- HanJin
DJI Action 2 and Insta360 Go 2 are two of the most popular action cameras on the market today. These cams design to capture high quality photos and videos of outdoor activities. However, there are significant differences between two cams that users should consider before buying
In this article, we’ll differentiate the DJI Action 2 vs Insta360 Go 2 to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Table of Contents
DJI Action 2 Vs Insta360 Go 2
Design
- Insta360 Go 2, 26g, with no screen, waterproof to 4m, and replaceable lens cover
- DJI Action 2: 56g rear touchscreen, waterproof to 10m, fixed lens covers
Although they share many similarities, the two cameras are quite different in design. Insta360 Go 2 has a small, white-colored plastic tablet-shaped device.
The DJI Action 2 is square and made of aluminum. It looks a lot like the old GoPro Session, but it is much thinner in width than that cube-shaped version.
Despite their small weight, both cameras feel solid and heavy in their hands. Both cameras could be beaten, but the DJI camera was more difficult to hold due to its large glass area and aluminum housing.
While the lens of the Insta360 can be easily replaced if it is damaged, the Action 2 cannot be serviced. The Action 2’s touchscreen, as well as the lens, are made of Gorilla Glass for greater durability. However, anyone who has ever broken their phone’s screen will know that it is not indestructible.
The DJI Action 2 is a less durable option. It feels more premium than the GoPro’s rubbery plastic housing.
While both devices are waterproof, the Action 2 is more submersible than the Go 2. The non-replaceable lens covers allow for a better water seal than the Go 2.
Both cases are safe to submerge only the camera unit, but underwater housings for the Action 2 with the extra module attached are also available.
Video and Photo Capture
- DJI Action 2: 4K 3840×2160 @ 24/25/30/48/50/60/100/120fps (max video resolution), 4000×3000 (max photo resolution)
- Insta360 2K 2560×1440@ 24-25/30/50fps (maximum video resolution), 2560×2560 (maximum photo resolution)
Action 2 is the clear winner if you want the best quality images. It can shoot at 4K at a variety of frame rates, while the Insta360 can only capture 50 frames per second at 1440p.
Both can record slow-motion, but the DJI is the clear winner here. It can shoot at a stunning 4K 120fps, while the Go 2 only records at 1080p 120fps.
Both action cameras have wide fields of view, which allows you to capture every moment. However, the way they are set up is very different.
The Action 2 allows you to choose a FOV in much the same way as a GoPro. You can choose from Standard (dewarped), Wide, Fisheye or Ultra-wide (similarly to SuperView).
The Ultra-wide setting, which is the largest we’ve ever seen on an action camera, gives an interesting distortion perspective and less barrel distortion than you might think.
The Action 2’s Ultra-wide FOV is a great feature, but we can see how it could be too big for some situations. It can make subjects appear farther away than they really are. It’s a nice feature, and you can switch to Wide to get a more traditional action camera look.
The Insta360 Go 2 does things differently. After recording the image on the smartphone app or the desktop software, the camera creates a square spherical image. The FOV and aspect ratio can be selected after the image is recorded. This way is very easy to use.
You can simply record in the field and then choose the best FOV. You can rotate the recording in the app to make some Inception-style spins.
Insta360 released a 64GB version for the Go 2 in addition to 32GB built-in storage when both cameras were first launched.
Both cameras have 32GB of built-in storage. However, Insta360 has since released a 64GB version of the Go 2. Insta360 uses less processing onboard, which allows more storage space.
An SD card can be used to increase storage. However, if you are using the Action 2 with the front-screen module or battery, you will be limited to 22.4GB.
It is easy to transfer clips to the SD card once the module has been attached. However, this takes a bit longer than we would prefer.
The 64GB Insta360 Go 2 we tested had 57GB of usable storage. This is easier, considering that the camera records at a lower resolution. If you run out of space, you can transfer clips to a phone or computer via Wi-Fi or USB. There is currently no way to offload to an SD Card.
Features, Stabilization and Battery
- DJI Action 2: 580mAh (camera Module), 1300mAh [front Screen Module]
- Insta360 Go 2: 210mAh (camera module), 1100mAh (charging case)
- Both 360-degree horizon leveling
Both cameras are excellent at image stabilization. The Go 2 did a better job in stabilizing images, especially in low light. However, both stabilization modes were fantastic.
Both cameras can rotate 360 degrees while keeping a steady horizon. This is a significant improvement on the GoPro Hero 10 Black, which can rotate 360 degrees while maintaining a steady lock at the horizon. DJI does not support horizon stabilization at resolutions lower than 4Kor at speeds less than 100fps.
Insta360 handles stabilization the same as FOV. You can choose your stabilization type in the app afterward, while the DJI must be selected before you record.
