Smartphones today may pack some impressive camera specs, but none come close to delivering the superior quality and performance that the best action cameras bring to the table. Brought to the limelight by the famed GoPro, action cameras today are lightweight, highly portable, and to put it simply, highly rugged. Whether you are a cave explorer down in New Zealand’s glow worm caves or a high-adrenaline, death-defying sports fanatic, the best action camera will capture these out-of-this-world moments in epic detail. The best bit about it? You don’t have to try hard as these tiny cameras can be mounted on pretty much anything.

The best action cameras can get birds' eye footage as you're parasailing, can withstand splashes on your whitewater adventure, or can document your slaloms down a Black Diamond ski run.

But with the sheer amount of action cameras saturating the market, there is always a chance you may end up with a run-of-the-mill unit. That is why we compiled a list of the best action cameras, alongside some practical tips on how to choose one, so you get the best bang for your buck. Consider the pros and cons of each camera on our list and weigh them against your own preferences. When you're finished, you'll be knowledgeable enough to pick one of the best action cameras! GoPro may have pushed the envelope of innovation way too high, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only pick for best action camera in the market. So, if you’re browsing Amazon for an action camera but working on a budget, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of fantastic alternatives.

With excellent stabilization and high-def 4k video, this camera will film all your adventures in stunning detail, especially when edited through the included app to create viral-worthy videos to share on social media.

The DJI Action 2 camera is one of the best action cameras available on Amazon and will be a great addition to your next adventure.

It can also capture 1080 full HD footage at 240fps and 2.7K videos at 120fps. Apart from the upgraded frame rate, GoPro improves the image stabilization feature. With Hero6, you can shoot 4K videos with the image stabilization feature active.

As if that's not enough, Hero6 can capture stills in single, timelapse, and burst modes thanks to its built-in HDR mode for high-contrast scenes.

GoPro uses the HDR mode to replace the Wide Dynamic Range mode in the Hero5 camera, making it easy to capture images in much more detail. And if you like taking videos at night, its Night mode feature makes it easy to do so.

Another feature that shows GoPro's commitment to upgrading its new offerings is Hero6's ability to edit images and videos. Transferring footage to mobile devices has been incredibly challenging due to their large file sizes. Hero6 solves this problem by introducing a 5GHz wireless frequency that enhances transfer speeds. Also, buyers using the updated iOS11 to edit videos can leverage the new High-Efficiency Video Coding that halves file sizes, saving on a phone's storage and the transfer time.

We like that it features an array of shooting modes, including loop recording, burst photo, continuous-lapse, and self-timer modes. All these options, as well as the high video and image resolution, allow you to capture precious moments in epic detail regardless of your experience with action cameras. It comes with two batteries, each with a runtime of up to 90 minutes when shooting in lower resolution modes.

It has a built-in microphone and comes with a range of mounting kits, which makes mounting it on different surfaces a walk in the park. The waterproof case has a 1PX6 waterproof rating and can withstand depths of up to 130ft. It comes with a remote control for easy use, especially when you engage in high-speed activities. This runtime reduces to 60 if you are shooting at 4K. You, however, have the option to switch to screen saver mode to reduce battery drain.

It sports a powerful sensor and shoots 4k videos at 25fps, delivering not only clear but cinematic videos. What’s more, the frame rate can be adjusted to 30fps as long as you reduce your resolution to 2K. It captures photos at 12MP with a burst rate of 30fps.

You can download your images and videos either via Wi-Fi, through the available smartphone app or a micro-USB, or a micro-HDMI cable as it also has slots for the mentioned. It’s equipped with two batteries, each delivering up to 90 minutes of runtime, which is more than enough to capture those epic high-speed moments while you engage in your craft.

It comes with a 2.4Ghz remote control that you can use to start and stop video recording as well as capture frame shots without ever touching the camera. This may not seem like much, but if you’re a high-action thrill-seeker, every second counts. What’s more, it comes with seven different mounts, which means you can safely attach it to just about any surface. Add in a waterproof case that goes up to 100ft deep, and there’s so much you can do with this tiny affordable action camera.

It looks like it has a few upgrades on the surface as it comes with the same design and image sensor for a 5.7K video. But upon taking a closer look, you'll be blown away. You'll find the new live touchscreen display to preview shots, a few software upgrades, and the big bonus of IPX8 waterproofing. This means you can use the camera 10 meters underwater without using the case.

While this feature is an obvious bonus, the camera still feels a little fragile. The protruding lens, coupled with the locked doors on the side for the USB-C port and the battery, need special care.

As for its design, the X2 is slightly larger than its predecessor. The additional space houses the large removable battery that promises up to 80 minutes of video.

