Insta360 - Ace Pro 2

We have been testing an insta360 Ace pro 2 for about a month in different lighting and dive conditions. I have to say that we are very impressed with the quality that allows us to go beyond what the GOPro range of cameras have allowed us in post production. We also have an assortment of phone dive cases from Sealife sport diver, Ocenic +, and Divevolk. They are great also, but the Ace Pro 2 has far exceeded the quality any of our phones have been able to provide. We have used IPhones 15 Pro Max, Samsung S24 and S25 Ultra, in the different cases with different software.

Sealife cameras seem to give pretty good results for the price so this is certainly something too look at. Not sure how well it will work as an action cam tho. I have a buddy that is using his smartphone with a decent housing which also works nicely. If you have a smartphone with a decent camera, even better. Lastly, if you want an action cam, I saw some good results and better battery life with the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 then the Go Pros. Go Pro is out after about 1 hour of filming. Good luck, and have fun diving ;)

Yeah, the Ace Pro 2 had that as well. But it came off the mount and smashed on a rock as it fell, going straight through the protective glass and damaging the lens itself.

Currently Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2 and DJI Action 5 Pro are the only action cams that utilize AI HDR/denoise for low light, like night mode in modern smartphones. Low light performance is hugely improved IMO compared to older action cams. Action 5 Pro has better battery life, slightly wider lens and 10-bit video. Ace Pro 2 has 8k, a flip screen for selfies, better mount and some features that I like a lot. They are both a bit bulkier than GoPro.

Currently Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2 and DJI Action 5 Pro are the only action cams that utilize AI HDR/denoise for low light, like night mode in modern smartphones. Low light performance is hugely improved IMO compared to older action cams. Action 5 Pro has better battery life, slightly wider lens and 10-bit video. Ace Pro 2 has 8k, a flip screen for selfies, better mount and some features that I like a lot. They are both a bit bulkier than GoPro.

I just returned my Ace Pro 2 yesterday. We will see.

You’re on the gopro subreddit. Of course anyone saying anything other than gopro are getting downvoted. Go ask that question on a diving sub and the asnwer will be Insta360 and DJI. Personally i had issues at night with weird reflections on the edges of my Ace Pro 2, but a friend that was with me had no isues with his DJI action 5.

And they have a way better low light mode and other goodies.

Open youtube on your desktop pc, the one with a 32" display, and search for reviews comparing Ace Pro 2 and Hero 13.

I’ve been using the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and love it. Here are a couple examples from my recent trip to Roatan: [The Odyssey wreck dive](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMA-nnnxxuZ/?igsh=MTByaXV5YTB5cXc1aQ==) and here’s a mantis shrimp [filmed at 120 fps](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL87tRQM350/?igsh=Mndmamk0YnVqY3Y0) and a [good lowlight example](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL3LcGNx1NA/?igsh=NHpzMmg2cXR5ajVy)

I am using the Insta 360 Ace Pro 2, with an underwater case and it works like a charm. There are many, you could even use the sea life sportsdiver with your phone. I just have a separate camera - in case of a leak etc.

I was in the same situation as you before christmas and ended up with the Ace Pro 2, after doing a fair amount of research. And the reason is… Low light performance. DJI Osmo Action 5 beats GoPro by a mile here, but the Insta 360 Ace Pro 2 is even better than the DJI. The thing that has annoyed me the most with my GoPro is how grainy and bad the footage gets below 10 meters due to low light. While diving Alor this summer, my dive guide had the ace pro 1, and the difference in low light footage compared to my GoPro 11 black was mindblowing. I recommend to look at some comparisons at youtube!

I just got an ace pro 2, and the night and day difference in raw video from my hero 11 is crazy. Crystal clear shots. Amazing low-light footage. The tiktokers and influencers aren’t wrong. The GoPro is absolutely the weakest of these cameras…except in underwater. From all the research I’ve done, for some reason, GoPro still shoots best underwater. Don’t know if it’s a mixture of the exposure the other cameras have that improve daytime video, so it over exposes underwater.

Using insta360 ace pro 2. purevideo for lowlight is good + 50mp photo. Sobrang helpful din ng flip screen para sa mas accurate framing ng selfie photo/video.

I own the ace pro 2, 2-x5s and an x4. the quality of the ace pro 2 is fantastic and it wins if quality is the only criteria for your decision. That said, I dive the 360 cameras more often simply because the amount of footage you can capture without worrying about missing anything. And when the x4 -x5 is dialed in - the quality is really good. the dive invisible case is pretty delicate so be careful if you go that route. here is a video about diving with he insta360 cams [https://youtu.be/P-A7PoAXMFU](https://youtu.be/P-A7PoAXMFU)

I don’t think any of them really auto sync through phone automatically. GoPro can be set to auto backup on charge near your home WiFi. Also, I sold my GoPro years ago but still get the occasional GoPro post through my feed. My travel bag camera switched to the ace pro 2. But I think DJI has the better waterproofing from what I’ve seen on Reddit. In sunny weather GoPro has the better video and photos. But in darker conditions it didn’t work well in my opinion.

I went through the same. Ended up with the ace pro 2. Love the presets, app, and gesture controls better.

I haven’t had heating issues. Battery is fine. I don’t record for too long at a time. So I can charge here and there. Plus it came with a spare battery.

Ace Pro 2 is a great small travel camera if you’re ok with the wide action cam fov.

Ace Pro 1 or 2. Whatever you feel like spending decides the version. Both work great. In sunny conditions all brands work great. In lower light DJI and insta360 hold up much better than GoPro. After trying the action 5 and ace pro 2 I ended up with the ace pro 2. I prefer the colors straight out of camera with the different presets, I prefer the app, and I like the gesture controls. I also love the flippy screen. I like being able to flip it 90 degrees for lower shots, or straight up for a larger screen to see ourselves when recording. Great travel cameras.

The go ultra is the current king of tiny cameras. I like the ace pro 2 but it's a little bigger. But for your battery life requirement you might need the action 5 pro.

I went with the insta360 ace pro 2 mostly for dashcam purposes so it was probably an overkill. Most cameras these days are high quality and you’re splitting hairs unless you’re a content creator.

Simple. 5.3k resolution. Allows you to crop in on videos and gives you the highest video quality. Sure Ace Pro 2 has 8k....at 30fps. 8K is just overkill and you won't get any decent looking slow motion out of 30fps. 5.3k is the sweet spot. If you want to do color correcting which the Ace Pro does automatically, you can easily tweak that in editing it's very simple. Until another action camera comes out with 5.3k resolution it's GoPro for me. Then hopefully the next GoPro will have 5.3k 120fps so we can get even higher quality slow motion. If you're shooting underwater get an AOI UWL-O3 lens attachment for it for increased clarity and ability to focus at closer range too.

Well then look into the ace pro 2 better low light than both . I have both GoPro 13 and ace pro 2. GoPro is the better all around and ace is better in low light

But the Ace Pro 2 would be better suited for what he is looking for.

Ace Pro 2 without any doubt. I have a X4 and a GoPro Hero 9. Last year I went to the Red Sea and the quality for diving or the X4 is really really bad. Is cool to record everything in 360 degrees but if you see the video in a big screen (like an iPad or laptop) you will see that the resolution and detail is really bad. I used mainly the GoPro for diving also because the diving case of the X4/X5 is too delicate. Is a plastic dome and you can scratch it really easily. You have to buy a silicon protector from AliExpress. There is no problem with the line of the X4 when recording but the quality is bad.

The Ace Pro 2 still photos aren’t even close to the quality of a modern smartphone like your iPhone 15. Insta360 has leaned into the photo aspect with the new cage for the Ace Pro 2 but that’s just to generate more sales, ultimately it’s an excellent action camera for video and makes acceptable stills in environments where you wouldn’t feel safe having a real camera or even a smartphone. The Ace Pro 2 has no place in your described use case.

I’d strongly advise against this. The photo quality from even the best action cameras like the Ace Pro 2 or GO Ultra is way below what you get from almost any modern smartphone. There’s also a lot of lag between shots that you don’t run into with phones or dedicated cameras. In my opinion the photo mode on the GO Ultra or Ace Pro 2 is more of a bonus feature for situations where you wouldn’t want to risk a phone or proper camera, like standing waist-deep in the surf waiting for a wave and snapping a quick shot of the beach. Outside of those kinds of scenarios it’s really not worth relying on.

Exactly. I also went through his ace pro 2 4K side by side and frankly I’m not seeing a major different. I’m fine with IQ as is. However the need for the aqua lens in the water, the constant changing mount designs, and additional jitter in the purevideo mode are downsides.

I was thinking along the lines of the Garmin Varia RCT715 or Garmin Varia Vue Headlight Camera which also integrate with Garmin bike computers. I can see why the expense may not be what you are interested in compared to a helmet or chest harness. The 3S magnet is strong but for riding I'd always recommend a real mount (just put a GoPro sticky mount on and use a 3S action mount to attach the camera, its rock solid) or if you use the POV on your chest with the magnetic pendant use a safety lanyard (they sell them cheap) as a backup if it detaches (it will in a crash). Overheating is never an issue with airflow so during riding it's not an issue. The real issue is the battery life of the small camera when not in the action pod... just 30 minutes in 4K, maybe 40-45 in 1080p... if all your rides are less I guess that is ok, but I think you may be better off looking at conventional action cameras like the Ace Pro 2 (or smaller Action 5 Pro) to mount to the helmet with a battery that will last 90 minutes and can be swapped out on longer rides.

I think saying the Insta360 has terrible image quality is really just a flat out misstatement. The Ace Pro 2 has a log profile, but I agree with you on the 10 bit. No one else is doing 8k and the detail from that footage is amazing. Their pure video mood does great in lower lighting conditions. I have had every GoPro from the 3 onwards, but in 85% of the situations I shoot, the footage is better on my Ace Pro than my Hero 13. GoPro’s auto detect lens system is cool, but low light footage is still a joke. The anamorphic lens still isn’t on the market, there will never be a version of Quik for Windows, the company is doing layoffs, twice delayed their Max 2 camera which is now 5 years old and Insta360 has released 6 separate 360 cams in that same time frame. Fast charging is nowhere in sight despite both DJI and Insta360 having it for a while now. I still love my Hero 13 and GoPro as a company but their stock is over a buck and in danger of being delisted, financials are dire, market share and revenues are declining in relation to their competition and they seem behind the curve when it comes to innovation instead of leading it. It’s really a sad state of affairs.

You should send it back to Insta360 if it’s shutting down. I don’t have similar problems with my x3. If the footage looks like it’s from 2005, then you likely have one of two problems. The first is that you are filming in a resolution of less than 5.7k or you are reframing your video and expecting the reframe to be 5.7k quality. Reframes are generally somewhere between 720p and 1080p depending on the FOV so that is in line with cameras from more than a decade ago. It’s 5.7k over the entire 360 degrees so any reframes are just a portion of that. The X4 might be a better bet for you since it’s shooting in 8k or 33 megapixels while the X3 is shooting in about 18 megapixels. If you are looking for 4k reframes in a consumer 360 camera, there is nothing out there or in the immediate pipeline that can do it yet. When it comes to non-360 action cameras like the Ace Pro, it does shoot in 8k now. That’s 33 megapixels of video in fantastic quality - DJI can’t do it and neither can GoPro. You can crop your 8k Ace Pro video in post to a quarter of the resolution and still end up with a full 4k resolution crop. No other action camera can do that right now. I still love my GoPros but they are becoming less and less of my workflow as Insta360 and DJI are coming up with cameras that have better sensors, better low light footage, fast charging, less overheating and better designs like the flip up screen on the Ace Pro. I use whatever tool works best for my workflow and right now the Ace Pro and Action 5 are proving to be better cameras for what and how I shoot than the Hero 13. I am intrigued about the anamorphic lens for the Hero 13, but it was announced almost 3 months ago and there is still no clue when it’s going to be released. I can’t shoot footage and create content on hardware that isn’t available. Insta360 has released 6 separate 360 cameras since GoPro released the Max and my guess is that GoPro shelved the Max 2 for another year because they weren’t going to have 8k while the X4 has it and has been out for almost 8 months now. If GoPro doesn’t get their act together, more people like me who buy several cameras a year are going to move away from them and move to their competitors. I wish it wasn’t the case, but laying off developers and engineers means your product pipeline probably will be advancing at an even slower rate than it is now. I hope I am wrong and GoPro comes back strong but they are failing now and have been for some time.

I think the way to look at it, is that GoPro was so far ahead for so long, there was no real competition for them for over a decade. Even DJI had GoPro mounts built in when the Phantom 1 came along. Historically, GoPro perfected their 1080P then moved to 2.7k on the Hero 3 Black. They had the best 4k on the Hero 4 Black. Then they made the whole camera waterproof and added the built in touchscreen on the Hero 5 Black, then they went 4k 60 with moderate stabilization on the Hero 6 black, built a tiny camera on the Session 4 and 5. With the Hero 7 black, they finally got stabilization in camera that started to compete with 3 axis gimbals. On the 8 they had the mount built in so you didn't have to have a frame and changed to a larger form factor with the Hero 9 black and got resolution to 5.3k. They perfected features like Timewarp and Hyperlapse where all the work was done in camera instead of post. They made GoPro labs available for most of their cameras and gave amazing levels of customization that no other cameras have even to this day. Then they really started to stagnate and features were more incremental and evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Sure they had the 8:7 sensor and got video resolution up to 24.7 megapixels, but they still use a tiny sensor and low light performance is still very bad. They also had to deal with the rise of DJI and Insta360 who started to release competing products. Dji matched 10 bit the same year as GoPro, The Action 5 and Ace Pro 2 use much larger sensors and do much better in low light. GoPro was late to the party with magnetic mounting systems and Insta360 even put 8k into their Ace Pro versions. Insta360 has the Ace Pro Line, their Go series mini camera and even had the modular R series which could be an action cam or a 360 camera. In the time since GoPro released the Max, Insta360 has released 5 consumer grade 360 cameras that get better each year and now do 8k. We have no idea when the Max 2 will be released. GoPro stock is hovering around 50 cents a share and the market cap of the entire company is only 75 million dollars. It used to be almost 11 billion dollars, so it is 145 times smaller than it was shortly after the company went public. They have had to lay off staff and that has a huge impact on R&D. They are clearly falling behind competitors with no real path forward. Depending on which site you listen to, they rate the probability of bankruptcy at 33 to 62% in the next 24 months. That is not the sign of a healthy company. They botched the launch of their Karma drone and ceded that potential marketplace to DJI in the process. The reality is that the DJI and Insta360 cameras do a lot of things better and much easier. Low light is a real thing for a lot of people and the Action 5 and Ace Pro do a very good job in the space and GoPro isn't on the same playing field. I love the new GoPro lens system, but I am an advanced user and have been using ND filters, Anamorphic lenses, and macro lenses for years with the GoPro. The new anamorphic lens is great because it does the desqueeze of your footage automatically in camera. What is annoying is that they announced the lens in September of 2024 and I was finally able to get it 7 months later. GoPro is a great camera, but for many people who never touch labs, don't care about 10 bit or color grading, never do reframing 8:7, like to shoot in lower light conditions, or won't spend the $129 on an anamorphic lens, the GoPro is not really the camera for them. Insta360 are releasing much better cameras each year and GoPro is falling further behind. I really want GoPro to come back strong, but I fear they don't have the finances to compete unless they have an absolutely amazing technical breakthrough in the action camera space.

I think the way to look at it, is that GoPro was so far ahead for so long, there was no real competition for them for over a decade. Even DJI had GoPro mounts built in when the Phantom 1 came along. Historically, GoPro perfected their 1080P then moved to 2.7k on the Hero 3 Black. They had the best 4k on the Hero 4 Black. Then they made the whole camera waterproof and added the built in touchscreen on the Hero 5 Black, then they went 4k 60 with moderate stabilization on the Hero 6 black, built a tiny camera on the Session 4 and 5. With the Hero 7 black, they finally got stabilization in camera that started to compete with 3 axis gimbals. On the 8 they had the mount built in so you didn't have to have a frame and changed to a larger form factor with the Hero 9 black and got resolution to 5.3k. They perfected features like Timewarp and Hyperlapse where all the work was done in camera instead of post. They made GoPro labs available for most of their cameras and gave amazing levels of customization that no other cameras have even to this day. Then they really started to stagnate and features were more incremental and evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Sure they had the 8:7 sensor and got video resolution up to 24.7 megapixels, but they still use a tiny sensor and low light performance is still very bad. They also had to deal with the rise of DJI and Insta360 who started to release competing products. Dji matched 10 bit the same year as GoPro, The Action 5 and Ace Pro 2 use much larger sensors and do much better in low light. GoPro was late to the party with magnetic mounting systems and Insta360 even put 8k into their Ace Pro versions. Insta360 has the Ace Pro Line, their Go series mini camera and even had the modular R series which could be an action cam or a 360 camera. In the time since GoPro released the Max, Insta360 has released 5 consumer grade 360 cameras that get better each year and now do 8k. We have no idea when the Max 2 will be released. GoPro stock is hovering around 50 cents a share and the market cap of the entire company is only 75 million dollars. It used to be almost 11 billion dollars, so it is 145 times smaller than it was shortly after the company went public. They have had to lay off staff and that has a huge impact on R&D. They are clearly falling behind competitors with no real path forward. Depending on which site you listen to, they rate the probability of bankruptcy at 33 to 62% in the next 24 months. That is not the sign of a healthy company. They botched the launch of their Karma drone and ceded that potential marketplace to DJI in the process. The reality is that the DJI and Insta360 cameras do a lot of things better and much easier. Low light is a real thing for a lot of people and the Action 5 and Ace Pro do a very good job in the space and GoPro isn't on the same playing field. I love the new GoPro lens system, but I am an advanced user and have been using ND filters, Anamorphic lenses, and macro lenses for years with the GoPro. The new anamorphic lens is great because it does the desqueeze of your footage automatically in camera. What is annoying is that they announced the lens in September of 2024 and I was finally able to get it 7 months later. GoPro is a great camera, but for many people who never touch labs, don't care about 10 bit or color grading, never do reframing 8:7, like to shoot in lower light conditions, or won't spend the $129 on an anamorphic lens, the GoPro is not really the camera for them. Insta360 are releasing much better cameras each year and GoPro is falling further behind. I really want GoPro to come back strong, but I fear they don't have the finances to compete unless they have an absolutely amazing technical breakthrough in the action camera space.

