1. Introduction
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is an advanced 8K waterproof action camera co-engineered with Leica, designed to capture high-quality footage in various environments. It features a next-gen 1/1.3" 8K sensor, Leica SUMMARIT lens, industry-leading dual AI chips for superior image processing and low-light performance, a 2.5" flip touchscreen, and robust stabilization. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your camera.
2. What's in the Box
The standard package for the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 includes the following items:
- Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Camera
- 1 Battery
- Standard Mount
- Mic Cap
- USB-C Cable
- QuickStart Guide
3. Setup
3.1 Installing the Battery
- Press and hold the battery compartment cover button and pull it down in the direction of the arrow.
- Open the cover outwards.
- Insert the battery into the compartment in the indicated direction.
- Once the battery is fully inserted, close the battery compartment cover, ensuring no yellow indicator line is visible.
3.2 Inserting the MicroSD Card
- Following the diagram, hold the MicroSD card slot cover's raised part, pull down the cover in the direction of the arrow.
- After opening the cover, insert the MicroSD card into the slot in the direction indicated on the camera body.
Recommended MicroSD Card Types: UHS-I, V30 or above, exFAT format. Using cards with lower speed or incompatible formats (UHS-II, UHS-III, or over 1TB) may lead to recording issues or malfunctions.
3.3 Attaching the Quick Release Mount
The quick release mount uses a magnetic design for stable and fast attachment to the camera body, allowing connection to various accessories.
- Align the camera lens with the lens icon on the quick release mount.
- Attach the quick release mount to the metal slot at the bottom of the camera.
- Press firmly until you hear a "click" sound. Pull the quick release mount to ensure it is securely attached without wobbling or detachment.
To Detach: Simultaneously press the buttons on both sides of the quick release mount and remove the camera.
Note: For high-intensity activities, ensure the mount is securely locked to prevent accidental detachment and damage.
3.4 Charging the Camera
Open the USB protective cover on the camera. Use the included USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the camera's USB-C port to a USB-C charger to charge the camera.
- PD Fast Charging: 18 minutes to 80%, 47 minutes to 100% (Measured in 25℃ lab conditions with camera off, using a 30W USB-C charger).
- Normal Charging: 75 minutes to 100% (Measured in 25℃ lab conditions with camera off, using a 15W USB-C charger).
During charging, the camera's indicator light will be solid red. It will turn off when charging is complete.
3.5 Connecting External Devices
To connect external devices like a Flash Transfer Module or audio adapters:
- Hold the MicroSD card slot cover's raised part, pull down the cover in the direction of the arrow, then open the cover upwards.
- After opening the cover, pull out the protective cover firmly.
- Once removed, you can insert the Flash Transfer Module or audio adapter.
- After use, align the inner groove on the top of the protective cover with the silver USB cover shaft above the card slot to re-install the protective cover and ensure it closes properly.
4. Operating Instructions
4.1 Button Functions
| Button | Camera State | Action | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Button | Off | Press | Power on |
| On | Press | Switch shooting mode; Mark highlight during recording; Customize single-press shortcut (e.g., screen on/off, zoom). | |
| Long Press (1s) | Power off | ||
| Shutter Button | Off | Press | Quick Capture (if enabled) |
| On | Press | Start/Stop recording/photo in preview; Stop recording in recording mode; Return to preview and start recording/photo from other interfaces. | |
| Long Press | Quick delete footage during recording | ||
| Flip Touchscreen Unlock Button | Any | Simultaneously press black buttons on both sides of screen | Flip up to open the touchscreen |
4.2 Screen Functions
Front Screen
The front screen is not touch-sensitive and only displays the current status. When the camera is powered on, the front screen will show:
- Preview Interface: Battery level, remaining storage, shooting specifications, current shooting mode.
- During Shooting: Shooting status (e.g., paused, pre-recording, countdown).
- Other Status: Material saving, material merging, App connection, firmware upgrade.
Flip Touchscreen Gestures
When the camera is powered on, the flip touchscreen displays the camera's home screen, shooting mode, battery level, and storage capacity. You can perform various functions by tapping or swiping the touchscreen:
- Tap Screen: Hide/show information on the touchscreen.
- Swipe Down from Top Edge: Enter the menu page.
