Insta360 X5 360 Action Camera Review: Is This the Ultimate Pocket Powerhouse?

To really grasp what the Insta360 X5 brings to the table, you need to know it’s not just another action camera. it’s a significant leap forward in 360-degree capture. When I first looked into 360 cameras, the promise of capturing everything around you was exciting, but often the quality in challenging conditions fell short. The X5, which launched on April 22, 2025, at a starting price of around $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99, aims to solve a lot of those common issues, especially when the sun goes down or you’re in tricky lighting.

If you’re someone who loves to document adventures, create immersive content for social media, or simply capture life from every angle without worrying about where to point your camera, the Insta360 X5 is definitely worth your attention. It builds on the success of its predecessors, like the widely popular Insta360 X4 and Insta360 X3, by refining the formula and introducing some truly impactful upgrades. This isn’t just about higher numbers. it’s about a more robust, versatile, and user-friendly experience that pushes the boundaries of what a compact 360 action camera can do.

In this, we’ll explore everything from its standout features and performance to how it stacks up against other top contenders. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether the X5 is the right 360 action camera for your creative pursuits, making those impossible shots a reality.

The Insta360 X5: What’s New and Why It Matters

The Insta360 X5 might look pretty similar to its older sibling, the X4, at first glance, but trust me, there are some meaningful improvements packed inside that make it a seriously impressive piece of tech. It maintains that familiar “candy bar” shape, which is super easy to hold and pocket, but the real magic happens under the hood and in some smart design tweaks.

One of the most exciting upgrades is the larger sensors, which are about 144% bigger than those on the X4. This is a huge deal because bigger sensors generally mean better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The X4 was already fantastic, but its low-light performance was often considered its weakest link. The X5 tackles this head-on, making it the first 360 camera I’d actually be happy using at night thanks to these new sensors and its PureVideo mode. This mode is specifically designed to keep your night footage remarkably clean and crisp, where older models might have given you muddy, noisy video.

Another game-changer is the replaceable lenses. If you’ve ever scratched or cracked a camera lens, you know the pain – it can mean a hefty repair bill or even having to ditch the camera entirely. With the X5, Insta360 offers a kit that lets you easily swap out a damaged lens for a new one, saving you headaches and money in the long run. This small but mighty feature really boosts the camera’s durability and gives you extra peace of mind, especially when you’re out there pushing its limits. You can find Insta360 X5 accessories including these lens kits online.

The X5 also steps up its game with improved waterproofing, now sporting an IP68 rating that lets you dive down to 49 feet 15 meters without needing any extra housing. That’s a nice bump from the X4’s 33 feet 10 meters and makes it even more suitable for your underwater escapades right out of the box. And if you’re worried about battery life, the X5 promises up to 185 minutes in Endurance mode, which is a significant jump from the X4’s 135 minutes. Keep in mind, though, these are new batteries, so your old X4 spares might not work. Oneplus 13 powerful stylish smartphone review

All these enhancements, especially the low-light performance and replaceable lenses, make the Insta360 X5 not just an incremental update but a genuinely more capable and user-friendly device for all sorts of creators. It’s truly a testament to Insta360’s continuous innovation in the 360 camera category.

Unpacking the Insta360 X5’s Core Capabilities

Beyond the major new features, the Insta360 X5 packs a punch with its core recording capabilities, making it a versatile tool for capturing everything around you.

Video Performance: Resolution and Frame Rates

When it comes to video, the X5 delivers some impressive numbers. You can record 8K 360-degree video at 30 frames per second fps, or 5.7K at 60fps, and even 4K at a super-smooth 120fps for those epic slow-motion shots. While these resolutions and frame rates are technically similar to the X4, the X5’s larger sensors and improved processing mean the actual quality of the footage is noticeably better, especially in low light. That 8K resolution really matters for 360 footage because when you reframe your shots later, having more pixels to work with gives you sharper, more detailed output.

The camera also offers a single-lens video mode which can shoot up to 4K at 60fps. While dedicated action cameras might still have an edge in flat video quality, the X5’s single-lens mode is a strong contender for quick, traditional action shots without needing to switch cameras. Features like InstaFrame Mode, which records flat and 360 footage simultaneously, and FreeFrame Mode give you incredible flexibility in post-production.

