Insta360 Ace vs GoPro Hero 12 Black
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Overview of the Insta360 Ace
Insta360 AceInsta360's budget action camera: 6K video and a flipscreen
The Ace is Insta360's entry level action camera but shares a lot of features with it's premium brother, the Insta360 Ace Pro. The main difference being the sensor technology, which although not as advanced, still offers very good performance, with video up to 6K.
- Pros
- Great image stabilization
- Flip screen
- Weather proof
- Cons
- Heavy
- Average audio
Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro Hero 12 BlackGoPro'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
Comparison of the Ace vs the Hero 12
Weight and size
The Hero 12 is a slightly smaller camera. The Hero 12 weighs a little less than the Ace.
Insta360 Ace
71.9mm x 52.15mm x 38.5mm / 2.83in x 2.05in x 1.52in
6.24oz / 176.8g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
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 and Hero 12 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 Ace
1700mAh
Removable
100min at 4K30fps HDR
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
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 Ace and the Hero 12 support SD cards.
Insta360 Ace
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Hero 12 Black
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 Ace and the Hero 12 offer HDR video.
Insta360 Ace
5.3K video at 30fps
4k 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Camera and sensor technology
The Ace features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Ace is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Ace features a much higher bit rate than the Hero 12
Insta360 Ace
48MP
157°
170Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Camera settings
Both the Ace and the Hero 12 have the same ISO range. The Ace's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
Insta360 Ace
100-6400
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Ace vs Hero 12 specifications
| Name | Insta360 Ace | GoPro Hero 12 Black |
| Year of release | 2023 | 2023 |
| Width | 2.83in / 71.9mm | 2.83in / 71.8mm |
| Height | 2.05in / 52.15mm | 2in / 50.8mm |
| Depth | 1.52in / 38.5mm | 1.32in / 33.6mm |
| Weight | 6.24oz / 176.8g | 5.43oz / 154g |
| Waterproof | 33ft / 10m | 33ft / 10m |
| Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | 197ft / 60m |
| Min operating temperature | -4°F / -20°C | 14°F / -10°C |
| Max operating temperature | 104°F / 40°C | 95°F / 35°C |
| Battery capacity | 1700mAh | 1720mAh |
| Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | 100min at 4K30fps HDR | 150min at 1080p |
| Charging time | 70min (5V/3A) | 3h (5W) |
| Storage format | microSD | microSD |
| Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | V30 or UHS-3 |
| Maximun storage supported | 1Tb | 1Tb |
| Rear screen size | 2.4in | 2.27in |
| Front screen size | Yes | 1.4in |
| Field of view | 157° | 148° |
| Sensor | 1/2" | 1/1.9" CMOS |
| Pixels | 48MP | 27.6MP |
| Aperture | F2.4 | F2.5 |
| Focal length | 16mm | 12-39mm |
| ISO range | 100-6400 | 100-6400 |
| Video zoom | 4x | 2x |
| Color Depth | 8bit | 10bit |
| Video bite rate | 170Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-2 |
| 360-degree video | No | No |
| 5.3K video | 30fps | 60fps |
| 4K video | 120fps | 60fps |
| 2.7K video | 120fps | 120fps |
| 1440p video | 60fps | - |
| 1080p video | 240fps | 240fps |
| Slow motion at 4K | 4x | 4x |
| Maximum slow motion | 8x at 1080p | 8x at 1080p |
| HDR video | 4k 30fps | 5.3K 30fps |
| Stabilization | Flowstate | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
| Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
| Video format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.265 (HEVC) |
| Live streaming | - | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 |
| Webcam mode | - | 1080p30 |
| Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
| Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
| Photo burst mode | Yes | Yes |
| RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 3 | 3 |
| Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Audio format | aac | wav |
| Audio input | - | Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B) Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter |
| Audio bluetooth support | Bluetooth headsets | - |
| Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.2 | BLE 4.2 |
| USB | USB-C | USB-C |
| GPS integrated | No | No |
| GPS pairing | iOS Application Android Application | - |
| Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture commands | Yes | - |