When you think of a robust little camera to record action cameras, you think of GoPro, right? Well, it's true that GoPro established conventional action camera concept, but the best GoPro cameras are now just one option in a wider world – and at the moment myself – and the rest of the DCW team – can't even call them the best choice for most people!
Of course, GoPro are still up there, because they do well on the key criteria – they are resistant to water and damage, have high resolution, and are easy to operate. They are also easy to attach to your body for all kinds of sports and activities.
Other things that matter, though, are how good their image looks in various lighting conditions, whether they work with external microphones, and how good any related apps are, and whether there are any long-term costs like subscriptions (something GoPro are especially guilty of).
Value, in general, is an important factor which is why I made the tough choice to place the newest GoPro behind its predecessor! Read the entries and I think you might agree with me!
One final thing, point before we get to where the action is (sorry). I urge you to think a bit about what – exactly – you want to do with the camera; even in this seemingly similar genre there is a variety of size, weight, and functionality. If you're attaching to a helmet, for example, a screen is less important than a low weight, while vloggers need a front monitor and, ideally, microphone connectivity.
We also keep another guide devoted entirely to budget action cameras).
Adam is a big fan of action cameras, especially for drones (he's our drone guy – and the author of bestselling books including The Drone Pilot's Handbook). He's also been known to find ways to attach them to his bike and even snowboard (no, really), plus he owns and travels with a 360-degree camera, and tests as many as he can get his hands on.
Top Picks
Best action camera overall
Matching most of the features of the GoPro, albeit at 'only' 4K, the Osmo Action 4 boasts a bigger image sensor so performs better in lower light, making this our favourite at a pinch.
Best 360 action camera
This is an 8K 360-degree camera, which lets you see everywhere and aim the shot later. That's amazing for action. It's also an great 4K action camera (two of them), and very rugged.
Best GoPro for most users
If you want the best balance of features, the previous GoPro Hero 11 boasts GPS to record your speed as well as the same 8:7 image sensor and 5.3K video as the newer Hero 12.
Best action cam for editors
With high resolution (though no better than the Hero 11) and excellent features for editors, including Bluetooth mic support and HDR, plus a neat tripod mount, pros should investigate.
Best mini action camera
Compact action cameras are ideal for FPV drones or helmet mounts and, like many, this sacrifices the display to maximise the battery. Fold-out mounts improve portability and mountability.
Best budget 4K action cam
With a waterproof body, 4K at 60FPS, and electronic image stabilization, plus a pile of accessories (including a spare battery and remote control), this has a lot going for it.
The best action cameras in 2024
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Best Overall
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✅ You want to shoot in all conditions: Being able to work in low-light beats most action cameras
✅ You want a front touch-screen: The dual monitors are both touchscreens for control
❌ You want high-res slow-mo: Sadly the 240fps flow-mo is only 1080P.
❌ You want to re-purpose video across platforms: With the DJI the cam can be rotated, but some might prefer to re-edit to different platforms from 5.3K
I have to admit that I find myself a bit surprised to choose this camera, rather than a GoPro, for the top of this list, but for most adventurer-creators, the Osmo Action 4 is the perfect balance of quality and price. The stabilized 4K video looks great and the camera can take a lot – not just rough and tumble but temperature extremes too, and it's waterproof to 16m without a case. Best of all, it has a larger image sensor than any GoPro, so it is better in lower light, making it more flexible.
Once, GoPro tried to take DJI's territory by producing a drone – the result, the Karma, was years behind the game and a catastrophe for the company. DJI's first Action camera came in 2019 and was close to GoPro (with no worries about falling out of the sky). Now, for my money, DJI have overtaken action camera company.
How can that be when GoPro have 5.3K to DJI's 4K? Well, since you're likely to end up viewing 4K, that is moot. What this camera does bring is a bigger imaging sensor at 1/1.3-inch which means it works better in low light. If you like going in caves, or, frankly, shooting video indoors (or in England during the 11 months of winter).
It's easy enough to see that on a spec sheet, but that comes across when I tried darker scenes with the image stabilization turned on – whether it's the better sensor, better electronic image stabilization, or both it's hard to know, but it's clear.
Video-wise, you'll also see video seems more natural rather than over-saturated, perhaps helped by the dedicated sensor. The camera also has the D-Log M flat profile, which makes color grading easy (especially if you're matching with drone footage).
In terms of attaching, the camera doesn't have fold-out clips; instead it has a clip that magnetically aligns (and is strong enough for motorcycling) so you can more easily attach and detach it (though you might find yourself wanting more of the magnetic attachments).
