The Chinese action camera brand, Insta360 has launched its first traditional action camera series, the Insta360 Ace Pro and Ace. Insta360 was founded back in 2015 and became popular with the introduction of the first 360 camera, the Insta360 Nano which allowed users to click 360-degree photos and videos from their phone.
Ever since that Insta360 has been delivering many outstanding consumer and professional cameras, Insta360’s consumer products include 360 cameras, accessory mounts, action cameras, handheld gimbals and webcams.
Insta360 introduction of the Ace Pro and the Ace is its first step towards traditional action cameras and is competing with the likes of two other globally recognised brands, GoPro and DJI. Even though it is its first take on the traditional action camera route, Insta360 has delivered quite some pack with features like flip screen, 8K video resolution and AI features.
Let us see what the action cameras deliver in terms of specifications.
Specifications of Insta360 Ace Pro and Ace
| Specs | Ace Pro | Ace |
| Dimensions | 71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm | |
| Weight | 179.8g | 176.8g |
| Screen | 2.4-inch flip touchscreen | |
| Maximum depth in water | Without Dive Case: 10m With Dive Case: 60m | |
| USB | Type-C | |
| Temperature | -20 ℃ to 40 ℃ | |
| Camera sensor | 1/1.13-inch | 1/2-inch |
| Aperture | F2.6 | F2.4 |
| 35mm equivalent focal length | 16mm | |
| Video resolution | Video (Active HDR enabled when shooting up to 4K30fps): 1,080p to 8K resolution at frame rates including 24/25/30/48/50/60/100/120/200/240fps. FreeFrame: 4K resolution at frame rates including 24/25/30/48/50/60fps. PureVideo: 1,080p to 4K resolution at 24/25/30fps. Slow Motion: 1,080p to 4K resolution at high frame rates up to 120/100fps. | Video: 1,080p to 6K resolution at frame rates including 24/25/30/48/50/60/100/120fps. FreeFrame: 4K resolution at frame rates including 24/25/30/48/50/60fps. Active HDR: 1,080p to 4K resolution at frame rates including 24/25/30fps. PureVideo: 1,080p to 4K resolution at 24/25/30fps. Slow Motion: 1,080p to 4K resolution at high frame rates up to 120/100/240fps. |
| Photo resolution | 48MP (8,064 x 6,048) 36MP (8,064 x 4,536) 12MP (4,032 x 3,024) 9MP (4,032 x 2,264) | 48MP (8,000 x 6,000) 36MP (8,000 x 4,512) 12MP (4,000 x 3,000) 9MP (4,000 x 2,256) |
| Video modes | Video (With built-in Active HDR), FreeFrame video, PureVideo, Slow motion, Starlapse, Timelapse, TimeShift, Pre-Recording, Loop recording | Video, FreeFrame video, Active HDR , PureVideo, Slow Motion, Starlapse, Timelapse, TimeShift, Pre-Recording, Loop recording |
| Photo modes | Photo, HDR Photo, Interval, Burst Photo | |
| Exposure value | ±4EV | |
| ISO range | 100-6,400 | |
| Shutter speed | Photo:1/8,000 – 120s Video:1/8,000 – to the limit of frames per second | |
| White balance | Auto, 2,000-10,000K | |
| Audio | Modes: Wind reduction, Stereo, Direction focus Format: 48 kHz, 16-bit, AAC | |
| Mics | 3 | |
| Storage | No built-in storage. Supports microSD cards up to 1 TB. | |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz, 5GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | |
| Gyroscope | 6-axis gyroscope | |
| Battery capacity | 1,650mAh | 1,700mAh |
| Charging time | 46min (30W fast charging adapter) 63min: 5V/3A | 70min: 5V/3A |
| Run time | 100 mins | |
| Chipset | 5nm AI chip | |
| Colour | Black | |
| Price (expected) | Rs 65,000 | Rs 56,000 |
Design
The Insta360 Ace Pro and Ace have a unique design with black as the main colour and a few red accents. The Ace Pro has a larger sensor the camera part is slightly larger than the Ace. On the front both the action cameras also have an LED panel-like display which shows battery, recording status, mode and a line. The front display on the Ace is squared off and is quite smaller than the one on the Pro.
