I compared Insta360 X4 with GoPro Hero 12 to see which one is superior
By Naila Syifa
Updated April 2024
Recently in April 2024, Insta360 launched their latest flagship model, the X4, which offers significant improvement over the previous X3 model.
How does this new 360 action camera compare to GoPro's latest Hero 12 model, which is widely considered the top traditional action camera on the market?
Let's take a look at how these two cameras stack up against each other in terms of price, design, video quality, features, and battery life to see which one is the superior choice.
Key Takeaways
While Insta360 X4 takes a high-resolution 8K 360 video, its single-lens 4K video quality falls short of the GoPro Hero 12's 5.3K resolution. GoPro Hero 12 also has better pro-level features like Timecode Sync and 10-bit log, while Insta360 X4 emphasizes more beginner-friendly creative features like the Invisible Selfie Stick and AI-powered editing.
Insta360 X4
Best for Creative Pursuits
✓ Reframeable 8K 360 Footage
✓ FlowState Stabilization with 360° Horizon Lock
✓ AI-Powered Editing Tools
✓ Invisible Selfie Stick
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Best for Professional Work
✓ 5.3K Video, 27 MP Photo
✓ Dual LCD screen
✓ HyperSmooth 6.0 with Horizon Lock
✓ Timecode Sync & 10-bit Log
#1 Price
Insta360 X4
Being flagship models from their respective brands, both the Insta360 X4 and the GoPro Hero 12 are quite expensive, making them less suitable for people on a tight budget.
Insta360 X4 is more expensive at US$500, while GoPro Hero 12 is priced at US$400. A $100 price difference can be quite significant, so it's important to consider whether the extra cost will be worth the investment.
#2 Design, Display, & Durability
GoPro Hero 12
Both cameras have a rugged, durable design that can withstand the elements and rough usage. Both are waterproof without a case, allowing you to capture underwater footage to 33ft (10m) straight out of the box. Optional dive cases allow you to take them deeper underwater to 164ft (50m) for the X4 and 196ft (60m) for the Hero 12, giving the Hero 12 a slight edge in this regard.
However, when it comes to taking both cameras for winter sports, the X4 has the advantage of being more resistant to extreme cold temperatures. It can withstand temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C), while the Hero 12 is only rated for 14°F (-10°C).
Insta360 X4
The Insta360 X4 has a larger 2.5" touchscreen display compared to the GoPro Hero 12's 2.27" rear touchscreen display, and it is protected by scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass for added durability. The X4 even comes with a Lens Guard that you can install to add another layer of protection when using the camera in extreme environments or situations where the lens may get scratched or damaged.
The Hero 12 stands out with another front-facing 1.4" screen, making it easy to frame yourself in the shot for selfies and vlogging. I deem one display to be enough for Insta360 X4, as the lens captures a 360-degree view so you can always see the screen regardless of which direction the camera is capturing.
Insta360 X4 is slightly larger and heavier at 46 x 123.6 x 37.6 mm dimension and 203 g weight, while the Hero 12 is more compact at 50.8 x 71.8 x 33.6 mm and weighs only 154 g. However, both are pocket-friendly and should be easy to carry around on your adventures.
#3 Video Quality
GoPro Hero 12
Insta360 X4 has a great advantage with its 360° lens, allowing you to capture everything around you in a single shot. You can reframe the video in post-production to focus on the most interesting parts of the scene, which gives greater flexibility and versatility, allowing you to use a single footage to create multiple videos from varying angles. However, it also bears the downside of having to spend more time editing your footage, as you'll have to reframe the video every time.
If you don't want to take advantage of the 360° lens, the Insta360 X4 also offers Single-Lens mode, which is more similar to GoPro Hero 12's traditional flat video capture. In this aspect, the Hero 12 offers better video quality at a maximum resolution of 5.3K/60 fps, while the X4 tops out at 4K/60fps in Single-Lens mode.
However, the Insta360 X4 still captures a wider field of view. While the Hero 12 maxes out at 156° FOV, the Insta360 X4 allows you to capture a greater view up to 170° in the MaxView setting.
Insta360 X4
For 360 videos, the X4 boasts a very high maximum resolution of 8K, which is much higher than 5.3K resolution. However, keep in mind that the pixels are spread across the entire 360-degree field of view, so the actual resolution will be lower when you reframe the video in post-production.
When we compare the reframed 360 video with the Hero 12's flat video, the resolution is actually quite similar or can even be lower depending on the aspect ratio.
In addition, the frame rate for 8K 360 video is limited to only 30fps. Such a low frame rate can result in less smooth footage with noticeable motion blur, especially if you move the camera rather quickly or use it to capture fast-paced actions. In that case, the high 8K resolution may not provide much benefit, forcing you to go with the lower 5.3K/60fps resolution to get smoother, more usable footage.
