Always enjoy your posting Brent !! With the seals I thought the color was worse on the ace pro but I had an idea - what would happen if you had a small white plastic card and flashed it in front of the camera at a time like that and then got it out of the way - would it then do better with the color adjustment? Might be a great simple solution for those times
Hi, and thanks! Yes, carrying a white balance card (or a slate) would likely help the color correction while the white is in scene. The question is if it would keep the same setting once the card was removed. I've had red filters drift in front of action cameras, immediately creating a shift in WB as well. Guess we need to try your method and see!
Hi Brent! Thank you so, so much for this video. I've had the OA 4 as a backup camera to my GH5 since last August. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to test the OA 4 while diving yet, but when I was snorkeling with sperm whales in February and the autofocus on my GH5 failed, the OA 4 saved the footage and my butt. What I love about the OA 4 is the often very accurate automatic white balance and the ability to shoot at 120fps in 10-bit. Additionally, colors can be corrected very well in D-Log M. If there were a decent aluminum housing for the Ace Pro and I were in the market for an action cam for underwater video, I would probably prefer it over the OA 4 today, judging by your test footage. Best, Andreas
Hi Andreas - You're welcome! I'm glad the OA4 saved you on that trip/assignment. Like you alluded to, there is more to be said in testing these two cameras in manual modes and flat color profiles... combined with pro-level post-processing and color grading. But for simplicity and auto settings... you saw the footage!
Did you ever manage to fix the AF issues with the GH5? I want to get one but the AF issues are daunting, especially since I would only be able to afford a seafrogs housing that only supports AF.
@@nono-i7t The GH5 doesn't have an AF issue. At least not when the firmware is higher than 2.4. After that... The AF is the issue... It is contrast based and in some situations like bad viz or low light it is not very reliable. I have been using the GH5 since early 2017 now as my main camera and I know its limitations. What's much worse about the GH5 is the underwater color when shooting in available light. Manual WB is very limited and the sensor simply isn't able to reproduce decent colors below 5m/15ft. The only way I found to get ok colors (to 20m/60ft) is using a Keldan red filter in comination with MWB. But this filter swallows light, which makes the AF even more unreliable... Apart from that I love my GH5 and the ability to shoot in 400Mbit 4:2:2 10bit.
Ace Pro seems to be discarding a lot of data across the midtones and averaging by artificially boosting saturation. As a result a lot of colour detail is lost. Colours appear more vivid, though it can easily be achieved in post. Action 4 appears to deliver more mid to shadow detail which allows for wider range of colour and tone correction in post.
Very interesting note and one all serious photographers should look at closely. I would guess Insta360's color correction (AquaVision 2.0) is designed for ease of workflow, social media distribution, and majority of viewership on tiny phone screens. I think your comment suggests the need for a review designed for those who want to edit and color grade seriously, shooting both cameras in flat color profiles and seeing what can be achieved in post. Thanks!
@@BrentDurand Essentially both of them will be discarding some data. It would be interesting to find out their sensor readout strategies as they will inadvertently vary.
Great job on this one Brent! I’m thinking about swapping out my old GoPro Hero 7 black for either an Ace Pro 2, or the (new) Osmo Action 5 Pro. I almost exclusively dive caves, and I’m trying to figure out which one will suit me best. It seems like the AP2 is going to do a better job with low light recording (and less jittering), but what the OA5Pro does in terms of getting rid of particles underwater (quite a big factor in caves) is pretty great too. Between the two, which one would be your choice for cave diving video?
Seems like you're on the right track. I haven't compared the cameras close enough in cave-like conditions (not a cave diver), so can't offer any opinion in confidence. Like you pointed out, there are different highlights with each.
Hello, thank you for the video; it’s great content. Could you also share a video with the necessary settings for underwater video using the Dji Osmo Action 4?
They're both very similar. You should program Custom Presets in advance and then customize the Quick Switch menu with just the Presets you want. I have instructions in this video: ua-cam.com/video/JUSP7oi5ypw/v-deo.htmlsi=S2H8NFHxPAziVXT3
Great video! This will be the first Action Camera I have purchased and have been looking a comparison videos this last week and have to say this video massively outshines all of the others I have come across. Looks like I am getting the 360 Ace Pro :) Thanks again :)
Thanks. They're very different on many levels. An interchangeable lens camera will have much better image quality. Action cameras are great as a small easy video solution or as a mountable camera.
