In apply, 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 cope with the sew line, which is the place the perimeters of the 2 lenses meet and software program (imperfectly) fills within the gaps, however in any other case postproduction use of this footage seems like, nicely, simply enhancing video. I combined it with footage from a Sony A7R II, GoPro Hero 12, and Insta360 Ace Pro, 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 appears adequate for something you are going to put on-line.
It is not 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 provide you with some higher slo-mo choices, due to the upper body charges.
The colour profile choices stay the identical because the X3: Customary, Vivid, and Log (for individuals who favor to paint in publish). I shot primarily in Customary and located the colours to be properly rendered, maybe a little bit on the nice and cozy aspect. I discover Vivid too garish, and naturally in case you plan to combine footage with different cameras, you will wish to shoot all the pieces in Log and do your coloring in software program.
Movie Crew in a Field
Testing motion cameras is at all times among the finest 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 figuring out 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 in case you get Insta360’s hilariously oversize 9.8-foot selfie stick, which makes it attainable to pretend surprisingly sensible increase pictures.
At $99, the brand new Extended Edition Selfie Stick is not low cost, however is nicely value it for the flexibility it creates when paired with the X4. Absolutely prolonged and held behind you whilst you stroll, it mimics a low-flying drone tracking shot, however with out the entire crash-in-the-trees factor.
Talking of bushes, shade, and shadow, the X4 excels in brilliant daylight. Excessive-contrast scenes like a forest flooring at noon are tougher (that is true for any digicam). HDR mode may also help generally, however then you definately lose the power to shoot Log.
{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson
