The Best Action Cameras To Capture Some Sweet Moves

Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 27 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3-inch (rear touchscreen), 1.4-inch (front)

Best for: Vloggers who battle the elements.

The GoPro Hero 12 Black is GoPro’s latest and greatest action camera and though it isn’t a giant upgrade over the Hero 11 Black, it’s our top choice. Like the Hero 11 Black it has a maximum 5.3K resolution in an 8:7 aspect ratio, but the Hero 12 can also hold this aspect ratio whether you’re using time lapse mode, night lapse mode or Timewarp, making it easier to edit together footage with a uniform aspect ratio.

The Hero 12 has also been upgraded with HDR support, additional power efficiencies which allow for 5.3K video recording for up to 70 minutes on a single charge. Improved stabilization should make footage shot on the Hero 12 that much smoother, and if you want to listen in to the action, you can connect your Airpods or other wireless Bluetooth headphones directly to your GoPro Hero 12 Black. The overall picture quality is excellent, and the waterproofing is great for underwater filming. The GoPro brand is well lauded for a reason, and the Hero 12 Black is the latest and greatest model.

Pros:

• Amazing image quality for video and photos
• New HDR support makes footage richer and more vibrant
• Bluetooth support lets you connect wireless headphones

Cons:

• Not a substantial upgrade for GoPro Hero 11 Black owners

Video resolution: Up to 5.7K at 30fps | Still image resolution: 48 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 16 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C | Display size: 1.3-inch LCD

Best for: A one-stop-shop for capturing action videos and 360-degree perspectives.

The Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition is more expensive than other action cameras, but it’s really two cameras in one since it comes with two different lenses. It has a unique, snap-together modular design made of three pieces—a battery base, an interchangeable lens and the touchscreen display for framing your shots. The Twin Edition comes with both the 4K Boost lens (without lens cover) found in the $300 Insta360 ONE RS and a 5.7K 360-degree lens. With the 4K Boost lens, the camera captures still images at up to 48 megapixels.

You can position the touchscreen display to face forward or backward, depending on what and how you’re shooting. The camera comes with a mounting bracket to easily attach it to a selection of optional accessories—including the Insta360 selfie stick, which the camera can automatically remove from your images and video footage. Another convenience: The camera can wirelessly transfer content to a mobile device or computer to edit and share. The rechargeable battery lasts between 60 and 80 minutes, depending on the shooting mode.

Pros:

• Unique modular design
• Includes 360-degree lens
• Capture still images at up to 48 megapixels

Cons:

• Protective rubber lens cover (recommended) sold separately
• Few specialty mounts available

Video resolution: Up to 4K at 120fps | Still image resolution: 10 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 59 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth | Display size: 2.25-inch (rear-touchscreen), 1.4-inch (front)

Best for: Quickly changing mounting position while recording.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is an excellent action camera with some impressive features, but its image quality really stands out as a game changer for this brand. Priced and specced to compete with the best action cameras available today, it brings the fight to even long-standing lines like GoPro with its mix of performance and convenience. Along with its great quality video, it has a unique magetic mounting system which makes it super easy to get it setup and working, whether you’re filming from a tripod or just a conveniently placed metal surface, like your bike’s handlebars, or your helmet. Swap between locations in a flash with this quick and easy detach system, making the Osmo Action 4 incredibly versatile.

The wide angle lens gives it a great field of view, really capturing the action, and it can record up to 4K 120 FPS footage. It also has one of the most impressive waterproofing depths we’ve seen in any action camera. The standard camera can last up to 60 feet underwater, but if you put it in the waterproof case it can go all the way down to 196 feet—more than enough for all but the deepest of divers. The battery lasts an impressive 2.5 hours, but better yet, you can recharge it to 80% in just 18-minutes, getting you back in the action quicker than ever before.

Pros:

• Incredible water resistance up to 60 feet
• Quick release magnetic mounting system is super versatile
• Excellent touchscreens provide nuances control

Cons:

• Lower maximum resolution than other brands
• Lower still-image resolution

Video resolution: 360-degrees, up to 5.7K at 30 fps; standard, 4K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 72 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 32 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB Type-C| Display size: 3-inch (rear touchscreen)

Best for: Sharing the world around you at its fullest.

The Insta360 X3 packs impressive functionality for a compact camera. At the top of its features list is the camera’s ability to shoot stunning, immersive and extremely smooth 360-degree video at up to 5.7K resolution. Besides image stabilization, the camera has a built-in six-axis gyroscope. The X3 also shoots traditional 4K video with a wide field of view, along with detailed and vibrant still images at an impressive 72 megapixels.

The X3’s vertical design makes it easy to hold and operate with one hand. Alternatively, you can use the optional Insta360 selfie stick. When you do, the camera automatically edits out the selfie stick from your content; or you can mount the camera to your body or equipment. The X3 has the usual shooting modes you’d expect in an action camera, among them active HDR, time-lapse, time shift and loop recording. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 81 minutes of continuous shooting.

Pros:

• Easily capture 360-degree video
• Shoots still images at 72 megapixels
• Large rear touchscreen display

Cons:

• Few optional mounts

Video resolution: Up to 4K at 60fps | Still image resolution: 64 megapixels | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: Small touchscreen LCD (rear)

Best for: The best video stability for non-hazardous conditions.