Hi Brent, Awesome videos! I have a question about the photos out of the insta… as I’m still waiting to buy my housing I’m looking to buy the insta for the time being… how’s the files for photos? Can u shoot raw? Does the quality hold in Lightroom? What do u think would be the largest print u could go for out of the files? Thank u in advance and looking forward the next video
I haven’t tried the photo mode extensively in the Ace Pro yet but it does shoot raw files in dng format. For print size it really depends on the quality of the scene shot. A nicely lit scene in bright conditions will print large, especially when upres’d in Photoshop, but a murky dark shot wouldn’t hold up to print very large. Hope that helps!
Not silly at all. Here's an article with all my favorite tray/handle systems for action cameras: tutorials.brentdurand.com/gear-guide-for-small-underwater-cameras/
I bought an Insta360 Ace Pro based on your reviews but also on other people's reviews. I think you're making great reviews so I'm not putting any blame on you, but I was very disappointed in the underwater photos my Insta360 Ace Pro took. When using "Pureshot" there are tiny white lines appearing on ALL photos, and a lot of the photos turn out extremely red or some other weird color. I was honestly happier with my GoPro11 and regret selling it. Please tell Insta360 if you can that they need to come with some sort of firmware update because this is bad. Also, with my GoPro I could connect my SD card straight into my iPhone and import all the photos immediately, but with my Insta360 Ace Pro my iPhone and Macbook can not see the files on the SD card for some reason. This is also really disappointing. (Love your content!)
Hi - I'm so sorry to hear that. Anything auto is always tricky underwater and I rarely even use red filters due to varying results (I'd rather shoot flat and adjust in post). You could try making sure the camera "sees" something white before you shoot the still photo, which might help with auto u/w color correction. What are the white lines in Pureshot mode for stills? Straight lines? High-ISO noise? The issue not seeing the image files via iPhone or Macbook is also weird. You should be able to see them and then start an import, which on your phone can be run in the background while you use other apps waiting. Insta360 is pretty active on Reddit - maybe worth finding the right reddit and making a post there...? And thanks!
Hi - I was using dual Backscatter MW-4300 lumen video lights. These: www.backscatter.com/Backscatter-Macro-Wide-Underwater-Video-Light-MW-4300?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX1+5HP8BlhLkagWnVwymT4hAXsf4ct8uMAM=
@@BrentDurand thank you for this . I was about to ask the same question. But I'm wondering, how do you install it together with the Ace Pro? I'm sorry, i'm a totally newbie to shooting videos underwater. I bought my Ace pro already though! thanks to your Ace Pro vs GoPro video
@@joethong726 This is a great question and I've actually written a full article about what you need. First you need a tray/handle system: tutorials.brentdurand.com/gear-guide-for-small-underwater-cameras/#mount Second, you'll need an arm or arms to hold the light(s): tutorials.brentdurand.com/gear-guide-for-small-underwater-cameras/#arms I'm happy to answer specific questions here or by email via website above.
Thanks for putting together this video. I suspect for casual users the ace provides better video out of the box. For more serious folks, you’d have to compare a workflow with deliberate white balance and colour grading.
Hi - the Ace Pro can shoot photo and video simultaneously. The X4 does not, however if your frame rate (and resulting shutter speed) match the scene and capture the scene without motion blur, then you can easily export single frames for use as still images.
To me there's no comparison really, the Ace Pro is much better whenever the autowhite balance doesn't spazz out. Not sure however if there are the same options as far as wet lenses and other peripherals go. I only plan on using one for shallow water so I'd just set a flat white balance and be on my merry way.
The options aren't the same for the Ace Pro since the GoPro benefits from the Backscatter FLIP filter system, but I would guess someone like DIVEVERYDAY might come up with a lens adapter at some point (amzn.to/49GCkIk).
I noticed slow write speed after video and still finishes shooting. This is aspecially probalbmatic for me with stills, when you want to repeat a shot...
Hi Brent, Thanks for the review. I assume that the Insta360 AcePro case with the camera is negatively buoyant (without your bracket). Do you happen to know by how much?
You're welcome! I do not know the buoyancy of the camera with with the dive case. Without the tray/handles it's not too much of a consideration and probably wouldn't even affect trim on a DPV. The only weight consideration (for any action camera without tray or stick) might be on a mask mount. Hope that helps...?
Thanks Brent! I think I will give a try with ace pro - i have the DJI action but not very satisfied with the color underwater (even if I have adjusted the Kelvin and after edited) - if you have any underwater setting tips for the DGI - that would be great. The app of ace pro seems quite handy to adjust the color.
I did not for my dives since I was diving Monterey in winter, however I would definitely use them if the air temp and/or ocean was warmer, especially in humid environments.
