Review: Insta360 X5
Insta360 launched its 8K X5 360 camera late last April, and it’s been billed as the ultimate one-shot handheld 360 camera.
In Australia, the Standard Bundle (camera only) sells for AU$930, while the Ultimate Creator Bundle (as tested) costs AU$1,147 and includes the Bullet Time selfie stick, Quick Reader and Mic Air.
We previously reviewed the X5’s slightly scaled-down sibling, the X4 Air, which costs almost $300 less. With that in mind, we put the X5 through its paces to see whether it justifies the extra spend and lives up to its star billing.
The tech
Available in black or white, the X5 captures 8K 360 video at 30fps, 5.7K (upscaled 5K) at 60fps, 5.7K at 30fps with HDR, 4K at up to 100fps, and 4K at 60fps in single-lens mode. It can also shoot 11K 360 timelapse video and 72MP 360 still images.
In addition to standard and HDR video, shooting modes include PureVideo for low light, Starlapse, Timelapse, Bullet Time and more. Still image modes include Standard, RAW, HDR, AEB, Starlapse and PureShot.
The camera weighs 200g and measures 124.5 x 46 x 26.2mm (body only). Connectivity includes USB-C, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, along with a standard ¼-20 tripod thread.
Hardware highlights include two replaceable fisheye lenses, a fixed f/2 aperture, dual 1/1.28-inch sensors, two Pro imaging chips and a dedicated AI chip. The X5 uses a removable battery, records to microSD cards, is waterproof to 15 metres, and features a 2.7-inch touchscreen.
In use
Having used several Insta360 cameras, I found the X5 slightly more complex than earlier single front-button models, though it doesn’t take long to adjust.
Overall usability is very good, and the larger screen is a welcome upgrade, although it can feel a little oversensitive at times, particularly with larger hands.
Pairing and using the wireless Mic Air is seamless, and it can also be used to trigger recording. I’ve also been using the Insta360 ND32 filters, which clip on easily and are auto-detected by the camera.
They help slow the shutter in bright conditions, though true long exposures are limited to one second. That said, you can work around this by using Starlapse mode.
Image quality
Video quality in auto mode is generally very good, but for best results I’d recommend manual or semi-manual shooting. HDR video performs well in the right scenarios, while PureVideo noticeably improves low-light and night footage.
In auto, it can sometimes over-brighten scenes, so manual control is preferable, although some settings are unavailable in this mode.
The 11K timelapse video mode is particularly useful, though I’d strongly recommend using a tripod rather than a selfie stick. The X5 records 8-bit video at up to 180Mb/s and offers a flat profile, but in practice I found the standard profile more reliable.
Still image quality is very good. Although Insta360 quotes 72MB stills, files typically landed between 15 and 25MB in my testing, which is still a noticeable step up from the X4 Air. PureShot does smooth close-up faces, particularly in mixed lighting, but it also handles noise well.
The results
Build quality: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robust and solid overall, and far from a lightweight.
Image quality: ★ ★ ★ ★
Very strong still and video quality for a 360 camera, with impressive low-light performance given the sensor size.
Value for money: ★ ★ ★ ★
The price is hard to fault given the performance, replaceable lenses and range of accessories. It only loses half a point thanks to the excellent value offered by the X4 Air.
The wrap-up
The X5 is a very capable camera and largely lives up to its reputation. Once you invest the time to understand its shooting modes, manual controls and best practices within the mobile and desktop apps, it can deliver excellent results, and those apps remain one of Insta360’s biggest advantages over competing brands.
The price is fair, though it inevitably makes the X4 Air look like even better value. If you don’t need higher-resolution stills, improved low-light performance or extra manual control, the X4 Air remains a strong choice.
If you want the best results and more flexibility, the X5 is a solid buy.
