Action cameras are great for capturing the scenery you ride through or a rider’s point of view of the road, but they can be a bit of a faff to use, with extra bike mounts, connectivity requirements, complex settings and time-consuming downloads. And they only capture footage in one plane – the one they’re facing. Step forward the Insta360 X4, which has two lenses that capture a 360° field of view by seamlessly merging footage from both.
The X4 is well-built and slightly heavier than expected for its size at 204g, but it feels solid and well-engineered. Durability has been excellent throughout testing – a crucial consideration, given my clumsiness. The bike mounts are also good quality, especially the main mount, which is rock-solid once attached to the bike. The longer ‘invisible’ selfie stick, however, didn’t survive my testing. What stands out is the X4’s vibrant touchscreen display. The combination of excellent processing power and its sharp display allows you to review footage and pan around in your 360° world in real-time, without any lag. In a world where many cycling computers still feel sluggish, the X4 felt like a treat to use.
Specification
Resolution - 360 mode |
8K30fps/5.7K60fps |
Resolution - Single lens |
4K60fps |
Resolution - Stills |
72MP |
Editing |
Via Insta360 App |
Waterproof |
up to 33ft/10m |
Battery life |
135mins |
Price (Camera only) |
£499/$499 |
Price (Bike Bundle) |
£589/$586 |
Image quality is superb—the X4 records in 8K 360°, producing crisp, detailed footage. Of course, 360° recording comes with a few quirks. The ultra-wide lenses can create a fisheye distortion, but the software does an excellent job of correcting it. There is a faint seam line where the two cameras stitch together, but it’s barely noticeable.
What sets the X4 apart from a traditional action camera is the freedom it gives you in post-production. I didn’t frame any shots because there is simply no need – just hit record and decide later whether you want a handlebar view, a forward-facing perspective, or a rear-facing follow cam.
The Insta360 app is intuitive to use and makes editing straightforward. Most functions can be controlled from a smartphone, keeping everything streamlined for quick social media uploads, if that’s what you’re after. The integration with third-party apps like Garmin Connect is nice too, allowing you to overlay real-time stats like speed, power, heart rate and cadence. Truth be told, I haven’t yet exhausted all these features, but every one that I have had cause to test works very well.
"All in all, it’s a thoroughly impressive unit. It’s not perfect, but it has genuinely changed how much I use an action camera"
Joe Baker - Cycling Weekly
There are a couple of drawbacks that need mentioning, though, starting with the form factor. The X4’s long, slim shape means its weight is positioned quite far from the mounting point. On smooth roads – like those I rode on during a press trip in France – this wasn’t an issue, but back on Oxfordshire’s rougher tarmac, the camera bounced around a bit. Fortunately, the stabilisation software smooths things out in the final footage, but it can be distracting while riding.
Then there are the lens guards. These are disappointingly fragile. I managed to scratch one and crack another without any major impacts or particularly rough treatment. They’re inexpensive to replace, but if you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself having to buy them regularly.
Verdict
In my opinion, the Insta360 X4 is one of the best action cameras for cyclists. The 8K 360° recording eliminates the stress of framing shots, while its rugged build and excellent stabilisation make it ideal for capturing rides. However, the top-heavy design can be bouncy on rough roads, and the lens guards are worryingly fragile. If you can overlook these minor issues, the X4 represents a significant upgrade over traditional action cameras.
