What I Wish I Knew Before Buying the Insta360 X5 (Creator POV)

What I Wish I Knew Before Buying the Insta360 X5 (From a YouTube Creator’s POV)

Thinking about buying the Insta360 X5? As a solo YouTube creator who’s filmed everything on my iPhone for years, I recently took the plunge and bought the Insta360 X5 — and let me tell you, it changed the way I shoot videos. But it also came with a few surprises I wish I had known beforehand.

In this video, I walk and talk through the real pros and cons of using the Insta360 X5 as a content creator, not a tech reviewer. From multi-angle magic and reframing in post, to file size headaches and editing learning curves — I cover it all.

This is for creators juggling full-time jobs, life, and a passion for YouTube. If that’s you, you’ll want to hear this before hitting “Buy.”

The Gear I Use to Get Pro Video:
iPhone 16 Pro - https://amzn.to/3TXRoeN
iPhone monitor - https://amzn.to/46rFlxS
Insta360 x5 - https://amzn.to/4f5lZR7
Insta360 Tripod - https://amzn.to/3GPRwtV
Cheap / Travel Tripod - https://amzn.to/414C2Je
Sturdy Tripod - https://amzn.to/3ICohvd
Mini Tripod - https://amzn.to/45iVYKT
iPhone External Hardrive - https://amzn.to/44M8K4z

Audio:
DJI Mic Mini - https://amzn.to/46k2wKm
If you don't want double transceivers - https://amzn.to/3IH1uON
Cheap wireless mic - https://amzn.to/44KHL9v
Lavalier mic - https://amzn.to/4l0wC9n

Lighting:
Cheap RGB Lights - https://amzn.to/4kNtXj7
RGB Mini Light - https://amzn.to/4kUEetZ
Travel Fill Light - https://amzn.to/3Ug2nk1
Studio Light - https://amzn.to/4f4Yyr6
RGB Studio Light - https://amzn.to/4kVbZvm

Accessories:
iPad Holder - https://amzn.to/3TRt6TL
SmallRig Clamps - https://amzn.to/3GDrNF2

Disclosure: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase. I work hard to find the best budget-friendly and travel-ready gear to share with you, and I always list what I personally use along the way. Your support helps me keep creating helpful, honest content...thank you!

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 - Why I Bought the Insta360 X5
01:15 - First Impressions & The “Multi-Angle” Magic
03:11 - What I Loved Instantly (Framing, Freedom, and iPhone Comparison)
04:39 - Audio Setup & DJI Mic Mini Compatibility
06:37 - The Invisible Selfie Stick & 360 Magic
08:04 - Me Mode & Auto Tracking (The 1080p Frustration)
09:46 - Editing Workflow & Reframing Shortcuts
11:17 - Behind-the-Scenes Filming with My iPhone
12:36 - Filming Dogs, Kids & Spontaneous Moments (Moose!)
14:02 - Final Thoughts After One Month of Use
16:44 - CONS: Learning Curve for Editing
18:00 - File Sizes & Storage Woes
23:05 - Editing Isn’t “Plug and Go” Like iPhone
24:46 - Me Mode Still Not in 4K (Hoping for Updates)
26:00 - Viewfinder Limitations (But Why It Doesn’t Matter)
27:14 - The “Go Back in Time” Feature (Secret Reveal)
28:04 - For Creators Like You — Final Message


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