Action camera reviews

The 6 Best Action Cameras - Fall 2022: Reviews

Table of Contents
Intro

Best Camera

Best Mid-Range

Best Budget

Best Cheap

Best Handheld

Best Portable

Notable Mentions
Recent Updates
All Reviews
Discussions

Updated Oct 12, 2022 at 02:18 pm

By Adriana Wiszniewska

If you're planning on shooting action-packed videos, a dedicated action camera can be an invaluable piece of equipment. These tiny, rugged, and often water-resistant models are designed to mount to a wide variety of equipment, from chest and helmet rigs to sports cars and watercraft. A high-quality action camera offers superior stabilization performance, a wide range of frame rates to record everything from simple slice-of-life videos to smooth slow-motion clips, and is rugged enough to keep up with your adventures, wherever they may take you.

We've bought and tested over 75 cameras, and below you'll find our recommendations for which action camera to buy depending on your budget and needs. This list is tailored toward portable action cameras that are mostly designed for POV footage from within the action, but if you're looking for a camera to shoot sports and fast action from afar, take a look at our recommendations for the best sport video cameras. Otherwise, you can also check out our picks for the best GoPro alternatives for more action cam options or the best compact cameras for travel if you want something lightweight to travel with.

Best Action Camera

GoPro HERO10 Black

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Amazon.de

Unavailable
Missing store
Vlogging
6. 0
Action Video
9.0

Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
Waterproof
Sensor Size
Unspecified
See all our test results

The GoPro HERO10 Black is one of the best action cams you can buy, and with the GoPro HERO11 Black out now, you can get the HERO10 at an even better price. The HERO10 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, with a brand-new processor that gives the action cam mainstay a boost in low-light performance, stabilization, and frame rates. With 5.3k video at up to 60 fps and 4k up to 120 fps, this is one of the most capable action cams on the market.
You're also getting GoPro's reliably sturdy build quality, waterproofing down to 33 feet, and a front-facing screen that makes it super easy to see yourself while shooting in selfie mode. If the price is still a little too steep for you, older GoPro models like the GoPro HERO9 Black and even the GoPro HERO8 Black are still available, providing a great cheaper alternative to newer models. You won't get as many frame rate options or a front screen with the HERO8, but they're both reliable and highly effective action cams.

See our review
Best Mid-Range Action Camera

DJI Osmo Action

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Amazon. de

Unavailable
Missing store
Vlogging
6.7
Action Video
8.7

Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
Waterproof
Sensor Size
1/2. 3-inch
See all our test results

DJI is one of the few manufacturers giving GoPro a run for their money and innovating the action camera market in the process. While they've since released the DJI Osmo Action 2, with a unique modular design, the original DJI Osmo Action has a more traditional form factor and makes for an excellent mid-range model.
Before even the GoPro HERO9 Black, the Osmo Action was the first action cam to introduce a front-facing Live View screen, opening up the action camera to vloggers as well as extreme sports enthusiasts. Build quality also rivals the GoPro, with a sleek silver design complete with vents and a built-in heat sink to help prevent overheating. Frame rate options are, of course, more limited compared to the much newer GoPro HERO10 Black—you won't get 5k video here, and 4k maxes out at 60 fps—but this is still a very capable action camera at a very attractive price point.

See our review
Best Budget Action Camera

AKASO Brave 7 LE

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Amazon. de

Unavailable
Missing store
Vlogging
6.4
Action Video
6.9

Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
Waterproof
Sensor Size
Unspecified
See all our test results

If you're on a tighter budget, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is a solid GoPro alternative that won't break the bank. Despite its relatively affordable price point, this camera feels well-built and has an IPX7 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. However, you'll need to put it in the included protective case to get more extensive waterproofing for scuba diving and underwater adventures.
Like the GoPro HERO10 Black and the DJI Osmo Action, the Brave 7 LE has a secondary front screen that's helpful for vlogging. While its stabilization feature works well, it's not as effective as pricier cameras and incurs a massive 1.6x crop. The other tradeoff is in frame rates, which max out at 30 fps in 4k. Don't worry, though; you can still record 120 fps slow-mo footage in 1080p. If you can live with those compromises, this is a great action cam for the price.

