10 Best Action Cameras

You are spoilt for choice if you want the best action camera. Many people would just go for the best GoPro, but there are plenty of cheaper, smarter, and better-quality alternatives (but not all three, which is why GoPro is always the highest!).

The GoPro Hero9 Black is the best action camera right now. It is fitted in 5K video at 30fps, is watertight up to 10 meters without a case and has a front-facing vlogging screen. Yet the arrival of the first DJI action camera, the Osmo Action, means that GoPro now has a strong and respected competitor in the action cam market.

Ultimately, choosing the best cam for action will very much depend on what you intend to use it. Do you need maximum resolution, impermeability, shock protection, slow motion, a front-facing screen, or ultimate flexibility? It’s worth taking some time to get to know all these different action cameras and what they offer.

You might get an action camera that is waterproof up to 30 meters per house, or a camera that requires a housing or an action camera that isn’t too waterproof and can batter seriously without breaking up. Maybe wireless features are the most important thing for you or you can use an intuitive app to prize a camera you can control via your phone.

As you know, we also have guides for the best vlogging cameras. Maybe you want to check out our list of the best underwater cameras.

In this article, we have now compiled our best picks from the best cams.

10 Best Action Cameras

1. GoPro Hero11 Black

In spite of the Hero 11 Black seeming identical to every other GoPro released prior to 2019, the device’s hardware and software have been updated, making it a success on all fronts. The new camera features a sensor that is practically square and is quite adaptable. Additionally, the software that runs the camera has been effectively streamlined, and the GoPro companion app, Quik, has also been upgraded. The Hero 11 Black is a terrific addition to the range because it features the best-in-class stabilization, amazing video quality in all but the darkest and dimmest of settings, and some fun new modes such as light painting.

Another noteworthy feature that content creators will like about the Hero 11 Black is its aspect ratio of 8:7. It can record video in a resolution of 5.3 kilobits per second at an aspect ratio of 8:7 at frame rates of up to 30 frames per second, and its footage may be cropped without loss of quality to produce fresh 4K portrait, landscape, and square clips from a single film.

In addition to recording video in the 8:7 aspect ratio, the Hero 11 Black is capable of recording video in 5.3K resolution at 60 frames per second, 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, or 2.7K resolution at 240 frames per second. Still, images with a resolution of 27 megapixels may be extracted from 5.3 k video.

It’s possible that the Hero 11 Black hasn’t made a huge difference in the line’s low-light capabilities. Nevertheless, it has improved GoPro’s product in a major way by introducing a new 8:7 sensor, streamlining its user interface, and enhancing its horizon leveling capabilities. There is nothing else that can do nearly what the 11 Black can do, which makes it particularly intriguing to people who utilize numerous social sites.

2. GoPro Hero10 Black

Hello, and welcome to the most recent and advanced GoPro model. The Hero10 Black is a considerable upgrade, despite the fact that it was released with relatively little fanfare and appears to be nearly identical to the Hero9 Black in all respects. That is all due to the fact that it makes use of the brand-new GP2 processor, which not only doubles the frame rates but also powers the most advanced image stabilization technology that has ever been developed.

The centerpiece is 5.3K video with 60 frames per second, but don’t underestimate the usefulness of GoPro’s new HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization — in all modes. This feature, combined with 23MP pictures and the best-ever low-light performance, round out the package. It was well worth the wait for the Hero10 Black, which comes with a handy connection that allows for the rapid transfer of footage from the camera to the app as well as the automatic uploading of videos and still images to the cloud while the device is charging. Although it is not the least expensive action camera on the market, GoPro has become an industry leader in making rugged, dependable, and extremely effective action cameras; therefore, you do get exactly what you pay for when purchasing one of their products.

3. Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition

Is the Insta360 ONE RS a gimmick or a genuine piece of equipment for shooting films? The ONE RS is the only product of its kind now available on the market, and its target audience is anyone who ordinarily would consider purchasing a GoPro but secretly wishes they could at least experiment with 360-degree video. The fact that its 360-degree lens has not been updated since the first generation indicates that the format has settled into a position where it is a pleasant choice for occasional use but one that does not have very much more development, which is in line with our opinion. The majority of users will rely on the 4K Boost Lens rather than that lens since it offers a wider variety of creative possibilities and because the Insta360 software includes templates that can be used to construct stylish 360-degree sequences from recordings. The second-generation camera wowed us with its significantly longer battery life, the higher definition still images, and a brand-new widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The FlowState stabilization that Insta360 offers is fluid and has recently been improved to be more adaptable. Additionally, the Insta360 app for smartphones has an abundance of AI-powered auto-editing tools.

4. DJI Action 2

GoPro was compelled to rethink its action camera design as leading drone manufacturer DJI introduced a front screen to their first action camera, which was a useful advance for vloggers. The new Action 2 gives the user even more freedom of choice, as it is comprised of a tiny camera core measuring 39 mm by 39 mm that can be used independently or coupled (through a magnetic clip) to other units that provide increased connectivity, longer battery life, and a screen that faces forward. Image stabilization is provided by both RockSteady 2.0 and HorizonSteady, and the sensor in the camera measures 1 / 1.7 inches. Even when connected, it is only around the size of a GoPro; however, the touchscreen on the back is only as large as the main camera unit, which is a significant drawback. The modular system is reliable and has an enormous amount of gadget value (albeit it may get quite hot when charging), and DJI’s Mimo software makes controlling the drone with your phone as simple as possible. Because there is an intriguing new world of accessories (in addition to adaptors for the traditional accessories in the ‘GoPro’ style), it is difficult to ignore this choice as an alternative.

5. Insta360 Go 2

The Insta360 Go 2 is a far cry from the tough adventure cameras that are covered in the other sections of this article. It is a cute and little wearable camera that you can clip to your clothing, snap to a magnetic necklace around your neck, prop up on your own desk in its own holder, adhere to a car dash or window, and a number of other places as well. The lightweight Insta360 Go 2 offers some unexpectedly large features for such a little camera, making it capable of producing one-of-a-kind immersive point-of-view shorts and also worthy of consideration as a minimalist rig for vloggers. This adaptable clip-on camera is more than just a novelty item because it has excellent picture stabilization, a feature called horizon lock, and a battery case that has multiple functions. It is not an action camera in the same sense as the others, but because of its diminutive size, it enables you to shoot things that you previously would not have been able to.