Insta360 X4

I think the Insta360 X4 is a versatile camera, because it is both a 360 degree camera and an action camera. The images look razor sharp and I edit them very easily via the Insta360 app. I do find that the camera gets very warm when I take longer 360 degree shots.

High image quality The X4 makes very sharp 360 degree recordings in 8K resolution. I crop these 360 degree videos to images with a 16:9 aspect ratio for YouTube or 9:16 for TikTok and Instagram. These cropped videos have up to 2.7K resolution. I regret that I don't yet make 4K videos from my 360 degree images, but I still find the image quality for a 360 degree camera very impressive. When I need higher resolution images, I use the Single Lens Mode. The camera works like an action camera with 4K resolution. For example, I record a vlog.

Edit videos The camera films 360 degrees, so I don't have to think about the angle of view while filming. I think this is one of the biggest advantages of this camera. It is not possible to post 360 images on social media. I edit my videos via the app and easily choose which images I show. I think this is very user-friendly. I rotate the preview on my smartphone screen until I find the image I want. If I add a key frame, the video continues from this frame. This way I can easily switch between what I see in front of and behind me. I don't like it as much when I appear in the picture myself. The wide angle of view distorts the image a bit, making me look crazy. The AI software also automatically makes the camera invisible. This means you can see that I'm holding something, but you can't see the camera itself. When I use the Invisible Selfie Stick it looks nice, but when I film handheld it produces strange images. So I always cut my hands out of the video.

Functions What I like about the camera is its versatility. I think it is especially suitable for sporting holidays, such as winter sports or a cycling holiday. It is waterproof, so I even use it while snorkeling. But I also take it with me on a city trip and, for example, make a timelapse of a busy area. This produces very varied images.

Still experimenting until now. the HDR option is pretty good, the videos are sleek, and the timelapse option is pretty cool.

in short, cough... the X4 has GPS, you are almost not dependent on the app. OK, setting everything up is difficult, but then it works. the photo option of 72mp is nice, but if you edit on a PC/Mac you get large work files. yes, it gets hot when recording video, VERY hot when you record at 8K.

In the meantime I have also purchased 2 spare batteries with accompanying charger, which last as long as the battery that comes with it. is also not an unnecessary luxury, because charging takes quite a long time.

disadvantage that I have experienced, if you take a photo, it can take up to 15 seconds before you can take the next photo when you use the app (this is at 72mpixel),

If you use the shot button on the camera it is a lot faster (background process I think). for normal home garden kitchen use, the 18mpixel is more than sufficient. the time is then reduced to a maximum of 8 seconds. (via app)

the shotlab function in the app is quite cool, so you can directly edit your video with effects. OK, the desktop version can do that too, but some things are smoother in the app. the finished video is saved to your phone, which you can then transfer to your desktop

A set of extra lens protectors is also not an unnecessary luxury, and fortunately they are easily available.

If you like a challenge, then the X4 is perfect for you. and yes, it costs a bit, but then you also have nice toys.

Enough setting options, yet simple operation. A camera always uses a lot of power, this one too. A spare battery is not an unnecessary luxury.