I just got the protective case for the Insta360 Ace Pro and just starting to use in in my underwater metal detecting videos. Soon I will be diving and this video is good information to know in the future!
Excellent! If you haven't yet, check out my dedicated Ace Pro review, which contains a lot more info on setting up the camera for underwater video: ua-cam.com/video/JUSP7oi5ypw/v-deo.htmlsi=QylXyXH8x8qOSdFs
It's really not a useful comparison for me as I always shoot at 4K 60 fps so I can extend short clips. At 60 fps the ACE Pro has no HDR. The Action 4 has 10 bit color vs 8 bit for ACE Pro which is important for post color correction. The ACE Pro has no front screen for doing underwater selfies. Another important question is minimum in focus distance, I suspect it's better for the Action 4 due to its smaller aperture. You mention the larger aperture of the ACE Pro without mentioning this disadvantage. I also read that the ACE Pro footage is overly sharp and pixelated. My question is, you got the ACE Pro free, did you get the Action 4 for free for this review to keep it balanced? I see that Insta360 is sending out a lot of free cameras with the goal of biased reviews.
The more you read the more you learn. Yes, I could have made a 2-hour video review, however at some point you need to select the most important information for the audience, which for this video, is divers who want a comparison of footage shot using automatic settings. As I said in the beginning of the video, Insta360 sent me this camera to test.
A vote for the Action 4. Note that I tried to keep this review focused on those that will not edit/grade their footage in a post-production workflow. We need a review of both cameras shot in flat profiles with pro color grading next.
I used to have osmo action 3 and really happy with it during snorkeling. No incident and working fine. Just disappointed with low light Sold my action 3 then upgrade Ace.pro. really happy with it and low light performance. Then i used it on the beach, my camera died due to seawater damaged through sd card door. Just noticed it accidentally opened when waves come. Build quality i like action 3 than ace pro. Lesson learn to use dive case for any shoot that has risk with water. Because the repair cost almost same with buy used camera or DJI action 4 standard
I'm glad you like the Ace Pro. So sorry the door opened while in the water. I agree on using the dive case whenever in the water. It's safer, protects the camera, and has basically the same image quality.
I never comment but it really seems like you are being incredibly fishy here....so on the "Insta360 Ace Pro vs GoPro 1Hero12 for underwater video" at about the 14 min and 45 second mark you show the EXACT same scene as the one in this video at 12 min and 55 seconds..... it would be easy to say that you had all 3 cameras but in the video you also SHOW your two camera rig. Did you think people wouldnt notice...?
Hi. "Fishy"... no pun intended. There's nothing to hide here. I shot all three cameras using the tray you see in the video at once. It was the most efficient way to capture footage from all the cameras with limited time (read diving) available. You'll notice the format for both comparison videos is the same as well since I followed the exact same process. To specifically address your comment about not showing the three cameras on the tray, that's to keep things focused, which I've found most effective for communicating the important information (through years of hosting workshops around the world with hundreds of guests). As soon as you introduce a distraction (e.g. introducing a random third camera in a two camera comparison) it distracts the viewer from the information they're trying to gain. Anyways, I hope this helps address your concern 🤙
@BrentDurand I will choose to give you the benefit of the doubt but you certainly can see my concern about this, especially since there is so much online about the Ace pro reviews being "bought". Your video was actually about to make me want buy the Ace pro because of how good the footage looked compared to the gopro but then when I noticed that discrepancy, it made me extremely hesitant. Now, I dont know how to feel exactly. Your choice to not complicate a comparison with a distraction makes sense so I get it. Your content overall seems nice and well put together
@@wyattcooper8043 Thanks for the kind words. There's a lot of info out there. GoPro, Insta360 and DJI all pursue influencer marketing as a component of their marketing campaigns, and so do camera manufacturers and most underwater housing manufacturers. It takes a lot of time and effort to put these reviews together - time most folks won't invest in just for fun. Then you have magazine reviews, but look at who their advertisers are. Retailer reviews... see what volume pricing incentives they receive from manufacturers. Anyways, my stance in these reviews was to post the footage and let you make the decision. Hopefully that came across.
I kept sharpness on the Ace Pro on the High setting, thinking this usually is best on small screens and social media (even still photos benefit from heavy sharpening for social media display). But to your point, those who want to do some editing might want to shoot on medium or even low sharpening and control sharpening in post, either on the Insta360 app or 3rd party editing software.
