X Series: Stitching Issues

X Series: Stitching Issues

Applicable Models: ONE X, X2, X3, X4, X4 Air, X5, and X6

If you encounter stitching issues with your X5, please first update the camera firmware to the latest version and check if the problem is resolved.

Please refer to: X Series: Check and Update Firmware Version

If the issue persists after the update, or if you are using a different camera model, please refer to the following sections for solving various stitching issues.

Scenario 1: Poor stitching in preview and after export

When previewing media on the camera or within the Insta360 app, you might notice suboptimal stitching that improves after export. Please rest assured, this is normal. It typically occurs because the stitching algorithm used for in-camera playback and preview has limited capabilities. For the best results, it is recommended to view and export your videos in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, which can utilize more advanced stitching algorithms (like AI Stitching or Optical Flow Stitching) for better stitching quality.

1.1 Poor stitching in preview on the camera

• If this happens on the X3 or X4, first swipe down to enter the "Shortcut" Menu > tap the "Lens Guards Mode" icon to ensure the correct mode is selected.
• If the settings are correct or you are using another camera model, it is recommended to view and export your media in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, as they support more advanced stitching algorithms to deliver superior stitching results.

1.2 Poor stitching in preview within Insta360 app

• Go to the Player page in Album > tap "Settings" icon in the top left corner > select "Accessories" > choose the corresponding lens stitching option based on your actual setup (select "None" if no accessory is used; select the corresponding model if using an official lens guard).
• If the settings are correct, it is recommended to view or export your media in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, as they support more advanced stitching algorithms to deliver superior stitching results.

Please note: X3 users can upgrade the Insta360 app to the latest version, then follow the steps above to try again.

Scenario 2: Poor stitching after using third-party lens guards or replacing lenses

2.1 When using third-party lens guards or third-party accessories

Lens guards, dive cases, ND filters, and similar accessories are precision optical components whose quality, thickness, and curvature directly affect image quality and stitching results. Differences in third-party accessory specifications can alter the light path and impact stitching results. It is recommended that you try shooting again using Insta360 Lens Guards or accessories to check if the stitching results improve.

2.2 When lenses have been replaced on X6, X5, or X4 Air

If the Replacement Lens on your X6, X5, or X4 Air camera has been replaced, or if your X6 camera has been switched from the Underwater Lens to a lens for use on land, perform a stitching calibration on your camera after the lens replacement.

Please refer to: X Series: Stitching Calibration

For a more intuitive operational demonstration, please refer to: Replacement Lens Kit Tutorial

Scenario 3: Stitching issues with media shot in the Bullet Time Mode

When shooting in the "Bullet Time" Mode, if the stitching appears suboptimal, it is typically because your hand is too close to the bottom of the camera during shooting, causing excessive cropping in the bottom stitching area. It is recommended to hold the camera with one lens facing up and the other down and rotate the selfie stick or string case steadily and horizontally. This will help you achieve a more complete and smooth stitching effect.

Scenario 4: Poor stitching when shooting with a selfie stick

4.1 Wavy distortion along the stitching seam when rotating the stick while shooting

When you rotate the selfie stick while shooting, the motion of objects passing the stitching seam or the camera's own movement causes subtle differences in the stitching effect between frames captured by the two lenses of the camera. This can result in slight wavy distortion along the stitch seam. It is recommended that you:

• Try to hold the stick vertically or at a 45° angle when shooting, and avoid continuous rotation of the selfie stick.
• View or export your media in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, as they support more advanced stitching algorithms to deliver superior stitching results.

4.2 Selfie stick visible in frame

When the selfie stick is extended too long, it may become slightly bent, causing it to become visible at the bottom of the frame. It is recommended that you:

• Try to keep the stick vertical when using a selfie stick for shooting.
• Consider using a regular or high-strength selfie stick, or try reducing the extended length to enhance stability if you are using a 3-meter stick.

