![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference.webp]] # Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison: A Huge Difference! [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvSuQl-OG00) · MountMedia · 2024-04-17 · 16:14. Written from the uploader's English captions (manual track), plus the chapters, frames and the description. Section headings follow the video's chapters. ## Outline - **0:00 – Insta360 X4 vs X3: 15 categories.** As soon as the X4 arrived, Werner wanted to see how it compares with the **X3**, one of his absolute favorite cameras of recent years. The X4 makes some outstanding progress but isn't the better choice in every respect, and the X3 still has a reason to exist. The video is split into the 15 most important quality features of a 360 camera, and he ends with who should buy which. - **0:33 – Resolution and frame rates.** The X4's biggest strength here is **8K 360 at up to 30 fps** (4K from each lens, stitched, so not 8K in the conventional sense). After reframing, clips export in **4K by default with real resolution closer to 2.7K**, and they look very detailed. The X3 tops out at **5.7K**, so reframed exports land around **1080**, and the difference is clear on a large screen. Low reframed resolution has been the biggest weakness of 360 cameras for many people; whether it matters depends on whether you mostly watch on a phone and social media (limited impact) or edit and watch on a big monitor, as he does. The X4 also shoots **5.7K at up to 60 fps** (the X3 only 30 fps), giving smoother, more natural 360 shots and up to 40% slow motion. To make this possible the X4 has a new **5 nm chip**, which also powers several AI features. ![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference-t0100.webp]] - **2:45 – Image quality and colors.** Both cameras have three color profiles: **Standard**, **Vivid** (more saturation and contrast) and a flat profile. The X3's Standard colors are relatively pale, so he recommends shooting Vivid on the X3; the X4's Standard profile is already contrasty and looks visibly better than the X3's Standard. Comparing Vivid to Vivid, the two look very similar, and white balance may be slightly better on the X4. The X3's flat profile is called **Log** and is visibly flatter than the X4's **Flat** profile, but since neither is 10-bit, a real log profile isn't very suitable anyway. - **3:57 – Dynamic range.** The X4 protects highlights slightly better than the X3, though the difference isn't huge. Both have an **Active HDR** mode that protects highlights further but adds noise when light isn't optimal, and both are limited to **5.7K30** in it. The X4's colors and highlight protection are slightly better in Active HDR, but the improvements are limited. - **4:47 – Single-lens mode.** Both can shoot with one lens like a traditional action camera, so no reframing is needed. Both record **4K** in this mode, but the X3 only at up to 30 fps while the **X4 reaches 4K60**. Otherwise the single-lens shots show the same color and dynamic range differences, and detail looks very similar. - **5:31 – Me mode.** In **Me mode** the camera recognizes the subject and reframes the 360 shot automatically, which works best with a clear subject such as vlogging, and keeps the invisible selfie stick effect (unlike single-lens mode). The X3 shoots Me mode only in **1080**; the X4 does **4K at up to 30 fps** and **2.7K at up to 120 fps**, and you can now switch lenses to film another subject, not just yourself. For him this, along with 8K, is among the X4's most important improvements, turning Me mode from a quick social-media vlogging tool into a fully fledged recording mode. One limitation: Me mode clips above 2.7K30 have to be stabilized in the app (opened and exported, though not reframed), but 2.7K30 already looks relatively good. ![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference-t0600.webp]] - **7:08 – Low light comparison.