{"id":4133,"date":"2023-05-07T02:56:20","date_gmt":"2023-05-07T09:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goldengrailpublishing.com\/?p=4133"},"modified":"2026-01-07T04:16:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T12:16:52","slug":"insta360-ace-pro-2-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goldengrailpublishing.com\/?p=4133","title":{"rendered":"Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Verdict<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not an all-conquering GoPro-killer or a DJI-vanquisher, but Insta360\u2019s latest flagship action cam is just as good as its rivals in most respects. The 8K video recording option is nice to have in its locker, but it\u2019s the 4K capture that really shines here alongside superb quality audio recording from the built-in mic.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\n <\/i>
\n Pros <\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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  • \n <\/i>
    \n Great 4K video and decent in low light <\/li>\n
  • \n <\/i>
    \n Good quality built-in microphone <\/li>\n
  • \n <\/i>
    \n Works well with Insta360 mobile app <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    \n <\/i>
    \n Cons <\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    • \n <\/i>
      \n No built-in storage <\/li>\n
    • \n <\/i>
      \n Flip screen isn\u2019t always better than two screens <\/li>\n
    • \n <\/i>
      \n 8K recording feels a little gimmicky <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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      Key Features<\/h2>\n
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      • \n
        \n <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n Upgraded 1\/1.3\u201d sensor <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n 50MP photos and videos up to 8K\/30p, 4K\/120p or FHD\/240p <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n
        \n <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n 2.5\u201d touchscreen <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n Uses a single flip-up rear screen rather than the front and rear screens of GoPro and DJI rivals <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n
        \n <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n Integrated microphone wind guard <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n Removable acoustic foam-lined grille to reduce wind interference and protect the mic <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n
        \n <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n Rugged and lightweight <\/span><\/p>\n


        \n Weighs 177g and waterproof to 12m without additional protection <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

        Introduction<\/h2>\n

        The Insta360 Ace Pro was the first 8K-capable action camera, comfortably besting the video resolutions offered by its GoPro and DJI competitors. <\/strong><\/p>\n

        Its successor, the Ace Pro 2, maintains this pixel-packed video option and even improves upon it slightly. The camera perhaps retains it as its headline-grabbing feature, but there\u2019s a lot more going for it than what amounts to a somewhat gimmicky and impractical video mode that few people actually need.<\/p>\n

        Insta360 has made small improvements across the board here, resulting in what (on paper, at least) appears to be a very tempting alternative to other recently launched flagship action cameras. I\u2019ve spent the last week testing it out in a variety of scenarios and weather conditions to find out if the impressive spec list translates into impressive performance.<\/p>\n

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        Design and Handling<\/h2>\n
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        • 71.9 x 52.2 x 38mm in size<\/li>\n
        • microSD card slot and USB-C 3.0 port<\/li>\n
        • Replaceable lens guard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The Ace Pro 2 looks like most action cameras. It\u2019s small, lightweight, squared-off and built to be bashed and splashed as it documents your adventures, sporting exploits and so on. <\/p>\n

          The doors protecting the battery port, USB-C 3.0 port and microSD slot are all sealed against water and dust and the lens is protected by a replaceable and water-resistant guard, which allows the camera to be taken underwater to a depth of 12m (or 39ft).<\/p>\n

          \"insta360
          Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          It also has a nice new wind guard, designed to stay on the camera at all times (except when it\u2019s underwater, in which case you slide it off and replace it with a smaller cover). <\/p>\n

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          The wind guard\u2019s grille is lined with acoustic foam, which helps reduce audio interference on blustery days. I live on the coast so almost every day is a blustery one and found the guard to be remarkably effective at killing wind noise \u2013 especially when paired with the AI-powered wind reduction audio mode. <\/p>\n

          \"insta360
          Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          As mentioned, there\u2019s a microSD slot here and, with no built-in storage, you\u2019ll need to use it. Neither of the basic launch bundles for the Ace Pro 2 include a memory card, but some of the pricier specialist bundles do.<\/p>\n

          \"insta360
          Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          The onboard controls are simple: on the side is a button that switches power on and off and, when tapped, cycles through the Ace Pro 2\u2019s various shooting modes. Up on top is a larger shutter button which can be pressed to take a photo or stop\/start video recordings.<\/p>\n

          All other controls are handled by the 2.5-inch rear touchscreen and most of them can be accessed very quickly via a couple of swipes or taps. At times I found the screen a bit unresponsive to my tapping but, in general, it works just fine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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          \"insta360
          Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          The screen\u2019s most interesting facet is its ability to flip up 180\u00ba to face forward. It\u2019s a nice differentiator from the Ace Pro 2\u2019s nearest rivals the GoPro Hero 13 Black and DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, which both feature small front-mounted screens. I don\u2019t always think it\u2019s the best or fastest solution to have to flip the screen up, especially if you\u2019re switching quickly between front and back facing (for example while vlogging), but it does mean you get a larger front-facing screen than the Ace Pro 2\u2019s rivals offer.<\/p>\n

          \"insta360
          Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          The camera supports a magnetic clip system for the quick mounting and dismounting of accessories like selfie sticks, mini tripods and bike mounts. It\u2019s a fast, secure solution that\u2019s been adopted by GoPro and DJI for their flagship action cameras, too.<\/p>\n

          Performance and Features<\/h2>\n
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          • Removeable 1800mAh battery<\/li>\n
          • Usable as a USB webcam<\/li>\n
          • FlowState stabilisation plus horizon levelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Insta360 has upgraded the battery capacity from the Ace Pro\u2019s 1650mAh to 1800mAh on the Ace Pro 2. Coupled with improved power management, this equates to longer battery life. In the new Endurance Mode (which turns off or limits certain functions) with video set to 4K\/30p, my testing showed the camera could record for 140 minutes before the battery died. When I set it to its regular operating mode and 4K\/60p with electronic stabilisation and Active HDR turned on, it managed 69 minutes.<\/p>\n

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            \"insta360
            Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            The battery also supports reverse charging, allowing it to be used to top up the battery of a smartphone or similar device connected via USB. When hooked up to a computer, the USB-C port allows the Ace Pro 2 to act as a webcam.<\/p>\n

            The camera isn\u2019t immune to overheating, but I only experienced this when continuously recording 8K footage for 43 minutes. I find that acceptable, even if it is another strike against the Ace Pro 2\u2019s headline 8K recording feature.<\/p>\n

            \"insta360
            Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            Like any good action camera, there\u2019s some good quality electronic image stabilisation available here. The Ace Pro 2 features Standard and High levels of FlowState stabilisation, applying a progressively larger crop to the field of view for each, and they generally work well. <\/p>\n

            Standard is ideal for vlogging and other gently paced activities, while High works better with more frenetic movement like sports. There\u2019s also 45\u00ba and 360\u00ba horizon levelling for truly extreme sports activities which works as advertised by keeping the picture level no matter how much the camera moves. <\/p>\n

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            \"insta360
            Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            The Ace Pro 2 also comes with a gaggle of quality-of-life features like gesture and voice controls and the ability to pair with Bluetooth microphones for higher-quality audio recording.<\/p>\n

            \"insta
            Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            It\u2019s compatible with the superb Insta360 mobile app, which links your smartphone and the app via Wi-Fi and enables remote control, file transfer, on-the-go editing and sharing. It\u2019s a slick and user-friendly app all in all and makes for a great way to get footage and photos posted onto social channels quickly.<\/p>\n

            Video and Photo Quality<\/h2>\n
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            • Video up to 8K\/30p, 4K\/120p or 1080\/240p<\/li>\n
            • 180Mbit\/s maximum video bitrate<\/li>\n
            • 50MP and 12.5MP still photos in JPEG and DNG<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Insta360 has fitted the Ace Pro 2 with a new image sensor and two imaging chips \u2013 one for denoising and other processing functions and one for AI-controlled features. All in all, says Insta360, the new model offers double the processing power of the old one.<\/p>\n

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              The 1\/1.3-inch sensor is the same size as the original Ace Pro\u2019s, but its purported tweaks do result in excellent all-round image quality, including a dynamic range of up to 13.5 stops. <\/p>\n

              I\u2019ve shot footage in all weathers and times of day and at all the various resolutions and frame rates offered by the Ace Pro 2. It all looks very impressive to me, especially the 4K material I shot using the flat I-log colour profile before colour grading and correcting myself on my computer after the fact. The straight-from-the-camera footage is clean and detailed enough too, especially in decent lighting. <\/p>\n

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