Photo Quality: Capturing Every Detail

For still photographers, the X5 doesn’t disappoint, capturing 72-megapixel MP 360-degree photos. This high resolution means you can zoom in and crop your 360 photos without losing significant detail, making them perfect for sharing or creating “tiny planet” effects. The camera also supports HDR capture, which comes in incredibly handy for environments with mixed lighting, helping to balance bright skies and dark shadows for a more natural look. If you’re into virtual tours or just want stunning immersive stills, the X5’s photo capabilities are top-notch. Motorola Moto Buds Loop Open Ear Earbuds Review: Your Honest Take

Stabilization: Smooth Shots, Every Time

One of the hallmarks of Insta360 cameras is their incredible FlowState Stabilization, and the X5 continues this tradition with excellence. Even when you’re on the move – hiking, biking, or running – your footage stays remarkably smooth and steady. This isn’t just a gimmick. it genuinely makes your action shots look professional and watchable, whether you’re reframing a 360 clip or using the single-lens mode. The horizon lock feature ensures your footage stays level, no matter how much the camera tilts or rotates. This means less time fussing with shaky footage in editing and more time enjoying your adventures. This kind of advanced stabilization is a core reason why many creators choose Insta360 over other action cameras.

Design, Build, and Usability: A User-Friendly Experience

a camera can have all the best specs in the world, but if it’s not easy or enjoyable to use, you’re probably not going to pick it up very often. Luckily, the Insta360 X5 really shines in its design and user experience.

Ergonomics and Durability

The X5 keeps that familiar upright, “candy bar” form factor that Insta360’s X-series is known for. It fits comfortably in your hand, and the new textured, rubberized diagonals on the body provide a solid grip, even if your hands are wet or you’re wearing gloves. It’s still lightweight and pocketable, making it super easy to carry around on any adventure.

Durability is a big win here. Besides the increased IP68 waterproofing to 49 feet 15m we talked about, the glass in the twin lenses has also been strengthened, giving it double the drop resistance. This means it’s ready for some serious action right out of the box, whether you’re taking it skyor scuba diving. For extra protection, you can always pick up some Insta360 X5 lens guards or a dive case for deeper underwater adventures.

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The Display and Controls

The 2.5-inch touchscreen on the X5 is a real highlight. It’s larger and more responsive than previous models, making it much easier to frame your shots, navigate menus, and review your footage directly on the camera. The swipe-based interface is intuitive and easy to get the hang of, so you won’t spend ages fiddling with settings when you should be capturing the moment. Plus, having physical buttons for power and shutter means you can easily operate it even with gloves on.

Audio Quality

Good audio is often overlooked in action cameras, but it’s crucial for engaging content. The X5 includes improvements in this area, with a new microphone windscreen cover to help reduce wind noise. While a dedicated external microphone will always offer the best quality, the X5’s built-in mics do a pretty good job of capturing clear sound, especially for an action camera. For serious vlogging or more controlled environments, you might consider a compatible Bluetooth microphone for even better results.

The Insta360 App: Unleashing Your Creativity

One of the biggest reasons people love Insta360 cameras isn’t just the hardware. it’s the incredibly powerful and user-friendly software that comes with it. The Insta360 app is where the magic of 360-degree footage truly comes alive, transforming raw spherical video into captivating, shareable content.

Shoot First, Frame Later

This is the core concept of 360 cameras, and the Insta360 app makes it incredibly simple. You just hit record, capture everything around you, and then, in post-production, you can “reframe” your footage. This means you can pan, tilt, zoom, and choose any perspective you want, essentially getting countless traditional video shots from a single 360 clip. It’s like having a camera crew with you, able to follow the action from every angle simultaneously, and then picking the best “camera moves” after the fact. Xduoo TA-30 Tube Headphone Amplifier DAC Review: Your Desktop Powerhouse?

AI-Powered Editing Tools

The app’s AI editing features are a real time-saver, especially for beginners or when you’re on the go. It can automatically track subjects, identify highlights, and even suggest edits to create compelling videos. This means you can get polished videos with podcast and effects in just a few minutes, even if you’re not an experienced editor. For more advanced users, the app still offers a wide range of intuitive tools and keyframing options to craft exactly the narrative you want.

Some of my favorite effects, like “Tiny Planet” where your environment becomes a small, spherical world and “Bullet Time” a slow-motion effect that makes it look like the camera is rotating around you, are incredibly easy to achieve within the app. The app also handles the “invisible selfie stick” effect seamlessly, stitching your footage so that any selfie stick you use simply disappears from the shot, giving you incredible third-person perspectives.

Insta360 X5 vs. X4 vs. X3: Should You Upgrade or Buy?

So, with all these great features, how does the Insta360 X5 really compare to its predecessors, and which one should you consider?

Insta360 X5 vs. Insta360 X4

The Insta360 X4, released in April 2024, was a fantastic camera in its own right, offering 8K video for the first time in an Insta360 X-series camera. It significantly improved battery life and had a larger, more durable screen than the X3.

