Insta360 X4
8K 360° · 5.7K 60p · Removable lens guards
Sony α1 II
Stacked 50MP · 30fps · Pre-capture
Sony α1 II takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Insta360 X4 lands at 90 and Sony α1 II at 96. That puts Sony α1 II ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Insta360 X4 if…
- ✓First 8K consumer 360 camera
- ✓Reframe-after-the-fact workflow
- ✓IPX8 + removable lens guards
Pick Sony α1 II if…
- ✓50MP at 30fps with pre-capture
- ✓AI processing unit improves AF
- ✓Best EVF in class
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testVideo
TieCompared on the video sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Sensor
Sony α1 IICompared on the sensor sub-score
Sony α1 II leads on sensor (96 vs 92).
Autofocus
Sony α1 IICompared on the autofocus sub-score
Sony α1 II leads on af (96 vs 88).
Value for money
Insta360 X4Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Insta360 X4 more score per dollar ($499 vs $6,499).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Insta360 X4 | Sony α1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 2× 1/2″ CMOS, 72 MP combined | 50.1 MP stacked CMOS |
| Video | 8K 30p 360 · 5.7K 60p · 4K 60p single-lens | 8K 30p · 4K 120p |
| Log profile | I-Log / Flat | — |
| Stabilization | FlowState gimbal-class | — |
| Storage | microSD UHS-I U3 | Dual CFexpress A / SD UHS-II |
| Weight | ▲ 203 g | 743 g |
| Water resistance | IPX8 (10 m / 33 ft) | — |
| Battery | 2290 mAh (135 min at 5.7K30; ~75 min at 8K) | — |
| Mount | — | Sony E |
| Burst | — | 30 fps with AF/AE |
| AF | — | Subject Recognition + AI processing unit |
Insta360 X4
- +First 8K consumer 360 camera
- +Reframe-after-the-fact workflow
- +IPX8 + removable lens guards
- −Workflow steep for newcomers
- −8K 360 footage produces huge files
- −Single-lens caps at 4K 60p (not 100p)
Sony α1 II
- +50MP at 30fps with pre-capture
- +AI processing unit improves AF
- +Best EVF in class
- −Bigger battery solves only modestly
- −Menu system still complex
- −Dual CFexpress A required
FAQ: Insta360 X4 vs Sony α1 II
Which is better, Insta360 X4 or Sony α1 II? +
Sony α1 II scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Insta360 X4 worth the price? +
At $499, Insta360 X4 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in video.
Is Sony α1 II worth the price? +
At $6,499, Sony α1 II delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in sensor.
Does Insta360 X4 or Sony α1 II last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sensor, Insta360 X4 or Sony α1 II? +
Sony α1 II — leads on sensor (96 vs 92). Compared on the sensor sub-score.
Which is better for autofocus, Insta360 X4 or Sony α1 II? +
Sony α1 II — leads on af (96 vs 88). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.