Action cameras have changed over the past few years. From purely extreme sports, it's starting to appeal to the masses. Vlogging and traveling scenes can be seen in ads from all major brands. To meet these needs, self-monitoring is a must. Each brand has its own understanding. GoPro uses a front secondary screen GoPro uses a front secondary screen and external flip screen design. DJI uses a front touch secondary screen or a rotating screen like on Pocket. Insta360 tried modular rotating screens and separate monitoring flip screens. Now they've brought out a new solution, this integrated flip screen with a small front screen action camera. this integrated flip screen with a small front screen action camera. Insta360 ACE Pro. I think the name is pretty interesting. Ace Pro. "Ace" Pro? What does it mean? Now, let's check it out. These are from three brands. But at first glance, I don't think there's much visible difference. Even the battery and button placement are identical. The biggest difference is probably this flip screen. The screen size is 2.4 inches. Compared to 2.2 inches on Insta360 Go 3 and 2.27 inches on GoPro, it's noticeably larger. The self-monitoring is better with the aspect ratio of 16:9. Unlike GoPro and Action, you need to crop to fill the whole screen. Insta360 cleverly designed the pressable screen slot. It locks the screen tightly in place It locks the screen tightly in place with almost no wobble. Just press it when needed. For operation, it's very intuitive and the response is quick. The secondary screen helps you check recording parameters. The secondary screen helps you check recording parameters. The status light also lights up to indicate camera status. All this is great, but there's one thing that needs our attention. The delay is pretty annoying. The delay is pretty annoying. Insta360 Go 3's monitoring is wireless. So some delay is acceptable. So some delay is acceptable. But ACE Pro is integrated. So in theory there should be no delay. But once you turn on stabilization, even in the lowest setting, you'll see a really obvious delay. you'll see a really obvious delay. When you take a selfie, it's like talking to someone else. it's like talking to someone else. Man in the mirror, you know? It's a little uncomfortable. It's a little uncomfortable. The good news is, after hearing our feedback, Insta360 will provide a low latency firmware version at launch. Insta360 will provide a low latency firmware version at launch. By disabling stabilization, it reduces delay. But the downside is what you see on the screen will be different from what's recorded. Another thing is that the screen is large, but the resolution is only 400*240 with 192 PPI pixel density. Action 4 is 640*360 with 326 PPI. Action 4 is 640*360 with 326 PPI. If you compare them side by side, you can notice the gap in sharpness. Especially with text, you can see more jagged edges. Since they chose the single-screen design, I would've expected a higher-quality screen, I would've expected a higher-quality screen, or even an OLED burn-resistant one. But no, they haven't. The large bezels are a bit of pity. The large bezels are a bit of pity. For image quality, Ace Pro has a lot to talk about. Insta previously had introduced a 1-inch sensor camera: One R. Insta previously had introduced a 1-inch sensor camera: One R. Insta previously had introduced a 1-inch sensor camera: One R. But you'll notice at first glance, Ace Pro sensor is actually smaller. It's 1/1.3 inch now. This is something we covered previously on the channel: This is something we covered previously on the channel: because action cameras are fixed focus, they lack autofocus structures, if you just install a larger sensor, optics is difficult to design. It's easy to cause defocusing issues when taking selfies, It's easy to cause defocusing issues when taking selfies, and heat is hard to control too. So Insta360 likely took a step back due to these reasons. But hearing "1/1.3 inch", I'm sure our viewers will have an instant flash-back. I'm sure our viewers will have an instant flash-back. I'm sure our viewers will have an instant flash-back. Déjà vu, ladies and gentlemen. You're right, that's it. A sensor DJI has been used in five products already. Now Ace Pro uses this 1/1.3 inch sensor, too. Now Ace Pro uses this 1/1.3 inch sensor, too. The name of this sensor I really think our viewers should remember: OV48C. Mi 10 Ultra used this sensor too. Mi 10 Ultra used this sensor too. Why is it so popular? I'd say two reasons: First, ample supply at low cost. Second, great quality. It's a 48MP 1/1.3 inch Quad Bayer sensor, It's a 48MP 1/1.3 inch