• Insta360 X4 Review

    Insta360 X4 Review: A Controversial Summer Refresh

    simon Assela Posted on

    My journey with Insta360 began with the Go2 review, a product that showcased the brand’s potential but also highlighted areas where it fell short. My commitment to delivering honest, unbiased reviews sometimes clashed with the company’s desire to present an unblemished image. This dynamic has only intensified over time, making my reviews a battleground for truth versus marketing polish. Therefore, as I embarked on this review of the Insta360 X4, I was determined to scrutinize every aspect meticulously, free from external influence, to provide you with the most accurate assessment.

    The Insta360 X4 comes at a time when the market is teeming with options, each vying for the title of the best 360° action camera. With advancements in technology, consumers are more discerning, demanding not just incremental improvements but groundbreaking features that justify an upgrade. The X4 promises to deliver on multiple fronts: enhanced resolution, improved stability, and a plethora of shooting modes designed to cater to both amateur enthusiasts and professional creators.

    In this review, I’ll delve into the unboxing experience, the design and build quality, technical specifications, and real-world performance. I’ll compare the X4 with its predecessors and competitors, explore the user experience, and highlight any drawbacks and limitations. My goal is to provide a comprehensive overview that helps you decide if the Insta360 X4 is worth the investment. I’m Simon for Superfashion.us, and today we’re diving deep into this camera to determine whether it’s worth the buzz.

    Unboxing and Initial Impressions

    I’ll keep the unboxing segment brief since it’s been a few months since the X4’s release, and there are plenty of unboxing videos out there. The standard combo includes a plastic bracket, a carrying pouch, and basic plastic lens guards. Compared to the X3, the design of the X4 offers better grip and display dimensions, making it more user-friendly. The inclusion of lens guards is a nice touch, though they are basic and should be used with care.

    Upon first handling the X4, I immediately noticed the improvements in build quality. The camera feels robust and well-constructed, with a solid grip that makes it easier to handle, even in challenging conditions. The larger touchscreen is a significant upgrade, providing a clearer and more responsive interface. The Gorilla Glass protection adds a layer of durability, ensuring the screen can withstand minor impacts and scratches.

    Design and Build Quality

    The camera design feels familiar if you’ve used previous Insta360 cameras. It’s clear that Insta360 has built on their previous offerings, but with a few notable enhancements. The X4 is slightly larger and heavier than the X3, which may be a deciding factor for some users. Despite the size increase, the improved grip and larger display are welcome changes. The display now features auto-brightness, a first for action cameras, which adjusts to different lighting conditions—a feature I’ve long awaited.

    The X4’s ergonomic design makes it more comfortable to hold and operate for extended periods. The button placement is intuitive, allowing for easy access to essential functions without fumbling. The new design also includes a more robust mounting system, ensuring that the camera stays securely in place during high-intensity activities.

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    Technical Specifications and Upgrades

    The X4 utilizes half-inch image sensors behind ultra-wide field of view optics with an f/1.9 aperture, capable of recording up to 8K resolution in 360° mode. It’s powered by a 2300 mAh battery and boasts a plethora of shooting modes and software perks.

    Key Specs:

    • Image Sensors: Half-inch sensors, likely the same as the X3.
    • Aperture: f/1.9.
    • Resolution: Up to 8K in 360° mode.
    • Display: Larger touchscreen with Gorilla Glass, featuring auto-brightness.
    • Battery: 2300 mAh.
    • Processor: Latest Ambarella 5nm SoC.

     

    The upgrade to an Ambarella 5nm system on a chip (SoC) is one of the most significant improvements. This new SoC not only supports higher resolutions and frame rates but also enhances overall performance, making the X4 faster and more responsive. The improved processing power allows for more advanced features and better image quality, setting the X4 apart from its predecessor.

    Performance and Image Quality

    With the upgraded processor, the X4 supports 8K resolution, but this doesn’t mean you’ll get 8K from any part of the footage. It combines inputs from both lenses to achieve 8K, ensuring sharp images even when zoomed in. This is a significant upgrade for creators like me who need high-quality footage for reviews.

    The X4’s new SoC also enables higher frame rates, making slow-motion shots smoother. Post-production is a must with 360° cameras, and Insta360’s smartphone app and PC software make this process relatively straightforward. The AI-driven auto-reframe features can help extract the most interesting parts of your footage, providing suggestions for editing.

    The camera’s image stabilization technology, known as FlowState, has also seen improvements. This stabilization is crucial for action shots, ensuring smooth and steady footage even in the most dynamic scenarios. Whether you’re mountain biking, snowboarding, or simply walking through a busy city, the X4 delivers consistently stable video.

    Shooting Modes and Software Features

    The X4 offers a wide range of shooting modes, including Burst Mode, 72-megapixel spherical photos, Starlabs, HDR for both photos and videos, and Bullet Time. The increased resolution and frame rates also make slow-motion shots more appealing.

