Insta360 X5 vs. X4 Air: The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Perfect 360 Camera

Insta360 just unleashed the X4 Air—an ultra-portable 8K 360 camera that’s turning heads with its featherweight design and accessible price. But with the flagship X5 still dominating the professional space, the burning question remains: Can this nimble newcomer truly compete, or does the powerhouse still reign supreme when shooting conditions get challenging? We’re breaking down the specs, real-world performance, and critical differences to help you choose the right 360 camera for your creative vision.

Two Cameras, Two Creative Paths

Insta360 has delivered a strategic one-two punch to the 360 camera market. First came the X5 in April 2025—a professional-grade flagship built for creators who demand uncompromising image quality. Then, in October 2025, they unveiled the X4 Air—a remarkably compact alternative that delivers the same 8K resolution in a package that weighs 35 grams less and costs $150 less.

This isn’t a simple product refresh or incremental update. Insta360 has deliberately designed two distinct cameras for two different types of creators. The X5 targets professionals, serious enthusiasts, and anyone who refuses to compromise on low-light performance and advanced features. The X4 Air appeals to travelers, vloggers, content creators, and newcomers who prioritize portability, simplicity, and value without sacrificing resolution.

With overlapping 8K capabilities but different philosophies, choosing between them requires understanding not just what they can do, but what you actually need them to do.

Specifications Comparison: X5 vs. X4 Air

Where the X5 Dominates: Professional Power

Game-Changing Low-Light Performance

Here’s where the X5 separates itself from every competitor, including its own sibling. Low-light performance isn’t just “better”—it’s transformative.

The X5 combines three technological advantages: dual 1/1.28″ sensors that physically capture more light than the X4 Air’s smaller 1/1.8″ sensors, a Triple AI Chip capable of processing complex algorithms in real-time, and PureVideo Mode—Insta360’s dedicated AI-powered low-light algorithm that dramatically reduces noise while preserving detail.

What does this mean in practice? Shooting a dimly lit restaurant, capturing sunset adventures as light fades, filming indoor events, or documenting nighttime cityscapes produces footage that looks clean, detailed, and professional on the X5. The same scenes on the X4 Air will show visible grain, softer details, and less accurate colors. It’s not that the X4 Air fails—it’s that the X5 excels where other cameras struggle.

Bottom line: If you regularly find yourself shooting in anything less than ideal lighting, PureVideo Mode alone justifies the X5’s premium. This feature is absent on the X4 Air and represents the single biggest performance gap between these cameras.

4K120fps: Slow-Motion Creative Freedom

The X5’s 4K120fps slow-motion capability unlocks creative possibilities that simply don’t exist on the X4 Air.

High frame rate 360 footage gives you exceptional flexibility in post-production. You can reframe to any angle while maintaining buttery-smooth slow motion, create dramatic speed ramps, freeze peak action moments, and add cinematic flair to dynamic scenes. Whether you’re filming action sports, wildlife, children playing, or any fast-moving subject, the ability to slow time while maintaining 4K quality transforms your storytelling options.

The X4 Air caps out at 6K50fps, which is respectable but offers significantly less slow-motion versatility, especially after reframing.

I-Log: Professional Color Grading Control

For creators who demand maximum control in post-production, the X5’s I-Log mode is essential.

This flat color profile captures maximum dynamic range and color information, giving professional colorists extraordinary latitude for dramatic adjustments, matching footage across multiple cameras, and building consistent brand aesthetics. If you’re delivering client work, creating content for streaming platforms, or building a professional portfolio, I-Log provides the foundation for cinematic color grading.

The X4 Air shoots in a standard color profile that produces attractive footage straight out of camera but offers minimal room for significant color manipulation. It’s optimized for quick social media publishing, not professional post-production workflows.

Extended Battery Life for All-Day Shoots

Battery life differences sound boring until you’re 90 minutes into a once-in-a-lifetime shoot and need to swap batteries.

The X5’s 2400mAh battery delivers up to 208 minutes of recording in 5.7K Endurance Mode—that’s nearly 3.5 hours of continuous shooting. This makes it ideal for weddings, all-day events, long expeditions, or any scenario where reliable, uninterrupted capture matters more than convenience.

The X4 Air’s 2010mAh battery provides 88 minutes in 8K mode, which suffices for most casual shooting but requires strategic planning for longer sessions. You’ll want spare batteries if you’re planning extended shoots.