The DJI Pocket 2 camera is not rugged like the typical action camera, but its small size and light weight make it perfect for vlogging and capturing life as it happens. It has a vertical design, with a tiny touchscreen display in the center and a small camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal at the top. This physical gimbal counteracts camera motion to produce consistently smooth video. Its design is conducive to hold in one hand; or you can use a mount for hands-free use. The Pocket 2 captures 4K video at up to 60 fps, with four-channel audio recorded from its four microphones. Plus, it captures stills at up to 64 megapixels.

The small display is just barely enough to adjust camera settings and frame your recordings. You can tilt and pan the camera with a useful joystick add-on that’s part of the Creator Combo, which also comes with accessories such as a wireless microphone transmitter and microphone windscreen. The 20mm wide-angle lens provides a 93-degree field-of-view, with digital zoom from 2x for 4K video or up to 4x for 1080p. The camera’s specialty shooting modes include panorama, glamour effects, motion-lapse and hyper-lapse for additional creative angles; and it flips around on the gimbal for first-person vlogging. Weighing just 4.1 ounces, this versatile camera is light enough to keep in a pocket and always have on-hand, ready to shoot. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 140 minutes of continuous shooting. It can’t withstand the elements, but it’s an ideal fast-draw option for other situations.

Pros:

• Easy, one-handed operation for vlogging and filming
• Built-in gimbal
• Shoots up to 4K video at 60fps

Cons:

• Waterproof case sold separately ($55)
• Not designed to withstand harsh climates

Video resolution: Up to 4K at 120fps | Still image resolution: 12 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 32 feet without optional case | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display Size: 1.8-inch touchscreen

Best for: Mounting on tiny objects or spaces.

The DJI Action 2 Power Combo is a 1.5-inch square cube that fits in your palm, as well as creative mounting point for new shooting perspectives that bigger cameras can’t handle. On one side is a lens and on the other is a small touchscreen display. Embedded magnets can pair with a range of optional accessories, such as the Front Touchscreen Module (ideal for vlogging) or Macro Lens. The camera can capture 4K video at up to 120 fps with a field of view between 84 and 155 degrees. Its four built-in microphones capture audio from all directions.

While still image resolution is just 12 megapixels, the camera’s small design enables shots from unique angles and perspectives. The Action 2’s rugged housing is dustproof and waterproof, so you can use it just about anywhere. Its rechargeable battery lasts for up to 160 minutes. With unique mounts (sold separately) you can wear the camera around your neck (at chest level), around your head, or mount it on a tripod.

Pros:

• Physically smaller than competing action cameras
• Waterproof, dust proof and drop proof
• Shoot 4K video at up to 120 fps

Cons:

• Low still image resolution
• Optional DJI accessories can get pricey

Video resolution: Up to 4K at 30fps | Still image resolution: 20 megapixels | Waterproof rating: IPX8 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2-inch touchscreen LCD (rear), small display (front)

Best for: Budget-conscious sports and adventure vlogging.

The Brave 7 is an economical way to capture vibrant video and stills in a compact, adventure-ready package. Akaso creates action cameras that look and perform very much like GoPro’s Hero at a lower price, but without the services you get with the GoPro. The sports-optimized Brave 7 doesn’t match the shooting flexibility of the GoPro Hero 11 (the newer, and more expensive, Akaso Brave 8 ($290) comes closer to that GoPro model). However, the slightly older Brave 7 still packs a powerful punch, capturing 4K video at 30 fps using six-axis electronic image stabilization. The shooting modes include time-lapse and slow-motion video. The camera even lets you choose from four shooting perspectives (70, 110, 140 or 170 degrees).

The Brave 7 has a 2-inch rear touchscreen and a smaller front-facing display for framing vlogs. Housed in a sturdy IPX8 waterproof chassis, it can go underwater to 33 feet. The camera’s body is compatible with the ecosystem of third-party GoPro mounts and accessories—an ecosystem that widens how you can place and use it. As a bonus, it comes bundled with some of its own accessories to get you started, including a 2.4GHz wireless remote control, bicycle mount, helmet mount, additional mount connectors, a USB-C cable and more. GoPro charges extra for many of these accessories.

Pros:

• Shoots up to 4K video at 30fps
• Low price
• Includes variety of mounts

Cons:

• Middling battery life
• Doesn’t perform as well in low-light
• Not suitable for a photography focus (note: I used to have one. Decent for shoots, trash for images)

Video resolution: Up to 4K at 30fps | Still image resolution: 20 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 131 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C | Display Size: 2-inch touchscreen

Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers in need of a reliable camera.

The Akaso EK7000 Pro action camera sells at a bargain price—and that’s without considering it comes with an impressive collection of mounts, extra batteries and accessories. This model lacks a front-facing display, so it’s harder to use for vlogging. Both video and still image resolution are excellent for the cost; it captures 4K video at 30fps and 20-megapixel still images.

When shooting video, the camera’s image stabilization automatically kicks in. The camera is waterproof to a depth of 131 feet, which makes it a good choice for scuba diving. It includes a wristband remote control, so you can mount the camera to yourself or your equipment and shoot hands-free. Just about everything you need comes with this camera, so you won’t have to spend a fortune on specialty mounts or accessories. This is a great “starter” action camera, although it lacks the versatility of shooting modes and options you find in more expensive action cameras.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Comes with a collection of accessories and mounts
• Waterproof to a depth of 131 feet

Cons:

• Buggy mobile app
• Short battery life

Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60fps | Still image resolution: 24.7 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C | Display Size: None

Best for: Easily controlling a small action camera from a smartphone or tablet.

The GoPro Hero11 Black Mini is a scaled-down version of the popula