Based on your example, I’d have to say the Ace Pro 2. I think it has the color combo of the DJI and GoPro. For me the GoPro is too warm and the DJI is too cool. The Ace Pro 2 is just right for me.

The Insta360 X5, GoPro Max 2, and DJI Osmo 360 will require a special case in order for it to take sharp footage underwater. The GoPro Hero 13, DJI Action 5, and Insta360 Ace Pro 2 shouldn’t require a case as long as you don’t go too deep.

Gopro 10 and 12 owner here, If you wants to Moto Vlog, then Insta360 ace pro2, would be the best. I wish Gopro will shamelessly copy Insta 360 Ace Pro2, as its just too good.

I use an akaso ek7000 as my daily "dash cam" because they're cheap and it wouldn't break my heart if it fell off my helmet. Insta Ace Pro 2 for recording things I actually care about the quality of. I do a little moto vlogging as a creative outlet, don't care if anyone watches anything I make but I do want to make it as well as I can, so when it's intentional I use the good camera, but the cheap one is on my helmet 90%+ of the time.

As much as I stand by GoPro, I have to give this one to the AcePro2

I jumped on the ace pro 2 on sale and got the bike kit for free through an affiliate link. Don’t know if it’s the best, but it was a pretty good deal to me!

I would go with the Insta360 Ace Pro 2. For me, the ability to handle different lighting and the flip screen is key. Playing matches at odd hours or when there is sudden cloud cover, the Go Pros aren’t great. Go Pros also get super hot and the battery life is pretty horrid. I’m a huge fan of my Ace Pro. It’s ability to record high quality in low light is much better than its counterparts from DJI and Go Pro. Another cool option is just picking up the Insta360 Flow Pro 2, which has some awesome tracking functions and works with your phone. I use it quite a bit, and love it.

This guy gets it. I can list countless negatives about GoPros in today's day and age.... Biggest of them all being the tiny sensor inside it, which is why they suck in low light. DJI action pro line is better, ace pro 2 is better, insta X5 is better, hell the new sony's are even arguably better. If I were you I would wait until 2026 to buy a NEW IN BOX GoPro hero 14, or better yet stop assuming brand recognition means quality. The go pros haven't had any major changes since the 9. The most beneficial changes have been software but not hardware. GoPro got away with it due to brand recognition. Once people understand this and stop buying it will force GoPro to actually make truly meaningful improvements. As long as the loyalists keep being sheep gopro will keep feeding them the same hardware with a new number

Real experience. GoPro is outdated and not viable anymore. DJI action 5 pro is what I have with the deciding factors being the best battery life (4+ hours), and the smallest and lightest. Insta360 ace pro 2 is also viable for different reasons, it has a low light mode that is good (but I think the DJI is good too) but mostly they have great features by pairing with cardo and recording audio straight from that if you want, or in editing it has cool features my favorite being instantly blur license plates which is great if you post to social media. If you don't care about posting and just want to have one on for protection then I 100% recommend DJI because like I said it has the best battery life and is the lightest so least noticeable. 👍🏼Hope this helps!

DJI action 5 pro, lightest action camera with the longest lasting battery with great video quality. Insta360 ace pro is good at night but heavier and doesn't last long, 360 cams suck at night and footage takes a tooooon of storage space Edit: if you want it just for a "dash cam" get actual dash cams wired to your bike that turn on with the engine, if you get a action camera the battery WILL die, you'll forget it, not realize it's off, etc. be safe and get one that's always running, cheap af from China ($100)

If you want connivence, go with Insta360 Go Ultra, you can do POV video and regular vlogging easily with a small tripod or a pole to get more background. The camera unit itself having magnetic back opens to some play with angles that would be otherwise not possible or required specific equipments (E.g. magic arm plus clamp). The equivalent from DJI is not yet matured enough to compare to Insta360. If you want more image quality (not a big jump from Ultra, but still a jump), ruggedness and swappable battery, then Insta360 Ace Pro II. Alternatively, you can go for DJI OSMO Action 5 or Pocket for more post production flexibility. If you want the upmost quality, you can go with Canon V1, slightly bigger sensor than M43 (much larger sensor than for phone or action cameras) and it zooms. If you want to go even further, you can go with Sony ZV-E10II for being able to swap lenses. No point going with GoPro nowadays, their tech is in general lacking behind either DJI or Insta360.

Ace Pro 2 is the best action camera vlogging camera. DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the best gimbal vlogging camera. From what you said about wanting to vlog about cooking videos, the Osmo pocket 3 is going to be the better option. If the Ace Pro 2 had a variable focus and not a fixed focus (which no action camera has) it would be such a fantastic device. I hope someday we get that form factor. Rugged allrounder!

Just went through the same dilemma evaluating a bunch of the current action cams - for me and my use case I went the ace pro 2 because I know I’ll be doing some recording at night in some cities on holiday and the low light on the GoPro is a weak point. But as others have said there’s no “best” - your use case determines what the best for you will be.

Insta 360 ace pro (2) does an amazing job colour correcting. I am at Gaya island and done 3 days diving here and conditions were not great but that cam pulled out all the stops. Footage looked crisp and better than what we saw without a light setup. Our DM had the Ace Pro 2 and he also mentioned best GoPro style cam on the market. You can check some early uploaded reels on insta h_s_travels if you fancy. Connection is bad here so cannot upload the reels until I get home.

Super impressive! I just got my ace pro 2 and need to try it at night

Okay, good info for me to know and changes my outlook on things. Thanks for straightening me out on that. I would imagine that a VPN would work around firmware updates, but am I willing to import it and pay that much? TBH, Insta360 is pretty amazing these days and my Ace Pro 2 seems to SMOKE DJI for backlit shots. I do a TON of those when I do non action videos (all I do)... but yeah, I was planning on being a day one purchase of the Action 6 and Pocket 4 so that blows.

no, this is bad advice. The RS and the RS1 inch Leica both perform worse in low light than the current generation that have the pure video night modes. I know because I own the RS, the RSOne, the Ace Pro 2 and the X5. It is a software trick on the new cameras that make them look so good.

I have all three of these and the Osmo Pocket 3. They have different strengths and weaknesses. I like the pocket 3 for narrating type first person videos and I still love my GoPro Hero for action stuff. The Ace Pro 2 never leaves my bag since it’s also a great camera. I struggle with the editing on 360 cameras. It’s not hard I just don’t like the extra effort. I’d go for the Ace Pro 2 with the Tilta frame. It’s magic!

It’s always a risk. I shoot DSLR’s mostly but I’m really impressed with the Ace Pro 2. It also has solid low light capabilities making it a more flexible tool.

I have the Ace Pro 2 (AP2) and managed to borrow the Action 5 Pro (A5P). I personally like the colors of the A5P and have recommended it to some people as well. The only feature that the AP2 is missing is 10-bit (which can help when grading videos when in Log) that helps it capture more colors. I hope that is included in the upcoming Ace Pro 3 (if Insta360 releases it). Otherwise, I use my AP2 extensively, from landscape photography, travel vlog, and night bike rides. Especially when doing activities at night, I love the colors out of the AP2 more than that from A5P. I lean more towards the Leica color profiles when shooting landscapes in video mode when the sun is shining its brightest.

I use my x5 mainly as a dash cam mounted to me via X5 chest mount(the dedicated chest mount for x5). It is decent enough as its main purpose is to document my ride and serve as evidence in case of a crash. If you have a limited budget, ill go for a single lens action camera or the ace pro 2. As ive seen it is decent in low light too. But if you money isnt really an issue, buy the x5 just so i have the option to shoot 360. Theres a single lens mode for the x5 which i usually use. Im no pro in 360 camera or action camera in general but the x5 generates heat that im kinda concerned about it and is why when in POV mode, i choose 2.7k 60fps so it doesnt heat up that much. Yes ive tried 4k 30fps and its really hot after some time.

Right now? Insta360 Ace Pro 2. Followed closely by DJI Action 5. GoPro is still ok but straight up not worth it with the current competition, especially in terms of reliability/functionality. I have a GoPro 12 and if I'm riding solo I just steal my GF's insta360 ace cuz it's just better. Functions smoother/easier. Wish I could go back in time and change what I bought...

after seeing the Ace Pro 2... I think they're caught up. depending on preferences, I think it's even the best. i think image quality/base color goes to DJI... but audio goes to insta, im big on audio being listenable. to me it makes better footage more so than perfected coloring. i mean if you upload on youtube or anything you lose a ton of image quality anyway. but audio should remain similar.

To get the most out of a 360 camera in your application you’d have to mount the camera on the top of your head or carry it on a selfie stick. Of you have it mounted on a chest mount your only going to get 180 degrees of field of view at best. You probably be ok with either a Pocket 3 or something like an Ace Pro 2 on a chest mount or some kind of head mount if you want to be able to look around.

True but honestly really stoked with my insta 360 Ace Pro 2. And by judging from the footage, the insta 360X5 really nails the night footage. https://youtu.be/TGyR15jpxjg

I'm going to make this short...the Action 5 Pro sucks! After waiting a month for the new Ace Pro 2, which never shipped out, I requested a refund. I purchased the Action 5 Pro Adventure bundle and was very impressed by the look and feel of it, the menu's, etc. That's where my praise stops. I'm a professional photographer by trade. I wanted to upgrade my old GoPro HERO 9 and get something snazzier to follow our toddler around. I got rid of our Osmo Pocket 3 which while it worked great for vlogging etc, it's just not feasable to chase a toddler around in focus or capture some stuff at the beach, waterpark, etc. A few days ago we hit up our local zoo and I took our GoPro 9 (I hadn't purchased the OA5 yet). Just something to get some content and honestly, it wasn't bad. The outdoor stuff looked fantastic like always and even the dark indoor stuff, while not fantastic was ok. Received the OA5 2 days ago so yesterday I took it out to run it thru it's paces. The footage is absolute garbage. Yeah, I spent hours and hours trying to find real reviews and recommendations for settings on YouTube, lowered the sharpness, set a high bit rate, updated firmware, etc. Tried filming some low-light stuff at 60fps, 30fps, you name it. The outdoor footage was just bad, blooming sun flares just everywhere and the colors are off. The supposed SuperNight mode is crap, so noisy, and unusable. So here we are, I'm returning the DJI OA5 Pro for sure. Guess I'll stick with my HERO 9 for the time being and when the Ace Pro 2 is finally available off Amazon or B&H I'll give it a try. Anyway, fuck all those YouTube videos, even the ones that really didn't seem like they were paid or sponsored gloating about how badass the Action 5 Pro is. Done with my vent. **EDIT \[March 30, 2025\] - More sample footage has been uploaded, a bit more from my DJI Osmo Action 5, the old footage from the GoPro HERO 9 and the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 which I'm currently using.** This is just my personal footage, nothing fancy or edited yet. But feel free to check it out and see what you think. Link - https://filedn.com/l4qvpI4cFv0fj6rakJn7dsV/Action%20Camera%20FOOTAGE/

Are you likely to want to take fast photos? Or take multiple photos in quick succession? If so I360 isn’t the best for this. A LOT of lag between shots and tough to capture fast action precisely. For slower stuff like street photography it’d probably be okay, but that’s my experience of using the Ace Pro 2 as a stills shooter and I don’t imagine the Go Ultra will be any better in this regard.

I have a running channel on YouTube and I use the AP2 as part of my setup. I recently reviewed it also. https://youtu.be/8aKhcLHPXWM I also use Insta360 Go 3S and iPhone as other cameras i shoot video with. All have different strengths and weaknesses.

AP2 is pretty easy to understand and get to grips with. Takes very good video.

This is great! I made a similar video with x4 switching from day to night while snowboarding. But it looks like the ace pro 2 is definitely better for night shots!

I just got an Insta 360 Ace Pro 2. I made up my mind after watching a bunch of comparison videos with go pros. They are less saturated and more realistic imho, go pro seemed to exagerated. I did a dive with it in murky shitty vis and was expecting horrible footage, ended up using as video background in my website (urcodivers.com). Really happy with it. I barely used it, so I need to wait until I can give a better and complete review, but so far I am amazed with it

I don't think it will be better than an iPhone except certain situations like night because iPhone has lens flares and action adventure due to rugged, small and form factor and wide field of view. I get the middle ground situation - it's really relatable, the solution for me was the pocket 3 for videos. But you can try out the Canon Powershot V1 - it has a 1.4'' 16-55mm integrated lens F2.8-F4.5 lens so you don't carry a lens and get some zoom upto 50mm and it since it sits between 1 inch and 4/3 sensors it has a little better quality than the pocket 3 or other compact point and shoots like sony zv 1 or rx100 which is a win i think. But there are lots of negatives too. So do watch some negative reviews if you even consider it. But yeah definitely going to be much better quality than an action camera. And it's obvious because something like ace pro 2 produces really good quality camera for its size and durability. you can just throw it Mount it crash it whatever. Similarly pocket 3 gives a better quality for its side and form factor. I recommend the Powershot since you have a mirrorless and your point of reference for quality comes from there. Plus action cameras come with these 11mm super wide focal length which don't suit every scenario.

The difference is that the gopro 11, or any other gopro since, have inferior video quality compared to DJI action 3/4/5 or Insta360 ace pro 1 and 2. Gopros are inferior in quality for a while now in lowlight and also in good light conditions.

Wait for the DJI action 6 that should arrive soon, and then wait a bit more until actual feedback (not first day sponsored 'reviews') allows you to make an informed choice about it. If you don't want to wait, get a discounted DJI action 4 or try insta360 ace pro 2. The DJI 5 pro has horrendous color and highlight clipping when not shooting D Log. The gopros are notoriously bad reliability, overheat when shutting down in some sort of endless loop and the image quality is garbage. Source: I had and used the gopro hero 12, DJI 4 and 5 pro extensively. All 3 were sold over time.

I love Insta360 cameras and use the Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2, and X4 models. With the X4, you don't have to worry about framing the shot; you can easily edit it later to find the best filming angle. However, it does have a limitation: the X4 is not ideal for low-light situations, while the Ace Pro 2 performs much better in such conditions. The DJI Action 5 Pro is also an excellent camera that you won't regret purchasing.

I love Insta360 cameras and use the Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2, and X4 models. With the X4, you don't have to worry about framing the shot; you can easily edit it later to find the best filming angle. However, it does have a limitation: the X4 is not ideal for low-light situations, while the Ace Pro 2 performs much better in such conditions. The DJI Action 5 Pro is also an excellent camera that you won't regret purchasing.

Honestly, wildly different cameras for wildly different needs. The AcePro is a good action camera, and if you are going to be cliff-diving, motocross racing, or swimming with sharks, probably a good choice. The Canon is a great camera for traditional vacation photos - standing in front of a tourist location and taking a picture for example. And the Go3 is one of my personal favorites, because of it's small size and the unique perspectives it can take. I often have it attached to my ballcap and capture video that I likely wouldn't get with other cameras. But, the quality of the video and photos isn't as good as the Canon. In short, the Canon is likely to produce the best raw photos and video, but it's also bigger and heavier, and for me, that is what pushes me to the Go3 most often. I typically carry my Go3 and my Insta360 X5 unless I'm specifically going with a focus on photo-taking. The combo is pretty flexible and allows me to capture fun shots that no one else in the family is getting. A trip to Turkey would likely make me get my Sony out for some good photos.

I was in your shoes 2 months ago: checked all the yt reviews and went for the Dji Osmo Action 5. I was very disappointed from day 1 and returned it at the end of the week and switched to a Ace Pro 2. It would be a long post to list all the pros and cons: i could sum it up as the Ace for me has better preset colours, better light and details. Of course, it’s a personal preference, others might like the Osmo Action more.

To me it was an issue of definition and tone: the osmo action did not give me the crispy details i wanted (for example on a bright sky) and the preset tone was sort of a greysh/magenta color which i did not like. It was not a bad camera but not for me (i come from GoPro). The Ace pro 2 gave me a little more and different compared to my gopro 11 . So far i have nothing to complain besides maybe being on the heavier side.

I am fairly satisfied with ACE Pro 2 stills. But I used to rotate an iphone with a Gopro 11 while hiking and I don't usually carry a larger, heavier photo camera. The photos are decent, even with standard settings, however as said by others, it is still an action camera so you cannot replace a regular camera with it.

Actually i love Gopro. Last camera i have and still use is the 11. It has small issues but in the water it is unbeatable. I had the DJI osmo action 5 (bought after watching reviews online) and i was very disappointed by the performance, lack of details and preset tones. I returned and switched to a Ace Pro 2. It’s perfectly complementary to my Gopro , has s lot of features gopro hasn’t figured out and photos and stills are absolutely good. I wouldn’t go in the water with it though. But it’s far from trash!

Hi i give you my opinion: 1.i never tried the ace pro so i cannot say 2. I currently have one and i highly recommend it also for your purposes. Might want to buy a spare battery. The stills are pretty good as i expected but i use it for hiking and videos are stabilized and they don’t need almost any editing. 3. I tried it and didn’t fit my demands which are very similar to yours. 4. last gopro i bought is the 11. I tried the 12 and 13 from friends and never felt the need to upgrade. They are overall good action cameras but i think the ace pro 2 is superior. Gopro seems out of ideas since a while and chase the competitors. I would recommend it only if you use it alot in the water.

As of Feb 22, 2025, Insta360 Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2, GoPro 12 and DJI Osmo Action are the three best action cams for motorcycle riding. If you do low light riding (night or overcast weather), go with Ace Pros. It has much better dynamic range and much higher image quality in low light. You'll find many comparison reviews in YouTube, I'd advise checking out a few of them for yourself. I own an Ace Pro and I never looked back.

As of Feb 22, 2025, Insta360 Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2, GoPro 12 and DJI Osmo Action are the three best action cams for motorcycle riding. If you do low light riding (night or overcast weather), go with Ace Pros. It has much better dynamic range and much higher image quality in low light. You'll find many comparison reviews in YouTube, I'd advise checking out a few of them for yourself. I own an Ace Pro and I never looked back.

