Insta360 X4 Review: The Best Just Got Better

For the longest time, I thought a 360-degree camera was a gimmick. That is 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.

It builds on the strengths of its predecessor while significantly improving in areas where the X3 was lacking. The result is a 360-degree camera that’s easily the best in the business.

Instead of generic reviews that tell you how big the sensors are or how the image quality compares to modern-day smartphones, I’ll focus on how I used the Insta360 X4 in the past two weeks and why you should pick one up over an action camera.

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.

This difference in quality itself is a big enough reason for me to recommend the Insta360 X4. While shooting with the X3 was always fun, the image quality was its only limiting aspect.

With the X4 addressing that, I pretty much have no major gripe with 360-degree cameras anymore. Of course, the footage in low light still remains to be grainy. So, it’s recommended to use an action camera like the GoPro Hero 12 or Insta360’s own Ace Pro in such situations.

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.

It works like a charm even on the X4, whether you’re hiking a mountain or walking on the streets with the camera mounted 10 feet high on a selfie stick.

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.

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!

This is awesome for those who don’t own a drone or stay in regions where drones cannot be flown without permits. If you frame the scene properly and use Insta360’s editing tools, the results obtained are impressive and almost resembles a video shot on a drone and not on a 360 camera!

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.

You see, all I have to do is hold up the camera with the selfie stick without worrying about the framing or wondering if everyone is covered in the photo. This is because I can reframe the picture after it is taken, and the 360-degree view ensures nobody is left out of the image.

This is almost impossible when clicking a selfie involving so many people, from a smartphone. It’s also worth noting that the selfies look sharper when taken from the X4 compared to the X3 and the dynamic range is also better.

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.

There are several filters, effects, and cool transitions like mini planet and sky changes that make your videos more fun and interesting. You can also pick from different aspect ratios when exporting a video depending on whether you want to share it to your Instagram or upload it to YouTube.

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. For example, the camera is bigger than the last-gen X3 but it is grippier and has a rugged build.

This new build helps with better heat dissipation while also making it more resistant to falls. It’s waterproof so you can use it to record underwater too.

The UI on the Insta360 X4 is much snappier compared to the X3. This is visible when switching through the different menus and navigating through settings. Moreover, the camera is also much faster at capturing and processing shots. Insta360 also provides lens guards in the box now which is a welcome addition compared to last year when you had to buy them separately.

Overall, the experience of using the Insta360 X4 right out of the box is superior compared to the X3.

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.

So, if you’re in the market for an action camera, and you don’t record a lot at night, you should consider a 360 camera — namely the Insta360 X4 instead. The versatility can boost your creativity and push you to record some nice-looking shots, especially with the help of the invisible selfie stick. If you do end up getting it, make sure you pick up the extended selfie stick. It’s certainly worth the few extra $$$!