Large sensor, 8K resolution, impressive stabilization, AI features and flip-up touchscreen: The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 really does have some exciting unique selling points that should give the best action cams a run for their money. Our Insta360 Ace Pro 2 test clarifies whether it is really enough to take the top spot.
Technical data
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Product: |
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Dimensions: |
71.9 x 52.2 x 38 mm |
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Weight: |
Camera & battery: 182g |
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Sensor: |
1/1.3 inch (f/2.6) |
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Video modes: |
8K (16:9) : 7680 x 4320 @ 30/25/24 fps |
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Video format: |
H.264 / H.265 |
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Photo modes: |
50 MP (8192 x 6144) |
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Photo format: |
JPG, JPG+RAW |
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Special features: |
Electronic image stabilizer (six axes), voice control, gesture control, second display, time-lapse, slow motion, smartphone app |
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Display: |
2.5″, touchscreen |
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Battery: |
Lithium-ion, 1,800 mAh, two pieces |
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Connectivity: |
USB-C , WLAN, Bluetooth 5.2, microSD slot |
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Waterproof: |
Up to 12m (without protective housing); |
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Price: |
€ 425.99 * |
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Review: Handy heavyweight
- Handy size
- comparatively heavy
- Excellent workmanship
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is a handy action cam that measures 72 mm x 52 mm x 38 mm and is therefore roughly the same size as the GoPro Hero 13 Black and is noticeably bulkier than the DJI Osmo Action 5, especially in terms of height and depth. The weight of around 182 grams (including battery) is also noticeably heavier than the competition.
However, when looking at the technical data, it quickly becomes clear why this is the case. Insta360 has equipped the action cam with a particularly large 1/1.3-inch Leica sensor with an open aperture of f/2.6. Although it is just as large as DJI’s (and much larger than GoPro’s), it is noticeably brighter, which should ensure impressive low-light shots. The camera is also waterproof to 12 meters without a diving housing.
Another advantage: the 2.5-inch touchscreen on the back can be folded forward by up to 180°, providing real added value when taking selfies. There are two flaps on the sides of the Ace Pro 2. The 1,800 mAh battery is located on one side, while the USB-C port for charging the camera is located on the other. A second battery is also included in the scope of delivery. Very practical.
There is also a small secondary display at the front, which does not have touch functionality. However, it shows useful information such as storage space, video resolution and many other parameters.
The lens is secured by a lens protector that can be easily removed with a twisting motion. The microphone is also located underneath the lens. Here too, the manufacturer includes two variants for the windshield:
The larger windscreen comes with a foam insert and is designed to deliver clear sound even in strong winds. However, the fabric quickly becomes saturated when wet. We therefore recommend using the smaller windscreen – it’s great that you have the choice.
The only downside is that the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 can only be attached using a magnetic holder that docks onto the underside of the action cam. Unfortunately, there is no thread for attaching to a tripod. So if you want to mount the camera, no matter where, you will need additional accessories.
Impeccable operation
- excellent operation
- Practical folding display
- Gesture and voice control
Operation is also child’s play: the power button for switching on and off can be found on the left-hand side, while the large recording button is located on the top. The rest of the operation is done via the touchscreen and/or the companion app.
The touch control works reliably and very quickly. All settings are first explained to you in a tutorial. But don’t worry: the menu navigation is actually self-explanatory.
Swipe the screen from top to bottom to open the settings. The image settings open from right to left, where you can individually adjust the white balance and many other parameters.
Swiping from left to right opens the photo album, where you can find pictures and videos, while swiping from bottom to top takes you to the picture settings, where you can adjust the resolution, frame rate, stabilization and much more.
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 can also be operated using gesture and voice control, which is of course also very practical for selfie shots.
App connection: Insta360
- Clearly structured app
- Wide range of options
The Insta360 app that gives the camera its name is used as a companion app, in which you can, for example, mirror the camera image and adjust all parameters on your smartphone. In addition, firmware updates can of course be carried out within the app, of which there were already two at the time of our test.
Another interesting feature is the editor within the app, which allows you to edit your videos quickly and easily. If required, highlights can also be automatically cobbled together from your recordings and spiced up using AI functions and effects.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 battery: Now with 1,800 mAh
- 1,800 mAh
- up to 180 minutes of recording
- Fast charging time
Insta360 has significantly upgraded the battery of the Ace Pro 2 compared to its predecessor. At 1,800 mAh, it now holds around 10 percent more, which should enable runtimes of up to 180 minutes. With 4K recordings, the action cam achieves a usage time of 109 minutes – around 9 minutes more than its predecessor.
And yet: Some competitors last noticeably longer here, but the GoPro Hero 13 Black runs out of reserves much faster (around 90 minutes). The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 also scores points with its fast charging time: an empty battery is fully recharged in around 53 minutes.
Picture and audio quality
- Excellent 8K image
- High level of detail; great night shots
- practical FreeFrame videos
In terms of image quality, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 has a few aces up its sleeve. The camera not only allows video recordings in 8K resolution with up to 30 frames per second, but also slow-motion recordings in 4K with up to 120 fps. HDR videos, on the other hand, are only possible in 4K at 60 fps.
Compared to its predecessor, the field of view has increased by six degrees to 157°. A special feature for content creators is the so-called FreeFrame videos. These are recorded in 4:3 format in a maximum of 4K (4,096 x 3,072 pixels) at up to 60 frames per second. This format allows the image to be converted to a 9:16, 1:1 or 16:9 format afterwards. This gives you more freedom in editing, both for long videos and for reels and shorts.
Timeshift and time-lapse recordings are just as possible as Starlapse videos. Another interesting feature is the Pureview mode, which uses artificial intelligence to significantly improve recordings in low light conditions. The result is absolutely impressive:
The Ace Pro 2 gets night shots in particular much better than the GoPro Hero, for example. In HDR mode, however, the Insta360 action cam tends to overdo it and produces somewhat oversaturated images, although HDR videos naturally look more vivid and appealing.
Of course, the action cam also takes photos with a resolution of up to 50 megapixels and in really impressive quality. The HDR mode is particularly recommended for outdoor shots to capture more details in dark areas of the image. Only the close-up limit is quite high, so macro photos are hardly possible with the action cam.
For photos, you also have the choice of saving them in the full resolution of 50 megapixels or in a compressed size of 12.5 MP. You can also choose between a 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio, set a timer and even take photos in JPG and RAW to give you more options for post-processing afterwards.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 test: Conclusion
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is an excellent action cam that outperforms the competition with some exciting features. It impresses with its outstanding image quality, even in 8K at 30 frames per second thanks to the new sensor. Thanks to Purevideo mode, videos in low light conditions or night shots look significantly better than the competition.
The FreeFrame videos and the flip-up display are also particularly practical for creators, while the stabilization works excellently. Even the audio quality is surprisingly high quality and makes the use of a dedicated microphone unnecessary in many areas.
There is not much to criticize in our eyes. The colors of the HDR image are a little too oversaturated and the close-up limit should be a little lower. A few more accessories in the scope of delivery would also have been nice. Anyone looking for a convincing action cam is guaranteed to be happy with the Insta360 Ace Pro 2.
- Outstanding image quality
- Practical flip-up display
- Powerful image stabilizer
- Waterproof up to 12m
- Long battery life
- HDR image somewhat oversaturated
- Only one attachment
- Few accessories
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Workmanship
Software & functions
Picture quality
Audio quality
Value For Money
93/100
Outstanding action cam with first-class image quality, practical flip-up display and a wide range of options.
