360° cameras are great because they allow you to capture the moment without worrying about framing the shot right away. However, when you switch the field of view to a more traditional setting, you may notice a lack of detail, especially at 4K resolution – even with 5.7K cameras like the Insta360 X3. One solution to this issue is to increase the resolution to 8K.
Introducing the Insta360 X4, the company’s first 8K 360° camera. It can shoot 8K videos at 30 fps using the more efficient H.265 codec (compared to the X3 which used H.264). Additionally, the maximum bitrate for videos has been increased to 200 Mbps (previously 120 Mbps) to accommodate the higher resolution.
Insta360 X4
If the 5.7K resolution of the previous model was sufficient for you, the X4 is still a worthwhile upgrade – now capable of recording 5.7K at 60fps (up from 30fps) and 4K at 100fps.
Other improvements include My Mode, which auto-tracks the subject to keep them in-frame during filming, resulting in a 4K 30fps clip compared to the X3’s 1080p resolution.
Resolution comparison: Insta360 X4 vs. X3
The MaxView feature, with a 170° field of view, can now record in 4K at 60fps (up from 30fps), while timelapse videos have been boosted to 11K resolution (previously 8K). In short, if you found the Insta360 X3 lacking in resolution or frame rate, the X4 is a significant improvement.
The new model also offers some quality of life upgrades. The touchscreen is now a larger 2.5″ panel with Gorilla Glass protection. The camera’s fisheye lenses come with removable lens shields to prevent scratches (standard and premium versions included).
Lens and screen protection for the Insta360 X4
The new 2,290mAh battery provides a significant endurance boost, lasting up to 135 minutes in 5.7K 30fps mode – 67% longer than the X3. The battery life in 8K mode is 75 minutes.
Like its predecessor, the X4 is waterproof up to 10m/33ft without additional protection, with an optional diving case allowing for dives up to 50m/164ft. It can also withstand cold temperatures down to -20°C/-4°F, making it suitable for extreme environments. The camera has gained 23g in weight, now weighing 203g.
The X4’s improved video capabilities and longer battery life are partly due to the 5nm AI chip powering the camera. The camera retains its 1/2″ sensor capable of capturing 72MP photos in INSP and DNG formats.
The Insta360 X4 is now available for purchase on the company’s online store and retailers like Amazon. The camera is priced at $500 in the US and €560 in Europe. The Invisible Diving Bundle raises the price to $680/€767, and the GPS bundle costs $711/€806, which includes the Insta360 GPS Preview Remote.