Insta360 has taken the wraps off its two latest action cameras, the Ace and the Ace Pro. While the brand originally gained recognition from their 360-degree cameras, they’ve also had success with other products including the Insta360 Flow smartphone gimbal and the pebble-sized Insta360 Go series action cameras.
As they did previously for the Insta360 One RS 1-inch edition, Insta360 has once again collaborated with Leica for the flagship Ace Pro.
The AI-powered Ace and the Ace Pro will be the company’s first traditional action cameras that will directly compete with the latest GoPro HERO Black 12 and DJI Osmo Action 4.
However, unlike the GoPro and Osmo Action, they feature a tiltable 2.4-inch touchscreen as opposed to front and rear screens which means you can often achieve better viewing angles, as shown in the cycling picture below.
Two Options: Insta360 Ace and Insta360 Ace Pro
Surprisingly, Insta360 has decided to release two fairly similar action cameras at price points which aren’t too far apart in price. The Insta360 Ace retails for US$379.99, while the flagship option, the Insta360 Ace Pro, is priced at US$449.99. They are both available for purchase from the Insta360 store from Nov 21st, 2023.
GoPro’s old lineups often came with tiered offerings (e.g. Silver and Black), but buyer confusion and market trends meant they stepped away from offering multiple models of its cameras. Insta360 is doing the opposite, and it will be interesting to see if this strategy works.
Insta 360 Ace vs Ace Pro
The Insta360 Ace Pro, crafted in collaboration with Leica, is the crown jewel featuring a F2.6 1/1.3″ sensor paired with a Leica SUMMARIT lens. This setup ensures superior image capture, supporting 4K120fps and 8K24fps video and 48MP stills. Size-wise, this 1/1.3″ matches the DJI Osmo Action 4 which currently has the biggest sensor on a traditional action camera, meaning the Ace Pro is likely to be one of the most capable low-light action cameras.
The Insta360 Ace is a more budget-oriented version, with the key difference being a smaller 1/2″ 48MP sensor that doesn’t have a Leica SUMMARIT lens. This F2.4 1/2″ sensor is bigger than the GoPro Hero 10 (1/2.3″) but slightly smaller than the GoPro HERO 11 and 12 Black (1/1.9″).
Besides sensor size, other notable differences include the Ace Pro having built-in Active HDR which is helpful for shooting scenes with both bright and dark areas (e.g. a bright sky against a dark foreground), and fast-charging capabilities.
Onboard 5nm AI Chip
With much of today’s video footage quality from smaller cameras coming down to AI rather than hardware specifications, Insta360 are focusing on using neural networks to enhance footage clarity. A 5nm AI chip unlocks the “PureVideo” mode that denoises footage at higher ISOs and is being touted as a game-changer for low-light environments.
New Features and AI Highlights
Insta360 has loaded the Ace and Ace Pro with features designed to tackle common action camera issues and help you achieve high-quality action footage. These are the features, in Insta360’s own words:
- Clarity Zoom – want a close-up but the image quality becomes too poor? Ace Pro can zoom in and out 2x without any loss in quality.
- Gesture Control – use hand signals to start/stop recording or take a photo! Perfect for group selfies, noisy environments, or if using voice control doesn’t feel right (though it has this function too)
- Cancel Recording – failed the trick? Messed up a line? Instantly cancel the recording and go again, saving space on the SD card and fewer files to sort through.
- Pause/Resume Recording – time between shots? Hit pause and record to keep everything you want to film in one continuous file for easier file management and editing.
- Photo Grab – you’re filming a video when an ideal photo op presents itself. Keep filming and take a photo at the same time, but in far higher resolution than a screen grab from the video.
The camera also debuts an AI Highlights Assistant that automatically detects the best parts of videos for quick editing and sharing. Users can have the app produce an edited video complete with transitions and music. This could challenge GoPro’s Auto Highlights feature, with the advantage of not having to subscribe to a paid subscription.
Waterproof Rating
The Ace Pro features a durable, waterproof design rated to 10 meters/33 feet without a case, matching the latest GoPro models. With the dive case accessory, it can be taken down to depths of 60 meters/197 feet.