Insta360 Ace pro 2. That's what I just started to use. Beats GoPro 12 by a lot.

Walksnail moonlight + Insta360 Ace pro 2 for cinematic footage. That's my choice. I still have amazing video from the moonlight dvr.

This is their action cam and it seems to be great.  https://www.insta360.com/de/product/insta360-ace-pro2

As an owner of Ace Pro 2 and Go3s, does it make sense to also get the Go Ultra?

I've used the X3 and X4 for vlogs for the past 2 years. I've also used Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 4 and always end up back with 360 as it's so versatile and the quality isn't that much different when posting on socials. Only negative is the workflow is slightly longer due to reframing but it's worth it

For diving, among this generation cameras (GoPro Hero 13, DJI Action 5, Insta360 Ace Pro 2), there's really no competition. DJI Action 5 is the best. For underwater shots, low light performance is the most important, because virtually all shots are low light. DJI is miles ahead of GoPro in low light performance. There are many comparison videos online (most of them aren't about scuba, but low light is low light). The Ace Pro 2 is probably fine, too, but it doesn't have 10-bit or log encoding, which are helpful if you are colour correcting your videos, and you really should with dive videos.

Pure video mode, 60 fps action view. In hindsight I think the pure video plus in 30 fps would have probably been better!

The Action 4 or 5 will give you the best video quality and battery life, period. They've got the best charge pack available in the Action 5 combo kit for batteries, as well as the best battery life. Overheating is a non-issue in the first place with them, basically the same as GoPro and Insta360, and doubly a non-issue because you'll be running air over the chassis the whole time. Its 4K footage is the cleanest in all light intensities, from night to midday, and it's got the most dynamic range for post, as well as the filedizes being manageable and the best slow-mo modes. It uses the same sensor as the Insta360 Ace Pro/Pro 2, but does the same trick as the A7SIII where it uses its excess megapixels to create a bayer within a bayer pattern, which culls noise like nothing else. Not downsampling, another odd thing If, however, you have a bias, get an Insta360 Ace Pro 2. Pretty fantastic in all regards, not my preferred, I think 8K is wasted in Action Cameras, and it chews battery life because of that. However, it's AI exposure is spot on, night modes are good but noisy (GoPro's ability to shoot at night are non-existent), and downsampling your 8K in post always produces a lovely image. Get a chin mount.

I just picked up a used Hero 11 and it is pretty nice for being on the water. I also have the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and it is excellent. I personally like both cameras for boating and jet skis. The Gopro has nice colors and super stabilization. The Ace Pro 2 is just fantastic all around. Can't go wrong with either from my use. Lastly, the 11 uses the same chipset as the newest 13. The 13 does have some newer features but the 11 is just solid and cheap on the used market.

Ace pro 2 has flip *screen* so selfie no problame at all. https://preview.redd.it/55cmtucj2i5f1.jpeg?width=1285&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d9f976f374dfd8c11c9ae316c8a1b78ac425ba2

The insta360 ace pro 2 is slightly cheaper [[$419](https://a.co/d/aYOs9pk)] than the GoPro hero 13 [[$429](https://a.co/d/56dp7IL)] and in my opinion is a far superior camera for underwater video. I have never used a DJI, so no comments about it.

I think there are some things missing from your background. **What light are you currently using?** I know is not the same as having a pro rig, but photo and video on an ace pro 2 with the right lights will get you very far. **What experience do you have with video photo editing?** While it sounds like you have some experience, it is only an assumption, shooting ilog or raw will require some knowledge or a degree of time to learn the tools to edit and color correct them. This is a significant investment as a commitment of time. **Is your budget just for the camera or the entire rig, including video lights or strobes?** Even if you get an amazing rig on a quality camera and case, it will only take you so far without the appropriate lighting. Good lighting will easily set you back 1000€ if not more.

You can judge for yourself when it comes to photography. Framing, subject and lighting will get you very far on a “cheap” camera. Also get a small tray for stability. This was a few years ago using a GoPro 10 https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/s/u2nkwABjpZ Now I have upgraded to an insta ace pro 2 which has great low light performance. I used to have a couple of backscatter macro/wide 4300. I’ve been able to shoot decent video during tech dives, see for example this video which has footage from an ace pro 1 and 2 https://youtu.be/L7UgwJpqEyw?si=6bFlP115qIUXMzu9 My videography skills are not great, but you get an idea of the quality you get and how far it will get you. Finally, [dive saga](https://youtube.com/@divesaga?si=XnmvOxWPBauRgBbU) shoots a lots of its videos on insta 360 cameras Can you achieve excellent results? Yes, but it depends on a combination of factors that will help you succeed while staying within a budget. Good lighting will definitely be crucial.

It has been mentioned several times already, but it is worth repeating. As a new diver, you want to focus on developing your newly acquired skills. Using a camera is a type of task loading that will take your focus away from your SPG, depth, or even the environment around you, not to mention that depending on your camera setup, it could be big and bulky. Once you have that down, add an action camera to your dive gear (I recommend the Insta360 Ace Pro, as it does a great job of color correction underwater), see if you enjoy it, and then add a tray for stabilization, then lights, and maybe a new camera rig. By the point you are ready to add lights, you should be prepared to shed several hundred, if not thousand+ dollars.

Insta360 Ace Pro2. Still the best action camera in terms of the sensors and ease of use.

Not really though. The ace pro 2 and action 5 pro are really good at low light.

I love my X4 and i've had no issues whatsoever. Its definitely not the same quality as my Ace Pro 2 but it's still quite impressive as a 360 camera. I also had the gopro max for 5 years and also the X3 for a while, and the X4 is simply so much better than them both. The ability to zoom in on subjects in 8k is also much better than the X3. i've been more than happy with my battery life. Although I generally turn it on and off as needed and am not running it for hours at a time. i did pick up a spare battery but rarely use it... just my two cents.

Ace Pro 2 by a mile. (Source: I have one).

Ace Pro 2 or Go Ultra. With the X5, it won't be quick, you need to reframe the videos.

I prefer my ace pro 2 for night shots, it’s unreal

If you’re going to get an action camera after this the ace pro 2 is a solid choice which I don’t regret at all. I use both my x5 and ace pro 2 together. However I hope next time you go for a dive you follow all the tips you’ve mentioned above and update us with your results. From other footage I’ve seen it not from yourself is hardly ever looks blurry unless someone is doing something wrong and usually it’s not having a dive case but in your case I reckon you have the wrong one. I always try shoot in multiple settings when doing this sort of thing just to find out what works best. Best of luck

my last gopro was the hero 8. i still have it but its doesn’t work as it constantly loses footage. i now role with the Acepro 2 and the X5. aside from certain accessories not being available for me ever i love the x5. i bought so many lens replacement kits as well as cooling screen protectors that the x5 should be my last 360 cam for awhile

For a first camera - no. The 360 reframing and editing workflow is lengthy and you are likely going to get disheartened. As a 360 camera the X5 is truly awesome, but 360 footage or even single lens footage from a 360 camera does not compare to a regular action camera for image quality. It is compromised to allow for the 360 and reframing ability. If you want to stick with Insta360 look at the Ace Pro 2. Also consider Action 5 and Hero 13. Any of those three IMO are excellent action cameras and will suit you better.

Yeah....I am leaning toward the Ace Pro 2.

AP2 is a great camera. It will spoil you, b/c it is a pretty high performance unit. Just wait until you try it in low light.

I own a DJI Action 5 Pro, Insta360 Ace Pro 2, GoPro Hero13, and several older models. The key advantage GoPro has over the rest is its ability to capture daytime 5K footage. Both DJI and Ace Pro 2 footage have a noticeable artificial and overprocessed look, making them appear unnatural and overly sharpened. In contrast, GoPro’s footage is much more realistic. GoPro’s 5k footage is also sharper than the 4k images from the rest. And of course, we all know GoPro night footage is unusable .

For me the Acepro 2 has the best image quality.

You can do everything with the Acepro 2. Quality has its price, or do you seriously believe that the next GoPro should finally have a bigger sensor and better slow motion?! cheaper than the Ace will be? I know why I switched from GoPro to Insta again last year.

The image quality and slow motion are better with the Acepro, and I don't really need 10 bits for action shots.... But whatever you think.....

Better get the Acepro 2, the operation is similar to the GoPro 13, technically nothing has happened with GoPro in the last few years since the 10. The Acepro 2 takes much better photos with the larger sensor, especially in poor light. The GoPro can't keep up.

I use GoPro hero 12 with digipack refuel battery inside a t-housing aluminum housing. I have a macro lense magnetic mount that I pop on and off at will when needed. On top of my cradle I have the insta360 Ace pro for lower light footage and a redundancy. Depending on the dive site. I'll use GoPro footage for shorts or clips, or if I'm in a place with a ton of different colors I'll use the 8:7 resolution for full frame shots, and use insta360 for entire dive. I have Ace pro 1, the Ace pro 2 has a feature where the side button is programmable, so a zoom macro is possible and the Ace pro zoom doesn't lose resolution like the gopros do. I however not using the Ace pro 2 since I saw one YouTube video where it struggled with purple light when the pro 1 didn't, it only happened once but that's enough for me to pass since I do UV lights on reef night dives. I was gonna upgrade to full slr setup till I witnessed a dude with a Sony a1 housing flood, pretty sure I heard him crying underwater. So the GoPro/insta360 combo works best for me

I have GoPro 10/12/13. And insta360 Ace pro, 90% filming while scuba, with occasional daughters recital. I noticed a significant difference from 10-12, also huge noticable effect for some reason in the GoPro labs results as well. I did not notice that much of a different 12-13 and for some reason I'm having more thermals with the 13. I ended up going with the Ace pro primarily for twilight/night dives but I'm starting to use it more and more for all dives.

the non 360 version of the insta360 (ace pro 2) gets much longer camera life and fits on a helmet mount quite nicely.

