Insta360 Ace Pro 2 leak suggests it could extend lead as world’s best 8K action camera
The November 2023 Insta360 Ace Pro remains the most powerful action camera we’ve tested, but it looks like that’s about to change soon – according to some leaked marketing materials highlighting a new Ace Pro 2.
As always, the source of these leaks is the reliable one @Quadro_News on
Previous leaks had already told us that the Ace Pro 2 will likely have a 1/1.3-inch main sensor (this time with a resolution of 50 MP instead of 48 MP). But it looks like the new action camera will pair its 5nm AI chip with a new silicon called the ‘Pro Imaging Chip’.
What exactly the latter does isn’t clear, but from the other slides it appears that it will boost software features like PureVideo, which mainly handles low-light performance. From a series of leaked specs, it looks like the Ace Pro 2 can now do active HDR recording at 4K/60p (instead of a maximum of 4K/30p), while PureVideo will now be available for 4:3 clips in addition to the usual aspect ratio from 16:9.
👉Our favorite of 2024? A 1/1.3-inch sensor that captures more light, has greater dynamic range and delivers high image quality in conditions unavailable to other action cameras. #insta360 #insta360acepro2 pic.twitter.com/WVuEHo7zvpOctober 12, 2024
Another slide shows Insta360’s ‘Memories Album’, which will apparently use AI to organize and possibly edit your clips (a bit like GoPro’s Quik app). The PR material separately adds that the action camera delivers “high image quality in conditions unavailable to other action cameras” (no prizes for guessing who Insta360 is referring to).
Sadly, there’s still no news on a release date, but these leaks suggest it might be worth waiting a week or two if you’re about to pull the trigger on a GoPro Hero 13 Black or DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro.
Room for improvement?
So far it looks like the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 will be a relatively minor upgrade to the Ace Pro – and there’s no news yet on whether it will support 10-bit color depth, which Insta360 previously confirmed isn’t possible on the current version. model due to hardware limitations.
That would certainly be an advantage for professional photographers who want to edit their footage or shoot in a ‘flat’ log profile. But considering our Insta360 Ace Pro review called the camera “an absolute monster” without 10-bit video, the feature won’t prove to be a deal-breaker for many anyway.
The Ace Pro currently ranks third in our guide to the best action cameras, with its high price tag of $449.99 / £429 / AU$729 being one of the few things stopping it from eclipsing GoPro and DJI.
If it could add features like ‘log’ recording and develop its AI-powered features beyond low-light noise reduction, it could still take that top spot at launch – hopefully very soon, if these leak be a sign.