Insta360’s X4 Air is the lightest 8K 360 camera they’ve released to date

Insta360 has refreshed its lineup with a new addition. But it’s not a successor to the Insta360 X5 – it’s a bit soon for that – but it is a sort of successor to 2024’s Insta360 X4. It’s the Insta360 X4 Air, and it’s the lightest 8K 360 camera the company has released so far.

The new camera, Insta360 says, brings everything creators love about the X4 into a lighter, smarter and more intuitive package. It features a few upgrades, including slightly larger sensors and improved waterproofing, while being light enough for everyday use.

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Where X4 Air sits in the Insta360 Lineup

The X4 Air sits between the existing X4 and the higher-end X5, becoming the most portable 8K 360 option in the company’s current lineup. It shares the same core recording resolution as both – 8K 360 video – but its purpose is different.

Where the X5 is designed for maximum image precision and controlled production environments, and the X4 is a general-purpose 360 action camera, the X4 Air focuses on weight reduction and everyday usability without giving up the core 8K capture capabilities.

Portability and Everyday Workflow

Portability is the primary design focus with the X4 Air. At 165g, it’s significantly lighter than the X4, weighing in at 203g. The X4 Air is compact enough to slip into a pocket or backpack, making it suitable for daily use on the street, on trips, or during outdoor activities.

Its dual 1/1.8-inch sensors provide a 134% increase in pixel area per frame compared to the X4, improving overall detail capture and colour depth. Like the X5, the X4 Air’s lenses are user-replaceable and feature an improved hard optical coating, with optional snap-on lens guards.

The camera is waterproof to 15m (49ft) without requiring a separate case, like the X5. This is a significant improvement over the 10m (33ft) of the X4, although most probably won’t be going that deep. FlowState stabilisation, along with 360° Horizon Lock, ensures footage remains steady regardless of motion or camera orientation.

Image Processing and Shooting Features

The X4 Air adopts several processing advancements introduced with the X5, while introducing workflow improvements aimed at everyday shooters. AdaptiveTone analyses exposure from each lens independently to balance highlights and shadows across the stitched sphere, reducing the need for manual grading.

Active HDR now operates up to 8K30, retaining highlight detail in bright environments and improving shadow clarity in high-contrast situations. Additionally, Portrait Mode offers more natural skin tones and balanced exposure when people are the focus of the shot.

Shooting flexibility matches the 360 capture approach: record first, frame later. The Invisible Selfie Stick effect remains available for drone-like third-person shots, and InstaFrame Mode can simultaneously save both a standard “flat” video and a full 360 capture, allowing quick sharing while still retaining the ability to re-edit later.

Who’s it for?

The X4 Air is intended for travellers, vloggers, cyclists, parents, casual creators, and anyone who wants to document experiences without carrying a full kit. It offers the flexibility of 360 capture with enough image quality for polished output, while remaining light enough to forget it’s there until needed.

It actually weighs a little less than the Insta360 X3 (180g), which doesn’t offer 8K video, but slightly more than the Insta360 X2 (149g). So, if you’ve been holding onto your X2, waiting for another light camera before upgrading, now’s your chance.

Price and Availability

The Insta360 X4 Air will be available to pre-order soon in Graphite Black and Arctic White. Each comes in two bundles. The standard bundle costs $399, while the starter bundle, which adds an invisible selfie stick, lens cap and extra battery, costs $439.99. Both bundles include a complimentary one-year Insta360+ cloud subscription (200GB storage) for a limited time.

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