** Neither camera's small sensors are made for low light. Across several low-light shots the X4 improved slightly, with a little less noise and better overall look, but you should drop 8K and shoot **5.7K30** on the X4 for best results. The gains aren't outstanding and probably shouldn't decide a purchase; the X4 is still no low-light specialist (see [[Insta360 X4 vs X3 Low Light Comparison Is It Any Better]]). ![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference-t0730.webp]] - **7:53 – Slow motion comparison.** The X4 shoots 360 slow motion at **4K 100 fps**, while the X3 only reaches 100 fps at **3K**, which then has to be reframed and cropped. X4 slow motion looks visibly better, though slow motion on both cameras is greatly reduced in quality compared with 5.7K footage. - **8:25 – Image stabilization.** The X3's excellent stabilization was one of its absolute strengths, and the X4 is on the same level, with no significant differences in his side-by-side shots. The **invisible selfie stick effect** and lens **stitching** are also excellent and nearly identical on both (see [[Insta360 X4 vs X3 Image Stabilization Test]]). - **8:55 – Portability: size and weight.** The improvements came with compromises. The X4 has a completely new body: the same width as the X3 but about **10% longer** and noticeably thicker, and at **about 200 g** it's around **25 g heavier**. Portability matters for helmet mounting, so the X3 has clear advantages here. On the plus side, the X4 has a slightly larger display that seems a little brighter at maximum. - **9:53 – Battery life.** The larger body fits a much bigger battery: **2290 mAh** on the X4 versus **1800 mAh** on the X3. At **5.7K30** the X4 recorded **2 h 21 min** against the X3's **1 h 28 min**, and at **8K30** the X4 managed **1 h 15 min**. The X4 also drops the X3's **30-minute recording limit**, so files can run longer than 30 minutes. ![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference-t1015.webp]] - **10:38 – Overheating.** No overheating test matches real shooting, but neither camera overheated for him. The X4 shows an overheating warning when you switch to 8K, yet it recorded 8K until the battery ran out in his office at **22 °C** with no airflow. It may do slightly better than the X3 at 5.7K in real heat, while 8K could have problems in very hot weather if you're not moving. - **11:16 – Lens guards.** The X4 ships with new **screw-on lens guards** that are quick to attach and remove, and higher-quality **Premium Lens Guards** are sold separately. The X3's lens guards are glued on. He doesn't use lens guards on the X3 because they can hurt image quality, preferring a **lens cap**, but for those who do, the X4's guards are easier to take off and reattach, for example when switching to a dive case. ![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference-t1140.webp]] - **12:04 – Other design changes.** The X4's surface is **ribbed** instead of flat, which may look more modern and resist scratches better, though looks are a matter of taste. Its **capture button** has a weaker pressure point, making it hard to feel whether you pressed it, probably because press-and-hold now **deletes a bad shot** immediately. - **12:40 – Extra features.** The X4 has the same recording modes as the X3 (Video, Active HDR, photo modes, TimeLapse modes and **Bullet Time**), but at higher resolutions: **11K** 360 timelapses, **8K** TimeShift (hyperlapse) and **5.7K** Bullet Time. Single-lens mode adds **FreeFrame Video**, where you can still choose format and field of view in post, which he considers minor on a 360 camera. New features include **voice control** and **gesture control** (start and stop recording with hand movements), an **AI Highlights Assistant** like the Ace Pro's that saves key moments for automatic clip creation, **Bluetooth headphones** that can double as an external mic, **Apple Watch** or **Garmin** connection for GPS data, support for the **GPS Preview Remote** (with a working display that shows the X4's image and changes settings), and **scheduled recording**. Editing features in the phone app and **Insta360 Studio** are the same for both cameras, so new app features also work with X3 footage. ![[images/Insta360 X4 vs X3 In-Depth Comparison A Huge Difference-t1410.webp]] - **14:29 – Audio quality.