4.3 Selfie stick visible in X4 Air in-camera preview

It is recommended to view or export your media in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, as they support more advanced stitching algorithms to deliver superior stitching results.

Scenario 5: Abnormal stitching in underwater shooting

Reason

When shooting underwater, the different refractive indices of water and air alter the path of light entering the lenses, affecting image stitching.

Solution

X6

It is recommended to use Insta360 Dive Cases together with the Underwater Lens to achieve better underwater imaging performance.

X5, X4 Air, X4, X3, X2

It is recommended to use Insta360 Dive Cases, which feature a specialized optical design to address the varying light refraction underwater, providing better waterproofing and optical performance for enhanced underwater clarity.

Scenario 6: Common stitching issues

6.1 Face distortion or deformation

Due to the parallax between the two lenses of a 360 camera, when shooting foreground or mid-ground subjects, the camera's algorithm fusion can cause slight distortion for faces near the edges of the frame. It is recommended to avoid having the side of the lens pointed directly at faces or use the Insta360 app to preview and adjust the angle in time before shooting for better stitching results.

6.2 Poor stitching, stitching seams, misalignment, or ghosting in close-up shots

If you notice stitching seams, misalignment, or ghosting when shooting close objects, follow these steps to troubleshoot:

Step 1: Check if the correct lens stitching option is selected in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio.

Insta360 app: Go to the Player page in Album > tap the "Settings" icon in the top left corner > Accessories to view and select the correct option.

Insta360 Studio: Go to Stitching settings > check and select the correct option under "Lens Stitching Option".

Step 2: It is recommended to keep a safe stitching distance when shooting, ensuring that the shooting distance meets the requirements for the specific camera model (see the table below for the specific distances).

Model	Camera Status	Distance to Subject
X6, X5, X4 Air	Camera without accessories	Non-bottom, surrounding area: 1.97ft (0.6m) Bottom area: 2.62ft (0.8m)
X4	Camera without accessories	Non-bottom, surrounding area: 1.97ft (0.6m) Bottom area: 2.62ft (0.8m)
	Camera without accessories (for precise hand stitching)	At least 3.28ft (1m)
	Camera with a lens guard	At least 3.28ft (1m)
X3	Camera without accessories	At least 1.97ft (0.6m)
	Camera without accessories (for precise hand stitching)	At least 3.28ft (1m)
X2	Camera without accessories	Dynamic stitching: About 1.64ft (0.5m) Template stitching: 13.12ft (4m)
ONE X	Camera without accessories	At least 2.62ft (0.8m)

Please note: In addition to keeping a safe stitching distance while shooting, you can improve results by pointing one lens directly at the subject and keeping the subject away from the side stitching seams of the camera. For a more intuitive operational demonstration, please refer to: Avoiding Stitching Problems.

6.3 Foreign objects in the stitched image (shadows, black edges, black blocks, black and blue edges, or lines)

• If using a lens guard: This may be due to improper installation of the lens guard, causing a gap between the lens guard and the lens, which affects stitching. Please check if the lens guard is installed correctly and confirm the correct "Lens Guards Mode" is selected on the camera.
• If using a Thermo Grip Cover: This may be due to improper installation of the Cover, leaving a gap between the Cover and the camera body that affects stitching. Please reinstall the Cover and set it correctly on the camera: Swipe down from the top of the screen > swipe right > "Accessories" > "Thermo Grip Cover" > select "Auto" or "Installed".
• If using a third-party accessory: It is recommended to try shooting again using Insta360 accessories and check if the stitching effect improves.

6.4 Poor stitching at the bottom or hand area

Because a 360 video is stitched from images captured by two lenses, there is a certain blind spot for stitching in areas very close to the lenses. Try the following steps for better stitching results:

• Use an invisible selfie stick, which can significantly reduce occlusion of the frame by the camera body and your hand.
• Try to keep the subject at least 2.62ft (0.8m) away from the camera lenses.
• Try to keep the camera lenses pointed towards the subject during shooting.
• When exporting media, use the "AI Stitching" algorithm in the Insta360 app or the "Optical Flow Stitching" algorithm in Insta360 Studio.

