If you own the Insta360 X3, X4, or 1RS 1-Inch and are wondering if it’s worth upgrading to the brand-new Insta360 X5, this post is for you. There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the X5, but many reviews focus more on how cool 360 cameras are in general, rather than answering the real question: Is the X5 actually better than what we already have?

In this honest, unbiased comparison, I’ll walk you through how the X5 stacks up against the previous models—so you can decide for yourself if it’s time to upgrade.

Before we dive in, if you already own an Insta360 but struggle to capture those epic shots you see online, my 360 Video 101 course can help. It covers everything from shooting, editing, to reframing so you can go from beginner to pro in no time.

So, Does the Insta360 X5 Live Up to the Hype? 🚀

Short answer: Yes.
But first, let me show you some side-by-side comparisons with previous generation cameras that were also hyped on their launch, and you can be the judge.

Side-by-Side Comparisons: Insta360 X5 vs X3, X4 & 1RS 1-Inch (Image Quality Test) 🆚

To keep things fair, I shot everything in auto exposure with no color correction. What you see is straight out of the camera.

• In bright daylight, all four cameras performed decently—capturing enough detail in both shadows and highlights to be passable.
• However, the X3 and X4 shots looked a little washed out compared to the X5 and 1-inch, which had noticeably better contrast and less lens flare.

Verdict:
The X5 looked the best overall, with the most detail in the clouds, excellent dynamic range, and the best lighting on my face.

Sharpness Test: Wide & Up Close (X5 vs X3, X4 & 1-Inch) 🔍

For sharpness, I chose an ultra-wide landscape scene. The X4 and X5 came out on top, especially around detailed areas like rocks. 

• X3 & 1-Inch: Lots of noise in darker areas.
• X4: Good sharpness, but not as clean as X5.
• X5: Minimal noise, sharper details around my body and surrounding textures.

Verdict:
The X5 wins for sharpness.

When we zoom in way too close (for testing purposes only!):

The X3, X4, and 1-Inch all had visible noise in darker areas.
The X5 had barely any noise and superior sharpness—especially around details like rocks and my face.

Verdict:
The X5 wins for sharpness.

Dynamic Range Test: HDR Performance of Insta360 X5 vs X3, X4, 1RS 1-Inch 🌈

I tested dynamic range with Active HDR enabled on the X3, X4, and X5 (the 1-Inch doesn’t have HDR). All four cameras performed well outdoors in bright light, but once again, the X5 pulled ahead.

• The X5 lit my face better, showing more detail in sunglasses, hat, and shadows.
• In terms of contrast and overall clarity, the X5 stood out.
• The 1-Inch also handled close-up detail surprisingly well.

Verdict:
X5 has the best dynamic range, followed by the 1-Inch for close objects.

Low Light Performance: Dark Cave Test (X5 vs X3, X4 & 1-Inch) 🌑

I shot the next scene inside a dark cave at Maroubra Beach—dark inside, blazing sun outside. Perfect for testing exposure balance.

With auto exposure:

• The X3 really struggled—sorry, but it looked awful.
• The X4, X5, and 1-Inch were all passable.
• X5 and 1-Inch came out on top in this low-light challenge.

Then, I enabled Active HDR on the X3, X4, and X5:

The X4 showed the most blue sky detail outside the cave.

But inside the cave, the X5 dominated—it had the best contrast, sharp shadows, and more defined textures, especially in the darker rock walls.

Verdict: 
X5 again wins for its ability to prioritize shadow detail while still retaining highlight clarity.

Low Light Performance: X5 vs X3, X4 & 1-Inch 🕯️

I filmed in a typical suburban area at night—some streetlights and shopfront lighting, but overall quite dim. All four cameras managed to record usable footage, but differences quickly became obvious.

What I noticed:

• X3: Footage was soft, with noticeable motion blur and grain.

• X4: Slight improvement over the X3, but still lacked sharpness.

• X5: Much sharper, better colour reproduction, and less noise.

• 1-Inch Edition: Impressive in low light—possibly even sharper than the X5 in this setting.

Both the X5 and the 1-Inch Edition handled texture and detail (like bricks and fences) much better than the X3 or X4. 

Next, I tested in very low light—think dimly lit walking paths and almost pitch-black areas.

• X3, X4, and 1-Inch: Unusable in this level of light. Couldn’t even capture my face properly.

• X5: Could still see me and the surrounding area, even with some grain.

The X5's brand new PureVideo mode is a game-changer here. It's specifically designed for low-light shooting and it works. While the footage wasn’t perfect, it was usable, and that alone sets the X5 apart. If you shoot a lot at night, the X5 will absolutely be an upgrade. None of the other models have PureVideo mode.

