GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Insta360 One X2

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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 One X2

Insta360 One X2☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Insta360 One X2
Insta360's 2020 360 camera: 5.7K video at an affordable cost
The X2 is now an older 360 camera but it still offers great performance and most needed features at a relatively moderate cost. If you need spherical video on a budget, it is a great pick. It's successor is the Insta360 X3, released in 2022.
  • Pros
  • Great image stabilization
  • Good battery life
  • Freeze-proof
  • Cons
  • Better options for image quality
  • Average battery life
  • No official diving case

Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the X2

Weight and size

The Hero 12 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Hero 12 and the X2 have similar weights.
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 One X2
46mm x 113mm x 30mm / 1.81in x 4.45in x 1.18in
5.26oz / 149g
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 Hero 12 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 One X2
1630mAh
Removable
80min 5.7K30fps 360°
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 X2 support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
Insta360 One X2
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 X2 offer HDR video.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
Insta360 One X2
4K video at 30fps
Yes

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 12 offers a slightly higher resolution. The field of view of the X2 is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Hero 12 features a much higher bit rate than the X2
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
Insta360 One X2
18MP
155°
100Mbps

Camera settings

The X2's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
Insta360 One X2
Feature missing
+/-4

Hero 12 vs X2 specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackInsta360 One X2
Year of release20232020
Width2.83in / 71.8mm1.81in / 46mm
Height2in / 50.8mm4.45in / 113mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm1.18in / 30mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.26oz / 149g
Waterproof33ft / 10m16ft / 5m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m-
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1720mAh1630mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life150min at 1080p80min 5.7K30fps 360°
Charging time3h (5W)85min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1Tb1TB
Rear screen size2.27in1in
Front screen size1.4in-
Field of view148°155°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/2.3"
Pixels27.6MP18MP
ApertureF2.5F2.0
Focal length12-39mm-
ISO range100-6400-
Video zoom2x-
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps100Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-2+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
4K 360 video-50fps
3K 360 video-100fps
360 video format-INSV
5.3K video60fps-
4K video60fps30fps
2.7K video120fps60fps
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p4x at 1080p
HDR video5.3K 30fpsYes
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0FlowState
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.265 (HEVC)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60Yes
Webcam mode1080p30Yes
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-Yes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones34
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 4.2
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairing-iOS Application
Android Application
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-No