Insta360 X5

This is a well-built, high-quality camera but there’s an important limitation to understand before buying. If you plan to film underwater, you’ll need to purchase the dive case (the standard version is fine for shallow water and snorkelling). Without it, the dual-lens function doesn’t work properly underwater, and overall image quality becomes very poor. From what I’ve researched, this is due to light refraction. In addition, the lens covers tend to fog or collect water and must be removed for underwater use, even right at the surface.

I’m sharing this mainly for anyone thinking of switching from the GoPro range. After years of using GoPro cameras, which work underwater without extra housing, this was a noticeable drawback. Considering the essentials bundle is close to $1000, it’s surprising the dive case isn’t included especially since it feels like a necessary accessory for many users. I missed a whole weekend of great underwater moments because of this drawback. That's when the regret outweighs any additional cost and in this instance only an additional $140 for the dive case at Harvey Norman.

In terms of build, the camera feels solid and durable. The rubberised buttons are easy to find and use. It powers on quickly, and recording starts almost instantly. When mounted on the included stick, it can feel a bit heavy when fully extended, but the stick itself is well made, with firm, secure locking segments that hold their position well over time.

The essentials bundle comes with the stick, a padded case, soft cover and silicon cap guard, an extra battery, and a charger. The batteries charge quickly, and the LED indicators clearly show progress with colour changes.

The editing software is a standout feature. I installed the app on both iPhone and PC, though I prefer working on the PC. You can export a finished video directly from the app for quick results, but the real advantage is the flexibility in choosing angles and reframing footage. On PC, I select the best perspective, export it, and then drop it into my usual editing software to combine with other clips.

Overall, I’d recommend it with the caveat about the dive case. I’ll still be keeping my GoPro for backup and additional footage, especially underwater.