It's time to start paying attention to the Insta360 X4. The Insta360 X4 is set to be the next big thing in the world of 360-degree cameras, with a range of innovative features and improvements over its predecessors. This Gimbal Guru article will cover all the rumors about the Insta360 X4. Your questions will be answered here:
- When will the Insta360 X4 be reveiled?
- What specifications will the Insta360 X4 have?
- What would be wishful improvements to the Insta360 X4
Insta360 X4 release date
If you look at the release dates of the previous models Insta360 ONE X2 and Insta360 X3, we can see that there is always about 2 years between the releases.- Release of the Insta360 X: October 2018
- Release of the Insta360 ONE X2: October 2020
- Release of the Insta360 X3: September 2022
Therefore, it can be assumed that in 2023 the Insta360 X4 will not be reveiled. Assuming that Insta360 keeps the intervals of about 2 years, a realistic launch date for the Insta360 X4 is fall 2024. Most likely in September or October 2024.
Insta360 X4 Specs
Since the Insta360 X3 has brought only marginal enhancements in most points compared to the Insta360 ONE X2, it can be assumed that the Insta360 X4 will bring greater improvements. No wishes should be considered here, but realistic assumptions. Here is an overview table of the improvements that can be expected in the Insta360 X4 compared to the Insta360 X3.Main Insta360 X4 specs:
|
|
Insta360 X3 |
Insta360 X4 |
| video resolution | 5.7K / 30fps | 8K / 30fps |
| photo resolution | 72MP | 72MP |
| sensor size | ½“ | 1“ |
| aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 |
| price | ~ $450 | ~ $550 |
Of course, there are many other technical specifications, but these are the most important ones from my point of view.
Insta360 X4 Design
What will certainly remain similar is the flat elongated design. This design offers advantages in operation. For example, the Insta360 X3 introduced a large 2.29" touchscreen, which I think will remain similar with the Insta360 X4.
The weight will also be similar to the Insta360 X3 at about 180 grams. It is possible that the Insta360 X4 will try to make the design a bit more compact. This would have advantages in stitching (because the two lenses are closer together) and a lighter weight would make it more comfortable to carry on the selfie stick. A realistic assumption would be that the weight is reduced from 180g to 150g. The GoPro Max in comparison to the Insta360 X3 is a bit more compact. Let's be surprised by the design of the Insta360 X4.
Wait or buy?
The question most likely asked by many who are now searching for the Insta360 X4: "Should I wait for the new Insta360 X4 or should I buy the Insta360 X3 now?"
Here I can only say one thing:
- Do not wait, because ultimately no one knows exactly when the Insta360 X4 will be introduced. The Insta360 X3 is and will remain a top 360 camera even after the introduction of the Insta360 X4 and will give you a lot of pleasure.
- Don't let time pass, start creating and learning right away. It's always better to get active now, than to wait again. Everything you learn in this time, you will otherwise lose by waiting. You can also assume that the Insta360 X4 will certainly be more expensive. So don't think too long and get your Insta360 X3 now!
Here is a showcase video where you can see the creative uses of an Insta360 camera. No matter if it's the Insta360 ONE X2, the Insta360 X3 or the new Insta360 X4.
Get the Insta360 X3 in the Gimbal Guru Deal and save money!
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What other rumors are there about the Insta360X4:
General improvements
The Insta360 X4 could significantly outperform the Insta360 X3 if the following 3 parameters were improved. Even if only slight improvements come, these would make a significant difference:
- Bigger Sensor
- Higher resolution
- Higher bitrate
Bigger Sensor
A larger sensor with the same resolution has the following main advantages:
- Better image quality and sharpness of detail
- Better low-light performance
As an example, we can use the comparison between the Insta360 ONE X2 and the Insta360 ONE RS 1" 360 edition. Both cameras have almost the same video resolution:
- Insta360 ONE X2 - 5.7K with a 1/2" sensor
- Insta360 ONE RS 1" - 6K with a 1" sensor
Check out this comparison video:
Higher resolution
A real higher resolution for the Insta360 X4 would be extremely desirable. Thus, the quality of the reframed video could be significantly improved. Here is a short explanation of what that means:
- While the Insta360 ONE X3 films the entire 360° environment with 5.7K resolution and only a small section is used, the resolution is reduced. This is also called reframing. For example, if only a third is shown, the 5.7K resolution is reduced by one-third and is then only ~2K, which corresponds to a FULL HD resolution.
