Insta360 X5 Review: Greatly improved 360-degree action cam

Insta360 is one of the pioneers in the field of 360-degree cameras with its X series. With the Ace Pro 2, Insta360 already has a powerful 8K webcam in its portfolio, and now the Insta360 X5 is a greatly improved version of the X4 that aims to impress with larger sensors, better image quality and more intuitive operation. Our test clarifies whether this is successful.

Technical data

Product:	X5
Dimensions:	46 × 124.5 × 38.2 mm
Weight:	Camera & battery: 200g
Sensor:	1/1.28 inch (f/2.0)
Video modes:	Video mode: 8K: 7680 x 3840 @ 30/25/24 fps 5.7K+: 5760 x 2880 @ 30/25/24 fps 5.7K: 5760 x 2880 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24 fps 4K: 3840 x 1920 @ 120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24 fpsInstaFrame mode: 5,7K+: 30/25/24 5,7K: 30/25/24 1080p: 30/25/24PureVideo: 8K: 7680 x 3840 @ 30/25/24 fps 5,7K: 30/25/24 4K: 30/25/24
Photo modes:	72 MP (11904 x 5952) 18 MP (5888 x 2944)
Format:	Video: INSV; mp4 Photo: INSP; DNG
Audio:	48 kHz; 16 bit, AAC
Battery:	Lithium-ion, 2,400 mAh
Connectivity:	USB-C 3.0 , WLAN, Bluetooth 5.2, microSD slot
Waterproof:	Up to 12m (without protective housing); Up to 60m (with protective housing)
Price:	€ 589.99 *

Insta360 X5 Review: design and workmanship

sits very well in the hand, but…
… noticeably larger than action cams
waterproof, well thought-out design

The Insta360 X5 presents itself in a familiar and proven format: it adopts the elongated, rectangular “chocolate bar” design of the X4, which keeps it pleasantly compact despite its extended range of functions.

The central 2.5-inch touchscreen is easy to read and remains usable even in direct sunlight. The touchscreen responds smoothly, even if operation with wet or gloved fingers remains difficult – a well-known problem with action cams. Nevertheless, the manufacturer has also been able to improve the responsiveness of the screen here.

What clearly sets the X5 apart from its predecessor, however, is its greatly improved robustness. It is IP68-certified and can dive to a depth of up to 15 meters without an additional housing. The manufacturer also promises twice the shock resistance of the X4 – a strong argument for outdoor use.

The introduction of interchangeable lens protectors is particularly innovative. These can be easily unscrewed and replaced in the event of scratches or cracks – a feature that was previously rarely found on 360° cameras and makes the camera more sustainable and cost-efficient in the long term.

Despite the new sensors and chips, the weight remains relatively low at around 200 grams. Nevertheless, the 360° camera is of course considerably larger and heavier than classic action cams. This is simply due to its technical nature and should be taken into account before buying.

The overall finish is of high quality: rubberized surfaces ensure a good grip, the USB-C port is waterproof, and the modular design makes maintenance and accessory use uncomplicated. There is a 1/4-inch thread on the underside for screwing the Insta360 X5 onto a tripod or selfie stick.

The only thing that annoys me a little is that the microSD card slot is located behind the battery. If you frequently remove the card, for example to transfer videos and photos to the PC, you always have to remove the battery first. I would have found the slot next to the USB-C port more useful, but that’s fine.

Improved, intuitive operation

Intuitive operation
Very high responsiveness
ingenious InstaFrame mode; with limitations

Operating the Insta360 X5 is extremely easy and accessible for beginners and professionals alike. The menu navigation has been slightly revised compared to the X4, is now much more logical and can be accessed more quickly. The response times of the operating system have also been greatly improved, which, in combination with the new triple AI processor, results in a much smoother user experience overall.

From making the image settings to taking the final shot, operations can be carried out very quickly and intuitively. This is of course very practical in outdoor use, when every second can count.

One outstanding new feature is the InstaFrame mode. This allows 360° recordings to be automatically converted into classic video formats in the camera – such as 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for TikTok. Users can choose from various perspective presets, including a static “Selfie View”, a moving “MegaView” or dynamic subject tracking. This saves valuable time in post-production and makes the camera particularly interesting for content creators who want to share content quickly.

Conveniently, with InstaFrame you get the full 360-degree recordings in addition to the flat, ready-made videos, so you get two videos at once. Perfect for never missing a moment. However, there is a limitation in terms of resolution: 360-degree recordings are saved in a maximum of 5.7K, while the flat videos are saved in a maximum of 1080p – absolutely sufficient for social networks.