GoPro Hero 12
When it comes to low-light performance, the GoPro Hero 12 excels better. Its larger 1/1.9" sensor allows it to capture more light and produce cleaner footage with less noise in dimly lit environments. The Insta360 X4, on the other hand, relies on a smaller 1/2" sensor, which struggles more in low-light situations.
If you often take your action camera out at night or in dark indoor spaces, you may also want to consider the DJI Osmo Action 4, which performs better in low-light conditions among the three.
Read also: Insta360 X4 vs DJI Osmo Action 4
#4 Features
Insta360 X4
Insta360 X4 and GoPro Hero 12 share a few common features that make capturing action footage easier and more enjoyable, such as scheduled capture/timed capture, timelapse, wireless connection to external devices like microphones or earbuds, and more.
While both cameras feature voice control, the Insta360 X4 also offers gesture control for hands-free operation, allowing you to start and stop recording with a simple hand gesture.
The X4 also has a pre-recording feature, which is similar to GoPro's hindsight feature, both allowing you to capture a few seconds of footage before you press the record button, so you never miss an important, unexpected moment like catching a fish or scoring a goal in a sports match. The difference is that while Insta360 X4 supports only up to 15 seconds of pre-recording, the Hero 12 can capture a longer 30 seconds of footage.
Timecode Sync in GoPro Hero 12
GoPro Hero 12 also stands out with its pro-level features, such as Timecode Sync and 10-bit Log Encoding. Timecode Sync is perfect for multi-camera shoots, allowing you to synchronize footage from multiple cameras for seamless editing. Meanwhile, the 10-bit Log Encoding provides more flexibility in post-production color grading and correction, a very valuable feature for professional videographers.
When it comes to features, the advantage of Insta360 relates more to its ability to capture 360 videos. Insta360's FlowState Stabilization paired with 360° Horizon Lock ensures your footage stays steady and level even when the camera rotates 360 degrees, such as when riding a roller coaster or performing backflips during skis.
Insta360 X4 can also be used with an Invisible Selfie Stick, an accessory that allows you to capture unique third-person perspectives while making the selfie stick disappear from the shot. It is achieved by using the 360-degree camera to capture the entire scene and then automatically stitching the footage together to remove the selfie stick from the final video. This is perfect for solo content creators who want to take a third-person view effortlessly.
Insta360 X4
Insta360 Studio desktop software and Insta360 mobile app provide a range of AI-powered editing tools that make it easy to create engaging content from your 360 footage, such as reframing, object tracking, subject centering, and more.
ShotLab also offers a collection of creative templates that you can use to quickly create impressive videos with just a few taps. This makes the X4 beginner-friendly and well-suited for content creators of all levels.
While GoPro offers the Quik App for editing, the app is more like a basic video editing app that allows you to crop, cut, add music, add filters, or change speed. You can receive ready-to-share videos that the app creates with the Automatic Highlight Videos, but this feature requires a subscription, unlike Insta360's Auto Edit feature and ShotLab templates which are available for free. So, in this regard, Insta360’s software suite is more powerful and better supports creativity.
#5 Battery Life
GoPro Hero 12
When it comes to battery, the Insta360 X4 offers a better deal. Its massive 2290 mAh battery can last for up to 135 minutes for continuous recording at 5.7K/30 fps. The battery also charges quickly in just 55 minutes to reach a full charge, or 38 minutes to reach 80%.
The 1720 mAh battery of the GoPro Hero 12, on the other hand, can only last up to 90 minutes when recording at 5.3K/30fps resolution. The battery also takes longer to charge than the X4, so you may find yourself running out of power more often during long shoots or adventures.
Insta360 X4 vs GoPro Hero 12
Final Thoughts
Insta360 X4
For traditional video capture in general, GoPro Hero 12 offers better video quality compared to Insta360 X4's single-lens video or reframed 360 video. However, the ability of Insta360 X4 to take 360-degree videos at a high 8K resolution opens up a world of creative possibilities that the GoPro Hero 12 simply cannot match.
Insta360 X4 also has a longer-lasting battery and is equipped with a range of valuable features, from powerful AI editing software, gesture control, Invisible Selfie Stick, and Horizon Lock, all of which make it a compelling choice for content creators of all levels that value easy usability and creative freedom.
GoPro Hero 12, on the other hand, is more suitable for professional workers who need pro-level features like Timecode Sync and 10-bit Log Encoding for their projects. The Hero 12 also offers superior low-light performance to Insta360 X4, making it a better choice for capturing footage in dimly lit environments.
If you like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
Insta360 X4 vs GoPro Max
Insta360 X2 vs X4
Insta360 X3 vs X4
Insta360 X4 vs Ace Pro
Insta360 X4 vs ONE RS 1-inch 360 Edition
Insta360 X4 vs DJI Osmo Pocket 3
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