I have both and both excellent cameras but overall, Ace Pro I would have to say did better, some areas the A4 was better but not really many. It's really interesting how Ace Pro corrects itself rather quickly with color and dynamic range and I think this will become seamless in future firmware updates. Great video, mine goes into the water for a dive in two weeks ;)
I purchased the Ace Pro recently, I need it for videos at sea, with visibility that is not always optimal, from 0 to 50m depth and without artificial lights. I can't find a setting that allows me to reduce the noise as much as possible and make the images as natural as possible... What setting would you recommend?
@@BrentDurand Hi, I haven't tried it yet, but I'm inquiring with those who use it to do as few tests as possible before finding the right setting (I need it for work and it's important that it's operational as soon as possible). A friend showed me underwater images at about 25 meters deep and with a visibility of about 7-8 meters. The setting he used was the following: standard color, 4k, 60 fps, hdr or, alternatively, pure video. In both cases the images didn't seem very natural to me, so I think there is a more suitable setting... but I don't know what it might be...
@@FabioBertuccio-Apnea Hi - What do you mean by 'natural?' Do you like the blue tint we see naturally with our eyes, or do you like seeing colors and white that appears white like we see on the surface? As you know working deep like this, much of the color is lost at this depth, so if it's not there the computer simply can't bring it back even with the best color correction possible...
@@BrentDurand hi, i would like to show you a screenshot of a shot to explain myself better, but I don't know how to do it here... The images I'm referring to seem drawn, not real...
@@FabioBertuccio-Apnea It could be an issue of high ISO and the camera oversmoothing the footage (smartphones do this in dark conditions underwater). You can email me through my tutorials website: tutorials.brentdurand.com/ Thanks
Hi. I would start with the standard profile and then make changes based on water conditions. With standard you can still adjust the intensity and accuracy of the color correction using AquaVision 2.0 in the Insta360 app. If you use one of the Ocean profiles to begin with, you're recording with more contrast/saturation that could create more limitations when editing. I show the various profiles in my full Ace Pro review here: ua-cam.com/video/JUSP7oi5ypw/v-deo.htmlsi=QylXyXH8x8qOSdFs
You're welcome! The footage here speaks for itself, although I didn't do a test with manual settings and heavy post-processing (I'm no expert in the latter).
Amazing comparison, I was waiting for this exact content for a long time so I can finally make a decision between those two. Ace Pro is the clear winner for me, and will be arriving in the mail next week, also good time to buy it since they have a $50 discount!
Because of your previous review of Ace pro it made me to finally get rid of my GP12 and get the Ace Pro. I still haven't tested it underwater yet and got me a bit nervous when I saw the title of this video but thankfully the Ace Pro still beats them all. Thank you
Pretty amazing, isn't it? AquaVision 2.0 on the Ace Pro performed best when there was more color in the frame, so if you're filming in bright, clear, colorful tropic water conditions it should deliver even better results right out of camera.
This is the video we’ve been waiting for! OM4 vs 360AcePro!
Yes!!!! Hopefully this covers the info you're looking for. Let me know.
Always enjoy your posting Brent !!
With the seals I thought the color was worse on the ace pro but I had an idea - what would happen if you had a small white plastic card and flashed it in front of the camera at a time like that and then got it out of the way - would it then do better with the color adjustment? Might be a great simple solution for those times
Hi, and thanks! Yes, carrying a white balance card (or a slate) would likely help the color correction while the white is in scene. The question is if it would keep the same setting once the card was removed. I've had red filters drift in front of action cameras, immediately creating a shift in WB as well. Guess we need to try your method and see!
Hi Brent!
Thank you so, so much for this video. I've had the OA 4 as a backup camera to my GH5 since last August. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to test the OA 4 while diving yet, but when I was snorkeling with sperm whales in February and the autofocus on my GH5 failed, the OA 4 saved the footage and my butt.
What I love about the OA 4 is the often very accurate automatic white balance and the ability to shoot at 120fps in 10-bit. Additionally, colors can be corrected very well in D-Log M. If there were a decent aluminum housing for the Ace Pro and I were in the market for an action cam for underwater video, I would probably prefer it over the OA 4 today, judging by your test footage.
Best, Andreas
Hi Andreas - You're welcome! I'm glad the OA4 saved you on that trip/assignment. Like you alluded to, there is more to be said in testing these two cameras in manual modes and flat color profiles... combined with pro-level post-processing and color grading. But for simplicity and auto settings... you saw the footage!
Did you ever manage to fix the AF issues with the GH5? I want to get one but the AF issues are daunting, especially since I would only be able to afford a seafrogs housing that only supports AF.
