In April 2024, Insta360 launched X4—our first consumer 8K 360° camera, which massively raised the bar for immersive capture. Now, just over a year later, the next-gen Insta360 X5 builds on that foundation with a powerful Triple AI Chip, PureVideo Mode for low light, and a whole lot more.
As the US’ best-selling 360° camera brand for five consecutive years, our push into 8K has sparked questions: What does 8K actually mean for 360° video? How is it different from flat 8K? And is it really needed? Let’s break it down.
How 8K Works in 360° Videos vs. Flat Videos
360° cameras use two fisheye lenses that each capture more than 180 degrees. When the images from these two lenses are stitched together they form a complete 360° photo or video, as if the camera were at the center of a sphere.
In 360° videography, resolution refers to the total pixel count of the spherical image. If you lay the image out flat to view in 2D on a computer or mobile device, it is typically presented in an equirectangular format with a 2:1 aspect ratio, for example:
This is one way in which the concept of 8K in 360° videos differs from standard flat videos. Evolving from the TV and film industries, flat videos typically have a 16:9 aspect ratio, with an 8K resolution of 7680×4320 and 3840×2160 in 4K.
However, when 360° videos are converted into a flat file format to view on mobile or desktop devices, a common approach is to combine the two fisheye videos into a single video with a 2:1 aspect ratio. For 360° videos, 8K resolution is thus generally 7680×3840 and 4K is 3840×1920.
You'll notice that the longer resolution length for both 8K flat videos and 8K 360° videos is 7680. We therefore refer to this as 8K for consistency and easier understanding.
| Resolution | Flat Video (16:9) | 360° Video (2:1) |
|---|---|---|
| 8K | 7680×4320 | 7680×3840 |
| 4K | 3840×2160 | 3840×1920 |
As such, 8K 360° video encoding is indeed less than that of 8K flat videos. But this difference is inherent in 360° videos compared to flat videos, with many 360° camera brands adopting the same method.
How X5 Does Better Than Native 8K
Before we reveal X5's secret sauce, let’s quickly review how cameras process images. Photos and videos go through various stages before you see the final result: sensor sampling, image processing, and final encoding.
Some people mistakenly assume that sensor resolution equals final output resolution, something that has led to skepticism about X5’s 8K capture. But this is a basic misunderstanding. The key to X5’s image quality lies in how much more data it captures before encoding—because the richness of the original image directly impacts the final video.
Both X5 and X4 use advanced supersampling technology (the aforementioned secret sauce) during the sensor sampling process. Their dual sensors combine to record an image approaching 11K resolution, which the image signal processor (ISP) then refines into an 8K video. The result? Far more detail than traditional pixel-for-pixel sampling, with noticeably enhanced sharpness and clarity.
Here’s the proof. X5’s 8K 360° video has a resolution of 7680×3840 pixels, which math would suggest means it started with 29,491,200 pixels (29.5 megapixels). But when shooting in 8K, X5’s dual sensors actually capture 44.3 megapixels.
For comparison, traditional 8K flat video (7680×4320) only records approximately 33 megapixels. So, with around 34% more raw data to work with, X5’s 8K delivers sharp, lifelike results—even after processing.
Industry-Wide Use of Supersampling
Supersampling is actually a very common practice in the tech industry. From smartphones to cameras and camcorders, manufacturers use the technology for the same reason: it helps produce a better image.
When a camera's video is encoded in 4K, for example, capturing the data at 6K resolution provides more detail than directly sampling from 4K. Likewise, smartphone videos shot in native 4K are of superior quality when exported at 1080p, compared to footage shot in native 1080p.
At Insta360, we also use supersampling to deliver unique shooting options like 5.7K+ on X5 and X4. This mode encodes the video at 5.7K but with 11K supersampling. All that extra data allows 5.7K+ to produce video with image quality that is close to 8K, but reduces the file size and battery consumption during shooting.
Why Do You Need 8K in a 360° Camera?
8K resolution is especially important for 360° cameras because the total pixel count is spread across the entire spherical image. This means that when you crop or reframe a section of a 360° video, the resulting image is only a portion of the original resolution. An 8K 360° video provides the necessary pixel density to ensure that even these cropped segments maintain high clarity and detail.
After reframing 8K video shot on X5, you get approximately a 4K resolution. However, the final resolution of reframed 360° video depends on two main factors: the resolution used when shooting and the field of view (FOV) selected during reframing.
Here’s how resolution scales when reframing X5 footage:
- 8K 360° Video
- Reframed with MegaView (FOV 170°): Approx. 4K resolution
- Reframed with Linear (FOV 110°): Approx. 2.5K/1440p resolution
- 5.7K 360° Video
- Reframed with MegaView (FOV 170°): Approx. 2.7K resolution
- Reframed with Linear (FOV 110°): Approx. 1080p resolution
Image Quality Is Far More Than Just Resolution
While 8K is certainly important for 360° shooting, resolution alone doesn’t determine image quality.
So many other factors are involved. Think coloring, dynamic range, noise reduction, processing algorithms, sensor size... the list goes on. With 360° cameras, there's even more to consider. Effective pixel distribution and stitching quality are hugely important, among others. A high-resolution image can easily disappoint if the combination of all these factors isn't just so.
Consider also the 8K video shot on X5 compared to X4: same resolution, but a clear difference in image quality.
What This All Means For Your Videos
X5's 8K capabilities give you real creative freedom. Whether you're reframing action shots without losing detail or cropping for cinematic perspectives, that extra resolution gives you options. Combine that with X5’s larger 1/1.28" sensors, faster processing with its Triple AI Chip, and innovative new shooting modes, and the results speak for themselves.
Keen to keep up to date on Insta360 stories? Keep an eye on our blog and sign up for our mailing list. Explore the 360º world with Insta360 for a chance to WIN a brand-new Insta360 X5!
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