A Photographer's Take on the Insta360 X4
Hey everyone, Kwame here! I’ve been spending the last few weeks with the Insta360 X4, and I wanted to share my thoughts on it—not as a formal review but more as my perspective as a photographer who primarily focuses on still images. If you’re into photography like me and are wondering whether this 360 camera is worth adding to your kit, this post is for you.
A Fun Device, But Not for Everyday Use
Let’s start with the basics: the Insta360 X4 is, as the name suggests, a 360-degree camera. It has two ultra-wide lenses that allow you to shoot immersive 360 photos and videos. Now, I don’t typically shoot a lot of video. My main focus is still photography, whether I’m capturing moments with my phone, one of my cameras, or even an action camera. But I gave the Insta360 a go for a few weeks, and I found it to be a fun gadget—especially when you want to capture unique perspectives.
Picture Quality: Surprisingly Good for Its Size
For such a small sensor, the Insta360 X4 produces decent image quality. It shoots up to 36-megapixel stills, which I was pleasantly surprised by. If you’ve been following my October photography challenge, you might have seen one of my shots from day 3 that I took with this camera. The ultra-wide lens allows for some pretty interesting shots that I wouldn’t normally get unless I was using a wide-angle lens on my regular camera.
Video Capabilities: Smooth and Stable
Where this camera really shines, though, is video. The stabilization on the Insta360 X4 is next level. I could be running, and the footage would still look like I was just casually walking. It’s seriously impressive. You can get really creative with this camera—things like panning around within the video, creating drone-like shots, and even using the Insta360 app to edit directly from your phone or computer.
Is It Worth It for Photographers?
Now, here’s where things get a bit tricky. As someone who primarily focuses on still photography, I found myself not using the Insta360 X4 as much as I thought I would. Sure, it’s great for video, and if you’re into vlogging or capturing adventures in a creative way, it’s an excellent tool. But for me, my primary focus is on capturing that perfect image, not spending time editing video later.
That’s not to say this camera doesn’t have its place. If you’re a creative type who loves mixing up your content with some video and unique photos, then absolutely, this could be a great addition to your gear. It’s just that, as a photographer, I’d rather stick to my phone or action cameras for quick, stable video clips, or even just focus on my still shots.
Should You Buy It?
In the end, would I recommend the Insta360 X4 for photographers? Yes and no. If you’re looking for a fun camera that adds something different to your kit and you don’t mind spending time in post-production editing your 360-degree footage, go for it. But if you’re like me and primarily shoot photos with only a bit of video on the side, you’re probably better off sticking with your phone or an action camera like the DJI Osmo Action 5. It’s just more practical and less time-consuming to use for capturing quick moments.
If you’re curious about the Insta360 X4’s image quality, check out my website for full-resolution images, and you can even see some 360-degree video samples I’ve uploaded to YouTube. It’s a fun tool, but for me, the editing and workflow involved with 360-degree content is more effort than it’s worth.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps you decide if the Insta360 X4 is right for your photography or video needs.
