• Categories
• Tips & Inspiration
• Reviews
• News
• Events
• Features
• Buying Guides
• Competitions

Insta360 X6 Camera First Look Review

Insta360 has multiple distinct lines of portable and action cameras. These span traditional wide-angle, modular, gimbal and 360° capture. It's the release of the X-series 360 camera that is the subject of this Insta360 X6 Camera First Look Review.

(cover image shot on the X6)

The X6 Insta360 camera is the newest model in a range of ultra-compact 360 cameras. These are becoming increasingly popular with enthusiast and professional creators, largely because they record everything in all directions, allowing you to reframe it later.

In our first look review, we cover what's new, what's improved and who the X6 is for, to help you decide whether to upgrade from an earlier model or start a new journey into 360 content creation. Let's begin by looking at what the X6 is, before exploring what's new.

What is the Insta360 X6 Camera?

The X6 is a flagship waterproof 360-degree action camera that records high-resolution footage from every angle at once. Working with 360 video means creators can publish iconic 360º views and classic 'flat' video content from the same footage.

You can also capture still photos, vlogs and all sorts of action, including 360 car camera video, from a truly versatile all-in-one action cam. There are plenty of essential accessories too, such as an Invisible Selfie Stick, camera mounts and new Replaceable Lenses 2.0, which make it quicker and easier to produce unique content that will impress your audience.

Now we know what it is, let's find out what's new.

Environmental portrait taken with the X6 camera, No EXIF data.

What’s New in the Insta360 X6?

The X5 was one of the best 360 cameras to date, with larger sensors, replaceable lenses and AI-powered low-light improvements. The new X6 takes the 360 camera up a level with 33% larger dual 1/1.1-inch square sensors, 8K50fps recording, faster processing, 10-bit colour and built-in storage.

The additional processing power handles real-time denoising, colour calibration, image processing, stitching and stabilisation. Replaceable Lenses 2.0 are tougher and more scratch resistant than those first launched with the X5.

Advanced creators who grade their footage benefit from wider dynamic range through 10-bit colour. Overall image quality improvements include higher resolution stills and native support for Dolby Vision resulting in richer colour, improved contrast and more lifelike HDR on compatible displays.

Among the numerous incremental upgrades, including higher bitrates and a higher-capacity battery, is the addition of 47GB of usable internal built-in storage. This is especially welcome as memory card prices continue to rise, allowing you to start shooting on day one without buying an optional microSD card. You can expect to record around 35 minutes of 8K footage using the built-in storage.

These and the further improvements highlighted in our specs comparison table below make this the best 360 camera from the brand to date.

Shot on X6, no EXIF data

Insta360 X5 Vs X6 Specs Comparison

While the design is similar, almost every feature has been refined, making the X6 a compelling upgrade for creators who want higher image quality and a more capable 360 camera. The table below shows just how many improvements have been made.

There are benefits across the board, whether you use the X6 as a 360 camera or a traditional action camera for flat video. Next we explore image quality.

What image quality improvements can you expect?

You should see cleaner low-light footage, with wider dynamic range and improved detail, making a worthwhile upgrade even from the X5. The larger sensors gather more light, while the ability to shoot 120MP 360 stills provides greater cropping and reframing potential.

Single-Lens photos also increase from 18MP to 42MP, bringing the X6 ever closer to a conventional action camera for city, landscapes, travel and everyday photos.

What do 8K50fps and 5K60fps mean for your content?

The jump to 8K50fps is significant. Higher frame rates capture fast-moving subjects more smoothly while still recording in the maximum 8K resolution. This provides greater flexibility for creating smooth slow-motion footage in post. Combined with the ability to crop and reframe 8K footage, the X6 will be especially appealing for sports and action content, whether cycling, skiing or using it as a 360 camera inside a car.

Single-Lens Mode offers 5K60fps and 4K120fps, making the X6 a viable alternative to a conventional action camera when you don’t want to capture every angle.

Which Insta360 X6 Bundle Should You Choose?

At launch, the Insta360 X6 is available in two bundles. Both include the X6 camera with a 1,200-nit OLED screen that has a nifty pressure sensor, letting you start recording with just a press.

The difference between the bundles is the accessories included in the box. Here's a quick comparison:

Low light landscape image showing sunset colours and wide dynamic range

Insta360 App and Software

Alongside 360 cameras, Insta360 provides a free Insta360 app. This is needed to review, edit and share footage from your smartphone. AI-powered tools in the app simplify the creative process by analysing your movies, automatically suggesting camera angles, transitions and ready-made videos.

Creative tools like Shot Lab provide 25+ editing templates, including Sky Swap, AI Warp, Clone Trail and Nose Mode. The Insta360 app also makes it easy to produce smooth, stabilised hyperlapse videos with adjustable playback speeds, giving you total control over time and perspective.

Deep Track keeps people, animals or moving subjects centred with a single tap. If you want to retain more control, keyframe-based reframing lets you choose where the camera looks in each clip.

These can then be shared with hardly any know-how or manual editing needed.

If you prefer editing on a computer, Insta360 Studio provides more advanced editing options. These include precise reframing, exporting and project management. When combined with the X6's new AI Director and Auto Edit 2.0 features, complex 360° footage can be turned into polished content more quickly than when editing manually.

Who should buy the X6 360 camera?

The X6 is best for action sports enthusiasts, vloggers, travel and everyday content creators who want 8K 360º footage with the flexibility to reframe shots and swap out damaged lenses. It's waterproof to 20m without an additional case, has larger square sensors and captures stunning 8K50fps footage.

If you already own a previous-generation X camera, the X6 is a tempting upgrade, offering better image quality, longer runtimes and tougher lenses. Those cross-shopping against an action camera like an Ace Pro, Go Ultra or LUNA gimbal camera might just see this as the more versatile option. That's because you can shoot, then reframe afterwards in 360°, or capture high-speed 5K60fps and 4K120fps Single-Lens Video.

The X6 really is the best 360 camera yet from Insta360, and one that should be high on any creator's want, need, or must-have list.

Shop the range now and choose between the Insta360 X6 Standard Bundle Midnight Black, X6 Standard Bundle Arctic White, Insta360 X6 Essentials Bundle Midnight Black or X6 Essentials Bundle Arctic White. Whichever you choose don’t forget to browse for the most useful action camera accessories to elevate your 360 content.

Share this post:

By Nick Dautlich on 12/08/2026

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.