![[images/Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5 Which Should You REALLY Buy.webp]] # Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5: Which Should You REALLY Buy? [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0iEJp5UHWw) · MountMedia · 2026-06-13 · 11:30 ## Outline - **0:00–0:22 – Intro.** The Luna Ultra and X5 are very different cameras, but both suit vlogging and family or vacation videos. He covers the key differences, shows longer comparison shots, and ends with a recommendation. ![[images/Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5 Which Should You REALLY Buy-t0025.webp]] - **0:22–2:41 – The main differences.** - The Luna Ultra is a conventional camera that shoots flat footage; the X5 is a 360 camera with an ultra-wide lens on each side, stitched into a 360 shot. - 360 lets you look around freely or pick the framing in post, and the selfie stick disappears. The downside is editing and reframing, and a reframed clip is a heavy crop (closer to 2.7K, even from 8K 360 footage). The X5 can also shoot flat 4K with a single lens. - The Luna Ultra shoots 4K and 8K and has two cameras: a wide lens with a 1-inch sensor and a 60 mm zoom lens, both mounted on a physical gimbal. That means physical stabilization, which helps in low light and with slower shutter speeds. - The gimbal also means the Luna Ultra isn't an action camera and isn't waterproof. The X5 is waterproof to 15 m without a housing, rugged, and has replaceable lenses. ![[images/Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5 Which Should You REALLY Buy-t0220.webp]] - **2:41–6:31 – Image quality comparison.** - Field of view: the Luna Ultra's main lens is 20 mm, but the X5 is far wider. That is great for action and landscape shots that include you, but distorts close-ups of faces. A magnetic ultra-wide lens attachment for the Luna Ultra widens it a bit, though the X5 is still much wider. - Zoom: the Luna Ultra is the first pocket camera with a second (60 mm) lens, good for portraits. A lossless 2x crop on both lenses gives up to 120 mm, and maximum zoom is 12x. - Focus: the X5 has fixed focus at infinity, so everything is sharp and there are no autofocus problems during action. The Luna Ultra's autofocus, 1-inch sensor and f/1.8 aperture give soft, cinematic background blur, even stronger compression with the 3x zoom, and macro-like close-ups. ![[images/Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5 Which Should You REALLY Buy-t0500.webp]] - Only the Luna Ultra has 10-bit log for color grading; the X5's log mode isn't 10-bit and isn't available in 8K. He sees the cameras as complements rather than alternatives. - **6:31–7:19 – Low light.** The X5 is good for a 360 camera, but in very dark scenes the large sensor and gimbal give the Luna Ultra a decisive edge. He says the Luna Ultra also beats the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 in low light, and the X5's electronic stabilization struggles at slow shutter speeds. - **7:19–9:08 – Gimbal, stabilization and tracking.** - In good light, even the best gimbal can't match a 360 camera's electronic stabilization, thanks to the very wide field of view. The X5 also has a simulated gimbal mode (follow, FPV and so on). ![[images/Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5 Which Should You REALLY Buy-t0720.webp]] - The Luna Ultra's gimbal can automatically track you or another subject, and its screen detaches to act as a remote with a display (start/stop, settings, tracking from a distance with the zoom lens). He calls this one of its best features. ![[images/Insta360 Luna Ultra vs X5 Which Should You REALLY Buy-t0800.webp]] - The X5 has remote controls (some with displays) and phone control. To track yourself, shoot 360 and track in post, or use InstaFrame mode for an already reframed flat 4K clip. - Only the X5 has voice control, gesture control and an AI highlights assistant. - **9:08–10:05 – Photo quality.** The X5 has higher-resolution photos, but he finds the Luna Ultra (up to 37 MP) better for photos overall thanks to the zoom and background blur. The Luna Ultra can also make stitched 360 photos, for example for virtual tours. - **10:05–11:30 – Price and which to buy.** The Luna Ultra is $770 (US) or 730 euros; the X5 is $550 or 590 euros, with a limited-time free gift through the description links. Buy the X5 for a rugged, waterproof vlogging camera with an ultra-wide look and creative shots. Buy the Luna Ultra for a more cinematic, professional look and flexible focal lengths. Ideally, have both. ## Things mentioned ### Cameras and products - **Insta360 Luna Ultra** – Gimbal pocket camera with a 1-inch 20 mm f/1.8 main camera and a 60 mm zoom camera, 4K/8K video, 10-bit log, auto tracking, detachable screen remote, 37 MP photos and stitched 360 photos. $770 / 730 euros. - **Insta360 X5** – 8K 360 camera, waterproof to 15 m, rugged body, replaceable lenses, single-lens flat 4K mode. $550 / 590 euros. - **Luna Ultra magnetic ultra-wide lens** – Attachment that widens the main lens's field of view. - **X5 remote controls** – Several options, some with a display. - **DJI Osmo Pocket 4** – Mentioned as beaten by the Luna Ultra in low light; he has a separate comparison video. ### Features and software - Reframing in post, invisible selfie stick, gimbal mode (follow, FPV), InstaFrame mode, voice and gesture control, AI highlights assistant (X5). - Lossless 2x crop and 12x max zoom, autofocus, 10-bit log, subject tracking, 360 photo mode (Luna Ultra). ### Purchase options and offers - [Insta360 Luna Ultra (affiliate link, free Throwpod for first purchases)](https://www.insta360.com/sal/luna-series?utm_source=AffiliateCenter&utm_medium=copylink&utm_term=INRNHMF) - [Insta360 X5 (affiliate link, free Double Lens Kit)](https://www.insta360.com/sal/x5?utm_source=AffiliateCenter&utm_medium=copylink&utm_term=INRNHMF) - In the video he mentions a limited-time free gift: for the Luna Ultra, either 1 year of FlexiCare or a free accessory; for the X5, a free accessory. - Music: Musicbed (14-day free trial link in the description). ## Biographies - **MountMedia (@MountMediaChannel)** – YouTube channel focused on 360 cameras, action cameras and drones (Insta360, DJI, Antigravity), with reviews, comparisons and tutorials. The presenter shoots side-by-side comparison footage outdoors and in the mountains and gives buying advice. - **Insta360 (Arashi Vision)** – Shenzhen-based maker of consumer 360 and action cameras (the X series, GO, Ace Pro), the Luna line, and the Insta360 app ecosystem. - **DJI** – Shenzhen-based maker of drones and the Osmo line of cameras, including the Osmo Pocket series.