@@nono-i7t The GH5 doesn't have an AF issue. At least not when the firmware is higher than 2.4. After that... The AF is the issue... It is contrast based and in some situations like bad viz or low light it is not very reliable. I have been using the GH5 since early 2017 now as my main camera and I know its limitations. What's much worse about the GH5 is the underwater color when shooting in available light. Manual WB is very limited and the sensor simply isn't able to reproduce decent colors below 5m/15ft. The only way I found to get ok colors (to 20m/60ft) is using a Keldan red filter in comination with MWB. But this filter swallows light, which makes the AF even more unreliable... Apart from that I love my GH5 and the ability to shoot in 400Mbit 4:2:2 10bit.
Ace Pro seems to be discarding a lot of data across the midtones and averaging by artificially boosting saturation. As a result a lot of colour detail is lost. Colours appear more vivid, though it can easily be achieved in post.
Action 4 appears to deliver more mid to shadow detail which allows for wider range of colour and tone correction in post.
Very interesting note and one all serious photographers should look at closely. I would guess Insta360's color correction (AquaVision 2.0) is designed for ease of workflow, social media distribution, and majority of viewership on tiny phone screens.
I think your comment suggests the need for a review designed for those who want to edit and color grade seriously, shooting both cameras in flat color profiles and seeing what can be achieved in post. Thanks!
@@BrentDurand Essentially both of them will be discarding some data. It would be interesting to find out their sensor readout strategies as they will inadvertently vary.
@@MoonsidePlayground Absolutely!
I've been trying to decide between a gopro or the ace pro. Do you think post processing with a GoPro is actually better than the ace pro?
Great job on this one Brent! I’m thinking about swapping out my old GoPro Hero 7 black for either an Ace Pro 2, or the (new) Osmo Action 5 Pro. I almost exclusively dive caves, and I’m trying to figure out which one will suit me best. It seems like the AP2 is going to do a better job with low light recording (and less jittering), but what the OA5Pro does in terms of getting rid of particles underwater (quite a big factor in caves) is pretty great too. Between the two, which one would be your choice for cave diving video?
Seems like you're on the right track. I haven't compared the cameras close enough in cave-like conditions (not a cave diver), so can't offer any opinion in confidence. Like you pointed out, there are different highlights with each.
Hello, thank you for the video; it’s great content. Could you also share a video with the necessary settings for underwater video using the Dji Osmo Action 4?
Great idea! A video for the Action 4 is on my list for when the time presents itself.
which one is more easier to change settings while in the dive housing?
They're both very similar. You should program Custom Presets in advance and then customize the Quick Switch menu with just the Presets you want. I have instructions in this video: ua-cam.com/video/JUSP7oi5ypw/v-deo.htmlsi=S2H8NFHxPAziVXT3
Great video! This will be the first Action Camera I have purchased and have been looking a comparison videos this last week and have to say this video massively outshines all of the others I have come across.
Looks like I am getting the 360 Ace Pro :)
Thanks again :)
Thanks so much for the kind words. Enjoy!
Ace Pro -> www.insta360.com/sal/ace-pro?INRVP3L
Great comparison, thanks Brent. My question is, how does the 360 stack up against a full frame? Cheers
Thanks. They're very different on many levels. An interchangeable lens camera will have much better image quality. Action cameras are great as a small easy video solution or as a mountable camera.
Hi Brent,
Awesome videos! I have a question about the photos out of the insta… as I’m still waiting to buy my housing I’m looking to buy the insta for the time being… how’s the files for photos? Can u shoot raw? Does the quality hold in Lightroom? What do u think would be the largest print u could go for out of the files?
Thank u in advance and looking forward the next video
I haven’t tried the photo mode extensively in the Ace Pro yet but it does shoot raw files in dng format. For print size it really depends on the quality of the scene shot. A nicely lit scene in bright conditions will print large, especially when upres’d in Photoshop, but a murky dark shot wouldn’t hold up to print very large. Hope that helps!
@@BrentDurand thank you for your reply Brent
silly question how did you create or where did you buy the mount that you have for the camera with the holder for your hands?
