Insta360 X5 Review – Powerful New Capabilities

Good day, folks! Shawn here from Air Photography. Today, Insta360 launched their next-generation 360 camera, the Insta360 X5. In my opinion, this is one of the most significant generational leaps, not only in hardware and camera capabilities but also in the ease of exporting content, which has been completely revamped. The days of complicated reframing and deep tracking to stay centered in the frame are over. This will save creators considerable time when reframing and exporting footage, making many very happy. In this video, we’ll cover all the new features, demonstrate them, and show samples of what this camera can do.

Hardware Upgrades

Let’s start with the significant hardware changes. The lenses have been upgraded this year, making them more durable and less prone to scratches and chips. Insta360 claims they are 100% more resistant to drop damage. The biggest improvement is that the lenses are now user-replaceable. If a lens gets damaged, you can order a replacement lens kit and swap it out yourself, reducing downtime without needing to send the camera for repairs.

The lens replacement kit includes everything you need, and the process is straightforward. During testing, I intentionally damaged a lens and was impressed by its durability—I had to hit it multiple times with a hammer to crack it. The kit provides tools to unlock and remove the lens, a brush and air tool to clear debris, cleaning wipes, and a dry cloth to ensure everything is clean before installing the new lens. The process takes just a few minutes and can even be done in the field, making it a game-changer for creators on the go.

Image Quality Improvements

The X5 also boasts an image quality boost. It features a triple AI chipset, enhancing image processing and enabling new features we’ll explore shortly. Additionally, the Insta360 X5 has a larger 1/1.28-inch sensor, 144% bigger than the X4’s 1/2-inch sensor. This translates to better footage, especially in low-light conditions. The X5 introduces PureVideo, seen in other Insta360 cameras, allowing filming in dimly lit environments with well-exposed footage. The video quality is impressive, even in challenging conditions.

Here’s a low-light comparison between the X4 and X5. Footage from the X4 is grainy, noisy, and poorly exposed, making it nearly unusable. In contrast, the X5’s PureVideo footage is a night-and-day difference—nicely exposed with good detail, making it usable for low-light scenarios.

Additional Hardware Features

This year, the X5 supports magnetic mounting alongside the standard quarter-twenty mount. It’s fully compatible with magnetic mounts from the Ace Pro series, making it easy to switch between mounts like chest, handlebar, or extension pole setups, especially in single-lens mode.

The battery has been significantly upgraded to a 2400mAh capacity, offering 185 minutes of recording time—37% more than the X4. It also supports quick charging, reaching 80% from 0% in about 20 minutes. A built-in wind guard reduces wind noise in scenarios like motorcycle or bike filming, with adjustable weak or strong settings for optimal audio.

The X5 supports USB-C microphones and Bluetooth audio, compatible with devices like the DJI Mic 2 or Mic Mini. A new feature allows capture initiation by double-twisting the camera on an extension pole, starting or stopping recording with another twist. The X5 also supports hand gestures, voice control, and a new charging graphic showing percentage, improved thermals for cooler operation, a redesigned settings page, and an endurance mode for extended recording.

Revolutionary Capture and Export

The most impressive upgrades are in how we capture and export footage. Reframing spherical video used to be time-consuming and frustrating, especially for new users, despite tools like Deep Track and AI tracking. The X5 introduces InstaFrame, building on the previous Me Mode. InstaFrame records a flat, instantly shareable video while simultaneously capturing a spherical video. You can set parameters for the flat video, like fixed front, rear, top, or bottom views, or a selfie view to keep you centered. It also supports barrel rolls or 360 spins and is compatible with the mini remote to change angles or initiate effects during recording.

Here’s an example of InstaFrame in action: I recorded on my dirt bike with the camera mounted in front, set to selfie mode. The flat video keeps me centered and is ready to share, while the spherical video allows creative reframing later. This flexibility eliminates the need to choose between flat and 360 video.

Another new app feature, Dewarp, reduces the warping associated with 360 video, though it’s not available in all perspectives, like ultra-wide views. The X5 also supports single-lens 4K mode for traditional action camera use.

Export and App Enhancements

Exporting 360 footage has been streamlined. Previously, centering yourself in a spherical video required time-consuming deep tracking or manual keyframing. Now, you can select a selfie or front-facing view and export without tracking or keyframing—the app keeps you locked in. The app still offers AI editing and Dewarp to reduce distortion.

The gallery has been updated for easier content navigation. Thumbnails now prioritize human subjects, making it simple to identify videos at a glance. The Insta360 app, redesigned for the X5, streamlines editing and exporting, making the process more intuitive.

Size and Weight

Compared to the X4, the X5 has a nearly identical footprint and is slightly lighter at 199 grams versus 203 grams.

Conclusion

That’s the Insta360 X5! I’ll create separate videos covering the app’s functionality and editing techniques, so stay tuned if you’re interested. This video was a first impression and introduction. Hopefully, you found it valuable. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next one!