** Audio wasn't improved; the X4 sounds very similar to the X3, which was already not a strength. For vlogging with either he recommends an external mic. - **14:45 – Price and special offer.** The X4's decisive disadvantage is price: **$500** at release versus **$400** for the X3 now, a $100 gap. Insta360 often runs special offers, and the description links include a free gift with the X3. - **15:07 – Which should you buy?** The X4's biggest strength is its 8K mode, since sharp 4K exports after reframing could be a game changer for many, plus 5.7K60, 4K slow motion, higher-resolution Me mode, slightly better colors and somewhat better low light. All useful improvements, but the X3 remains excellent and is cheaper, smaller and lighter. If it's your first 360 camera and you want to find out whether 360 is for you, especially if you mainly edit and watch on a phone, the X3 could be ideal. If you care about optimum image quality and can afford it, get the X4. He promises a detailed X4 features tutorial soon. ## Things mentioned ### Cameras - **Insta360 X4**: Insta360's 8K 360 camera, launched in April 2024 with a new 5 nm chip; the focus of the comparison. - **Insta360 X3**: Its predecessor and one of Werner's favorite cameras, now cheaper. - **Insta360 Ace Pro**: Insta360's traditional action camera, mentioned as the source of the AI Highlights Assistant (see [[Insta360 X4 vs Ace Pro ONE is great]]). ### Accessories - Insta360 X4 screw-on lens guards (included) and **Premium Lens Guards** (sold separately); the X3's stick-on lens guards; lens caps - Dive case, invisible selfie stick - **GPS Preview Remote** (GPS data plus a live-view display that can change settings) - Bluetooth headphones as an external mic; Apple Watch and Garmin watches for GPS data; external mics for vlogging ### Settings and features - X4: 8K30 360 (reframed exports 4K by default, about 2.7K real), 5.7K up to 60 fps, single-lens 4K60, 4K 100 fps slow motion; X3: 5.7K30 (about 1080 reframed), single-lens 4K30, 3K 100 fps - Color profiles: Standard, Vivid, X3 Log versus X4 Flat (neither 10-bit); Active HDR (5.7K30 on both) - Me mode: X3 1080; X4 4K30 and 2.7K120, lens switching to film other subjects, app stabilization needed above 2.7K30 - Stabilization, invisible selfie stick effect and stitching (equal on both) - Battery: X4 2290 mAh (2 h 21 min at 5.7K30, 1 h 15 min at 8K30) versus X3 1800 mAh (1 h 28 min at 5.7K30); X4 has no 30-minute file limit - Overheating test at 22 °C with no airflow; X4 8K overheating warning - X4 design: about 10% longer, thicker, about 200 g (25 g heavier), larger and brighter display, ribbed surface, capture button that deletes a bad shot when held - Recording modes: Video, Active HDR, photo, TimeLapse (11K on X4), TimeShift (8K), Bullet Time (5.7K), X4 FreeFrame Video - X4 extras: voice control, gesture control, AI Highlights Assistant, scheduled recording - Insta360 phone app and Insta360 Studio (same editing features for X3 and X4 footage) ### Related videos - [[Insta360 X4 vs X3 Low Light Comparison Is It Any Better]] - https://youtu.be/WGC5C3WGSQA - [[Insta360 X4 vs X3 Image Stabilization Test]] - https://youtu.be/k4_5nQtv7ZA - [[Insta360 X4 vs GoPro Hero 12 vs DJI Action 4 THIS Is The Best Action Camera]] - https://youtu.be/QyvfudBxhi8 - The promised detailed X4 tutorial: [[Insta360 X4 Ultimate Beginners Tutorial The BEST Features Explained]] - https://youtu.be/16al_FBC490 ### Purchase options - Prices quoted in the video: Insta360 X4 $500 at release, Insta360 X3 $400 - Insta360 X4 (with a free Invisible Selfie Stick): https://www.insta360.com/sal/x4?utm_term=INRNHMF - Insta360 X3 (11% off plus a free Invisible Selfie Stick): https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?utm_term=INRNHMF - Music: Audiio (promo code SAVE70 for 70% off): https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=606 - The description notes that these are affiliate links ## Bios - **Werner Plank** runs MountMedia, a YouTube channel of camera tests, comparisons and tutorials focused on 360 and action cameras from Insta360, DJI and GoPro, often filmed in the mountains (Instagram: @werner.plank; contact [email protected]). He appears skiing, walking vineyard paths and handling both cameras on his desk in this video.