With the release of the 8K capable action cameras, the Insta360 Ace Pro and Ace Pro 2, many users have expressed confusion about selecting the right microSD card capacity. Based on user reviews from the official Insta360 website, this review will recommend suitable SD cards for both the Ace Pro and Ace Pro 2 to help you make the best decision quickly.
- Which memory cards are available for Ace Pro 2?
- 64~512GB Which capacity should I choose?
- microSD memory card recommendation - Which brand to choose?
- Are there any fake microSD memory cards? -The Consequences of Getting Cheap SD Cards
The official recommended SD card capacity for the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is 128 GB, which is not only included in the official creator kit but also the most recommended capacity based on my hands-on testing. In this review, I will explain in detail why 128GB is the most practical choice when using the Ace Pro 2.
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microSD Card Specifications for Ace Pro 2
I highly recommend choosing the SanDisk Extreme Series or the official Insta360 SD card for the best performance and reliability.
It’s important to note that SanDisk SD cards come in three product lines, ranked from entry-level to high-end: Ultra, Extreme, and Extreme PRO. Among them, the SanDisk Extreme series with the V30・U3 speed rating is ideal for most video-recording needs. It supports the recommended maximum transfer specification of UHS-I (avoid using UHS-II or UHS-III cards), and the video speed class should be V30 or higher.
To ensure the best performance from your Insta360 Ace or Insta360 Ace Pro, you should use a UHS-I Micro SD card in exFAT format with a V30 or higher speed class. Using slower or incompatible cards may cause recording to stop unexpectedly and could even corrupt your footage. Note: Do not use UHS-II or UHS-III Micro SD/TF cards, or Micro SD cards larger than 1TB. These cards are not supported and may result in recording failures.
Ace Pro Official Service and Support
Simply put, if the memory card does not write fast enough, the data is likely to fail when shooting at 8K or 120fps. Therefore, it's important to follow the official recommendations for purchasing a memory card.
- Video speed class V30 or above
- Transmission speed is UHS-Ⅰ.
- Do not use SD memory cards larger than 1TB.
In the official Insta360 online manual, it states that the following SanDisk SD cards are compatible with the Ace Pro / Ace Pro 2.
| SD Memory Card Model | Capacity | Film speed | |
| Sandisk Extreme V30 A1 | sdsqxvf-032g-gn6ma | 32GB | V30 |
| Sandisk Extreme Pro V30 A1 | sdsqxcg-032g-gn6ma | 32GB | V30 |
| Sandisk Extreme Pro V30 A1 | sdsqxcg-064g-gn6ma | 64GB | V30 |
| Sandisk Extreme V30 A1 | sdsqxaf-128g-gn6ma | 128GB | V30 |
| Sandisk Extreme V30 A2 | sdsqxaf-128g-gn6ma | 64GB | V30 |
| Sandisk Extreme V30 A2 | sdsqxa1-256g-zn6ma | 256GB | V30 |
| Sandisk Extreme Pro V30 A2 | sdsqxcz-1t00-zn6ma | 1TB | V30 |
| Lexar 1066x microSD UHS-I SILVER Series | LMS1066064G-BN | 64GB | V30 |
| Lexar 1066x microSD UHS-I SILVER Series | LMS1066128G-BN | 128GB | V30 |
| Lexar 1066x microSD UHS-I SILVER Series | LMS1066256G-BN | 256GB | V30 |
The official Insta360 website also sells official memory cards directly.
SD Card Capacity — Which size should you choose between 64 GB and 512 GB?
Insta360 Ace Pro/Ace Pro 2 supports the use of SD memory cards with capacities of 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
Below is a table of the recordable duration of each memory card capacity for your easy reference. From the data, it is easy to find that if you choose a memory card with smaller storage space, the recordable time will be relatively limited, so it is recommended to choose a suitable capacity memory card according to your own filming habits and scene requirements.
I personally use 4K 60fps.
| Recording Mode | 64 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4K30fps | Film Mode | 1h16m | 2h33m | 5h4m | 10h24m |
| 4K60fps | Standard Recording | 1h3m | 2h8m | 4h15m | 8h44m |
| 8K24fps | High Definition | 48m | 1h37m | 3h13m | 6h36m |
| 4K120fps | Action Slow | 51m | 1h43m | 3h25m | 7h1m |
Recommended Camera Settings for Ace Pro 2: 4K60fps
| Recording Mode | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4K30fps | Film Mode | 1h16m | 2h33m | 5h4m | 10h24m |
| 4K60fps | Standard Recording | 1h3m | 2h8m | 4h15m | 8h44m |
I personally use 4K at 60fps most frequently, as the 4K 60fps setting is ideal for Vlog recording and various sports scenes. Compared to 30fps, 60fps video is much smoother.
Even if you shoot in 4K/60fps mode at the beginning, you can easily adjust the video to 30fps later. In terms of real-world data, the 128GB card can shoot for 2 hours and 33 minutes in 4K/30fps mode and 2 hours and 8 minutes in 4K/60fps mode, which is almost the same length of time in both modes.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 supports capturing 2x slow-motion footage. Setting it to 60fps ensures better shooting performance and smoother slow-motion playback.
Ace Pro 2 offers the option to shoot in 8K, but when editing in PC software, a high-performance CPU is required; otherwise, the post-production process can experience lag. Personally, I find 4K footage to be the easiest to edit, but 8K isn't without its benefits. For example, it allows Ace Pro 2 to zoom in at 2x without degrading image quality.
