Insta360 X4

Source

ShortCircuit

Key Takeaways

• Chunky 203-gram weight makes extended selfie stick shooting noticeably fatiguing compared to earlier models.
• Nighttime 8K footage suffers from severe watercolor-like smear artifacts caused by heavy-handed noise suppression.
• Barebones retail box forces buyers to shell out heavily for overpriced official mounts, mic adapters, and spare packs.
• Occasional micro-jitter and motion blur ghosting under intense mountain bike trail vibrations at 5.7K/60fps.

✅ Pros

• Significantly crisper daytime detail in 8K resolution
• Larger capacity battery improves standard runtime
• User-removable lens guards simplify protection

❌ Cons

• Noticeably heavier build tires out wrist on extended poles
• Muddy watercolor night video under artificial streetlights
• Expensive proprietary accessories and mounts
• Occasional micro-stutters during heavy trail vibrations

📝 Verdict

"A meaningful bump in daylight clarity spoiled by added bulk, watercolor night shots, and expensive accessories."

Source

• Video: Insta360 X4 Long Term Review- Is it Still Good?
• Channel: JORDAN HETRICK | Type: Long-term review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Used for about six to seven months for travel, extreme sports and vlogs; he thinks it's a big upgrade over the X3, with 8K 360 and 5.7K 60fps giving more creative freedom
• Some complain the image quality is about the same as older models, but he thinks it's mostly users editing poorly; single-lens mode can directly capture footage comparable to an action camera
• Underwater use: the curved lenses make water droplets stick more easily than on regular action cameras, and water pools at the lens edges; the dive case gives clear footage but slightly lower image quality
• The biggest downside is the exposed curved lenses: a scratch ruins the footage; you can use the included lens guards or buy Insta360 Care
• The next generation will always be better; if it's close to April 2025, keep an eye out for a new model

✅ Pros

• Improved 8K 360 image quality
• Useful single-lens mode
• Lots of creative possibilities

❌ Cons

• Exposed lenses scratch easily
• Water droplets stick easily
• Dive case lowers image quality

📝 Verdict

If you want beautiful 360 and single-lens footage and can accept the more exposed lenses, he recommends buying the X4 now.

Source

• Video: Is 360 Video FINALLY Good? | Insta360 X4 Review
• Channel: David Zhou | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Insta360 sent him the X4 on May 2, 2024, and he says there were no strings attached; he evaluates it from three angles: content creators, professional videographers and workflow
• The biggest weakness of action cameras and 360 cameras is image quality; he tested in harsh conditions with backlight and blown-out skies
• The 8K resolution is spread across the whole 360 view, so it isn't true 8K footage when you edit, but it's sharper; 5.7K goes up to 60fps and 4K up to 100fps, allowing 4x slow motion
• On a computer, he used Insta360 Studio for keyframes, subject tracking and view adjustments, then exported ProRes 422; the workflow is leaner and faster than the first generation's
• For professional videographers, it won't replace a main camera, but it provides unique perspectives no other camera can

✅ Pros

• Improved image quality, resolution and stabilization
• High creative flexibility
• Smoother workflow

❌ Cons

• Image quality still below a main camera
• 8K isn't equivalent to true 8K footage

📝 Verdict

If you want to expand your shooting tools and explore new creative possibilities, the Insta360 X4 is worth a look.

Source

• Video: Why Insta360’s X4 camera hits different.
• Channel: Mrwhosetheboss | Type: Sponsored review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Insta360 sent the X4 and sponsored this video; he initially doubted he'd use it when he already has a good phone camera, so he took the X4 and his phone to London to test them
• He thinks the point isn't posting 360 videos, but recording in every direction at once and deciding the view afterward, so you don't miss the moment by focusing on framing
• There are three ways to edit: AI automatically picks highlights, a quick mode using a joystick or the phone's gyroscope, and a fully manual mode
• It can replace many drone uses: quiet, easy to control, cheaper, longer battery life and hard to break; battery life is nearly 70% longer than the X3, recording 135 minutes at 5.7K 360 (the GoPro Hero 12 records 90 minutes at 5.3K), and it uses a 5nm AI chip
• Shot Lab effects are greatly expanded (bullet time, AI Warp style changes and more), all included in the price (AI Warp is free 3 times a day); he feels US$499 is close to high-end pricing

✅ Pros

• Reframe after the fact
• Much longer battery life
• Free, powerful editing effects
• Can replace some drone uses

❌ Cons

• US$499 price is on the high side
• AI Warp has usage limits

📝 Verdict

He thinks Shot Lab makes the price worth it, with lots of features and no separate subscription required, unlike GoPro.