- Swipe Left/Right in Center: Switch shooting modes.
- Swipe from Left Edge: Enter the album page.
- Swipe from Right Edge: Enter the shooting parameter settings page.
- Swipe Up from Bottom Edge: Enter the shooting specifications settings page.
4.3 Shooting Modes
Tap the shooting mode icon on the camera's home screen or swipe left/right in the center of the home screen to select different shooting modes.
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Video | Records standard video. |
| Nightlapse Video | Suitable for night scene video, producing cleaner footage. |
| FreeFrame Video | Requires post-stabilization in App or Studio, supports adjusting aspect ratio and horizon lock. |
| Motion Timelapse | Suitable for motion timelapse, creating a sense of time-travel. |
| Timelapse | Suitable for static timelapse, capturing the passage of time. |
| Loop Recording | Continuously records, saving only the last fixed duration of footage. |
| Slow Motion | Records high frame rate slow-motion video. |
| Starlapse | Captures and stitches multiple photos to create a starlapse effect. |
| Burst Photo | Rapidly shoots multiple photos. |
| Interval Photo | Automatically takes photos at set intervals. |
| Standard Photo | Takes standard photos. |
4.4 LED Indicator Lights
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 has two LED indicator lights that provide consistent status information. You can adjust the indicator light settings in the camera's system settings.
| Operation | Indicator Light Status |
|---|---|
| Power On | Blue light during power-on, then green light flashes 3 times, then solid green. |
| Trigger Power On | Green light flashes 3 times. |
| Standby / Charging / Fully Charged | Solid green / Solid red / Off. |
| Power Off | Green light flashes 5 times. |
| Recording | Red light flashes. |
| Pre-recording | Solid green. |
| Countdown > 1s | Green light flashes. |
| Countdown ≤ 1s | Green light flashes 5 times. |
| U-disk Mode / WebCam | Solid green. |
| App Download Process | Green light flashes. |
| Insufficient Storage / Backup Error / Format Failure | Yellow light flashes 3 times, then off. |
| Flash Transfer Module No Card | Solid yellow. |
| Firmware Upgrade | Blue light flashes. |
| Low Battery | Yellow light flashes 3 times every 5 seconds. |
| High Temperature Warning | Yellow light flashes 3 times, then off. |
| Write/USB Error / No Storage Card / Storage Full | Solid yellow. |
4.5 Pre-recording
The pre-recording function allows you to record up to 120 seconds of video before you actually press the shutter button, ensuring you don't miss any precious moments. The camera supports pre-recording in various shooting modes and specifications.
4.6 Timecode
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 supports three methods to continue recording paused footage:
- Method 1: Connect the camera to a timecode generator to synchronize with the camera's default timecode.
- Method 2: Connect the camera to the Insta360 App. The App will automatically calibrate the camera's system time and use it as the timecode.
- Method 3: Manually set the start time for all devices. After ensuring consistency, tap to enable timecode recording.
After recording, you can achieve multi-track video synchronization during post-editing.
4.7 I-Log Color Mode
Enable I-Log Color Mode in the camera's shooting parameter settings page. After shooting, connect the camera to the Insta360 App, go to the album page, select the footage, and apply an LUT filter. This will allow for richer color effects.
4.8 Extended Battery Life Mode
When shooting in fixed scenes or for extended periods, enable Extended Battery Life Mode in the camera's menu page to prolong battery life. The maximum duration is 3 hours (in 1080P@24, HDR off, measured in 25℃ lab conditions). Note that some functions, such as gesture control and voice control, may be limited in this mode.
4.9 GPS Sports Assistant & Third-Party Dashboard Data
Activate the GPS Sports Assistant function in the Insta360 App. No additional equipment is needed; simply connect your phone to easily obtain GPS data recorded by your phone and add rich dashboard effects to your videos.
The dashboard function also supports synchronizing data from third-party sports devices (Garmin, Apple, COROS, IGPSPORT) and importing FIT/GPX files.
4.10 Gesture Control
Control the camera's shooting functions using specific gestures. Access this feature by swiping down on the touchscreen to enter the menu page and enabling gesture control.
- "V" Gesture: Can start a countdown for taking photos. Once the countdown begins, you can lower your hand.
