A SEA of tech enthusiasts swarmed New York City’s iconic Grand Central Terminal on April 22 for an exclusive first glimpse of the latest action camera from the innovative Shenzhen-based company Insta360.

The pop-up experience at Vanderbilt Hall marked the global launch of Insta360’s newest 360º camera, the Insta360 X5, which is designed to push the boundaries of immersive content creation.

Cameras were available to buy on site and sold out in a few hours. Some eager fans arrived at 3 a.m. for the chance to be the world’s first owner of Insta360’s newest device, and that honor went to Anthony Quintano.

“I stayed up all night and made sure I arrived super early to experience this historic event. I was lucky enough to be the first person to buy the Insta360 X5 and got to hang out with so many talented creators in one of the coolest locations in NYC,” Quintano said. “After owning an Insta360 since the ONE X, it’s so exciting to watch the camera grow the way it has. I can’t wait to bring it with me on all my runs and my first Chicago Marathon!”

Attendees could also snap a picture with a giant 3.6-meter camera installation that doubled as the most iconic photo spot in one of New York City’s busiest locations. Some netizens commented, “The event was just too crazy!”

“This event was about more than just unveiling a product — it was about celebrating our community and giving creators a chance to experience the future of cameras first-hand,” said Max Richter, vice president of marketing at Insta360. “The response to the Insta360 X5 has been incredible, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

The game-changing Insta360 X5, which featured in that day’s New York Times, is a bold step forward for Insta360 as it continues to redefine how people capture and share their lives.

It builds directly on the existing X4 camera to deliver even greater image quality and in-the-field usability for skiers, mountain bikers, and other action sports creators. An AI-powered three-chip internal processing system promises to reduce noise in low light, boost color, and make footage look sharper and more vivid.

Insta360 has garnered global acclaim and popularity, becoming a household name in the world of innovative camera technology. Since its inception in 2015, the brand has rapidly ascended to prominence, thanks to its cutting-edge 360-degree cameras and action cameras.

According to a Frost & Sullivan report, Insta360 has held the No. 1 global market share in the panoramic camera sector for six consecutive years. Out of every 10 panoramic cameras sold globally, eight are from Insta360.

(Liu Minxia)