I have both Gopro13 and the Ace Pro 2. One was a gift and the other I purchased. If I know I’m going to need solid video I, use the DJI Osmo 3. But of the 2 action cams, I almost always reach for the Ace Pro 2. It just has a better feel, especially with the explorer grip. Even takes great photos.

It does! Has a flip screen too.

I have an Insta360 Ace 2 pro or whatever, love it. Much better than gopro with a useful section of AI tools like auto blur license plates and amazing night modes. I have an older GoPro but it just doesn't compare to my Insta360.

X5 if you don't want to bother with framing and don't mind the lower quality footage, stitching inconsistencies and light reflected artifacts. You'll spend more time experiencing the dives and get totally cool angles. I use both X5 and Ace Pro 2 for scuba, not both at the same time of course.

Dont listen to this dude there’s plenty of stuff on the market you can even get used now. I’ve been buying cameras since December for my content Honestly for vlogging get the Osmo pocket 3. But since you want durability i would go acepro2/ Osmo action 5 since they’re durable and ok at low light for that price. I have op3 2nd fav Sony A6700 3rd fav X5 great for night time Go ultra my new fav Go pro 11 worst iPhone 15/13 pro max 2 Meta glasses etc. etc

I have a hero 11 and an Insta360 X5. If you're only doing chest mount, there is nothing wrong with either hero 11 or 13 (stay away from 12), Ace pro or Ace pro 2 or DJI action 5. I've been using the x5 more and more just for its versatility. I like to use the invisible stick and use it to get some fun POVs and selfies. It does weigh more and requires more thought and editing tho. Can probably find an old hero 9 to try and see if it's something you like doing before investing full pop on current flagship models.

I have a hero 11 and an Insta360 X5. If you're only doing chest mount, there is nothing wrong with either hero 11 or 13 (stay away from 12), Ace pro or Ace pro 2 or DJI action 5. I've been using the x5 more and more just for its versatility. I like to use the invisible stick and use it to get some fun POVs and selfies. It does weigh more and requires more thought and editing tho. Can probably find an old hero 9 to try and see if it's something you like doing before investing full pop on current flagship models.

Exactly the same for me. Gops 8 and two batteries that die within minutes in cold weather. I just got an Insta360 Ace 2 Pro or whatever the heck it's called and I love it because the touch screen is actually usable and the battery lasts for hours.

I think i know what you're referring to. Some YouTubers use some models with extreme FOV. But it's not all of them. I just bought an Insta360 Ace 2 Pro and honestly, it's just like a GoPro but good. The FOV is the same, the touch screen is actually a breeze to use, the battery lasts so much longer, and a wind screen is already built in. And it even dewarps the footage, so you get a wide FOV (the typical action camera FOV, not the extreme one) with almost no warping. I'm really impressed. The footage is also clearer than GoPro, and much better in low light conditions.

Insta360 Ace Pro 2. I never looked back.

OK well that's a bit different. You don't need anything specifically "low light" as this refers to video capability. With starlapses/nightlapses all the action cams can do this, I use my GoPro9 to do starlapses and am currently testing out an Ace Pro 2. Technically, what you're doing is taking photos and the cam is assembling these into a video, so these can go up to 30s exposure per image. There's loads of videos on YouTube covering this.

You probably won't get a single camera that does all of that as each has its strengths and weaknesses. The Go 3s is the best for hat use but has a short battery life. A standard action cam (eg. Ace Pro 2) has the best video quality but would maybe need a chest mount for a POV shot (too bulky for a hat). The X5 being a 360 camera could offer the most options but will have very long edit time/effort requirements as all the video needs "reframed" afterwards, which will be a big undertaking if filming a long day (been there, done that).

During Prime week I finally decided to use up an old $100 gift card I received last Christmas and make the leap to purchase my first action camera as a early birthday present to myself 😎- a sweet lil baby Insta360 Ace Pro 2 📷✨ ...oH yeZzz, I'm super psyched to be a part of the Insta fam now and start creating with it soon! 🤩

That’s funny that you mentioned that because I’m also very tempted by the X5 as well, lol… in my opinion it looks (image quality wise) way better than the Ace 2 Pro in terms of image pop ✨

I agree! I finally realized just how good the AP2 was after months of research…I just put an order in for a knock-off version of the Explorer grip to make it more of a every day camera for me. ✨

Surprisingly the battery life has been pretty good in my opinion- it’s holding charge very well while recording at 4K / 30 …,I haven’t really put it through any serious or intense photo & video shooting yet outside of 3 to 4 minutes at a time for video in i-log and in the bright sunshine. I have the bit rate set to high and for my photos I am taking them at 50 megapixels.

This is my first action camera and I am definitely happy that I bought this one in particular! The quality and functionality offerings are top notch, especially when paired with the Insta360 studio app for editing videos and photos. The whole ecosystem just works and works very well indeed. If you are looking for a well-built, high quality offering action camera the AP2 is definitely a great start! You can definitely Vlog with this action camera and the various fields of view options explain how you might want to use each of the FOV’s as you select them in camera. I’m in love with this lil baby Leica, lol

I have no regrets with my AP2 purchase or the camera itself, but I do wish I had ordered it with the Explorer Grip option. I placed an order for a knockoff version of that grip on Amazon through a third party seller and that product never arrived, so I'm thinking I'll order one through Insta360's store now that they are selling them seperate from the AP2 bundle deal. I also plan to use my AP2 similar to you, so having that Explorer Grip is key. https://preview.redd.it/alucsxsl48hf1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=68c0d9c956849ac2e8ca79e29576d7de8e8774da

Basic summary is the X5 is out for obvious reasons (curved lenses don't work great underwater), the Action 5 tends to overdo the "blue" correction and isn't always accurate to the real colors, and sometimes loses sharpness in some scenarios. The AcePro's colors are better, but the highlights tend to be quite soft which removes some of the punch from the image. It also loses sharpness in some scenarios. The GoPro tends to have the most accurate colors and the best overall sharpness in these tests.

Get the original Ace Pro. It’s probably less expensive than OA5 Pro and is a fantastic camera.

Avoid GoPro. Terrible reliability. They’ve rested on their laurels far too long and don’t deserved your business. I’ve heard a DJI account is required to use the OA5. If true, absolutely avoid them as well. I’ve been very happy with my Insta360 Ace Pro. 100% reliability after 2 years. It has literally never not turned on, overheated, or otherwise malfunctioned in any way. Image quality is fantastic and it absolutely destroys GoPro in low light. If you plan to record at night, Ace Pro/Ace Pro 2 is the way.

Whatever you do avoid GoPro Hero cameras. They are and have been riddled with reliability issues for years and it doesn't appear they care to fix it. The MAX 360 for whatever reason doesn't seem to be affected and has been a good camera for me but, I will never give GoPro another dime of my money because of their arguably criminal neglect of Hero cameras. I've been running an Insta360 Ace Pro for about 6 months now. It's never once crapped out on me. Turns on and starts filming every time I press the button which is much more than I can say for Hero cameras. It's never overheated (it gets pretty hot and humid in the summer where I live) and has comparable battery life to the GoPro Heroes I've used with the Enduro battery. That's not to say Insta360 is perfect by any means. They've had internal moisture issues with the new Ace Pro 2. I've also heard great things about the DJI Osmo Action cameras. I still have an original Osmo Action and it worked great. I haven't used it in a long time though and I have no fist hand experience with the newer models. I would love to test how the DJI wireless mic integration works on the new models though and have been considering picking one up for that alone. Another thing to consider is a 360 camera. They provide the most flexibility by far. You can make "360" style videos or you can crop in the POV so that it looks like a normal action camera. If you're on a budget and can only have one camera I'd probably go the 360 route.

TLDR: Stop believing Tiktok "influencers" who get paid to shill for products. Use the right tool for the right job. I have Ace Pro and Go 3S and I use them for different things. The majority of Tiktok "reviewers" are people being paid to promote a product and so they use their photography/video skill to make the output look really good. Ace Pro is a decent action camera - so it is good for action camera type things (vlogging, stabilizing large camera shake if you are running/moving, being water/impact resistant, being very small and mountable). I have the Ace Pro (which is the same sensor as the Ace Pro 2). Ace Pro is primarily for video in daylight, but is ok for indoors or night time if you aren't shaking too much. I don't like Ace Pro for photography in general. If you want superior still image quality and zoom, the Canon is going to be way better for that. Video quality is good if you are standing still (the image stabilization is worse, so it's less good if you are walking/running around). However, again - it is just a tool... just like getting a really nice pan, oven, and kitchen knife isn't going to mean you automatically are going to be making top tier food... getting a nice camera isn't automatically going to give you good content. Go 3S is a POV camera. You are trading image quality (video will look a little bleached/washed out in bright midday sun, and dark/blurry at night) and stabilization (there is only tilt correction of 10 degree) for compactness to be able to easily and discretely mount to your heat/chest or on a pole/fence. So it will only really look go if you are doing something interesting in your POV (playing sports, cooking, eat, walking with your attractive travel partner, etc). Go3S can also be snuck into small spaces (on a cat's collar, in a cat food bowl, in your backpack, on a fishing pole, etc) - even more so than an Ace Pro (although both as better than the Canon for this).