The fact that Action 4’s isn’t interwoven with subscription software is one I and many will wholeheartedly appreciate, too. There is still an app for simple control via your phone, and another for editing – it's clean, simple, and easy to use.
Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review for more depth.
Best 360 action camera
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✅ You want 360 video flexibility: 8K is brilliant for 360-degree video, so you can re-direct the camera after the fact and get good resolution.
✅ You want the choice: Thanks to the one-camera mode, it works as a good 4K60fps action camera
❌ You are on a tight budget: A 360-degree camera isn't the cheapest option, but if you're interested check our 360-degree cameras guide.
❌ You want top-notch low-light: With 1/2-inch sensors the HDR is good, but low-light performance is only so-so.
One of the biggest problems with shooting action is aiming the camera, so what if you could do that afterward? That's the basic thinking behind a 360-degree camera. Beyond that, though, there is a lot more.
There are times when handling even an action camera's wide-angle lens becomes a problem, and that's where a 360-degree action camera can step in. With two back-to-back lenses and enough smarts to eliminate a selfie stick from the footage, this almost magic camera can capture an image from a point within reach looking any direction you see fit.
The Insta360 X4 isn't just a resolution boost over the X3, it also fixes a ruggedness issue. Both cameras are waterproof in body to 10m thanks to smart doors, but the X4 has removable lens covers which make the device more flexible and overcome one of my main worries.
Something I have done with the X3, and can be done with this camera too, is to use Insta360's custom bike attachment – which holds the camera a little way in front of your bike on a carbon pole, over the front wheel. I was amazed at the footage which makes it look like I'm cycling toward a perfectly controlled drone. Better still, by syncing the camera with my phone you can draw GPS data and have it overlaid, in the form of a speedometer, by the Insta360 app before sharing.
And that's the other crucial aspect of the Insta360 offering. The company has created an excellent phone app so you can edit on the go – redirecting the camera's aim or relying on AI to track your subject. For more serious uses, they have also created a Mac/Windows app and plugins for Final Cut Pro & Premier.
The upshot is that this is very definitely an action camera, and offers angles and styles of action which have the potential to put you ahead of the pack.
Read my full Insta360 X4 review for more details
Best GoPro for most users
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✅ You share across platforms: If you edit the same clip across platforms the 8:7 sensor will help you
✅ You want to record your speed: This is the last GoPro with built-in GPS, a great feature for recording your movement
❌ You want external microphones: GoPro will need you to buy an external media mod to connect a microphone
❌ You want to shoot in low light: GoPro cameras don't love working in lower lighting.
Despite the Hero 11 Black not being the newest model, GoPro dropped the GPS functionality in the newest model which is something of a shame. For me, as a sometime cyclist, this was one of my favourite features.
You might think that the GPS was removed to save on costs in the newer Hero 12, and that camera does gain HDR recording, but otherwise this is the iconic GoPro with 5.3K recording, image stabilization (HyperSmooth 5.0), horizon lock, horizon levelling, the ability to capture high-res 240fps at up to 2.7K, is essentially the same.
Both have an 8:7 image sensor. You can opt to crop to a more normal 16:9 video proportion when shooting, or record the full 8:7 shape (all 5312x4648 pixels - that's 23 megapixels, and the stills are up to 27). In both cases the camera can capture it at up to 5.3K at 30fps (4K at 60fps).
For me, the logic of recording 5.3K in the nearly-square proportions of 8:7 makes the most sense if you're going to be cropping into different shape for assorted social platforms. Given just how many pixels are on the sensor, as well as getting a 23MP pic, the footage can be cropped losslessly for 4K portrait, landscape, and square clips from a single video.
The external design hasn't changed much since 2019, but the camera's software has been simplified successfully, and GoPro's companion app, Quik has also been improved.
The electronic image stabilization is excellent (unless you're working in lower light), and the camera has a lot of nice features like Hindsight (capture 30 seconds before you hit the shutter), live streaming, webcam mode.
With best-in-class stabilization, great-looking video (until things get dimly lit or dark), and some fun new modes like light painting, the Hero 11 Black is an excellent addition to the line. The Hero 11 Black's 8:7 aspect ratio is also a standout highlight for content creators. Able to shoot in 5.3K resolution, 8:7 video at up to 30fps,
On top of 8:7 video, the Hero 11 Black captures 5.3K resolution video at 60 fps, 4K resolution video at 120 fps, or 2.7K resolution at 240 fps. You can also grab 27MP stills from 5.3K video. Overall this is particularly appealing to folks who use multiple social platforms, and GoPro does have good software (though it'll definitely spend time trying to upsell you its subscription plan).
