Insta360's GoPro competitor now features a larger screen and improvements in its 8K capabilities.
Insta360 is posing significant competition to the latest GoPro camera.
Insta360 has unveiled its new action camera, the Ace Pro 2, an upgraded version that directly competes with GoPro's Hero series. This compact model now features a larger rear display that can be raised 180 degrees, making it easier to frame selfie-style videos. Its launch price is $399.99, representing a $50 reduction compared to the original Ace Pro from the same brand.
The design of the Ace Pro 2 remains similar to that of the Hero cameras and DJI's Osmo Action line. It incorporates a shifted lens that allows for the addition of a front display. However, the front screen on the Ace Pro 2 is limited to displaying information and does not show color video, unlike its competitors.
Additionally, the Ace Pro 2 retains the hinged screen from the previous model, now increased in size from 2.42 to 2.5 inches, matching the screen size of the new Osmo Action 5 Pro. Brightness and pixel density have also been improved, making it easier to frame shots, both for those in front of the camera and behind it. However, this hinge may pose a durability risk depending on usage.
One of the standout features of Insta360’s new action camera is its 8K recording capability. The Ace Pro 2 can shoot video in 8K at 30fps, a slight increase from the previous 24fps, thanks to what the company describes as a "next-generation" 1/1.3-inch image sensor paired with a 157-degree Leica Summarit wide-angle lens. Photography capabilities have also improved, reaching up to 50MP. Reducing the resolution to 4K allows for recording rates of up to 120fps or 60fps in HDR, while in 1080p, it can record at 240fps, ideal for slow-motion captures.
The Ace Pro 2 is equipped with a Pro Imaging Chip that manages "image processing and noise reduction," as well as an AI chip that operates a "complex and customized neural network," enabling a recording mode called PureVideo. This mode optimizes brightness and details captured in low-light conditions. It can also use its artificial intelligence to automatically generate edited clips of the best moments from the recording.
In terms of water resistance, the Ace Pro 2 can be submerged up to 39 feet, which is six feet more than its predecessor, and up to 197 feet with an optional accessory called the Dive Case. A new "wind shield" has also been added to the front of the camera to enhance sound quality during high-speed activities, which can easily be detached using a magnetic mount when recording in quieter situations.
Other features include a larger 1,800 mAh battery, which Insta360 claims lasts 180 minutes, although this is limited to recording in 1080p at 24fps; battery life will be significantly lower in 8K mode. The camera can capture up to 120 seconds of video before recording starts, minimizing the risk of missing a shot, allows users to pause recordings without creating a new video file, and is compatible with gesture controls and voice commands for remote operation.
Insta360 did not present an updated version of the Ace camera, which was released alongside the original Ace Pro, and only offered 6K recording capabilities at 30fps for a lower price of $70. Had a new version of the Ace been launched with the same price reduction as the Ace Pro 2, it would have been a more economical alternative to the Osmo Action 5 Pro and the GoPro Hero 13 Black, offering better recording capabilities.
