Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs. GoPro Hero 12: Main Advantages
Naila Syifa
Updated October 2024
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the company's latest release in 2024, while the GoPro Hero 12 is GoPro's flagship camera back in 2023. Being the newer model, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 seems to have some clear advantages, but the GoPro Hero 12 still holds its own in certain areas. What are the the main advantages of both cameras and which one should you choose?
Key Takeaways
GoPro Hero 12's main advantages lie in its 10-bit color and log encoding support, but the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the superior option overall, offering a more rugged design, a higher resolution, superior low-light performance, longer battery life, and more features like wind guard, gesture control, and reverse charging capabilities.
| Insta360 Ace Pro 2 | GoPro Hero 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 71.9 x 52.2 x 38 mm | 50.8 x 71.8 x 33.6 mm |
| Display | 2.5” Flip Touch + 0.7” Front Status | 2.27” Rear Touch + 1.4” Front Preview |
| Image Sensor | 1/1.3” | 1/1.9” |
| Field of View | 157° | 156° |
| Max Video Resolution | 8K/30 fps | 5.3K/60 fps |
| Max Photo Resolution | 50 MP | 27 MP |
| Image Stabilization | FlowState Stabilization | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
| Color Depth | 8-Bit | 10-Bit |
| Additional Lens | ❌ | Max Lens Mod 2.0 |
| Audio | 3 Mics | 3 Mics |
| Hands-Free Control | Gesture Control, Voice Control | Voice Control |
| Timecode | ✅ | ✅ |
| Battery | 1800mAh | 1720mAh |
| Runtime (1080p) | 180 minutes | 155 minutes |
| Reverse Charging | ✅ | ❌ |
| Waterproof | 39ft (12m) | 33ft (10m) |
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Powerful Action Camera
✓ 8K Video + 50 MP Photo
✓ 1/1.3” Sensor
✓ Dual AI Chip
✓ Wind Guard
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Professional Action Camera
✓ 5.3K Video + 27 MP Photo
✓ 1/1.9” Sensor
✓ Dual LCD screen
✓ 10-Bit Log
Design
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
While the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and GoPro Hero 12 come in a similar size and shape, they have a very different display setup. The Hero 12 has a dual LCD setup, featuring a 2.27" rear touchscreen and a 1.4" non-touch front display for selfie framing.
Meanwhile, the Ace Pro 2 has a larger 2.5" flip touchscreen that can be adjusted to face any direction as well as a smaller 0.7" status-only front display. This flexibility gives it the edge in terms of camera positioning and framing versatility.
Both cameras are also rugged and durable, but the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offers a slightly higher waterproof rating and a wider operating temperature range. It can withstand depths of up to 12 meters and temperatures from -20°C to 45°C, compared to the GoPro Hero 12's 10-meter waterproof rating and operating temperature range of -10°C to 35°C.
Winner: Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Video & Photo
GoPro Hero 12
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 delivers higher-quality videos and photos with up to 8K/30fps video resolution and 50 MP photo resolution as compared to GoPro Hero 12 which maxes out at 5.3K/60fps for videos and 27 MP for photos.
The Ace Pro 2 also has a larger 1/1.3" image sensor than the smaller 1/9" sensor in the GoPro Hero 12, resulting in a better low-light performance. This superiority in low light is also enhanced by the dual AI chip the Ace Pro 2 utilizes, including a Pro Imaging Chip and 5nm AI Chip, which provide advanced image processing and noise reduction capabilities.
The field of view is also slightly wider on the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 at 157° compared to 156° on the GoPro Hero 12. However, a Max Lens Mod 2.0 is available separately for GoPro Hero 12, which can expand its field of view to 177°. If you're willing to invest in the additional lens mod, the GoPro Hero 12 is the better option in terms of field of view.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 also has a limitation in that it only supports 8-bit color depth, as compared to the GoPro Hero 12 with 10-bit color support and log encoding with GP-Log. That means, the Hero 12 can provide more flexibility and dynamic range for professional video production workflows.
In sum, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 has a higher resolution and superior low-light performance, while the GoPro Hero 12 provides 10-bit color depth, log encoding, and additional lens options. With each offering unique advantages, both cameras are tied in this category.
Winner: Tie
Audio
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Both the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and GoPro Hero 12 offer 3 built-in microphones with support for external audio using the separately sold mic adapter. Wireless microphone connection is also supported via Bluetooth on both cameras, including Bluetooth headsets like Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds.
Both cameras also have their own noise-reduction technologies to improve audio quality in noisy environments, but the Ace Pro 2 goes a step further by integrating a wind guard into its body, which physically blocks wind noise and further enhances audio capture in outdoor settings.
Winner: Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Features
GoPro Hero 12
Both the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and GoPro Hero 12 offer a timecode feature to simplify multiple camera synchronization during post-production. They each also have a companion app that allows for camera settings adjustment and video editing.
The Insta360 app offers many AI features for easy and creative video editing, such as the AI Highlight Assistant that automatically detects and combines the best moments from your footage into a ready-to-share video. While GoPro offers a comparable Automatic Highlight Videos feature, it requires a paid subscription.
Additionally, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offers both voice control and gesture control for hands-free operation, whereas the GoPro Hero 12 is limited to just voice control.
Winner: Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Battery Life
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
With a 1720mAh battery, the GoPro Hero 12 can last for up to 155 minutes when recording continuously at 1080p/30 fps. It is a considerably shorter runtime compared to the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, which is rated for up to 180 minutes of runtime at 1080p/24 fps, thanks to its larger 1800mAh battery.
The Ace Pro 2 also has an advantage with its reverse charging capability, allowing it to charge smartphones when needed and acting as a backup power bank. GoPro Hero 12 has no reverse charging capability, so the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the winner in this aspect.
Winner: Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs. GoPro Hero 12
Final Thoughts
GoPro Hero 12
From the 5 aspects we compare, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 takes the lead in most categories, except in video and photo capabilities where it is tied with the GoPro Hero 12. What makes the Hero 12 consider-worthy is its support for 10-bit color depth and log encoding, which offers more flexibility and dynamic range for professional video production workflows.
However, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2's more rugged design, larger display, higher resolution, superior low-light performance, and additional features like wind guard, gesture control, and reverse charging capabilities make it the overall winner in this comparison.
If you would like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
Insta360 Ace Pro vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs Insta360 X4
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs Insta360 X3
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs DJI Osmo Action 4
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Author
Naila Syifa
Naila has spent over 1,800 hours researching, exploring, and writing about the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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