Is 4k Enough For Insta360 X5 Camera See The Shocking Difference

Insta360 already started in pole position with the brilliant X4, but has made some significant improvements to stay ahead of the game. These are a combination of subtle improvements that all mount up – battery life, 5.7K 60fps mode, new image sensors, more rugged glass, and better sound systems. It might not tempt me to upgrade from my X4, but were I coming to 360-degree new, this would make me very happy indeed! Impressive performance even in low light 8K 360-degree video beats the competition Resolution hasn't increased from X4 (but is 8K)

Removable lens guards are extra cost (were included in X4 standard bundle) 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...

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 (11,904x5,952) and 18-megapixel (5,888x2,944) 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. All of the videos embedded in this review are 1080p or 4K, so if they look low-resolution, try adjusting the quality using the cog icon.

The Insta360 X5 ($549.99) is the latest in the company's ever-expanding range of 360-degree and action cameras. While the core shooting specifications remain largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Insta360 X4 ($499.99), the X5 has larger image sensors, user-replaceable lenses, improved waterproofing, a new wind guard, and longer battery life. Its mobile and desktop apps have received facelifts and added a number of AI-powered templates for swiftly editing and exporting stills and video. The X5 is a staggeringly versatile creative tool that can produce remarkable outputs with little effort, or breathtaking ones if you're willing to learn how to get the most from it, earning it our... The standard version of the Insta360 X5 costs $549.99 and includes the camera, a USB-C cable, a soft case, and a lens cloth. The Essentials Bundle ($659.99) adds an additional battery, a fast charge case, a hard carry case, a lens cap, lens guards, and a 44.9-inch version of the Invisible Selfie Stick that Insta360 is famous...

The camera's software recognizes the selfie stick and erases it (although shadows often betray its presence), which makes for the top-down, over-the-shoulder, and birds-eye view footage Insta360 products are known for. Insta360 offers a range of accessory bundles for the X5, as it does for its other cameras. These include mounts for bicycles and motorcycles, body and head straps, and diving cases and floatation devices. Visually, the X5 is little changed from the X4. It has the same pair of lenses on the front and rear for 360-degree image and video capture, and largely the same button layout. However, the ribbed front of the X4 has been replaced by a geometric pattern, and instead of a pinhole microphone, the X5 has a new, hexagonal wind guard covering the front-facing microphone.

On the rear, the touch screen has increased in size from 2.5 inches on the X4 to 2.7 inches on the X5. Insta360 doesn't supply resolution or brightness metrics for the display, but it's more than bright enough for outdoor use even in bright sunlight. In this Insta360 X5 review, we dive deep into whether this new 360 camera truly lives up to the expectations set by its predecessors. With extensive side-by-side testing against the X4, Qoocam 3 Ultra, and even the iPhone 16 Pro, we explore image quality, stabilization, low-light performance, and more to determine if the upgrade is worth your investment. The Insta360 X5 has generated considerable buzz in the 360 camera community. But does it truly live up to the hype?

In this detailed review, we will explore the X5’s performance in various real-world scenarios, comparing it against its predecessors—the X4 and Qoocam 3 Ultra—as well as the iPhone 16 Pro. From image quality to low-light performance, we’ll dissect every aspect to help you determine if this camera is worth your investment. When it comes to image quality, the Insta360 X5 stands out, especially in fully automatic mode. Right off the bat, it delivers superior highlight retention, clean shadows, and minimal noise compared to its competitors. The X4 and Qoocam 3 Ultra, both capable of 8K, show similar sharpness, but the X5 edges ahead in overall quality. Interestingly, while the X5 performs admirably, the Qoocam 3 Ultra slightly outperforms it in sharpness, evident when zooming into text or intricate details.