It can be used at temperatures down to -4°F, making it suitable for winter sports.
Image Stabilization
Insta360’s proprietary FlowState Stabilization technology, will be used to keep footage steady, while 360° Horizon Lock keeps the video level even when the camera isn’t.
Creative Shooting Modes
Insta360’s signature shooting modes like timelapse, hyperlapse and starlapse are included. The invisible selfie stick effect can be achieved through an AI tool. New to the Ace series is AI Warp, which adds stylized effects to videos based on custom keywords.
Insta360 Ace and Ace Pro Full Specs Table
| Ace Pro | Ace | |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.3” | 1/2” |
| Aperture | F2.6 | F2.4 |
| 35mm Equivalent Focal Length | 16mm | 16mm |
| Video Resolution | Video8K (16:9) : 7680×4320@24fps8K (2.35:1) : 7680×3272@24fps 4K (4:3) : 4032×3024@60/50/48/30/25/24fps 4K(16:9): 3840×2160@120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps 2.7K (4:3): 2688×2016@60/50/48/30/25/24fps 2.7K(16:9): 2688×1520@120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps 1440P (4:3): 1920×1440@60/50/48/30/25/24fps 1080P(16:9): 1920×1080@240/200/120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps FreeFrame 4K (4:3): 4032×3024@60/50/48/30/25/24fps PureVideo 4K(16:9): 3840×2160@30/25/24fps 2.7K(16:9): 2688×1520@30/25/24fps 1080P(16:9): 1920×1080@30/25/24fps Slow Motion 4K(16:9): 3840×2160@120/100fps 2.7K(16:9): 2688×1520@120/100fps 1080P(16:9): 1920×1080@240/200/120/100fps | Video6K (16:9) : 6144×3456@30/25/24fps6K (2.35:1) : 6144X2616@30/25/24fps 4K (4:3) : 4000×3000@60/50/48/30/25/24fps 4K (16:9) : 3840×2160@120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps 2.7K (4:3) : 2688×2016@60/50/48/30/25/24fps 2.7K (16:9) : 2688×1520@120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps 1440P (4:3) : 1920×1440@60/50/48/30/25/24fps 1080P (16:9) : 1920×1080@240/200/120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps FreeFrame 4K (4:3) : 4000×3000@60/50/48/30/25/24fps Active HDR 4K (4:3) : 4000×3000@30/25/24fps 4K (16:9) : 3840×2160@30/25/24fps 2.7K (4:3) : 2688×2016@30/25/24fps 2.7K (16:9) : 2688×1520@30/25/24fps 1440P (4:3) : 1920×1440@30/25/24fps 1080P (16:9) : 1920×1080@30/25/24fps PureVideo 4K (16:9) : 3840×2160@30/25/24fps 2.7K (16:9) : 2688×1520@30/25/24fps 1080P (16:9) : 1920×1080@30/25/24fps Slow Motion 4K (16:9) : 3840×2160@120/100fps2.7K (16:9) : 2688×1520@120/100fps1080P (16:9) : 1920×1080@240/200/120/100fps |
| Photo Resolution | 48MP (8064×6048)36MP (8064×4536)12MP (4032×3024)9MP (4032×2264) | 48MP (8000×6000)36MP (8000×4512)12MP (4000×3000)9MP (4000×2256) |
| Video Format | MP4 | MP4 |
| Photo Format | JPG, DNG RAW (can be exported via app or Studio) | JPG, DNG RAW (can be exported via app or Studio) |
| Video Modes | Video (with built-in Active HDR), FreeFrame Video, PureVideo, Slow Motion, Starlapse, Timelapse, TimeShift, Pre-Recording, Loop Recording | Video, FreeFrame Video, Active HDR , PureVideo, Slow Motion, Starlapse, Timelapse, TimeShift, Pre-Recording, Loop Recording |
| Photo Modes | Photo, HDR Photo, Interval, Burst Photo, Starlapse | Photo, HDR Photo, Interval, Burst Photo, Starlapse |
| Color Profiles | Standard, Vivid, Flat | Standard, Vivid, Flat |
| Video Coding | H.265 & H.264 | H.265 & H.264 |
| Max. Video Bitrate | 170Mbps | 170Mbps |
| Exposure Value | ±4EV | ±4EV |
| ISO Range | 100-6400 | 100-6400 |
| Shutter Speed | Photo:1/8000 – 120s Video:1/8000 – to the limit of frames per second | Photo:1/8000 – 120s Video:1/8000 – to the limit of frames per second |
| White Balance | Auto, 2000-10000K | Auto, 2000-10000K |
| Audio Modes | Wind Reduction, Stereo, Direction Focus | Wind Reduction, Stereo, Direction Focus |
| Audio Format | 48 kHz, 16-bit, AAC | 48 kHz, 16-bit, AAC |
| Mics | 3 | 3 |
| Weight | 179.8g | 176.8g |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 71.9mmx52.15mmx38.5mm | 71.9mmx52.15mmx38.5mm |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Storage | No built-in storage. Supports microSD cards up to 1 TB. | No built-in storage. Supports microSD cards up to 1 TB. |
| Battery Capacity | 1650mAh | 1700mAh |
| Charging Time | 46min (30W fast charging adapter)63min: 5V/3A | 70min: 5V/3A |
| Run Time | 100 mins*Tested in a laboratory environment at 25°C with AI Highlights Assistant off, recording 4K@30fps Active HDR video. Battery life may vary under different conditions. | 100 mins*Tested in a laboratory environment at 25°C with AI Highlights Assistant off, recording 4K@30fps normal video. Battery life may vary under different conditions. |
| Use Environment | -20℃ to 40℃ | -20℃ to 40℃ |
| Waterproof | Without Dive Case: 10mWith Dive Case: 60m | Without Dive Case: 10mWith Dive Case: 60m |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.2 | BLE 5.2 |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz, 5GHz802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 2.4GHz, 5GHz802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| USB | Type-C | Type-C |
| Gyroscope | 6-axis gyroscope | 6-axis gyroscope |
| Compatible Devices | iOS Devices:Compatible with iOS mobile devices with chips A12 or above and iOS version 12.0 or above, including iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Air (2020), iPad Pro and newer iPad models. Android Devices:Compatible with Android mobile devices that meet the following capabilities, including:• Android devices with Kirin 990 and above chips, including Huawei Mate 30, P40 or newer models.• Android devices with Snapdragon 855 and above chips, including Samsung Galaxy S10, Xiaomi Mi 9 or newer models.• Android devices with Exynos 2200 and above chips, including Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Ultra and newer models.(the system should be Android 10.0 or above, or HarmonyOS 2.0.0 or above) Note:1. Devices that do not meet the above requirements may still be able to use the app to control the camera, however, performance of some processor-intensive and AI-powered features may be sub-optimal.2. After testing, phones equipped with Qualcomm SDM765 5G chips have poor hardware decoding capabilities and are not supported for use, such as OPPO Reno 3 5G.3. App installation requires a mobile phone with a 64-bit system. A 32-bit system does not support app installation. | iOS Devices:Compatible with iOS mobile devices with chips A12 or above and iOS version 12.0 or above, including iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Air (2020), iPad Pro and newer iPad models. Android Devices:Compatible with Android mobile devices that meet the following capabilities, including:• Android devices with Kirin 990 and above chips, including Huawei Mate 30, P40 or newer models.• Android devices with Snapdragon 855 and above chips, including Samsung Galaxy S10, Xiaomi Mi 9 or newer models.• Android devices with Exynos 2200 and above chips, including Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Ultra and newer models.(the system should be Android 10.0 or above, or HarmonyOS 2.0.0 or above) Note:1. Devices that do not meet the above requirements may still be able to use the app to control the camera, however, performance of some processor-intensive and AI-powered features may be sub-optimal.2. After testing, phones equipped with Qualcomm SDM765 5G chips have poor hardware decoding capabilities and are not supported for use, such as OPPO Reno 3 5G.3. App installation requires a mobile phone with a 64-bit system. A 32-bit system does not support app installation. |