8K action camera with the best microphone

I’m used to the smartphone scene being very competitive, with (mainly Chinese) brands releasing competing devices close to each other. But it seems the action camera market is reaching a similar level of competitiveness. Less than a month after GoPro and DJI launched action cameras, the Ace Pro 2 from Insta360 arrives, and it brings something the other two don’t to the table: 8K video recording, with an incredible audio recording thanks to a new microphone also.

Ace Pro 2 is, as the name suggests, the second generation of Insta360’s first dedicated action camera. The company already makes other types of cameras that can double as an action camera at a moment’s notice (including the X4 360 camera which is on my short list of “must carry” items whenever I travel), but the Ace Pro series has to compete with the GoPros and DJIs of the world, with a solid build and superior image quality.

Hardware

In terms of design, the Ace Pro 2 looks and feels like its predecessor, which means it looks like every other action camera on the market. It is a box-shaped rectangle made of hard rubber plastic material and has a screen on the front and back.

The camera weighs 177.2 g (0.39 lbs) and measures 2.8 X 2.1 X 1.5 inches. The 2.5-inch screen on the back looks good, but it’s smaller than the DJI Action 5 Pro’s screen. The front display is a small black and white screen that really just shows the shooting mode and some key stats. You’ll need to flip the back screen if you want to shoot yourself and see the framing.

I like that the camera has bottom and side mounts to quickly attach to the Insta360 base (DJI’s Action 5 Pro only has a bottom mount unless you install a cage).

However, I don’t like that the mount base isn’t compatible with the system of the Insta360 Go 3. The latter camera is also a similarly shaped device, so I was hoping to use the same mount for both, but alas, it doesn’t fit . Insta360 reps say a different mount is needed because the Ace Pro 2 is a heavier camera, but I don’t really buy that excuse. The weight of the Ace Pro 2 isn’t so drastic that my Go 3S tripod mount and stick couldn’t handle it.

The Ace Pro 2 brings the same 1/1.3-inch Sony CMOS camera sensor from the first generation, but with a wider field of view, closer focus distance and the ability to shoot 8K resolution video at up to 30 frames per second (or fps). The 8K resolution is possible because the Ace Pro 2 packs two silicon inside for faster processing and is the only action camera to use dual chips right now.

I’m also a fan of the microphone, with a large new wind shield covering it, drastically reducing wind noise when filming fast-moving shots like on a skateboard, snowboard, or in my case, a bicycle.

performance

The Ace Pro 2 can shoot very stable video in either the default widescreen format or the 4:3 aspect ratio (the longer ratio gives more room for vertical cropping). The camera’s overall field of view is wider than the previous generation at 157 degrees. This means I can hand-hold the camera, arms fully extended, pointing away from me and still get a wide enough view that shows more than just my head.

You can record video in up to 8K at 30 fps or in 4K at up to 120 fps. The latter option is better for most scenarios, as 8K resolution results in gigantic file sizes, plus not many devices can even play 8K footage.

The Ace Pro 2 doesn’t have any internal storage (unlike the DJI Action 5 Pro), so you have to buy your own MicroSD card. The 1800 mAh battery is also removable. I haven’t shot continuously without interruption to see how long the battery can last, but I can say an afternoon outside of continuous shooting, I can still go 5-6 hours and still have some juice. Insta360 says the battery can run and shoot for three hours on a single go.

The video footage looks very good, and in fact, I prefer it compared to the footage from the DJI Action 5 Pro. Insta360’s partnership with Leica is clearly visible, as footage has more vivid colors and more contrast. If you don’t like this look, you can adjust it in Insta360’s companion app, or you can shoot to LOG and color scale later.

The Ace Pro 2’s microphones are also great at picking up my voice, even when I’m cycling.

While the Ace Pro 2’s flip screen offers a larger view than the DJI Action 5 Pro’s design, I think it makes the camera a bit more prone to damage than the DJI’s because the latter has no real moving parts. However, the Ace Pro 2 seems more than strong enough.

Overall, the Ace Pro 2 is a solid update on a very good existing action camera. If you have the first Ace Pro, I don’t think you should rush to upgrade unless you really need 8K video recording and enhanced audio.

If you’re deciding between the Ace Pro 2 or the DJI Action 5 Pro, it’s a very close battle. I generally prefer the colors of the Ace Pro 2 better, but if you shoot yourself in the LOG and color category, it’s a non-factor. The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 has significantly better audio reception, but the DJI Action 5 Pro can connect wirelessly with DJI’s Microphone 2. DJI’s camera has a larger screen, but the Insta360 can shoot in 8K resolution. The DJI also has built-in internal memory while the Insta360 does not.

That last one could be a big one, because the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is also $50 more expensive at $400. Add in the cost of the MicroSD card and we’re looking at at least an $80 price difference between the two. However, if money is no object, I think the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is a bit more technically capable.