GoPro
HERO12 Black
1/1.9-inch action camera with HDR 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 slow-mo, HyperSmooth 6.0, and 10m waterproof body.
$349
Launch priceReleased Sep 2023
Insta360
X5
Flagship 360° action camera with dual 1/1.28-inch sensors, 8K 30fps 360° video, 4K 60fps single-lens mode, 15m waterproofing, and AI-powered PureVideo.
$550
Launch priceReleased Apr 2025
X5 is 1.7 years newer.
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Wins
HERO12 Black
Wins
X5
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BX5 has higher Resolution (72 MP vs 27.6 MP)
- AHERO12 Black has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- AHERO12 Black has higher 1080p max frame rate (240 fps vs 120 fps)
- BX5 has higher Waterproof depth (15 m vs 10 m)
- BX5 has higher Battery capacity (2400 mAh vs 1720 mAh)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
HERO12 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
X5
46 × 125 × 38 mm
200 g (0.44 lb / 7.05 oz)
HERO12 Black is 74mm shorter and 5mm thinner than X5 but it is also 26mm wider.
HERO12 Black is 46 g lighter than X5.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO12 Black · 38mm X5
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
HERO12 Black
72 × 51 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
X5
46 × 125 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
HERO12 Black
72 × 34 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
X5
46 × 38 mm
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
HERO12 Black
Codecs
Adds H.265 (HEVC)
Stabilization modes
Adds HyperSmooth 6.0, 360° Horizon Lock, AutoBoost
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only HERO12 Black supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
1080p max frame rate
240 fps vs 120 fps — higher is better
Weight
154 g vs 200 g — lower is better
Battery runtime
150 min vs 135 min — higher is better
Reasons to choose
X5
Codecs
Adds H.264, H.265
Stabilization modes
Adds FlowState, Horizon Lock 360°, Active HDR…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 46, 124.5, 38.2
Resolution
72 MP vs 27.6 MP — higher is better
Waterproof depth
15 m vs 10 m — higher is better
Battery capacity
2400 mAh vs 1720 mAh — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 6,400
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HERO12 Black
Pros
- ✓HDR 5.3K and 4K120
- ✓HyperSmooth 6.0
- ✓10m waterproof
- ✓Strong used value
Cons
- –Superseded by HERO13
- –Fixed lens
- –Smaller battery than HERO13
X5
Pros
- ✓Dual 1/1.28-inch sensors (2× larger than X4)
- ✓8K 30fps 360° and 5.7K 60fps
- ✓4K 60fps single-lens action mode
- ✓15m waterproof without case
- ✓72MP 360° photos
Cons
- –Premium price vs X4
- –8K workflow is storage-heavy
- –Fixed lenses (not user-swappable in field)
- –Editing 360° footage takes time
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the HERO12 Black and X5 at major authorized retailers.
GoPro HERO12 Black
Insta360 X5
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, HERO12 Black or X5?
HERO12 Black scores 8.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for X5 — 154g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO12 Black and X5?
HERO12 Black is 27.6 MP and X5 is 72 MP, so the X5 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
How does stabilization compare between the HERO12 Black and X5?
HERO12 Black uses HyperSmooth 6.0 (electronic), while X5 uses FlowState 6-axis (electronic).
What's the weight difference between the HERO12 Black and X5?
HERO12 Black weighs 154 g and X5 weighs 200 g, so the HERO12 Black is 46 g lighter.
Do the HERO12 Black and X5 record 4K video?
HERO12 Black: 4K up to 120p. X5: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the HERO12 Black and X5 weather sealed?
HERO12 Black: Yes. X5: Yes.
Which has better battery runtime?
HERO12 Black is rated for about 150 minutes of continuous recording and X5 for about 135 minutes, giving the HERO12 Black the edge.
How much does each cost?
HERO12 Black launched at $349 and X5 at $550. The HERO12 Black is $201 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way HERO12 Black vs X5 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of GoPro and Insta360 press materials.