Insta360 X4 vs GoPro Hero 12 Black

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Overview of the Insta360 X4

Insta360 X4☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 X4
Insta360's flaghship 360 camera: 8K30fps video and great battery life
The Insta360 X4 is Insta360's latest 360 degree action camera and delivers incredible 8K spherical video. 360 cameras are the best way to capture group activities or footage where it is difficult to keep focus on a subject. The X4 is the overall best 360 camera right now.
  • Pros
  • 8K 360 video
  • Great battery life
  • Improved lens guard system
  • Cons
  • Not great at low light

Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

Comparison of the X4 vs the Hero 12

Weight and size

The Hero 12 is a lot more compact than the X4. The Hero 12 weighs a little less than the X4.
Insta360 X4
46mm x 123.6mm x 37.6mm / 1.81in x 4.87in x 1.48in
7.16oz / 203g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The X4 offers a much larger battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 X4
2290mAh
Removable
135min 5.7K30fps 360° and 75min 8K30fps 360°
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the X4 and the Hero 12 support SD cards.
Insta360 X4
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Video performance

Both the X4 and the Hero 12 offer HDR video.
Insta360 X4
4K video at 60fps
Yes
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps

Camera and sensor technology

The X4 features a much higher resolution. With 170°, the X4 features a much wider field of view than the Hero 12. The X4 features a much higher bit rate than the Hero 12
Insta360 X4
72MP
170°
200Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps

Camera settings

Both the X4 and the Hero 12 have the same ISO range. The X4's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
Insta360 X4
100-6400
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2

X4 vs Hero 12 specifications

NameInsta360 X4GoPro Hero 12 Black
Year of release20242023
Width1.81in / 46mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height4.87in / 123.6mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth1.48in / 37.6mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight7.16oz / 203g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case164ft / 50m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity2290mAh1720mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life135min 5.7K30fps 360°
75min 8K30fps 360°
150min at 1080p
Charging time55min3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1Tb
Rear screen size-2.27in
Front screen size-1.4in
Field of view170°148°
Sensor1/2.0"1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels72MP27.6MP
ApertureF1.9F2.5
Focal length6.7mm12-39mm
ISO range100-6400100-6400
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate200Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-2
360-degree videoYesNo
8K 360 video30fps-
5.7K 360 video60fps-
4K 360 video100fps-
360 video formatINSV-
5.3K video-60fps
4K video60fps60fps
2.7K video60fps120fps
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K44x
Maximum slow motion4x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR videoYes5.3K 30fps
StabilizationFlowStateHyperSmooth 6.0
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streamingYes1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam modeYes1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingYes-
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones43
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacwav
Audio input-Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
Audio bluetooth supportSENA: 50S, ST1, 10S
Cardo: PACKTALK EDGE
Airide: G7+
ASMAX: F1
Lexinmoto: G4
Vimoto: V9S, V9X
Apple AirPods 2
Apple AirPods 3
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.2BLE 4.2
USBType-C USB 3.0USB-C
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
-
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsYes-