You may think that a list of the best action camera would just be GoPro, GoPro, GoPro. But this isn’t the case!
While it’s true the action camera giant does dominate, and you’ll see the best GoPro cameras well represented in our guide. There are loads of fabulous action cameras out there from many different brands.
What’s more, many of them are significantly cheaper than the market leader. So those looking to make a saving would do well to consider their options.
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With all that said, if you’re looking for the absolute best action camera you can buy right now.
Spoilers – we think it’s pretty unquestionably the GoPro Hero9 Black.
This tiny wonder is able to shoot 5K video at 30fps, and is also waterproof down to 10m. Also, taking a cue from one of its biggest rivals.
The DJI Osmo Action it also has a front-facing screen that is perfect for vloggers. Making it easier than ever to record yourself and produce incredible content for social media and YouTube.
DJI is not the only rival on the scene, however. There’s a lot of crossover in this market with other areas like the best 360 cameras. And cameras from the likes of Insta360 are often capable of shooting in action-camera conditions!
This company now makes the modular Insta360 One R Twin Edition, which includes both an action camera module and a 360 module.
Of course, GoPro has hit back with its own 360-degree models. Most recently the GoPro Max, so you really are spoiled for choice
The fact of the matter is that the best action camera will be different for most users! Depending on whether you need the most resolution.
The best waterproofing, the hardiest shockproofing or just the lowest price tag. There’s a wealth of choice out there.
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That’s why it’s great to have a good guide to the best action cameras out there. So you can make an informed choice.
We’ve scoured the internet for our favorite models. We’ve taken into account all sorts of different factors when making our picks, including price.
So you can be sure you’re getting a good deal. We’ll never include a camera we don’t think is worth buying.
If you’re more video-focused, you may also want to check out our guide to the best cameras for vlogging.
Alternatively, we have a list of the best underwater cameras for those who want more options for shooting under the sea.
But for now, let’s get started with our top picks of the best action cams right now. if you do go for a GoPro, make sure you get some of the best GoPro accessories out there too.
1. GoPro Hero9 Black – Action Camera
The ultimate action camera – and now better value
The ante just got upped. If you want the very best action camera around it’s got to be GoPro’s latest flagship.
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It’s true that the brand’s first action camera to feature a vlogging-style front-facing screen won’t be for everyone, but the appearance here also of 5K resolution surely makes it the front-runner.
Even if you’re not after 5K video as such, a new sensor allows you to get 14.7 MP grabs from 5K video, as well as take 20MP stills.
It’s also got a a larger 2.27-inch display than the GoPro Hero8 Black. Super-smooth Hypersmooth 3.0 video stabilization. TimeWarp 3.0 for handheld time-lapses.
A travel case, and an upcoming Max Lens Mod accessory that will bring GoPro Max-style features like 360º horizon lock and an ultra-wide 155º Max SuperView mode.
2. Insta360 One R – Action Camera
The most versatile action camera
With multiple lens options, including 360 and 1-inch sensor modules, the One R offers more creative options than the Hero9 Black.
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The Insta360 One R is unique in that it’s not just one action camera—it’s more like up to three. It has a modular design that lets you swap in different lenses and sensors. Completely transforming how you use the camera and what footage you can get.
The most interesting options are a 1-inch sensor module for impressive (for an action camera) low-light performance. And a 360 module that records everything in a sphere around the camera so that you never miss a thing.
You can record yourself, where you’re going, and your friends, all at the same time. Insta360’s excellent app lets you edit all this footage in far more ways than GoPro’s.
Allowing you to create compelling videos that are unlike what you can get with other action cams.
Battery life is roughly the same as that of the Hero9, though it varies depending on which sensor or module you have equipped.
Overall, it’s not quite as easy to use as our top pick, and with all the bells and whistles it’s more expensive. But for those in search of something different for their social media content, this is the best option.
3. GoPro Hero7 Black – Action Camera
The best budget-friendly action camera
It’s a tad less stabilized, its hyperlapses are less versatile, and you need a frame to use it with mounts. But it’s a lot cheaper.
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If you’re content with not having the latest and greatest, the GoPro Hero7 Black offers much of the Hero9’s performance for a lot less money.
It does pretty much everything the Hero9 does, just not quite as well. To most eyes, and when viewed on most devices, the video you get out of the Hero7 Black camera will look just as sharp and colorful as footage from the Hero9 Black.
However, technically it isn’t as sharp, and its stabilization isn’t as good, so the video will appear a bit bouncier.
(That said, in both cases it’s still better than what you’d get with most other action cameras.)
Unlike the Hero9, you have to keep the Hero7 Black in a frame if you want to mount it, which is mildly cumbersome.
Its battery is also smaller, so it records for roughly 30% less time per charge than our top pick.
4. GoPro Hero8 Black – Action Camera
A great value and smaller, lighter alternative to GoPro’s new flagship
It’s no longer GoPro’s flagship, but if you’ve no need for 5K or a front-facing screen, the smaller, lighter GoPro from 2019 could bee perfect for you.
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A key difference from its predecessors is that there are fold-out feet that means that you have a camera mount built-in.
And then you can accessorize the Hero8 Black even more with a new series of beautifully designed optional extras called Mods. We like the Display Mod, which adds a second monitor that is perfect for vloggers (something built-in to the GoPro Hero9 Black).
These add-ons cost you more. But with a price-cut the Hero8 Black is starting to look like a good value. Option given its excellent 4K video and excellent image stabilization system.
5. DJI Osmo Action – Action Camera
DJI’s entry in the action cam market brings a front-facing selfie screen
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DJI is best known for producing some of the best drones around (and to a lesser degree for its handheld gimbal camera stabilizers). But has turned its attention to the action camera market with the arrival of the Osmo Action.
It look and feels like it has been made to be a direct competitor to the GoPro Hero7 Black. And does a real good job of giving the GoPro a run for its money.
We particularly like the addition of a full-color front LCD display. Which makes it one of the best action cams for selfie sequences or vlogging.
6. Sony RX0 Mark II – Action Camera
The RX0 Mark II gets much needed internal 4K recording
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The Sony RX0 II is expensive but comes with features that make it definitely worth considering.
Being able to shoot short bursts of slo-mo video at up to 1,000fps is one of them. You certainly can’t do that with a GoPro.
And while the RX0 was capable of producing 4K UHD footage only to an external recorder. The RX0 Mark II can record 4K internally (and about time too).
The 1-inch sensor produces beautiful images, whether shooting stills or video. Expands the camera’s low-light efficacy and provides gorgeous dynamic range.
It’s an expensive proposition to be sure. But if you need gorgeous slow-motion footage then there’s nothing better and you’re looking for ultimate image quality above all else. This is one the best action cameras to get right now.
The Sony RX0 II also gets a flip-action front-facing screen. Which makes it much more effective as a premium-quality vlogging and content creation tool.
7. Akaso EK7000 – Action Camera
One of the best-value action cameras around
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The Akaso EK7000 may almost seem too good to be true: a 4K action camera for so low a price? But it really does do what’s advertised, and overall its footage looks pretty darn good.
There are a few tradeoffs when you get an action camera for this price. Probably the most glaring is that you don’t get the class-leading stabilization that comes with GoPro and DJI action cameras as standard these days.
This does mean videos will be choppier, especially if you’re into extreme sports. Also, while it’s waterproof down to 30m with its case, the case does muffle the already not-great audio, so that’s something to be aware of.
You don’t get the same level of quality as you do with GoPro, but for the price, this is a really strong piece of kit.
8. SJCAM SJ8 Pro – Action Camera
A great-value 4K action camera offering surprisingly high-quality footage
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Taking more than a few cues from GoPro, the SJCAM SJ8 Pro provides plenty of the functionality of top-quality Hero cameras but at a significantly friendlier price point.
It’s not only got 4K footage at 60p, but this footage also benefits from six-axis image stabilization, which really comes in handy in action-shooting situations.
The standard GoPro-style mount allows the SJ8 to be mounted to anything you might want to mount it to, and there’s also decent slow-motion if you drop the resolution down to 1080p or 720p.
The waterproof housing is a little clunky in use, with a lever lock system that can be tricky to operate, but this is arguably the best action cam at this price.
Who Should Buy This Action Camera
If you spend a lot of time outdoors and want to be able to relive memorable or particularly exhilarating moments, an action cam is essential.
