Insta360 One X4 Review: Pros and Cons You Need to Know Before Buying

The Insta360 One X4 has been making waves in the world of 360-degree cameras, promising cutting-edge features and stunning visuals. As someone who’s always on the lookout for innovative tech, I couldn’t wait to dive into what this device has to offer. From its sleek design to its impressive specs, it’s clear the One X4 aims to set a new standard.

But no gadget is perfect, and the One X4 is no exception. While it boasts some standout features, there are a few drawbacks worth considering before making the investment. In this review, I’ll break down the pros and cons to help you decide if this camera is the right fit for your creative needs.

Overview Of The Insta360 One X4

The Insta360 One X4 combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features, making it an appealing choice for 360 photography and videography enthusiasts. With dual 1/2-inch 48MP sensors, it captures ultra-detailed 360 photos and videos in up to 5.7K resolution. This ensures clarity and vibrant colors in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Its FlowState stabilization promises smooth footage, eliminating the common shakiness found in handheld recordings. In-camera horizon leveling further enhances video quality, offering steady visuals without external editing. For low-light performance, the One X4 includes upgraded noise-reduction algorithms.

The build quality reflects durability and portability. The ergonomic design, combined with water resistance for up to 33 feet, caters to adventure and travel photography. A responsive touchscreen display simplifies control, providing live previews and accessible settings adjustments during shoots.

Connectivity options stand out with fast Wi-Fi file transfers and app integration. The Insta360 app provides AI-powered editing tools, including Shot Lab for creative effects like bullet time and matrix-style shots. Compatibility with accessories like the invisible selfie stick expands creative opportunities.

Key Features Of The Insta360 One X4

The Insta360 One X4 offers a range of innovative features designed to elevate 360-degree photography and videography. Its performance, design, and software integration stand out for both amateurs and professionals.

Design And Build Quality

The compact and durable design of the One X4 feels premium in hand. With its lightweight build and water resistance up to 33 feet, this camera is perfect for outdoor shooting. The responsive touchscreen display enhances usability, while the sleek, minimalist design ensures easy portability. The matte finish reduces fingerprint smudges, adding aesthetic functionality.

Camera Performance

Dual 1/2-inch 48MP sensors deliver sharp 360 photos and videos with vibrant colors, reaching up to 5.7K resolution. FlowState stabilization and horizon leveling provide smooth footage, even during motion-heavy activities like action sports. Low-light performance is notably improved due to advanced noise-reduction algorithms, capturing clear visuals in challenging conditions.

Software And App Integration

The Insta360 app offers seamless editing and sharing tools, enabling intuitive control over image and video customization. Features like AI-assisted reframing and Deep Track enhance creativity while reducing post-production effort. Wi-Fi file transfers are fast, ensuring efficient workflow. The app’s compatibility with iOS and Android allows easy access across devices.

Battery Life And Charging

The removable battery provides extended shooting hours, depending on recording settings. Support for fast charging ensures minimal downtime, which is crucial for long filming sessions. Battery-level displays are clear, helping me monitor usage effectively during shoots.

Accessories And Compatibility

The One X4 is compatible with a wide range of accessories, including invisible selfie sticks, dive cases, and lens guards. Third-party mounts expand usage possibilities for various shooting environments. Its support for standard threads ensures straightforward attachment to tripods and stabilizers, giving more control over creative setups.

Pros Of The Insta360 One X4

High-Resolution Imaging

The Insta360 One X4 captures 360-degree photos and videos with up to 5.7K resolution using its dual 1/2-inch 48MP sensors. I’ve noticed the clarity is exceptional, with vibrant colors and sharp details, even in complex scenes. This makes it a perfect choice for immersive photography and virtual reality content creation.

FlowState Stabilization

FlowState stabilization is one of the standout features. It delivers smooth, steady footage without needing external gimbals. When I tested it during fast-paced activities like biking, the stabilization ensured professional-looking results. Combined with in-camera horizon leveling, footage always stays aligned and balanced.

Enhanced Low-Light Performance

I’ve been impressed by how the upgraded noise-reduction algorithms handle low-light environments. Shots taken at night or indoors appear cleaner, with significantly less grain. This feature is invaluable for capturing dynamic scenes in challenging lighting.

Durability And Portability

The One X4’s build is both rugged and lightweight, which adds to its portability. It’s water-resistant up to 33 feet, letting me shoot underwater 360-degree content during snorkeling trips without needing a separate waterproof case. Its compact design fits easily in my bag, ideal for outdoor creators.

Intuitive Controls And Display

Its responsive touchscreen interface makes controlling settings faster and more accessible. During fieldwork, I can quickly adjust shooting modes or preview footage directly on the camera without relying solely on the app.

Advanced App Editing Features

I value the creative editing tools available in the Insta360 app. Features like AI-assisted reframing and Deep Track technology make editing straightforward and efficient. I’ve used these tools extensively to create dynamic perspectives and follow subjects smoothly in my videos.

Extended Shooting Versatility

The removable battery extends shooting flexibility. With fast charging support, I can stay filming on longer projects by swapping out spare batteries instead of waiting for recharges. This feature has proven critical during day-long shoots.

Accessory Compatibility

The One X4 supports a range of mounts and accessories, offering adaptability for diverse shooting situations. Whether it’s stabilizing a selfie stick or mounting on a drone for aerial 360 footage, I’ve been able to extend its creative applications effectively.

