Insta360 Ace Pro VS GoPro Hero 12 (Best Freediving Camera)

I recently had the opportunity to do a side by side comparison between the new GoPro Hero 12 and Insta-360 Ace Pro. I was very impressed with both cameras but one was the clear winner. Stay tuned to find out!
Insta360 Ace Pro
www.insta360.com/sal/ace-pro?...
GoPro Hero 12
gopro.com/en/us/shop/cameras/...
let me know which one you prefer and why in the comments!
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Happy Diving!
- Chris
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#insta360acepro #goprohero12 #pacificnorthwest

[@PNWSamson]

*Update* I'm noticing the focal length to be a bit further away with the ace pro. Subjects that would often be in focus with my GoPro 9 don't seem to be as sharp. Again, not a deal breaker but I'll have to experiment a bit to find the best shooting distance. This article explains things nicely. www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67465319

[@markcantwell5144]

In the market for my first action camera. Needed impartial advice. You nailed it! 👏

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks man! It's a wicked camera, I'm happy with it. The trade off is a further focal distance and they don't make a wide angle or macro lens for it yet.

[@mauriziohublitz1]

Great review thank you so much

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah man no worries! It was a fun little project. Something out of my norm.

[@HalcyonGuitars]

Insta-360 100%. There were a few shots where they were both comparable, but the insta outshone the GoPro in nearly all circumstances for sure…looking forward to even truer underwater colours!

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah man, agreed! The timelapse was a little shaky on the Ace pro compared to the 12. That's the only time I preferred the Hero 12. I'm excited to try it out in different conditions too.

[@AquaticMonkey]

From watching many clips are comparable but what blew my mind was the low light conditions. Being able to stick the camera into a hole to film something like an octopus would be so cool!

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah man definitely. And film at night when we are out camping. Those features alone are worth the extra investment. The microphone and zoom is clearly superior too.

[@AquaticMonkey]

@@PNWSamson looking forward to seeing some more footage with it!

[@terrainscan]

It’s wild the difference between them, certainly at the end of your video when you had the clip of your family at night. I’ve been curious about the Insta360 for sure. Thanks for the review.

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah man no doubt! Even just having a camera for the night is worth the investment imo. So many times I'd love to film but the camera goes to sleep. Especially on camping adventures.

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

Nice Review mate, well done, it is really stunning how good the technology is these days. Cheers for sharing the video,, Dive safe, have fun! 👍🍻📷🤳

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks man! It was a fun little project. I hope backscatter makes some lenses for the ace pro. I've been looking at a macro and wife angle one but I don't believe it's compatible.

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

@@PNWSamson It is just a fun hobby right, and the tech these days makes it much easier for people like me to enjoy it 😁. BTW be careful using a "wife angle" lens. I'm assuming that is a lens that makes things look slimmer maybe?? 🤣🤣 I'll see myself out and go and hide now before a wife reads this 😳😳

[@superkittybtc]

Great reviview! I got the dji action 4 just b4 action ace pro came out. Wish I held off a few weeks, still very happy with it. That said Insta is pretty incredible I have a 360 x3 absolutely love it.

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah man, all cameras are going to provide amazing imagery. Nothing wrong with using a GoPro 8 for that matter. Give it a couple years and people will be looking at the ace pro as an inferior product. I love when companies try and put do each other!

[@X_thespinne]

Great review, im sold.

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers! Wicked technology.

[@single-shot-video]

Great review. Very honest review where your video is clearly show the deference. Thanks for the effort of taking them to difficult environments like freezing water in the dark. I agree that the Ace Pro is the clear winner.

[@PNWSamson]

I'm happy you found it helpful! I dive all year around in Canada. While talking on the shoreline for 45 mins I got pretty cold which didn't help the dive out haha. Thanks for the comment and I agree, the ace pro did great. ✌️

[@GoldVP...]

3:50 .... you can activate your camera by gesture....meaning its in control, and watching everything! I, for one, would not allow full control. I really like that camera, and only 3 mins in, so finishing the show, and I'll be back.. enjoying this advertisement a whole bunch Chris, great job.... Be right back... My goodness the 360 is so much clearer!!! Love it!!! Ps...was that madrona rocks? Played all adds lol...took some time, but worth it

[@PNWSamson]

Haha thanks man! It's my first dedicated formal review, so a bit of a milestone for me. I never thought about the camera watching me, but you never know. All those functions tend to drain the battery faster so all that non essential stuff I leave off. And agreed, the ace pro was very impressive. Especially in low light! It'll be nice to film at night, I never bothered in the past.

[@GoldVP...]