I disagree. In technicality and specs, DJI wins, but in usability and gimmick, Ace Pro takes it. Honestly, it's up to the user. I've seen AcePro videos that are dogshot, but I've also seen Action5 videos that are dogshot. But yeah I guess we can all agree that GoPro is non existent at this point

cool, dji and ace pro can do that too since their sensors are also square-ish

I think **Gopro Hero 8 is the best action camera** in 2024 (since 2019) but mine died and I can't replace it. I tried : \- Gopro 10 : very very very bad Gopro. Only good in full sunlight (same for 9 I guess). \- Gopro 12 : very bad underwater (my main use), but very detailed in full sunlight and Ok otherwise. Vegetation is strange with it... Distortion are bad, especially when you turn the camera. Stabilization and timewarp aren't reliable in low light. Gopro 8 is still my favorite, but in full sunlight, Gopro 12 can be interresting. And 8:7 is really useful. A good camera to watch your videos in VR with a lot of details. Not really interresting otherwise. \- Osmo Action 4 : a lot better than Gopro 12 underwater (less particles, more details on corals, better colors). Better in low light to catch the true colors and light, but not as detailed, even in low light to watch videos in VR. You have to set ISO manually all the time. \- Insta360 Ace Pro seems to be Ok. I don't really know (I only tried it indoors). It may be better than Osmo Action 4, but focal lenght is too short, so everything close to you is blurry... \>>>>>>> Gopro Hero 8 is the best to film your vacation at sea. It always give good colors and image. You never really have to configure it (except to film a color changing fish or cephalopods, but it doesn't happen very often...) It capture some important details even in low light, without making noise. It's good (not perfect but better than others) with vegetation (even tropical) in daylight. Timewarp works all the time (auto mode isn't perfect underwater but it doesn't really matter because you don't need it underwater). It's small and light. Hero 5 session isn't as good, but it's the lightest and smallest too (60gr), very useful. \----- Concerning VR camera, I only tried Samsung Gear 360. I'll try Insta X4 soon but it's not the same thing. I'll use it for VR, but it can't replace a standard action cam, because it would be blurry

IQ improvements just don't feel worth it at the price when it's still significantly lower than full size cameras and the 8 bit doesn't look great). Although admittedly I returned the 3S because size vs IQ trade off wasn't worth it for me over Ace Pro and Action 5. I also wish they would really have a small charging back magnet so you could run a long cable to a battery pack to films continuously for 3+ hours. Since adding the pod for 200 minutes makes it so I'd rather just go full size action cam at that point since my use cases need battery swaps for minimal downtime and even 10 minutes charging is a long break.

I am going to assume you dont have an action camera now and give advice based on that.... What I would do.... Buy a cheap action camera ace pro/hero 10/osmo 4 etc.... Get used to using it and editing it, and see how many times you go "shit I wish I caught that" That will give you the decision on if you want a 360 cam If you do go down that route, either wait for the DJI OSMO 360 (after real reviews come out) OR Wait for the X6, the X5 is good but its not a massive jump like the next iteration will be. The one great feature the x5 has is that it outputs 2 video files 1x 360 image and 1x front facing file, so if you just need it to be an action cam, it does that too. I had my gopro 12 on my helmet and my x4 on my handlebars and as I was riding a car on the other side of the road hit another car and hit someone on the pavement, I swung my head round but missed most of it with my helmet cam, but the x4 caught all of it and that was used in an insurance claim. So for me, not having to make sure I am pointing the right way will always be the benefit.

I have an insta360x and it's not good in low light IMO Ace pro has a 1/1.3" sensor so not big but bigger than some of these small action cameras. Larger physical sensor gathers more light The Osmo pocket 3 is quite decent in low light with its 1 inch sensor and stabilizing gyro

honestly alot of cameras nowadays are quite the same, just go with your budget, learn to edit and color grade and turn that bland looking scenery into an amazing masterpiece of a video. i personally went with the insta360 ace pro since it has the night enhance thing and it has a flip up screen. but it functions quite the same as the other cameras hence why i suggest getting anything your budget gets you

I dove with my X4 and a dive case and it came out great. Water clarity is very important and making sure your stitching settings are correct is important also. I have the Ace Pro and the X4 and X5. I would take the X5 over the Ace pro personally.

To each their own but the insta360 ace series is better for low light and has better colors. What made you choose the 13 bro?

I disagree, if you don't want 360, the Ace Pro is still the better camera. Between image quality, ease of use and reliability it's just better. You'll never see me buying another GoPro, they have too many problems.

The nano has lower max bitrate, narrower field of view, lower resolution raw photos, and is limited by built in storage for how much you can record without offloading the footage. While the nano can shot 16:9 4k60, it can’t shoot 4:3 4k60 (the launch firmware could but updating it removed it so I’m hoping it comes back) I love the nano in theory but in practice I always grabbed my insta360 ace pro instead and ended up returning the nano

I had a sony actioncam, now use a insta360 ace pro. Both have the ability for an external microphone which i mount on the rear license plate. Here is a video https://youtu.be/iBwDIJ-etQI?si=7LRmCSg8A4_rDY6H

Sensor size is very small compared to competitors and you can’t modify software to change the physical limitations of such a small sensor. DJI and the acepro have a bigger sensor and way better DR

I opted for the P3, I didn't want another action cam having already been stuck with a Go Pro 12 & Insta360 Ace Pro. I'm happy with my choice as I'm not using my P3 for action type stuff Uploading to You Tube - this all depends on your internet speed connection and if you are uploading a long video shot in 4k, then I guess that could take you a while.

The latest cameras I take on holiday with me are: OP3 GoPro 12 Nikon D5300. Previously owned the OP1 which never got used, hated it for it's shitty little screen and having a mobile stuck to the side of it was just asking for trouble. It was eventually replaced with a GoPro 10. Then A GoPro 12 & insta360 Ace Pro. The Ace pro only got used a few times, I couldn't get used to it's weight or it's horrid mounts. Finally, I gave the OP3 a go, really like it. My favourite buy so far. The GoPro 12 is just a back up, nice & lightweight but the OP3 pisses all over it Currently looking to replace my aging D5300. I don't really use my mobile (pixel 8 pro) for photography, sometimes for GPS coordinates when my D5300 doesn't play nice, and the odd selfie with tourists.

Same here, got ace pro the other day and is devastatingly good

I have similar set up. I have Sony A7CII, with Insta360 Ace Pro, Insta360 X4, and Dji Pocket 3. I had Insta360 GO3 at one point but sold it. I travel quite a bit in the last few years, I can tell I use both Sony A7CII and Pocket 3 the most. The only time I use Ace Pro or X4 is when I need some angles and environment I can't get from using traditional camera... The video quality from both Pocket 3 is good. I used that quite a bit in my last trip to Japan especially some motionlapses too. Since it is so compact, it is easy to film without drawing lots of attention.

Not an expert nor do I know much about cameras. Wanted an aim and shoot with good battery life that didnt need additional lighting for low light environments. Camera store recommended AcePro Insta360 Ace Pro. It does the job and the photos are pretty decent. $300.

Just from the screenshot, it looks like dji and insta360 ace pro are better no? This is a cool test, gonna check it out

Just got an Ace Pro "like new" used on MPB for $225. I'll cry less after dropping the $225 version on the street.

I just picked up an insta360 Ace pro on marketplace for fairly cheap and I have to say I’m fairly impressed. I have been leaning toward the insta360 Ace line because I have read it has really good low light capabilities, and I do a lot of riding in the evenings so that was important for me. Their app is also pretty intuitive. I used to use GoPro but I felt their app was garbage, this was a few years ago and it may have improved, but it left a bad taste in my mouth and I have no desire to look into it again.

I got the Ace Pro (the first one, not the 2) 2 months ago for wide angle video, because I felt my Olympus TG6 did not do a great job at that. I'm honestly not that happy with it. The low light capabilities and white balance are pretty good, but the focal distance is so far away and the wide angle is so wide that you can basically only capture things that are both massive and not very close-by, and it makes everything look tiny. Trying to get the footage on my phone through their app also nearly blew up my phone (which does need replacing), and I haven't quite worked out how to edit anything, I'm finding it very counter intuitive. In the end I think my olympus still does a better job, definitely for photos, but that does mean I have to switch to the right mode and do my manual white balance adjustment etc., which is quite a bit more cumbersome than just pressing the one button on the AcePro. But if you're going to be taking photos too, especially if you also want some closer-up macro photos, I'd take the Olympus TG-series over pretty much anything else. And you could add a wide-angle lens to that, which is maybe what I should have done instead.

