The expert’s rating
Benefits
- Excellent video quality
- Good sound quality
- A large selection of accessories
- Good operation with large touch screen
- Gesture control
Disadvantages
- Instaframe video limited to 1080p
- iOS -App’s ui slightly overwhelming
Our judgment
With the new X5, the Insta360 has successfully created a versatile and powerful action camera.
Price when reviewed
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Best prices today
Price when reviewed
£ 519.99 Standard Bundle
Best prices today: Insta360 x5
£ 519.99
360-degree cameras detect the entire environment. This means that you never miss for a moment and can choose any angle afterwards. These cameras implement a process called reframing that allows you to create videos that look like you had another cameraman with you. The location of the camera is less critical, the operation is easier and the risk of lack of important moments is reduced.
360-degree action-Cams are very popular with mountain bikers and motorcyclists. Another application is virtual trips and interactive 360-degree images where you can move and look around in all directions with the mouse. This is perfect for sectors for travel, property and architecture.
But 360-degree action cameras are usually big and heavy, and editing the video is labor intensive. The Insta360 makes 360-degree videos a little easier to manufacture with its X5 model.
Insta360 x5: Camera technology
One of the most important features of the X5 is the larger sensor. It has two 1/1.28-inch sensors-it is 144 percent larger than the sensors in the previous model, X4. These larger sensors ensure better light yield, reduce image noise and improve image quality, especially under difficult lighting conditions.
The Insta360 has also improved the resolution to 8K by 30 frames per second. The new Triple AI -CHIP system with a 5NM AI -chip and two pro imaging chips offers more options for image optimization. This is also a prerequisite for good flow-state stabilization. Insta360 claims to have improved treatment force by 140 percent compared to the X4.
Video-noise reduction is an important point for all digital cameras and the X5 offers its AI supported PureVideo mode. The AI algorithms reduce the typical noise in dark situations, resulting in clearer images. Brightness and contrast are also optimized, which increases the dynamic range. The optimization takes place directly in the camera so no denoising on the computer is needed. The full resolution of 8K is also available in pure video mode.
Overall, the image quality with both day and evening pictures was excellent. The colors always remained natural and the sharpness was good.
A criticism of 360-degree action cams to date was that the 360-degree videos first had to be converted into the app to the rectangular “normal” video (flat video). The new Instaframe mode, on the other hand, simultaneously detects an instantly divisive “normal” video (flat video), either with a fixed direction or selfie view and a complete 360-degree video. This gives you the flexibility to edit and share your recordings later as you wish. However, the resolution of the Instaframe video is limited to 1080p.
Insta360 x5: Designed for action
An action comb should be robust. In this regard, the Insta360 X5 is by no means subordinate to conventional cameras. It is waterproof up to a depth of 15 meters, which enables underwater recordings. If you want to dive deeper, you can find a suitable dive dive housing at a camera trading. Its lenses are made of special resistant glass, and an integrated windshield promises clear sound even when cycling.
An often mentioned problem with 360-degree cameras is the protruding lens. The Insta360 has developed a replaceable lens system that allows damaged lenses to be replaced quickly and easily. There are also protective lenses that can be slid over them.
Insta360 X5: Intelligent Operation and Treatment
Operating problems are inevitable if you take action shots – handling a camera with all your equipment makes it challenging. To tackle this, the Insta360 offers a variety of remote controls, such as the Mini remote control or GPS remote control, which can be mounted on the handlebars. But it also works by using hand movements and voice control. Gesture control works well, but motorcyclists are better off using a remote control, as gloves with gloves are not always reliably recognized.
With the new “Twist to Shoot” feature, you can also start shooting by simply turning the selfie stick. The display 5.3 x 3.4 centimeters also provides good access to the settings and an equally good preview of the videos.
The Insta360 delivers two apps for editing: the comprehensive editing software, Insta360 Studio for MAC and the iOS app for quick editing and remote triggering. Apps have a customized range of features and deliver quick results. Especially the iOS app is characterized by wizards and automatic editing. This makes it possible to place results quickly on social media. However, the wide range of features of the iOS app also requires intensive confidentiality with the sometimes overloaded user interface.
With Insta360, there is now also a paid cloud service that allows you to save clips, edited and divided directly into the cloud. It starts at $ 2.99/£ 2.99 per Month or $ 29.99/£ 28.99 per Year for 200 GB of storage space. The top price is $ 11.99/£ 9.99 per Month or $ 119.99/£ 99.99 per Year for 2 tb storage space. The larger annual subscription plans also include a replacement camera in the event of a defect. An extended warranty is always included in the Insta360.
Insta360 x5: Accessories
Although the X5 has a battery life of up to three hours, an extra battery is not a bad investment. The multifunctional quick charging case, where two batteries can be charged at the same time, is also worth considering. The case also provides a protected place for three MicroSD cards.
If you are interested in both, the Insta360 X5 Essentials is a good choice. In addition to the other battery and the multifunctional quick charging case, it also includes a few protective lenses, a 114-centimeters-long selfie stick, a lens protector and a carrying bag.
Anyone looking for robust protection for use on a motorcycle finds what they are looking for in the multifunctional frame. This can be compared to a camera course and gives way to additional accessories such as a light and microphone. And while we are the subject of motorcycles: there is now an improved motorcycle mounting with a U-bracket. The robust clamp is also sufficient for mountain bikes.
In addition to mounting accessories, microphones and a motorcyclists communication system can also be combined with the Insta360 X5. For example, the DJI Mic Mini and the popular Packtalk Edge from Cardo that I love to use on my motorcycle. The Insta360 MIC Air, a compact Bluetooth microphone with an integrated button for recording control, is also very exciting.
Anyone who has ever experienced Action Cam flying off during a motorcycle tour will be assured that the lenses can now be replaced. A lens cover is not always a solution as it often reduces image quality.
Should you buy insta360 x5?
With the new Insta360 X5, the 360-degree specialist has taken a big step forward. Even if you want a smaller house, the benefits of the big sensors outweigh the disadvantages. Improved resolution, much better noise handling and a larger dynamic range are welcome improvements in practice. The higher computing power and the resulting improved AI-supported image processing play a not insignificant part in this.
All in all, the Insta360 X5 is a good toy that shines with the best image quality currently available in 360-degree action cams and provides opportunities for vloggers and action sports enthusiasts, making each video a peak. With all the good video features, don’t forget the very good image quality for 360-degree photos, which is ideal for virtual trips.
Insta360
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and located from German.