See our review
Best Cheap Action Camera

AKASO V50X

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Amazon. de

Unavailable
Missing store
Vlogging
5.1
Action Video
5.7

Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
Waterproof, with included case
Sensor Size
Unspecified
See all our test results

There are plenty of cheap GoPro knockoffs, but the best cheap action cam we've tested is the AKASO V50X. It's a solid camera if you want something highly portable and affordable. It feels cheap compared to the sturdy build of GoPro cameras or even the DJI Osmo Action, and it's only waterproof when you put it in the included protective case.
On the upside, this thing comes with plenty of mounting accessories in the box and has a simple user interface that's easy to use, making it incredibly easy to get out and start shooting. Frame rates are limited, especially compared to the extensive options offered by a top-of-the-line camera like the GoPro HERO10 Black, but you still get 4k at 30 fps and 1080p at 30 or 60 fps. Bottom line: if you're looking for a straightforward camera for action video that won't cost you a pretty penny, this is a decent action cam for the price.

See our review
Best Handheld Action Camera

DJI Pocket 2

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Amazon. de

Unavailable
Missing store
Vlogging
6.0
Action Video
7.0

Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
No
Sensor Size
1/1. 7-inch
See all our test results

Calling the DJI Pocket 2 an 'action camera' might be debatable, but this pocket camera stands out for its built-in gimbal, which lets you shoot buttery smooth handheld footage of action or sports. The gimbal works incredibly well and can stabilize the camera across three axes, which you can configure a few different ways—for instance, to lock the horizon or prevent the camera from tilting and rolling.
Aside from its stabilization, the camera has an active tracking mode that can lock onto a specific subject and automatically follow them. You don't get as many frame rate options as you do with the GoPro HERO10 Black, for one, but the camera's 1/1.7-inch sensor gives it a leg up on most action cameras for video quality and low-light performance. Overall, this is a great portable camera for those who want to shoot stabilized handheld video without carrying a lot of extra gear.

See our review
Most Portable Action Camera

Insta360 GO 2

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Amazon. de

Unavailable
Missing store
Vlogging
4.0
Action Video
6.3

Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
Waterproof
Sensor Size
1/2. 3-inch
See all our test results

If you need something especially portable, the Insta360 GO 2 is the way to (excuse the pun) go. Marketed as the world's smallest action camera, this tiny camera will appeal more to vloggers and content creators than rugged adventure-seekers. However, it's a unique option that can fit into the tightest spaces. It also comes with a magnetic pendant necklace that lets you discreetly shoot chest-level footage.
On top of that, it has some neat features you can access through the Insta360 companion app, including built-in editing features and stabilization that you can apply after the fact. That said, unlike the DJI Osmo Action or the GoPro HERO9 Black, which both fall around the same price point, the GO 2 can't record 4k video, limited to a max resolution of 1440p. Frame rate options are also more limited. Still, if you're looking for an extremely portable, minimalist solution for on-the-go video, it's a nifty little camera.

See our review

Notable Mentions

GoPro HERO8 Black: The GoPro HERO8 Black is an older version of the GoPro HERO10 Black that offers much value. It has the same fantastic stabilization performance found on the latest GoPros, but you can't use its front screen for Live View, and it doesn't have 5k video capability. See our review
Sony RX0 II: The Sony RX0 II is a unique rugged ultra-compact camera, but it comes at a premium price, even compared to newer GoPros like the GoPro HERO10 Black. It stands out for its larger one-inch sensor, providing better video quality, but it isn't worth the price for action video. See our review

Recent Updates

Oct 12, 2022: Restructured article and updated picks to re-align with user expectations and market developments.
Mar 02, 2022: Ensured picks are still accurate and available.
Jan 31, 2022: Verified that picks still represent the best choice for their given categories.
Jan 10, 2022: Reviewed picks for accuracy and availability with no change to recommendations.
Dec 20, 2021: Checked accuracy of picks; no change to recommendations.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best action cameras for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U. S.).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our action camera reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.

Discussions

Insta360 One R 1-inch edition review

TechRadar Verdict

The Insta360 One R 1-inch edition is not as fun to use as a GoPro. But in the right situations, it can produce beautiful 4K (or 5K) video and excellent stills. Snap up the 360-degree and 4K mods and you have an action camera powerhouse on your hands.

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Cons

-
Lengthy clip exports
-
Video processing niggles
-
Small screen
-
Software not hugely responsive

Why you can trust TechRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Two-minute review

Insta360 is one of GoPro's biggest rivals in the action cam world – and the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition fills a hole that GoPro has, so far, left empty.

This version of the modular Insta360 One R has a large 1-inch sensor, just like the Sony RX0 II. But unlike the Sony, the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition has very good stabilization and a menu system that does not seem as if it has been transplanted from a DSLR.