- Open Palm Gesture: Can start or stop video recording. Once recording starts, you can lower your hand.
Note: When using gestures, ensure your hand does not block your head, and your head is fully visible in the frame. This feature works even when wearing helmets or gloves.
4.11 Lossless Zoom
During preview and shooting, double-tap the screen or tap the zoom button in the bottom right corner to switch between 1x and 2x zoom without affecting image quality. The following shooting modes and specifications support lossless zoom:
- Standard Photo/Interval Photo/Burst Photo: 12.5MP, 9MP
- Standard Video: 4K (16:9/4:3/2.35:1) @60fps and below; 2.7K (16:9/4:3) @60fps and below; 1080P (16:9/4:3) @60fps and below.
- Loop Recording/Dashcam: 4K (16:9/4:3) @60fps and below; 2.7K (16:9/4:3) @60fps and below; 1080P (16:9/4:3) @60fps and below.
5. Maintenance
5.1 Waterproofing Precautions
- The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is waterproof up to 12 meters without additional protective housing for water activities. For prolonged underwater use, use a dive case (sold separately) for depths up to 60 meters.
- Before using underwater, ensure the battery compartment cover and USB protective cover are fully locked, and the lens guard is properly installed. Otherwise, the camera will not be waterproof. Check for any foreign objects on the USB card slot cover to ensure it is securely closed.
- Check and ensure the waterproof seals of the battery compartment cover, USB protective cover, and lens guard are free from sand, dust, or other foreign objects, as this will affect the waterproofing effect.
- After using the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 in seawater, follow these precautions:
- Rinse the flip screen with fresh water.
- Soak the camera in fresh water for 5-10 minutes.
- Finally, wipe it dry with a soft cloth and air dry naturally.
- The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 comes with a wind guard installed by default. Installing and removing the wind guard does not affect the camera's waterproofing. The wind guard is not recommended for water use as it may affect audio quality when wet. Remove the wind guard or replace it with a waterproof cover before diving, surfing, or other water activities.
To maintain optimal waterproofing:
- Do not use a hairdryer on the microphone or speaker, as this may damage the internal waterproof membrane.
- Avoid operating the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 outside the temperature range of -20°C to 45°C for extended periods (>1 hour), such as in saunas, steam rooms, or hot springs.
- Do not store the camera in environments with excessively high temperatures or humidity.
- Do not disassemble the Insta360 Ace Pro 2.
- Prevent the camera from entering water too quickly, as the impact with the water surface may damage the device.
- The camera is not waterproof if the battery compartment, USB card slot, and lens guard are not installed.
5.2 Cleaning Precautions
- If there are foreign objects on the lens guard, it is recommended to clean it with water, a lens pen, a lens blower, or a lens cloth.
- If there are foreign objects on the lens, it is recommended to clean it with a lens pen, a lens blower, or a lens cloth.
- If there are foreign objects in the battery or battery compartment, use a dry, soft cloth or paper to clean it.
- Pay attention to dust and sand prevention in the quick release slot of the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, otherwise, it will affect the fixing effect.
5.3 Battery Usage Precautions
- Do not use non-official Insta360 Ace Pro 2 batteries. If you need to replace the battery, please purchase it from the Insta360 official website or designated channels. Insta360 is not responsible for battery accidents or device failures caused by using non-official batteries.
- If the battery is hot after use, please wait for it to cool down to room temperature before charging. Charging in environments above 40°C or below 0°C may lead to battery performance degradation, swelling, leakage, overheating, or damage. High temperatures can cause abnormal battery swelling, fire, or even explosion. Before using in low-temperature environments, it is recommended to fully charge the battery at room temperature to extend battery life.
- Long-term idle batteries may be affected.
- Recharge and discharge the battery approximately every 3 months to maintain battery activity.
6. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your Insta360 Ace Pro 2, please refer to the following common troubleshooting steps:
- Camera Not Powering On: Ensure the battery is charged. If the battery is low, charge it fully.
- Recording Issues (Stuttering/Freezing): Check if the MicroSD card meets the recommended specifications (UHS-I, V30 or above, exFAT format). Format the MicroSD card in-camera.
