Insta360 - X4 Air

**TLDR: 360 camera for the least amount on work in the moment. PM me I can private share you some of the videos I've taken of my kids so you can kind of see what it will be like** I have multiple young kids and am often watching them all by myself. I'm also a gear addict so I've tried all of the types of cameras you are looking at and use them all, but if I were to pick one camera to bring with me it would be the 360 camera. So overall, I recommend the X5 or X4 Air (which is lighter and cheaper, but a little less image quality and less battery life as a tradeoff). While 360 camera, you can kind of set it and forget it and then pull out some moments later on your computer/phone whenever you have time (i.e. when the kids are in bed). Insta360 desktop app offers "deep tracking" which lets you pick a person and it will do all the processing for you, although you need to let it run in real time. The mobile app has something similar and against you just kind of pick a face and let it work on the video. There is a new app that is polarizing, but supposedly you kind of let the app do most of the work for you (again with face tracking). You can either hold the camera on a selfie stick, or set it up on a tripod on a table (that's what I do for birthday song videos), clamp it to your stroller, or even stick it on your backpack and just have it start recording - **because it is recording a spherical 360 video of the entire scene, it will always get something** \- although ideally it is 3-10 feet away from you or your kids otherwise they will be kind of small in the frame. After that at night you can scrub/fast forward through the long video and cut out a few clips that you like. Sometimes if there is a stationary object that changes over time (a birthday cake disappearing as it is eaten or a sand castle being built) and I will turn the video into a timelapse by speeding up the video. If that feels like too much work, the X5 has "Me Mode" and "InstaFrame Mode" which does all of this in camera and gives you are video that is ready to share (although you still might want to trim it a bit). "Me Mode" automatically crops from the spherical to a 16:9 4K video that tracks down the selfie stick which pretty much guarantees you will be in the video (since you are holding the selfie stick). You can also flip the direction so Me Mode so that instead of recording whatever the handle of the stick is pointing at, if records whatever the stick is pointing at (think of it like a magic wand) that makes it very easy to make sure your subject is in the video frame when recording. "Instaframe" basically focuses on the first face it see and keeps tracking that throughout the video. The drawback is that I think the resolution is lower (1080p) - overall, that is one of the major tradeoffs you are doing, the **video quality from a 360 camera is always going to be less than the other types of camera for the flexibility in subject framing.** In terms of gear, just starting need the camera and make the 2-in-1 tripod-selfie stick. Maybe get a clamp mount so you can clip the 360 camera to your stroller (or backpack shoulder strap). So that's the 360 camera. There is also the small POV camera. Those are great for hands free videos, but I ironically find they take more mental work because you need to consciously setup the framing a lot more (i.e. have the camera mounted on your head/chest, turn them on and try not to shake your head or shirt too much and you might point the camera too high/low). They are great for 5-15 second clips though (I record it playing with the kids whether it is tag, frisbee/ball with the kids, or just hugs). There is less battery life though so I am personally more judicious with using them. Between Insta360 Go Ultra and the DJI Nano - I recommend the Ultra because it has a SD card in the camera itself. The DJI Nano stores the video to internal memory, which then you need to manually transfer to the SD card in the docking module because it won't store to the SD card directly (source: http://dji.com/nano/faq). Finally there is the Osmo Pocket 3, that has the best video quality, the best stabilization and pretty good subject tracking... but with it's not so wide angle view I found it require the most fiddling with. It is good if you can set it on a table/tripod at home and then select your crawling baby as a subject and just let it play, but I like the faster option of setting up the 360 camera and just pressing the record button (quickcapture will turn on the camera and start recording in like 2 seconds and then turn off the camera when you press record again).

TLDR: I personally really like the versatility of the 360 cameras like X4 Air (if I could only own one it would be a 360 camera), but the small size of the Go 3S makes it a more discreet device. In the end, it's depend on your use cases and imagination. I have Go 3S and regular X4. The X4 Air is about the size/weight of a chunky candy bar/short TV remote/ or slim eyeglasses case and they have distinctly different use cases. Use the Go 3S for established POV videos - for example mounted on your head, chest, or to the body of a instrument. Here you have established stationary positions of the camera and viewing angle. For instance, I mounted a Go 3S to an Air Rocket my kids launched as part of a school project and I got a good slow motion sequence of the crowd on the ground as the rocket blasted away. Use the X4 Air when there is a lot of movement going around that makes it hard to properly aim it - for instance you want a full body view of yourself (with no visible poll) from 3-10 feet away as your are moving (hiking, skiing/snowboarding, etc), or say you are trying to video your friends moving (skiing/snowboarding) while you are also moving where it would be tricky to casually keep them well framed in the camera (a veteran/pro videographer will be able to anticipate/follow the action with some communication/planning with the moving subject... but a 360 camera makes this a lot easier). I've also mounted the 360 camera to a fishing pole and a hockey stick and the 360 camera can easily stabilize the extremely movements of those two poles while still focusing on the action at hand (i.e. the lure being flung into the water, or the players and puck despite the camera twisting/spinning along). As for the drone, the Antigravity drone is not schedule for release until early 2026, so that will be far from now. Whether a drone will replace the X4 again depends on your use case... with a 10ft (3m) pole, the X4 Air can do a lot of similar angles to a drone being within 10-15 of the subject and isn't limited by the various regulations around a drone (drones are noisy and banned in most state/national parks, within 15-20 miles of airports, and landmarks and public/private buildings). You can easily make a video of what looks like a drone flying behind/in front of you with a 360 camera on a long pole. What you can't do with a normal 360 camera is get a view 100-300 ft in the air away from anything else (like a bridge or tower).

