Weighing 200 grams, the X5 is by no means a lightweight amongst action cameras, but it remains compact enough for use on the railing, on the flybridge or underwater whilst diving in the anchorage. The 2.5-inch display is bright and clear, and the swipe-based controls are easy to get to grips with. Naturally, the touchscreen is less reliable when your fingers are wet. In such cases, voice and gesture control, QuickCapture or the ‘Twist to Shoot’ function – where twisting the selfie stick starts the recording – come in handy.
High resolution, plenty of freedom
The two 1/1.28-inch sensors record 360-degree videos at up to 8K and 30 frames per second. 5.7K is possible at 60 frames per second, and 4K at as many as 120 frames per second. In single-lens mode, the X5 operates like a traditional wide-angle camera and delivers a maximum of 4K/60. Photos are captured at up to 72 megapixels.
However, the high 360-degree resolution should not be confused with a finished 8K film. It is spread across the entire sphere. If a standard 16:9 crop is selected from this, correspondingly less footage remains. Nevertheless, the footage offers sufficient headroom for crisp 4K sequences and moderate cropping. The railings, fittings and the contours of the boat are clearly visible in good light. Splash water on one of the strongly curved lenses, on the other hand, is immediately noticeable and can affect entire sequences. A soft, handy cloth is therefore an essential part of the on-board kit.
The freedom offered during post-production is particularly impressive. A single shot can show the skipper first, then the guests in the cockpit, and finally the foaming wake. FlowState stabilisation and 360-degree horizon levelling keep the image remarkably steady, even during fast cruising and in choppy seas. The result looks less like footage from a camera fixed to the boat and more like the view from a small, hovering camera drone.
Active HDR helps with the contrasts typical of motorboats – between the bright deck, the dark cockpit and the glistening water’s surface. In low light, PureVideo mode kicks in. It delivers noticeably smoother images during the blue hour, under the hardtop or in the dimly lit saloon, but cannot fully compensate for the lack of light.
InstaFrame is handy: the camera simultaneously saves an automatically cropped flat video and the full 360-degree footage. This means you have a ready-to-use clip for quick social media posts, whilst the more elaborate version can be edited later.
Insta360 X5 with long battery life
The X5 is waterproof to 15 metres in accordance with IPX8 and can withstand rain, splashes and submersion – provided that the battery and USB covers are clean and fully locked. However, following contact with salt water, the manufacturer recommends rinsing the device thoroughly with fresh water. The covers should only be opened once the device has dried completely. Clip-on lens protectors are not suitable for use in wet conditions, as moisture can get underneath them and cause the lens to mist up.
Interchangeable lenses represent a significant step forward. The exposed hemispheres remain the most vulnerable part of any 360-degree camera. On board, even contact with a cleat, a rail fitting or a rough surface is enough to cause damage. With the X5, a scratched lens does not necessarily mean a trip to the workshop. However, the lens should be changed in a dry, dust-free environment – the cockpit is not really suitable for this.
According to the manufacturer, the 2400 mAh battery lasts for up to 185 minutes in endurance mode at 5.7K/24. In practice, the battery life depends heavily on resolution, screen usage, temperature and wireless connection. Using a USB-C cable and a suitable mains adapter, the battery can be charged to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes. For a full day on the water, however, a spare battery and – even more importantly – a second memory card are still advisable.
Insta360 accessories on board
The 114-centimetre-long ‘invisible’ selfie stick is the most important companion. It is automatically removed from the 360-degree image. When shot from the cockpit, this creates unusual exterior perspectives; when shot from the stern, the results are almost drone-like. However, when fully extended, the lightweight joystick generates significant leverage due to the wind and the boat’s movement.
Insta360 itself does not recommend it for fast-paced or particularly high-impact action shots. On a motorboat, it should therefore always be secured with a safety line; at higher speeds, it should only be partially extended and must under no circumstances be used unsecured whilst travelling at high speed.
The X5 Lens Cap may be unspectacular, but it is indispensable. The soft cap protects both domed lenses when stowed and also fits over fitted standard or premium lens protectors. Anyone who places the camera on the cockpit bench, the helm or the chart table between shots should make a point of using the cap.
The electric suction cup mount opens up exciting possibilities for fixed camera positions. An electric pump generates the vacuum, whilst a sensor automatically monitors the grip; the manufacturer states a running time of up to 120 hours. On clean, smooth gelcoat or a flat pane, the camera can be precisely aligned using the double ball head.
On non-slip surfaces, curved surfaces and wet, salt-encrusted surfaces, however, a suction cup is not suitable. At high speeds, the mount is also subjected to airflow, vibrations and heavy impacts. As it is primarily designed for use in vehicles, an additional safety tether is mandatory whilst on board. Before each journey, you should also check that the vacuum seal is secure and that all joints are tightened firmly.
For photos taken from a dinghy, whilst swimming, doing water sports or during an anchoring manoeuvre, the Floating Hand Grip the ideal solution. The non-slip grip provides a more secure hold when your hands are wet and keeps the mounted X5 afloat should it go overboard. However, it is no substitute for the wrist strap. (store.insta360.com)
Videos: The Insta360 X5 in action
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Conclusion
The Insta360 X5 is not a camera for purists who want to use their footage straight away without any post-production. 360-degree videos require storage space, processing power and a bit of time to edit. However, if you’re prepared to put in the effort, you’ll get one of the most versatile on-board cameras around. It hardly misses a single manoeuvre, stabilises footage impressively and enables perspectives that would otherwise require multiple cameras. What’s more, the image quality is outstanding. The price is 589.99 euros, which places the X5 at the top end of the high-end action camera market. A selfie stick, lens cap and floating grip are all part of a sensible basic kit. The electric suction cup is an exciting piece of specialist kit – though at sea, it should only be used on a suitable surface and with a double safety measure in place.
Which action camera do you use on your motorboat – and how do you secure the camera to prevent it from falling off whilst travelling at high speed?
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT