Insta360 has expanded its action camera line-up with the X6, a new flagship 360-degree model combining upgraded sensors, 8K recording and artificial intelligence tools designed to simplify shooting and editing.

One of the X6’s biggest additions is native Dolby Vision recording, which Insta360 says makes it the first 360 camera capable of capturing the format directly in-camera. The technology sits alongside a redesigned dual-sensor imaging system aimed at delivering better detail, colour reproduction and low-light performance.

The Insta360 X6 will be available from 12 August, with the Standard Bundle priced at A$669.99. The camera is being pitched at a broad range of users, including travellers, content creators, cyclists, motorcyclists and people capturing footage in and around water.

At the centre of the upgrade are two Sony 1/1.1-inch square sensors. According to Insta360, the new sensors provide 33 per cent more surface area than those in the X5 and capture about four times as much light per frame.

Processing has also received a substantial upgrade. The X6 incorporates three AI chips, which the company claims deliver 500 per cent more computing power than the previous model. The additional processing capacity is used to improve image detail, colour and footage recorded in challenging lighting conditions.

For 360-degree recording, the X6 can capture footage at up to 8K and 50 frames per second. Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata to optimise elements such as brightness and contrast on a frame-by-frame basis.

The camera also records in 10-bit colour, providing access to more than 1.07 billion colours. Together with Dolby Vision, the expanded colour information is intended to give creators greater flexibility when capturing and working with HDR footage.

The X6 is not restricted to spherical video. Users can choose between full 360-degree capture, subject-tracking footage resembling that of a gimbal-mounted camera, and conventional single-lens action camera recording.

InstaFrame 2.0 can automatically follow people, animals and other subjects, producing standard flat 4K video without requiring creators to manually reframe their 360 footage afterwards.

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Switching to single-lens mode allows recording at up to 5K and 60 frames per second. A 4K mode running at up to 120 frames per second is also available for capturing slow-motion sequences.

AI is playing a larger role in how footage is handled on the new model. Insta360 has introduced PanoMind, an AI system developed specifically to analyse spherical content.

Its AI Director feature can identify moments within recorded footage and automatically assemble them into highlight edits. The processing can also take place while the X6 is connected to power and charging, reducing the amount of manual editing required after a shoot.

Several physical components have been upgraded alongside the imaging technology. The rear of the camera features a 2.32-inch OLED display capable of reaching up to 1,200 nits of brightness, making it easier to view footage and controls in bright outdoor conditions.

Power comes from a 2,600mAh battery. Insta360 claims the X6 can record for up to 140 minutes when shooting 8K footage at 30 frames per second.

The camera can also be submerged to depths of 20 metres without requiring an additional waterproof housing, broadening its potential use for swimming, snorkelling and other water-based activities.

Users receive 47GB of usable internal storage, providing an option for recording when a separate storage card is unavailable or additional capacity is required.

Insta360 is offering several X6 bundles alongside the Standard Bundle when sales begin on 12 August. Customers who purchase and activate an eligible X6 before 30 September can also receive one year of Insta360+ Premium cloud storage.

With its larger sensors, higher processing capacity and expanded AI features, the X6 marks a significant update to Insta360’s flagship 360 camera range while continuing the company’s push towards devices that can serve as both immersive cameras and conventional action cameras.