Insta360 X4 Review: 8K 360 Footage in a Tiny Package

In observe, that is the primary 360 digicam I’ve used the place the video footage remains to be very sharp and clear, even when reframed to 16:9. You continue to should cope with the sew line, which is the place the sides of the 2 lenses meet and software program (imperfectly) fills within the gaps, however in any other case postproduction use of this footage seems like, effectively, simply enhancing video. I blended it with footage from a Sony A7R II, GoPro Hero 12, and Insta360 Ace Pro, and apart from the broader angle of view, it is exhausting to inform the footage aside.

That alone is sufficient for me to say that that is the 360 digicam filmmakers will need. The 8K footage nonetheless would not reframe to 4K (you will have to attend for 12K footage earlier than that is doable), nevertheless it appears to be like adequate for something you are going to put on-line.

It is not simply the high-end specs which have modified within the X4 both. Body speeds have been improved in lower-resolution footage, with new choices to shoot 5.7K video at 60 fps, 4K at 100 fps, and 4K at 60 fps when taking pictures in wide-angle mode. None of that’s earth-shattering, nevertheless it does offer you some higher slo-mo choices, because of the upper body charges.

The colour profile choices stay the identical because the X3: Customary, Vivid, and Log (for many who desire to paint in put up). I shot primarily in Customary and located the colours to be properly rendered, maybe slightly on the nice and cozy facet. I discover Vivid too garish, and naturally should you plan to combine footage with different cameras, you will wish to shoot every part in Log and do your coloring in software program.

Movie Crew in a Field

Testing motion cameras is at all times probably the greatest elements of this job, nevertheless it was particularly enjoyable with the Insta360 X4. I do not even like taking pictures 360 video, however taking pictures 360 video figuring out that I can crop, reframe, and nonetheless get sharp, clear footage with a number of element and easy pans? Sure please.

In some ways the Insta360 is like including a small movie crew to your bag, particularly should you get Insta360’s hilariously oversize 9.8-foot selfie stick, which makes it doable to pretend surprisingly reasonable increase photographs.

At $99, the brand new Extended Edition Selfie Stick is not low cost, however is effectively value it for the flexibility it creates when paired with the X4. Totally prolonged and held behind you when you stroll, it mimics a low-flying drone tracking shot, however with out the entire crash-in-the-trees factor.

Talking of timber, shade, and shadow, the X4 excels in vivid daylight. Excessive-contrast scenes like a forest ground at noon are tougher (that is true for any digicam). HDR mode will help generally, however then you definately lose the power to shoot Log.