The Insta360 X4 is an expensive action camera for those who want 360-degree video.

We tested the latest flagship action camera from Insta360, the Insta360 X4 – an action camera with 360 video up to 8K resolution.

The Insta360 X4 is an update to the X3 and has been equipped with a more advanced AI chip and 8K support, which means the camera has two 4K cameras combined into a larger format. This format can then be customized with focus, angles, and effects to ultimately deliver 4K video in the chosen format.

Of course action cameras are adapted for that – action. Since our knowledge of extreme sports is limited, please bear in mind that the camera was used in a slightly different way than it was actually intended.

In the box

The package includes the camera, battery, protective lenses, a USB-C cable for charging and transferring, and a cover to prevent overheating when shooting in 8K that also protects against shocks. We also get a cleaning cloth, a cloth bag to store the camera, and a small bag for accessories. We also get the accompanying selfie stick, which costs around 300 SEK to buy.

The camera is built solidly. Despite its small size. The rectangular shape and large lenses on the front and back are large, especially with the included lens covers that protrude for more than a centimeter on either side. Without the cover and selfie stick, it looks pretty good, but it’s not the prettiest action camera we’ve seen. The format also makes it quite difficult to hold the camera without blocking or reaching the screen. But after inserting the MicroSD card and clicking on the battery, we can start shooting soon. However, we first choose to connect the camera to the app on the mobile phone and download the latest update.

Is 360 video a fly?

The 360 ​​videos we’ve seen are mostly crude social media videos where people film with the camera in their mouths, giving an incredibly entertaining perspective. However, we get the most benefit from 360-degree video when we’re doing some kind of extreme sport. We’ve seen amazing videos of snowboarding and other sports, and it’s clear that this is what these cameras are for.

For those of us who primarily shoot other types of videos, Since we rarely need an action camera, it doesn't offer much. Plus, it requires us to get used to the editing process, which can seem like a real challenge. However, there are modes where the focus follows us, and AI-powered automatic editing is also provided in the app and directly in the camera.

Application and editing

Since the camera shoots 360 degrees and all angles at the same time, we can then control what should appear on the screen in our chosen format in the editing process. On mobile, this means that we can “swipe” with our finger to rotate around the camera axis or zoom in and out to change the perspective and focus. This is great because we can then change the angles and choose what to include in the image. Although it is very easy to do basic editing in the app, it takes effort to get it exactly the way we want it. We can also insert different programmed transitions and rotations to make the clips more lively.

But back to the original question. If 360-degree video were a fly, we’d probably say it is. It may be impressive, but very few people actually use it and can take advantage of its full potential.

Used

The camera is equipped with relatively few buttons. On the right side there is the on/off button with a button marked “Q” where we can start the preset modes for motorcycles, skis, outdoors and car. Then we put the record button below the screen together with the menu button that gives us direct access to the different movie modes.

On the left side of the camera There is a cover where the USB-C input is hidden along with the battery socket. Both the external battery and the USB-C door have proper latches that require screws and some force to open. With the battery removed, we can access the MicroSD card, which is well protected inside the camera. With all the latches closed, the camera is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters. We also have a classic 1/4 inch thread on the bottom for tripods.

Lists are controlled by swiping. If we swipe from bottom to top, we can change the camera mode and choose how we want to shoot – for example by activating 360 mode or using the camera lenses for something else. By swiping from left to right, we access the library, where we can take a look at what we have shot, make simple or automatic adjustments and share the content directly. If we shoot in 360 degrees, we can use our finger directly on the camera to watch the video from different angles.

We scroll from top to bottom. We reach the main menu where we can make all kinds of settings, and by swiping from right to left we have manual settings for shooting, such as white balance and exposure.

The camera is equipped with four microphones. To receive sound from all directions. If we want to connect an external microphone, we need to use an adapter that can be purchased for just over 200 SEK.

Jobs

As mentioned earlier, the camera has a number of different settings and shooting modes. When we want to shoot in 360, we can choose 4K, 5.7K, 5.7K+, and 8K at 24, 25, and 30 fps with both lenses, or 4K, 2.7K, and 1080p at 60, 50, 30, and 25 fps with a single lens. We can choose to shoot in either 16:9 or 16:9. With a portrait screen, this means that the 16:9 aspect ratio will be very small on the screen.

We also have an auto-hide selfie stick. So that it disappears from the image, which is useful when we're shooting in 360 degrees. This works surprisingly well, but when the hands are in the image, it can look a bit crazy, because we're holding onto “nothing.”

We can take a 360 degree photo, and dive with the camera up to 10 meters deep. And change a lot of settings. At the same time, there is a lot that is pre-set, so we can get started quickly. The camera is clearly for the adventurer.

How we used it

The camera was part of this summer's adventure and of course we used and tried to understand 360 degree video and tried to find uses for it. Which turned out to be not the easiest, but those who practice extreme sports will immediately benefit from all the functions of the camera more than us. Because as an action camera it works perfectly.

Like a regular camera We are met with a different shaped camera with large lenses on each side. Shooting regular 4K in one direction is no problem. We can shoot in the regular front mode and easily switch to the rear camera for portrait mode. The eyeball-like lenses on the camera provide a wide angle of about 180 degrees to be stitched together to create a 360-degree video. Which means that even in regular mode we get a strong wide angle. We can choose wide angle in three different modes, but even at the lowest setting it gives a strong wide angle. So shooting a normal “flat” photo is pretty much impossible.

So what should we use?

The Insta360 X4 is a 100% action camera for extreme sports enthusiasts who want to create great videos for their social media. In formats other than vertical mobile screen mode, much of the 360-degree effect is lost, but it works well in other formats for 4K ultra-wide and fisheye video – just what action cameras do. In short, it’s an expensive 360 ​​action camera that should only be bought by those who want to get into the 360 ​​swamp among the flies.