I started with the Go 3s then once X3 came into my life - it’s been 360 all the way. For me, Go 3s is: ✅ Straightforward recording & ease of editing ✅ Best for close-up shots ✅ Some thought & creativity needed for placement of cam X3 / X4 Air in this case: ✅ Records everything first, reframing later takes some effort and time ✅ Best for overall drone-like shots and tiny planet effects ✅ Great if you like to spend more time learning 360 curve Here’s some 360 inspiration (2 months after owning the 360 cam): 🌐 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRq5ftXqD6XtFhGFOdEIWuZJOxarkbVTS&si=lAnsQ878Y_ohCTbv Can’t go wrong with either! But for me, it’s X3 (and X5 is otw!) all the way 🤟

I second this about GoPro. I so regret buying a GoPro max a few years ago. I am technically inclined, and I have spent DAYS of my life trying to get GoPro files to play nice with other software. Not. Worth. It. If I was going to buy another one, it would be the new insta360x4

Do a 360 camera like the Insta360 X# (not sure what number they’re on now. 4?). In post you can just pick the direction your “virtual camera” is pointing so that your kid is always in frame. Looks kinda goofy when you mount it on top of your head like a unicorn, but it’s basically perfect for an application like this.

360 X4. Isko le dala to life jhingalala

Insta 360 4x. It let's me do tracking shots and follow the play. A bit overkill for sure but I bought it for traveling and it does a great job behind the net.

get the insta360 x series. You can just hold them or mount them and forget about the camera and just ski. Then you can choose what frames to focus on, that way you can just focus about skiing.

I have an insta360x and it's not good in low light IMO Ace pro has a 1/1.3" sensor so not big but bigger than some of these small action cameras. Larger physical sensor gathers more light The Osmo pocket 3 is quite decent in low light with its 1 inch sensor and stabilizing gyro

Depends. In an unpredictable scenario like that, a 360 camera like the insta360 x models will go a long way in keeping her in frame and allowing you room to edit. To save a buck, however, you can get a cheaper run of the mill action cam just in standard 'wide' be it gopro 12 or insta360 ace or the best DJI you can afford, etc. Among other things. Putting a 'max lens mod' on a gopro, getting the old 360 gopro, etc. But, all things said and done I recommend the insta360 X. If it's a rigid seat that isn't getting close to the tire, it's actually pretty ideal to mount on the saddle or rails or even post.

I've had every version since the beginning. And I'm not going to say they are perfect; battery life has always been an issue. The odd random crash. The 12 and 13 made decent improvements. But the influencer effect is definitely out there, every video I see from a sponsored influencer is comparing it to a GoPro, and they deliberately set the GoPro up to give its worst performance. you call them out on it and they get all butthurt and defensive, so you know they are full of shit. I own two insta360 x models and a go3 as well, and I can tell you the image quality is no different if you set them up correctly, the battery life on the insta's isn't that great either, and one thing that really bugs me is the time between pressing record and the insta actually doing anything, my gropro is recording and I'm still waiting for the insta to start. And they do crash, and they also overheat. It could be that I'm in Australia, but I've mounted my Insta in my car to record random stupidity and then find it's off and recorded a minute or two before dying. Just Google Insta overheating, and it's an issue they are 100% trying to hide. You mention it as an influencer, and you'll never get a free camera again. And the biggest reason to avoid the Insta cameras is lens damage. The X5 just got a replaceable lens, and they carry on like this is genre-changing. Yeah, welcome to 2020 when GoPro did that. I won't be getting an X5 or AcePro, I will be getting a GoPro 14 as soon as it's announced.

i carry both the insta360 x series camera as well as a small portable sony rx for the complementary benefits of each for certain shots ( zoom, much higher quality, low light with large sensor) [here is article on 360 camera vs regular camera](https://samirsvirtualworld.com/360-vr-camera-rather-than-regular-camera-for-travel/)

Insta360 is the best we’ve used and the 360 has major benefits.

