cult following. While companies like GoPro and Ricoh continue to dabble in the space, Insta360 dominates. To this day, the X3 remains the ultimate 360 ​​camera, with a host of features and shooting modes that are relatively easy to use. Insta360’s line of selfie sticks, guards, cases and peripherals adds even more cool tricks like bullet time effects and quick zoom video effects. A few years later, we launched Insta360 X4, with improvements that prioritized basic functionality. Higher-resolution camera sensors, larger batteries, and more versatility thanks to multiple resolution and frame rate options.

The Insta360 X4 doesn’t look much different from the X3. It has the same candy bar form factor, with two huge wide-angle lenses on either side. It does look longer, but I had no issues slipping it into my pocket during a week of testing.

The new camera features a removable lens guard, a smart design improvement. Any damage or scratches to the lens can affect image quality, especially if it’s been exposed to…adventurous conditions. Previously, Insta360 offered adhesive lens caps, but the X4’s new lens comes with a shield that opens and closes on the camera’s sensor. They are included in the box which is nice.

The battery compartment, which houses the USB-C port and microSD slot, is protected by a sturdy cover with a sliding lock. The Insta360 X4’s Type-C port now supports USB 3.0 speeds, which may be necessary when handling these higher-resolution videos and larger files.

The button layout is kept simple and will look familiar to anyone who has used an Insta360 camera before. There’s a circular “shoot” button (voice and gesture shooting options are also built in, but they’re less reliable), mode switcher, programmable Q button, and power button. The 2.5-inch touch screen is also larger, and most settings can be completed with just a few swipes. It feels like using a smartphone, which helps make it intuitive.

However, the sheer versatility means there’s plenty of menu to peruse. I never felt overwhelmed, but during testing I never got bullet time and time panning to work like I’d seen on YouTube.

Newbies can fire up the X4 right away and capture videos and still photos with ease. Of course, for those who know what they’re doing, this is where things get interesting.

Technical improvements are mainly focused on video, with the addition of new functions for recording material at 8K 30fps or 5.7k 60fps. Slow-motion videos have also been upgraded to 4K resolution. Insta360’s Me mode can shoot traditional “flat” videos (combined with its “invisible” selfie stick), which has been upgraded to 4K 30fps. Simply put, it captures more than its predecessor. More pixels means more detail in 360 videos (or any shooting mode). It also ensures that when you crop to create clips for social media, the footage doesn’t look too low-res. Additionally, Insta360 claims that recording video down to 5.7K resolution will provide better performance in low light, and that seemed to be the case in my indoor and evening tests.

Insta360 takes into account the increased processing demands of higher resolution content. The X4 has a 2,290mAh battery, which is 67% larger than the X3. According to the press release, it should be able to capture up to 135 minutes of footage.

While we’re focused on upgrades, many of Insta360’s best camera features are inherited from the X3. No matter how you hold the X4, 360-degree horizontal lock keeps all shots level and still offers impressive image stabilization and water resistance up to 33 feet. While the X3 solved many of the biggest problems when capturing 360-degree footage, the X4 increases fidelity to the point where beautiful footage can be captured effortlessly.

The X4 is available to order now directly from Insta360 for $499.99.That yes That’s $100 more than its predecessor, but still less than the company’s $800 pro-grade camera, the One RS 1-inch 360-degree version.

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