Insta360 X4 Air vs X5: The $150 Question

The X4 Air brings X5 features at $150 less, but can't match the flagship's sensor or I-Log. Here's who should save money and who should splurge.

Editorial Team •

The Key Difference: The X5's 1/1.28-inch sensor and I-Log profile deliver noticeably better low-light performance and professional color grading capability. The X4 Air borrows the X5's replaceable lenses and tone enhancement at $150 less, but you can't fake a larger sensor. Choose based on whether you need professional features or excellent value.

Insta360 X4 Air
Insta360 X4 Air
Insta360
$399
Insta360 X5
Insta360 X5
Insta360
$549
SpecInsta360 X4 AirInsta360 X5
Screen
1.75 inches Touchscreen
2.5 inches Touchscreen
Microphones
—
4
Weight
165 g
200 g
Dimensions
46×113.8×37 mm (L×W×H)
46×124.5×26.2 mm (L×W×H)
Sensor
1/1.8-inch CMOS
1/1.28-inch CMOS
Aperture
f/1.95
f/2.0
ISO Range
100-3200
100-6400
FOV
360°
Panorama: 360° Single-Lens: 170°
Photo Resolution
7680×3840 (29MP)
Panorama 2:1, 11904×5952 (72 MP)
Video Resolution
Panorama 8K: 7680×3840@30/25/24fps 6K: 6016×3008@50/48/30/25/24fps 4K: 3840×1920@50/48/30/25/24fps Single-Lens 4K: 3840×2160@60/50/30/25/24fps 2.7K: 2720×1536@60/50/30/25/24fps 1080p: 1920×1080@120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps
Panorama 8K: 7680×3840 @30fps 5.7K: 5760×2880 @60fps Single-Lens 4K: 3840×2160 @60/50/30/25/24fps 2.7K: 2720×1536 @60/50/30/25/24fps 1080p: 1920×1080 @120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps
Video Bitrate
180 Mbps
180 Mbps
Video Codec
H.264/H.265
H.264/H.265
Log Profile
Not supported
I-Log
Video Format
INSV, MP4 (H.264/H.265)
INSV, MP4 (H.264/H.265)
Audio Recording
48 kHz 16-bit; AAC
48 kHz 16-bit; AAC
Stabilization
FlowState Stabilization
FlowState Stabilization
Waterproof
15 m underwater
15 m underwater
Battery
2010 mAh
2400 mAh
Operating Time
88 mins (8K/30fps), 105 mins (6K/24fps)
208 mins (5.7K/24fps Endurance Mode)
Charge Time
36 mins to 80%; 57 mins to 100%
20 mins to 80%; 35 mins to 100%
Storage
External microSD
External microSD up to 1 TB
Wi‑Fi
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/n/ac)
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/n/ac)
Bluetooth
BLE 5.2
BLE 5.2
Ports
USB-C 3.0
USB-C 3.0
App Support
Insta360 App
Insta360 App
Replaceable-Lens
Yes
Yes
Pre-recording
—
30 s (8K), 60 s (5.7K), 90 s (4K)

Want to Compare More Cameras?

Check out our full, interactive camera comparison tool to see how these and other models stack up.

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Insta360's Strategic Response to DJI

The X4 Air exists because of DJI. When the Osmo 360 launched with aggressive pricing, Insta360 needed a response that didn't cannibalize their flagship X5 completely. The solution? Take the X5's most desirable features (replaceable lenses, tone enhancement, AI chip), pair them with a good-but-not-great sensor, and undercut the flagship by $150.

It's smart positioning. The X4 Air makes the X5 look like a premium choice rather than an overpriced option.

The Sensor Gap: Where $150 Goes

Low-Light Performance Is the Real Difference

The X5's 1/1.28-inch sensor vs the X4 Air's 1/1.8-inch sensor creates a measurable gap in challenging lighting:

X5 advantages:

Real talk: In good daylight, you won't see dramatic differences. But shoot an indoor wedding, evening street footage, or golden hour content? The X5's larger sensor captures noticeably cleaner, more detailed images.

