Everything Wrong with the Insta360 X5... SO FAR

[CNC Molds N Stuff]

Everything Wrong with the Insta360 X5

There will be plenty of people come along hoping for that big sponsor money trying to tell you how wonderful it is and everything it will do.  They are welcome to see how much sell out money they can get, but I'm not into that.  I paid full price for my X5 from Amazon.  No damn affiliate link in the comments. 

The following is my opinion based on my experience, web research, and observations. 

1.  The company doesn't respond.  Issues, claims, BBB complaints.  No response. 

2.  You have to install their app on a compatible smart phone to activate your camera.  No exceptions.  If you don't you just have an expensive poorly shaped paperweight. 

3.  They do offer their own PC software for editing, and it appears to work with both their video and other video formats, so your other cameras are not wasted if they are better for some applications.  You need a pretty powerful machine to use it effectively or you sit their waiting on lag/catchup constantly.  My I7 CAD/CAM computer with bad ass video card isn't enough.  I've edited video, and do 3D CAD and CAM work on this computer and its not enough.  I have an I9 I may try it on later, but be aware to not be annoyed by using their editing software you will need some serious computing power. 

4.  Looks like it is supposed to have about 3 hours battery life.  I didn't feel like I got that in 8K 360 dual camera mode.  I gave up before really knowing that because of the editing issues in item 3.   The second time I tried to use it for an extended record time I had an overheat shutdown, at about an hour or a little less.  I turned it back on and it showed less than 1/3 battery. 

5.  While trying to use this camera for its intended purpose to record fishing videos to promote my business it overheated after about an hour.  I had turned it down to 4K single camera mode.  Processing load on the camera was lower and it still over heated. 

6.  The video format is proprietary.   That is not at all unexpected being a full 360 degree recording system, but be aware you will HAVE TO use their editing software.  I have since learned their may be some other editing software that will use their file format, but I have not looked into it. 

7.  During the activation/registration process they may offer you some free stuff if you take a survey or something.  In my opinion that is a bald faced lie.  You do their stuff, they harvest your data, and then they give you a coupon code for the free item... with your next camera purchase.  Its not free, and then didn't say free with next purchase when they phished you for your data. 

Summary:  It does most of the things it says it does, but it has some strong drawbacks as well.  I only bought this camera for business purposes, and I am not sure it useful enough or easy enough to use and edit for me to put together quick hack job videos to generate product interest.  As of right now my cell phone is still the best camera I own for making quick product and product usage videos... and it will over heat after extended use outdoors too.  Maybe for a company with serious processing power and employees that just record, edit and produces video, the Insta360 X5 might be a valid option, but for me its struggle to be useful.  I may offer it up for sale which brings us to item 8. 

8.  From what I have read if you are not the original purchasers its really easy to not be able to use your camera.  There are multiple instances reported on line of people buying used ones that are no more than an oddly shaped paper weight and not only will the company not help... they won't even respond.