The action camera arena is witnessing an exciting phase with Insta360’s latest offerings – the Ace and Ace Pro. These models are designed to rival the likes of GoPro and DJI. Sporting a traditional action camera look with a small front screen and a larger 2.4-inch rear screen on a hinge, these cameras promise a blend of style and functionality.
New to FPV? Check out my action camera buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/action-camera/
Table of Contents
Where to Buy
The Insta360 Ace Pro is available for purchase at:
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCPaGi1
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/4afptxO
Ace vs Ace Pro
Insta360’s Ace and Ace Pro cater to different user needs. The Ace Pro, co-engineered with Leica, features a 1/1.3″ sensor and a Leica SUMMARIT lens, offering impressive features like 4K 120fps video and 48MP photos. Other features including PureVideo for low light shooting, PD fast charging to 80% in just 22 minutes, and more.
The Ace, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly, with a 1/2″ sensor, regular lens, and standard charging.
Specifications and Features
The Ace Pro stands out with its AI-driven smart shooting features and a convenient 2.4″ flip touchscreen. It offers a unique pause or cancel recording option, gesture, and voice control, and innovative AI Highlights Assistant and AI Warp features, elevating both shooting and editing experiences.
Let’s compare it to the DJI Osmo Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12.
Weight Comparison
Weight is a crucial aspect, especially for FPV drones:
- DJI Action 4: 144g
- GoPro Hero 12: 151g
- Insta360 ACE Pro: 179g
Insta360 ACE Pro vs. GoPro Hero 12: Key Differences
Image sensor size significantly impacts image quality and low-light performance. The Insta360 Ace Pro features a 1/1.3-inch sensor in the traditional 4:3 format, while the GoPro 12 Black introduces a 1/1.9-inch sensor in an 8:7 ratio, a novelty in the market. Generally, a larger sensor offers improved low-light performance, enabling night shooting with less noise.
Many users still predominantly record in 2.7K and 4K. Therefore, the 8K resolution of the Insta360 Ace Pro and the 5.3K maximum resolution of the GoPro 12 might not currently seem essential. However, the higher resolution is beneficial for digital zooming or cropping in post-production. It’s worth noting that zooming is typically not often a requirement in FPV. On the technical front, the Ace Pro boasts a video bitrate of 170 Mbps, surpassing the GoPro Hero 12’s 120 Mbps.
GoPro 12 Hero vs Insta360 Ace Pro comparison table
In the table below, I compared the most important specs of these two top action cameras.
| Specification | GoPro 12 | Insta360 Ace Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Image Sensor Size | 1/1.9-inch | 1/1.3-inch |
| Effective Pixels | 27.6MP | 48MP |
| Max Resolutions | 5.3K@60fps | 8K@24fps |
| Max Video Bitrate | 120 Mbps | 170 Mbps |
| Color Bit Depth | 10-bit | 8-bit |
| Slow Motion | 8x at FHD 1080p | 4x at FHD 1080p |
| Digital Zoom | Up to 4x | Clarity zoom |
| Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 | FlowState |
| Screens | Front: 1.4-inch, Rear: 2.27-inch | Front: 1.2-inch, Rear: 2.4-inch Flip |
| Waterproof | 10 meters | 10 meters |
| Lens Protector | Replaceable | Fixed |
| Battery | 1720 mAh | 1650 mAh |
| Operation Time | 155 mins | 100 mins |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth |
| Dimensions | 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm | 71.9×52.15×38.5 mm |
| Weight | 151g | 179g |
| Starting Price | $399.99 | $449.99 |
The GoPro 12 Black is priced at $399.99, while the Insta360 Ace Pro standalone pack is priced at $449.99, and the Winter combo kit for $539.
Design
When you compare the GoPro 12 and the Ace Pro side by side, you’ll notice their striking similarities. Both feature just two control buttons – a mode/power button on the side and an action button on top. Each camera is equipped with a high-speed USB Type-C port for efficient charging and file transfer. Additionally, both models boast dual screens (front and rear) and a rectangular lens protector. A unique feature of the Ace Pro is its flip-up rear screen, which is particularly beneficial for vloggers who frequently shoot in selfie mode.
Designed with sports activities in mind, both cameras offer robust construction and are waterproof up to 10 meters.
In terms of dimensions and weight, the Hero 12 measures 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm and weighs 151 grams, while the Ace Pro is slightly larger and heavier at 71.9 x 52.15 x 38.5 mm and 179 grams. The additional 28 grams of the Ace Pro could be a drawback for those planning to mount it on an FPV drone.
