Insta360’s new action camera takes the blocky design of GoPro’s popular Hero series, but adds the ability to flip up a large 2.4-inch rear touchscreen for easy video blogging Masu. Prices for the company’s new “Ace” cameras start at $379.99 for the regular model, and $449.99 for the flagship “Pro” version. The high-end model features a Leica Summarit lens and a large 1/1.3-inch image sensor for excellent low-light performance and up to 8K at 24 frames per second. Both versions are currently available.
The standard Ace Camera model has a smaller 1/2-inch image sensor, but supports up to 6K recording at 30 frames per second, and both models can record up to 4K at 120 frames per second. Can record 48 MP capture images. They also have new five-nanometer AI chips inside that activate features like PureVideo, which can augment greater low-light performance by denoising footage in real time. Only the Pro, however, is capable of capturing additional nighttime detail and supports Active HDR for daytime recordings.
The flippy screen viewing option of the Insta360 Aces cameras, also seen on the company`s recent Go 3 camera Action Pod body, could add some durability risk, but it helps with better framing and is easier to see than the small front screens on GoPros. When recording yourself, the camera can react to hand gestures to start recording at a distance so you can get in your TikTok dance performances.
Insta360 added a bunch of features that can save you SD card space, like the ability to pause a video recording without breaking the clip and the ability to cancel an active recording by holding the shutter button, eliminating the need to deal with junk-take video files. The Ace camera can change the aspect ratio of your clips after recording, so you can switch from landscape to portrait orientation for social videos, or use a perfect square for more flexibility in creating frames.
The AI Highlight Assistant feature allows you to quickly find and cut action shots from large video recordings, saving you time without having to transfer the entire file. Once the footage is saved on your smartphone, you can edit it, enjoy it, or use it to create memories. It also features an AI warp feature that allows you to input custom and preset prompts to manipulate clips and create different effects. Insta360 plans to release more of these features “by 2024.”
One of the cool sleep features of the Ace camera is connectivity with Apple Watch and Garmin devices, allowing you to integrate GPS and other data into your footage. It can overlay things like elevation and speed on your video, and you can frame up your shot from your wrist and control the cameras on your next snowy mountain descent.
This camera has a waterproof design and can dive up to 33 feet underwater and up to 196 feet underwater with the included diving case. The battery is internally tested to last 100 minutes when shooting at his 4K30 with active HDR. With the Power Delivery charger, the camera can be quickly charged to 80% in 22 minutes.
Insta360 is best known for his true 360° cameras such as the X3 and One RS. The GoPro-like camera beyond Ace is the One R, which could transform into a blocky action camera. With the new Ace camera, Insta360 is stepping out of its previous comfort zone of making interesting modular cameras and instead building a simpler camera that more people are likely to use.
Insta360 Ace ($379.99) and Ace Pro ($449.99) are now available worldwide and can be purchased at Insta360.com and Amazon.