Should YOU buy a 360 camera? Insta360 vs DJI Osmo Action 4 review

360 cameras like the Insta60 X3 and X4 are big news right now, thanks to their ability to capture everything, then allow you to reframe your shots later. But are they REALLY as good as the influencers and marketing make out? Is there an reason to still buy a 'traditional' single-lens action camera like a GoPro or the DJI Osmo Action 4 compared here?
I've shot the footage that I want, in the conditions I needed to shoot in – NOT what suited the cameras – to help YOU decide which one to buy...

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Chapters
00:00 Do you need a 360 camera?
02:58 Insta360 vs DJI Osmo Action 4 image quality
05:32 How fragile are Insta360 lenses?
07:10 Removing selfie sticks and mounts
09:14 Why single lens action camera shots look more exciting
11:31 Indoor image quality and detail
14:09 Audio quality on a motorbike
14:53 Horizon levelling and vibration
16:40 What makes the Insta360 great
19:50 Low light and night footage comparison
22:43 Insta360 vs DJI Osmo Action 4: Which is best?
24:03 ND filters and getting a natural blur
26:30 Which would I buy if I could only have one?

#best #action #camera

[TheJWCRSA]

The future for action is 360 cameras primarily because of reframing - they have come a long way in a short time and are in "childhood" state now but soon will mature. I use both 360 (One X2 & X3) as well as single lens ones (GoPro) on my motorcycles but prefer the 360 route. And yes, the current generation Insta360 cameras do have a slight disadvantage ONLY in resolution especially when viewed on large 4K screens (a very few people do that! - the majority use cell phone screens). I use Insta360 Studio, reframe, export 200 mbps 5760 res. - than import into Adobe Prem. Pro, colour grade and export... By far the only advantage the single lens has is only resolution - For now. Regards!

[davidz]

Just another great in depth video, Thank you.

[ugparmar]

Well explained, Thanks, what about file sizes for 1 min footage on either.

[bdc]

Thanks. Great review. You addressed all the questions that I’ve been asking.

[patsonabike]

Very good, in-depth video. Judging on this review, I wouldprobably go for the 360 camera, purely because I love the idea of having different perspectives for the same situation. Having said that, the capture of the lean angles does look a lot more spectacular on the single lens camera. Would be great to have a camera that could combine these two features, without combining the prices. :) Mind you, it's all a bit academic as I promised myself I would not get another camera after my Ghost Drift, flew off at Dunkirk on the motorway. That was enough money down the drain. Such a shame because the landscapes and cliffedge hairpins here would make a real thrilling video, especially as I'm getting more confident at negotiating them. Anyway, as you can attach both cameras to your bikes, you have a really good mix and match. That's why your videos look so professional. Thank you for another informative report. :)

[thehappydublinbiker]

Great video as usual. I have lens covers on my X3 and they work well. Managed to smash one cover and crack the display screen this weekend as I accidently dragged the camera around a gravel pit when the pole came loose on the back of the bike and the swung down onto the ground! Keep up the great work.

[lew]

Some of the best customer advice out there available here on this channel. Chapeau as always.

Years ago I was flying paragliders in Catalonia under the instruction of an old world record holder. One of us asked how we could fly as safe as we could as it’s a somewhat dangerous sport.
“Don’t compete and don’t film yourself. Both of those things bring out too much bravery.”

[MotoGoato]

Another cracking test and review from Mr Milbank, thank you!!

[niclasroberts]

Cracking stuff as per usual John. I spent far too long deciding whether to get a 360 or single lens cam and opted for an Osmo Action 4. Very impressed so far. The biggest gripe I have with it is how it captures footage from the past. The loop mode breaks the footage down into chunks of a couple of minutes so a 5 minute video ends up being 2x 2 minute clips and a 1 minute clip. They don't stitch together perfectly so as far as I'm concerned the feature is useless. The pre record mode is the better option for bike footage in my opinion as it holds a maximum of 60 seconds of footage in the bank; more than enough to capture anything interesting you witness. The problem with pre rec is that it can't be applied to a custom preset and has to be turned on manually every time. Not a huge problem but definitely annoying.

[CarlosGCB-roll]

great video, quick question when you render the video what Bit rate did you used with the insta360 X 4??

[jeremywinfield]

Great video again John. Just wondering which brand of helmet mounts you use or recommend.

[blade]

What video settings/codecs did you use for each camera? Was the insta 360 in H265 with high bitrate?

[yakekaj]

Smashing review as always. So basically get the dji unless you want really cool footage of you crashing😂

[bloodknottrevelian]

Excellent video. Looking forward to the same comparison with the x4 which I will be buying shortly. Yes the x4 will accept voice commands from my Cardo comms and the x4 battery duration has been significantly improved over the x3. 👍

[Timw]

Excellent consumer information thank you.
Do you have an opinion on the image quality in good light from a stills point of view comparing a DJI Action 4 to say a particular level of smartphone or compact cameras. Best wishes.

[alainmichaud]

Great review, I have an action3 that i like very much and was wondering for a second camera what to buy for the motorcycle . Thanks for helping me decide, I will stay with the DJI and will get the 4. Alain & Yellow

[andFortyEight]

Replaceable stick on lens guards are available for the X3 from either Insta or aftermarket.

[BackTheBike]

Some comments based on my filming experience.
I've lost 3 bike mounted cameras due to the inevitable vibration. Handlebar mounts work best if that's what you want.
My workhorse is GoPro 7 which has been very reliable @1440p, a nice balance of image quality v file size. 4K will eat your hard drive in weeks.
The best mount position? Definitely chin for me, more involving, speedo and controls in view, and allows the viewer to see what you're seeing in the 3rd person.
My challenge was doing that on a the modular Shoei Neotec 2. After many prototypes I created a centrally mounted plastic tab, which I epoxyed a Gopro bracket to. Plugs into my lav mic via GPs mic adaptor and perfect for my Back2TheBike channel which focuses on safe riding.

[simpbird]

Thanks for a great review. It was a bit late for me as I already committed to a DJI Action 3 but I am very happy with my choice. There are some great deals on the Action 3 at the moment. You can currently buy the Adventure Combo kit which includes the charging case with three batteries and selfie stick for £300. The Action 3 isn't quite as capable in low light but for daytime use I think most won't notice any difference between that and the Action 4.
I wonder if you have a problem the battery door on your Action 4 not fully closing and latching. I checked mine after hearing your comment and the battery door shuts with a distinct click of the latch and definitely can't be opened without pressing the button.

[stoatsngroatsuk]

Insta 360 One RS can be bought with twin lenses, including a 360 and a 4k single. Worth a look? 🙏😀