The first images of the new Insta360 X6 are coming up:

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Insta360 X6 leaks as more compact 8K action cam with 360-...

The Insta360 X6 appears to be almost ready for launch, as a major leak has revealed the action camera's more compact design, higher price, and what is likely its most significant upgrade ahead of its

Considering this new form factor, I am not so sure if there will be a dive case for the X6.

A dome of the size of the X5 dive case pro would be incompatible with the X6 side buttons.

A smaller dome, allowing buttons access, would result in quite poor image quality.

Of course, it would be possible to have buttons mechanisms which allow to locate them on the dive case in a different position, like in the camera housings, but that would very expensive.

I would not exclude that Insta360 could drop the dive case for the X6, just like DJI and GoPro.

I am very curious to see if the Insta360 engineers will come out with a smart solution for the X6 dive case.

I'm sure they will develop a new dive housing for this camera. It's just a matter of creativity and engineering.

1. Insta360 X6: July 2026?

2. Insta360 X5: 22 April 2025

3. Insta360 X4: 16 April 2024

Of course, with this speed of releasing new models (*) that are always imperfect, I wonder what the incentive is, on one hand to develop a professional housing and on the other hand to spend money on the purchase (now the Nauticam housing is a nice paperweight).

Third-party manufacturers are struggling with the fact that it is not just an optical problem but a software one. It is hard to think that it can be fixed without a close collaboration with the Insta project team. But when you see that they did not go very far with their housing either, you wonder if we are such a niche that it is not worth the effort and investment.

* Yes, we have seen these launch cycles for other photography products and action cameras too, but they are more mature products that you can easily keep using. In fact, one of the big efforts of camera equipment manufacturers is trying to convince their customers that they need the new updated gadget that just came out. It is more and more difficult in a mature market.

I think Insta360 considers third-party manufacturers as competitors. I've just found out that Easydive has also aluminium housing to X3 and X4 (but no support for X5)

https://www.easydive.it/en/underwater-housing/360-video-camera

I still use my X2 and not yet motivated to upgrade yet.

4 hours ago, Nikolausz said:

I'm sure they will develop a new dive housing for this camera. It's just a matter of creativity and engineering.

I do not have the same certainty. Beside the position of side buttons on that form factor, I am skeptical since the competition gave up on the diving with 360 cams. Proposing a diving case would give them a marked advantage but the question is if there is a real demand for it. Personally I was quite enthusiastic when I brought the X4 first time underwater, then I continued with the X5 but honestly now I am not sure if I will keep using a 360 cam when diving. I start to belive that normal cameras are better, especially when not diving in crystal clear, Caribbean style waters.

Well, there will be the dive case so I will get the X6 then. 👍

So the question has been answered. Now, the youtube is full with X6 promotion reviews but only very few underwater footage so far. The only longer test is by Hugh Hou (only snorkelling) and the information he has shared is a bit troubling. In order to use the dive case, you have to change the lens on the camera. I think it has to do with the 1 inch sensor and the hyperfocal distance set by the above water lens, plus the dome of the dive case. It will be interesting to see some real scuba diving tests.

5 hours ago, Nikolausz said:

the information he has shared is a bit troubling. In order to use the dive case, you have to change the lens on the camera

Hummmm on the other side, I'll only need this camera underwater ;) Change one time and that's it. 😀

I have a X4... took it with me during a dive trip.... and since never again... For me it's a feature for instagrammer ..;)

18 hours ago, Nikolausz said:

So the question has been answered. Now, the youtube is full with X6 promotion reviews but only very few underwater footage so far. The only longer test is by Hugh Hou (only snorkelling) and the information he has shared is a bit troubling. In order to use the dive case, you have to change the lens on the camera. I think it has to do with the 1 inch sensor and the hyperfocal distance set by the above water lens, plus the dome of the dive case. It will be interesting to see some real scuba diving tests.

That (replaceable) lenses is actually a good thing. It means that when they designed the underwater use was in mind and it wasn't just an afterthought. With Nauticam housing your lenses get replaced too although they are like built into the housing :-). This and low light performance differences made me to order one. And if it comes till next Friday I put it to test in Maldives :-)

4 hours ago, RomiK said:

rwater use was in mind and it wasn't just an afterthought. With Nauticam housing your lenses get replaced too although they are like built into the housing :-). This and low light performance differences made me to order one. And

I would also probably use this camera mainly underwater, so I agree, that this extra lens means that underwater use was seriously considered and designed.

This is the first good quality underwater video with X6 from a person who knows how to shoot proper underwater videos :

Yes, actually very nice.

But I have the impression that there is a small trick in the video. The image is quite static, as if he used only one of the two lenses and therefore there is no stitch between the two hemispheres. Or maybe the stitch is static. Maybe I am wrong, I am not an expert on these 360 cameras.

Many people do not understand rule #1 of video shooting in general: instead of moving the camera without sense with awkward movements, if you keep the camera still and let the subjects move, you never go wrong.

21 minutes ago, Davide DB said:

Yes, actually very nice.

But I have the impression that there is a small trick in the video. The image is quite static, as if he used only one of the two lenses and therefore there is no stitch between the two hemispheres. Or maybe the stitch is static. Maybe I am wrong, I am not an expert on these 360 cameras.

Many people do not understand rule #1 of video shooting in general: instead of moving the camera without sense with awkward movements, if you keep the camera still and let the subjects move, you never go wrong.

nono, there are stitches alright, just invisible. In 3:17 he holds cam on invisible stick in his left hand. So the stitches go right across the frame. They did really good job with this second gen of housing.

Still very much different optically from Nauticam case as you can also see from my pool test. Nauticam top x6 bottom. This from 20cm.

I jumped directly on the underwater part. I didn't listen the guy. Are there special lens for underwater use to mount or the magic happens in the new hosuing?

@RomiK does the X6 fit inside the Nauticam housing?

From what I've read, they provide special lenses for the underwater housing.

17 hours ago, Davide DB said:

I jumped directly on the underwater part. I didn't listen the guy. Are there special lens for underwater use to mount or the magic happens in the new hosuing?

@RomiK does the X6 fit inside the Nauticam housing?

As well as Nauticam X6 replaces lenses. Different distortion so stitching can work out the housing thickness and also mainly much closer focus to be able to have virtual image produced by the housing in focus. It also means that above water nothing except of very very close to housing is somewhat in focus. Now Nauticam replacement lens is built into the housing, into their glass port. With X6 you get separate lenses.

The pool samples show that up close Nauticam with X5 is much much sharper. In the distance it may be up to camera sensitivity as X6 shown better contrast and resolution from like 1M on.

X6 will not and cannot fit in X5 housing but anyone having X5 housing may have little incentives to jump onto X6 if they have camera mounted on DPV. For me and placement on camera housing lighter X6 package makes more sense.

Ok, looking forward to see your Maldives footage 🤩

I see that the biggest complaint from users is that you cannot use the camera for land and underwater shooting because the lenses swap requires a dry and clean station. You cannot do it on the boat or the beach. In the meantime I see perfectly stitched videos. Unfortunately most of them being vertical (I'm old).

I guess still there will be problems stitching object passing in front of the camera at less than one meter.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db8OCxZK-Qt/?igsi=MWpvY2Y0ZzA3Mnd1