Insta360 X4 SD Card Selection Guide | Capacity, Speed & Recommended Brands

Panoramic cameras usually require inserting a memory card to store footage, and when using the Insta360 X4, many users feel confused about choosing the right SD card capacity.

This article will recommend SD memory cards suitable for the Insta360 X4, helping you quickly make the best choice, and provide an in-depth analysis of the key points to consider when selecting a memory card for panoramic cameras, ensuring a smoother shooting experience.

MicroSD memory card for X4

To conclude, I highly recommend using SanDisk – Extreme series or SD memory cards sold through the official Insta360 channels.

It is important to note that SanDisk SD memory cards come in three specifications, ranging from entry-level to high-end: Ultra, Extreme, and Extreme PRO. Among them, the Extreme series "V30" speed class can meet the recording requirements of most panoramic cameras.

To ensure smooth shooting, X4 requires a UHS-I, V30 Micro SD/TF memory card with exFAT format, otherwise recording may be interrupted or files may be corrupted due to insufficient speed. In addition, theDo not use UHS-II, UHS-III or memory cards larger than 1TB.Otherwise, the recording may stop due to compatibility issues.

X4 Official Service and Support

In simple terms, if the write speed is not fast enough, during high-demand shooting such as 8K resolution or 120fps, data writing may fail. To ensure smooth video recording, it is crucial to follow the official recommendations when choosing an SD memory card.

In Insta360's online manual, it states that the following SanDisk SD memory cards are compatible with the X4.

Capacity of SD memory card -- 64~512GB

The X4 can be used with memory cards ranging from 64GB to 512GB. Below is a table summarizing the recording time for each SD card capacity for your reference.

Recommended Panorama Camera Setup -- 8K30fps

If your computer is well-equipped, it is recommended to record in X4 8K quality first and then edit. Since 8K 30fps and 5.7K 60fps consume the same amount of data, my recommended basic X4 setting is 8K 30fps.

64GB microSD memory card

A 64GB memory card can only record for 50 minutes. Even with a fully charged battery, the maximum recording time is 75 minutes, so I consider 64GB to be somewhat insufficient.

128GB microSD memory card

Using a 128GB memory card allows you to record 100 minutes of 8K footage. If you are someone who regularly organizes your data, a 128GB card may be barely sufficient. However, if you often shoot videos using spare batteries, it is recommended to choose a 256GB or larger SD memory card.

256GB microSD memory card

Using a 256GB memory card for 8K recording allows continuous shooting for 3 hours and 20 minutes. Even after fully charging and shooting again, there will still be remaining capacity, making 256GB my most recommended size. 256GB is also the memory card capacity included in the X4 bundle, indicating that this size is officially recommended by Insta360 and is likely the most popular choice.

512GB microSD memory card

Using a 512GB SD memory card allows for up to 6 hours of 8K recording. However, I have never fully used a 512GB card. Choosing this capacity allows you to access data from several months ago at any time.

Buying a large-capacity memory card can make you less inclined to organize your files, and the price is relatively high, so I further recommend the 256GB X4 memory card.

5.7K + 30fps

Despite offering 8K quality, the X4 also introduces the 5.7K+ recording mode, which reduces the amount of stored data. Since the data size is easier to manage, 5.7K+ is a recommended setting for users with lower-spec computers for editing.

Personally, I feel that the X4's 5.7K image quality is significantly better than the X3's 5.7K.

popular5.7K+ Mode CatalogueWhich capacity?

If you consistently record in 5.7K+ mode, you can choose a 128GB memory card to reduce costs. However, this also means that you will need to organize your data after each recording session.

If you choose a 64GB memory card, you can only record for 80 minutes, which makes the capacity very tight. Moreover, formatting the data to zero each time is not practical, so I do not recommend choosing a 64GB memory card.

Insta360 Panorama Camera How to insert SD memory card?

The memory card slot is located on the inside, behind the battery.

Please make sure to press until you hear a "click" sound, which indicates correct installation. When removing the card, you also need to press, as the X4 memory card has a spring mechanism, so be careful not to let it pop out.

Notes on choosing an SD card

There is always a margin of error.

*Since the SD card not only stores footage but also needs to reserve some space for caching during recording, which takes up about 1–2GB, a discrepancy of 1–2GB from the table data is considered normal.

X4 Official Service and Support

The actual usable capacity of an SD memory card is usually less than the labeled capacity. Generally, the actual capacity is about 90% of the manufacturer’s stated capacity, so it is recommended to allow some buffer when purchasing.

Regular formatting

An SD card is a type of storage medium that requires frequent recording and deletion.

Therefore, compared to long-term storage devices like hard drives (HD) or solid-state drives (SSD), SD cards are more prone to "trash" from repeated recording and deletion, so they need to be formatted regularly (memory cleaning).

Failure to format regularly may tax the SD card and affect the smoothness of recording.Insta360 officially recommends regular formatting of the X4's SD card to extend the life of the SD card.Slide down the screen on X4 to access the shortcut menu and click "Settings > SD Card > Format" to format the card.。

It is recommended to regularly transfer camera files to your phone or computer for backup and format the camera’s memory to prevent storage-related issues.

X4 Official Service and Support

Please be aware of Sandisk fake cards.

Insta360 officially recommends SanDisk memory cards, but please note that there are still many counterfeit SanDisk cards on the market. If you are unsure how to completely avoid fake cards, purchasing official memory cards through Insta360’s official channels is also a good option.

Some inexpensive memory cards claim in their product descriptions that they are "compatible with the X4" or "confirmed compatible with the X4." To be honest, I personally do not recommend purchasing cheap memory cards, as there is a risk of data loss. Losing important footage due to choosing the wrong memory card is definitely not worth it. I hope this article can help everyone make a reasonable choice when selecting an SD memory card for the X4~