Not silly at all. Here's an article with all my favorite tray/handle systems for action cameras:
tutorials.brentdurand.com/gear-guide-for-small-underwater-cameras/
Thank you so much it is a great comparison i have been waiting for ❤
You're very welcome! I hope it's helpful
I bought an Insta360 Ace Pro based on your reviews but also on other people's reviews. I think you're making great reviews so I'm not putting any blame on you, but I was very disappointed in the underwater photos my Insta360 Ace Pro took. When using "Pureshot" there are tiny white lines appearing on ALL photos, and a lot of the photos turn out extremely red or some other weird color. I was honestly happier with my GoPro11 and regret selling it. Please tell Insta360 if you can that they need to come with some sort of firmware update because this is bad. Also, with my GoPro I could connect my SD card straight into my iPhone and import all the photos immediately, but with my Insta360 Ace Pro my iPhone and Macbook can not see the files on the SD card for some reason. This is also really disappointing. (Love your content!)
Hi - I'm so sorry to hear that. Anything auto is always tricky underwater and I rarely even use red filters due to varying results (I'd rather shoot flat and adjust in post). You could try making sure the camera "sees" something white before you shoot the still photo, which might help with auto u/w color correction.
What are the white lines in Pureshot mode for stills? Straight lines? High-ISO noise?
The issue not seeing the image files via iPhone or Macbook is also weird. You should be able to see them and then start an import, which on your phone can be run in the background while you use other apps waiting. Insta360 is pretty active on Reddit - maybe worth finding the right reddit and making a post there...?
And thanks!
Good feedback, the pictures people are posting look amazing but it's hard to compare side by side.
Is it better to shoot in HDR or 4k 60?
I found similar results in my limited testing. That said 60fps for sure if you might want to slow down action for 50% slow motion (on a 30s timeline).
What video light was used at the last part of the footage please?
Hi - I was using dual Backscatter MW-4300 lumen video lights. These: www.backscatter.com/Backscatter-Macro-Wide-Underwater-Video-Light-MW-4300?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX1+5HP8BlhLkagWnVwymT4hAXsf4ct8uMAM=
@@BrentDurand thank you for this . I was about to ask the same question. But I'm wondering, how do you install it together with the Ace Pro? I'm sorry, i'm a totally newbie to shooting videos underwater. I bought my Ace pro already though! thanks to your Ace Pro vs GoPro video
@@joethong726 This is a great question and I've actually written a full article about what you need. First you need a tray/handle system:
tutorials.brentdurand.com/gear-guide-for-small-underwater-cameras/#mount
Second, you'll need an arm or arms to hold the light(s): tutorials.brentdurand.com/gear-guide-for-small-underwater-cameras/#arms
I'm happy to answer specific questions here or by email via website above.
@@BrentDurand thanks so much! I will give it a good read!
I like them both but think I'd go for the osmo action 4 for the smaller form factor as i want to put it on my mask.
Size is certainly a consideration for mask mount 😎
@viciousviolet3783 Gopro above your mask will result in full of bubbles in your videos when you breathe out. Bad idea.
Thanks for putting together this video.
I suspect for casual users the ace provides better video out of the box.
For more serious folks, you’d have to compare a workflow with deliberate white balance and colour grading.
You’re welcome and I agree completely 👊
Can you hear the beep sound of the shutter button when you switch on and off the camera while you are diving and the camera is in the housing?
Yes, assuming the sound is on Medium or High, although I bet you can hear low volume as well if not using a hood.
@@BrentDurand Thank you!
Thanks for your professional review, please advise which camera can take Photo+Video simultaneously, like ex GoPro5
Hi - the Ace Pro can shoot photo and video simultaneously. The X4 does not, however if your frame rate (and resulting shutter speed) match the scene and capture the scene without motion blur, then you can easily export single frames for use as still images.
@@BrentDurand Thanks for your prompt response.
To me there's no comparison really, the Ace Pro is much better whenever the autowhite balance doesn't spazz out. Not sure however if there are the same options as far as wet lenses and other peripherals go. I only plan on using one for shallow water so I'd just set a flat white balance and be on my merry way.
The options aren't the same for the Ace Pro since the GoPro benefits from the Backscatter FLIP filter system, but I would guess someone like DIVEVERYDAY might come up with a lens adapter at some point (amzn.to/49GCkIk).
I noticed slow write speed after video and still finishes shooting. This is aspecially probalbmatic for me with stills, when you want to repeat a shot...
Are you using a fast micro sd card? If it is fast, then yes, the write speed is what it is.
Hi Brent,
Thanks for the review.
I assume that the Insta360 AcePro case with the camera is negatively buoyant (without your bracket).
Do you happen to know by how much?
You're welcome! I do not know the buoyancy of the camera with with the dive case. Without the tray/handles it's not too much of a consideration and probably wouldn't even affect trim on a DPV. The only weight consideration (for any action camera without tray or stick) might be on a mask mount. Hope that helps...?
