Insta360 X4 – The Next-Level 8K 360 Action Camera

The Insta360 X4 is the company’s flagship 360° action cam as of 2024. It builds on its predecessor(s) by pushing boundaries in resolution, battery life, shooting flexibility, software, and build quality. Below is a full breakdown of what makes it special and what to watch out for.

Key Features & Specifications

Feature	Detail
Video Resolutions & Frame Rates	• 8K 360° video at 30 fps• 5.7K up to 60 fps in 360° mode • 4K up to 100 fps (for slow motion) • Single-Lens Mode: 4K up to 60 fps (uses just one lens, no reframing needed).
Photo Quality	72 MP in 360° photo mode (≈ 11904×5952) 36 MP when using single-lens mode. HDR photo option.
Battery	2,290 mAh battery. Claimed run times are ~135 minutes in 5.7K mode, ~75 minutes in full 8K mode.
Display & Controls	2.5-inch touchscreen, responsive UI. Physical buttons for power, record, lens switch, etc.
Size, Weight & Build	Weighs ~203-204 grams. Waterproof to ~10 metres / 33 feet without housing. Robust build similar to other action cams.
Other Features	• Invisible Selfie Stick effect (selfie stick becomes invisible in 360° footage)• Horizon Lock (keeps horizon level during motion) • Multiple shooting modes: Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Bullet Time, Active HDR video etc. • Quick charging: ~18 W fast charging gives 80% in ~38 min. With charge hub, even faster.• Storage: via microSD, up to 1TB. No internal storage.

What’s New / What’s Improved (vs Previous Models)

• Higher resolution: The shift to 8K video is the biggest jump. It gives more flexibility in post-production reframing, zooming without losing much detail.
• Better battery life: Much improved over earlier X3 models – especially in lower res modes. 
• Improved UI and touchscreen: More responsive, larger screen, easier navigation.
• Richer shooting modes: More fps options in slow motion, better HDR, more single-lens mode flexibility. 

Performance in Real Life

While specs are impressive, what matters is how it performs under real usage:

Low Light / Night Use

• Like many small sensor 360° cams, low light performance is limited. The noise rises, dynamic range shrinks. The HDR mode helps, but you’ll still notice softness or noise in shadows.
  
• In bright light, daylight outdoors, the camera shines: sharp detail, crisp resolution, good color rendition.

Stabilization & Motion

• Its FlowState stabilization is strong. Horizon Lock helps maintain level frames even when the camera tilts. Great for action shots (cycling, running, POV).
• The Invisible Selfie Stick is convincing for third-person and “floating” perspectives especially when combined with steady stick or pole. But be aware of stitching seams if something crosses the seam line (because of lens overlap). 

Battery & Heat

• The battery life claims are quite good under moderate usage. But shooting full 8K continuously will tax everything – heat, power, storage. 
• External charging options or spare batteries are recommended for long adventures.

Usability

• The 2.5″ screen is big enough to frame shots, change settings and monitor, though menus may take a little getting used to. 
• Mobile app + desktop software are mature. Good editing tools, AI & automatic features (e.g. AI scene recognition, automatic movement templates) help speed up the workflow.
  

Strengths & Weaknesses

Here are what most reviewers and users seem to agree:

Pros

1. Top-tier resolution: 8K 360° is cutting edge for this class. Gives flexibility in post editing.
   
2. Excellent battery life for its specs (especially in 5.7K and lower modes).
   
3. Versatile modes: Single-lens mode, timelapse, Bullet Time, etc. Great variety.
   
4. Strong stabilization + Horizon-Lock ensures smooth result even under motion.
   
5. Build & waterproofing make it suitable for adventure / outdoor usage.
   

Cons

1. Large file sizes: 8K video eats space fast; requires fast storage, powerful editing rig.
   
2. Low light limitations: Noise, softness in shadows; dynamic range less than ideal in very challenging lighting.
   
3. Weight & form: Heavier and bulkier than simpler action cams; might be more awkward for certain mounts or in tight spots.
4. Stitch seam visibility: Even with dual lenses, when something crosses lens edges, artifacts or stitching errors can become visible.
   