Triple AI Chip Processing Power

The X5’s Triple AI Chip isn’t just a specification—it enables features that would be impossible with less computational power.

This processing capability powers PureVideo Mode’s real-time noise reduction, handles complex stabilization algorithms, manages I-Log processing, and ensures smooth operation even when pushing the camera to its limits. During demanding shoots with multiple features active simultaneously, this processing headroom prevents dropped frames or sluggish performance.

Where the X4 Air Excels: Portable Perfection

Ultra-Portable Design (165g vs. 200g)

Never underestimate the value of 35 grams when it’s strapped to your head, mounted on a selfie stick, or carried in your pocket all day.

The X4 Air’s 165g weight makes it genuinely pocketable and remarkably unobtrusive during extended use. Mount it on a helmet for skiing, attach it to a backpack for hiking, or slip it into your jacket pocket for spontaneous shooting—the reduced weight transforms the carrying experience.

For travelers optimizing every gram, adventure athletes who need secure mounting, or anyone who finds 200g cameras cumbersome during all-day use, this weight reduction matters more than specifications suggest.

Outstanding Value at $400

The X4 Air’s value proposition is straightforward and compelling: you get 8K 360 video, Insta360’s excellent stabilization, impressive daytime image quality, and the complete feature set for $150 less than the flagship.

That’s a 27% price reduction while maintaining the same maximum resolution. For creators who primarily shoot in favorable lighting conditions, this represents exceptional value. You’re consciously choosing to prioritize budget and portability over professional refinements—and for many use cases, that’s the smartest choice.

Exceptional Daytime Image Quality

In optimal lighting—bright sunshine, well-lit interiors, golden hour, blue hour—the X4 Air produces stunning footage that satisfies most viewers and holds up beautifully on social media platforms.

Colors pop with vibrancy, 8K resolution provides ample reframing flexibility, and the overall image quality impresses. Travel vloggers capturing scenic landscapes, outdoor enthusiasts documenting adventures, or social media creators filming in typical daytime conditions will find the X4 Air delivers everything they need.

The performance gap between the X4 Air and X5 narrows dramatically when lighting conditions are favorable. If you shoot primarily outdoors during the day, you’re not sacrificing much by choosing the lighter, less expensive option.

User-Friendly Simplicity

The X4 Air streamlines the shooting experience by focusing on core features and eliminating professional complexity.

No I-Log profiles to manage, no PureVideo Mode settings to toggle, fewer manual controls to navigate—just point, shoot, and get consistently good results. For creators who want their camera to be a tool rather than a technical challenge, this simplified approach reduces friction and lets you focus on content rather than settings.

If you’re new to 360 cameras, learning on the X4 Air means mastering fundamentals without being overwhelmed by advanced features you’re not ready to use.

Latest Hardware and Software Refinements

Released six months after the X5, the X4 Air incorporates Insta360’s latest manufacturing improvements and software optimizations learned from the flagship’s real-world deployment.

While it intentionally omits professional features, it includes refinements that make everyday operation smoother, more reliable, and more intuitive. You’re getting Insta360’s most recent thinking about 360 camera design, just in a different package.

The Decision Framework: Which Camera Fits Your Vision?

Choose the Insta360 X5 if you:

• Shoot regularly in challenging lighting: Indoors, evenings, events, or any situation where light isn’t abundant and controllable
• Need professional features: I-Log color grading, 4K120fps slow-motion, maximum processing power
• Produce client work: Real estate tours, wedding videography, commercial content, or any paid professional projects
• Require extended battery life: All-day events, long expeditions, situations where battery swaps are impractical
• Prioritize image quality above all: You’re willing to carry extra weight and spend extra money for measurably better footage
• Plan to grow professionally: You want a camera that won’t limit you as your skills and ambitions expand

Best for: Professional videographers, serious content creators, wedding filmmakers, real estate photographers, event documentarians, action sports channels, and anyone who shoots frequently in suboptimal lighting.

Choose the Insta360 X4 Air if you:

• Shoot primarily in good lighting: Daytime outdoor content, well-lit interiors, travel during daylight hours
• Prioritize portability: Travel light, need easy mounting, want truly pocketable form factor
• Value budget-conscious choices: Save $150 while maintaining 8K resolution and core features
• Prefer simplified operation: Want great results without managing professional settings and workflows
• Are new to 360 cameras: Testing the format before committing to professional-grade equipment
• Don’t need extended battery life: 88 minutes per charge meets your typical shooting scenarios

Best for: Travel vloggers, outdoor adventure creators, social media influencers, casual users, backpackers, budget-conscious YouTubers, and anyone who shoots primarily during favorable lighting conditions.