I have a TG6 and got an Ace Pro for the more wide-angle shots, but honestly, I barely use it, it's so wide-angle that it makes everything seem horribly far away and tiny, and the videos aren't particularly better than the TG6, imo. Should have maybe just gotten a wide-angle lens for that. Also, the housing is already completely scratched up after like 30 dives max? While I've had the Olympus for hundreds of dives and it's barely got a scratch. 

Ace pro is a hell of a little camera. But your x4 with the right mount would work great too

Fair enough. I’d buy another ace pro in a heartbeat. Makes my other action cams feel like toys

I have a bunch, GoPros all the way back to the original, ace pro, insta 360 1 RS (2 of these, they are really good), osmo action 4 and 5. The 1 RS is my favorite but the ace pro is more than enough for most people. Honestly, a GoPro 7 black is more than enough for most people. That’s the iteration that got image stabilization that was actually useful. Don’t sweat the specifics. Just get whatever is in stock near you and go ride. I use mine for all kinds of shit, but the one that lives on my helmet is a GoPro 10.

If you like good color in camera, I’d go ace pro. If you color grade, go for the osmo. They are very similar cameras. To me the ace is just that little bit better, plus I don’t color grade action camera footage all the time, so the choice is easy.

Still the best camera. I have tried the all and always prefer the GoPro. Just tried the dji action 5. Buttons are tough to push. Changes modes easily without out you knowing. You need an adapter to just mount it. Makes it have a big stack height. Feels like a toy. The insta360 ace pro is a bit better but super heavy. Twice that of the GoPro

I have an insta 360x4, gopro, and the ace pro.

DJI action camera blow GoPro out of the water. I run osmo action cams and my favorite currently is my insta 360 with dive housing.

How much riding at night, or poorly lit conditions (eg tunnels) would be involved? As GoPros don't have the best performance then. You could consider something like the Insta AcePro, as that has better performance with the PureVideo mode; but you'll need to switch the modes manually. So it's more of a "I'm recording at night, so I'll use that mode" vs something on the fly while riding. But in terms of dashcam, a 360 cam would be better in a single cam unit. But to get the low light performance you may be looking for, you'd likely need to go way beyond your budget with something like an Insta X5.

Insta360 ace pro, look up night video comparisons vs other cameras. That’s what influenced my decision and I love it

Yeah, i sadly dont use it anymore. I tried all action cameras before i settled on the gopro. I then returned each one. I had a bad landing with an action 4(by bad, i mean flipped over at 1mph) and it cracked in 4 spots. I returned it because i cant be breaking a cam that easily. I tried an insta ace pro. It was alright but i liked the quality of the hero 11 more and it was cheaper. Then I got a gopro and smacked a tree doing maybe 20mph. The gopro had no scratches and no chips. Settled my debate right then and there.

As a longtime user, it’s still the best action camera at that size. I have the AcePro too and it’s bulkier and heavier, doesn’t work for me.

Ace Pro is $250 and Ace Pro 2 is $400 in the US. Where do you see a $50 difference?

To me, I like the way the shadows are handled on the original AP a bit better. The AP2 almost feels a bit brighter and the image flatter because it's bringing up the shadows more. I personally like the contrast on the original.

One big disadvantage is that motion is way too stable. If you're on a bike, there's zero horizon tilt no matter how much you lean. 360 footage does not feel organic or vary pleasant. I'd sum it up this way. My Ace Pro is the main camera for recording rides and other sports. The X5 stays in my jersey pocket on a selfie stick and comes out for select moments. 360 is a bad main camera and an amazing second camera.

If you are videoing yourself while snowboarding via selfie stick, nothing beats the third person perspective of a 360 camera. I find it a lot more immersive than any traditional action camera because it gets my whole body and the selfie stick isn't visible- that just not possible with a camera like the dji action 5 (i have a gopro hero 9 and insta360 ace pro). To make editing easy, Me Mode gives you a very wide angle 4K that needs almost no editing. Here a video I made last month with the X4 https://youtu.be/kfgz56JiFE4 A 360 camera makes framing someone else snowboarding/skiing easier to (you don't need to worry about angled horizon or cutting then off). For this video, I just kept the camera (an older X2) blindly pointed behind me and edited it after. https://youtu.be/yBvwZnUOOVY

Insta360 Ace Pro, the 1 not the 2. Image quality is awesome, reliability is awesome, and its discount heavily many times during the year.

Insta360 AcePro if you want high quality pictures. No heat problems. Depending on settings you get 60 - 80 minutes. The issue with all camera is still battery runtime. For a mere “Dashcam” and used ActionCam from ten users ago is fine, as long as you replace the batteries. I recommend an outfront mount.

For diving my Insta360 Acepro takes far better picture than the others in low light (deep/kelpy/low viz) conditions. The auto color correction and white balance are also great. So far it's surviving with no issues (week long trip in water everyday down to 90ft). For diving always use a housing/case.

The Mac/Windows software for the Max/Fusion was slow to roll out and buggy. They've been back and forth with other software such as Quik and the GoPro player. What puts GoPro ahead of other similar cameras is the 5k resolution and Labs firmware which allows the cameras to operate at their full capability. That said, despite only being 8-bit my Insta Ace Pro and Insta X3/X4 are fantastic in their respective categories. The Ace blows the GoPro 11/12 out of the water in poor lighting and it records rather large 4:3 HDR video at 60fps while the GoPro is limited to 30fps at 8:7 5k. All these cameras have their uses, the GoPro cameras will overheat far sooner than the Insta cameras but if you need consistent results for colour grading / gamuts then it's far easier to use a GoPro. The GoPro also has GPS (not the H12) while the Insta does not. So it's easier to pull and paint telemetry. GoPro has had the competition edge out some more modern quick connectors that they've now adapted. It's really a case of diversity within the field plus marketing. What sells GoPro is the marketing video. Putting the cameras in places where any action camera would look amazing, applying appropriate colour grading, frame interpolation etc. I'm shocked they didn't have a big video for the Hero 13 showcasing it but rather used smaller videos to demonstrate specific features such as the anamorphic lens, NDs, etc.

Absolutely! I bought an ace pro for my cycling adventures. But since 2024, I have taken my AP on trips together with my aps-c travel cameras. I've stopped using my phone to take photos and selfies (phone on selfie stick) on trips , especially in Europe . I've actually seen a tourists phone snatched from the person's hand. I seldom take my phone out on trips unless I'm total lost. AP photos are totally acceptable to me in my case, mostly selfies and super wide angle shots. (Yeap, the AP is much lighter than my 13mm lens) And if higher quality shots are needed, I'd use my real camera.

Another action cam. None of these are as good as Insta Ace Pro. Absolutely none of them… Including GoPro.

For sure I ride daily but I don’t even have a chin mount I use an insta360 with a pole mount. It’s probably still better to have one of these than nothing at all is what I’m getting at.

I'm a Photographer who recently got into videos. I have to point out that the Insta 360 video quality is nowhere like the mirrorless cameras I've had, BUT, it's really about the spontaneous moment captured with it and not the quality that I'm impressed of. I've found footages of myself in the moments of serendipity that I know I will never achieve with any of my mirrorless camera unless somebody is following me around with it. I also tried the Osmo Pocket but I certainly love the convenience of the Insta 360 more because you can choose which frame, back, front, up or down you want to finally edit for posting. Really helpful the 360 view.

Hi op, one issue is you’ll now no longer be waterproof. I use the DJI mic 2 internal recording inside my helmet to a GoPro 13. You can check the sound here. [action camera with DJI mic2 inside helmet no wires retains waterproofing](https://youtu.be/y7ENSoDiaUg?feature=shared) Use the mini as the second camera, the 11 black as your main. I have a 13 as main and either an action 4 or insta 360 as handlebar.

I'd suggest you to get the Action 4. Better vfm. Can get the action 5 spare batteries for better battery life (if needed). Insta 360 is doing different ball game. It's an awesome secondary camera but not a good primary one.

Insta 360 anytime of the day

I would pick the dji any day over the insta 360 for a primary camera. Although the insta 360 gives a very good variety of angles, there’s not much of creative freedom that comes with it. Dji on the other hand, you can connect your mic easily for vlogging; it has better clarity, the overall quality is also much better. Accessories for the dji are priced fairly and the intsa 360 mounts are known to be fragile so I personally would stay away from those. If you already have a main camera, then go for the insta and try new angles for cinematic shots, but bear in mind, if you end up damaging the 360, there’s almost no way of getting it repaired.

If u want to vlog n need a good low light performances than go for Action 5 pro. DJI wireless mic system can be easily paired with Action 5. Please don't go for any GoPro. DJI n Insta360 r far ahead of it interms of technology n features. If u want versatility than go for Insta 360. Also wait for few days. Amazon freedom sale will be coming. U can get better deals on both if cameras.

Yeah, that breaking parallel ski relationship at initiation, lazy inside leg, park and ride possibly could have been helped during a couple of days of group lessons you could buy for the price of Insta 360.😉

I admit I also consider insta 360 for my own ski technique improvement but still unsure about the value. My notes about your skiing are limited because such POV doesn't let me see what your body is doing. Ideally, ski technique analysis is best when a skier comes to the camera and passes it so the skier is visible from the front, side, and then the back.