In observe, that is the primary 360-degree digicam I’ve used the place the footage remains to be very sharp and clear, even after being resized to 16:9. You continue to should cope with the be part of line the place the sides of the 2 lenses meet and the software program (imperfectly) fills within the gaps, however in any other case utilizing these items in post-production looks like, nicely, simply video enhancing. I combined it with footage from the Sony A7R II, GoPro Hero 12, and Insta360 Ace Professional, and apart from the broader viewing angle, it is arduous to inform the distinction between the pictures.
That alone is sufficient to say that it is a digicam that filmmakers will need. 8K footage nonetheless will not be reformatted to 4K (you may have to attend for 12K footage earlier than that is attainable), nevertheless it seems to be adequate for something you are going to put on-line.
It is not simply the excessive efficiency that has modified within the X4 both. Body charges have been improved in low-resolution footage, with new choices for taking pictures 5.7K video at 60fps, 4K at 100fps, and 4K at 60fps when taking pictures in wide-angle mode. None of that is mind-blowing, nevertheless it does present higher sluggish movement choices due to the upper body price.
The colour profile choices stay the identical as in X3: Normal, Vivid and Log (for individuals who want to color in submit). I shot principally in commonplace mode and located colours to be well-rendered, maybe a bit on the nice and cozy aspect. I discover the Vivid too vibrant, and naturally when you plan on mixing footage with different cameras, you may need to shoot every thing in Log and colorize in software program.
Movie crew in a field
Testing motion cameras is all the time probably the greatest components 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 figuring out that I can crop, reframe and nonetheless get sharp, clear pictures with numerous element and easy pans? Sure, please.
In some ways, the Insta360 is like your little digicam crew bag, particularly if you get the hilariously enormous 9.8-foot Insta360 selfie stick that permits you to pretend amazingly life like pictures.
At $99, the brand new Prolonged Version Selfie Stick is not low-cost, nevertheless it’s price it for the flexibility it creates when paired with the X4. Absolutely prolonged and held behind you as you stroll, it simulates a low-flying drone shot, however with out the tree collisions.
In relation to bushes, shade and shade, the X4 excels in vibrant daylight. Excessive-contrast scenes, such because the forest flooring at noon, are tougher (that is true for any digicam). HDR mode can generally assist, however then you definately lose the flexibility to shoot Log.