We’ve already seen DJI’s Osmo Action 4 and GoPro’s Hero 12 represent the rugged action cameras of 2023, and now it’s Insta360’s turn to unveil its version of this category – a version that focuses more on video quality than, say, its Go series. Versatility. In a nutshell, Insta360’s all-new Ace Pro can be described as a GoPro on steroids, thanks to its convenient 2.4-inch flip touchscreen, 1/1.3-inch sensor, Leica adjustment and, most notably, , its 5nm AI neural processor. You’ll also get the usual “FlowState stabilization”, an IPX8 waterproof rating (up to 33 feet or 10 m), and a replaceable battery (up to 100 minutes in 4K at 30 fps Active HDR; charge fast to 80 percent in 22 minutes, or to 100 percent in 46 minutes).
Insta360 claims that by combining its AI denoising feature with its new image sensor, the Ace Pro produces clearer and more stable low-light results for videos (up to 4K at 30fps in “PureVideo” mode). ) and still images (up to 48 megapixels). There’s also an ‘Active HDR Video’ mode that automatically activates when lighting conditions are met, with the company’s focus here on improving color accuracy – we’ll take a closer look at this in our review later. The camera is also capable of recording up to 4K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps (slow motion), or even 8K at 24fps, but none of these can take advantage of the AI improvement or the ‘Activate HDR.
The dedicated AI chip isn’t just for improving image quality. Over the years, Insta360 has found ways to make video editing easier and faster, and this time it’s doing it by letting the camera itself do some auto-editing first. Dubbed “AI Highlights Assistant,” this feature analyzes your video while selecting the best bits in real time, then you can review the AI editing on camera first (and also remove the bits you don’t need to save from space). The next time you connect your Insta360 mobile app to your Ace Pro, the new AI-generated clip will automatically transfer to your phone.
Aside from having to test this feature myself, Insta360 also warned that “AI Highlights Assistant” requires additional power (the company promises to continue optimizing power consumption here), so be mindful of the lifespan of your camera battery when using this feature.
Another fun new feature to make editing easier – but not necessarily limited to the Ace Pro – is “AI Warp”, which can be found in the “Shot Lab” templates section of the mobile app. This is essentially Insta360’s first version of generative AI: you can choose a template or enter your own prompt, so the app transforms either the entire video or just the highlighted topic into the style you want – whether it’s cyberpunk, anime, space. , superhero costumes or more. The company added that you will be able to look for even more AI-related effects in its mobile app in 2024.
The Insta360 Ace Pro is already available to order, with the standard $450 package including a standard mount and a flexible adhesive mount. There’s also a slightly more affordable Ace priced at $380, and while it comes with the same accessories, it has to make do with a smaller 1/2-inch sensor, a maximum video resolution of just 6K at 30fps, no fast charging and no love from Leica. The rest of the feature list is the same otherwise.
Optional accessories include a dive case (up to 197ft or 60m), quick-release mount, multi-mount, GPS preview remote, “vertical-horizontal mount” and mic adapter plus a cold shoe module (to be used with the quick release bracket).
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