Best Action Cameras in 2024: take in the excitement

Looking for the best action cameras to make a thrilling adventure movie that will take over the internet? Stop looking! When you go on dangerous adventures, you can use these tough recording devices to get amazing footage. Our team has carefully tested a wide range of action cameras, from cheaper ones to the best ones on the market.

If you want epic and stunning footage of your adventures on land and underwater, invest in the best action camera. Whether your overall goal is to have the best image quality possible or you want something cheap, there is an action camera that will meet your video shooting needs. Action cameras have a place in professional work as well. When possible, use a camera with a large sensor and interchangeable lenses, but modern action cameras capture video that is good enough to intercut.

What to Look for in an Action Camera?

There are a few important things to think about when looking for an action camera to make sure you get the right one for your needs. Action cameras are made to take high-quality photos and videos in exciting and often difficult situations. Their features and abilities should match how you plan to use them. Here are the things you should look for:

???? Video Quality: One of the most important things is how clear the video is. Look for cameras with at least 1080p Full HD, but 4K Ultra HD is becoming more common and has better clarity. Videos with a higher resolution can be more detailed and clear.

???? Frame Rate: A higher frame rate, like 60fps or 120fps, is needed to get smooth slow-motion video. It’s a must-have for fast-moving action shots.

???? Image Stabilization: Action cameras need to have image stabilization built in. Look for cameras with features like optical or electronic image stabilization (EIS or OIS). This makes your footage less shaky, especially when there is a lot going on.

???? Durability: Action cameras are made to work well in rough conditions. Make sure the camera can withstand water, shock, and dust, especially if you plan to use it in harsh conditions.

???? Battery Life: Check how long the camera’s battery will last. It’s better to have a battery that lasts longer, especially if you want to record for a long time. Also, think about whether the battery can be taken out so you can carry extras.

Best Action Cameras comparison table

Consider shots of the interior of an exploding car, which appear to be a common occurrence in dramatic television—they’re almost certainly shot with a GoPro. An action camera is typically small and has a lens cleaner with a very wide field of view. There will be some fish-eye distortion, especially if you mount it very close to what you want to film, but newer models allow you to remove it automatically. Below we have mentioned the Best Action Cameras for stunning footage.

GoPro HERO10 Black

Welcome to the newest and best GoPro on the market. Despite being released with little fanfare and looking almost identical to the Hero9 Black in almost every way, the Hero10 Black is a significant upgrade. This is due to its use of the all-new GP2 processor, which powers a fast user interface, doubles frame rates, and powers the best image stabilization technology yet.

The highlight is 5.3K video at 60 frames per second, but don’t overlook GoPro’s new HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization – in all modes – along with 23MP photos and best-ever low-light performance. With the addition of a handy cable for super-fast camera-to-app content transfer and auto-upload of videos and photos to the cloud while charging, the Hero10 Black was well worth the wait. It’s not the cheapest action camera on the market, but GoPro has become an expert at producing tough, reliable, and supremely effective action cameras, and you get what you pay for. Overall, it is one of the best action cameras that you can buy.

DJI Pocket 2

While not an action camera, the DJI Pocket 2 is worth considering if you’re a solo travelling filmmaker or vlogger. Its three-axis gimbal isn’t just for stabilizing footage; when combined with the Pocket 2’s face-tracking, it allows the camera to automatically follow you left and right as you walk in front of it. The Pocket 2 has a larger 1/1.7-inch sensor than the original Osmo Pocket and can shoot 64MP stills and 4K/60p video at 100Mbps.

The addition of four microphones and an optional Creator Combo that includes an external wireless mic expands your options for capturing high-quality audio. While the Pocket 2 is not waterproof, you can purchase a waterproof case that protects it to depths of up to 60m. The Pocket 2 isn’t as tough or rugged right out of the box as a GoPro, but it’s a simpler and more versatile vlogging option if you’re content to keep it safely tucked away in between shots. Still, it is one of the best action cameras that you can consider.

