Insta360, a key player in the action camera market, has unveiled its newest offerings, the Ace and Ace Pro cameras, aiming to disrupt GoPro’s stronghold in the industry. Touted as the smartest action cameras ever created, these devices feature a new 5 nm ACE CMOS image sensor, a Leica-designed Summar IT lens, and a 2.4-inch flip-up LED touchscreen. With groundbreaking features in tow, Insta360 claims these cameras elevate action footage to the quality seen in professional sports broadcasts.

Hardware Prowess

At the heart of the Insta360 ACE Pro system lies an elite 1/1.3-inch CMOS image sensor and a 5 nm chip enabling impressive capabilities. The Ace Pro records 8K HDR video at 24 fps or 4K HDR video at up to 120 frames per second, reaching a maximum bitrate of 170 Mbps. Additionally, it captures 48 MP still images and offers Pure Video low-light image capture. For its part, the more affordable Insta360 Ace is equipped with a smaller 1/2-inch image sensor.

The Ace Pro incorporates a 16mm F2.6 Leica Summar IT lens (F2.4 for the lower-priced Ace) and integrates three microphones for recording 16-bit AAC audio with wind reduction, stereo, and directional modes.

AI-Powered Innovations

Both cameras harness AI technology to introduce a collection of innovative features. These include denoising footage for sharper images, enhanced brightness, instant video editing tools, and generative AI warp features that overlay dynamic visual effects. The ACE cameras also provide AI generative layers for professional cinematic touches, elevating the appeal of video footage.

“We’re making significant strides in AI, allowing us to introduce features that not only streamline the video creation process for users but also unlock entirely new ways to make shots truly remarkable,” stated Insta360 founder JK Liu.

These cameras pioneer a statistics dashboard overlay, integrating metadata such as GPS, speed, and other metrics from Garmin GPS devices or Apple Watches. This integration results in a video image reminiscent of professional sports broadcasts.

Furthermore, the Ace and Ace Pro enhance image capture through Insta360’s Invisible Selfie Stick effect, employing the AI Selfie Stick Eraser for a more natural third-person angle, rendering the selfie stick invisible. These cameras also feature a 360° Horizon Lock ensuring level videos regardless of the camera angle, alongside 6-axis image stabilization via Insta360’s FlowState technology for steady footage.

The 2.4-inch LED touchscreen flips up, enabling users to frame selfies, video vlogs, and challenging angles effortlessly without disrupting the camera’s magnetic mounting system.

Additional Features

Other notable features include gesture control, instant recording cancellation, 2x digital zoom without loss of detail, photo grabs from 4K videos, and pause/resume recording capabilities to eliminate downtime.

The design withstands depths up to 33 feet (10 meters) and extends to 196 feet (60 meters) using the Insta360 Dive Case. Additionally, it operates flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -4° F (-20° C) to 104° F (40°C).

Fast Charging

The Ace Pro’s battery life extends up to 100 minutes while recording 4K video at 30 fps, with PD fast charging reaching 80% charge in just 22 minutes and a full charge in 46 minutes for its 1650 mAh battery. On the other hand, the budget-friendly Ace features standard charging with a slightly larger 1700 mAh battery.

Innovative Features for Immersive Action Videos

Among the array of innovative features, the stats overlay stands out as one of the most exciting aspects, offering content creators powerful tools to elevate the immersion and entertainment value of their action videos. This integration of statistics provides a unique edge, transforming footage into a more immersive and engaging visual experience.

Final Thoughts

The Insta360 Ace and Ace Pro cameras represent a significant leap forward in action camera technology. With their impressive hardware specifications, innovative AI-powered features, and user-friendly design, these cameras offer a compelling proposition for content creators seeking to capture stunning visuals of their adventures. The stats overlay, in particular, is a game-changer, providing a unique way to elevate action videos with immersive creativity and providing a unique form of metadata for the audience to enjoy.

Price and Availability

The Insta360 Ace and Ace Pro are now available for purchase for $379.99 and $449.99, respectively, through Insta360 direct and authorized retailers.