Insta360 Ace Pro vs GoPro Hero 12: Ground-Breaking Differences
By Naila Syifa
Updated December 2023
The Insta360 has taken a big leap forward with a new release of its flagship Ace Pro camera, offering a range of innovative features that set a new standard for the market.
In this article, we'll compare the Ace Pro to the Hero 12, the latest release of GoPro, which has been a leading brand in the action camera market for years. By examining the video quality, features, battery life, and other aspects of each camera, we'll help you determine which one is the better choice for your needs.
Key Takeaways
Insta360 Ace Pro is superior to GoPro Hero 12 in terms of video quality and low-light performance. It also comes with many ground-breaking features like generative AI and Stats Dashboard, but GoPro Hero 12 offers professional-level features like Timecode Sync and 10-Bit Log Encoding.
Insta360 Ace Pro
Smart Action Camera
✓ 8K Video, 48MP Photo
✓ 1/1.3” Sensor
✓ FlowState Stabilization with Horizon Lock
✓ FreeFrame Video
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Professional Action Camera
✓ 5.3K Video, 27 MP Photo
✓ HyperSmooth 6.0 with Horizon Lock
✓ Timecode Sync
✓ 8:7 Vertical Aspect Ratio
#1 Price
Insta360 Ace Pro
Being two high-end cameras, both the Insta360 Ace Pro and the GoPro Hero 12 come with a premium price tag. However, the Insta360 Ace Pro is far more expensive at US$499.99, making it a less accessible option for many consumers. The GoPro Hero 12, on the other hand, costs only US$399.
However, the Insta360 Ace model is also available at a narrower price gap to the Hero 12, retailing at US$409.99. This model still offers many of the same features that the Ace Pro model offers, except for these 4 things.
#2 Design
GoPro Hero 12
Both cameras feature a typical rectangular shape that is common among action cameras, but the Insta360 Ace Pro is slightly a bit larger and heavier with dimensions of 71.9 x 52.15 x 38.5 mm and a weight of 179.8 g. The GoPro Hero 12, on the other hand, measures 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm and weighs only 154 g, making it more compact and lightweight compared to the Insta360 Ace Pro.
The GoPro Hero 12 features a dual-screen design, with a front-facing 1.4" screen suitable for taking selfies and a rear 2.27" touchscreen for controlling the camera settings and reviewing footage. Insta360 Ace Pro, on the other hand, has a single 2.4" touchscreen display which you can flip upwards for selfies or downwards for traditional shooting, offering more flexibility.
One thing that both cameras share in common is their waterproof design, allowing them to be used underwater down to 10 m without the need for additional housing. However, when it comes to extreme temperatures, the Insta360 Ace Pro is more durable, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C, while the GoPro Hero 12 can only handle temperatures as low as -10°C.
#3 Video Quality
Insta360 Ace Pro
Insta360 Ace Pro has a lot of advantages when it comes to video quality. You can shoot in high resolutions of 8K/24fps, 4K/60fps, 4K/120fps (for slow-motion videos), and more, or take high-quality photos with a maximum resolution of 48MP. The GoPro Hero 12, on the other hand, maxes out at 5.3K/60fps for videos and 27MP for photos.
When it comes to low-light performance, the Ace Pro also excels over the Hero 12. GoPro Hero 12 has a smaller 1/1.9" sensor compared to Insta360 Ace Pro's larger 1/1.3" sensor, which captures more light in dark environments for better low-light performance. The Insta360 Ace Pro even has a special 5nm AI chip to enhance image quality and reduce noise in low-light conditions, a feature you can access in the PureVideo mode to achieve excellent low-light footage.
GoPro Hero 12
Another difference both cameras have in terms of video quality is the HDR settings. Insta360 Ace Pro has a built-in Active HDR that is automatically enabled for shooting up to 4K/30fps. The HDR in the GoPro Hero 12, on the other hand, is accessible as a separate video mode that you can enable for shooting a 5.3K/30 fps or 4K/60 fps video.
When it comes to aspect ratio, the GoPro Hero 12 offers more options, including (16:9) (9:16) (4:3) (8:7), while the Insta360 Ace Pro only offers (16:9) (4:3) (2.35:1). However, the Insta360 Ace Pro comes with FreeFrame Video mode that allows you to reframe the footage after shooting into any aspect ratio you want, giving you more flexibility in post-production.
