How to Use the Insta360 X4 Camera in Construction

The six use cases I examined

So, how can you use this camera on a construction site?

One use case that immediately comes to mind is documenting existing structures and environments when planning and designing projects. The beauty of 360-degree images and videos is that you don’t have to decide on a focus point while recording—you capture everything around you. It’s like having a personal Google Street View of your project.

I examined six promising construction use cases for the Insta360 X4:

1. Site progress monitoring and quality inspection
2. Documenting spaces for design and decision-making
3. Installation inspections
4. As-built documentation
5. Meetings
6. Training

Construction Site Progress Monitoring and Quality Inspection

I visited the National Museum Extension site in Helsinki, Finland. This project, designed by JKMM architects, will be completed in 2027. Ninety percent of the extension will be underground, with a circular pavilion above ground.

On-site, I met with Jukka Lallo from Senate Properties, the client, Markus Suuronen from SRV, the contractor, Tuomas Hakulinen, and Harri Melin from Dalux.

SRV is using Dalux on this Atlas project, and we tested the Dalux Site Walk app, which connects with a 360-degree camera for recording site walks.

In just a few minutes, Harri connected the Insta360 X4 to the Dalux app and mounted it on Markus’s hard hat. Markus then walked around while the app recorded and uploaded the footage, automatically aligning it with the project’s BIM model. No GPS devices, QR codes, or extra equipment apart from your phone is needed!

In the Dalux web app, I could open a project floor plan, track Jukka’s movements on the site, and view the 360-degree images as he saw them. I could have annotated the photos if I had seen anything that should have been noticed, such as a missing duct opening.

An excellent feature here is the ability to compare these images side by side with the BIM model from the same viewpoint. This allows users to monitor progress and spot discrepancies between design and reality. Plus, Dalux keeps every version of the walk-throughs, enabling you to track changes over time.

Documenting Sites for Design and Decision-Making

The Insta360 X4 is perfect for documenting existing structures for design purposes. I took it to our home base at the Maria 01 campus. It can serve as an example of a renovation or annexation project. A substantial extension project on campus has just started.

To capture the space, I simply attached the camera to the Invisible Selfie Stick Insta360 provided me and walked around recording. You can start recording with a button on the camera or through the mobile app, which connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi. The videos are saved to a microSD card.

The quality of the 360-degree still images is excellent, especially in the highest 72MP resolution.

The Insta360 X4 records in 360 or 180 degrees at different resolutions and frame rates. The samples on the video were recorded with auto settings, which work well for most users. In low-light conditions, the camera recommends a 5.7K resolution.

One app feature I like is the remote control, allowing you to set up the camera on a tripod, step out of the shot, and take full 360-degree images without appearing in them.

Inspection of Installations

You can document hard-to-reach installations with the Insta360 X4 on a long selfie stick. In some cases, extra lighting may be needed.

As-Built Documentation

The Insta360 X4, paired with an app like Dalux, is excellent for as-built documentation on job sites.

Capturing the conditions before the structures are closed allows you to locate concealed installations afterward. This can be useful in maintenance scenarios.

Meetings

Many construction meetings are hybrid. The Insta360 X4 can be a webcam in Teams and Zoom apps. Simply connect the camera via USB-C, and it provides a 360-degree view. In a roundtable setup, remote attendees see everyone around the table in two stacked 180-degree views, allowing them to feel more connected.

Training

360-degree videos can enhance training on construction sites. They let trainees experience a job site virtually to explore the environment as if they were there. This is great for new team members or anyone who needs to get familiar with specific site conditions.

One significant benefit is that trainees can pause at any point and look around to spot site hazards, equipment setups, or even complex installations. It’s like a guided site tour they control, helping them understand safety practices and workflows much more engagingly.

After recording, connect the camera to a computer with a USB cable or transfer files from the SD card.

Insta360 offers a free desktop app, Insta360 Studio, for viewing and editing footage. You can also edit on your smartphone. The app allows you to export standard videos from the 360-degree footage, straighten images, and eliminate the fish-eye look.

Using specific software for organizing and locating files is a good idea if you have extensive footage.

Final Thoughts

The Insta360 X4 offers an excellent balance of quality and price. The image and video quality are impressive in well-lit conditions and more than adequate in low light, typical on job sites. Its user-friendly interface and mobile app make it easy to operate. However, pairing it with a smart app like Dalux truly maximizes its value for construction, automating file management and adding essential features for contractors.

Because Insta360 X4 is small and quick to start up, I would carry it around on a construction site all day. Whenever I would see something that should be documented, I’d use it to capture the whole scene, not just the traditional photo.

Thanks to Insta360 for this review opportunity. I hope this video has been helpful for construction professionals considering the Insta360 X4.