Read our full GoPro Hero 11 Black review for more details and GoPro Subscription explained: what you get, and is it worth it?
Best action cam for editors
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With a relentless release schedule coming out every year just like the iPhone, you might expect more and more features every year, but this year the GoPro has surprised us. They actually took something away – the much loved (but only by a few we're told) GPS. This allowed to you to record motion metadata to extrapolate speed information. If you want that, look back to the GoPro Hero 11 Black (which, for this reason, remains our favourite GoPro).
The 27-megapixel camera, on the other hand, has remained the same – the adaptable 8:7 sensor with 5.3K60 and the lens with a mod allowing up to 177-degree field of view. It's good, though it doesn't love low light any more than the Hero 11 Black.
There are some advantages to the Hero 12, however, though they are a bit niche. The internal rearrangement has made it last longer before it overheats. Bluetooth audio support means you can narrate your action from headphones with built-in microphones like AirPods, and pros will appreciate the arrival of Timecode Sync and GP-Log and LUT support.
Please read our full GoPro Hero 12 Black review.
Best mini action camera
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With no displays and a smaller form factor than the Hero 11, this version of the GoPro is well suited to those needing to save on size and weight – it's especially useful for FPV drone pilots or cyclists who don't want something pulling their helmets down. Since few extreme sports will actually allow a lot of time for shot composition, many will have little reason to opt for a more complicated device – video can be reviewed afterward using the GoPro Quik app, or the card downloaded to a computer for editing.
Though we're no fans of the subscription system GoPro is so keen to push users toward, we can't deny the quality of the device and the common sense behind things like the fold-out action-camera fittings and the ability to run continuously from a USB-C power pack.
Read our full GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review for more details
Best budget 4K action camera
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If you’re looking for one of the best GoPro alternatives(opens in new tab) for all-round basic use then the Wolfgang GA400 action camera (US$119.99 / £119.99) should be on your radar.
Boasting 4K 60fps video and up to 20-megapixel stills, it appears to match its much pricier rivals both on resolution and by having a natively waterproof chassis. It’s loaded with accessories and easy to use yet it lacks some crucially important characteristics that flagship action cameras alone offer.
With good quality, if imperfect, 4K video and good 20MP stills, the GA400 makes a great alternative to one of the big brands of action camera if you’re after results a level below the cinematic quality offered by the leading action camera brands. At this mid-range level, the build quality is excellent and the touchscreen is responsive while the onscreen menus are intuitive and easy to use.
Read our full Wolfgang GA400 review for more details
Best modular action camera
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Some action and some vlogging need a smaller camera to get closer to the action, get a near perspective, or be clipped to your clothes in a way that just doesn't draw too much attention. The tiny Go 3 is perfect – especially since, in late 2023, a matte black option was released to join the white model.
The tiny camera can fit into the ActionPod body, and is held magnetically. The case houses another battery and a 2.1-inch flip-up touchscreen. It is also, effectively, the camera's charging dock. My colleague Jamie, who tested it, did note that the f/2.2 sensor prefers better weather (who doesn't?) but versatility is what you're paying for with this ultra-lightweight camera. The built-in memory is re-assuring too (no water ingress point), and the image stabilization is good.
I've also had good experiences with Insta360 software, which has great editing features, and it's reassuring that even since release firmware updates have brought extras like the ability to use an Apple Watch as a remote, or the cam as a webcam.
Incidentally, Insta360 have even more recently taken this flip concept to a high-end 8K action camera I really like, the AcePro, while the magnetic concept was also tried by with their Osmo Action 2. That high-concept form factor, however, seems not to be being pursued by DJI while the Go 3 is very much alive.
Read our full Insta360 Go 3 review and see sample video
Best gimbal-stabilized action camera
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Is the DJI Pocket 3 an action camera? Well, it's not rugged and waterproof, but given a lot of action cameras are used in the hand on selfie sticks, this is a sensible option to consider. It is easy to use, and has a usably big touchscreen with the third iteration. There is no questioning the superb stabilization, clever 'follow' modes, and flip-around selfie shooting.
There’s also a handy ultrawide lens attachment that, admittedly, definitely drops quality, but adds a field of view. There is also the option of buying in a combo with a DJI Mic 2 that adds a Bluetooth microphone making this an ideal tool for vlogging (the 3 built-in mics can also help cancel the ambient noise). The 1-inch sensor handled mixed and low light well in our tests too.
That aside, the convenience, versatility, and stabilization offered by the DJI Pocket 3 can’t be overstated. After all, nothing much can do all the things it can and still slip into a jacket pocket. You can even connect wirelessly to your smartphone and get big-screen control and playback via the DJI app.
Read our full DJI Pocket 3 review for more details
Best budget action camera
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If you need a front screen for vlogging – or to ensure you stay in the shot as you film yourself skiing down a slope with a selfie stick – then this is a bargain buy. It has the same killer feature found on the GoPro Hero 9 and the DJI Osmo Action, but the second screen comes at a fraction of the cost.
You get 4K shooting and 20-megapixel stills - plus a capable 6-axis image stabilization system. There is a good range of accessories in the box too - including a second battery, mounts, and underwater housing. Note, though, that unlike with many rivals you need to use this housing before you take your action cam into the water.
Read our full Akaso Brave 7 LE review for more details
FAQs
What is an action camera?
Action cameras is a catch-all term for those designed to be used in rough conditions to capture the action from scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and other activities. Because the cameras are rugged, and usually allow for slow-motion and time-lapse, there are plenty of other uses too.
What is the best low light action camera?
Good question. Cameras designed to capture fast-moving images – especially slow-motion – keep their shutters open for very short periods, which isn't good for low light. The other solution, a big image sensor, means you need a big heavy camera and lens which is also not ideal here. So, as a rule, no action cameras are brilliant at shooting in very low light. That said, the GoPro Hero11 Black has made some notable strides in that area, as has the DJI Osmo Action 3.
Are action cameras good for photography?
Not always. It's easy to knock a small camera when shooting, so you'll need a good support. Secondly some don't even support still shooting – including the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini. In bright conditions it might be preferable to keep shooting video and select stills in post, but it's worth remembering that this may be forced upon you!
Is a GoPro better than a phone?
Although some of the latest phones, like the iPhone 14, have image stabilization like a GoPro or other action camera, do you really want to risk breaking your phone? Action cameras have a rugged and compact build which makes them harder to break, and GoPro, for example, has a Pro Tune feature to help get a more professional looking image, too.
Introduction to action cameras
DJI is perhaps GoPro's best-known rival, but certainly not the only one. There's a lot of crossover in this market with other areas like the best 360º cameras, and the newly updated modular Insta360 One RS Twin Edition includes both an action camera module and a 360 module – it's two cameras in one!
Don't forget that there are older models (back to GoPro Hero 8) on sale at reduced prices. Or, for a completely different take on the concept of action cameras, check out the amazing offerings from Insta360 also on our list. We thought we'd also throw you a curve ball with the DJI Pocket 3. It's not a rugged go-anywhere camera like a GoPro, but it's a pocket-sized gimbal camera with stabilization, 'follow' modes, and image quality way beyond what its size suggests.
These action cameras aren't the only way to record your adventures. For a step up in quality, check out our guide to the best cameras for vlogging.
But for now, let's get started with our top picks of the best action cams right now…
How we test action cameras
We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and, for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range.
More important – especially with action cameras – is real-world testing. We compare results against similar models that we have tested in similar conditions. I like cycling, for example.
One reason real-world testing is so important is only by testing in situations with real action can we get a sense of how the image stabilization systems work. It also offers a good idea of how the image handles light levels.
How to choose an action camera
Choosing an action camera involves balancing several factors. One is, inevitably, price. Others to keep your eye on are:
- Subscription – This is a modern issue; GoPro (and, for now, only GoPro) will seek to charge you for a cloud service that unlocks some features. Are these features worth it to you, and are there better alternatives that won't incur an ongoing cost? DJI's Osmo Action 3 becomes very tempting at this point.
- 360-degree – We have a complete list of 360-degree cameras, of which the Insta360 X3 is probably the most accessible. It's an alternative worth considering; the lenses are more exposed, but you capture footage all around the camera.
- Control – Do you need a screen to control the camera, or will you be happy using your phone? Will you have to take gloves on and off to start shooting while keeping your feet in snowboard bindings?
- Stills mode – Not every camera has one, so will you need it?
- Resolution – Numbers above 4K are impressive, though you'll likely end up editing down to 4K, where most better TVs are. It still helps have some room to crop though!
- Slow-motion – If you'll want to slow down some cool moments of action, see what the highest frame rate available is. 240fps will let you go half the speed of 120fps.
Read more:
The 30 best GoPro accessories
The best waterproof cameras
The best 360 cameras
The best travel cameras