Verdict: 
The X5, hands down.

Slow Motion & Single Lens Mode: Any Improvements? 🐢

Now, let’s talk about features beyond image quality, by testing each camera’s slowest available frame rate:

•  X3 & 1-Inch: Not really usable in slow motion—footage breaks down fast.

• X4: Sharper than expected. Even smoothed out fine palm lines.

• X5: Less sharp than X4 but more natural motion. Clean slow-mo performance.

Verdict:
It’s a toss-up between the X4 and X5 here. The X5 offers 4K120, which is a really nice thing to have when you need as much resolution as possible.

Single Lens Mode 🎯

One key difference in frame rates:

• Both the X4 and X5 support 60fps video, which gives your footage that polished, lifelike movement.

• Only the X5 allows you to shoot 60fps and Active HDR at the same time.

Verdict:
If sharpness is your top priority for slow motion, the X4 edges ahead. But for a more refined, fluid result with higher flexibility in editing, the X5 is a winner, even if the sharpness takes a slight dip. 

Stitching Quality 🪡

Stitching is a common challenge in 360 video, especially when subjects get close to the camera. I tested stitching by putting my face right along the seam line.

Results:

• X3, X4, X5: Pretty solid! Some minor warping, but nothing major.

• 1-Inch Edition: Struggled here. The bulkier body causes weird double images when things are too close—my face ended up with a second ghost nose.

If you’re filming people or objects up close, stitching quality matters, and the 1-Inch’s design becomes a real issue.

Verdict:
The X3, X4, and X5 all offer reliable stitching performance—even in tricky close-up shots.

Audio Test: Built-In Mics 🎙️

I tested the onboard microphones in a windy beachside area with ocean noise and planes overhead.

Mic quality rundown:

• X3: Basic, muffled

• X4: Slightly clearer

• 1-Inch: Weaker and muffled

• X5: Best of the bunch

The X5’s audio is the cleanest and most usable. It's not flawless, but it held up in challenging conditions and can be improved further with Insta360’s noise reduction.

Color Grading and Image Readiness (Straight Out of Camera) 🎨

In the interest of being totally objective, I'm going to jumble up the shots below so you can decide which of them looks the best to you.

And the results are...

To me, the X5 looked the best straight away.

The X3, in comparison, looked far inferior, especially when stacked next to the X4 and 1-Inch Edition, which held their own to an extent. But if you're someone who prefers not to do any color correction, here's how the cameras ranked:

• X5: The only one that looked truly “ready to go” with no edits.
• X3: Needs heavy lifting—contrast, dehazing, and slight colour improvement.
• 1-Inch: Needs contrast pulled back and shadows lifted on faces.
• X4: A little more contrast and detail needed around facial features, plus minor colour enhancement.

Verdict: 
If you want amazing results straight out of camera without colour grading, the X5 is the obvious choice.

Final Verdict: Is the Insta360 X5 Worth the Upgrade Over X3, X4 & 1-Inch? 🏆

Well, here are my personal thoughts.

After reviewing these side-by-side comparisons, I was genuinely surprised by how much of an improvement the X5 is over previous generations. Usually, when upgrading cameras—like with GoPros or similar devices—you see minor spec bumps that don’t translate to major real-world differences. But that wasn’t the case here.

Every one of the comparisons I did showed noticeable improvements, and the X5 came out on top in every single one—except for the one cave shot.

The biggest surprise for me? The X5 actually outperformed the 1 RS 1-Inch, a camera with dual 1-Inch sensors and big Leica lenses. You’d expect the 1-Inch to win, but it didn’t. I think the key difference comes down to resolution: 6K vs 8K. The X5’s new sensor is closing in on the 1-Inch’s quality, and when combined with high-end specs, it edges out the older model.

So if you currently own the 1-Inch: yes, it makes sense to upgrade to the X5. It’s not only better for 360 video—it also performed better in 360 photography in the tests I ran in my last video.

Now when it comes to the X3, I think it goes without saying: the X5 is in a whole different league. This is the most obvious upgrade of the bunch. It beat the X3 in every way, hands down.

But if you own the X4 and are wondering if it’s worth upgrading to the X5? I’d probably say: you don’t need to. The X4 is still very, very good—and in most shooting situations, you’ll get excellent results with it. Aside from low-light performance (where the X5 clearly takes the win), the difference between the two isn’t huge. They’re simply too similar to make the upgrade essential.

So my advice? If you own the X4, wait for the X6, unless you really liked something in the side-by-sides.

If you're sold on the X5, follow my affiliate link  and you’ll get a free lens replacement kit when you buy.