@@PNWSamson it was so clear, sound and image. Yes I do not allow certain apps the ability to control my camera, microphone, contacts, and location lol...but that's me. Even my camera in cell is not allowed access, and that bites, because I have what's called "static" which when on, all access is denied...and a eagle swoops me as I'm walking on the beach, and I can't take the image, till I turn static off. The joys of technology. Had a Tofino run today, but canceled due to rain, and those boats can get swamped with 1000lbs of oysters...these oysters are so fresh...just clean clean work by my company. I won't mention, cuz youtube will kick my comment out haha. Cheers my friend! Love the shows

[@LaurieNCooper]

Awesome! Just ordered one. 👍👍

[@PNWSamson]

Wicked! Yeah, it's a great camera.

[@MiyagisRant]

I used to be a GoPro fan but can't deal with their chronic issues and non innovative models anymore. Only use Ace Pro and DJI A4 only due to the larger sensor. The Ace Pro underwater hands down better then both GP and DJI and doesn't need external lighting and bulk. Great Review!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! And I agree. They have basically had the same camera since the GoPro 9. I love the competition between the different companies, keep the innovation coming!

[@vaughnprecision]

I’ve been looking at one of these for shooting sporting clay competitions and duck hunting here in Washington. I like that blue it showed in the video, better than GoPro did.

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah, agreed. Better zoom, audio and low light. The only thing that I could see the GoPro out did the Ace Pro in was the timelapse. The ace pro's stabilization was shaky. I'm going to retry that test and see what happens.

[@vancity2349]

Nice review. Base on your review and the PNW conditions looks like the ace pro might be a better choice.

[@PNWSamson]

I honestly think it is. I always put my camera away when it gets dark. It will be nice to film some night time adventures such as while camping

[@deepdowndrey]

great review !

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks man!

[@dexterfreediver]

Great video! Never realized how good the insta was, always thought gopro was miles ahead. I think this has convinced me i might need to make a swap soon lol

[@PNWSamson]

Haha yeah dude. It's their newest model, I think they wanted to make a statement.

[@dexterfreediver]

They definitely did

[@justgiveroutdoors]

Nice review! That low light difference is crazy! I'll take that gopro 12 off your hands ;)

[@PNWSamson]

Haha I sold my two GoPro 9s. The GoPro 12 is my backup.

[@MarcBossYT]

Cool!

[@PNWSamson]

It's a pretty neat camera!

[@isaacsnowhite104]

Looks great…you did a great job.

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks, I appreciate that.

[@phlompalompagus1]

I just did a night dive in Cozumel with a GoPro. It looks fine, but I also have two 2500 lumen flood lights. I would love to see how the Insta360 does in a similar situation.

[@PNWSamson]

Check out Brent Durand video. He does a comparison with video lights. It's pretty well done! I don't think there is anything wrong with the GoPro 12 at all. I loved my 9, I used it since 2021 and had no issues besides how glitchy and unresponsive the screen was. With that said, I can say with confidence that the Ace pro is a better camera than the 12. Some have pointed out the lens is not replaceable by the user and they don't have any macro lenses available for the Ace Pro. Backscatter has some nice ones for the 12. So still some pros and cons.

[@bruceskousen5451]

The lens cover is replaceable. Users have discovered that insta360, for unknown reasons, made it more difficult to initially remove by placing two small dabs of adhesive on the cover. The first time removing it takes some extra effort, but after that is easily removable. It has an o-ring just like the Action 4 or GoPros.

[@notpastranapastrana2403]

DJI Osmo 4 vs ace pro?

[@PNWSamson]

I don't have any experience with the Osmo, sorry. I think they all have trade offs. For my needs, I'm really happy with the ace pro.

[@FranciscoAlmeida991]

Ace for the Win! it's good that GO Pro found a competitor! Good for the market and good for the innovation!

[@PNWSamson]

Totally agree man. I'm excited to see the next generation of GoPro. I'm sure they have all hands on deck.

[@mikemike5823]

GoPro 💪

[@PNWSamson]

Both have strong points. The closer focal distance with the GoPro I prefer. I also like how you can get a wide angle and macro lens. However, the low light footage on the ace pro is undeniably better. Audio is better too. Pros and cons.

[@TefZee]

Im a go pro guy

[@PNWSamson]

I personally don't get caught up with company loyalty. If I find a better product within the same price range, I'm jumping ship. GoPro has been my go to action camera for over 10 years. Both cameras are phenomenal though so you can't go wrong with the GoPro. The biggest advantage with the ace is you can film at night. Will be pretty nice to have on camping trips as my camera would always back it in when it got dark.

[@MiyagisRant]

@@PNWSamson Yup, I don't suffer from 'fanboyism', I've learned to always follow the tech, not the name. ;)

[@PNWSamson]

@@MiyagisRant Exactly man.

[@MrDvaz]

good but don't move so much!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks. This was my first review video. I'm not great on camera unless I'm speaking naturally. All your seeing is nervous energy aha.