The five criteria
Every camera is scored out of 10 on five weighted criteria. The weightings don't change between cameras or between reviews.
| Criterion | Weight | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Image and video quality | 30% | Sensor size, aperture, stated dynamic range, resolution ceiling, low-light behaviour |
| Stabilisation | 25% | Mechanical versus electronic, horizon lock, behaviour at walking pace and under vibration |
| Battery and durability | 20% | Rated runtime, fast charge, waterproof rating, stated operating temperature |
| Ease of use and app | 15% | Screen visibility and articulation, menu depth, transfer speed, editing app |
| Value for money | 10% | Current verified price against the four criteria above |
Where our numbers come from
Manufacturer specification pages first. Authorised retailers second, for price and for figures the manufacturer doesn't publish. Reputable review publications third, and only where the first two are unavailable — GoPro's own specification pages, for instance, are not machine-readable, so weight figures for the HERO13 Black come from Digital Camera World's published specification table.
Every price carries the date we checked it. Prices move; a review that quotes one without a date is telling you nothing.
What we do when sources disagree
We publish both figures and say which we've used. Insta360's product page lists the Ace Pro 2 at 184g; B&H lists 177.2g. We use 184g because it's the manufacturer's own number, and we note the discrepancy rather than quietly choosing the flattering one.
What "not published" means
When a manufacturer doesn't state a figure that a competitor does state, we say so explicitly. Insta360 publishes a dynamic range figure for the Ace Pro 2 — 13.5 stops. DJI and GoPro publish none for their equivalents. That doesn't mean their cameras are worse; it means you're taking it on trust with them and not with Insta360. That distinction is worth knowing and most comparison content hides it.
Our focus
We cover Insta360, DJI and GoPro, plus the budget brands and the accessories that decide how footage actually turns out. How this site is funded is set out on our affiliate disclosure page.
The method above is applied identically to every camera. The check on whether that's true is simple and we invite you to make it: look for the places where a competitor wins. On this site DJI is recommended over Insta360 for diving depth, for multi-day battery life and for lightest carry weight, and GoPro is recommended for chest-mount POV stabilisation. Those recommendations exist because the specifications support them.
Corrections
We publish corrections rather than silently editing. If a figure here is wrong, tell us — we'll fix it, and note what changed and when.