As for the video and image quality, it's pretty similar to the One X as it uses the same sensor. However, Insta360 includes some processing refinements, including an improved low light performance and in-camera color rendering, and we found the two features incredibly effective upon testing them in HDR mode.

The camera also supports wireless connections allowing you to connect your camera and mobile device. With its Live DV app, you can control the camera remotely whether you want to playback, share content or make a live preview.

Its overall construction is pretty handy if looking for a portable camera for outdoor activities. It comes in a waterproof sleeve that can dive up to 40 meters deep, allowing you to film when surfing, swimming, rafting, or diving. What's more, you can take slow-motion photography, time-lapse photos, and make loop records while doing all such activities, thanks to its multi-functional capabilities. And after recording, you can preview the footage on its two-inch LCD HD display and share them on your mobile device over its 10-meter Wi-Fi signal range.

The AKASO Brave 4 isn't short of features either. It has tons of features for adjusting the color, video, and picture quality. First, it has a built-in gyroscope assist that ensures all your videos are smooth and images are stable. Also, you can adjust the view angle of the action camera within a range of 170, 140, 110, 70 degrees, depending on your filming requirements.

The video quality is also pretty decent for an entry-level action camera. It has a decent color range, and the 1080p recording resolution renders pretty smooth images. You can also upscale the recording resolutions to 4K and 2K for better image quality.

The photo quality is impressive too. With a 20 MP camera sensor that comes with an adjustable lens, the camera produces quality images. Also, its 5x digital zoom allows you to zoom in on desired objects and capture every detail.

The additional screen size delivers a much larger image when shooting, as it has an aspect ratio of 16:9.

The video quality of footage captured on DJI’s Osmo Action is unrivaled. Its RockSteady image stabilization feature combines EIS with sophisticated algorithms to deliver stable, shake-free footage. As for the resolution, the camera delivers 4K images at 30fps (4:3) or 4K (16:9) at 60fps. When used in environments with excellent lighting, the DJI Osmo Action provides excellent video across all resolutions.

What’s more, you can fine-tune the camera to either of its two-color profiles: the normal and D-Cinelike. The latter is flatter and grabs a broader dynamic range, a welcome feature for capturing footage you want to edit. With its HDR mode, you can expand its dynamic range when recording in the most challenging conditions.

It captures smooth 4K high definition videos at a rate of up to 30fps. You can, however, sacrifice the resolution by reducing it to 2.7K for 30fps or up to1080P, for 60 frames per second when you want to ensure that your videos and animations are entirely blurry and lag-free.

It captures images at 16MP. Although this could be higher, at its price range, the Dragon Touch Vision 3 camera does a pretty good job with the photos. Besides, it has a 4 x Zoom range, an excellent feature for when you need to capture high-quality images and videos at a distance.

As far as accessories are concerned, this Vision 3 action camera will sure save you some money. It comes with a waterproof case that can withstand water immersion for up to 33ft. This, therefore, makes it an excellent fit if you’re an underwater activity enthusiast. However, the wireless wrist remote control isn’t waterproof.

Connectivity to your device is through Wi-Fi via an XDV smartphone app available for both Android and iOS. It has multiple modes, perfect for the amateur action camera user such as time-lapse, slow motion, image rotation, and loop recording. It also has a drive mode and can double up as a dashcam, making it a pretty excellent buy.

While its new design is similar to other GoPro models, the bottom has two tabs that fold out to form mounting hardware. The feature has caused the camera to swell over slightly, but compared to other models, the GoPro Hero8 still has a small size. This also means you can add a memory card and battery without removing the frame. And with the new side door, you don’t need to remove the camera from the mount to swap the card or battery.

The camera also features an improved stabilization performance that does not require crop adjustment. With its new Boost mode feature, you can turn up the stabilization even higher when filming. Moreover, it has a horizon leveling feature that takes your stabilization capability a notch higher. It also allows you to take more polished shots when mounting the camera is not possible.

The TimeWarp mode was introduced on Hero7 Black and features on Hero8 Black, enabling you to create a stabilized motion time-lapse video that looks incredibly slick when played back. Hero8 features an advanced version of this feature introducing additional capabilities. The most notable is its ability to calculate the time-lapse speed based on camera motion. You can also slow down to real-time by tapping an on-screen button.

What’s more, the HyperSmooth feature also enables you to capture 60fps at full resolution. The camera is also equipped with a new TimeWarp video feature allowing you to combine the idea of regular frame-by-frame time-lapse shooting with HyperSmooth. This means you can capture time-lapse video while moving the camera and without a tripod.

