Insta360 X5 vs GoPro: the action cam SINGULARITY is here

Will 360 cameras replace action cams the way smartphones replaced compact cameras?  The Insta360 X5 may be the coming of the action cam singularity.  Here’s my unpaid review and comparison against the Insta360 X4 and GoPro Hero 12 (same sensor as the Hero 13).

Insta360 X5 Specifications

The Action Cam Singularity

A lot of people used to have point-and-shoot cameras.  Although smartphones were convenient, dedicated point-and-shoot cameras had better photo and video quality. But smartphone photo and video quality kept getting better.  Around 2010, they got good enough to be comparable to point-and-shoot cameras, while being much more convenient to use.  Here’s a chart by Statista showing the sharp drop in compact cameras around 2010.

What does this have to do with 360 cameras and action cams?  360 cameras compete with traditional action cams like GoPro.  Both are used for vlogging and capturing action sports.  360 cameras capture an incredible third person view and you can use it to capture impossible drone-like shots.  But traditional action cameras have important advantages: they have better photo and video quality, they’re tougher, and they’re much simpler to use.

Enter the Insta360 X5.  It has an inexpensive replaceable lens.  Its video quality is close to a GoPro Hero 12 (which has the same sensor as the newest Hero 13), and even has better video quality than the Hero 12 at night.  And it’s as easy to use as a GoPro — you just hit record in the new Instaframe mode and it captures a 3rd person view straight out of the camera, no editing needed.

I can’t help but think that the X5 is the start of the action cam singularity — the point where it’s good enough to replace action cams for non-360 videos, while having all the advantages of 360.

Insta360 X5 vs GoPro Advantages

Insta360 X5 has many advantages over a traditional action cam such as a GoPro Hero.

• First, the X5 has incredible stabilization.  The X5 can be rotated in any direction while still appearing stable.  At the same time, X5’s stabilization does not require cropping the image unlike a GoPro, so there’s no deterioration in image quality when applying stabilization.
• Second, the X5 captures all angles simultaneously so you’ll never miss the shot regardless of where your camera is aimed.  You can even use the same video to create multiple versions focusing on different subjects such as a parent and a child or pet.
• Third, the X5 can capture an amazing third person view like an invisible flying camera.  Just attach a selfie stick to the X5 and the selfie stick disappears, making it look like the video was shot with a drone.
• Fourth, you can shoot without aiming, which lets you focus on having fun with your family and friends.  With limitless stabilization and the ability to capture everything around it, you don’t have to aim the X5 when you shoot.  This frees you up to forget worrying about getting the shot and instead just be present with your family and friends.

These are just some of the advantages of shooting with the Insta360 X5 over a GoPro.

Is Insta360 X5 too fragile?

GoPro has a traditional rugged action cam form factor, so it’s easy to assume that it’s more durable than the X5, which has two fisheye lenses bulging out from the body, seemingly just waiting to be shattered.

However, the X5 now features hardened lenses (reportedly twice as hard as the Insta360 X4 lenses) and a new replaceable lens kit that enables users to replace damage lenses in less than 5 minutes.  Replacing the lenses is easy and straightforward with the included tools.  I was also surprised that the lens kit is very affordable ($29, which includes one lens).  Considering that the lens is not just a lens protector and is a precision crafted front lens element with antiglare coating, this is very reasonably priced.

Insta360 X5 vs GoPro Image Quality

GoPro Hero 13 has 5.3K resolution, while X5 has up to 8K video resolution.  Moreover, Hero’s sensor is 1/1.9 inch, whereas X5 has two sensors that are each 1/1.28 inch (each X5 sensor is about twice as large as the Hero 13’s sensor).  However, in the case of the GoPro Hero, that 5.3k video resolution is spread out over its 157 degree field of view, whereas with the X5, the 8K resolution is spread out over 360 degrees.  As a result, the GoPro has more pixels per degree field of view.

Having said that, X5 is narrowing the gap in several ways.  First, as mentioned, its sensors are larger than its predecessor.  With larger sensors, it has better light sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio compared to a smaller sensor.

Second, X5 uses supersampling to capture video at 11K then downscales than to 8K, so it’s more detailed than a conventional 8K 360 camera.

Third, it has three AI processors (one 5nm AI processor, and two “Pro Imaging” sensors) that improve the image quality.  A key benefit is that X5 can now use Active HDR at up to 5.7k 60fps and can use PureVideo low light mode.  In the video above, you can see that the X5 performs well in low light — far better than its predecessor, the Insta360 X4.

If you watch my side by side comparison, you’ll see that the Hero 12 (same sensor as Hero 13) and X5 have similar amount of detail, except that Hero 12 has better color depth and better shadow detail.  However, in low light, the X5 actually outperforms Hero 12 with better highlight and shadow details and less motion blur.

If you want to see how Insta360 X5 compares to the X4 see here (2 biggest differences between X5 and X4 video quality).

Is Insta360 X5 Hard to Use for Beginners?

One of the pain points of a 360 camera is that the video has to be stitched and exported into a 360 video, and if you want to show it as a reframed non-360 video, then you need to edit the 360 video to choose the views that you want to highlight.  This gives you creative freedom to be the director of your movie but it does take more time to edit.  For many people, they want just a simple shot of themselves and not have to think about cinematic camera angles.

Fortunately, Insta360 X5 has a groundbreaking new feature called Instaframe that lets you capture a third person view with no editing needed.  After shooting, your reframed video is ready to share straight out of the camera.  Here is a sample shot with Instaframe, with zero editing:

But what if you change your mind and want to edit the Instaframe video?  No problem.  Insta360 X5 simultaneously records a fully spherical 360 video that you can edit to your heart’s content.

Instaframe is limited to 1080p resolution and the spherical 360 video shot concurrently is limited to 5.7K+ (instead of full 8K).  However, the difference from reframed 8K video isn’t as significant as it sounds.  See this comparison.

Download Insta360 X5 Sample Files

You can download Insta360 X5 samples here for your private viewing only.  Do not upload them anywhere.

Where to Buy: FREE Replacement Lens Kit (limited time offer)

What do you think?  Is this the action cam singularity?  Is Insta360 X5 good enough to replace traditional action cams?  Let me know what you think!

For a limited time, you can get the Insta360 X5 with a free replacement lens kit if you use my affiliate link.  It’s also available on Amazon (but you won’t get the free lens kit).  Thanks for supporting me at no cost to you so I can do more reviews and tutorials!