Jump to…

(Image credit: Future)

Price and release date
Design
Stabilization
Shooting modes
Video and photo quality
Workflow
Audio and battery life
Should I buy it?

Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition (Black) at Amazon for $329

The Insta360 One R 1-Inch edition's low-light ability is greater than a GoPro Hero 9 Black’s and its native dynamic range is better than just about any other action camera.

This is because its 1-inch sensor has around four times the light-gathering powers of rivals that have 1/2.3-inch sensors, including all GoPro Hero Black models. The result is that, in both its 5.3K//25p and 4K/60p modes, the One R 1-Inch edition produces sharp, punchy videos.

Its still images are very impressive too, giving you shots that are a cut above those from rivals like the GoPro Hero 9 Black. This is true of both JPEGs and raw files, which give the option of pulling stacks of detail from the shadows without too much resulting noise.

But it's not a complete win for image quality. The Insta360 One R 1-inch edition is also prone to producing some shimmer and fizz in highly-detailed areas, and GoPro's processing is more impressive overall.

(Image credit: Future)

In general, GoPros like the Hero 9 Black are also that bit more fun and simple to use, with Insta360's app and desktop software a bit sluggish when it comes to processing clips. By comparison, we missed the point-and-shoot simplicity of GoPro cameras, while the familiar shortfalls in image processing leave you wondering what GoPro could do with a sensor like this.

Still, if you're prepared to put up with these slight niggles and frustrations, there's no doubt that the Insta360 One R 1-Inch Edition produces some of the best video and photos you can get from an action camera.

Don’t miss our original Insta360 One R review for more hardware impressions.

Insta360 One R 1-inch edition price and release date

The Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition is part of a modular family of action cameras. We reviewed the 4K version of the One R in early 2020, and the 1-inch sensor module was announced at the same time as the 4K one.

It took a while to reach the TechRadar test bench, but you can buy the camera right now – either as a 'Mod' accessory, or with the camera body as part of the 1-Inch Edition.

(Image credit: Future)

Buying the latter, which includes the 1-Inch module and Insta360 One R camera (including the battery and core processing module), costs $549/ £519/ AU$870. But if you already have the Insta360 One R camera, you can also buy the 1-inch 'mod' alone for $299. 99 / £279.99 / $489.99.

Your first reaction to the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition may be the same as ours: wow, that’s a big lens.

However, it's the lens protector that makes it appear huge. This can be unscrewed, revealing the lens glass underneath, which isn’t much bigger than the Insta360 One R’s 360-degree mod.

Why so big? The protective glass needs to extend beyond the lens itself thanks to its wide angle field of view, and the gap between lens glass and lens protector. And Insta360 probably wants it to look very serious and professional, too.

(Image credit: Future)

The actual 1-inch mod itself is only slightly larger than the One R’s 4K one. There’s a little bump at its backside, extending a few millimeters beyond the screen block. It proves, much like the Sony RX0 II, that one-inch sensor action cameras do not have to be huge.

New to the Insta360 One R family? The battery, the part with the screen/controls and the lens/sensor all live in separate blocks. You squish them together, and a clip-on the battery keeps everything in place.

(Image credit: Future)

You’ll need to use the housing if you want the official 5m waterproofing to count. But all the case really does is to keep all the joints tight. It doesn’t add any more rubber seals.

As we noted in the Insta360 One R review, the software here isn’t always the smoothest and the screen is too small (and too square) to make for comfortable composition. But it’s much better than nothing.

Stabilization

Insta360’s stabilization is called FlowState and is the company's equivalent of GoPro’s HyperSmooth.

It’s great, as we found in the Insta360 One R 4K and Insta360 Go. Use the near-native ultra-wide field of view and you’ll still see some motion judder, but the more crop you allow, the smoother it gets. The default 'wide' view is already very smooth even when dealing with the hard motion of running.

(Image credit: Future)

The benefits of the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition’s large sensor come in handy here, too. Use the narrowest field of view in most action cameras and the image will often look quite soft. This is no surprise, as it’s just digital zoom with a bit of geometric correction applied. But the 1-inch sensor handles the crop far better than most, even if there’s actually no more appreciable detail than a crop of the native ultra-wide view, when you dig deep and analyze the frame.

How about low light? No amount of GoPro processing charm can surmount the difference in sensor size between this camera and the GoPro Hero 9 Black. The Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition's low light video is far better than the GoPro’s. It’s brighter, cleaner and more detailed.

(Image credit: Future)

However, set your expectations correctly. Some high-end phones can still shoot better video, even with smaller sensors. In a wider sense, the Insta360 One R’s night video still sucks.

Just because the Insta360 One R has a large sensor, it does not instantly make it a camera you would use to shoot an indie film, using only shoestring lights you bought off eBay.

Shooting modes

The Insta360 One R has the two additional video modes you’d expect from a higher-end action camera: Timelapse and Timeshift. And the latter is more fun to use.

Timeshift increases motion to 16x, for a 'fast forward'-style effect you could use for a quick tour of sights when on holiday.

Once again, the processing involved here happens in the phone app or Insta360 Studio. This is a pain because 4K clips that end up as a minute long take an age to export, whatever platform you use. It still involves processing a lot of video, because it’s created using standard-speed footage. The 16x effect happens in the edit.

The results are good, though. A neat optional motion blur effect fits the image data from several frames into each frame in the final clip, adding visual drama.

On the other hand, Timeshift is a headache compared to GoPro’s TimeWarp. This mode now auto-edits speed changes into the footage based on the relative rate of motion, and you can preview the results right on the camera. But you still have to wait 30 minutes or more on your laptop for the final file to be rendered.

Stills provide no such headaches, apart from the odd time the Insta360 crashed when shooting them. And as we'll see, the 1-inch sensor's still photo quality is a cut above the GoPro Hero 8 Black or 9 Black.

Video and photo quality

Superior image quality is the sole reason to buy the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition over cheaper alternatives, like those you can find in our guide to the best cheap action cameras.

Almost all half-decent action cameras have 1/2.3-inch sensors, including all GoPro Hero Black models. These sensors are around a quarter of the size of a one-inch chip. Four times the light-gathering space gives a camera better dynamic range and low-light ability, while introducing the practical issues of a larger sensor chip and larger lens elements.

As you can see, Insta360 has nailed the size issue, if you’re not put off by the huge protective cover.

(Image credit: Future)

Analyze a Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition still from a 4K video alongside one taken with the 4K mod, and the difference is obvious. When shooting into bright clouds with the sun in view you’ll still see similar minor clipped highlights, because they use similar exposure processes, but the areas of shadow are brighter, cleaner and far more detailed in the 1-inch sensor image.

The 4K mod has lower resolution than the 1-inch one too, 12MP compared to 19MP, but the difference in detail in shadow areas is down to the sensor size more than sensor resolution.

So what does this mean for video? The Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition can shoot at up to 5.3k/25p, or 4K at up to 60 frames per second. And the punch and detail fidelity you get from either of these modes when shooting in bright sunlight is superb.

Footage is contrasty and sharp, with relatively little loss of detail at the corners of the frame compared to the wide-angle camera of a phone.

There’s also much less of one issue that put us off the otherwise very good Insta360 Go, and the 4K mod. Those cameras visibly lose contrast and color fidelity as soon as you head under tree cover. It’s not a true 'low light' scene, but it still causes action cameras problems.

The Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition holds onto its image punchiness far better, and is less prone to in-frame blurring. Most action camera footage turns mushy as soon as the light level drops a little. One reason why GoPro has stayed dominant for so long is because it hangs onto its image quality for dear life in difficult conditions – and the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition holds up as well, without the distressed fingernails.

One classic Insta360 problem remains, though. Take some footage while running or cycling along a path and you may see the gravel detail seem to fizz away in the distance in the final file.

Look at the results frame by frame and you’ll see why. Insta360’s processing will happily let one frame contain a lot more localized fine texture detail than the next, the noise reduction algorithm flip-flopping over whether it’s detail or noise 30 times a second.

This happens no matter the light conditions, and is actually more obvious in bright sunlight. This is where the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition produces the most fine detail through the frame, shining a light on that border between 'noise' and 'detail' all the more clearly.

GoPro has more robust processing than Insta360, and the GoPro Hero 8 Black and GoPro Hero 9 Black are nowhere near as susceptible to this detail shimmer and fizz. The Insta360 app, which you use to export clips, does have a “remove noise” mode, but this does not seem to help matters.

So, is the Insta360 One R 1-inch Edition a dud? No. This image issue is only clear when there’s a lot of camera motion – in other words, it is scene specific, and other aspects of motion handling are good.