The GoPro Hero 12 is equipped with built-in foldable metal mount fingers, allowing for versatile mounting options such as on helmets, chest mounts, bikes, drones, and more. It also features a 1/4-20 tripod thread, further expanding its mounting possibilities. In contrast, the Ace Pro utilizes Insta360’s proprietary quick-release mount, which is less commonly used in the industry.
Biggest Advantage of the Ace Pro
In my opinion, the Insta360 Pro stands out primarily for its low-light performance and 8K image sensor.
The Ace Pro’s large 1/1.3″ sensor distinguishes it from many competitors as a key factor in determining image quality. It captures more light and offers better dynamic range, enabling high-level performance in fast-action scenarios or under challenging lighting conditions.
The Ace Pro’s low-light performance is notably superior to that of the GoPro 12. Implementing noise reduction before encoding to H.264/H.265 is more effective than post-encoding noise reduction.
While the 8K resolution is the highest currently available in the action camera market, its practical utility is limited as most users do not possess 8K displays. However, the 8K sensor allows for zooming without quality loss when outputting at 4K or lower resolutions. Nevertheless, in FPV (First Person View) flying, zooming is not a commonly used feature, which reduces the practical benefits of this high resolution.
Video Stabilization
All three action cameras we are comparing here—the DJI Osmo Action 4, GoPro Hero 12, and Insta360 Ace Pro—boast excellent electronic image stabilization (EIS), enabling silky smooth footage without the need for heavy and bulky mechanical gimbals. The GoPro Hero 12 utilizes GoPro’s HyperSmooth 6 technology, the DJI Action 4 is equipped with Rocksteady, and the Ace Pro incorporates Insta360’s FlowState stabilization.
Battery Life
The Ace Pro is equipped with a 1650mAh battery, whereas the GoPro 12 features a slightly larger 1720mAh battery. According to their technical specifications, the Hero 12 can record continuously for up to 155 minutes, surpassing the Ace Pro’s 100-minute recording time. Both cameras employ removable batteries. The longer recording duration of the GoPro, despite its marginally larger battery, indicates that the Ace Pro may consume more power during recording.
AI Warp Effect
The ACE PRO’s AI Warp feature revolutionizes the action camera market. This feature, accessible through Insta360’s smartphone app, transforms boring footage into something spectacular. The AI’s ability to give a creative makeover to every frame is nothing short of impressive.
GPS Overlay and Remote Integration
A standout feature of the ACE PRO is its GPS overlay capability. By syncing with an Apple Watch or Garmin device, it overlays comprehensive stats on your videos. The Insta360 GPS remote further enhances this feature, mirroring the camera’s capabilities and offering a convenient way to control the camera and view GPS data.
Multifunctional Mount
The multifunctional mount included with the ACE PRO is incredibly versatile. It can transform from a selfie stick to a tripod, with adjustable joints for various angles and setups. This flexibility is perfect for a variety of filming scenarios.
Final Thoughts – Suitable for FPV?
Insta360 has undoubtedly brought some highly innovative ideas to the action camera market, and the ACE PRO is a prime example. With its exceptional image and audio quality, AI features, and versatile accessories, it stands as a top contender against DJI and GoPro. The ACE PRO, with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, appeals to both seasoned action camera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The Insta360 Ace Pro is available for purchase at:
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCPaGi1
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/4afptxO
All three cameras boast robust designs and deliver outstanding video quality, it’s hard to go wrong with any of them.
- See my review of the GoPro Hero 12: https://oscarliang.com/gopro-hero12-black/
- See my review of the DJI Action 4: https://oscarliang.com/dji-osmo-action-4/
If budget is a concern, GoPro might be the more suitable choice. Known for its durability, especially against crashes, the GoPro Hero 12 is a reliable option. It also boasts marginally superior audio performance, and with the Max Lens Mod 2.0 case, it can be transformed into a powerhouse. The GoPro is highly regarded for its image quality and color science.
On the other hand, the Insta360 Ace Pro is particularly advantageous for vloggers due to its flip-up screen. Its 8K video resolution is excellent for cropping footage, and its AI-powered features are sure to intrigue tech enthusiasts. It’s a great camera for creativity and everyday use. However, its screen might be a vulnerability for FPV drones as it could be more susceptible to damage in crashes. Additionally, its heavier weight is another potential drawback for FPV drones.
While both the GoPro Hero 12 and DJI Action 4 support 10-bit color, the Insta360 Ace Pro is limited to 8-bit, which may deter professional users.