Another highlight is the improved voice control: voice commands are now recognized faster and more precisely, even with moderate background noise. The camera can also be paired with the smartphone app or an optional remote control via Bluetooth, which makes it much easier to control during action. Alternatively, operation via gesture control is also possible, which also works very precisely and reliably.

App and software

Intuitive software, but…
… steep learning curve
convincing PC software

As with previous models, the software – in particular the Insta360 app – plays a central role in the use of the Insta360 X5. The app is available for both iOS and Android and offers a sophisticated mix of ease of use and powerful tools.

The interface is clearly laid out and enables fast browsing through recordings, precise reframing and the use of AI-supported effects. A new feature here is the AI automation for highlight clips, where the system recognizes which parts of a video are particularly exciting or visually impressive and automatically creates edited shorts from them.

The seamless connection to the camera is generally fast and stable, and live previewing also works smoothly – albeit with a slight delay at higher resolutions. Advanced users can continue to use the Insta360 Studio software for PC or Mac, which offers more control when editing, especially when working with LOG profiles or RAW photos.

The ability to publish videos directly within the app – whether on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or YouTube – is also particularly noteworthy. The app exports clips in the desired aspect ratio and format, including watermarks and branding templates for creators. This allows you to load videos into the app as a one-stop solution, adapt them and publish them directly without having to go through other apps.

Battery life of the Insta360 X5

Mixed battery life
low charging time
noticeable heat development

The Insta360 X5 is powered by a 2400 mAh battery, which can be replaced if necessary – a clear advantage over cameras with a permanently installed energy storage unit. In practice, the camera offers a runtime of around 80 to 90 minutes when recording in maximum quality of 8K (30 fps), which is a good performance given the enormous amount of data and the power requirements.

If you prefer, you can also switch to the new Endurance mode, in which non-essential functions are simply deactivated to extend the battery life. However, you can then only record in 5K at 30 fps, but the battery will then last for around 3-4 hours.

However, the battery life is heavily dependent on usage behavior. If you frequently work in preview mode, stream via Wi-Fi or constantly switch between modes, you can expect a significantly shorter runtime. The recording time is also reduced in PureVideo mode, which is particularly CPU-intensive.

However, especially in warm outdoor temperatures or particularly long recordings, there is a noticeable build-up of heat on the housing. Although the X5 does not overheat and does not switch off automatically, the housing does get very hot during long 8K recordings. It’s best to have a spare battery with you and plan breaks for the cam to cool down.

The charging time has been significantly improved: a fully discharged battery charges from 0 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes and is fully charged in around 35 minutes. This is extremely fast and a real game changer for on the go.

Image quality of the Insta360 X5

outstanding image quality
very good dynamic range
very good stabilization

The most important innovation of the Insta360 X5 is undoubtedly on the inside – in the form of the two 1/1.28-inch sensors, which are around 144% larger than those of the X4, which broke it down to 1/2-inch. In practice, this means: more light yield, better dynamic range, less noise – and a visibly higher image quality in almost every situation.

The revolutionary 5 nm AI chip, which already powers the X4 and the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, remains at the heart of the X5. However, it is now complemented by two professional image processing chips, creating a customized triple AI chip system. With 140 percent more processing power than the X4, you can now record 360° footage in 5.7K at 60 fps with Active HDR and in 8K at 30 fps in PureVideo mode.

The X5 is particularly powerful in the new PureVideo mode, which uses an AI algorithm to reduce noise and optimize colors. The result is particularly clear, detailed images in indoor lighting, twilight or even at night. The camera even masters difficult lighting conditions with backlighting or a high contrast range with ease.

The camera is also impressive when it comes to photography. The resolution is 72 megapixels in 360° mode, RAW is supported, as are HDR shots. The new lens design produces less chromatic aberration and lens reflections. It is also possible to film in LOG profile, which offers professionals significantly more freedom in post-production.

FlowState image stabilization is still one of the best on the market. Even with fast movements – such as snowboarding, biking or racing – the camera delivers a pleasantly smooth image. The sound has also been improved: the X5 uses several microphones with integrated wind protection, which isolates speech better and makes ambient noise clearer.

Insta360 X5 Review: Conclusion

The Insta360 X5 is an outstanding 360-degree action cam that has improved significantly compared to its direct predecessor, especially from a technical perspective. The larger sensor in particular ensures even better image quality, especially in difficult lighting conditions. Another great feature is the InstaFrame mode, which gives you a 360-degree video and a finished clip for social media.

Combined with the robust design, this results in a coherent overall package for action shots, travel or solo content. Only the battery life could be a little longer, while editing 360-degree videos has a fairly steep learning curve.