6.5 Stitching ghosting or ripples after the camera lens is dropped

• If you are using an X6, X5, or X4 Air camera:

After replacing the lens, please refer to X Series: Stitching Calibration to complete the stitching calibration.

You can refer to X Series Lens Replacement Tutorial to try replacing the lens.

• If you are using an X4, X3, X2, or ONE X camera, or if the issue persists after completing the above stitching calibration:

If obvious stitching issues occur after the camera is dropped, we recommend you apply for Insta360 Repair Service and send the camera together with the SD card (keeping the original media) back for diagnosis.

6.6 Misalignment at the stitching seam when images of line-like or striped objects are stitched

Reason

Please rest assured that this is an inherent characteristic of dual-lens 360 imaging, not a camera fault. There is parallax between the two fisheye lenses at the front and rear of a 360 camera, similar to how the images seen by the left and right eyes are not completely identical. When slender, continuous objects such as antennas, chains, or striped ceilings fall along the seam between the two images, precise stitching is more challenging, making stitching artifacts more noticeable. The shooting distance directly affects this effect: the farther the object is from the camera, the less noticeable the misalignment; the closer the object is, the more noticeable the misalignment.

Solution

• When composing your shot, try not to place slender line-like subjects at the stitching seam.
• You can observe the stitching effect of distant objects in the frame to quickly assess the overall stitching quality of the current 360 image.

6.7 Blurry stitching area

A 360 camera uses two lenses to capture and stitch images simultaneously. Affected by the physical characteristics of the optical lenses, there are slight differences in image sharpness between the edge areas and the center of the lens. This is a normal optical phenomenon in 360 stitching, so please rest assured. If you have higher requirements for image quality, it is recommended to place the subject in the center of the frame as much as possible when shooting and avoid placing it at the stitching seam.

Scenario 7: Stitching seam fluctuations (during movement, switching between far and near scenes, and close-up shots)

7.1 Stitching seam fluctuation occurs during movement

If you need to rotate the selfie stick while shooting, some fluctuation at the stitching seam will occur. Please refer to the method in 4.1.

Step 1: Check if the "Lens Guards Mode" or the stitching option in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio is correct, and ensure that the shooting distance meets the camera's requirements (refer to the table and steps in 6.2).

Step 2: If the camera is fitted with a lens guard, please remove it and test shooting with the bare lens. The motion of objects passing the stitching seam or the camera's own movement causes subtle differences in the stitching effect between frames captured by the two lenses of the camera, which may result in slight wavy distortion at the stitching seam. If fluctuation is minor when shooting with the camera only, this is normal. It is recommended to point the center of the camera lenses at the subject during shooting and try to avoid having the subject positioned on the stitching seam.

7.2 Stitching seam fluctuation occurs when switching between far and near scenes

Switching between near and far scenes in the frame can affect the stitching algorithm, leading to fluctuations or distortions at the boundaries. It is recommended to point the center of the camera lenses at the subject during shooting and try to avoid scenes with strong foreground/background separation while shooting.

7.3 Stitching seam fluctuation occurs during close-up shots

Step 1: Check if the "Lens Guards Mode" or the stitching option in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio is correct, and ensure that the shooting distance meets the camera's requirements (refer to the table and steps in 6.2).

Step 2: Open Insta360 Studio > click Stitching > Stitching Optimization > enable "Optical Flow Stitching" for export.

Scenario 8: Incorrect lens guard mode setting

If no lens guard is used, but "Lens Guard (Auto)" or the corresponding lens guard mode is selected in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, it will lead to stitching anomalies. Please set it correctly according to the following steps:

• Open the Insta360 app and select the Player page in Album > tap the "Settings" icon in the top left corner > find "Accessories" and select "Off" under "Lens Guards".