When it comes to stills, the 1-inch sensor’s shots are miles ahead of those of a GoPro Hero 8 Black or 9 Black, too.

Even when using the camera’s standard JPEG processing there’s far more coherent detail at dusk. And image quality leaps to another level when you capture DNGs instead and use Lightoom or Photoshop for the processing.

It’s here you really see what the 1-inch sensor is capable of. You can pull stacks of detail out of the shadows, complete with robust color, without ending up with a noisy mess.

Workflow

The Insta360 One R’s workflow considerations are definitely worth bearing in mind, too. To get the best results from this camera you’ll need to import and then export the files through either Insta360’s mobile app or Insta360 Studio for Windows/MacOS.

These perform much of the image processing and stabilization. While there are a handful of popular presets that allow for true in-camera stabilization (at up to 4K, 25fps) you’ll still see the best results when you outsource the work to your computer or phone.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Insta360)(Image credit: Insta360)(Image credit: Insta360)(Image credit: Insta360)

The hurdle here is the time it takes. On a recent mid-range phone you'll be left waiting for what can feel like an eternity for any clips longer than 30 seconds.

A powerful laptop improves matters, but 4K time-lapse clips still take a lot of time to spit out. The Insta360 One R makes us miss the 'shoot and go' simplicity of the GoPro cameras, and highlights how special it is that they perform real feats of stabilization and general image processing in-camera, on the fly.

This is all the more important if you want to be able to do everything quickly from your phone: process, edit and post to Instagram (or your platform of choice). All footage on the camera is shot using H.264: no worries about playback compatibility, but it chews through microSD card space.

Audio and battery life

The Insta360 One R has a stereo mic array, using one pinhole mic on the top of the control module, and another on its side.

Microphone positioning and performance is, predictably, affected by the One R's modular design. While recorded audio is clear, the GoPro Hero 8 Black and Hero 9 Black provide much better positional representation of an environment’s sounds.

Dynamic range of the GoPros is better too, with greater bass depth, and the Insta360 has a noise bed that is quite noticeable if you shoot in a quiet environment.

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, if you’re interested in the higher-fidelity images of the 1-inch sensor module, you’ll probably want to use an external mic anyway. Insta360 makes a 3.5mm mic adapter for the One R – this plugs into the USB-C port and is pretty affordable at $9.99 / £11.99 / AU$16.99.

However, you’ll also want the housing with a cold shoe mounting bracket ($19.99 / £21.99 / AU$48). The one that comes in the box doesn’t have any form of extra mount, because it’s there for the average action cam buyer who uses the built-in microphones.

Use the Insta360 One R with the standard 4K camera module and it is rated for 75 minutes of video capture. This drops to 65 minutes when using the 1-inch sensor cam.

(Image credit: Future)

We captured less than 65 minutes of video from a charge, but only because that involved shooting over a couple of days and a whole stack of clips. And plenty of faffing about with the menus in between.

We’re also glad to see that even though the Insta360 One R’s battery is a whole 'module' rather than a relatively naked cell, extra units aren’t too expensive. You’ll pay $30/£30/AU$50 for one, compared to around $20/£20/AU$35 for a GoPro battery.

Insta360 makes a handy little fast charger dock that tops up two of the batteries at once, too – you can pick this up for $43/£43/AU$69.99.

Should I buy the Insta360 One R 1-inch edition?

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want an action camera for high-quality stills
A 1-inch sensor and support for raw image capture mean this action camera has real potential as a stills camera. It can take beautiful photos if you take time to handle the image processing yourself. And Insta360’s JPEGs are perfectly fine for most uses, too.

You’re more about film-making than action shooting
Slower, more controlled motion lets this camera’s 1-inch sensor shine. Stick to a GoPro or the One R’s 4K camera for fast action, but there are benefits if you want a wide (or just small) camera to help you make short films.

You buy into the modular idea
The 1-inch sensor version of the One R isn’t cheap, but this system lets you use the same battery and brain for a smaller 4K module and a 360-degree one. And neither of those is that expensive next to this 1-inch mod.

Don't buy it if...

You want quick shooting and editing
Only a few One R settings offer true in-camera stabilization. And to get the full effect of Insta360’s FlowState smoothing you need to import clips to an app on your phone or laptop. This is far from instant, and can take a small age for longer clips. Consider the impact on your workflow.

You expect massively GoPro-beating quality during the day
There are several facets to action camera image quality, and the 1-inch sensor does not affect them all directly. We don’t think the One R’s video is obviously superior to the GoPro Hero 8/9 Black’s in daylight, no thanks to a few little issues with how its imaging engine handles far-away detail. The 9 Black’s “Boost” stabilization is better too.