64GB microSD Card
| 64GB Memory Card Recording Time | |
|---|---|
| 4K30fps | 1h16m |
| 4K60fps | 1h3m |
Using a 64GB memory card, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 can record for 1 hour and 3 minutes in 4K/60fps mode and 76 minutes (i.e. 1 hour and 16 minutes) when set to 4K/30fps mode; and the Ace Pro 2 can support up to 100 minutes of continuous recording at full power.
If you don't regularly organize your footage, the storage space will fill up quickly, which is why I feel that 64GB might be a bit too small for consistent use.
128GB microSD Card
| 128GB | |
|---|---|
| 4K30fps | 2h33m |
| 4K60fps | 2h8m |
With a 128GB SD card, you can shoot continuously for over 2 hours even at 4K60fps, making 128GB the most practical capacity for everyday recording.
Unlike the 360° videos on the X4 / X5, the Ace Pro 2 does not require trimming from the 360° perspective. You can process the footage as is, making it easier to regularly format the card compared to the X5. Currently, the 128GB SD card is included in various bundles for both the Ace Pro and Ace Pro 2, indicating that 128GB is also Insta360's most recommended choice.
256GB microSD Card
When using a 256GB SD card, 4K recording can last for over 4 hours, and it can easily handle 8K recording as well. If you plan to use a backup battery during filming, this capacity is a great option to consider.
| 256GB | |
|---|---|
| 4K30fps | 5h4m |
| 4K60fps | 4h15m |
| 8K24fps | 3h13m |
| 4K120fps | 3h25m |
512GB microSD Card
If you opt for the 512GB capacity, it can even handle up to 6 hours of 8K video recording. However, I don’t think many people will choose this capacity — after all, it feels more like an SSD storage drive than a regular SD card.
| 512GB | |
|---|---|
| 4K30fps | 10h24m |
| 4K60fps | 8h44m |
| 8K24fps | 6h36m |
| 4K120fps | 7h1m |
How to Install a microSD Card in Ace Pro 2
The SD memory card slot is located next to the USB port. Press until it clicks to make sure it's installed correctly. To remove, simply press the card and it will automatically eject.
microSD Card FAQs for Ace Pro 2
What’s the Difference Between V30 and U3 microSD Cards?
The difference in labeling comes from the classification of the specification group; V30 belongs to the "Video Recording Only" category, while U3 belongs to the "UHS Speed Class" category. To get the best results from the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, you should use a UHS-I Micro SD memory card with a speed class of V30 or higher and exFAT format.
In terms of performance, both of them guarantee a "minimum write speed of 30MB/s".
128GB vs. 256GB: Which microSD Card to Choose for Ace Pro 2?
Depending on the style of filming, 256GB is a good choice for those who want more capacity. But if you're shooting a daily vlog or just a few minutes a day, 128GB will suffice.
How Many microSD Cards Do You Need for Ace Pro 2?
Ideally, more than 2 sheets are recommended.
In order to cope with the risk of running out of capacity and memory card damage during shooting, prepare one main card and one spare card for extra peace of mind.
Why Micro SD Card Capacity May Vary from Stated Values
*Since the SD card not only stores footage but also needs to reserve some space for caching during recording, which takes up about 1–2GB, a discrepancy of 1–2GB from the table data is considered normal.
X4 Official Service and Support
The actual usable capacity of an SD memory card is usually less than its advertised capacity. Generally, the actual capacity of an SD memory card is approximately 901TB to 3TB of the manufacturer's advertised capacity , so it is recommended to leave some margin when purchasing one.
Do I Need to Format My microSD Card Regularly for Ace Pro 2?
The Micro SD card is a storage device that needs to be formatted frequently.
Compared to hard drives (HD) and solid-state drives (SSD) used for long-term recording, microSD cards are more prone to generating "garbage" data during the process of deleting records. Therefore, regular formatting (storage space cleaning) is necessary to maintain optimal performance.
If used continuously without cleaning, it may put a strain on the SD card and even affect recording performance. According to Insta360's official recommendation, Ace Pro 2's SD card should be regularly formatted to prolong its lifespan and ensure long-term stable operation.
It is recommended to regularly transfer camera files to your phone or computer for backup and format the camera’s memory to prevent storage-related issues.
Ace Pro Official Service and Support
Are There Fake microSD Cards? How to Avoid Them
Although Insta360 officially recommends Sandisk memory cards, be aware thatThere are many fake cards on the market.You need to check the print on the card carefully, the font of the genuine card will be thicker.If you want to completely eliminate counterfeit cards, start with Insta360 websiteGetting your hands on an SD memory card is the safest option.
I bought a cheap card for my Insta360 ONE RS, but after less than a year, I couldn't get it to work. Cheap memory cards work fine at first, but they start to malfunction as they are used more and more often - after less than a year, they don't work anymore!
Insta360 Buying Guide Conclusion
360° cameras and sports cameras have different storage formats, there are some cheap cards that say "Compatible with Ace Pro 2" or "Confirmed compatible with Ace Pro 2" in the product description, honestly, it doesn't mean that it's compatible with Ace Pro 2 and X5 at the same time, please read the product description carefully. It's a pity if you can't keep your important videos because of the wrong memory card 😭.
Selection of Memory Cards., Just click on "Brand", "Capacity" and "Video Speed Rating".If you are worried about buying the wrong one, you can also order directly from the Insta360 official website. I hope this article can help you choose the right memory card for your sports camera.
Use this link to get a free gift, while stocks last.
Below is our Ace Pro 2 review.
