After years of lugging heavy DSLRs and bulky underwater housings on our dive trips, this year we decided it was time for a change: no DSLR, just action cams.
We packed the brand-new Insta360 Ace Pro 2 alongside our trusted X4 for a week of intense diving adventures in Sharm El Sheikh with Camel Dive Club.
My son Lupo and I switched cameras each day, diving among wrecks, caves, and vibrant reefs to truly push the Ace Pro 2 to its limits.
No filters, no heavy editing: just the camera, a couple of LED lights, and the Red Sea.
First dives with the Ace Pro 2
The first thing you notice about the Ace Pro 2 is how incredibly easy it is to use, even for non-experts.
Its 2.5-inch flip screen and customizable quick modes make navigating menus effortless — even underwater.
The official underwater housing, rated for up to 60 meters, proved to be solid and reliable throughout our 14 dives: no leaks, no flexing, no condensation.
Seals and anti-fog insert slots are well designed, giving peace of mind dive after dive.
A shallow test before your first deep dive is still recommended, although the Ace Pro 2 is waterproof up to 12 meters even without a case.
Underwater performance: PureVideo in action
We tested both 8K 30fps and 4K 60fps PureVideo modes. In the end, 4K was the clear winner underwater for several reasons:
- Better low-light performance: PureVideo, available only up to 4K, reduces noise and enhances clarity — crucial for underwater scenes.
- Smoother footage: 60fps makes swimming, drifting, and fish chasing look far more natural and fluid.
- Reduced risk of motion artifacts: In 8K, tiny shakes are amplified. 4K is more forgiving, perfect for the constant movement underwater.
- Lighter files: 8K footage is massive. 4K files are easier to manage and transfer between dives.
- Unlocking PureVideo’s power: This low-light technology, which truly shines underwater, currently supports up to 4K only.
Testing the limits: wrecks, caves, and low light
The Ace Pro 2 faced several real-world challenges — and delivered.
Inside the dark, sediment-filled corridors of the Million Hope wreck, PureVideo captured usable, detailed footage with well-balanced colors and noise control — noticeably outperforming other cameras we’ve tested.
At Ras Mohammed National Park, we ventured into a shallow cave illuminated only by beams of light piercing through the ceiling. With Lupo in front and the Ace Pro 2 in hand, we captured stunning atmospheric footage — where even our beloved X4 struggled to keep up.
The Ace Pro 2 handled low-light conditions impressively, preserving color and depth, enhancing the emotional beauty of natural light play underwater.
Video quality: wow, even without lights
Underwater, the Ace Pro 2 truly shines.
Its new 1/1.3″ 8K sensor and Leica Summarit lenses produce exceptionally clear, sharp footage with soft shadows and excellent detail retention — especially between 10–15 meters.
Beyond that depth, as expected, colors begin to fade, so we occasionally supplemented with a pair of LED lights.
The flat color profile is perfect for creators who want flexibility for color grading, although the footage looks stunning straight out of the camera. We mostly shared it as-is — vivid and real.
Battery life and practicality
The 1800mAh battery comfortably lasted two full dives shooting at high resolution, plus extra usage with Wi-Fi and screen active.
Exporting video to phones and tablets via the app was fast and easy — we transferred several gigabytes of footage in just minutes after each dive.
What we loved about the Insta360 Ace Pro 2
If you want to shoot spectacular underwater videos without dragging around complicated gear, the Ace Pro 2 is one of the best choices out there today.
And if you already have an X4, like us, the two cameras complement each other perfectly: X4 for immersive 360° shots, Ace Pro 2 for stunning close-up 8K footage.
We particularly loved:
- Outstanding video quality, even without lights
- Easy underwater handling
- Fast startup
- Excellent stabilization
- Reliable battery life
- Practical and secure official underwater housing with glass lens
Setting up the camera was a breeze: just configure your quick modes and you’re ready to dive.
Stabilization was impressively smooth, even in light currents or with dynamic movements — no shakiness, even when Lupo got a little adventurous chasing fish.
Final verdict: dive, shoot, enjoy
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 proved to be a reliable, practical, and high-quality companion.
It allowed us to focus fully on the dive experience, not on the gear, and brought back vivid, detailed memories without hassle.
If you’re looking for an action cam that truly simplifies your underwater — and above-water — adventures, this is the one to get.
We enjoyed every dive stress-free, and the footage we captured was simply outstanding.
