{"id":34977,"date":"2026-07-02T13:49:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macysdigital.com\/?p=34977"},"modified":"2026-09-02T11:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T11:17:30","slug":"insta360-x5-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.macysdigital.com\/en\/insta360-x5-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Insta360 X5: an honest review and comparison with the X4 and GoPro Hero 13"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Insta360 X5 is the best 360\u00b0 camera on the consumer market in 2026. It features a larger sensor, 8K video, PureVideo mode for low-light conditions and interchangeable lenses. But is it the camera you need? This review explains when the X5 is worth it compared to its predecessor, the X4, and the GoPro Hero 13, and what sort of content creators it\u2019s really designed for.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The key point in a sentence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Insta360 X5 is the right choice if you\u2019re filming complex action where you can\u2019t point the camera \u2014 motorcycling, parkour, skiing, vlogging without a tripod \u2014 and you\u2019re willing to invest time in learning how to edit. If you\u2019re filming sports with a clear direction and prefer a plug-and-play approach, a GoPro Hero 13 will serve you better for less money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price at Macys Digital Tenerife: \u20ac539<\/strong> (can be booked)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insta360 X5 Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>Insta360 X5<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Sensor<\/strong><\/td>Dual 1\/1.28\u2033 CMOS<\/td><\/tr>
Maximum 360\u00b0 video<\/strong><\/td>8K at 30fps \u00b7 5.7K at 60fps<\/td><\/tr>
Widescreen video<\/strong><\/td>4K at 120fps<\/td><\/tr>
Photo<\/strong><\/td>72 MP (360\u00b0) \u00b7 18 MP (single-lens)<\/td><\/tr>
Stabilisation<\/strong><\/td>FlowState + 360\u00b0 Horizon Lock<\/td><\/tr>
Submersible<\/strong><\/td>IP68, up to 15 m without a casing<\/td><\/tr>
Screen<\/strong><\/td>2.5\u2033 touchscreen LCD<\/td><\/tr>
Battery<\/strong><\/td>2,400 mAh \u00b7 up to 185 mins in 5.7K power-saving mode<\/td><\/tr>
Audio<\/strong><\/td>Built-in microphone with wind cancellation + USB-C external microphone support<\/td><\/tr>
Connectivity<\/strong><\/td>Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2<\/td><\/tr>
Interchangeable lenses<\/strong><\/td>Yes, modular system<\/td><\/tr>
AI chip<\/strong><\/td>Triple AI (low-light enhancement, stabilisation, editing)<\/td><\/tr>
PureVideo mode<\/strong><\/td>Yes (improved low-light performance)<\/td><\/tr>
InstaFrame<\/strong><\/td>Yes (records 360\u00b0 and standard view simultaneously)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>200 g<\/td><\/tr>
Price at Macy\u2019s<\/strong><\/td>539\u20ac<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What makes the Insta360 X5 special<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three things that set the X5 apart from any other 360-degree camera on the market:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. 1\/1.28\u2033 sensor (larger than any previous 360 model)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The move from the X4\u2019s 1\/2\u2033 sensor to the 1\/1.28\u2033 on the X5<\/strong> This is evident in two critical situations: low light<\/strong> (it occurs much less frequently indoors, at sunset and in shaded areas) and dynamic range<\/strong> (greater detail in both light and dark areas simultaneously). For creators who film journeys in changing light conditions, this is a game-changer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. PureVideo mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The PureVideo<\/strong> This is the AI-powered low-light mode. It reduces noise whilst preserving detail, enhances sharpness in dark areas and renders colours naturally. It works in dimly lit interiors, at sunset, in urban night scenes and underwater. The X4 already had a similar mode, but the X5 takes it to a whole new level thanks to the triple AI chip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Modular interchangeable lenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The X5 debuts a system that removable and replaceable lenses<\/strong>. If you scratch a lens (which can easily happen with 360-degree cameras that get knocked about), you simply replace it rather than bin the camera. The Premium (~\u20ac50) and Standard (~\u20ac33) lens protectors are almost essential accessories right from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy lens protectors for the Insta360 X5 at Macy\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. InstaFrame: two videos in one recording<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The mode InstaFrame<\/strong> It records both the full 360\u00b0 video and a traditional widescreen shot simultaneously. This is useful for content creators who want both the immersive version and the \u00abnormal\u00bb version without having to record twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Improved audio with support for an external microphone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The X5 features built-in microphones with improved wind noise cancellation and, most importantly, supports an external microphone via a USB-C adapter<\/strong>. For vlogs or on-location interviews, this is the difference between amateur and professional audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insta360 X5 vs X4: is it worth upgrading?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The X4 was launched in 2024 and the X5 in 2025. It is a recent generation \u2014 the changes are significant but not revolutionary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature<\/th>Insta360 X4<\/th>Insta360 X5<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Sensor<\/strong><\/td>1\/2\u2033<\/td>1\/1.28\u2033 (larger)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Maximum 360\u00b0 video<\/strong><\/td>8K at 30fps<\/td>8K at 30fps<\/td><\/tr>
Widescreen video<\/strong><\/td>4K at 100fps<\/td>4K at 120fps<\/td><\/tr>
Low-light mode<\/strong><\/td>Active HDR<\/td>PureVideo (better)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Interchangeable lenses<\/strong><\/td>\u274c No<\/td>\u2705 Yes<\/td><\/tr>
AI chip<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Triple AI (more powerful)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Submersible<\/strong><\/td>10 m<\/td>15 m<\/td><\/tr>
Screen<\/strong><\/td>2.5\u2033 touchscreen<\/td>2.5\u2033 touchscreen<\/td><\/tr>
InstaFrame<\/strong><\/td>\u274c No<\/td>\u2705 Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Battery<\/strong><\/td>2,290 mAh<\/td>2,400 mAh<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Should I upgrade from X4?<\/strong> Only if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n