- Insta360 unveils new accessories for its flagship Ace Pro 2 action camera
- Among them are a camera grip and a clip-on instant printer
- New lenses and in-camera Leica color profiles have also been added
Insta360 has just given its flagship Ace Pro 2 action camera a big 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 have) – a clip-on instant printer. You can see the whole setup in the picture above.
Some of the new accessories feel sensible, such as the new cinematic, ultra-wide and close-up shots. Taking a page out of GoPro’s book with its Hero 13 Black Lens Mods – a feature I called 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 optics. I can already feel GoPro’s wrath.
And then there’s the Xplorer Grip Pro – a case with integrated battery and ergonomic grip (see below). It’s the type of accessory that Chinese phone brands have provided in recent years to improve the handling of their phones for photography, such as the excellent Xiaomi 15 Ultra photography kit.
It’s clear that Insta360 wants the Ace Pro 2 to be a photographer’s tool as well as an 8K action camera, and for users who want a comprehensive action camera, that makes some sense.
The peculiar addition, however, has to be the clip-on pocket printer, which Insta360 says is the ‘first made for an action camera – delivering instant, memorable souvenirs of any moment’. It prints 3-inch auto-laminated photos (54x82mm, with a 54x72mm printable area) using dye-sublimation technology that Insta360 says “matches the vivid footage of the Ace Pro 2” and is waterproof, dustproof and fade-resistant.
I don’t typically associate action cameras with photography, let alone make instant prints from them on the go. This accessory I file under ‘don’t knock it until you try it’.
Overkill or genius?
Between GoPro, DJI and Insta360’s latest flagship action cams, I think the Hero Black 13’s interchangeable lenses are the most exciting path to action cams, more so than the Ace Pro 2’s 8K video prowess. But now you can get both with the Insta360 model, thanks to three new lenses – each one directly inspired by (or mimicking) GoPro.
I wouldn’t necessarily think about using the Ace Pro 2 for photography, because its strength is undeniably video. However, the handling of the camera for photography would really improve with the new grip, while new Leica color profiles will no doubt help achieve a strong look straight out of the camera, ready for print.
The printer, on the other hand – yes, the jury is out on that one. I like the Instax Mini Link printers for printing on the go, but I wouldn’t take them with me for outdoor adventure moments.
There are now a number of Ace Pro 2 bundles available with this new accessory; The XPlorer Pro Bundle adds the new grip and extra battery and costs $519.99. The Flash Print package 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 with just one of the lenses if you don’t want all three, and all bundles are available immediately at launch, starting November 12.
What do you think? With all these new accessories, is the Ace Pro 2 the ultimate action camera setup? Let me know in the comments below.
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