Apart from the exceptional time-lapse feature, its voice control system allows you to give up to 12 separate commands. With a revamped audio performance, the camera is pretty responsive to all your commands. GoPro has expanded its dynamic range to include natural bass tones, brighter mids, and redesigned microphone membranes to rid of vibrations.

Aside from the remarkable audio performance, the camera can deliver 12MP images in JPEG or raw flavors. In good lighting, the images are crisp, sharp extending to the corners of the frame.

Resolution & Frame Rate

But whether you’re on a budget or not, check out the resolution of a potential action camera. Usually, the rule of the thumb is, the higher the resolution, the clearer and the better your images and videos will be. In that light, while a 1080P camera is great, you want one that can shoot in 4K, and has a photo resolution of at least 12MP.

Then there is the frame rate. Measured or expressed in frame rates per second(fps), the frame rate refers to the number of consecutive images a camera can process in a second. The higher the FPS, the smoother and clearer the motion will be even in slow-mo. Depending on the brand, some action cameras deliver up to 240fps while the best some can do is 30fps.

Field Of View And Other Factors To Consider

Frame rate aside, you will also want to consider the field of view. This is a particularly essential feature to consider while shopping for the best action camera because the more extensive this field is, the wider your angle of view, and consequently, the more immersive your content. Since action cameras are designed to be part and parcel of your high-action or professional-grade activities, you will also want to consider the size and mounting. Action cameras are typically small, but some are tinier and are best-suited for certain activities than the rest. For instance, if you plan to mount your action camera on your surfboard, you’ll need a tinier action camera than someone who’ll be holding theirs most of the time.

While at it, keep in mind some action cameras feature built-in waterproofing, while others require a protective case for any water-related activities. Also note, two different cameras may have built-in waterproofing, but one goes deeper than the other. So if you plan to capture a lot of underwater footage, ensure you consider the waterproof rating.

Other essential factors to review before you buy an action camera include the editing tools and the connectivity, image stabilization, weatherproofing, battery life, memory, and the mounting system. We reviewed countless cameras in the market against these metrics and came up with our list of the best action cameras above. Now that you've finished this guide, you can revisit our list of the best action cameras on Amazon and find the perfect one for you!

FAQ

Q: Is it Worth Buying an Action Camera?

Yes, especially if you're an outdoors fanatic. Action cameras have fantastic video and image capabilities. They can shoot videos better than mobile devices due to their exceptional features like 4K @60 fps, wide-angle lenses, and more. Action cameras are also more portable as most of them weigh less than professional cameras. What's more, you can mount them on a helmet, sports equipment, and other places to capture images. Such versatility isn't always possible to achieve when using a smartphone or regular camera. In addition, action cameras are compatible with other devices. Some cameras have wireless compatibility that makes it easy to share images and videos. 

Q: What Should You Look at When Buying an Action Camera?

There are myriad features to consider when buying an action camera. First, you want a camera with good video quality regardless of how you plan to use it. 4K video resolution has been the standard, but it's not always necessary if it's out of your price range. You can purchase a more affordable one with an upgradeable resolution. Image stabilization and mounting accessories are other essential features you must consider if using the camera for outdoor activities. For example, if planning to mount the camera on a helmet, head mount, telescoping pole, or chest belt, mounting accessories play a critical role.

Q: What is the Difference between an Action Camera and a Regular Camera?

Action cameras are primarily used for recording videos while immersed in water or other space. As such, they're rugged, compact, and waterproof. Apart from video recording, they take pictures in time-lapse and burst modes, and most of them record slow-motion videos at 30-240 fps. The camera is mounted on the helmet, handlebar, chest, or tripod to ensure it shoots from the shooter's point of view. All such features differentiate action cameras from regular cameras, which are primarily designed to take pictures.

Q: How Long Do Action Cameras Record?

Of course, factors like usage also determine how long you can record videos. The best action cameras record videos for one to three hours, depending on the camera's battery life. Recording high-resolution videos and using features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other connectivity features drain batteries faster. Cameras that have a long battery life are expensive and often lack essential features. If long-lasting battery life isn't an option, consider the cost and the ability to fit spare batteries once depleted.

Q: How Do You Identify the Camera's Native Resolution?

The native resolution shows the actual maximum an action camera can shoot natively, and it comes directly from the image sensor without additional processing. Some cameras with a low native resolution are equipped with upscaling capabilities that make it difficult to differentiate between native resolution and an upscaled one. Since the native resolution isn't always displayed on the product description, users must devise ways of identifying it. The first and the most effective way is to check the product datasheet and look at the specs showing maximum resolution. This information is available on the manufacturer's or seller's website. It usually indicates two components that make up a camera's native resolution —  the image sensor and the chipset.