Quad Bayer sensor, supporting 4-in-1 pixel binning to combine every four pixels into one. So 48MP turns into 12MP. So 48MP turns into 12MP. That's ideal for video shooting, right? After all, 4K videos are about 8-9MP. FPS rates are also great, with 4K/120fps and 1080P/240fps. Perfect. The result of everyone using the same sensor is competing on algorithms and optimization. is competing on algorithms and optimization. We often overlook sensor tuning value, We often overlook sensor tuning value, but frankly, tuning will bring huge improvements. Insta360 recognizes software tuning potential, so beyond aggressive tuning, they added a 5nm AI chip for further tuning. Let's see what this well-known AI really brings to action cameras. what this well-known AI really brings to action cameras. Log is the new battlefield for action cameras this year. Action 4 has D-Log M, GoPro has GP-Log, but Ace Pro has no Log, only a flat mode. Their focus is totally on straight-out images. Ace Pro enables HDR by default when recording 4K/30fps or lower, and uses this AI Chip to get highlight and shadow details. About straight-out image， AI does seem to make a difference, especially high dynamic range scenes like interiors or through windows, it keeps lots of highlight details and shadows are good, too. You can compare in the same scene with HDR on Action 4 and GoPro 12. What do you think? Personally, I gotta say, Personally, I gotta say, it's definitely a step up, pretty noticeable. The sharpness is adjustable, which is a major advantage. Bit of a bummer, no HDR above 4K/30fps. Bit of a bummer, no HDR above 4K/30fps. The dynamic range takes a hit, kind of frustrating. The dynamic range takes a hit, kind of frustrating. Check out the 4K/120fps footage. For me, it's not bad, but compared to other action cameras, it's not a standout. Supporting Log or HDR would've been sweet. Another Ace Pro AI's standout for me would be Another Ace Pro AI's standout for me would be low light or night performance. Regular action cameras would be struggle, tons of noise. Among its peers, Ace Pro holds its ground, Among its peers, Ace Pro holds its ground, especially in night shots like windows, stores, or displays. especially in night shots like windows, stores, or displays. Compare it with Action 4 or Go Pro, and I'd say it's a bit better. and I'd say it's a bit better. Manages shadows well, and highlights are more controlled. Manages shadows well, and highlights are more controlled. But pitch it against Pocket 3, But pitch it against Pocket 3, since it has a 1-inch sensor, there's a visible gap. Today, AI still can't escape the limits of the physical sensor size. Today, AI still can't escape the limits of the physical sensor size. Today, AI still can't escape the limits of the physical sensor size. Ace Pro's lens focal length is equivalent to 16mm, similar to DJI's 155-degree view. The closest focus distance is 40cm, so no need to stretch your arm can focus right on your face. But I wouldn't mind it a bit closer. You can still hook up an external mic and a controller, You can still hook up an external mic and a controller, go full gear mode. But it would lose a bit in user-friendliness. Now, Ace Pro went for a brand-new interface. It can connect to various accessories, but my biggest complaint is that it's not compatible with Insta360 Go 3 accessories. it's not compatible with Insta360 Go 3 accessories. So, all your Insta360 Go 3 accessories cannot be mounted on it directly. Perhaps a complicated adapter could help you out. Weird, right? They share the same brand and are from the same generation, They share the same brand and are from the same generation, but their interfaces are different. I have to criticize it. Really strange. For stabilization, Ace Pro does a decent job. Impressive, actually. But, as I mentioned, you gotta deal with screen delay, especially in high settings, reaching up to 0.3 seconds. Quite a noticeable lag. Where Ace Pro shines is its night stabilization mode. Thanks to AI, it can maintain brightness while minimizing the distortion facing traditional action cameras. It's good but it's not gonna compete with the mechanical gimbal from Pocket 3. it's not gonna compete with the mechanical gimbal from Pocket 3. it's not gonna compete with the mechanical gimbal from Pocket 3. That's a different league. So in the action cameras with electronic stabilization, Ace Pro is one of the best. So, in the end, you gotta know what you need. If it's just for everyday life recording, Pocket 3 still gets my vote. Pocket 3 still gets my vote. The only downside is it's a bit fragile, not very durable, The only downside is it's