You need a large screen to compose shots
The screens on action camera rivals like the DJI Osmo Action and GoPro Hero 9 Black aren't huge, but they are bigger than the 1.3-inch postage stamp on the Insta360 One R. It's a little too small and square for easy composition, though that's not such an issue if you're fairly confident when framing shots.

These are the best action cameras you can buy right now

Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition: Price Comparison

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Andrew is a freelance journalist and has been writing and editing for some of the UK's top tech and lifestyle publications including TrustedReviews, Stuff, T3, TechRadar, Lifehacker and others.

KP top 7 rating

Until 2006, filming action sports was very different. Bulky camcorders were not waterproof and strong enough. If you wanted to shoot POV video, then it took a lot of effort to make mounts or pendants. Now you can easily attach an action camera to almost any accessory, record your adventures in 4K video with built-in stabilization and share them immediately on social networks.

In addition to video, the action cameras are equipped with many photo and time-lapse modes, real-time streaming and GPS functions. Thus, they have everything you need to capture the interesting moments of life. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right action camera. Consider the best options available on the Russian market in 2022.

Top 7 best action cameras in KP version

1. GoPro Hero 7 Black

GoPro Hero 7 Black. Photo: GoPro

GoPro has traditionally been synonymous with action cameras, and the new Hero 7 Black is their most powerful camera ever. It is at the forefront of modern action camera capabilities.

The main feature of the Hero 7 Black is Hypersmooth. Previous GoPros have had image stabilization, but the Hero 7 Black is the first GoPro that works well enough to smooth out any shaking. Not only that, Hypersmooth is available even when recording 4K video at 60 frames per second.

Hero 7 also boasts TimeWarp stabilization, 12MP HDR photos and live streaming capability. The camera is controlled by a high-quality touch screen that supports gestures for quick navigation through modes and settings.

Main characteristics

9002.

3 mm x 44.9 mm 33 mm 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9002 9 116 g

Video quality	4k / 60fps, 1080p / 240fps, 720p / 240fps
Photo	12 MP
Image	Stabilization	Stabilization Stabilization Stabilization0022	Electronic
Water resistance	10 m
Battery life	to 3 hours
Sizes

Pros and cons

Fantastic 4K quality, hyperSmooth

Expensive

2. GoPro Hero 7 Silver

GoPro Hero 7 Silver

just fit GoPro Hero 7 Silver.

Lacking features like Hypersmooth, ProTune, and the myriad recording modes found on higher-end models, Hero 7 still captures beautiful stabilized 4K footage at 30fps and wide dynamic range (WDR) photos .

Hero 7 Silver offers the same rugged waterproof design and intuitive touch interface as the flagship GoPro. The classic front status screen has been ditched, with a rear touch screen instead, and a flashing LED to let you know when recording is in progress. Weight 94.4 g

Pros and downsides

Decent quality 4K video, Ease of use

Stabilization of the image, intelligent battery

3.

White Gopro Hero 7 White. Photo: GoPro

The entry-level GoPro Hero 7 White is for those looking for a cheap, reliable camera to share their vacation shots and outdoor adventures with.

The

Hero 7 doesn't have 4K, only shooting in FullHD at 1440p/60fps or 1080p/60fps. Stabilization is carried out by the same electronic system as the Hero 7 Silver. With the GoPro smartphone app, video clips can be shared directly to social networks such as Instagram.

Hero 7 White has the same water resistance, the same great touchscreen and soft-touch finish as other more expensive Hero 7 models. It's this rugged design that separates the Hero 7 White from other budget options available on the market.

Main characteristics

9002.

3 mm x 44.9 mm 28.3 mm

Video	1080p / 60fps, 720p / 60fps
Photo	10 MP
Image	Stabilization	Electronic
Water resistance	10 m
Battery life	to 3 hours
Sizes		92.4g

Pros and cons

Budget-priced GoPro build quality, video stabilization

No 4K, non-removable battery

4. DJI Osmo Action

DJI Osmo Action DJI Osmo Action Photo: DJI

DJI is a big player in the drone market, but they are now gaining momentum in the action camera niche as well, vying for the top spot with their flagship Osmo Action.

The rugged design features a unique front color screen that makes it easy to frame when setting up shots, taking selfies or vlogging. This is complemented by a video mode that features automatic face detection for exposure metering, making the Osmo an attractive option for frequent VLOG shooters.

