8.9 / 10
SCORE Insta360 X5 Pros Excellent image quality
Easy to use
Replaceable lenses Cons Expensive
X4 is cheaper and almost as good
Insta360's X5 is easily the best 360 camera ever (for consumers, at least). It's even easier to use than previous models, has big (for an action cam) image sensors for better dynamic range and low-light performance, and best of all, it has user-replaceable lenses.
It's also quite expensive. Its photo and video resolutions aren't any higher than its predecessor, the X4. So, in many situations, the image quality will be similar. So while it's not a huge leap for a new model, there are a number of worthwhile improvements that make it a better option if you can afford it. I gave the X5 a quick look when it first launched, but after spending more time with the camera, here's what I think as someone who has tested nearly every consumer 360 camera ever and uses them regularly.
Specs and hardware
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
If you've used or seen any of Insta360's recent 360 cameras, the X5 shares more than a passing familial resemblance. It continues their "candy bar" design, with a 2.7-inch touchscreen and four physical buttons. Generally speaking, in my experience at least, this shape and size make the X5 and its predecessors easy to use and carry when not in use. The large touchscreen makes navigating menus and settings a breeze while letting you get a sense of what you just shot without having to connect to your phone.
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