Sign in Subscribe

Hands-On with the Insta360 X5: A Real Estate Photographer’s Take on Still Image Quality and Workflow

Al Bug

• 4 min read

As a Real Estate Photographer and Google Trusted Photographer, producing high-quality virtual tours and uploading connected 360 images to Google Street View is part of the job. The demand for clear, immersive images keeps growing, which makes selecting the right 360° camera critical. I recently spent time working with the Insta360 X5 (released in April 2025) to see how well it handles still photography specifically for real estate virtual tours and Street View. This review focuses entirely on the X5’s capabilities for stills—not video.

Evaluating Still Image Quality on the Insta360 X5

When I assess a 360 camera for real estate use, I focus on a few key areas: resolution, sensor size, dynamic range, and how the camera handles indoor lighting. The Insta360 X5 brings a few upgrades that caught my attention:

  • 72MP Resolution (11904x5952): The X5 delivers high-resolution stills, and I’ve tested this on various property shoots. The resolution holds up well, allowing viewers to zoom in on details without the image falling apart. This is crucial when clients want to showcase features like fixtures or finishes.
  • 1/1.28" Sensor: The sensor is larger than what Insta360 offered on the X4 (which had a 1/2" sensor), though it doesn’t match the Ricoh Theta Z1’s dual 1" sensors. That said, the increase in sensor size on the X5 noticeably improves light capture. In real estate interiors—where you often have tricky lighting—this helps balance exposures and manage noise levels better.
  • HDR Capabilities for Real Estate: HDR is non-negotiable when shooting interiors with bright windows and darker corners. The X5 includes HDR functionality, and Insta360 has announced a firmware update (expected June 2025) that will enable 72MP HDR bracketed shots with up to seven exposures. This should improve dynamic range further for real estate work. Currently, the camera outputs 18MP Active HDR stills, which are convenient for quick shoots. In my testing, the updated AI processor handles HDR better than previous models, minimizing noise—especially in mid-tones and shadows. Earlier Insta360 cameras had a tendency to overcompensate for HDR, introducing grain in the process. I’ve seen less of that with the X5.
  • Low-Light Performance: With real estate, you’re often shooting dim hallways, basements, or spaces with mixed lighting. The X5’s low-light performance, thanks to its larger sensor and updated processing, is a step up from the X4. It’s not on par with the Z1’s 1" sensors (which still lead in this area), but for most interior situations, the X5 handles itself well.
  • Sharpness and Detail: The 72MP resolution translates into solid sharpness in my images, especially compared to previous Insta360 generations. However, when pixel-peeping, there’s still a bit of graininess, and it doesn’t quite reach the level of detail I get from the Ricoh Theta Z1 shooting in RAW. That said, the gap has narrowed, and I’m curious to see if the 72MP HDR feature will help push the X5 closer to Z1 levels.

Physically, the X5 offers features that make on-site work easier: a 2.29" touchscreen for framing and settings adjustments, user-replaceable lenses (useful if you’re in the field often), and removable microSD storage—which I prefer over internal-only options for quick image transfers.

Streamlining the Workflow: GoThru Integration

Beyond image quality, workflow matters. As someone delivering virtual tours regularly, I need to move fast from capture to delivery. This is where the Insta360 X5, paired with GoThru Street Editor, really stands out.

The GoThru app has been updated to integrate directly with Insta360 cameras, including the X5. In my experience, this streamlines the still photography process:

  • Direct Capture via GoThru App: I connect the X5 to the GoThru app via Wi-Fi and shoot directly from there, including HDR shots. This eliminates the back-and-forth of juggling between camera and separate apps.
  • Automatic Image Connection and Labeling: Once captured, the images are automatically connected into a sequence using GoThru’s AI, which also labels the panoramas based on their content. I’ve tested this across multiple shoots, and it saves a lot of manual effort.
  • Rapid Virtual Tour Creation: After shooting, GoThru can auto-generate a virtual tour using pre-set templates. From finishing a property shoot to having a complete virtual tour ready to send off can take as little as five minutes. I’ve timed it.

While GoThru supports other cameras, this level of automated integration works best with Insta360 models like the X5. It’s a significant workflow advantage, especially if you’re handling multiple properties in a day.

Using the Insta360 X5 for Google Street View (GSV)

When contributing stills to Google Street View—whether for business interiors or points of interest—the image quality needs to meet certain standards. The X5 delivers:

  • Exceeds GSV Requirements: The 72MP resolution is well above Google’s minimums for Street View stills, and I’ve uploaded images without issue.
  • Publishing Tools via GoThru: Using GoThru, I’ve managed panoramic stills for GSV easily. The process is seamless, making the X5 a practical tool for this type of work.

While the X5 is great for individual GSV projects, I’d still lean toward Insta360’s higher-end enterprise models for larger commercial GSV work.

The Ricoh Theta Z1, on the other hand, integrates smoothly with the GSV app and remains a solid option for business interiors due to its image quality and RAW workflow.

Comparing the X5 to Other 360 Cameras for Stills

  • X5 vs. X4: If you’re debating between the X4 and X5, the upgrade is worth it. The sensor bump from 1/2" to 1/1.28" improves low-light performance and dynamic range, even though the resolution remains at 72MP.
  • X5 vs. Ricoh Theta Z1: This is where image quality purists will pause. The Z1’s 1" sensors and RAW DNG workflow still give it an edge in detail, dynamic range, and low-light shots. I can pull more out of the Z1’s files in post. But the X5 offers a faster workflow and higher resolution (72MP vs. 23MP), which can be a game-changer if you’re on tight deadlines.
  • X5 vs. Ricoh Theta X: The Theta X is user-friendly with 60MP stills and a decent touchscreen interface. It’s positioned as a middle ground between the Z1 and Insta360 cameras. However, the X5 edges it out in resolution and low-light capability, thanks to the larger sensor.

Final Thoughts: Is the X5 the Right Tool?

If your priority is capturing the absolute best still images and you’re prepared to spend time in post-processing, the Ricoh Theta Z1 is still the leader. But after working with the Insta360 X5, I can say it offers a great balance between image quality and efficiency.

For busy real estate photographers who need high-resolution stills with a fast, automated workflow, the X5 (especially when paired with GoThru) delivers. It gets you from capture to completed virtual tour quickly, without sacrificing too much on image quality.

For me, the X5 has become a strong part of my toolkit—bridging the gap between solid still image performance and modern workflow automation.