The

Osmo Action can capture crisp, colorful HDR footage at up to 4K/60fps, and DJI's proprietary RockSteady stabilization technology does a great job of smoothing out vibrations. The adaptive rear touch screen makes it easy to navigate through settings or play videos. Weight 134 g

Pros and downsides

Double screen

Lack of stabilization of 4K / 60FPS video, Little battery life

5. Sony FDR-X30009 SONY FDR-X3000R. Photo: Sony

The Sony FDR-X3000R has a custom shape for an action camera, but this allowed the company to bring Optical Steady Shot technology to the world of action cameras.

Optical Steady Shot counteracts camera shake with a gimbal mechanism that moves the entire lens and sensor to stabilize footage. This means full slow-motion stabilization at 4K or 240fps is unaffected by difficult or low light, unlike electronic stabilization.

Although the camera is only IPX4 splash and dust resistant, Sony offers an optional housing that is waterproof up to 60 meters.

Main characteristics

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Video quality	4k / 30fps, 1080p / 120fps, 720p / 240fps
Photo	12 mp
IPX4 sprayed (60 m with an additional case in the kit)
Battery life	to 2 hours
	47mm x 83mm	114	114 g.

Pros and cons

Optical stabilization

Price, custom shape

6. DJI Osmo Pocket

DJI Osmo Pocket. Photo: DJI

While the DJI Osmo Pocket doesn't offer a rugged body, if you're looking for a camera to just record events rather than being part of them, Osmo Pocket is the best option.

It's built around a three-axis mechanical gimbal that can put any electronic stabilization to shame and produce smooth, professional-looking footage. The gimbal has additional party modes in the form of ActiveTrack, which follows the selected subject to keep it in the frame, and Motionlapse to create the perfect panning intervals.

Unsurprisingly, this rotating gimbal mechanism is not very strong and is not designed to be strapped to a helmet and driven downhill in the rain. However, if you're looking for a pocket camera that can take professional vlogging shots, then the Osmo Pocket is a decent choice. Weight 116g

Pros and cons Photo: GoPro

Shooting in 360 is all about creating immersive VR content, and GoPro Fusion's overcapture and stabilization features are just the thing to help you do just that.

When recording a full 360-degree video, you can take it to post-production using the GoPro app to get the perfect shot. Gone are the days of bad framing and missed moments behind the camera. The footage is automatically stabilized in post-production using the Fusion Studio application and produces unrivaled footage.

GoPro isn't alone in the 360-degree camera market, but Fusion has managed to combine a host of useful features, additional sensors, and voice control into the GoPro's classic rugged waterproof design, making it appealing to active sports enthusiasts and creative content producers.

Key Features

to 80 minutes (according to estimates) 9002 9

Video Quality	5.2k / 30fps, 3k / 60fps
Photo Quality	18MP
Image stabilization	post-production
Waterproof	5 m
Battery life
Weight	220g

Pros and cons0003

How to choose an action camera

The most important factor when buying a new action camera is what you plan to use it for. While most cameras can record high-quality video and take photos, it's important to consider what other features you prioritize. The multitude of options for video, photo, slow motion, as well as stabilization, water resistance and build quality make this decision quite difficult.

Almost all action cameras are capable of shooting in Full HD, and modern models can record 4K. If you want to create slow motion, look for cameras with high frames per second (FPS): 240 fps will allow you to slow down shooting by 8 times, and budget cameras at least 2 times.

With the growing popularity of vlogging, today's cameras offer advanced features to achieve the highest quality. Better quality optics, stabilization and sound make a huge difference to video as well as blog posting. Special modes such as GoPro Protune or DJI D-LOG capture more data and provide more flexibility for post-production editing.

There have been some significant improvements in stabilization recently as camera manufacturers try to make content shot in bumpy conditions more enjoyable to watch. Optical stabilization provides the best results, but electronic stabilization, such as GoPro's HyProSmooth, can effectively eliminate shaking. Even budget cameras have the benefit of image stabilization, although you can't expect picture quality to match the top models.

The touch screen is the most popular control method and makes framing, menu navigation and video playback easier. However, touch screens are useless in wet environments or when using gloves, so it's important to make sure that the desired shooting modes are available using the buttons.

Most camera manufacturers offer smartphone apps that allow you to remotely control your camera, play videos, and upload them to social networks. Some apps have editing features to merge clips and add music before downloading.

