GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2

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Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

Overview of the Insta360 Ace Pro 2

Insta360 Ace Pro 2☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Insta360's latest flagship action camera: 8K video and a flipscreen
Insta360 is currently the only manufacturer offering 8k cameras and the Ace Pro 2 is their most recent and capable action camera. The Ace Pro 2 is overall a great action camera which also has the particularity of featuring a flip screen, which some might find handy for filming themselves, just like it's predecessor, the Insta360 Ace Pro.
  • Pros
  • Great image stabilization
  • 8x Slomo video
  • Good low light performance
  • Weather proof
  • Cons
  • Limitation in 8K mode
  • Overheating in 8K mode

Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the Ace Pro 2

Weight and size

The Hero 12 is a slightly smaller camera. The Hero 12 weighs a little less than the Ace Pro 2.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
71.9mm x 52.2mm x 38mm / 2.83in x 2.06in x 1.5in
6.25oz / 177.2g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The Ace Pro 2 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
1800mAh
Removable
100min at 4K30fps HDR and 180min at 1080p24fps
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Hero 12 and the Ace Pro 2 support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
No built-in storage
microSD
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Video performance

Both the Hero 12 and the Ace Pro 2 offer HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
8K video at 30fps
4k 60fps

Camera and sensor technology

The Ace Pro 2 features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Ace Pro 2 is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Ace Pro 2 features a much higher bit rate than the Hero 12
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
50MP
157°
180Mbps

Camera settings

Both the Hero 12 and the Ace Pro 2 have the same ISO range. The Ace Pro 2's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
100-6400
+/-4

Hero 12 vs Ace Pro 2 specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackInsta360 Ace Pro 2
Year of release20232024
Width2.83in / 71.8mm2.83in / 71.9mm
Height2in / 50.8mm2.06in / 52.2mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm1.5in / 38mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g6.25oz / 177.2g
Waterproof33ft / 10m39ft / 12m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C113°F / 45°C
Battery capacity1720mAh1800mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life150min at 1080p100min at 4K30fps HDR
180min at 1080p24fps

Charging time3h (5W)47min (30W)
75min (5V/3A)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1Tb1Tb
Rear screen size2.27in2.4in
Front screen size1.4inYes
Field of view148°157°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/1.3"
Pixels27.6MP50MP
ApertureF2.5F2.6
Focal length12-39mm13mm
ISO range100-6400100-6400
Video zoom2x4x
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps180Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-2+/-4
360-degree videoNoNo
8K video-30fps
5.3K video60fps-
4K video60fps120fps
2.7K video120fps120fps
1440p video-60fps
1080p video240fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4x
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR video5.3K 30fps4k 60fps
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0Flowstate
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60-
Webcam mode1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones33
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
-
Audio bluetooth support-Bluetooth headsets
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.2
USBUSB-CUSB-C
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairing-iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-Yes