Insta360 One X2 vs GoPro Hero 12 Black
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Overview of the 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
Overview of the 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
Comparison of the X2 vs the Hero 12
Weight and size
The Hero 12 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the X2 and the Hero 12 have similar weights.
Insta360 One X2
46mm x 113mm x 30mm / 1.81in x 4.45in x 1.18in
5.26oz / 149g
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 Hero 12 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
Insta360 One X2
1630mAh
Removable
80min 5.7K30fps 360°
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 X2 and the Hero 12 support SD cards.
Insta360 One X2
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 X2 and the Hero 12 offer HDR video.
Insta360 One X2
4K video at 30fps
Yes
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
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
Insta360 One X2
18MP
155°
100Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Camera settings
The X2's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
Insta360 One X2
Feature missing
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
X2 vs Hero 12 specifications
Name | Insta360 One X2 | GoPro Hero 12 Black |
Year of release | 2020 | 2023 |
Width | 1.81in / 46mm | 2.83in / 71.8mm |
Height | 4.45in / 113mm | 2in / 50.8mm |
Depth | 1.18in / 30mm | 1.32in / 33.6mm |
Weight | 5.26oz / 149g | 5.43oz / 154g |
Waterproof | 16ft / 5m | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | - | 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 | 1630mAh | 1720mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | 80min 5.7K30fps 360° | 150min at 1080p |
Charging time | 85min | 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 | 1in | 2.27in |
Front screen size | - | 1.4in |
Field of view | 155° | 148° |
Sensor | 1/2.3" | 1/1.9" CMOS |
Pixels | 18MP | 27.6MP |
Aperture | F2.0 | F2.5 |
Focal length | - | 12-39mm |
ISO range | - | 100-6400 |
Video zoom | - | 2x |
Color Depth | 8bit | 10bit |
Video bite rate | 100Mbps | 120Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-2 |
360-degree video | Yes | No |
5.7K 360 video | 30fps | - |
4K 360 video | 50fps | - |
3K 360 video | 100fps | - |
360 video format | INSV | - |
5.3K video | - | 60fps |
4K video | 30fps | 60fps |
2.7K video | 60fps | 120fps |
1080p video | 60fps | 240fps |
Slow motion at 4K | 4 | 4x |
Maximum slow motion | 4x at 1080p | 8x at 1080p |
HDR video | Yes | 5.3K 30fps |
Stabilization | FlowState | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
Horizon lock | Yes | Yes |
Video format | H.265 (HEVC) | H.265 (HEVC) |
Live streaming | Yes | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 |
Webcam mode | Yes | 1080p30 |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | Yes | - |
Photo burst mode | Yes | Yes |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 4 | 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 |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 | BLE 4.2 |
USB | Type-C USB | USB-C |
GPS integrated | No | No |
GPS pairing | iOS Application Android Application | - |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |
Gesture commands | No | - |