Coming to the sides, there is a power button, battery, and Type-C cable. On the top, there is the record button whereas the bottom has a magnetic mount. One of the main features is the 2.4-inch touch flip-screen. The flip-screen folds 180 degrees and is bright at 500 nits. The touch response is good and the interface is also quite easy to use.
Both the Ace Pro and the Ace are highly durable, operating within a temperature range of -20 ℃ to 40 ℃. Additionally, these action cameras can function underwater up to a depth of 10m without a dive case. However, when using the dive case (sold separately), they can withstand depths of approximately 60m.
Camera
The camera sensor is one of the major differences between the Insta360 Ace Pro and the Ace. The Ace Pro has a larger 1/1.13-inch sensor with an aperture of F2.6 with Leica whereas the Ace has a slightly smaller camera sensor of 1/2-inch with an aperture of F 2.4 35mm equivalent focal length for both the action camera is 16mm.
When it comes to video resolution, the Ace Pro has a better performance supporting up to 8k videos at 24 fps whereas the Ace can shoot a max of 6k videos at 30/25/24 fps.
The different resolutions in different modes for the Ace Pro are as follows:
Video (Active HDR enabled when shooting up to 4K30fps)
- 8K (16:9): 7,680 x 4,320 @ 24fps
- 8K (2.35:1): 7,680 x 3,272 @ 24fps
- 4K (4:3): 4,032 x 3,024 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 4K(16:9): 3,840 x 2,160 @ 120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 2.7K (4:3): 2,688 x 2,016 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 2.7K(16:9): 2,688 x 1,520 @ 120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 1440P (4:3): 1,920 x 1,440 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 1080P(16:9): 1,920 x 1,080 @ 240/200/120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps
FreeFrame
- 4K (4:3): 4032 x 3024 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
PureVideo
- 4K(16:9): 3840 x 2160 @ 30/25/24fps
- 2.7K(16:9): 2688 x 1520 @ 30/25/24fps
- 1080P(16:9): 1920 x 1080 @ 30/25/24fps
Slow Motion
- 4K(16:9): 3,840 x 2,160 @ 120/100fps
- 2.7K(16:9): 2,688 x 1,520 @ 120/100fps
- 1080P(16:9): 1,920 x 1,080 @ 240/200/120/100fps
The different resolutions in different modes for the Ace are as follows:
Video
- 6K (16:9): 6,144 x 3,456 @ 30/25/24fps
- 6K (2.35:1): 6,144 X 2,616 @ 30/25/24fps
- 4K (4:3): 4,000 x 3,000 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 4K (16:9): 3,840 x 2,160 @ 120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 2.7K (4:3): 2,688 x 2,016 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 2.7K (16:9): 2,688 x 1,520 @120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 1440P (4:3): 1,920 x 1,440 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
- 1080P (16:9): 1,920 x 1,080 @ 240/200/120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24fps
FreeFrame
- 4K (4:3): 4,000 x 3,000 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
Active HDR
- 4K (4:3): 4,000 x 3,000 @ 30/25/24fps
- 4K (16:9): 3,840 x 2,160 @ 30/25/24fps
- 2.7K (4:3): 2,688 x 2,016 @ 30/25/24fps
- 2.7K (16:9): 2,688 x 1,520 @n 30/25/24fps
- 1440P (4:3): 1,920 x 1,440 @ 30/25/24fps
- 1080P (16:9): 1,920 x 1,080 @ 30/25/24fps
PureVideo
- 4K (16:9): 3,840 x 2,160 @ 30/25/24fps
- 2.7K (16:9): 2,688 x 1,520 @ 30/25/24fps
- 1080P (16:9): 1,920 x 1,080 @ 30/25/24fps
Slow Motion
- 4K (16:9): 3,840 x 2,160 @ 120/100fps
- 2.7K (16:9): 2,688 x 1,520 @ 120/100fps
- 1080P (16:9): 1,920 x 1,080 @ 240/200/120/100fps
For photo resolution, the Ace Pro can click photos at 48MP (8,064 x 6,048), 36MP (8,064 x 4,536), 12MP (4,032 x 3,024) and 9MP (4,032 x 2,264). The Ace can also click photos at the same megapixels with slightly lower resolution at each like 48MP (8,000 x 6,000), 36MP (8,000 x 4,512), 12MP (4,000 x 3,000) and 9MP (4,000 x 2,256).
