No, I’ve not abandoned the Fuji system already! In anticipation of me undertaking more travel in the coming years, there’s now two transatlantic journeys next year for starters, I started considering other camera options, shock horror!

The Fuji X-T5 is coming on the first trip, the long planned cruise to Hawaii, because the odds of going there again I suspect are slim. Plus, aside from it being the best camera I have, and regardless of the month, the weather resistant lenses I have for it could be needed.

The second trip is back to Orlando/Disney/Universal (again, groan) with the whole family this time. Not my choice, and I’m groaning because there’s a host of other places I’d rather go before going back again; but such is life.

It’s this second trip that started me thinking about what to take, camera wise, and maybe, just maybe, being able to take one camera. I’ve enough photos of us there taken on film(!) or digitally, be that with Canon, Olympus and Nikon! So there’s no way I’m carting a “proper camera” with me, plus gadget bag etc. With whatever iPhone I might have by then, I’ll definitely manage. Moreover, it was refreshing simply wandering around with just the GoPro on my wrist mount last time we went.

My concern is, and the problem with Orlando’s theme parks in general, is water, or rather the number of rides where the odds of getting soaked are very, very good.

This of course means if you want to take video of your nearest and dearest getting drenched, you either take an action camera, hence the GoPro last time and the Olympus TG-5 ten years ago, or possibly a waterproof housing for your phone or even a proper waterproof housing for your proper camera.

The last option is a non-starter, bulky, a bit awkward and you’d look a rather odd to boot, let alone it’s expensive. I can’t say as I fancy buying a dedicated housing for a mobile that’s liable to be replaced every two years either. So it’s keep the GoPro, or maybe look at a different action camera of some sort, but one that was more adept for use as a stills camera as well.

It’s here I went down yet another rabbit hole, and started investigating options.

Top of my list was a return to Olympus or OM Systems as it is now, and the latest version of the TG-5 I had before, the TG-7. It didn’t take long to realise it’s not changed a great deal in 10 years!

The sensor is certainly the same 12MP 1 1/2.3″, though a few functions have been added via a newer processor, which also makes it a bit snappier in operation. The body has at least altered a bit, gaining more of a grip which it did need, and its switched USB C in place of micro USB, which make life easier than you might think, with everything else now using the same connector.

However, partly because it’s generally regarded as top of the heap in the rugged camera category, and possibly because there’s not a deal of competition to be honest, the TG-7 is also quite expensive for what you get. It’s also more a stills camera that does video, as opposed to the other way around. Yes it’s got 4K output, but it’s not as good or comprehensive in terms of options as any of the action cameras.

It’s also more limited, which could mean be annoying, than you might think on the stills front. The zoom range is good and easily outperforms the action cam mob, but the aperture options are not what you’d call linear and I found it frustrating at times.

There’s also a few complaints of unreliability with the TG-7, especially after immersion in water. This doesn’t surprise me, as I had to get my TG-5 replaced under warranty, after only a few dunks in fresh water, let alone any deeper diving in sea water.

Hence, I cast my net a little wider.

GoPro’s latest offering naturally enough hove in to view, the Mission One series boasts a 50MP 1″ type sensor, shoots 8K video, works with all the accessory mounts I already have, and they’ve released a frame with a shutter button to make it more of a “normal” camera.

But the more reviews I read, the more annoyances people reported that I know full well would irritate the life me too, one crucial one being inability to save stills as a RAW file with certain options set, doubtless the ones I’d use if these creators are shooting stills. Another issue was cost, I may have been able to use my existing mounts, but to get the most out of the camera, I’d need new batteries, at least one additional lens, the new grip frame, etc.

The camera on its own, even on the used market, is also still expensive. Critically though, GoPro as a company have had money problems for a while and have just been taken over, there’s some uncertainty as to what lays ahead, regardless of what the new owners are saying. I moved it to the maybe or maybe not pile.

A couple of hours looking at other options eventually led me to several sites where the creators waxed lyrical about the Insta360 Ace Pro 2. On the face of it, very similar to the GoPro 12 I already have, or at least the more recent GoPro 13. But what became apparent was more consideration seems to have been given to the stills shooter, and into what people wanted to use the system for as a whole.

What made it the prime candidate for me though, was the availability of not one but two grips/frames/mounts, call them what you will, especially the second grip, which is the “Explorer Pro”.

System price sealed the deal! For less than an OM Systems TG-7, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Videography bundle came with the camera itself, the Explorer Pro grip (about £100), a second battery, the cinematic lens (which is £100 or so in it’s own), plus a black mist filter for the standard lens, as well as the neat flip screen hood, and handy for shooting/filing in bright sunlight, like Orlando!

Now all I have to do is get my head round getting the most out of it, and doubtless acquiring a few add-ons…..

For a more detailed look at the Ace Pro 2