I have to suggest the 360 cams. Based on what you want it for. Its really the perfect tool to capture quick moments. Not having to frame the shot, being able to just put it on a tripod and let it run knowing it will capture everything is a huge factor. Imagine wanting to take a quick group shot or video. U don't even need to make sure everyone is in frame. Just press the shutter. Now if u want to do like a baby FPV or have your kid hold it then yeah the nano or go ultra If not 360 cam all the way. Insta360 specifically for the editing in the app. Reframing in post edit is not that difficult once you get the hang of it.

360 cam for sure. U can use AI tools provided in the app to keep u in frame with a click of a button. With the 360 cam, U do not have to worry if u are in frame or not. Audio quality is good too.

Except for safari, GP13 is very good A good alternative could also be a 360 camera, especially for things like cage shark diving. I personally think Insta360 is better than GoPro for 3d cams

I echo the 360. Pricy but worth it as it catches everything around you if setup correctly

You want an insta360 camera for snowboarding. IMO, it's best to have the 360 video and be able to create clips from that. Those cameras are very durable and have available lens covers in case you're really falling a lot. You can even use a selfie stick and get a drone like video.

I was looking at that camera for a bit, eventually went with one of their 360 cameras (since a recent update, I've found the app incredibly unstable for viewing / editing such footage, but it was good before then) but I'm assuming when you say you just pop it out from one mount to another, that means you find the magnets strong enough for it to stay put? I always assumed magnets wouldn't be strong enough for mounting such things to bikes, hence e.g, MagSafe handlebar mounts not really being a thing.

I have an insta360 that I bought used last year. I love it because it takes photos all around (360 degrees) and you can choose which views to save. I use it to analyze my own riding so that I can make improvements. I also own an older go pro because I bought it for a rafting trip a long time ago. I never use it for snowboarding because I can’t stand the shaking in the videos which really don’t show anything meaningful anyways.

For sure I ride daily but I don’t even have a chin mount I use an insta360 with a pole mount. It’s probably still better to have one of these than nothing at all is what I’m getting at.

I'm a Photographer who recently got into videos. I have to point out that the Insta 360 video quality is nowhere like the mirrorless cameras I've had, BUT, it's really about the spontaneous moment captured with it and not the quality that I'm impressed of. I've found footages of myself in the moments of serendipity that I know I will never achieve with any of my mirrorless camera unless somebody is following me around with it. I also tried the Osmo Pocket but I certainly love the convenience of the Insta 360 more because you can choose which frame, back, front, up or down you want to finally edit for posting. Really helpful the 360 view.

Hi op, one issue is you’ll now no longer be waterproof. I use the DJI mic 2 internal recording inside my helmet to a GoPro 13. You can check the sound here. [action camera with DJI mic2 inside helmet no wires retains waterproofing](https://youtu.be/y7ENSoDiaUg?feature=shared) Use the mini as the second camera, the 11 black as your main. I have a 13 as main and either an action 4 or insta 360 as handlebar.

I'd suggest you to get the Action 4. Better vfm. Can get the action 5 spare batteries for better battery life (if needed). Insta 360 is doing different ball game. It's an awesome secondary camera but not a good primary one.

Insta 360 anytime of the day

I would pick the dji any day over the insta 360 for a primary camera. Although the insta 360 gives a very good variety of angles, there’s not much of creative freedom that comes with it. Dji on the other hand, you can connect your mic easily for vlogging; it has better clarity, the overall quality is also much better. Accessories for the dji are priced fairly and the intsa 360 mounts are known to be fragile so I personally would stay away from those. If you already have a main camera, then go for the insta and try new angles for cinematic shots, but bear in mind, if you end up damaging the 360, there’s almost no way of getting it repaired.

If u want to vlog n need a good low light performances than go for Action 5 pro. DJI wireless mic system can be easily paired with Action 5. Please don't go for any GoPro. DJI n Insta360 r far ahead of it interms of technology n features. If u want versatility than go for Insta 360. Also wait for few days. Amazon freedom sale will be coming. U can get better deals on both if cameras.

Yeah, that breaking parallel ski relationship at initiation, lazy inside leg, park and ride possibly could have been helped during a couple of days of group lessons you could buy for the price of Insta 360.😉

I admit I also consider insta 360 for my own ski technique improvement but still unsure about the value. My notes about your skiing are limited because such POV doesn't let me see what your body is doing. Ideally, ski technique analysis is best when a skier comes to the camera and passes it so the skier is visible from the front, side, and then the back.