I Tried Insta360’s New X5 360 Camera. It’s Full of Impressive Upgrades
Insta360 has a new top-of-the-line 360 camera, the X5, that can record 8K video, capture 72-megapixel still images, all in a sphere around the palm-size camera. It’s an upgrade from the X4, currently my pick for best 360 camera, and from what I’ve experienced so far, the X5 could potentially dethrone it.
The headline improvement of the $550 X5 over the X4 is its larger, 1/1.28-inch image sensors. The X4 had 1/2-inch sensors; generally speaking, larger sensors absorb more light for better images at night or indoors. Insta360 saves you from doing the math and describes the new sensors as “144% larger.” These are larger than the 1/1.7-inch ones found in the Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra, my current pick for best 360 camera for picture quality. There’s also faster processing in the X5, thanks to a new “Triple AI Chip system” that Insta360 says reduces noise and improves image quality.
“Tiny Planet” photos are one option possible with 360 cameras. This one was taken with the X5 at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Other improvements include a built-in wind guard for better audio outside, an “AI-powered” low-light mode and “ultradurable” glass lenses (always a concern with 360 cameras). The lenses are also user-replaceable, which is a huge benefit for anyone like me who has toasted a 360 camera with an ill-timed, or perhaps ill-advised, lens-ruining shot.
The photo and video resolutions stay the same compared to the X4. For video, there’s 8K30 and 5.7K60 or 5.7K30 HDR. Interestingly, the maximum bit rate is slightly lower, 180 Mbps to the X4’s 200, but we’ll have to see if that’s noticeable or perhaps offset because of the larger image sensors. You can take 72-megapixel (11,904×5,952) and 18-megapixel (5,888×2,944) still images. The latter can be used in the app to create swoopy animated short videos that work well on social media. The battery is marginally bigger, 2,400-mAh versus 2,290-mAh, which Insta360 says gets you a few extra minutes of 8K recording.
I’m working on CNET’s full review, but I’ve had an X5 for a few days and I’ve been checking it out. It’s basically the same size and weight as the X4. You’ll feel right at home here if you’ve used the X4 (or X3 or X2). The X4’s big touchscreen carries over, and with a few taps or swipes, you can access all the camera’s major features and modes. While Insta360 says there’s faster processing with the X5, it still takes a moment to process and save an HDR image. It didn’t feel particularly faster than the X4. However, this is running prelaunch firmware, and Insta360 is very good at updating its cameras regularly.
The X5 is just as easy to use as the X4, connecting quickly to your phone and swiftly transferring photos and videos. Like the X4, only the 18-megapixel photo option can be animated. I was hoping that with all the additional processing, the 72-megapixel option would have at least some animation options. Photos and videos, some of which you see here, look vibrant and detailed. The benefit of the larger sensors will likely be most noticeable at night, something I’ll be testing for our upcoming review.
There’s a new and potentially interesting mode called InstaFrame. With this mode, the camera records two separate video files. The first is a flat video you can share on social media without additional editing. It can be a fixed view or a selfie shot that tracks you in the frame. At the same time, it will record a 360-degree video that you can edit later for a different view. This mode maxes out at 5.7K30.
So, overall initial impressions? The X5 seems like an evolution of the X4, which is just fine since that’s the best 360 camera I’ve ever used. That’s saying a lot as I’ve used 360 cameras since they first came on the market. The X4 does just about everything right, and it seems the X5 will do all of that, plus better low-light performance and — on paper anyway — do it all a little faster. Look for my full review soon.
In addition to covering cameras and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.
Also, check out Budget Travel for Dummies, his book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-sized submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube.