Insta360 X5, full review: the 360° that sees at night!

After an X4 that had already set the bar very high with 8K, Insta360 returns with the Insta360 X5, a 360° camera that intends to push back the limits even further. What’s new in this new edition? Does the Insta360 X5 have what it takes to revolutionize the market once again? Is it the best 360° camera of 2025? And above all, should you fall for this new version? Answers in this article.

Insta360 X5: What you need to know

• New 1/1.28-inch sensors, 144% larger than those on the X4
• Enhanced image quality, especially in low light, thanks to PureVideo mode
• New modes: InstaFrame (immediately usable video) and PureVideo
• Increased autonomy: up to 185 min depending on settings
• Enhanced robustness: stronger glass, waterproof to 15 m (IP68)
• Launch price: €589.99 (standard pack)

👉 A measured but well-targeted evolution that makes the Insta360 X5 one of today’s best 360 cameras, especially for creators filming in all conditions.

Insta360 X5 : Design

Dimensions (W x H x D)	46 × 124.5 × 38.2 mm
Weight	200 g
Touch screen	2.5 inch
Storage	MicroSD card
Operating temperature	-20 ℃ à 40 ℃
Waterproofing	15 meters

At first glance, the Insta360 X5 looks just like the X4. It retains much of the design of its predecessor: the shape is identical, as is the 2.5″ touchscreen, the button layout, and the microSD slot conveniently positioned on the side.

The main evolution is aesthetic, with a new geometric pattern on the rear panel, more modern and textured. There’s also a change in placement: the USB-C port cover has been moved to the other side, just below the power button and the Q (quick menu) key.

The X5 is also more robust. The lens glass has been strengthened, offering twice the drop resistance. It is now IP68-certified, making it waterproof up to 15 meters – compared with 10 meters for the X4.

Another welcome new feature is that the lenses are now replaceable. Insta360 offers an affordable replacement kit, making it easy to change them if necessary – a first for this range.

Finally, the camera base now features locking points compatible with Insta360’s magnetic quick-release bracket. A handy option for quickly attaching and detaching the camera from your accessories, whether from the brand or another manufacturer (such as those using GoPro-type mounts, for example).

Insta360 X5 : Autonomy

Battery	2400 mAh
Autonomy	8K at 30 fps: 88 min 5.7K at 30 fps: 135 min 5.7K at 24 fps: 185 min
Charging time	80% in 20 min 100% in 35 min

With the X5, Insta360 packs a 2400 mAh battery, capable of up to 185 minutes of recording under the most economical conditions. This is a significant increase over the X4, with around 37% more autonomy.

As always, recording time depends on the resolution chosen: allow around 88 minutes in 8K at 30 fps, 135 minutes in 5.7K at 30 fps, and a maximum of 185 minutes in 5.7K at 24 fps.

As for recharging, the X5 supports fast charging: 80% in 20 minutes, and a full charge in around 35 minutes, provided you use a 9V/3A charger.

ℹ️ Please note: the Insta360 X5 battery is not compatible with the X4, and vice versa.

Insta360 X5 : Image

Sensors	1/1.28 inch
Objective	Aperture F2.0 6 mm equivalent
Photo resolution	72 MP (360°) 18 MP (single-lens)
Video resolution (360°)	Normal video: 8K up to 30 fps / 5.7K+ up to 30 fps / 5.7K up to 60 fps / 4K up to 120 fps InstaFrame mode: 5.7K+ up to 30 fps / 5.7K up to 30 fps / 1080p up to 30 fps PureVideo mode: 8K up to 30 fps / 5.7K up to 30 fps / 4K up to 30 fps
Video resolution (single-lens)	Normal video: 4K up to 60 fps / 2.7K up to 60 fps / 1080p up to 120 fps InstaFrame mode: 4K up to 30 fps / 2.7K up to 60 fps / 1080p up to 60 fps PureVideo mode: 4K up to 30 fps / 2.7K up to 120 fps / 1080p up to 120 fps
Photo format	INSP DNG
Video format	INSV (360°) MP4 (single-lens)
Color profiles	Bright Standard Flat
Maximum video bit rate	180 Mbps
ISO range	100 à 6400

Larger sensors

The Insta360 X5 evolves its capture system by integrating two 1/1.28-inch sensors, 144% larger than those of the X4.

Combined with three image processing chips, offering 140% more computing power, they enable more precise management of sharpness, digital noise and dynamic range, which now reaches 13.5 stops.

Resolutions up slightly

The X5 retains the X4’s flagship resolutions, with a few adjustments. We find 8K at 30 fps and 5.7K at 60 fps in 360°, while 4K rises slightly to 120 fps (compared to 100 previously). HDR mode has also been enhanced, and can now operate at up to 5.7K at 60 fps.

In single-lens mode, the camera offers 4K at 60 fps, 2.7K at 60 fps or 1080p at 120 fps, depending on the mode used (Normal Video, InstaFrame or PureVideo).

Improved image quality… especially in low light

In full light, the difference with the X4 is slight. The image remains very good, with a good level of detail, well-balanced colors and a wider dynamic range thanks to the new sensors. HDR mode proves effective in high-contrast scenes, preserving both bright areas and shadows.

It’s in low light that the X5 really stands out. Thanks to the larger sensors and PureVideo mode, the image gains in sharpness and exposure, and displays far less noise. The difference is striking: it’s literally night and day. 😉

ℹ️ Note: a flat color profile is also available for those who wish to rework colors in post-production with greater flexibility.

Insta360 X5 : Features

Photo modes	Photo (optional HDR), Interval, Starlapse, Burst
Video modes	360°: Video (Active HDR integrated), PureVideo, InstaFrame, Timelapse, TimeShift, Bullet Time, Loop recording, Road mode Single-lens: Video, FreeFrame video, Me mode, Loop recording
Audio modes	Automatic wind noise reduction (two levels), Voice enhancement, Stereo, 360° audio

An ever-growing variety of modes

The X5 includes most of the X4’s photo and video modes, such as Interval, Burst and Starlapse for photos, and Timelapse, TimeShift, Bullet Time and Video Loop for videos.

But two new features clearly stand out:

• PureVideo: a mode specially designed for low-light or night scenes, already mentioned in the section on images. It lets you record up to 8K at 30 fps, with optimized management of sharpness and digital noise. This is the mode of choice for shooting after sunset.
• InstaFrame: this mode records two videos in parallel: a classic 1080p video, ready to share without editing, and a 360° video that you can use later to enrich your montage with other angles of view. For the flat video, you can choose between a still view or a selfie. This is an ideal option for those who want both an immediate video to publish and a more complete version to rework later. A small limitation, however: in this mode, 360° video is limited to 5.7K at 30 fps, and classic video to 1080p.

Another new feature: in addition to gesture and voice control, the X5 now lets you trigger recording with a simple gesture, thanks to the Twist function. Simply rotate the selfie pole back and forth twice to start or stop recording, or take a photo.

Improved audio quality

In terms of sound, the X5 has also made progress. The microphones have been redesigned, with the addition of integrated windscreens that effectively limit unwanted blasts. Rendering is cleaner than with the X4, with less saturation, especially in windy environments. It’s obviously not up to the level of an external lapel microphone, but for a camera of this type, the result is quite good.

A more powerful mobile application

The Insta360 application is also evolving. Faster and more complete, it offers a wider choice of styles, templates and shooting options. AI-assisted automatic editing has also become more efficient. In just a few minutes, you can generate great videos directly from your phone, simply by selecting a few clips, a template and music from the built-in library.

Insta360 X5 : Price

Standard package	589,99 €	See on Amazon
Packs with accessories	From €628 to €769

The Insta360 X5 standard package is priced at €589.99, €30 more than the launch price of the X4. A moderate increase, justified by hardware upgrades: new sensors, improved image processing, better autonomy…

For those who want accessories, the brand offers 12 different packs, with prices ranging from €628 to €769.

• The most affordable package (€628) includes a 114 cm selfie pole and a protective lens cap – a simple but effective option for getting started.
• The most expensive pack (€769), dubbed the Invisible Diving Pack, includes a dive housing, floating handle, 114 cm selfie pole, lens cap and pole strap. It is aimed above all at outdoor and aquatic-oriented users.

Insta360 X5 conclusion: Should you give in?

The Insta360 X5 builds on the solid foundations of the X4 with a series of improvements that make it even more accomplished. The most notable of these are the new, larger sensors, which deliver better image quality, especially in low light – an area where the X4 showed its limitations.

Key developments include :

• 1/1.28-inch sensors,
• enhanced robustness (stronger glass, 15 m waterproofing),
• new PureVideo and InstaFrame modes,
• greater autonomy.

All this makes the X5 one of the best 360 cameras currently available, and undoubtedly the most versatile for demanding creators.

I already have the Insta360 X4, should I upgrade to the X5?

If you already have an X4 and are happy with it, there’s no need to change: it’s still an excellent camera. But if you often shoot in low light, or if the InstaFrame mode can really save you time in post-production, then the upgrade may clearly be justified.

💡 Wondering where the X5 comes from?
➡️ Insta360 X4 full review: 360° power in 8K
➡️ Also check out our Insta360 X3 vs X4 comparison to see the generational leap.

💡 Also worth reading
➡️ Also interested in traditional action cameras? Check out our Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Review.