- At 8K, this would increase the resolution from FULL HD to about 2.7K. The difference from FULL HD to 2.7K would be an increase in pixels of over +50%, which would mean significantly better video quality.
However, this only makes sense if the 8K resolution also records more information and is not just up-scaled.
Higher Bitrate
I have already explained above why a larger sensor and resolution would be good. A higher video bitrate would also improve the video quality.
In the case
of 360-videos, the bitrate is the number of bits recorded per second.
Since the term byte (in particular megabyte) is more familiar, we use it here. The converting factor is eight. 1 byte is equal to 8 bit. If a 360-camera can record videos at 100Mbps (=Megabits per second) for example, this means that
12.5 MB/s (=Megabytes per second) of video data is written to the memory card.
The higher the bitrate per second, the better the quality of the video. It is
possible, if you record a 360-video in 6K with a low bitrate, that a
video recorded with "only" 5.7K will have a better quality. So the
bitrate criterion should not be neglected.
Especially when buying the memory
card for the 360° camera, the biterate must be considered. Therefore, the paramter bitrate should also always be taken into consideration. If the bitrate is increased on the Insta360 X4, this would result in higher quality 360 videos.
If these 3 parameters (higher resolution, higher bitrate, larger sensor) are improved on the Insta360 X4, I'll be very happy, because we'll have a 360-camera beast. We'll see what really comes of it.
Desirable Insta360 X4 improvements
Besides the already above defined specifications of the Insta360 X4, which are very likely from my point of view, there are some other improvements which would be really desirable:
- Stiching
It would be great if the stitching on the Insta360 X3 was improved. It is okay, but worse compared to its predecessor, the Insta360 ONE X2. Here it would be desirable that improvements and optimizations in the stitching, lead to better 360 video & 360 photo results.
- Frame rate/ slow motion
It would also be great if Insta360 would increase the frame rate and resolution of 360 videos. With the X3 and the ONE X2, a maximum of 360-video with 3K and 100fps is possible. An increase to 5.7K @ 60fps or 4K @ 120fps would be terrific. This would allow users to create stunning 360-SloMo videos.
Here is a 360 SloMo sample video created with the Insta360 ONE X2:
- Exchangable lenses
360- camera are designed to record 2x 180° fisheye videos. The disadvantage are the protruding lenses, which can easily scratch. It would be desirable if the lenses of the Insta360 X4 were replaceable. A damaged, scratched lens makes a 360 camera unusable. Replaceable lenses would be a step towards ease of maintenance and user-friendliness.
To be honest, though, I see limited likelihood here. The trend is going in the direction of "all-in-one" devices. The example of the smartphone can be used here. Whereas a few years ago it was common for smartphone batteries to be replaceable, today you won't find a single smartphone where the battery can be quickly replaced by the user.
Coming back to the Insta360 X4, the topic of "water resistance" would of course be an issue here. Replaceable lenses would make it easier for water to get in, which of course is something the user would definitely not want. Therefore, I assume that interchangeable lenses are not an issue with the Insta360 X4.
Possible Insta360 X4 features
- 3 lenses instead of 2
If the number of lenses were increased from 2 to 3, there would be more stitching lines, but the resolution would also be higher. However, the likelihood of the number of lenses being increased on the Insta360 X4 is very low, so I won't go into more detail on this point.
- Dual SD card
As video resolution and bitrate increase, the data rate also increases massively. Micro SD cards are improving all the time, but the high amount of data generated by 360 videos could bring the micro SD cards currently available on the market to their limit. A micro dual SD card slot would be a remedy.
Here, the individual videos can be stored on different SD cards. In terms of user-friendliness, however, there are a few arguments against this. The user would always have to read two memory cards in a dual SD slot. Therefore, I estimated the probabilities to be very low here as well.
Which of the rumors & wishes come true, we will see when the Insta360 X4 is released!
