Last week, I came home to find the Insta360’s Next Generation X4 camera sitting at my doorstep, along with a company wanting to sponsor a video about it. Initially, I was hesitant to say yes because, as cool as 360 cameras look, I already had a phone camera that I was happy with and took everywhere. I questioned when I would actually use this new camera.
To find out the answer to that question, I booked a trip to London and took the X4 along with my phone. I wanted to explore what it actually means to own a 2024 360 camera. The first thing I noticed while filming with the X4 was how it took a lot of the thought out of filming. Unlike using a phone camera, the X4 captures a full sphere of video, allowing you to decide later how you want to frame the footage.
I realized that the beauty of shooting with a 360 camera is not necessarily to keep every angle, but to capture every angle so you can choose later. It eliminates the need to constantly focus on framing the shot and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the moment.
The X4 offers three options for editing footage: AI, Quick, and Deep Track 3.0. These features make editing and reframing footage a breeze, and the camera now records in 8K resolution, a significant upgrade from previous models. The X4 also has the ability to record in slow motion and time-lapse in stunning quality.
One of the standout features of the X4 is its Shot Lab, which offers a wide range of effects and filters to enhance your footage. The possibilities are endless, and the results are truly impressive. While the X4 may come with a premium price tag, the Shot Lab alone makes it worth the investment.
Overall, the Insta360 X4 is a game-changer in the world of 360 cameras. Its advanced features, high-quality footage, and innovative editing options make it a must-have for anyone looking to take their videography to the next level. If you’re in the market for a new camera, the X4 is definitely worth considering.
