Insta360 X5 vs Osmo Pocket 3: The Ultimate Nighttime Camera Comparison

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When it comes to low-light content creation, two pocket-sized powerhouses often make the shortlist: the Insta360 X5 and the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. But how do they really stack up when the sun goes down and the street lights take over?

In this in-depth comparison, we pushed both cameras to their limits in real-world nighttime environments—perfect for creators who film on the go, vlog at night, or shoot under ambient lighting conditions. If you’re looking for a camera that delivers when light is scarce, this article is for you.

Also here you can find the FREE PROJECT FILES for both cameras so you can dive in and explore for yourself. If you're still on the fence after you read this blog, you can take my free "Which Camera Should I Buy?" quiz 

Auto Mode Showdown: Noise, Grain, and Blur

To simulate how a beginner might use either camera, we kicked things off in program auto exposure mode. Immediately, differences in noise, motion blur, and detail retention were apparent.

•  Camera A (Insta360 X5) displayed much more grain and blur—especially in skin tones and background textures.
•  Camera B (Osmo Pocket 3) was noticeably cleaner, with better detail in shadows and pavers in the background.

Even without manual tweaking, the Osmo Pocket 3 had a stronger handle on its image processing in auto mode.

Manual Exposure at ISO 800: Color Science Differences

Switching both cameras to manual mode at ISO 800 tightened the gap in quality, but also revealed how each sensor handles color rendering.

•  The X5 (Camera A) leaned into saturated reds and a warmer tone overall.
•  The Pocket 3 (Camera B) gave a more neutral white balance with better color separation, especially around red neon signs and mixed lighting sources.

We saw a clear difference in color science and tone curve between the two brands.

ISO Tests: 100 to 1600

We ramped up the ISO in stages to see how each sensor handles digital noise:

•  At ISO 100, both cameras were being pushed, but the X5 looked softer and red-tinted while the Pocket 3 stayed sharper.
•  At ISO 800, the Osmo Pocket 3 kept things cleaner, while the X5 started to show blooming and color warmth.
•  At ISO 1600, the X5 struggled with highlight control and shadow detail, whereas the Pocket 3 held contrast and dynamic range better.

The takeaway? The Osmo Pocket 3 handles high ISO ranges more gracefully, offering usable footage even in extreme low-light.

360 Mode vs Single Lens Mode

The Insta360 X5 uses its full sensor in 360 mode but heavily crops in single-lens mode—resulting in reduced detail and dynamic range. While single-lens mode is easier for workflow, you’re trading off image fidelity for convenience. The Osmo Pocket 3, meanwhile, delivers consistent quality straight out of camera.

Real-World Vlogging Tests: Skin Tones, Neon Signs & Stabilization

Here’s how both cameras performed in different street-level scenarios:

•  Skin tones: The Pocket 3 blew the X5 away with more natural rendering and sharper detail, even in near-darkness.
•  Highlight recovery: The Osmo did better retaining structure in blown-out light sources.
•  Lens bloom: The X5 had a dreamy glow, while the Pocket 3 kept things tighter and more controlled.
•  Stabilization: The X5’s electronic stabilization surprisingly kept pace with the Pocket 3’s mechanical gimbal—though the Pocket 3 still had slightly cleaner motion overall.

Color Accuracy & Shadow Recovery

In color checker tests, the Osmo Pocket 3 proved more accurate across the board. Reds and greens were clean, contrast stayed grounded, and midtones didn’t lift unnaturally. The X5 skewed cooler and had a tendency to lift shadows, reducing depth.

In shadow recovery, the Pocket 3 again maintained better structure, where the X5 often muddied the details.

Pure Video Plus: A Game Changer for the X5?

Turning on Pure Video Plus for the Insta360 X5 improved color saturation and highlight handling, making it much more competitive. Shadow detail improved, and overall contrast became more natural. Still, even at its best, the X5 just couldn’t quite catch up to the Osmo in color separation and low-light sharpness.

Final Verdict: Which Is Better for Night Shooters?

After testing both cameras across dozens of real-world nighttime scenarios, here’s the bottom line:

•  Osmo Pocket 3 consistently delivers cleaner images, better low-light skin tones, and more accurate color science straight out of camera.
•  Insta360 X5, while versatile and capable—especially in 360 mode—struggles in single-lens night shooting unless you activate Pure Video Plus.

If you’re looking for a low-light camera that just works—whether you’re vlogging under neon signs, shooting nightlife content, or creating cinematic handheld B-roll—the Osmo Pocket 3 is the better choice.

Bonus: Free Project Files & LUTs

Want to try it yourself?
🎬 Download my free project file pack to access the same clips from both cameras and test them in your own editing software.

🎞️ I also just released a Camcorder LUT Pack for both cameras—designed to give your footage that retro early-2000s digital camcorder vibe that’s coming back in style. You can check that out here.

And if you own an Osmo Pocket 3, don’t miss my complete Pocket 3 course covering setup, real-world shooting scenarios, and custom looks.

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