Following the launch of its flagship X6 action camera in August, Insta360 has announced a major educational collaboration with PADI at DEMA Show 2026, in the form of a new Insta360 X Series Diver PADI Distinctive Specialty Course.
The course will be showcased alongside the all-new Insta360 X6 Dive Bundle at the show, which is running this week from 3 – 6 November at the Ernest N Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Developed in collaboration with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), Insta360 says the initiative marks a significant milestone in its commitment to moving beyond hardware and bringing education in underwater imaging techniques directly into the diving community.
Insta360 says that integrating 360 capture workflows into PADI’s formal training framework will enable divers ‘to safely capture, reframe, and tell their underwater stories while promoting marine conservation and responsible filming practices.’
- Read more: Jenny Stock reviews the Insta360 X6
Insta360 × PADI collaboration
Insta360 says the philosophy behind the new underwater imaging specialty is about more than just having the right camera – it’s about knowing how to use it to capture an experience and bring that moment to life through storytelling.
Unlike traditional action cameras that require divers to choose a shooting direction in advance, the X6 captures the full 360 underwater environment, letting creators focus on their dive and choose their preferred angles later in post-production.
By partnering with PADI on the Insta360 X-Series Diver Distinctive Specialty Course, Insta360 says it aims to help divers build practical skills across the entire creative process – from preparing their cameras and filming responsibly underwater to editing, reframing, and sharing their footage.
The course covers four key areas:
- Prepare: Learn about camera functions, underwater settings, dive housing, accessories, and essential pre-dive equipment checks.
- Capture: Practise safe underwater camera handling, 360° filming techniques, different shooting perspectives, and camera settings for varying underwater lighting conditions.
- Create: Learn to reframe footage, adjust colours, track subjects, and edit video using Insta360’s editing tools.
- Share: Develop a simple underwater video story, edit the footage, and export a finished clip ready to share.
‘Partnering with PADI allows us to bridge the gap between world-class imaging technology and hands-on dive education,’ said Max Richter, Co-founder and Vice President of Marketing at Insta360.
‘360 capture has transformed how creators document the underwater world, freeing divers from the limits of traditional camera framing.
‘By bringing our technology directly into PADI’s curriculum, we’re empowering the diving community to capture, reframe, and share their marine experiences safely and seamlessly.’
PADI instructors wishing to teach the new course will be required to undergo specialised training in camera setup, safe underwater handling, shooting techniques, and post-production workflows.
Following the evaluation and approval process, authorised instructors will be able to teach the programme at PADI Dive Centers and Resorts worldwide.
Student divers will learn end-to-end underwater content creation through knowledge development, practical open-water training dives, and post-production exercises, and will earn the official Insta360 X-Series Diver PADI Specialty certification upon satisfactorily completing the course.
Insta360 X6 Dive Bundle
The Insta360 X6 Dive Bundle will take centre stage at Booth #2437 this week at DEMA Show, with special show pricing on its underwater lineup.
Key highlights of the X6 underwater setup:
- 8K 50fps 360 Capture: Record the entire underwater scene in ultra-high resolution at higher frame rates, enabling smooth playback of marine life and total reframing flexibility in post-production.
- Invisible Dive Case Pro: Built for underwater filming down to 60m (197ft), featuring optical design enhancements engineered to overcome underwater light refraction and achieve seamless 360 stitching.
- Immersive Third-Person Perspectives: Paired with the Invisible Selfie Stick, the camera automatically erases the pole from the shot, giving divers natural third-person angles that look as if a dedicated videographer were following them.
- AI-Powered Reframing: Intuitive AI tools in the Insta360 app and desktop Studio make it easy to track marine life, reframe scenes, and turn raw footage into shareable stories in seconds.
Special DEMA Show offers:
- X6 Dive Case Pro: $179.99
- Insta360 X5: $469.99
- X5 Invisible Dive Case Pro: $106.99
- X5 Invisible Dive Case: $89.99
- Dive Buddy: $40.99
For more details, visit: http://www.insta360.com, or stop by booth #2437 if you’re attending this year’s DEMA Show. Follow Insta360 on social media on Facebook: @Insta360, X: @insta360, Instagram @insta360 and YouTube @insta360
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