X Series: Portrait Mode

X Series: Portrait Mode

Applicable Models: X4 Air, X5, and X6

The Portrait Mode retains natural details while enhancing skin tones, resulting in a more delicate and textured facial appearance. This article provides instructions on how to enable the Portrait Mode and answers to some frequently asked questions.

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Camera and app/software version requirements

Before using the Portrait Mode, please ensure your camera or app/software has been updated to the following versions:

• Insta360 app: v2.10.1 or later
• Insta360 Studio: v5.7.6 or later
• X5 camera firmware: v1.6.18 or later

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

Please note: For the optimal display of the portrait effect in your captured media, please view the media in the latest version of the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio.

How to enable the Portrait Mode on the camera

X6

Turn on the camera, switch the shooting mode to "InstaFrame 2.0" > swipe left from the right edge of the camera screen > select "Basic"/"Pro" as needed > tap "Beauty" to enable or disable the Portrait Mode.

Please refer to: X6: InstaFrame 2.0

Please note: X6 has the portrait optimization enabled by default, automatically brightening and beautifying skin tones. Only InstaFrame 2.0 has a separate "Beauty" toggle; please turn off "360 Video Backup" before using this feature. Other shooting modes do not have a separate Beauty option.

X5 and X4 Air

Swipe left from the right side of the camera screen to access the parameter settings page. Tap the "Smiley Face" (☺) icon in the menu bar to enable the Portrait Mode. Once enabled, the smiley face icon will be displayed in the top right corner of the shooting page.

Please note: The Portrait Mode and the Beauty feature are only supported in the following shooting modes for the listed models.

• X5: 360 Video, 360 PureVideo, 360 Photo, 360 Burst Photo, and 360 Interval
• X4 Air: 360 Video, 360 Photo, 360 Burst Photo, and 360 Interval

Suggestions on shooting postures and composition

1. Human postures: Try various angles such as front-facing, side-facing, upward shooting, and downward shooting.

2. Camera position: To ensure the camera can recognize human faces, keep the face at a certain proportion in the frame. Avoid using ultra-wide FOV modes like Tiny Planet. Also, prevent people from appearing in the camera's stitching area.

3. Multi-person shooting: Multi-person portrait optimization is supported. Please ensure that faces are shot without obstruction (up to 3 faces can be detected simultaneously).

4. Shooting distance: Maintain an appropriate distance and do not shoot too close to the face (avoid "close-up face shots") to ensure the camera can recognize the face.

5. Notes about scenes: It is not recommended to use the mode in underwater environments, as underwater conditions and light may affect recognition.

How to adjust the Portrait Mode in post-production

If the Portrait Mode has been enabled for shooting, you can choose whether to apply it in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio during post-production.

Insta360 app

Open the media in the Insta360 app, then tap the "Settings" icon in the top left corner > "Image Effects" > locate and enable the "Portrait Mode".

Insta360 Studio

Method 1: Import the media into Insta360 Studio > tap the "Image Processing" icon on the right > locate and enable the "Portrait Mode".

Method 2: Import the media into Insta360 Studio > create a new project > drag the media to the timeline > go to the "Image Processing" panel on the right, locate and enable the "Portrait Mode".

Please note: 

• If the Portrait Mode is enabled for the original media, the effect will remain applied after import. If the Portrait Mode is not enabled for the original media, the effect will be in a disabled state after import.
• Shot Lab in the Insta360 app does not currently support the application of the Portrait Mode effect.
• The Portrait Mode is currently not available for media in the cloud album.

FAQ

1. Why is the Portrait Mode / Beauty not working?

• Please ensure that the human face (especially the eyes, nose, and mouth) is fully visible, with no obstructions from masks, hair, hand gestures, or shadows.
• Please shoot in a well-lit environment with even lighting. Avoid excessively dark environments or strong shadows on the face.
• When shooting, position the face appropriately close to the lens to ensure it occupies a sufficiently large proportion in the frame; an overly small face proportion may result in recognition failure.
• Try to keep the face facing the lens directly. Avoid extreme side profiles or excessive upward/downward angles.

If the issue persists after all the above conditions have been met, please contact Insta360 Customer Support for assistance.

2. When the Portrait Mode is enabled, why might the background appear overexposed in backlit or cloudy scenes?

The Portrait Mode prioritizes facial brightness optimization. Therefore, in outdoor backlit or cloudy scenes, the background exposure may be relatively high. To balance background brightness, you can try reducing the proportion of the sky in the frame or disable the Portrait Mode.

3. Does the 360 Portrait Mode support direct output of the original media? Why is it not visible in the original media or in-camera playback? Skin tone optimization is applied to the portrait when previewing on the camera, but after taking the shot, the preview no longer shows the skin tone optimization effect. Is this normal?

The portrait effect is not directly saved in the original media. Therefore, what you see during in-camera playback or shooting preview is the unprocessed original image. You can open the captured media via the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio to apply the skin tone optimization effect.

4. Which mobile phone models are recommended for using the Portrait Mode effect in the Insta360 app?

• iOS devices: iPhone 13 or later models are recommended.
• Android devices: Phones equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or higher processors are recommended (the Portrait Mode has certain requirements for device performance).
  • Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S22 and subsequent S-series models (models with Snapdragon variants are recommended; models with Exynos variants are not recommended).
  • Xiaomi: Xiaomi 12 and subsequent models (equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or higher processors).
  • OPPO: OPPO Find X5 Pro and subsequent models (equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or higher processors).
  • vivo: vivo X80 Pro and subsequent models (equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or higher processors).
  • Honor: Honor Magic4 and later models.
  • HUAWEI: Devices with Kirin processors are not recommended currently, as the preview will be relatively laggy.