Real-World Scenarios: Which Camera Wins?

Scenario 1 
Destination Wedding Winner: X5 – Reception venues are notoriously dim. The combination of PureVideo Mode for clean low-light footage, I-Log for matching color across the event, 4K120fps for dramatic ceremony moments, and 208-minute battery life makes the X5 indispensable for professional wedding work.

Scenario 2 
Six-Month Southeast Asia Backpacking Trip Winner: X4 Air – When carrying everything on your back for months, 35 grams matters. The X4 Air’s lighter weight, lower price point (less anxiety about theft or damage), excellent daytime performance, and compact form factor make it the smart choice for long-term travel content.

Scenario 3 
YouTube Action Sports Channel Winner: X5 – Skiing, surfing, mountain biking, and skateboarding demand 4K120fps slow-motion for cinematic impact. The superior low-light performance handles varied conditions from bright snow to shaded forests. The processing power ensures stable operation during demanding shoots.

Scenario 4 
First-Time 360 Camera Buyer Winner: X4 Air – Lower financial investment, simpler learning curve, and impressive results in typical shooting conditions make this the ideal entry point. You can always upgrade to the X5 later if you outgrow it.

Scenario 5 
Real Estate Virtual Tours Winner: X5 – Interior property shots require excellent low-light performance in challenging mixed lighting. The larger sensors, PureVideo Mode, and I-Log for color accuracy justify the investment for professional real estate content that needs to look polished and inviting.

Scenario 6 
Daily Lifestyle Vlogging Winner: X4 Air – Carrying a camera every day for spontaneous content benefits from minimal weight and size. Most vlogging happens in decent lighting. The $150 savings can go toward other gear. The X4 Air won’t feel like a burden after months of daily use.

The Critical Question: How Often Do You Shoot in Low Light?

Strip away all the specifications, feature lists, and marketing language—the decision between the X5 and X4 Air ultimately hinges on one question: How often do you shoot in challenging lighting conditions?

If your honest answer is “frequently,” “professionally,” or “it’s unavoidable in my work,” the X5’s PureVideo Mode and larger sensors aren’t luxury features—they’re essential tools that will make or break your footage quality.

If your honest answer is “rarely,” “occasionally,” or “I usually shoot outdoors during the day,” the X4 Air offers 90% of the X5’s capabilities in favorable conditions while saving you $150 and 35 grams.

Consider these factors:

• Your typical shooting environments: Outdoors vs. indoors, daytime vs. evening, controlled vs. unpredictable lighting
• Your budget constraints: Is $150 significant to your gear budget, or is it negligible compared to the value of better footage?
• Your portability needs: Do you shoot casually and value convenience, or do you plan dedicated shooting sessions where weight matters less?
• Your professional ambitions: Are you building a business that needs professional features or creating content for personal enjoyment and social sharing?
• Your technical comfort level: Do you want to dive into manual controls and post-production, or prefer straightforward point-and-shoot operation?

Both cameras are exceptional. The X5 is Insta360’s uncompromising flagship that refuses to sacrifice performance. The X4 Air is Insta360’s accessible gateway that prioritizes practicality. Choose based on your actual shooting patterns, not the most impressive specification sheet.

Final Verdict

The Insta360 X5 and X4 Air represent two philosophies of 360 camera design, and both execute their visions brilliantly.

The X5 is built for performance: Larger sensors, more powerful processing, professional features, and low-light mastery that justifies every gram and every dollar of the premium. If you shoot professionally, frequently encounter challenging lighting, or plan to grow into advanced techniques, the X5 provides a foundation that won’t limit your ambitions.

The X4 Air is built for accessibility: Lighter weight, lower price, simplified operation, and excellent daytime performance make 8K 360 video approachable for more creators. If you shoot casually, prioritize portability, or primarily create content in favorable lighting, the X4 Air delivers outstanding value without meaningful compromise.

The wrong choice is picking the X5 because it’s “better” when you’ll never use its professional features or choosing the X4 Air to save money when low-light shooting is central to your work. The right choice is the camera that matches your real-world needs, shooting conditions, and creative goals.

Either way, you’re getting world-class 360 technology from the industry leader. Make your decision confidently, and start creating.

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