Both cameras provide about 20-30 minutes of battery life when used as a standalone unit. Both cameras rely on modules for charging on the move.
Insta360’s AirPods-style charging box doubles as a mini tripod and wireless remote. It’s a clever design that makes it super easy to use when you’re shooting.
To give you more juice, the DJI offers clip-on modules. They come in two flavors: adding a front-facing touchscreen or a simple battery pack. When attached, both models include SD card support and a USB connector.
Weight
Insta360 Go 2 also has a modular design. The Go 2 camera unit weighs only 27 grams and is literally the same size as my thumb. The Go 2 weighs in at 90 grams, even with the charging case.
Max Resolution
It’s clear that you get what you pay for when it comes to photo resolution and video. Both DJI and GoPro are capable of 4K video. The 4K, 120 frames per second option on DJI Action 2 is really impressive. The Insta360 Go’s performance is much less impressive on paper. It can only do 2.5K and 50 frames per second. Insta360 is not what I would expect.
Sensor Size
Image quality is affected by sensor size. The GoPro’s sensor is small, but this is to be expected considering its age. You would expect the DJI to have the highest image quality because it has the largest sensor. We’ll soon find out if that’s the case.
Memory
The fact that Action 2 and Go two only have limited internal memory is what really worries me. Although they are advertised at 32GB, some of that memory must be used for the camera.
The usable memory of both the Go 2 and the DJI Action 2 is only 22GB. The Go 2’s memory is limited, and you must stop using it once you have finished. The Go 2 is getting a new version soon that has more storage. I’ll talk about it later.
Although the DJI has less memory, both the screen module as well as the power module have an SD slot. These can be attached to the camera for extra juice or additional memory.
I will be investigating how that system works. There is no modularity to the GoPro. It is an all-in-one unit. It has a built-in battery but can also take an SD card up to 228GB. This is a great feature. You can insert another SD card as soon as your space is exhausted.
Common Features
Here are some features that all three devices share. The Insta360 Go 2 can be submerged up to 4m, while DJI and GoPro can drop down to 10m. All have HDR video and image stabilization.
They can also connect wirelessly with your smartphone. As always, I will compare these cameras in the following areas: video quality and audio quality, battery life, usability, and usability. These are the four most important criteria when it comes to cameras.
The Insta 360 Go 2 has a 2.5K resolution. Both the DJI as well as the GoPro can shoot at 4K. For this video test, however, I will shoot with the DJI in 4K and the GoPro at 2.7K. There’s a reason I do that.
The DJI has a horizon leveling of 2.5K, and the GoPro stabilization is only 2.7K. In real life, the DJI has stabilization at 2.7K, while the DJI only has a horizon leveling at 2.7K. This is not just for the sake and enjoyment of this video.
This GoPro has been with me for many years. It’s been running in 2.7K mode since the day it was purchased. There is not much difference between 2.5K and 2.7K. 2.5k has 3.7million pixels, while 2.7K has 4.1 million.
You can watch my comparison video of the DJI Action 2 in 4K. Subscribe to get the video soon. Let’s stop talking. Let’s get outside to test these cameras in real life.
Horizon Levelling
Horizon Levelling is one of the most striking new features of this new generation action camera. This is great for those like me who struggle to hold the camera straight or figure out the horizon.
It’s amazing how many times I have lost my video and gone back to my computer to find it was not working. This is the bane of my life. It’s a feature I cannot imagine my life without.
The six-year-old GoPro Hero5 Sessions doesn’t have it. It is available on the Insta360 Go 2, but you will need to record in Pro Mode.
Pro Mode exports video to your phone or computer, runs FlowState Stabilization and then exports the file. This is a lot of work and effort for a beginner vlogger. The DJI Action 2 features Horizon Levelling and RockSteady 2.0, which is brilliant.
You can have the files exactly how you want them with the horizon level. However, it is only capable of doing so up to 2.7K. It is not available for 4K. There will hopefully be a firmware update that will allow you to do 4K Horizon Levelling with the DJI Action 2.
The DJI Action 2 can do 5.3K Horizon Levelling with the GoPro 10. You’re still behind DJI. You can turn all three cameras upside down, and the horizon should remain level. It’s amazing, and I couldn’t imagine my life with it. Let’s return to the studio.
Back in the studio
This footage was not edited in any way. It was straight from the camera. The only exception was the Horizon Levelling footage from the Insta360 Go 2. Horizon Levelling can only be achieved on the Go 2 by running it through the Insta360 App.
Personally, I don’t like the image taken with the Go 2. It was just a little less appealing to me than the images I got from the DJI and the GoPro.
It’s clear that the DJI has the highest image quality. It was clear that none of the cameras performed well in lowlight testing. The image of Insta360 was too noisy for me to choose the DJI, so I would pick the Go 2 over the DJI.