I-Log: The Professional Divide

The X5 supports I-Log color profile. The X4 Air doesn't.

If you don't know what I-Log does, you don't need it. But if you're reading this comparison carefully, you probably care:

The X4 Air's tone enhancement is impressive computational photography, but it's not a substitute for raw log footage. You're either working in a log workflow or you're not - there's no middle ground.

Features Both Cameras Share

Let's appreciate what Insta360 gave the Air from the X5:

Replaceable Lenses (The Big One)

User-swappable lens protectors mean DIY repairs, no factory downtime, and peace of mind for risky shots. This alone dramatically improves ownership experience.

Tone Enhancement

AI processing that improves dynamic range and color depth without log profiles. Think of it as computational photography for 360° video.

AI Chip

Faster processing, better stabilization, improved low-light computational work. The Air isn't using last-gen tech.

These aren't minor features - they're meaningful improvements that used to require buying the flagship.

What $150 More Gets You With the X5

Let's be direct about what separates the cameras:

X5 premium features ($549):

X4 Air practical advantages ($399):

Video Specs: Similar Enough

Both cameras max out at:

The X5 adds 5.7K/60fps and longer endurance mode. Nice to have, but not game-changing for most creators.

Battery Reality: X5 Wins Decisively

That's nearly double the runtime. For all-day shoots or multi-hour events, this matters enormously. The X4 Air's faster charging (36 vs 20 minutes to 80%) doesn't offset the shorter runtime.

Screen Size Trade-Off

Framing and reviewing footage is better on the X5. But most serious editing happens on your phone or computer anyway.

Real-World Scenarios: Who Needs What

Choose the X4 Air ($399) if:

Choose the X5 ($549) if:

The Honest Assessment

If you have to ask whether you need I-Log, you don't. The X4 Air delivers excellent image quality for social media, YouTube, and most commercial work. The X5's advantages show up in professional color grading and challenging lighting - specific scenarios, not everyday shooting.

Our Site Owner Perspective

As people who run this site and follow the industry closely, we genuinely appreciate this competitive pressure. DJI forced Insta360 to offer better value. The X4 Air gives casual creators access to features that previously required flagship spending.

Both companies are pushing each other, and that benefits everyone buying 360° cameras in 2025.

If we're being honest? Most readers of this site should buy the X4 Air. Unless you specifically need I-Log or shoot in low-light constantly, the Air delivers 85% of the X5's experience at 73% of the price.

The ISO Range Tells the Story

Looking at specs:

That 2x difference in maximum ISO directly reflects the sensor size gap. It's not just numbers - it represents the X5's ability to maintain quality in darker conditions.

If your shooting involves frequent low-light work, that gap matters. If you shoot mostly outdoors or in good lighting, it doesn't.

The Verdict: Know Thyself

This comparison forces you to be honest about your needs:

Most Creators Should Buy the X4 Air

Unless you specifically need I-Log or shoot frequently in challenging lighting, the X4 Air is better value. You get replaceable lenses, tone enhancement, and the AI chip - the X5's most practical features - at a meaningful discount.

Professionals Should Buy the X5

If you color grade footage, work on paid projects, or shoot in low-light regularly, the X5 justifies its premium. The larger sensor and I-Log profile are professional tools that the Air simply can't match.

No One Should Feel Bad Either Way

The X4 Air isn't a compromise - it's a thoughtfully positioned camera that makes sense for most users. The X5 isn't overpriced - it's a proper flagship for professionals who need its specific advantages.

Final Recommendations

Buy the X4 Air if:

Buy the X5 if:

Skip both and buy DJI Osmo 360 if:

The 360° camera market is the most competitive it's ever been. Insta360's X4 Air proves that competition works - you're getting flagship features in a mid-range camera because DJI forced them to deliver better value.

Whether you choose the Air or splurge on the X5, you're buying into Insta360's excellent ecosystem with proven software, regular updates, and a massive user community. Both cameras will serve you well.

The only wrong choice is overthinking it. If $150 matters to you, buy the Air. If image quality in challenging conditions matters more, buy the X5. Both will deliver excellent 360° content.

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