We’ve already seen DJI’s Osmo Action 4 and GoPro’s Hero 12 representing the rugged action cams of 2023, and now, it’s Insta360’s turn to unveil its take on this category — one that focuses more on video quality than, say, its Go series’ versatility.
In a nutshell, Insta360’s brand new Ace Pro can be described as a GoPro on steroids, thanks to its handy 2.4-inch flip touchscreen, 1/1.3-inch sensor, Leica tuning and, most notably, 5nm AI neural processor.
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You’ll also get the usual “FlowState Stabilization,” IPX8 waterproof rating (down to 33ft or 10m) and swappable battery (up to 100 minutes in 4K@30fps Active HDR; fast charging at up to 80 percent in 22 minutes, or to 100 percent in 46 minutes).
Insta360 claims that by combining its AI denoising feature with its new image sensor, the Ace Pro produces clearer and more stable low-light results for both videos (up to 4K@30fps in “PureVideo” mode) and stills (up to 48 megapixels).
There’s also an “Active HDR Video” mode which turns on automatically when lighting conditions are met, with the company emphasizing on improved colour accuracy here — we’ll take a closer look at this in our review later.
The camera is also capable of recording at up to 4K@60fps, 4K@120fps (slow motion) or even 8K@24fps, but none of these can take advantage of the AI enhancement nor Active HDR.
The dedicated AI chip isn’t just for enhancing image quality. Over the years, Insta360 has been finding ways to make video editing easier and quicker, and this time, it’s doing so by letting the camera itself do some auto-editing first.
Dubbed “AI Highlights Assistant,” this feature analyzes your video while picking out the best bits in real-time, then you can review the AI edit on the camera first (and also delete the bits you don’t need to save space).
When you next connect your Insta360 mobile app to your Ace Pro, the new AI-generated clip will be automatically pushed to your phone.
Aside from having to test out this feature myself, Insta360 also warned that “AI Highlights Assistant” does require extra power (the company promises to continue optimizing power consumption here), so be mindful of your camera’s battery life when using this feature.
With the Ace Pro, Insta360 aims to provide users with a high-quality action cam that excels in video performance. The Leica branding adds further credibility to the camera’s imaging capabilities, while the inclusion of a 5nm AI neural processor ensures enhanced image processing and stability.
Moreover, the Ace Pro’s AI denoising feature, combined with its new image sensor, allows for clearer and more stable low-light results, making it ideal for capturing action-packed moments in challenging lighting conditions.
One of the standout features of the Ace Pro is the “AI Highlights Assistant.” This innovative feature automatically analyzes your video footage in real time, identifying the best moments and creating an AI-generated clip. This not only saves time during the editing process but also ensures that you don’t miss any of the key highlights.
However, it’s important to note that using the “AI Highlights Assistant” may consume additional power, so users should be mindful of their camera’s battery life while utilizing this feature.
Overall, the Insta360 Ace Pro offers a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality action cam with advanced AI enhancements. Whether you’re capturing thrilling adventures or creating professional-quality videos, the Ace Pro’s Leica branding, AI neural processor, and innovative features make it a standout choice in the action cam market.
Stay tuned for our in-depth review where we’ll delve deeper into the Ace Pro’s video quality, AI capabilities, and overall performance.