5. Startup lag: Slight delay from powering on to being ready to record.

Who Is This For?

• Content creators who want maximum flexibility: travel vloggers, adventure sports, creators who like to shoot “first then frame” (reframing in post).
• People who value video quality: crisp detail, high frame rates, and want to push into 8K.
• Those who are okay with carrying some extra weight and dealing with large file workflows.
• Users who often shoot outdoors, in good light, or in mixed lighting where HDR & stabilization are useful.
  

Not ideal if:

• Your main subjects are indoors or in dim light most of the time.
• You need ultra portability or smallest form factor.
• You have limited storage or weak editing hardware.
• Budget is tight, or you don’t need the absolute top resolution — may be overkill.
  

Comparisons

How does the X4 stack up vs previous Insta360 models or competitors?

Model/Competitor	What X4 Does Better	What Others May Still Do Better / Where X4 Lags
Insta360 X3	Higher resolution (8K vs 5.7K), better battery, more fps in slow-mo, refined UI.	X3 is lighter, possibly cheaper; in some lighting conditions might be more forgiving because less dense pixels.
GoPro / Non-360 Action Cams	Offers full 360 vision, later reframing, more creative effects.	Raw low light or single-lens (non-360) action cams may produce cleaner images in dark, have more focused lens/sensor combinations.
Other 360 Cameras	The combination of 8K, stabilization, accessory ecosystem, software maturity gives X4 advantage.	Some may have better low light due to larger sensors, different lens systems; or lighter, more niche-specific builds.

Tips & Best Practices to Get the Most Out of X4

• Shoot in good lighting when possible; avoid pushing 8K in very dark environments unless you have good external lighting.
• Use HDR modes and Flat profiles when lighting is challenging, then grade later.
• If you’ll do long sessions, carry extra batteries or use the fast-charge hub.
• Mind your storage: high bitrate 8K videos demand fast and large capacity microSD cards. Back up regularly.
• Use accessories (invisible selfie stick, mounts) to explore creative angles while avoiding visible rigs.
• Keep firmware updated — Insta360 is known to improve features via updates and add new modes.
• When shooting motion, practice using stabilization + horizon-lock to avoid disorienting footage.

FAQs About Insta360 X4

Q1: Does the Insta360 X4 really shoot in 8K?
Yes, it records 8K 360° video at 30 fps, making it one of the sharpest consumer 360 action cams today.

Q2: How long does the battery last on the Insta360 X4?
Up to 135 minutes in 5.7K and about 75 minutes in 8K mode.

Q3: Is the Insta360 X4 waterproof?
Yes, waterproof to 10m (33ft) without housing.

Q4: How much storage do I need for 8K video?
8K eats space fast. Use UHS-I V30 (or higher) cards, up to 1TB.

Q5: Can I shoot normal (non-360) video?
Yes, with Single-Lens Mode (up to 4K 60 fps).

Q6: How does it perform in low light?
Limited expect noise and softer details. Best in bright light.

Q7: Does it support live streaming?
Yes, 360° live streaming is supported.

Q8: What’s new vs Insta360 X3?
8K video, longer battery, improved UI, and more frame rate options.

Q9: Is it beginner-friendly?
Yes, thanks to Insta360’s AI-powered editing app.

Q10: How much does it cost?
Around $499–$549 globally (₹45K–₹48K in India).

Verdict

The Insta360 X4 is one of the most capable 360° action cameras in the consumer market as of 2024-2025. It raises the bar on resolution, usability, and flexibility. For creators who can use its strengths and accept its trade-offs, it’s a powerful tool. It’s not perfect especially in low light, or if you want featherlight gear but for capturing immersive content with creative freedom, it delivers in a big way.