![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial.webp]] # Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ-D1DxKpNo) · MountMedia · 2025-07-21 · 18:16 (written from YouTube's English captions) ## Outline - **0:00–1:21 – How to use the X5 underwater.** - Without preparation, underwater footage comes out blurry or full of lens flares. The video covers settings, accessories, reframing, and common mistakes. - The X5 stitches the images from its two ultra-wide lenses into one 360 image. Underwater, the angle at which light enters the lenses changes, so stitching breaks down. - The bare X5 is waterproof to 15 m, but without a dive case it only works underwater in **Single Lens Mode**, like a traditional action camera. ![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial-t0045.webp]] - **1:21–3:55 – Must-have accessories.** - The **Invisible Dive Case** keeps the 360 strengths (the invisible selfie stick and reframing) because it corrects how light enters the lenses. It is "more like a lens accessory" than a plastic shell, so he advises against cheap knockoffs. - Handling it takes care. Insta360 has just launched the **Invisible Dive Case Pro**: larger and pricier, but meant to be sharper. A review is coming. - For a selfie stick, he recommends the standard **114 cm Invisible Selfie Stick**, which is compact when collapsed. Mount it straight and don't tilt the camera. - Unlike the X4 case, the X5 case **floats**. Attach the included weight to the bottom of the stick. A **wrist strap** is useful. - The **Invisible Dive Bundle** includes the X5, dive case, selfie stick, wrist strap, and floating hand grip. ![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial-t0205.webp]] - **3:55–5:42 – How to use the Invisible Dive Case.** - Update the firmware first, since correct stitching depends on it. Remove the Lens Guards. - Insert the X5 so its buttons line up with the case buttons (the right-hand side when the display faces front). - Put the cardboard-like **anti-fog inserts** into the slots beside the lenses, and replace them when they get damp. Close all four latches. - Turn on **Dive Case Mode** by pressing and holding the Q button, either before or after inserting the camera. The display layout changes when it's on, and you swipe up to turn it off. Stitching only works in this mode. ![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial-t0420.webp]] - **5:42–6:34 – Operating the X5 in Dive Case Mode.** - You get two buttons and no touchscreen. - A short press of the Q button starts or stops recording. - A double-press of Q cycles front lens → rear lens → 360. - A short press of the power button changes the mode, and a long press turns the camera off or on. - The mode stays on after a restart and can only be turned off on the touchscreen once the camera is out of the case. - **6:34–8:12 – Three tips for the Dive Case.** - (1) The case is meant for underwater use. Above water, for example when surfing, set stitching to "Invisible Dive Case Above Water". Water droplets will still show. - (2) The plastic scratches easily, so keep it off rocks and away from sunscreen. Use the included protective cover, which can also clip to a wetsuit. - (3) After saltwater, rinse it and soak it closed in fresh water. - The included adapter keeps the camera straight for the invisible stick effect. - Settings are locked once Dive Case Mode is on, so set everything up first. - **8:12–13:49 – The best X5 underwater settings.** - Use the standard video mode, or try **PureVideo** when it gets dark. Use 360 rather than single-lens mode, since single-lens 4K isn't noticeably better in the case. - **8K30** gives slightly better detail (the case softens the image, so the gap with 5.7K is small) and handles low light better. **5.7K60** looks more natural and allows **HDR**. - His default is 8K30. He uses 5.7K60 with HDR in good light. - **Adaptive Tone** helps in harsh side light, but it costs battery. - Keep exposure on auto. Color profile: Standard, Vivid (if you won't edit), or Flat/I-Log for grading (I-Log isn't available in 8K). - EV about **+0.3**, auto white balance, Jitter Blur Reduction off, Balanced Exposure on auto. - Set video bitrate to **High** and sharpness to **Medium**. - Save it all as a preset (there's a built-in Diving preset) that you can open with the Q button. ![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial-t0900.webp]] - **13:49–16:04 – Editing the underwater footage.** - In the Insta360 app (or Studio), check that stitching is set to "Invisible Dive Case" (Settings → Accessories). - The key step: **zoom out** when reframing, because footage shot through the case looks soft and too tight. In the app, use FOV "Mega" at 160° for 16:9. In Studio, he sets FOV and distortion to 105. Add a little sharpening afterwards. - Turn on **Aqua Vision** (Edit → Color) to remove the blue cast. - Export at 4K with the maximum bitrate of 150 Mbps. ![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial-t1445.webp]] - **16:04–18:16 – Tips and tricks.** - (1) Hold the case sideways so neither lens faces the surface, which avoids flares. Rotate as little as possible to hide the stitch line. - (2) More light is better: depth hurts quality. Swim against the sun rather than with it behind you. - (3) Use slow, steady forward movement. Fins help. - (4) Include a subject at least about 1 m away, which is another reason to always use a selfie stick. - Outro: points to his "10 best X5 accessories" video. ![[images/Insta360 X5 The Ultimate Underwater Tutorial-t1630.webp]] ## Things mentioned ### Cameras - **Insta360 X5**: Insta360's 2025 flagship 360 camera. Shoots up to 8K30 or 5.7K60, waterproof to 15 m bare. - **Insta360 X4**: its dive case sank, unlike the X5's floating one. ### Gear and accessories - **Insta360 X5 Invisible Dive Case**: optically corrected housing that keeps 360 stitching working underwater. Comes with anti-fog inserts, a weight, a protective cover, and a straight adapter. - **Insta360 Invisible Dive Case Pro**: newly announced, larger and pricier, promises sharper footage (review pending). - **Invisible Selfie Stick (114 cm)**, selfie-stick **wrist strap**, **floating hand grip**. - **Lens Guards** (remove them before putting the camera in the case). ### Software and features - Dive Case Mode (button-only control), Single Lens Mode, PureVideo, HDR (5.7K60), Adaptive Tone, color profiles (Standard / Vivid / Flat / I-Log), EV, white balance, Jitter Blur Reduction, Balanced Exposure, video bitrate High, sharpness, presets (including Diving) via the Q button. - Insta360 smartphone app and Insta360 Studio: "Invisible Dive Case" / "Above Water" stitching options, FOV Mega 160°, Aqua Vision color, 4K export at 150 Mbps. - Firmware update requirement. ### Announcements - Launch of the Invisible Dive Case Pro, with a MountMedia review promised. ### Purchase options - Insta360 X5 Dive Bundle (13% off plus a free Mic Air): insta360.com affiliate link (utm_term INRNHMF). - Insta360 X5 Invisible Dive Case: Insta360 Store (affiliate code INRNHMF). - Insta360 X5 underwater accessories: Insta360 Store accessory page (affiliate code INRNHMF). - Invisible Dive Bundle (X5 + case + stick + wrist strap + floating grip). - Related video: [The Best X5 Accessories](https://youtu.be/bL3ZqBEG8d4). - Audiio music licensing (source of the music). ## Biographies - **MountMedia (Werner Plank)**: YouTube channel (@MountMediaChannel) focused on action and 360 cameras, drones, and outdoor filmmaking. It's known for side-by-side camera comparisons, tutorials, and buyer's guides. Contact: [email protected]. Instagram @werner.plank. - **Insta360**: Shenzhen-based maker of consumer 360 and action cameras (X series, Ace Pro, GO). The X5 launched in April 2025.