#4 Features
Insta360 Ace Pro
One common feature that both cameras offer is stabilization. While the Ace Pro features Insta360's FlowState Stabilization with 360° Horizon Lock, the Hero 12 features GoPro's HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization technology with 360° Horizon Lock and AutoBoost. These features help to ensure smooth footage even in bumpy conditions.
Another similarity is that both cameras allow for hands-free shooting with a voice control feature, so you can start and stop recording, take photos, and more with voice commands. One advantage that the Insta360 Ace Pro offers regarding hands-free shooting is that it also supports gesture control, so you can simply capture photos or videos using simple hand gestures.
Insta360 Ace Pro also edges ahead with its Unique Stats Dashboard, an innovative feature that integrates data (such as GPS, speed, and more) from Garmin devices or Apple watches, allowing you to overlay the data onto your footage for a more detailed and informative video.
GoPro Hero 12
However, the GoPro Hero 12 also has a few unique features of its own, including Timecode Sync and 10-Bit Log Encoding with GP-Log. These features make the Hero 12 more suitable for professional uses, with the former allowing for synchronization of multiple cameras and the latter providing advanced color grading and greater flexibility in post-production editing.
When it comes to editing features, both cameras offer automatic highlight videos feature that uses AI to create a ready-to-share video of the best moments from your footage. One difference is that the Insta360 Ace Pro offers this feature for free, called the AI Highlights Assistant, while the GoPro Hero 12 requires a GoPro subscription to access its version of the feature, called Auto Highlight Videos.
The Insta360 Ace Pro even comes with AI Warp, a generative AI feature that allows you to create unique and creative video effects, whereas the GoPro Hero 12 does not have this feature.
#5 Battery Life
GoPro Hero 12
When it comes to battery performance, the Insta360 Ace Pro is superior. With a 1650 mAh battery, it can last for up to 100 minutes of continuous recording at 4K/30 fps with the Active HDR. Furthermore, the battery has a fast charging capability that can fully charge in just 46 minutes, and achieve 80% power in just 22 minutes.
GoPro Hero 12 has a larger battery capacity of 1720 mAh, but it has a shorter runtime of 90 minutes at 5.3K/30 fps. It also takes longer to charge, with a full charge taking 2-3 hours approximately.
#6 Accessories
GPS Preview Remote for Insta360 Ace Pro
Both cameras are compatible with a wide range of accessories, including mounts, cases, and additional batteries. However, the Insta360 Ace Pro has several unique accessories that set it apart from the GoPro Hero 12 and most other action cameras.
With the Invisible Selfie Stick accessory and the AI Selfie Stick Eraser in the Insta360 app, you can easily get third-person shots without the stick appearing in the footage. Also, with the GPS Preview Remote accessory, you can preview your footage and control the camera remotely from your wrist or handlebar while also recording data like GPS info and speed to add to your footage in post-production.
Insta360 Ace Pro vs GoPro Hero 12
Final Thoughts
Insta360 Ace Pro
Overall, the Insta360 Ace Pro and the GoPro Hero 12 are both excellent high-end cameras with their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
The Insta360 Ace Pro has advantages with its high video resolution and excellent low-light performance, as well as smart features like Gesture Control, Unique Stats Dashboard, AI Warp, and AI Highlight Assistants. It is perfect for vloggers and content creators who highly value creative possibilities and also quick, easy operation and editing.
On the other hand, the GoPro Hero 12 stands out with its professional-level features like Timecode Sync and 10-Bit Log Encoding, making it more suitable for filmmakers, videographers, and other professionals who use many cameras in their work and require advanced color grading and greater flexibility in post-production editing. It is also cheaper than the Insta360 Ace Pro, making it a more accessible option for mainstream consumers.
If you like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
Insta360 Ace vs Ace Pro
Insta360 Ace Pro vs DJI Action 4
Insta360 Ace Pro vs Insta360 X3
GoPro Hero 12 vs Insta360 X3
GoPro Hero 12 vs DJI Osmo Action 4
GoPro Hero 12 vs 11
Insta360 X3 vs GoPro Max
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