Insta360 has unveiled the new 8K video-equipped Insta360 X4, a fourth-generation model that’s set to replace its predecessor, the Insta360 X3, at the top of our list of the best 360 cameras thanks to a raft of significant upgrades.
2024 is set to be a bumper year for 360-degree cameras, a market which in the last few years has been dominated by Insta360. In addition to the Insta360 X4, GoPro has a GoPro Max successor in the works, and Canon is poised to launch an intriguing 360-degree / 180-degree 3D Powershot concept, which we saw in the flesh recently – and the gauntlet has been well and truly laid down by the Insta360 X4.
It’s the company’s first 360-degree camera that’s capable of shooting 8K video (though not the first camera of its kind – we already have the excellent, if dated and less convenient, Kandao Qoocam 8K), and it arrives packing some welcome updates, notably much improved battery life.
Utilizing two 180-degree (approx) cameras, the X4 is capable of a shoot first, edit later workflow, because you know that everything around you will be in the frame, and thanks to the new camera’s increased resolution, in greater detail. The single-lens mode can now shoot 4K video up to 60fps, too.
Throw in the X4’s waterproof credentials up to 33ft / 10m (without the need for an additional housing), Insta360’s excellent FlowState image stabilization, and 360-degree horizon lock, and the X4 effectively doubles up as one of the best action cameras. It could be the only additional camera that vloggers and adrenaline junkies need in addition to one of the best camera phones.
It also has useful credentials for motorcyclists, who can position the camera freely with one of Insta360’s mounts, control the camera hands-free from a compatible Bluetooth headset, and capture their journeys automatically with Auto Dash mode and loop recording, effectively turning the X4 into one of the best dash cams for motorcyclists.
The Insta360 X4 is available worldwide now, and costs $499.99 / £499.99 / AU$879.99 – that’s a small, and entirely reasonable given the upgrades, mark-up of around 10% over 2022’s X3. A host of optional accessories are available too, including various selfies sticks (one of which is designed to enable you to capture ‘bullet-time’ effects) and mounts. Check out the Insta360 store for what’s available.
We’ve already had our hands on Insta360’s latest camera, and will share our full X4 review shortly. What we’ll also say here is that there’s more to this fourth-gen model than its headline 8K video resolution, invisible selfie stick effect, and smart video modes.
There’s significantly better battery life, with up to 135 minutes of record time, plus smart-gesture and voice-control functions. You also get removable screw-on lens guards to protect those bulbous and easily damaged twin lenses, where the X3 used non-removable sticky lens guards.
Crucially, Insta360 also offers one of the more intuitive mobile editing platforms for your 360-degree footage. In addition to Quick Edit where users can reframe their footage manually to focus on the action, there’s an AI Edit mode that recommends how to frame the footage based on the action with just a tap.
In short, the X4 is about as user-friendly as 360 cameras come, and will sit pretty in our best 360-degree action cams guide for the foreseeable future. That increased resolution in particular reaps greater versatility, and GoPro is going to have to come up with something pretty special with the upcoming Max 2.