However, the X5’s advantages become clear when considering chromatic aberration and highlight handling. The Qoocam 3 Ultra exhibits some noticeable aberration, particularly in high-contrast areas, which compromises its realism. One of the major selling points of the X5 is its HDR capability at 5.7K and 60fps. However, this “HDR” feature is misleading. Upon closer inspection of the raw files, it becomes clear that the X5 still operates within 8-bit color and is not true HDR as defined by industry standards. I know you've probably watched every review of the Insta360 X5 on YouTube by now — most of which were sponsored by the exact same company they were reviewing.

And let’s be real, many of them weren’t honestly evaluating whether this camera is actually better than what we had before. Well, I’ve reviewed every single 360 camera Insta360 has ever released. And not once have I accepted sponsorship for one of my reviews - which I firmly believe is unethical. In this post, I’ll share my honest, unbiased, and unsponsored opinion of the X5 to help you decide whether you should buy it or wait for the next-generation camera to come out. To spoil this entire post upfront: I’ll say that the X5 is potentially the most flawless 360 camera I’ve ever reviewed and will be a very obvious upgrade for many of you. But don’t believe me just yet.

First, let’s evaluate the pros and cons so you can come to that conclusion on your own. In April 2024, Insta360 launched X4—our first consumer 8K 360 camera, which massively raised the bar for immersive capture. Now, just over a year later, the next-gen Insta360 X5 builds on that foundation with a powerful Triple AI Chip, PureVideo Mode for low light, and a whole lot more. As the US’ best-selling 360 camera brand for five consecutive years, our push into 8K has sparked questions: What does 8K actually mean for 360 video? How is it different from flat 8K? And is it really needed?

Let’s break it down. 360 cameras use two fisheye lenses that each capture more than 180 degrees. When the images from these two lenses are stitched together they form a complete 360 photo or video, as if the camera were at the center of a sphere. In 360 videography, resolution refers to the total pixel count of the spherical image. If you lay the image out flat to view in 2D on a computer or mobile device, it is typically presented in an equirectangular format with a 2:1 aspect ratio, for example: This is one way in which the concept of 8K in 360 videos differs from standard flat videos.

Evolving from the TV and film industries, flat videos typically have a 16:9 aspect ratio, with an 8K resolution of 7680×4320 and 3840×2160 in 4K. At $549.99, it’s got larger 1/1.28-inch sensors than the X4, letting you shoot 8K at 30fps, 5.7K at 60fps, or 4K at 100fps. The AI-powered PureVideo mode makes low-light shots clearer, and it handles 72MP photos well. It’s compact (4.90 x 1.81 x 1.50 inches, 7.05 ounces), with a 2.7-inch touchscreen and waterproofing up to 49ft. I like the replaceable lenses—if one gets scratched, just swap it. The 2400mAh battery lasts 185 minutes, and a triple-AI chip keeps things fairly fast.

Audio should be good with a wind guard that cuts noise during windy shoots, and the InstaFrame mode records 360° and flat video at once for quick sharing. The Insta360 app’s AI editing and stabilization are super user-friendly. The $659.99 Essentials Bundle adds handy extras like a selfie stick and extra battery. Insta360, the world’s best-selling 360° camera brand, is thrilled to announce Insta360 X5, its latest flagship camera. Combining groundbreaking image quality, rugged durability, and AI-powered ease of use, X5 sets a new benchmark for what 360° cameras can achieve. X5's larger 1/1.28" sensors and lightning-fast Triple AI Chip system deliver a dramatic leap in image quality across all resolutions, including stunning 8K30fps 360° video.

With PureVideo, a new AI-powered low-light mode, X5 achieves crisp, cinematic footage in challenging lighting. Built for adventure, this is the toughest 360° camera ever. Its lenses are crafted from a new ultra-durable glass, while a first-of-its-kind replaceable lens system sets a new standard for the industry, allowing you to swap out damaged lenses on the go. Further hardware upgrades like a built-in wind guard, extended 3-hour battery life, and waterproofing to 49ft, make X5 the ultimate companion for active creators.

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