is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.
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Insta360 has announced new accessories for its 8K Ace Pro 2 action camera. The accessories expand the Ace Pro 2’s capabilities as both a video camera with three new lenses and as a still camera with a redesigned grip and a compact wireless printer that can turn shots into instant photos. They’re launching today as part of four new bundles that include the action camera itself.
Insta360’s new Pocket Printer looks similar in size to other pocketable instant printers from Fujifilm and Canon, but instead of Zink or Instax paper, it uses the same dye-sublimation technology as the Polaroid Hi-Print we recommend in our buyer’s guide. The Pocket Printer connects to the Ace Pro 2 wirelessly over Bluetooth and spits out 3-inch, 300dpi prints that are laminated during the printing process so they’re waterproof and fade-resistant. However, Insta360 says it watermarks each print’s border with the Ace Pro 2 logo, which may not be something you can turn off. Replacement cartridges are $9.90 for 20 prints.
The Pocket Printer connects to the Ace Pro 2 wirelessly over Bluetooth and spits out 3-inch photos. Image: Insta360
The Pocket Printer works as a standalone device, but it can also be attached to the Ace Pro 2 camera using a quick-release mount on the bottom of the new Xplorer Grip Pro to re-create the experience of using an all-in-one Polaroid camera. Insta360 released a similar grip accessory last March, but it featured an unorthodox lever on top for activating the camera’s shutter button. The new Xplorer Grip Pro connects to and controls the Ace Pro 2 through its USB-C port, facilitating a redesigned shutter button with a zoom lever that sits atop the hand grip.
The new Xplorer Grip Pro connects to the action camera over USB-C and expands its runtime with an extra battery hidden inside the hand grip. Image: Insta360
The Xplorer Grip Pro features a dedicated dial on top that controls exposure by default, but its functionality can be customized in the Ace Pro 2’s settings. Inside the hand grip you’ll also find a secondary 2,010mAh battery, slightly larger than the camera’s own, that extends continuous 4K/60fps recording to up to 2.5 hours.
Alongside the grip and printer, Insta360 is launching new cinematic, ultrawide, and close-up lenses that can be attached to the camera, plus new Leica color profiles and digital filters that will be available as part of a firmware update.
At launch the new accessories will only be available through bundles, with the cheapest being the $518.99 Xplorer Pro Bundle that includes the Ace Pro 2, batteries, and the Xplorer Grip Pro Kit. The $579.99 Flash Print Bundle comes with the same, but adds the Pocket Printer, a hood for the camera’s flip-up screen, and a leather carrying case.
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