Insta360 Drops New AI-Powered X5 Action Cam

Powder aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

A decade ago, action sports filming was dominated by one brand, arguably the inventor of the POV "action cam." That brand was GoPro, and pretty much anyone who ever spent time at a ski area, a mountain bike trail, or a beach had likely seen one. A few years ago, a second player entered the game that challenged the status quo: Insta360. The brand out of Shenzhen, China, the country's "Silicon Valley," has gone all-in on 360-degree action cams, and has since become a major force in action sports videography.

Insta360 just debuted their latest camera, the all-new Insta360 X5. It builds directly on the existing X4 camera, which we recently reviewed here, to deliver even greater image quality and in-the-field usability for skiers, mountain bikers, and other action sports creators. As you might expect with a new camera release, it seems all the specs have been upgraded, and an AI-powered three-chip internal processing system promises to reduce noise in low light, boost color, and make footage look sharper, more vivid, and better than ever before.

Full Insta360 X5 Camera Specs:

• Sensor Size: 1/1.28"
• Lens Aperture: f/2.0
• Focal Length: 6mm
• Video Resolution: up to 8K - 7680x3840@30/25/24fps (5K @ 60fps and 4K @ 120fps)
• Photo Resolution: up to 72MP
• ISO Range: 100-6400
• Shutter Speed: 1/8000 - 120s (photo) and 1/8000 - fps limit (video)
• Weight: 200g
• Battery Capacity: 2400 mAh (USB-C charge)
• Dimensions: 46x124.5x38.2mm
• Storage: MicroSD

Despite the admittedly strange looks of skiing around with a tall vertical camera strapped to your helmet (unicorn-style?), I will say the footage from Insta360's past cameras has undoubtedly been stunning. Moreover, I've found it's far easier to actually get good shots with these compared to a more traditional action cam like a GoPro. That's simply because orientation and framing doesn't matter thanks to the 360-degree field of view. All you have to do is mount the camera wherever you want, hit record, and it does all the hard work for you.

The editing software takes a second to get used to, but once I figured out how to use the Insta360 mobile app, I've found it to be quite intuitive to edit and share clips with, something echoed by Matt Lorelli when he tested the previous X4 camera. 

On the new Insta360 X5 camera, some stated specs that stand out are larger 1/1.28-inch sensors, the ability to capture 8K30fps 360-degree video, and a new mode called InstaFrame that saves both 360-degree video and pre-framed flat 180-degree video for each recording. Those image quality numbers are pretty impressive for an action camera, plus the ability to save two files should make editing and exporting footage quicker and easier.

Other features include a built-in wind guard and improved audio algorithm, a longer lasting and faster-charging battery that supports over three hours of recording, IP68 waterproofing to 49ft (15m), and easily replaceable glass lens covers.

As part of the X5 launch, Insta360 has also revamped their editing software, including both the mobile app and the Insta360 Studio desktop software. 

The new camera retails at $549.99, and is available on Amazon, Insta360.com and select retailers.