- Insta360 reveals new accessories for its flagship Ace Pro 2 action camera
- Among them are a photographer’s grip and a clip-on instant printer
- New lenses and in-camera Leica color profiles are added too
Insta360 just gave its flagship Ace Pro 2 action camera a major boost with a range of new accessories, including a photographer’s grip, three lenses for different looks, and the bizarre crossover we didn’t know we needed (and probably don’t) – a clip-on instant printer. You can see the full setup in the image above.
Some of the new accessories feel sensible, such as the new cinematic, ultra-wide, and close-up lenses. Taking a page out of GoPro’s book with its Hero 13 Black Lens Mods – a feature that I labeled the ‘future of action camera design’, users will be able to get anamorphic-style clips with the cinematic lens, and focus closer with the close-up lens. I can already feel GoPro’s ire.
And then there’s the Xplorer Grip Pro – a case with an integrated battery and ergonomic grip (see below). It’s the type of accessory that Chinese phone brands have been delivering in recent years to improve the handling of their phones for photography, such as the excellent Xiaomi 15 Ultra photography kit.
Clearly, Insta360 wants the Ace Pro 2 to be a photographer’s tool as well as an 8K action cam, and for users wanting a comprehensive action camera, it kind of makes sense.
The peculiar addition, however, has to be the clip-on Pocket Printer, which Insta360 says is the ‘first made for an action camera–delivers instant, memorable keepsakes from any moment’. It prints 3-inch auto-laminated photos (54 × 82mm, with a 54 × 72mm printable area) using dye-sublimation technology, which Insta360 says ‘matches the vibrant footage from Ace Pro 2’ and are waterproof, dustproof, and fade-resistant.
I don’t typically associate action cams with photography at all, let alone making instant prints from them on the go. This accessory I’m filing under ‘don’t knock it till you try it’.
Overkill or genius?
Between GoPro, DJI, and Insta360’s latest flagship action cameras, I believe the Hero Black 13’s swappable lenses to be the most exciting path for action cams, more so than the Ace Pro 2’s 8K video skills. However, now you can get both with the Insta360 model, thanks to the three new lenses – each one directly inspired by (or imitating) GoPro.
I wouldn’t necessarily think of using the Ace Pro 2 for photography, because its strength is undeniably video. However, the handling of the camera for photography would indeed improve with the new grip, while new Leica color profiles will no doubt assist in getting a strong look straight out of the camera, ready for print.
The printer, on the other hand – well, the jury is out on that one. I like the Instax Mini Link printers for on-the-go printing, but I wouldn’t bring those into outdoor adventure moments.
There are now a number of Ace Pro 2 bundles available with these new accessories; the XPlorer Pro Bundle adds the new grip and additional battery and costs $519.99. The Flash Print bundle further adds the Pocket Printer, a Flip Screen Hood, and Classic Leather Case for $579.99 / £545 / A$1,049. The Ultimate Videography Bundle also adds the three new lenses and costs $739.99 / £725 / A$1,359. There are other bundles just with one of the lenses if you don’t want all three, and all bundles are available immediately at launch, from November 12.
What do you think? Is the Ace Pro 2 with all these new accessories the ultimate action camera setup? Let me know in the comments below.
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