Cons Of The Insta360 One X4

While the Insta360 One X4 offers impressive features, there are areas where it falls short.

1. Limited Built-In Storage

The camera doesn’t include internal storage, requiring external microSD cards for file saving. For high-resolution content like 5.7K videos, you’ll need high-capacity cards with fast write speeds, adding extra cost.

1. Short Battery Life During 5.7K Recording

Recording in 5.7K resolution drains the battery quickly. Even with fast charging and removable batteries, extended shoots demand carrying and swapping multiple batteries, which interrupts workflows.

1. Occasional Overheating

Intensive use of functions like long 360 video recording or high-frame-rate modes can cause overheating. This reduces efficiency during long shooting sessions in hot environments.

1. Audio Quality Limitations

While adequate for general use, the internal microphones lack high fidelity in noisy or dynamic environments. For premium audio, you’ll need an external mic and the optional mic adapter.

1. High Learning Curve for Beginners

The One X4’s features and shooting modes offer flexibility but can be overwhelming for newcomers. Mastering manual settings, reframing tools, and app functionality requires practice.

1. Premium Price

With its advanced specs, the One X4 comes at a higher price point. It may not suit users on a tight budget or those seeking simpler 360 cameras with fewer features.

1. File Size and Processing Demands

High-resolution footage generates larger files, impacting file transfers, editing speed, and storage space. Handling these files requires robust hardware and sufficient storage solutions.

These drawbacks, while notable, may not heavily impact users prioritizing quality and feature sets over simplicity or budget considerations. Each limitation depends on user goals and specific shooting scenarios.

Comparison With Previous Models

The Insta360 One X4 builds upon the legacy of its predecessors, including the One X2 and One X3, by refining features and addressing previous limitations. Having used every model in the lineup, I noticed significant upgrades in imaging, stabilization, and usability.

Sensor and Image Quality

The One X4 introduces dual 1/2-inch 48MP sensors, surpassing the One X2’s 1/2.3-inch 12MP sensors and the One X3’s 1/2-inch 48MP sensors with improved details and color accuracy. This results in sharper 360 images and 5.7K videos that deliver superior clarity, especially in low-light scenarios, compared to the grainy footage I often encountered in earlier models.

Stabilization Improvements

While the One X2 and X3 already featured FlowState stabilization, I found the One X4’s stabilization more effective when recording dynamic scenes like action sports or walking videos. The in-camera horizon leveling now adapts faster, keeping footage smooth even during rapid movements or tilts.

Build and Durability

The One X4 retains the rugged build of the One X3, with IPX8 water resistance up to 33 feet. However, it offers better portability due to slightly improved ergonomics and a grip-friendly design, making outdoor shoots more convenient. The touchscreen is also more responsive compared to the One X3, which occasionally lagged during heavy usage.

Battery and Storage

The removable battery in the One X4 features faster charging compared to the slower charging time I noticed with the One X2 and X3. However, the device still requires external microSD cards, a limitation shared with previous models.

Audio Quality

Audio has been a consistent challenge across the series, and while the One X4 improves slightly in wind noise reduction, it still benefits from an external microphone for professional sound recording. This remains an area where I feel Insta360 could innovate further in future models.

Workflow Enhancements

File transfers are noticeably faster on the One X4 thanks to its upgraded Wi-Fi capabilities. With previous models, like the One X2, uploads could test my patience, especially with larger files. Additionally, the app integration is smoother, allowing for quicker edits with AI tools, including Deep Track 3.0, which outperforms the One X3’s tracking functionality.

The One X4 reflects Insta360’s ongoing commitment to improving performance and meeting the demands of advanced users. While previous models introduced significant breakthroughs, the One X4 refines those innovations, creating a more reliable and capable tool for photography and videography professionals.

Who Should Buy The Insta360 One X4?

The Insta360 One X4 suits photographers and videographers seeking high-resolution 360 imaging and advanced features. Its dual 48MP sensors and 5.7K video capability make it ideal for those prioritizing sharp visuals and vibrant colors. If you create virtual reality content or immersive videos, the One X4 offers precision and clarity that’s hard to match.

Adventure enthusiasts will benefit from its rugged, water-resistant build and portability. It withstands challenging environments and shoots up to 33 feet underwater without needing extra housing. This durability ensures reliable performance during outdoor adventures.

For content creators needing stable footage, the FlowState stabilization and in-camera horizon leveling deliver smooth, shake-free videos. This feature simplifies post-production, saving time for quick turnarounds.

If you prefer seamless editing, the Insta360 app, with its Deep Track and AI reframing, provides intuitive tools for creative projects. Combined with fast Wi-Fi transfers, it enables efficient workflows for content sharing.

The One X4 appeals to professionals who rely on accessory compatibility. Its support for various mounts and external microphones expands creative possibilities. However, beginners with a willingness to navigate its learning curve can also achieve incredible results once they master the advanced tools.

Conclusion

The Insta360 One X4 stands out as a powerful tool for creators who value innovation and quality. Its advanced features, rugged design, and exceptional imaging capabilities make it a strong contender in the 360-camera market. While it has a few drawbacks, they’re easily outweighed by its performance and versatility. For those ready to invest in a premium device, the One X4 delivers an impressive balance of creativity and functionality.