Can Action Cameras Replace Your Point-and-Shoot?

What if a $99 grip could turn your action camera into a legitimate point-and-shoot? Insta360's new Xplorer Grip Pro for the Ace Pro 2 is testing that exact proposition—and the results might surprise anyone who's written off dedicated cameras in the smartphone era.

The Unexpected Photo Shooters

Insta360 discovered something interesting about action camera users: many buy them for video but end up using them primarily for photos. Reviewer Scott Gilbertson admits his GoPro footage sits "collecting dust on external hard drives" while he regularly uses action cameras for still photography.

This insight led to the Xplorer Grip Pro—a $99 accessory that adds 7.1 ounces but delivers 5+ hours of extra battery life and transforms the handling experience. The grip features a programmable dial and large, customizable shutter button that makes the Ace Pro 2 feel more like a traditional camera than an action cam.

Beyond the Smartphone Camera

In an era where smartphone cameras capture 108MP images and offer computational photography magic, why would anyone want a separate camera? The Ace Pro 2's50MP sensor from a tiny 1/1.3-inch CMOS can't compete with full-frame cameras on pure image quality. But it offers something smartphones struggle with: specialized durability.

Waterproofing is the obvious advantage. While a weather-sealed mirrorless camera system costs thousands and still requires expensive housing for water use, the Ace Pro 2 can go straight from paddleboard to pocket. The Leica Summarit lens (13mm equivalent, f2.6) also provides ultra-wide angles that create dynamic compositions difficult to achieve with phone cameras.

There's also the simplicity factor. Handing someone a smartphone means potential distractions from notifications, apps, and settings. An action camera in photo mode with auto exposure? Just point and shoot.

The Technical Reality Check

The Ace Pro 2 isn't without limitations. The auto-exposure system favors lowering shutter speeds over raising ISO, often dropping to 1/15 second and causing camera shake. There's no minimum shutter speed setting, forcing frequent manual mode use. Image quality degrades noticeably above ISO 800.

However, the camera's 13.5 stops of dynamic range and RAW support (.dng files) provide surprising flexibility. Post-processing can recover about two stops of exposure—not mirrorless-camera good, but impressive for an action cam.

Market Implications

This trend reflects a broader shift in consumer electronics. While smartphones absorbed many dedicated device functions, we're seeing specialized tools carve out new niches. Action cameras becoming photo-focused mirrors how smartwatches didn't kill fitness trackers—they created space for more specialized health monitors.

For GoPro and DJI, this represents both opportunity and challenge. If users want photo-centric features, future action cameras might need variable aperture lenses (like DJI's recent addition), better exposure controls, and more photography-focused accessories.

The camera industry, meanwhile, faces questions about the middle market. If action cameras can handle casual photography and smartphones dominate everyday shooting, where does that leave traditional point-and-shoots?

The Specialization Paradox

We're witnessing something counterintuitive: as devices become more capable of doing everything, there's growing appetite for tools that do one thing exceptionally well. The Ace Pro 2 with grip isn't trying to be the best camera—it's trying to be the best camera for specific situations where durability, simplicity, and ultra-wide angles matter more than ultimate image quality.