The Best Just Got Better: Insta360 X4 Review
For the longest time, I thought a 360-degree camera was a gimmick. That was until I got my hands on the Insta360 X3 back in 2022. After that, the camera never left my backpack. I’ve used it on treks, to record vlogs, and to capture group selfies with a large number of people. So, when Insta360 reached out to send me the latest iteration of their 360 camera, I was undoubtedly excited. And I’m glad to report, the Insta360 X4 doesn’t disappoint.
Record Yourself, Now in 8K
The Insta360 X4 showed up at my doorstep right before I was headed to Uttarakhand in Northern India for an adventurous hike. This gave me the opportunity to test the all-new video capabilities of the X4. Unlike the X3, which was only limited to 5.7K, the Insta360 X4 can shoot all the way up to 8K — giving us a massive boost in details. It’s not just about the numbers on paper. You can visibly tell the difference in quality when compared to a video shot using the X3.
Record yourself in stunning 8K resolution
Sharp and Stable
Coming back to the footage itself, walking through the rocky terrains of the mountains, the X4 had no issues stabilizing the videos. Right from the X3 to the Insta360 GO 3, one aspect I’ve always appreciated about the brand is its FlowState stabilization algorithm.
FlowState stabilization in action
A Drone in Your Pocket!
Speaking of selfie sticks, Insta360 sells two types of them — a standard selfie stick and an extended one. The standard selfie stick extends up to 3.75ft and is good enough for most people, whether you’re recording vlogs or adventurous activities.
The extended selfie stick takes creativity to a whole new level
However, the extended selfie stick I received with my X4 takes creativity to a whole new level. For starters, it extends all the way up to 10ft — giving you an all-new perspective. Combine the length with your height with an extended arm and what you get is footage that resembles a drone shot!
A Selfie With 50 Friends
Every week, I meet a bunch of people from a community of food lovers who all go around the city exploring new eateries along the way. We’re close to 40-50 of us every time, and we take a group photo at the end of the session every time. Thanks to the Insta360 X4, I’ve officially become the group-photo-taker of the gang.
A selfie with 50 friends has never been easier
Easy to Edit, Easy to Share
Apart from the footage itself, the major highlight of Insta360 cameras is how simple it is to edit the 360 videos from the camera. Insta360’s app on both Android and iOS is extremely easy to use, even if you’ve never edited videos before. If you’re lazy like me, the app also has an AI edit feature that automatically puts clips together in a sequence with the press of a button.
Improvements All Around
It’s not just about the quality of images and videos. Insta360 has paid attention to minute details and ensured users have a better experience overall when using the X4.
Who Should Buy the Insta360 X4?
Now that you know the Insta360 X4 is a considerable improvement compared to its predecessor, the biggest question to answer is — who is it for? Are you considering buying an action camera? Do you play sports and want to document yourself in the process? Planning to go on treks with multiple people, while clicking selfies and drone shots of yourself?
The Insta360 X4 addresses all of these use cases. It’s one of the most versatile cameras you can buy — now with the ability to record in 8K.
What We Like
- Good-quality footage at 8K
- Excellent stabilization
- Can be used like a drone with an extended selfie stick
What We Don’t Like
- Gets hot to the touch when shooting for prolonged durations at 8K
- Image quality in low light is average