AKASO Brave 7 LE

If money is an issue, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is a good GoPro alternative that won’t break the bank. Despite its low price, this camera feels well-made and has an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. It also comes with a protective case that provides additional waterproofing to an advertised depth of 131 feet. This camera, like the GoPro HERO10 Black and GoPro HERO9 Black, has a secondary front-facing screen that’s useful for vlogging. It has an easy-to-use menu system and a long battery life depending on the settings.

You can also use it while charging via USB-C, which is useful for longer shooting sessions. It can record 1080p video at up to 120 frames per second, making it ideal for slow-motion capture. Its stabilization feature works very well in 4k at slower speeds and does an excellent job of reducing camera shake in 1080p, though enabling it results in a severe 1.6x crop, which is unfortunate. The camera also has a lot of noticeable rolling shutter effects, which cause vertical line distortion when panning quickly from side to side.

Insta360 One RS

The Insta360 One RS is not only one of the best action cameras but also one of the best 360 cameras. This is due to the modular design of this innovative camera, which allows you to swap out its wide-angle 4K camera for a 360 lens or a camera with a 1-inch sensor. Its video stabilization is good, but not quite as good as the GoPro Hero10.

We like that the One RS display can be turned around to frame yourself in videos, but its small size in comparison to the GoPro makes navigating on-screen menus much more difficult. And, like older GoPro, you’ll need to mount it to something. However, this is a very versatile action camera.

GoPro HERO9 Black

Consider the GoPro HERO9 Black if you’re on a tight budget. It’s the GoPro HERO10 Black’s predecessor, and while it has an older processor and fewer frame rate options, it still has many of the same features at a lower price. It’s well-made, waterproof up to 33 feet, and has a second front-facing screen with a Live View that’s great for vlogging. It supports 5k video recording at 30 frames per second, as well as 4k at 60 frames per second and 1080p at 240 frames per second, giving you a wide range of frame rates to suit whatever style of video you want to shoot.

Its digital stabilization feature also does an excellent job of smoothing out camera shake, though enabling it results in a noticeable crop in your footage. In low-light conditions, video quality is also noticeably lower than on the HERO10. If you want better low-light performance and more frame rate options, get the HERO10 Black. The HERO9 Black, on the other hand, is a great alternative if you want to save a little money for a camera that performs very similarly overall.

Insta360 One R

Although the GoPro Hero 9 Black has useful add-ons, the Insta360 One R is a properly modular action camera, consisting of a battery, control, and camera block. This means you can switch between a 4K action camera and a 360-degree camera at any time to suit your shooting needs. A 1-inch sensor block is also included. But does this entry-level model deliver on its promise of three cameras in one? Yes, in many ways: clipped together, the One R is only slightly larger than the Hero 8 Black and feels surprisingly sturdy, though the mounting case is required to make it water resistant.

Image quality is sharp and stable, with good detail in darker areas. In other ways, it falls short: the image processing falls short of the Hero 8 Black or Hero 9 Black, and the 1.3-inch touchscreen is too small for framing 16:9 footage. However, keep in mind that the dual-lens bundle costs less than the GoPro Max alone. For that, you get a flexible and well-executed modular approach that delivers great 4K video and solid 360-degree footage. If software updates can resolve some of the processing issues, the Insta360 One R is well worth considering for those who want to experiment with both 360 video and standard action cam footage. Thus, this product is one of the best action cameras available right now.

DJI Action 2

Leading drone manufacturer DJI forced GoPro to reconsider by introducing a front screen to their first action camera; a useful innovation for vloggers. The new Action 2 gives users even more options, with a tiny 39x39mm square camera core that can be used alone or attached (via a magnetic clip) to other units that provide more connectivity, battery life, and a front-facing screen.

The camera has a 1 / 1.7″ sensor and image stabilization with RockSteady 2.0 and HorizonSteady. Even when paired, it is about the size of GoPro cameras, though the rear touchscreen is only about the size of the main camera unit. The modular system is strong and has a lot of gadget value, and DJI’s Mimo app makes phone control simple. There is a fascinating new world of accessories, making this a difficult option to dismiss. Currently, this is one of the best action cameras that you can buy right now.

