In follow, that is the primary 360 digicam I’ve used the place the video footage remains to be very sharp and clear, even when reframed to 16:9. You continue to must take care of the sew line, which is the place the sides of the 2 lenses meet and software program (imperfectly) fills within the gaps, however in any other case postproduction use of this footage appears like, nicely, simply modifying video. I combined it with footage from a Sony A7R II, GoPro Hero 12, and Insta360 Ace Professional, and except for the broader angle of view, it is onerous to inform the footage aside.
That alone is sufficient for me to say that that is the 360 digicam filmmakers will need. The 8K footage nonetheless does not reframe to 4K (you will have to attend for 12K footage earlier than that is attainable), however it seems to be adequate for something you are going to put on-line.
It isn’t simply the high-end specs which have modified within the X4 both. Body speeds have been improved in lower-resolution footage, with new choices to shoot 5.7K video at 60 fps, 4K at 100 fps, and 4K at 60 fps when capturing in wide-angle mode. None of that’s earth-shattering, however it does offer you some higher slo-mo choices, because of the upper body charges.
The colour profile choices stay the identical because the X3: Normal, Vivid, and Log (for individuals who want to paint in submit). I shot primarily in Normal and located the colours to be properly rendered, maybe just a little on the nice and cozy aspect. I discover Vivid too garish, and naturally if you happen to plan to combine footage with different cameras, you will need to shoot every thing in Log and do your coloring in software program.
Movie Crew in a Field
Testing motion cameras is at all times probably the greatest elements of this job, however it was particularly enjoyable with the Insta360 X4. I do not even like capturing 360 video, however capturing 360 video realizing that I can crop, reframe, and nonetheless get sharp, clear footage with plenty of element and easy pans? Sure please.
In some ways the Insta360 is like including a small movie crew to your bag, particularly if you happen to get Insta360’s hilariously oversize 9.8-foot selfie stick, which makes it attainable to faux surprisingly practical growth photographs.
At $99, the brand new Prolonged Version Selfie Stick is not low cost, however is nicely value it for the flexibility it creates when paired with the X4. Totally prolonged and held behind you whilst you stroll, it mimics a low-flying drone monitoring shot, however with out the entire crash-in-the-trees factor.
Talking of bushes, shade, and shadow, the X4 excels in vivid daylight. Excessive-contrast scenes like a forest ground at noon are tougher (that is true for any digicam). HDR mode may help generally, however you then lose the power to shoot Log.
{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson
