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
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Nov 2024
X5 is 5 months newer.
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Wins
X5
Wins
Alpha 1 II
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 0)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher ISO max (native) (32,000 vs 6,400)
- AX5 has lower Weight (200 g vs 743 g)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
X5
46 × 125 × 38 mm
200 g (0.44 lb / 7.05 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
X5 is 90mm narrower and 45mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 28mm taller.
X5 is 543 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 38mm X5 · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
X5
46 × 125 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
X5
46 × 38 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 1 II
136 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
X5: mount data unavailable
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
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
X5
Stabilization modes
Adds FlowState, Horizon Lock 360°, Active HDR…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 46, 124.5, 38.2
Card types
Adds microSD
Weight
200 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Resolution
72 MP vs 50.1 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
AF points / zones
759 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
32,000 vs 6,400 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Eye AF
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the X5 and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.
Insta360 X5
Sony Alpha 1 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, X5 or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 1.5/10 for X5 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the X5 and Alpha 1 II?
X5 is 72 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the X5 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the X5 and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
X5 uses FlowState 6-axis (electronic), while Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the X5 and Alpha 1 II?
X5 weighs 200 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the X5 is 543 g lighter.
Do the X5 and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
X5: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the X5 and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
X5: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
How much does each cost?
X5 launched at $550 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The X5 is $5,949 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way X5 vs Alpha 1 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Insta360 and Sony press materials.