Insta360 X4 brings 8K resolution for the first time, longer battery life and other improvements
360° cameras are cool because they let you be in the moment and you can worry about framing the shot later. However, once you dial down the field of view to something more traditional, you notice how little detail there is – especially at 4K but even with 5.7K cameras like the Insta360 X3. One way to fix that is to increase the resolution to 8K.
Meet the Insta360 X4, the company’s first 8K 360° camera. It can record 8K videos at 30fps and it now uses the more efficient H.265 codec (the X3 only did H.264). Even so, the maximum bitrate for videos has been increased to 200Mbps (from 120Mbps) to handle the extra resolution.
Insta360 X4
But if the 5.7K resolution of the old model was enough for you, the X4 is still a worthy upgrade – it can now record 5.7K at 60fps (up from 30fps) and 4K at 100fps.
There are additional enhancements too. For example, if you’re lazy and use Me Mode (which automatically keeps you in the frame, so you don’t need to process footage later), you will get out a 4K 30fps clip in the end, compared to the 1080p resolution that the X3 could achieve.
Resolution comparison: Insta360 X4 vs. X3
MaxView, which shoots videos with a 170° FoV, now records in 4K at 60fps, up from 30fps. Timelapse videos get a resolution boost to 11K (up from 8K). In short, if the Insta360 X3 ever felt limited in terms of resolution or frame rate, the X4 is a major improvement.
There are quality of life upgrades on the new model too. For starters, the touchscreen is a larger 2.5” panel (up from 2.29”) that is guarded by Gorilla Glass. The two fish eye lenses on the camera also have removable lens guards to prevent permanent scratches (you get the standard version in the retail package, but there is a more durable premium version too).
Lens and screen protection for the Insta360 X4
The new 2,290mAh battery offers a massive boost to endurance (more than a simple comparison against the 1,800mAh capacity of the old model would suggest). The X4 can last up to 135 minutes in 5.7K 30fps mode, 67% longer than the X3. The new 8K mode drains the battery in 75 minutes.
Like before, the camera is rated to dive 10m/33ft under water without additional protection. There is an Invisible Dive Case that allows you to go deeper, 50m/164ft. Also, it can run in cold environments, down to -20°C/-4°F, for capturing videos during your ski trip. Note that the camera is 23g heavier and now tips the scales at 203g.
The improved video recording skills and longer endurance are in part due to the 5nm AI chip that powers the camera. The camera still uses a 1/2” sensor that can capture 72MP stills (with INSP and DNG formats available).
The Insta360 X4 is available starting today, you can find it on the company’s online store as well as retailers like Amazon. The camera costs $500 in the US and €560 in Europe. The Invisible Diving Bundle pushes the price up to $680/€767 and there is a GPS bundle for $711/€806. The latter includes the Insta360 GPS Preview Remote.
