Insta360 X4 Review: A Blockbuster-Grade Action Camera?

Most cameras can shoot from a single point of view, requiring careful consideration of angles. However, 360-degree cameras act like a magical lens, allowing you to capture all possible and even seemingly impossible angles simultaneously. Additionally, they give you the freedom to choose your preferred frame during post-processing.

In the field of fixed ‘field of view’ cameras, you need something more, something that can encapsulate the entire 360 degrees of awesomeness.

Enter the Insta360 X4, the little camera that promises to capture it all.

Currently, three versions of Insta360 are available in the market: X2, X3 and the latest X4. I recently bagged the X4 because it’s now available with 8K recording and removable lens caps (protection is the priority).

My only reason for picking the Insta360 X4 over other cameras is that, as an adventure lover, I don’t want to miss a single shot during my travels. I also love clicking 360-degree photos instead of flat ones so that I can cherish the moment in a more lively way later.

The marketing team always paints a picture of gadgets in a much better way and the story is the same with the Insta360 X4. They show impossibly graceful athletes soaring through the air, their every move captured flawlessly by the X4. And then there’s me, trying to recreate these legendary shots while simultaneously battling gravity, common sense and the existential dread of realising I’m not nearly as coordinated as I thought I was.

So, does the X4 live up to the hype? Is it the key to unlocking your inner moto vlogger or action hero? Let’s just say it’s a journey. A journey filled with moments of brilliance, moments of frustration and moments of wondering if I should just stick to taking pictures of my Shih Tzu. But before pointing out all the good and bad things, let’s look at the main highlights of the fourth version of Insta360, i.e. Insta360 X4.

Insta360 X4: Key highlights

The X4 is packing some serious firepower. We're talking 8K 360-degree video: basically like having a tiny planetarium in your pocket. Then there’s 5.7K at 60fps, which translates to silky smooth slow-motion footage, ideal for capturing all those epic moments like when I drag my Kawasaki Ninja ZX through traffic.

It is waterproof too and it features the best stabilisation in an action camera. It is called FlowState Stabilisation which promises to make even my shaky cam footage look smooth. And let’s not forget the "invisible selfie stick," which is less invisible and more "cleverly edited out."

Apart from this, both lenses of the Insta360 X4 capture 180-degree footage individually and merge it to create a spherical 360-degree video. Next time someone asks if the Earth is flat, just show them footage from this camera.

8K resolution reality

Yes, it’s 8K. Yes, it’s incredibly detailed. But let’s be real, you need a powerful system to render 8K footage. The quality is great and you can crop and use any portion of the footage but keep in mind that night shots in 8K don’t look beautiful. Faces look horrible and you have to switch down to 5.7K+ resolution.

However, Insta360 X4 claims that it is equivalent to true 8K resolution but I’d say it falls somewhere between 5.7K and 8K.

But daylight shots in 8K are more than amazing, offering HDR, face detection and excellent distortion management. This camera can handle everything.

Insta360 as an action camera

You can also use the Insta360 X4 in single-lens mode to capture only one field of view. However, if you’re looking for a camera just to use in single-lens mode, don’t buy this one. It captures videos similar to the Insta360 Ace, which costs just INR 25,000.

The 4K footage looks fine on small screens, but on a larger display, the pixelation becomes noticeable.

And then there's the magic trick of the 21st century -- the invisible stick. It’s not actually invisible, of course. The camera stitches the selfie stick out of the footage, creating the illusion that it’s not there. It works surprisingly well, but it’s not perfect. Sometimes, you’ll see a ghostly blur where the stick used to be, like a digital phantom haunting your videos. It’s like the camera is saying, "I’m doing my best here, okay?"

Stability is where the X4 truly shines. It does a fantastic job of smoothing out shaky footage. You can run, jump, or cartwheel (or, let’s be real, just walk briskly) and the footage will still look relatively stable.

It’s not perfect but it’s very close, almost as if the camera has a tiny gyroscope strapped to it. Honestly, it’s so good that I’m starting to suspect it’s powered by magic.

AI-enabled app support

The Insta360 app is surprisingly powerful. It uses AI to help you edit videos, suggest edits, add music and reframe shots. It’s great for beginners but experienced editors may find it a bit limiting.

Also, the AI sometimes makes questionable choices, like setting my video of a squirrel burying a nut to heavy metal music. It’s like the AI is saying, "I know what’s cool, even if you don’t."

Insta360 X4 durability

They say it’s rugged. They say it’s waterproof. I haven’t tried throwing it off a cliff or submerging it in the Mariana Trench, but it did survive a drop on the track during moto vlogging.

That’s a win in my books.

Should you buy one?

The Insta360 X4 is a powerful and versatile camera. It captures stunning 360-degree video, has fantastic stabilisation and is packed with useful features. However, it’s expensive.

If you’re a serious action sports enthusiast, a vlogger who needs top-notch video quality or someone who just loves experimenting with creative filmmaking, then the X4 is definitely worth considering. The 8K video and excellent stabilisation make it a great tool for capturing immersive and dynamic content. It’s like having a professional film crew in your pocket, albeit a very small and slightly sarcastic one.

But keep in mind that editing is going to be hard with the Insta360 X4. You have to choose your video frame by frame to give it a personal touch. Otherwise, you can use the AI feature for auto-framing.

However, if you’re just a casual user who occasionally wants to take some cool videos, there are cheaper alternatives available. The X4 is a premium product with a premium price tag. If you want to spend more, you can even buy the BMW edition of the X4.

My one-word verdict is that if you can edit 360-degree footage with creativity, you should get this one. Otherwise, a normal action camera would be enough for you.

Final verdict

The Insta360 X4 is a fantastic piece of technology. It’s capable of capturing some truly amazing footage. But it’s not magic. It won’t automatically make you a world-class filmmaker. You still need to have some creativity and, most importantly, actual skills. It’s a tool, not a talent transplant. It’s like giving a paintbrush to someone who’s never painted before and expecting them to create a masterpiece.

So, if you’re looking for a camera that can capture everything you throw at it (literally and figuratively), the Insta360 X4 is a great choice. Just don’t expect it to make you an instant internet sensation. That’s a whole other can of worms. And probably involves more heavy metal music. But hey, at least your videos will be smooth.

Insta360 X4 is available at multiple price points depending on offers but if you can crack a deal between INR 43,999 to INR 46,999, it would be a great deal. In case you can't afford it, feel free to buy Insta360 X3 for INR 29,999.