7 best action cameras for extreme and travel enthusiasts

1 GoPro MAX

Spherical shooting and excellent resolution

The GoPro MAX is in many ways a unique action camera that, thanks to several lenses, can capture 360 spherical shooting degrees with resolution up to 6K. In addition, the camera supports spherical time-lapses, uses an excellent stabilization system and, thanks to six built-in microphones, allows you to capture high-quality sound.

GoPro MAX's rugged housing is water resistant up to 5 meters. At the same time, the camera supports more than 30 types of mounts and is equipped with a 2-inch screen, and its battery lasts for 1.45 hours.

2 GoPro HERO10 black edition

Ultra-efficient IS and streaming without a PC

The latest action camera from one of the leaders in this market turned out to be a very successful solution with an incredibly effective image stabilization system. The new GP2 processor makes the GoPro HERO10 black edition the most powerful camera in the company's portfolio. It supports 5.3K video and can shoot 4K video at 120 fps or Full HD video at 240 fps. With all this, the camera has the ability to broadcast live video without the participation of a computer.

The camera has an additional color screen on the front panel, which is especially useful for bloggers who not only want to capture the world around them, but also show themselves loved ones in it. As for the action itself, the camera has a durable body and can withstand immersion to a depth of 10 meters, and this is more than enough for most users. For the rest, special covers are provided that will make it possible to dive with the camera to even greater depths.

3 GoPro HERO 8 Black

Excellent stabilization, video quality and ergonomics

An old, but still very worthy camera, captivating, first of all, with its relatively affordable price tag. She can shoot in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and Full HD at 240 fps. The TimeWarp 2.0 video acceleration function has been improved - it has become possible to adjust the speed and set the focus on the object. It has a kind of analogue of "live photos" from Apple called LiveBurst.

The proposed set of accessories is also interesting, especially the Media Mod case. It has a built-in microphone and a set of mounts for attaching other accessories such as a flash and an external screen, which will be useful for vloggers.

4 DJI Osmo Action

All-in-One for Video and Photo Shooting Pros

DJI Osmo Action can be a great alternative to the leaders of this rating, while it offers very detailed settings not only for video, but also for photos. The camera body is waterproof to a depth of 11 m, protected from shock and low temperatures. The camera angle is also very good - 145 degrees. Supports 4K video with stabilizer, there is a function of 8x slow motion video, which is especially useful when shooting all sorts of stunts.

One of the features of the DJI Osmo Action is a second screen that allows you to control the plan when taking a selfie. If desired, the camera can be used as a DVR - the loop recording mode is also available. Although it is rather akin to hammering nails with a microscope.

5 Digma DiCam 880

Two screens and 4K support

For about 9000 you can buy an excellent action camera from Digma. This is a new model capable of shooting in 4K at 60 fps. The camera has two screens at once: this makes it much easier to take a selfie, since you see yourself on the screen. The kit, as usual, includes several types of fasteners and a waterproof box that allows you to dive with the camera to a depth of up to 30 m. Also included is a remote control and an external microphone for sound recording.

The camera sensor has a decent resolution of 16 megapixels, so photos should come out with good detail. Digma DiCam 880 uses a traditional Wi-Fi channel to communicate with a smartphone.

6 Insta360 One R

Modular design and 360-degree shooting

Insta360 One R is interesting, first of all, with its modular design. Its body is made up of several detachable elements that allow you to modify the camera for wide-angle shooting or 360-degree panoramic shooting. Moreover, despite such flexibility, the camera body retained water resistance at a depth of up to 5 meters.

The camera supports video recording up to 5. 7K resolution and photo shooting at a maximum resolution of 6080x3040 pixels, and its battery lasts up to 1.1 hours of continuous use. But most of all, we liked the way the camera worked with the “invisible” selfie stick, which gives the full feeling of shooting with a quadcopter. There is also a function for tracking the object when shooting 360 degrees. Even when obstacles interfere with the camera's field of view, it will "pick up" the subject again as soon as it enters the frame.

7 X-TRY XTG330 Smart FHD WI-FI Original Black

Versatility in an unusual form factor

This is not quite an action camera in the usual sense of the term. However, it would be a big mistake not to include the gadget in today's article, at least because of its unusual form factor. In fact, these are dark glasses with a built-in video camera based on an 8-megapixel Sony IMX179 sensor. They allow you to shoot Full HD video at 30 fps and are equipped with 64 GB of internal memory.