| July 10, 2024
Insta360’s latest video camera, the Insta360 X4, features significant upgrades over the previous X3 model.
The previous Insta360 camera was already good and the latest Insta360 X4 is even better.
By Keith Dowdle
The X4 is the first 360 camera capable of recording 360-degree video in 8K at 60 frames per second, up from 5.7K at 30 frames for the X3. It also offers super slow motion in 4K at 100 frames per second, whereas the X3 offers super slow motion in 3K resolution. The X4 has built-in AI with gesture control, so you can start and stop recording with hand motions without needing to touch or speak to the camera. It comes standard with replaceable plastic lens guards, but you can upgrade to glass lens guards for better video quality. Battery life is up from 81 minutes to 135 minutes.
Lowdown | Insta360 X4 Video Camera
Stand-Out Feature: Stunning 360-degree video in 8K resolution
MSRP: $596 with motorcycle bundle
Shoot now / Frame later
Two full hours of battery life
360 video or single-shot capabilities
Slightly heavier than the X3
Gets hot when shooting 8K
Rider Analysis | Insta360 X4 Video Camera
I’ll be the first to admit that the photo and video side of this business is not my forte. I simply don’t have the patience for all the effort that’s required to capture really good imagery, nor do I have the skills needed to edit anything worthy of being seen by our Cycle News subscribers. But I can attach a camera to the end of a stick and ride until the battery is dead, which is reason number one why I love the Insta360 X4. All framing is done in the editing process via a really handy app and software provided by Insta360, which you can download for free. The app has built-in AI, and it will walk you through the editing process, or it will do it for you. I was surprised and impressed with the content that the app generated, which was all on its own. It will also show you step-by-step instructions for creating some incredible videos. You simply attach the camera to your bike and do some riding, and the camera and app will take care of all the difficult stuff afterward. Being able to do the framing later makes this the easiest, most user-friendly camera I’ve ever worked with. The camera can be mounted at any angle, still capturing your point of view and everything else within its 360-degree field of vision.
We loved the two hours of battery life.
The Insta360 X4’s two hours of battery life is a dream come true for those of us who are accustomed to carrying around a pocketful of GoPro batteries that last all of about 10 minutes. The bigger battery makes the camera slightly heavier, 7.2 ounces for the X4 versus 6.4 ounces for the X3, but I’m happy to deal with an extra ounce or so of weight for that much more battery life. Insta360 certainly had motorcyclists at the top of its prospective buyer’s list when it was developing the X4 since it designed it to pair directly with six different helmet systems, including the Sena 50S, ST1, and 10S, and the Cardo Packtalk Edge. This makes moto vlogging or narrating bike reviews super simple, as there’s no need for extra microphones or cords.
There’s also a new field of view called “Megaview,” which widens the view without making everything look like a wacky carnival mirror image. As with the old X3, you can still do single-lens shooting, which means the X4 can be used like any other action camera on the market, so it’s like you’re getting two cameras for the price of one. The image quality, ease of use, compact size, and long battery life—plus all the features available through the app—make the new Insta360 X4 the only camera I will ever need. CN
Learn more about the Insta360 X4 Video Camera at https://www.insta360.com