Thanks Brent! I think I will give a try with ace pro - i have the DJI action but not very satisfied with the color underwater (even if I have adjusted the Kelvin and after edited) - if you have any underwater setting tips for the DGI - that would be great. The app of ace pro seems quite handy to adjust the color.
Hi - I don't have settings tips for the DJI Action 4 but may add something like this to my channel very soon. Stay tuned!
By the way, do you use antifog stickers inside of the Ace Pro Underwater housing?
I did not for my dives since I was diving Monterey in winter, however I would definitely use them if the air temp and/or ocean was warmer, especially in humid environments.
I just got the protective case for the Insta360 Ace Pro and just starting to use in in my underwater metal detecting videos. Soon I will be diving and this video is good information to know in the future!
Excellent! If you haven't yet, check out my dedicated Ace Pro review, which contains a lot more info on setting up the camera for underwater video: ua-cam.com/video/JUSP7oi5ypw/v-deo.htmlsi=QylXyXH8x8qOSdFs
It's really not a useful comparison for me as I always shoot at 4K 60 fps so I can extend short clips. At 60 fps the ACE Pro has no HDR. The Action 4 has 10 bit color vs 8 bit for ACE Pro which is important for post color correction. The ACE Pro has no front screen for doing underwater selfies.
Another important question is minimum in focus distance, I suspect it's better for the Action 4 due to its smaller aperture. You mention the larger aperture of the ACE Pro without mentioning this disadvantage. I also read that the ACE Pro footage is overly sharp and pixelated.
My question is, you got the ACE Pro free, did you get the Action 4 for free for this review to keep it balanced? I see that Insta360 is sending out a lot of free cameras with the goal of biased reviews.
The more you read the more you learn. Yes, I could have made a 2-hour video review, however at some point you need to select the most important information for the audience, which for this video, is divers who want a comparison of footage shot using automatic settings. As I said in the beginning of the video, Insta360 sent me this camera to test.
Action 4, more real, better color, easier to work color in edition.
A vote for the Action 4. Note that I tried to keep this review focused on those that will not edit/grade their footage in a post-production workflow. We need a review of both cameras shot in flat profiles with pro color grading next.
I used to have osmo action 3 and really happy with it during snorkeling. No incident and working fine. Just disappointed with low light
Sold my action 3 then upgrade Ace.pro. really happy with it and low light performance.
Then i used it on the beach, my camera died due to seawater damaged through sd card door. Just noticed it accidentally opened when waves come.
Build quality i like action 3 than ace pro. Lesson learn to use dive case for any shoot that has risk with water.
Because the repair cost almost same with buy used camera or DJI action 4 standard
I'm glad you like the Ace Pro. So sorry the door opened while in the water. I agree on using the dive case whenever in the water. It's safer, protects the camera, and has basically the same image quality.
action 4 is more natural
Great point. Everyone has different preferences for how color should be portrayed underwater, especially white balance in ambient light conditions.
Ace pro is probably best action cam rn but that screen is actually very heavy
Great point
I never comment but it really seems like you are being incredibly fishy here....so on the "Insta360 Ace Pro vs GoPro 1Hero12 for underwater video" at about the 14 min and 45 second mark you show the EXACT same scene as the one in this video at 12 min and 55 seconds..... it would be easy to say that you had all 3 cameras but in the video you also SHOW your two camera rig. Did you think people wouldnt notice...?
Hi. "Fishy"... no pun intended. There's nothing to hide here. I shot all three cameras using the tray you see in the video at once. It was the most efficient way to capture footage from all the cameras with limited time (read diving) available. You'll notice the format for both comparison videos is the same as well since I followed the exact same process.
To specifically address your comment about not showing the three cameras on the tray, that's to keep things focused, which I've found most effective for communicating the important information (through years of hosting workshops around the world with hundreds of guests). As soon as you introduce a distraction (e.g. introducing a random third camera in a two camera comparison) it distracts the viewer from the information they're trying to gain. Anyways, I hope this helps address your concern 🤙
@BrentDurand I will choose to give you the benefit of the doubt but you certainly can see my concern about this, especially since there is so much online about the Ace pro reviews being "bought". Your video was actually about to make me want buy the Ace pro because of how good the footage looked compared to the gopro but then when I noticed that discrepancy, it made me extremely hesitant. Now, I dont know how to feel exactly. Your choice to not complicate a comparison with a distraction makes sense so I get it. Your content overall seems nice and well put together
@@wyattcooper8043 Thanks for the kind words. There's a lot of info out there. GoPro, Insta360 and DJI all pursue influencer marketing as a component of their marketing campaigns, and so do camera manufacturers and most underwater housing manufacturers. It takes a lot of time and effort to put these reviews together - time most folks won't invest in just for fun. Then you have magazine reviews, but look at who their advertisers are. Retailer reviews... see what volume pricing incentives they receive from manufacturers. Anyways, my stance in these reviews was to post the footage and let you make the decision. Hopefully that came across.