- App Connection Problems: Ensure the camera and phone are close to each other. Verify that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your phone and that the Insta360 App has the necessary permissions (network, Bluetooth, location). Make sure both the camera firmware and App are updated to the latest versions.
- Poor Audio Quality: Check if the wind guard is properly installed or if it's wet in water environments. Consider removing the wind guard for water activities.
- Water Leakage: Immediately power off the camera. Ensure all covers (battery, USB) and the lens guard are securely closed before water use. Do not use the camera if any seals are damaged.
- Overheating: Stop recording and allow the camera to cool down. Avoid direct sunlight or high-temperature environments during prolonged use.
For more detailed troubleshooting, please consult the full user manual PDF or contact customer support.
7. Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Insta360 |
| Insta360 Model | ACE PRO |
| Category | Sports & Action Video Cameras |
| Image Sensor | SONY IMX377 (1/2.3'' 12 MP) |
| Effective MegaPixel | About 48MP |
| Main Processor (Maximum HD Support) | GP2 |
| Video Resolution | 8K |
| Video Format | MP4 |
| Image Stabilization | Dual image stabilization |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Waterproof Depth (Bare Camera) | 39ft (12m) |
| Waterproof Depth (with Dive Case) | 197ft (60m) |
| Touch Screen | Yes |
| Display Screen | No (Refers to a secondary display, main is flip touchscreen) |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Expand Microphone | Yes |
| WIFI Support | Yes |
| Bluetooth Support | Yes |
| Remote Control Support | Yes |
| Memory Card Type | MicroSD / TF |
| Memory Card Support | 512G |
| Built-in Memory Size | Non |
| Volume | 71.9*52.2*38mm |
| Weight | 151g-200g |
| Equivalent Focal Length | 35mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f2.6 |
| NightShot Function | Yes |
| Removable/Replaceable Battery | Yes |
| Body Extension Interface | 1/4 |
| Supporting Language | Japanese,French,German,Italian,Spanish,Portuguese,Russian,English,Swedish,Polish,Greek,Turkish,Korean,Dutch,Latin American Spanish,Brazilian Portuguese,Simplified Chinese,Traditional Chinese Style,Ukrainian |
| Origin | Mainland China |
| Certification | CE |
8. Firmware Update
Keeping your Insta360 Ace Pro 2 firmware updated ensures optimal performance and access to the latest features. Firmware can be updated via the Insta360 App or a computer.
Important: Before updating, ensure the camera battery is above 20%. Do not power off or remove the battery during the update process.
8.1 Via Insta360 App
- Connect your Insta360 Ace Pro 2 to the Insta360 App.
- If a new firmware version is available, the App will prompt you. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
If App update fails:
- Ensure camera and phone are close.
- Keep the App running in the foreground.
- Ensure a stable internet connection.
- Restart devices and try again, or update via computer.
8.2 Via Computer
- Power on the camera.
- Connect the camera to your computer using the official USB-C cable and select "U-disk Mode".
- Download the latest firmware file ("Insta360AcePro2FW.bin") from the official Insta360 website. Copy this file to the root directory of the camera's storage space. Do not change the filename.
- Disconnect the camera from the computer. The camera will automatically start the firmware update, indicated by a flashing blue light.
- After the update is complete, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 will automatically restart.
9. User Tips
- Optimal SD Card: Always use a high-speed MicroSD card (UHS-I, V30 or above) to avoid recording interruptions, especially for 8K video.
- Battery Management: For best battery life, avoid extreme temperatures and perform regular charge/discharge cycles every three months.
- Water Protection: Double-check all seals and covers before any water activity. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after saltwater exposure.
- App Integration: Utilize the Insta360 App for seamless file transfer, AI editing, and GPS data overlays to enhance your footage.
- Firmware Updates: Regularly check for and install firmware updates to ensure your camera has the latest features and bug fixes.
10. Support
For further assistance or inquiries, please contact Arashi Vision Inc. (Insta360) using the following information:
- Address: 11th Floor, Building 2, Jinlitong Financial Center, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Website: www.insta360.com
- Telephone: 400-833-4360 / +1 800 6920 360
- Email: service@insta360.com
For the complete and most up-to-date user manual, please refer to the official PDF document: Insta360 Ace Pro 2 User Manual (PDF).