Insta360’s groundbreaking 360° action camera received a much-anticipated update in 2024, with the launch of the new Insta360 X4 seeing the company’s flagship action camera now capable of filming 360° video in 8K at 30fps
Those needing higher frame rates for even smoother action and slow-motion shots will appreciate the camera’s versatility in providing 5.7K video at 60fps and 4K at 100fps.
The X4 doubles as a wide-angle action cam with its Single-Lens Mode upgraded to deliver smooth, ultra-wide (up to 170° FOV) footage at up to 4K60fps; and the 72MP, 1/2″ sensor is also capable of shooting high-resolution stills if needed.
A new ‘MegaView’ FOV (field of view) option means divers will be able to fit the whole of that whale shark – or whale, for that matter – into the shot with less distortion around the edges, and experiment with a range of different aspect ratios from old-school 4:3 to UltraWide.
For divers, the Insta360 X4 comes with some fantastic accessories and new AI-powered postprocessing software to create seamless footage free of interference from the housing and its mount. The action camera is waterproof to 10m unaided, but the Invisible Dive Case – which is exactly as it says it is – takes the maximum depth rating to 50m.
The accompanying Invisible Selfie Stick not only perfectly complements the case, it is automatically removed from 360° footage – essentially meaning you can create drone-like shots without the use of a drone, which would be an expensive proposition under the water!
To help users create the best videos – even as a beginner – the X4’s 360º capabilities allow creators to ‘shoot first, point later’, enabling shots to be reframed in post-processing, thus allowing creators to stay in the moment when filming and find the best angles and perspectives once they’ve finished, with the choice to pick from literally any angle if they’ve filmed in 360°.
Insta360’s Studio for Windows and Mac, and app for Android and Apple includes several AI-assisted features that will recommend the best settings for editing, making it easier to find the perfect angles, and a plugin enabling footage to be directly reframed in Adobe Premiere Pro is also available to improve the editing workflow.
Divers will definitely appreciate the editing suite’s AquaVision 2.0 feature, which uses AI to colour-correct underwater footage without the need for external filters.
Another fantastic bonus for divers who are likely to be at sea all day with limited charging options is the longevity of the X4’s battery, which received a 2290mAh capacity upgrade capable of delivering up to 135 minutes of recording time at 5.7K30fps – a huge, 67 per cent increase over its predecessor and up to 45 minutes longer than some of the X4’s leading action camera competitors.
Filming at the top 8K30fps resolution will deliver an excellent 75 minutes of run-time.
There are plenty of other features that will help content underwater creators and influencers to shoot the best underwater footage possible, such as the ‘360° Horizon Lock’ which ensures perfectly level video regardless of how the camera is held, and ‘FlowState Stabilization’ will create smooth, high-quality footage whatever the size of the waves or the strength of the current.
‘X4 will be transformative for creators as reframed video now holds its own alongside footage shot on regular cameras,’ said JK Liu, founder of Insta360 at the X4’s launch.
‘But X4 isn’t just about image quality, it’s designed to be the most robust, easy-to-use 360° action camera ever, no matter your experience.’
Insta360 X4 features
- Gesture and Voice Control to start and stop shooting or take a photo
- Timed Capture – schedule the X4 to power on, record, and shut itself off automatically.
- Bullet Time – our signature Matrix-like slow-mo shot, now up to 5.7K120fps or 3K240fps.
- 8K TimeShift – a ‘mind-bending’ hyperlapse in 8K resolution.
- 11K Timelapse – watch time fly and ‘capture the magic in-between moments’.
Insta360 X4 AI-powered editing
- Quick Edit reframing – simply move the phone or use the X4’s virtual joystick to redirect the camera
- AI Edit – Insta360’s algorithm handles the entire reframing process and is faster, with improved subject detection over the X3.
- Shot Lab – The free-to-use Insta360 app has 30+ viral-worthy effects that can be edited in just a few taps.
- Insta360 Studio – Free-to-use desktop editing tool for desktops, compatible with both 360° footage and regular flat images.
- Both the mobile app and desktop software are also free to use; no subscription is required.
- Insta360 Reframe plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro – 360° files shot on X4 can be reframed directly in Premiere Pro for a smoother workflow
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Insta360 X4 specifications:
- Sensor Size: 1/2′
- Aperture: F1.935mm
- Equivalent Focal Length: 6.7mm
- Video Resolution 360°:
- 8K: 7680×3840@30/25/24fps
- 5.7K+: 5760×2880@30/25/24fps
- 5.7K: 5760×2880@60/50/30/25/24fps
- 4K: 3840×1920@100/60/50/30/25/24fps
- Single-Lens Mode:
- 4K: 3840×2160@60/50/30/25/24fps
- 2.7K: 2720×1536@60/50/30/25/24fps
- 1080p: 1920×1080@60/50/30/25/24fps
- Me Mode:
- 4K: 3840×2160@30/25/24fps
- 2.7K: 2720×1536@120/100/60/50fps
- 1080p: 1920×1080@120/100/60/50fps
- Photo Resolution: 72MP (11904×5952); 18MP (5888×2944)
- Video Modes: Video, Active HDR, Timelapse, TimeShift, Bullet Time, Loop Recording, Pre-recording
- Photo Modes: Photo, HDR Photo, Interval, Starlapse, BurstColor ProfilesVivid, Standard, Flat
- Audio Modes: Auto Wind Reduction; Active Wind Reduction; Stereo; Direction Focus
- Weight: 203g
- Dimensions: (WxHxD) 46×123.6×37.6mmM
- Battery Capacity: 2290mAh
- Run Time: 135 minutes at 5.7K/30fps; 75 mins at 8K/30fps
- Waterproof: 10m without housing; 50m with optional Invisible Dive Case
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