ace pro seems oversharpened
I kept sharpness on the Ace Pro on the High setting, thinking this usually is best on small screens and social media (even still photos benefit from heavy sharpening for social media display). But to your point, those who want to do some editing might want to shoot on medium or even low sharpening and control sharpening in post, either on the Insta360 app or 3rd party editing software.
I have both and both excellent cameras but overall, Ace Pro I would have to say did better, some areas the A4 was better but not really many. It's really interesting how Ace Pro corrects itself rather quickly with color and dynamic range and I think this will become seamless in future firmware updates. Great video, mine goes into the water for a dive in two weeks ;)
Really good point with the quick adjustments. And enjoy the upcoming trip!
Hello Brent! Does the WB color correction also applies to the Still photos of the Ace Pro ? Thank you!!
Hi! I actually have not tested this yet... but I will very soon and create an update video.
@@BrentDurand awesome! Thank you so much!!
I purchased the Ace Pro recently, I need it for videos at sea, with visibility that is not always optimal, from 0 to 50m depth and without artificial lights.
I can't find a setting that allows me to reduce the noise as much as possible and make the images as natural as possible...
What setting would you recommend?
Hi - For these conditions you likely want to shoot in PureVideo mode and framerate of 24/25/30. Have you tried this yet?
@@BrentDurand Hi, I haven't tried it yet, but I'm inquiring with those who use it to do as few tests as possible before finding the right setting (I need it for work and it's important that it's operational as soon as possible).
A friend showed me underwater images at about 25 meters deep and with a visibility of about 7-8 meters.
The setting he used was the following: standard color, 4k, 60 fps, hdr or, alternatively, pure video.
In both cases the images didn't seem very natural to me, so I think there is a more suitable setting... but I don't know what it might be...
@@FabioBertuccio-Apnea Hi - What do you mean by 'natural?' Do you like the blue tint we see naturally with our eyes, or do you like seeing colors and white that appears white like we see on the surface? As you know working deep like this, much of the color is lost at this depth, so if it's not there the computer simply can't bring it back even with the best color correction possible...
@@BrentDurand hi, i would like to show you a screenshot of a shot to explain myself better, but I don't know how to do it here...
The images I'm referring to seem drawn, not real...
@@FabioBertuccio-Apnea It could be an issue of high ISO and the camera oversmoothing the footage (smartphones do this in dark conditions underwater). You can email me through my tutorials website: tutorials.brentdurand.com/
Thanks
I just got Ace Pro yesterday and am planning to take it diving. Should I use the Ocean color profile when recording underwater?
Hi. I would start with the standard profile and then make changes based on water conditions. With standard you can still adjust the intensity and accuracy of the color correction using AquaVision 2.0 in the Insta360 app. If you use one of the Ocean profiles to begin with, you're recording with more contrast/saturation that could create more limitations when editing. I show the various profiles in my full Ace Pro review here: ua-cam.com/video/JUSP7oi5ypw/v-deo.htmlsi=QylXyXH8x8qOSdFs
Thanks for the comparison, was eagerly waiting for this. I might sell my Action 4 and get the Ace pro.
You're welcome! The footage here speaks for itself, although I didn't do a test with manual settings and heavy post-processing (I'm no expert in the latter).
Amazing comparison, I was waiting for this exact content for a long time so I can finally make a decision between those two. Ace Pro is the clear winner for me, and will be arriving in the mail next week, also good time to buy it since they have a $50 discount!
Excellent! Glad that this heads up comparison was helpful in making the decision!
Because of your previous review of Ace pro it made me to finally get rid of my GP12 and get the Ace Pro. I still haven't tested it underwater yet and got me a bit nervous when I saw the title of this video but thankfully the Ace Pro still beats them all. Thank you
Ha! Yes, the Ace Pro is the winner 🎉
Thank you, looks like we have a new leader of action cams in details and also color - Ace Pro
Pretty amazing, isn't it? AquaVision 2.0 on the Ace Pro performed best when there was more color in the frame, so if you're filming in bright, clear, colorful tropic water conditions it should deliver even better results right out of camera.