How to Film Stunning Nightscapes with Action Cameras This Fall
- gear4greatness
- Sep 20, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 26, 2025
🌌 How to Film Stunning Nightscapes with Action Cameras This Fall
Fall nights have this cinematic pull — that mix of cool air, glowing skylines, and a sky that feels deeper than in any other season. 🍂 I’ve spent countless nights chasing that balance between light and darkness — where the world slows down and the city hums quietly beneath the stars. Whether I’m filming the skyline from The Forks or watching mist roll over the river, there’s a moment each night when everything aligns — the exposure, the color, the stillness — and that’s when magic happens.
This season, I’ve been experimenting with five of the best action cameras for night work: the DJI Action 5 Pro, Insta360 X5, Insta360 Ace Pro 2, the upcoming GoPro Hero 14, and the new DJI Osmo 360. Each one brings its own rhythm to the night. Let me walk you through how I film — what I’ve learned out there in the dark, gear strapped to my tripod, fingers half-numb from the fall chill, waiting for the perfect frame to form.
🎥 DJI Action 5 Pro — Compact Power After Dark
The first night I took the Action 5 Pro downtown, the air was cool enough for my breath to fog up the lens before I even hit record. I wiped it clear, set the camera on a small tripod near the Esplanade Riel Bridge, and dialed in the settings manually.
Best Settings: 4K/30fps, shutter around 1/60s for city scenes, ISO 100–1600 for that clean night glow.
ND Filters: I used the DJI Osmo Action ND Kit (ND8/16/32/64). ND16 is perfect when you want those soft, glowing car trails; ND32 gives neon signs a cinematic glow without clipping.
Battery Tip: I always keep the DJI Battery Case or a small USB-C power bank plugged in — those extra minutes make the difference between catching the perfect car streak and missing it.
That setup gave me reflections dancing on the Red River and skyline lights that looked like jewels. ✨
🌌 Insta360 X5 — My Go-To for Sky Motion
The Insta360 X5 feels like it was made for night timelapses. I used it one evening near St. Boniface, facing the skyline as the stars began to peek through thin clouds. I let it run for nearly an hour, watching the lights pulse and fade.
Best Settings: 8K timelapse, shutter 10–30s for star trails, ISO below 1600 to keep the noise low.
Battery Tip: I attach the Power Selfie Stick with a USB-C power bank in my jacket pocket — it keeps shooting long past midnight.
I remember standing there, the camera quietly whirring, my hands stuffed in my pockets, feeling the calm of the city fall asleep while the footage unfolded in silence.
⚡ Insta360 Ace Pro 2 — Smart Light, Smooth Color
When I filmed with the Ace Pro 2, it was one of those crisp nights after rain — the streets slick and reflecting every streetlamp. The PureVideo mode instantly found the right balance between the deep blacks and warm tungsten tones.
Best Settings: PureVideo at 4K 30–60fps, shutter 20–30s, ISO 800–1600.
ND Filters: The K&F Concept ND Kit (ND8/16/32/64) — ND16 cut the glare from lamps, ND32 tamed the harsh reflections from neon.
Battery Tip: A 10,000–20,000mAh power bank keeps it running effortlessly, especially if you’re layering multiple shots.
I love how the Ace Pro 2 makes even the wet pavement look alive — reflections move like brushstrokes under passing cars.
🚀 GoPro Hero 14 — What I’m Expecting
The GoPro Hero 14 isn’t out just yet, but from what I’ve seen in previews, it’s going to make low-light capture smoother than ever. I can’t wait to test it around Osborne Village when the lights and colors collide after dark.
Expected Settings: Night Lapse in 4K/24fps, shutter 20–30s, ISO capped at 800 for clean exposure.
ND Filters: PolarPro kits will likely drop soon — ND8 for moving traffic, ND16 for detailed skyline shots.
Battery Tip: I’ll keep Enduro batteries and a small power bank handy — nothing kills inspiration faster than a dead camera mid-lapse.
GoPro finally seems to be catching up to the cinematic look creators want, and fall will be its real test. 🍁
🔮 DJI Osmo 360 — The New 8K Night Vision
This camera surprised me. Dual 1.1-inch HDR sensors and a bright f/1.9 aperture make it incredible for low-light scenes. I tested it in a quiet park near midnight — no cars, no people, just fog rolling over the grass and streetlights glowing like lanterns.
Best Settings: 8K timelapse, shutter up to 30s, ISO 400–1600 for clean star trails and faint clouds.
Battery Tip: Its 1950mAh battery runs up to 3 hours in timelapse mode, but I still plug it into a power bank for longer captures.
When I reviewed the footage, it looked dreamlike — stars trailing faintly through soft mist, the trees glowing with faint reflections. 🌲💫
How to Film Stunning Nightscapes with Action Cameras This Fall
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🌄 Final Thoughts
I’ve spent countless nights chasing light that barely exists — and I’ve learned that filming nightscapes is as much about patience as it is about precision. You stand there in the chill, camera humming softly, watching the world move in slow motion. You breathe slower. You start to notice how the air feels different after midnight — colder, clearer, quieter.
The first time I nailed a perfect night timelapse, it didn’t even feel like filmmaking. It felt like I’d captured a secret — a side of the city that only exists when most people are asleep. 🌙 I remember glancing at the footage right there on the path, my gloves off, fingers numb, but smiling like I’d just discovered something personal.
Every camera I use tells the night differently — the Action 5 Pro captures confidence, the X5 captures wonder, the Ace Pro 2 brings elegance, and the Osmo 360 captures mystery. Even the upcoming GoPro Hero 14 feels like a promise — that this art form keeps evolving.
For me, filming fall nightscapes is less about gear and more about emotion. It’s the hush of the city, the glow of light against cold pavement, and the satisfaction of knowing you stood there — in the dark — to catch something the world almost missed. 🍂🌌🎥
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