Insta360 One X2 vs GoPro Hero 12 Black

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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

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

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

NameInsta360 One X2GoPro Hero 12 Black
Year of release20202023
Width1.81in / 46mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height4.45in / 113mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth1.18in / 30mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight5.26oz / 149g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case-197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1630mAh1720mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life80min 5.7K30fps 360°150min at 1080p
Charging time85min3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB1Tb
Rear screen size1in2.27in
Front screen size-1.4in
Field of view155°148°
Sensor1/2.3"1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels18MP27.6MP
ApertureF2.0F2.5
Focal length-12-39mm
ISO range-100-6400
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate100Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-2
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
4K 360 video50fps-
3K 360 video100fps-
360 video formatINSV-
5.3K video-60fps
4K video30fps60fps
2.7K video60fps120fps
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K44x
Maximum slow motion4x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR videoYes5.3K 30fps
StabilizationFlowStateHyperSmooth 6.0
Horizon lockYesYes
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.265 (HEVC)
Live streamingYes1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam modeYes1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingYes-
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones43
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacwav
Audio input-Media 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
USBType-C USBUSB-C
GPS integratedNoNo
GPS pairingiOS Application
Android Application
-
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNo-