GoPro
HERO12 Black
1/1.9-inch action camera with HDR 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 slow-mo, HyperSmooth 6.0, and 10m waterproof body.
$349
Released Sep 2023
Insta360
Ace Pro 2
8K Leica-lens action camera with 1/1.3-inch sensor, 4K60 Active HDR, PureVideo low-light mode, and 12m waterproofing.
$449
Released Oct 2024
Ace Pro 2 is 1.2 years newer.
Wins
HERO12 Black
Wins
Ace Pro 2
6 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAce Pro 2 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AHERO12 Black has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BAce Pro 2 has higher Resolution (50 MP vs 27.6 MP)
- BAce Pro 2 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
- BAce Pro 2 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
HERO12 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)
Ace Pro 2
72 × 52 × 38 mm
177.2 g (0.39 lb / 6.25 oz)
HERO12 Black is 1mm shorter and 4mm thinner than Ace Pro 2.
HERO12 Black is 23 g lighter than Ace Pro 2.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO12 Black · 38mm Ace Pro 2
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
HERO12 Black
Codecs
Adds H.265 (HEVC)
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Weight
154 g vs 177.2 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Ace Pro 2
Codecs
Adds H.264, H.265
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.9, 52.2, 38
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Ace Pro 2 supports it
Resolution
50 MP vs 27.6 MP — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 6,400
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 200 Mbps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Battery life (CIPA) — Both 640 shots
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HERO12 Black
Pros
- ✓HDR 5.3K and 4K120
- ✓HyperSmooth 6.0
- ✓10m waterproof
- ✓Strong used value
Cons
- –Superseded by HERO13
- –Fixed lens
- –Smaller battery than HERO13
Ace Pro 2
Pros
- ✓8K30 video
- ✓1/1.3-inch Leica lens
- ✓PureVideo night mode
- ✓12m waterproof
Cons
- –8K drains battery faster
- –Premium vs DJI Action
- –Fixed lens
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, HERO12 Black or Ace Pro 2?
Ace Pro 2 scores 7.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for HERO12 Black — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO12 Black and Ace Pro 2?
HERO12 Black is 27.6 MP and Ace Pro 2 is 50 MP, so the Ace Pro 2 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the HERO12 Black and Ace Pro 2 have in-body image stabilization?
HERO12 Black does not have IBIS, while ace Pro 2 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the HERO12 Black or the Ace Pro 2?
HERO12 Black reaches 15 fps electronic. Ace Pro 2 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the HERO12 Black and Ace Pro 2?
HERO12 Black weighs 154 g and Ace Pro 2 weighs 177.2 g, so the HERO12 Black is 23 g lighter.
Do the HERO12 Black and Ace Pro 2 record 4K video?
HERO12 Black: 4K up to 120p. Ace Pro 2: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the HERO12 Black and Ace Pro 2 weather sealed?
HERO12 Black: Yes. Ace Pro 2: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the HERO12 Black and 640 shots for the Ace Pro 2, giving the Ace Pro 2 the edge.
How much does each cost?
HERO12 Black launched at $349 and Ace Pro 2 at $449. The HERO12 Black is $100 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.