• Open Insta360 Studio, select "Accessories Assembly" > select "Off" under "Lens Guards".

Scenario 9: Shadows appear at the stitching area in videos shot with X5 in the PureVideo Mode

Description

The camera’s PureVideo Mode enhances image quality in low-light or night scenes. It better suppresses highlights, preserves shadow details, and reduces image noise. However, due to uneven light distribution at night, the light received by the stitching area may be inconsistent. To maintain overall image balance, the camera will automatically reduce the brightness of this area, which may result in dark shadows or dim transition bands at the stitching area. This is a normal phenomenon.

Solution

We recommend that the shooting subject should face directly in front of either lens when shooting and avoid placing key frames in the stitching area. This can effectively reduce or prevent the aforementioned phenomenon.

Scenario 10: Stitching area of the media shot with X4 shows tearing, jagged edges, or black borders when played in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio

Description

Stitching area of the media shot with X4 shows tearing, jagged edges, or black borders when played in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio.

Solution

1. Please update the camera’s firmware to the latest version and check if the issue is resolved.

Please refer to: X Series: Check and Update Firmware Version

1. If the issue persists after the firmware update, swipe left from the right edge of the camera screen to enter the Parameter Settings page, and set the "Balanced Exposure" Mode to "Auto". When set to "Standard" or "High", the two lenses expose independently, which lengthens the save time and may cause partial image loss, resulting in image tearing.

Scenario 11: Stitching discontinuity or stitching anomalies after stitching calibration

Description

After stitching calibration is performed on the camera, stitching anomalies appear in the in-camera preview or the final media, with clearly visible stitching discontinuity.

Reason

On X5 cameras with v1.7.x and v1.8.x firmware versions, abnormal stitching parameters may occur after stitching calibration.

Solution

Method 1: Fixing on the camera

We recommend you follow these steps:

1. Update the camera firmware: Update the camera firmware to v1.9.6 or later.

Please refer to: X Series: Check and Update Firmware Version.

2. Perform a factory reset: Swipe down from the top of the camera screen to enter the "Shortcut" menu > tap "Settings" (Gear icon ⚙) > "Factory Reset" > "Confirm".
3. Restore factory stitching settings: Swipe down from the top of the camera screen to enter the "Shortcut" menu > tap "Settings" (Gear icon ⚙) > "Stitching Calibration" > "Restore factory stitching settings".
4. Perform a stitching calibration: Swipe down from the top of the camera screen to enter the "Shortcut" menu > tap "Settings" (Gear icon ⚙) > "Stitching Calibration" > "Start calibration", and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Restart the camera: Check whether the stitching issue is resolved.

Method 2: Repair existing media with stitching anomalies

If existing media has stitching discontinuity or stitching anomalies, you can import the affected media into Insta360 Studio, click the "Accessories Assembly" icon on the right to access the "Stitching Calibration", then click "Calibrate" to complete the media repair.

Scenario 12: Blurred edges when viewing raw fisheye images in players such as PotPlayer

Reason

This is an inherent optical characteristic of the lens. Due to the physical limitations of the lens structure, the image sharpness in the edge areas is usually slightly lower than in the center area.

Solution

Please rest assured that when a 360 video or photo is stitched, the edge areas are automatically cropped and blended, so this part of the image will not appear in the final output and will not affect your actual user experience. It is recommended that you import the media into the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio to complete the stitching and check the final output.

Scenario 13: Differences in image sharpness between the front and rear lenses

Insta360 360 cameras use a dual-lens design with a front lens and a rear lens. Due to physical characteristics and the slight tolerances of the two independent modules, the image sharpness of the front and rear lenses cannot be absolutely consistent in theory. This is a normal individual difference that does not affect the normal stitching and viewing experience of 360 images, so please rest assured.

If none of the above solutions resolves your issue, please contact Insta360 Customer Support for assistance.