a bit fragile, not very durable, can't handle quick jolts. If durability matters, you're a cyclist or motorcyclist, If durability matters, you're a cyclist or motorcyclist, wanting quick shares, wanting quick shares, then Ace Pro is your pick. It even made a watch for you, with live streaming. Crazy. This has got to be the craziest accessory I've seen this year. This has got to be the craziest accessory I've seen this year. An Ace Pro watch with a screen, live streaming, and GPS? Sounds wild, right? But it might be the most intriguing thing in this lineup. But it might be the most intriguing thing in this lineup. But it might be the most intriguing thing in this lineup. Sometimes, when the action cam's on your helmet or chest, Sometimes, when the action cam's on your helmet or chest, pulling out your phone for framing is not that convenient. pulling out your phone for framing is not that convenient. DJI Action 4's controller can't help with that, right? But this Insta360 not only lets you see, it also writes GPS data, adjusts settings, it also writes GPS data, adjusts settings, and has a watch face for time checks. It's insane. Like an Apple Watch. But, it's pretty practical. Automatically connects, easy pairing. But, it's wireless, so there's some delay. It will stack another delay on top of the original delay, totaling a second or so. Something to note before you buy this accessory. For battery life, Ace Pro in room temperature conditions, recording 4K/50fps fills up a 128GB card in an hour, recording 4K/50fps fills up a 128GB card in an hour, and it keeps going. At 4K/30fps, you get around 100 minutes of continuous recording. At 4K/30fps, you get around 100 minutes of continuous recording. Plus, the body supports fast charging. About 20 minutes gets you to 80%, and a full charge takes 46 minutes. Nice. But here's a crazy thing, the battery doesn't show the percentage on the screen. the battery doesn't show the percentage on the screen. the battery doesn't show the percentage on the screen. You have to use the phone app. Why? It's not that hard, right? Weird. Instead of guessing the battery level by the color of the battery icon on the screen, a straightforward percentage would've been clearer. a straightforward percentage would've been clearer. Now, on the data transfer front, Insta360 got it right. Since most users opt for wireless transfer, Ace Pro now supports background video downloads. Ace Pro now supports background video downloads. That's a pretty significant upgrade. In the past, you had to keep the camera app open for continuous downloading. But with Ace Pro, you can stream reels, check WeChat, or browse our new winter collection in-store or browse our new winter collection in-store while the footage gets downloaded to your phone. Very nice. Beyond the basics, Insta360 has done a lot of design to simplify the learning curve. Insta360 has done a lot of design to simplify the learning curve. Check them out: the AI Highlight Assistant. Turn it on before shooting, and after the shoot, the camera analyzes the highlights, and after the shoot, the camera analyzes the highlights, marks them for you. It's like the camera giving your footage a once-over. After all, many newbies will record for hours at a time. After all, many newbies will record for hours at a time. In the app, with one tap, and it auto-cuts those highlight clips into a short film. and it auto-cuts those highlight clips into a short film. With Ace Pro's loop recording feature, we found a cool trick in testing. we found a cool trick in testing. It can work with AI and improve its utilization dramatically, It can work with AI and improve its utilization dramatically, by using it as a high-end dashcam. Perfect for road trips. It auto-generates clips, trims the long stretches. It can be a dashcam when you driving, and when you're out of the car, just detach and capture your life. Apart from the slightly tricky wiring, I'd say it's pretty good. So, all in all, Ace Pro holds its own against Action 4 and GoPro 12, Ace Pro holds its own against Action 4 and GoPro 12, truly ushering in the Giant 3 era for action cameras. Reasons to go for it? Big screen selfies and AI features, Big screen selfies and AI features, which are undeniable highlights and absolute advantages. which are undeniable highlights and absolute advantages. So, which action cam would you go for, or are you passing on both? I'm curious about your choice. Well, that wraps up this episode. If you enjoyed it, be sure to hit like, subscribe, and share. If you enjoyed it, be sure to hit like, subscribe, and share. That means everything to us. So, until next time!