Both the action cameras offer control over brightness with a range of ±4EV and ISO range from 100 to 6,400. The shutter speed spans from 1/8,000 to 120s in photo mode and 1/8,000 to the limit of frames per second in video mode.
The white balance can be adjusted using auto or manual settings from 2,000K to 10,000K. Both feature colour profiles of Standard, Vivid and Flat and also video coding in H.265 & H.264 with a maximum video bitrate of 170Mbps.
AI Features
`The Insta360 Ace Pro and the Ace have something new than another action camera which is AI features. The action cameras have a 5nm AI chipset which handles various AI features as follows;
- PureVideo: This allows you to make videos clearer in low-light places by reducing noise and brightening them up.
- AI Highlights: This feature is quite handy allowing you to automatically spot the most exciting or interesting parts of your videos which helps save you time and makes your videos more enjoyable to watch.
- Generative AI: With the help of the Insta360 app you can create special effects, like slow motion or time-lapse using generative AI. You can change the whole video or select some parts and use it accordingly.
- AI Tracking: This feature keeps your main subject in focus, even if they’re moving fast. It is perfect for situations like jogging, cycling or any fast and focused required subject.
- Voice Control: It allows you to command the camera without using your hands for situations where your hands are not free.
- Horizon Leveling: Keeps your videos straight, even if the camera tilts, ensuring a professional and steady look to your footage.
- Gestures: There are two gestures you can use in the Ace Pro and the Ace. One is raising the palm of your hands which automatically starts recording your video. Another one is using a peace sign to click photos. When you put the peace sign, the camera has a countdown to 3 and then snaps a picture.
- Clarity Zoom: Much like other action cameras using digital zoom which reduces the resolution and the clarity, Insta360 Ace Pro and Ace use clarity zoom which isn’t digital zoom or optical zoom but rather crops in the actual video for a better result.
Other Features
Other features of the Insta360 Ace Pro and the Ace include various video modes like Video (with built-in Active HDR), FreeFrame video, Slow motion, Starlapse, Timelapse, TimeShift, Pre-Recording and Loop recording. The photo modes include Photo, HDR photo, Interval and Burst photo.
Another key feature of these action cameras is the record button functionality. While recording a video, if you’re unhappy with the footage or have captured it accidentally, a long press on the record button allows you to delete it instantly.
This feature proves useful during moments that don’t go as expected, which helps in conserving memory space. Moreover, you have the option to pause a video recording and resume within the same video.
Another interesting feature is the ability to continue recording within an already captured video. Should you wish to add content to an existing video, you can easily access the library and continue in the footage without having to re-record from scratch.
Battery and Connectivity
In terms of battery, the Insta360 Ace Pro has a 1,650mAh battery, while the Ace has a slightly higher capacity at 1,700mAh. With fast charging capabilities using a 30W adapter, the Ace Pro can charge fully in about 46 minutes, whereas the Ace takes around 63 minutes with a 5V/3A charger. Both cameras offer a runtime of approximately 100 minutes which is pretty good in comparison to others.
Audio features in both cameras offer various modes including Wind Reduction, Stereo, and Direction Focus. The audio is recorded in a standard format of 48 kHz and 16-bit using AAC encoding. With three microphones onboard, it can capture clear audio.
Additionally, the Insta360 Ace Pro and the Ace do not have built-in storage but support expandable memory using microSD cards of up to 1TB. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) as well as Bluetooth 5.2. They are equipped with a 6-axis gyroscope for stability and motion tracking.
The Insta360 Ace Pro and the Ace are available in one standard colour option which is black. There are a ton of accessories too which you have to buy separately or get the combo packs like Creator Kit, GPS-Ready Kit, Endurance Kit, Splash Kit, Motorcycle Kit, Cycling Kit and Winter Kit.
As for the pricing we can expect the Insta360 Ace Pro to cost around Rs 65,000 and the Insta360 Ace to cost around Rs 56,000 in Nepal.