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• Low-Light Performance: This is the X5’s biggest leap. With those larger sensors and PureVideo mode, the X5 is far superior in dim conditions, producing much cleaner and sharper video at night. The X4, while good in bright light, struggled more when the light faded.
• Replaceable Lenses: The X5 introduces user-replaceable lenses, a huge advantage for durability and repairability that the X4 didn’t have.
• Waterproofing: The X5 goes deeper, waterproof to 49ft 15m compared to the X4’s 33ft 10m.
• Battery Life: The X5 offers even longer battery life in its new Endurance mode.

If you already own an Insta360 X4, the decision to upgrade depends heavily on your shooting style. If you frequently shoot in low-light environments or prioritize having replaceable lenses for peace of mind, then the X5 is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if most of your shooting happens in good lighting, the X4 is still an incredibly capable and versatile camera, and now likely at a cheaper price point, offering excellent value. Many reviews suggest that for casual X4 users, the upgrade might not be strictly necessary.

Insta360 X5 vs. Insta360 X3

The Insta360 X3, released in late 2022, was a hugely popular 360 camera, known for its great all-around performance and ease of use. It records 5.7K 360 video and 4K single-lens video.

Comparing the X5 to the X3, the differences are more pronounced:

• Resolution: The X5 offers 8K 360-degree video compared to the X3’s 5.7K. This higher resolution is a significant advantage when reframing footage, providing much more detail and sharpness in your final exported clips.
• Low-Light: Again, the X5’s larger sensors and PureVideo mode give it a massive advantage in low light over the X3, which, like most small-sensor action cameras, struggled more in dim conditions.
• Durability and Features: The X5 brings the replaceable lenses and enhanced waterproofing that the X3 doesn’t have. The X5 also features a more advanced AI chip system, improving overall processing and AI features in the app.
• Battery Life: The X5 boasts a significantly longer battery life than the X3.

For anyone still on an Insta360 X3 or looking to get into 360 cameras for the first time, the Insta360 X5 offers substantial upgrades across the board in terms of image quality, low-light performance, durability, and processing power. The X3 is still a great camera for beginners and those on a budget, but the X5 truly represents the current pinnacle of consumer 360 action cameras. Apple m3 ultra mac studio review

Is the Insta360 X5 the Best 360 Action Camera for You?

Considering everything, the Insta360 X5 truly stands out as the best overall 360 camera currently available. It takes all the winning elements from its predecessors – the excellent FlowState stabilization, the versatile “shoot first, frame later” workflow, and the incredibly intuitive editing app – and elevates them with meaningful hardware improvements.

The significantly improved low-light performance makes it a versatile tool for capturing content in conditions where other 360 cameras would simply fail. The addition of user-replaceable lenses is a huge win for durability and long-term use, giving you peace of mind during adventurous shoots. And while the 8K resolution might seem like just a number, it translates to noticeably sharper and more detailed reframed footage, which is crucial for high-quality video creation.

Of course, no camera is perfect. The X5 is a premium device, and its price reflects that top-tier performance. And while the app is brilliant, there’s still a bit of a learning curve to truly unlock all the creative potential of 360 editing. Also, some current X4 owners might find the upgrades aren’t quite enough to justify an immediate switch, especially if they rarely shoot in low light.

However, if you’re a content creator, vlogger, adventurer, or just someone who wants the most capable, versatile, and user-friendly 360 action camera on the market right now, the Insta360 X5 is an easy recommendation. It’s a tool that empowers you to capture perspectives and create content that simply isn’t possible with traditional cameras, and it does so with exceptional quality and reliability. Whether you’re recording breathtaking s, intense sports, or everyday moments, the X5 is built to ensure you never miss a thing. You can easily find the Insta360 X5 and its various bundles online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum video resolution of the Insta360 X5?

The Insta360 X5 can record stunning 360-degree video at up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second fps. It also offers 5.7K at 60fps and 4K at 120fps for slow-motion effects.

Is the Insta360 X5 waterproof without a case?

Yes, the Insta360 X5 is IP68-rated and waterproof down to 49 feet 15 meters right out of the box. This is an improvement over the X4’s 33 feet 10 meters of waterproofing.

Can I replace the lenses on the Insta360 X5 if they get damaged?

Absolutely, a major new feature of the Insta360 X5 is its user-replaceable lenses. If a lens gets scratched or cracked, you can easily swap it out for a new one, which is a significant durability upgrade.

How does the Insta360 X5 perform in low light?

The Insta360 X5 shows significant improvements in low-light performance compared to its predecessors. Thanks to larger sensors and the dedicated PureVideo mode, it can capture much cleaner and sharper footage in dim conditions, making it more usable at night.

What are the main improvements of the Insta360 X5 over the X4?

The main improvements of the X5 over the X4 include larger sensors for better image quality especially in low light, user-replaceable lenses, increased waterproofing to 49ft 15m, and enhanced battery life in Endurance mode. While some core resolutions remain the same, the overall image processing and quality are superior. Leica lux grip review