It can also be an excellent option for vlogging, if you don’t want to invest in a more complicated or expensive rig.
An action camera’s diminutive size, ruggedness, and wealth of mounting options set it apart from point-and-shoot, DSLR, and video cameras.
This makes action cameras uniquely suited to capturing footage from a first-person or first-animal. An action camera has a very wide-angle lens for capturing as much of the slopes or racetrack as possible.
Cheap mounts allow you to attach the camera to a helmet (video), fasten it to the tip of a surfboard, strap it to a hockey stick, or put it on a tripod that’s super close to the action.
However, unlike a rugged point-and-shoot camera, an action camera doesn’t have an optical zoom lens, so what you see is what you record.
On the flip side, rugged traditional cameras lack the mounting abilities, wide-angle lens, and compact nature of an action camera.
Those models are also typically designed to capture stills first and foremost, whereas video is where action cameras shine.
How we picked – The Best Action Camera
Our ideal action camera has the following attributes:
1. Easy-to-use controls:
The last thing you want to worry about while skiing a black diamond slope, cliff jumping, or rafting the Rio Grande is fiddling with camera settings.
An action camera should make adjusting settings and framing shots as easy as possible, so you can enjoy yourself while still getting great footage to share later.
An easy-to-use touchscreen is a must. A live-view front screen so you can easily get yourself in the frame is ideal. Voice commands aren’t required, but a truly great action camera probably has them.
2. Reliable wireless and a good app:
Because you’ll rarely use your action camera in front of a computer, it should easily pair with your phone so that you can off-load and edit footage.
The camera’s dedicated mobile app should be well designed and easy to use, allowing you to control your camera by remote and edit clips on the fly.
Ideally, it also lets you cut and create interesting videos without relying on third-party software.
3. Live-streaming / webcam capability:
Though it’s not important to all people, the option to live-stream adventures to popular social media platforms is key for vloggers, and definitely a nice option to have for everyone else.
Being able to use the camera as a webcam is also handy.
4. Excellent video quality:
A top-tier action camera records crisp, smooth, vibrant video and offers multiple resolutions and frame rates.
We’re looking for a minimum of 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (4K60), and ideally more.
With more resolution, not only is the image sharper, but you can also crop in for better framing, a slight zoom, and so on, without the image looking overly soft.
The best cameras offer up to 8x slow motion (240 fps) at 1080p resolution.
5. Effective video stabilization:
What good is crisp 4K footage if it’s a shaky mess?
The best action cameras use either optical or electronic image stabilization to counteract bumpy trails and running pups for almost gimbal-like smoothness.
6. Rugged design:
Given the extreme environments where action cameras thrive. They need to be able to handle stuff that would take most cameras out of commission. Including sand, dust, water, and even serious impacts.
We preferred cameras with integrated waterproofing. Reinforced glass for the lenses and screens, and other ruggedized features.
7. A removable battery:
Most action cams have similar battery life. About an hour at maximum resolution, and a bit longer at 1080p. Being able to swap out for a fresh battery is essential.
8. A bevy of mounting options:
To get the most out of your camera, you need a few accessories. The ideal action cam is compatible with a wide range of mounts. Including both manufacturer-branded mounts and cheaper third-party options.
These mounts should be as easy to use as the cameras themselves. (Most action cams now feature the standard GoPro-style mount.)
Difference between an Action Camera and a 360 Camera?
Our upgrade pick has the ability to morph into a 360 camera. This type of camera is fairly new to the camera world, and often misunderstood.
When they first arrived on the market, 360 cams offered a unique, if limited, ability to create spherical images that showed everything around them in all directions.
These images could be viewed as is on Facebook, YouTube, and a few other sites. As well as with a VR headset, as though you were standing where the camera was, looking all around you.
Here’s an example. Move or tilt your smartphone to change your viewing angle; on a laptop or desktop, click and drag your mouse to move around the image.)
These days, however, most 360 cameras are used instead as next-level action cameras. Using an editing feature that GoPro calls “OverCapture” and Insta360 calls “FreeCapture,” you record everything in ultra-high-resolution spherical video.
After you’re done, you edit it down to a traditional 1080p video using whatever angles, pans, and zooms you want.
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