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Insta360‘s vary of 360 cameras now provides each a premium 8K digital camera and this newer, lighter model of the X4. Often, when corporations provide a lesser digital camera on this house it’s the decision that suffers – GoPro‘s outdated Max (1) being a living proof, or the X3 – however right here the X4 Air has the identical 8K because the X5 and, in reality, larger imaging sensors than the unique X4.
The place, then, is the compromise? Properly, it’s lighter, so relaxation assured that I will be trying fairly carefully on the battery life (which formally caps at 88 minutes within the lab at 8K)
The stills decision appears to be capped at 29MP so that is positively extra of a video digital camera, although for those who’re an motion fanatic additionally trying to get conventional video, there are nonetheless one-lens modes. Among the low-light modes for the X5 aren’t included too, so I will simply attempt the digital camera in a darkish room and we’ll see the way it does!
The important thing rules of 360 images are nonetheless very a lot revered. The digital camera has a screw gap for the Invisible Selfie Stick, it has “FlowState Stabilization” and HorizionLock, noise cancellation. There are additionally loads of cool results in digital camera due to InstaFrame, together with topic monitoring.
Insta360 X4 Air: Specs
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Picture sensors |
2x 1/1.8-inch |
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LCD |
2.5-inch touchscreen |
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Storage |
MicroSD |
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Decision |
8K30fps / 29MP nonetheless |
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2D video mode? |
Sure, as much as 4K 60fps |
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Dimensions |
45 x 112 x 25mm approx |
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Weight |
5.8oz / 165g |
Insta360 X4 Air: Pricing
- Digital camera solely $399.99 / £359 / AU$639.99
- Starter Bundle (Selfie stick, lens cap, additional battery) $439 / £389 / AU$699.99
On the worldwide launch on October 28 2025, the value was over $100 lower than Insta360’s premium gadget, the X5 (which was $549 / £519 at launch), but nonetheless boasts 8K decision. The X4 Air additionally has a lens substitute system – very useful on a 360 digital camera as we’ll see, and never ubiquitous.
Insta360 X4 Air: Construct and dealing with
At first look, I did not instantly respect the distinction between the Insta360 X4 Air and its siblings, the X4 and X5. After they’re not really subsequent to one another, they don’t seem to be massively totally different in measurement – although the X4 Air is noticeably smaller and thinner. Furthermore they undertake precisely the identical design language; they’re rectangualar, with a portrait touchscreen on one aspect.
In fact there are back-to-back fish-eye lenses; collectively they provide the digital camera a spherical all-around view of the world which it may sew collectively for that 360 view. These are each close to the ‘high’ on the flatter sides, whereas the sting of the digital camera has a textured grip that also feels to be a high quality element regardless of the decrease price.
A notable distinction is that under the touchscreen there’s solely the shutter button on the X4 Air, whereas the X5 has a shutter and a menu button, in addition to an influence and a QuickShot button on the aspect. Clearly, Insta360 has determined there is not the house for as many bodily buttons (personally, I do not thoughts as they are often extra complicated than useful on a 360 digital camera anyway).
There may be nonetheless a QuickShot button although – to start taking pictures from standby mode – on the aspect, on the aspect, subsequent to the ability button.
I did discover that the plastic on the entrance subsequent to the title appeared just a little scratchy when in comparison with the X5, even when all the sides felt of fine high quality. General, although, I had no considerations in regards to the sturdy nature of the digital camera and crucial factor is that it’s doable – with a $30 equipment and included device – to exchange the lenses with out sending the digital camera away or paying somebody to do the job. That is good news, and a terrific little bit of design (which explains the three blades across the rim of the lens which might be faintly harking back to a radiation image).
Energy comes from a removable battery, which has waterproof latches, in an identical design the digital camera’s larger brother. A smaller flapped door with a water-proof latch exists on the alternative aspect (beneath the buttons) with a USB-C port beneath it. The upshot of all that is 15m (49ft) waterproofing. This will cost the battery current within the digital camera although recordsdata will also be downloaded by Wi-Fi / Bluetooth and one of many first issues the digital camera will attempt to do is encourage you to obtain the app.
Insta360 is effectively established within the 360 digital camera recreation and has an app for iOS and Android, in addition to for Home windows & Mac, and plugins for FCPX and Premiere which signifies that in the mean time Insta360 most likely has the sting over its 360 {hardware} competitors when it comes to software program.
Insta360 X4 Air: Efficiency
In easy operation as a 360 video, the digital camera is easy to make use of and responsive, which is an excellent begin. The facility change offers you an influence on chime and has the energetic preview display prepared in a few seconds, from the place you’ll be able to swipe to any angle on the admittedly compact however crisp 2.5-inch touchscreen with out worrying about any lag, or entry the modes menu.
Insta360 retains the display tidy with options like tucking the battery proportion away underneath a graphic, however flying it out for those who faucet on the battery. I used to be frightened in regards to the battery, however really it lasted longer than I anticipated once I took the gadget out on a job.
The selfie view did a superb job of conserving me in shot, a bit like a wise gimbal, making conventional cameras appear just a little old style, too.
Picture high quality in good mild was troublesome to dispute, and in decrease mild stills look OK (as long as you are not planning to zoom in too far to a particular level). Digital camera motion in low-light video, nonetheless, is not particularly effectively forgiven so whereas I acquired some good movies with the digital camera on a assist, when solely individuals had been shifting, giving speeches or consuming (it was a marriage), the photographs on the basic invisible selife pole had been extra vulnerable to exaggerated vibration.
Pattern Video
Insta360 X4 Air: General Verdict
I used the Insta360 X4 Air in the identical variety if areas that I might use another 360-degree digital camera, indoors and out, and I discovered that the video seemed good and was simply as simple to work with.
Regardless of the shortage of a particular low-light mode, I acquired first rate footage recording speeches from the digital camera on a hard and fast publish at a marriage in a darkish venue, so there are prospects. The system’s smarts are much more spectacular in good mild, although, because the InstaFrame characteristic revealed to me, when it had no drawback conserving my face in shot. (I additionally preferred the enjoyable stuff just like the barrel roll characteristic).
Insta360 has been beneficiant with the characteristic record – highway mode, star lapse and so on. – which isn’t all the time true of motion cameras and their cheaper fashions (loud cough and appears within the route of GoPro). The choice of a Mini Distant that matches into the Foldable 2-in-1 Selfie Stick was additionally a pleasant plus (Insta360 lent me certainly one of these to attempt with the digital camera) and the one factor I did not like was that, by default, the digital camera loudly stated “Begin recording” when it did. Me, I might have had this quiet until enabled!
So, to reply the unique query I had – is that this digital camera the answer or must you nonetheless go for the premium choices? For the reply to that I’ve acquired a full information (greatest 360 cameras) however I actually assume that the TLDR is for video within the day, when most individuals seize their 360 motion, this can be a nice answer – in any other case there are nonetheless good causes to look elsewhere. However don’t be concerned an excessive amount of in regards to the battery or the decision.
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Options ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭐︎ |
By delivering 8K the largest merchandise within the 360 digital camera want record is ticked off, nevertheless it’d be nicer to see greater decision stills too. |
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Design ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭐︎ |
Sensible and rugged, although if I am trustworthy I really feel just like the moulded plastics, whereas pretty good trying, do really feel a bit scratchy on the finger nails. |
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Efficiency ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ |
Responsive and good high quality imaging throughout the anticipated limits, this can be a good 360 video digital camera (an a median photograph one). |
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Worth ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ |
When you’re considering of becoming a member of the enjoyable of 360, then this gadget is a really interesting value and provides entry to the good Insta360 software program. |