It’s obvious that the GoPro is not able to stabilize. It was impressive in its day. However, stable technology has advanced dramatically over the past three years. Stabilization is excellent on both the Action 2 and Go 2. Although it’s difficult to decide which one is better, the DJI would be my choice.
This is simply because the Go 2 does not do the best stabilization in the camera. To get the best FlowState Stabilization, you need to shoot in Pro Mode.
Then, run your footage through Insta360. It’s quite a hassle. S, for stabilization. I’m declaring the DJI overall winner. This means that, in terms of video quality, the DJI Action 2 is the clear winner. It is the best option in all categories.
Audio Quality
As I mentioned, I am a bit hard of hearing, so audio testing isn’t something I enjoy. I found all of the cameras to be very similar in sound quality. It’s time to go for a walk and do a vlogging test. I’m now very close to the main road. There are many trucks, cars, and buses passing me
. Each of these cameras has one microphone. However, if I add one module to the DJI Action 2, then it will have three additional microphones. That would make the total four. This should greatly improve the sound quality. Right now, I have four microphones pointed toward me or pointed around me. This is better than the single microphone you get with your camera module.
Apps and Menus
Let’s get to the controls. The Insta360 Go 2 weighs only 27 grams and is literally the same size as my thumb. The camera can record footage but not access any files. To control the camera’s settings, you will need to use the charging case.
You can also plug the case into your computer for downloading footage. You can also use the app on all three cameras to adjust settings, record, and then download footage. The apps for the Action 2 as well as the Go 2 are great. They basically do everything.
The Insta360 app is available for those who use the Pro Mode on their Go 2. You can adjust the aspect ratio of your video. There are only three options: Widescreen (Portrait), Square (Square) and Medium Screen (Widescreen). The field of view can be changed within the app. If it looks too wide, you can adjust it to make it smaller.
The horizon can be locked so that the video remains level regardless of how unstable your recording may be. For underwater footage, you can apply color corrections. Color Plus is also available, but I don’t use it. It is supposed to make your videos appear more vibrant. It makes your footage look cartoonish.
Overall, I like Insta360, but it’s not something I would use often. The extra steps can be a hassle if you are only doing day-to-day videography.
First, Pro Mode will fill up your memory faster because the files contain more information. This information is used by the app to provide you with all of those additional options.
It also adds additional work to the editing process. After downloading your footage, you will need to make adjustments and export it to your computer. Then, you can use your video editing software to import the footage. This is a time-consuming task. This is why I enjoy using the normal video mode on my Go 2.
The footage is good quality, and the standard mode video stabilizer works well. Although the Mimo app is functional for DJI Action 2, connectivity between my phone and the camera has been a problem many times. The touchscreen on the back of the Action 2 allows you to control it, so I have never needed to use the app to control the camera.
The screen module can also be attached to the camera, which allows you to access the menu system. The menu looks almost identical to the one on the DJI Action 1. This is a great thing because it’s an intuitive and functional design. The touchscreens on Action 2 are smaller and less responsive than those on the original DJI Action.
Only two buttons are used on the GoPro Hero5 Session‘s tiny LCD screen. Although it may not seem like much, you’d be amazed at how much you can control with just two buttons on a small LCD screen. You can’t do it all. This brings me to my biggest complaint with GoPro.
Although you can download the latest GoPro app to your smartphone and connect it with your Hero5 Session – there may be something missing. You can’t access the Protune settings in the latest GoPro app versions. Protune allows you to adjust the ISO, shutter speed and white balance. I had to sideload an older version of the GoPro app onto my phone.
This is the only way I was able to access Protune with this camera. This is the only issue I have with my GoPro. The GoPro Hero5 Session is amazing in every other way. It is lightweight, rugged, waterproof and has a long-lasting battery. It can hold a 256 gigabyte SD Card and is so small people don’t notice it.
It’s been used for vlogging many times. Cameras attract attention. People will look at you, or worse, they will approach you and attempt to make small talk.
Random strangers asking me questions are beyond annoying. This is why I love small, discreet cameras. It’s small enough to be almost inconspicuous for practical purposes.
Conclusion
The two cameras are very different in terms of design and features. The DJI Action 2 is a more traditional action camera, while the Insta360 Go 2 is a more compact and lightweight option.
The DJI Action 2 is the better choice if you’re looking for a more rugged and versatile camera. It’s got a higher-quality sensor, better video quality, and more shooting modes. It’s also got stronger battery life. It’s a more advanced device, but it also costs more. The Insta360 Go 2 is a more compact and lightweight camera that offers better video quality in a smaller package. Thus, depending on your needs, make a decision when choosing the right one. Thank you for reading!