AKASO V50 Elite

If you’re looking for a more affordable action camera, we highly recommend the AKASO one of the best action cameras. We used and traveled with both the V50 Elite and the Brave LE models, which we discuss further in the post. The AKASO v50 Elite is one of the company’s higher-end action cameras. Video at up to 4K/60fps and slow-motion video at 720p/240fps are among the features. The 1/2.3′′ sensor allows for 20MP photos.

A touch screen, electronic image stabilization, voice control, Wi-Fi connectivity, and RAW support are all included. It has a 170-degree field of view and a battery life of around 90 minutes when shooting video. Image stabilization is only available at video resolutions of 4K/30fps and lower. The camera isn’t waterproof on its own, but it comes with a waterproof case that allows you to use it underwater up to 131 feet / 40 meters. What we like best about this camera is that it comes with almost everything you need to get started. The kit includes two batteries, a battery charger case, a waterproof case, a slew of attachments and tethers, and remote control.

Insta360 Go 2

The Insta360 Go 2 is a fantastically versatile action camera that is as small as your thumb and weighs only 27g. The Go 2’s unique form factor allows it to be mounted in places that other action cameras cannot, opening up a whole new world of creative possibilities. It works with a variety of mounts to attach to windows, helmets, and bags, and its magnetic base and medallion allow you to wear it directly on your chest. So, if you want one of the best DSLR cameras, we highly recommend this product.

When it comes to recording, resolutions of up to 1440p at 50fps are available, as well as HDR video at 24fps. For slow-motion footage, 120fps at 1080p is possible, and Insta360’s FlowState technology provides excellent electronic stabilization and keeps everything level. There are a few drawbacks: because of its small size, the controls can be a little fiddly, storage is limited to 32GB, and with a maximum resolution of 1440p, it isn’t the most feature-rich action camera at this price point. However, if you’re willing to work around the flaws, no other action camera in a comparable form factor can match this level of image quality.

DJI Osmo Action

DJI is well-known for producing some of the most popular drones available today. They have, however, entered the action camera market, launching the DJI Osmo Action in 2019. This camera has some distinguishing features that make it an appealing option. Its main advantage over the cameras in our action camera roundup is that it has two full-color screens, one on the front of the camera and one on the back. This makes using the camera for selfies much easier because you can see what you’re shooting. Without a case, the camera is also waterproof to 11 meters / 36 feet.

In terms of specifications, the camera has an f/2.8 aperture and a 12MP 1/2.3′′ sensor with a 145-degree field of view. This camera can shoot 4K/60fps and 1080p slow motion at 240fps. There is also electronic image stabilization built in, which works at up to 4K/60fps. Other highlights include HDR video at up to 4K/30fps, RAW photo support, time-lapse modes, and Wi-Fi connectivity for smartphone control. It has voice control as well, but no GPS. Easily one of the best action cameras available on the market.

Choosing the Right Action Camera for You

There are so many options for action cameras on the market that it can be hard to choose the right one for your needs. Consider the following things to make an informed choice:

???? How to Use: ????Figure out what you want to do with the action camera. Are you a thrill-seeker who wants to film extreme sports, or do you want to use it for more casual things like family vacations or vlogging? Different kinds of cameras are good for different things.

???? Quality of Video: ???? Resolution is important. Most action cameras can record at least Full HD (1080p) video, but if you want the best quality, you should look into 4K or even 5K resolution options.

???? Rate of Frames: ???? How smooth your videos look is based on the frame rate. Look for cameras that can take pictures at 60 frames per second (fps) or more. People who like slow-motion movies might want even more frames per second.

???? Stabilization of the Image: ???? For action shots, stabilization is a must. Look for cameras with built-in stabilization technology, like electronic or optical image stabilization, to get smoother footage, especially in bumpy conditions.

???? Longevity and Water Resistance: ???? If you want to use the camera in rough places or underwater, check how durable it is and if it can be used in water. Some cameras are made to handle rough conditions without needing an extra case.

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