    For vloggers, the X4 supports DJI’s Mic 2, a wireless microphone, enhancing the audio quality of your recordings. However, there are reports of overheating in 8K mode, especially when the camera is static. In my experience, dynamic shots, such as biking down a mountain, didn’t trigger overheating, even on hot days.

    The variety of shooting modes makes the X4 incredibly versatile. Burst Mode is perfect for capturing fast-paced action, ensuring you never miss a critical moment. The 72-megapixel spherical photos provide stunning detail, ideal for capturing landscapes or large group shots. Starlabs mode allows for breathtaking time-lapse photography, capturing the movement of stars across the night sky.

    The HDR mode enhances both photos and videos, providing greater detail and dynamic range, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Bullet Time, a signature feature of Insta360 cameras, lets you create stunning slow-motion shots that appear to defy gravity. These features combined make the X4 a powerful tool for both amateur and professional videographers.

    User Experience and Practical Use

    Using the X4 in various scenarios, from outdoor adventures to urban exploration, I found it to be incredibly user-friendly. The intuitive interface and responsive touchscreen make it easy to navigate through settings and modes. The auto-brightness feature ensures the display remains visible in different lighting conditions, a critical aspect for outdoor filming.

    One of the standout features is the ability to shoot first and choose the field of view later. This flexibility allows for greater creativity in post-production, enabling you to focus on capturing the moment without worrying about framing. This is particularly useful for dynamic activities where adjusting the camera’s position on the fly can be challenging.

    The Insta360 app and PC software provide powerful tools for editing and refining your footage. The AI-driven auto-reframe feature is particularly impressive, offering intelligent suggestions for highlighting the best parts of your videos. The software also supports advanced editing techniques, allowing you to fine-tune every aspect of your footage.

    Comparisons with Competitors

    When comparing the X4 to other 360° cameras on the market, it stands out for several reasons. The closest competitor is the GoPro Max, another popular choice for action videography. While the GoPro Max offers excellent image quality and stabilization, the X4 surpasses it with higher resolution and more advanced features.

    The X4’s ability to shoot in 8K resolution gives it a significant edge in terms of image quality. The larger touchscreen and auto-brightness feature also make it more user-friendly in various lighting conditions. Additionally, the X4’s FlowState stabilization is on par with GoPro’s HyperSmooth technology, providing smooth and steady footage in even the most challenging scenarios.

    Another competitor is the Ricoh Theta Z1, known for its high-quality image sensors and excellent low-light performance. However, the Theta Z1 is more geared towards still photography rather than action videography. The X4’s versatility and advanced video features make it a better choice for those looking to capture dynamic action shots.

    Drawbacks and Limitations

    Despite its many strengths, the X4 has a few drawbacks:

    • Size and Weight: The X4 is bulkier and heavier than the X3, which could be a deal-breaker for some users.
    • Overheating: The camera tends to overheat in 8K mode if used for static shots over extended periods.
    • Bitrate: The increased bitrate of 200 Mbps might still be limiting for 8K footage.
    • Lens Guards: The premium lens guards have received some complaints, leading me to avoid using them.

     

    The weight of the camera is already rather high, and carrying it around for extended periods can become cumbersome. Additionally, the overheating issue in 8K mode means that you need to be mindful of how long you’re recording static shots. The bitrate limitation is another concern, as it can affect the overall quality of 8K footage.

    The lens guards, although a thoughtful inclusion, have received mixed reviews. Some users have reported issues with their durability, which could lead to scratches or damage to the lenses. It’s essential to handle them with care and consider investing in higher-quality lens guards if you plan on using the camera extensively.

    Conclusion: Is the Insta360 X4 Worth It?

    From a technological perspective, the X4 is a significant upgrade from the X3. The size and weight may be a concern, but the improved grip, larger display, and higher resolution make it a compelling choice for those seeking the best 360° camera on the market.

    In terms of image quality, the X4 is incredibly stable and offers more creative features than any other action camera currently available. For professionals, it can be a valuable tool, though it lacks a log mode. The flat color mode is effective, and the emulation of ND filters is impressive.

    Insta360’s customer support and after-sales services have shown improvement, with representatives actively helping users on platforms like Reddit. This level of care towards customers is crucial for rebuilding their reputation and growing as a brand.

    If you already own an X3, the upgrade to X4 may not be essential unless you need the new features. However, if you’re coming from another type of 360° action camera, the X4 is a solid upgrade.

    Final Thoughts

    The Insta360 X4 stands out as the best 360° camera currently available, despite some controversies surrounding the brand. It offers significant improvements over the X3, particularly in terms of resolution, frame rates, and software features. The size and weight might be drawbacks for some users, but the overall performance and image quality make it a worthwhile investment.

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    simon Assela
    Simon is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the FCB. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or reading political news.
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