The best action cameras in 2023

Action cameras are a high-speed ticket to capturing essentially the most immersive and interesting footage doable. They carry viewers as near your experiences as they are often with out truly being there. These video cameras excel in environments the place stability and sturdiness are key to attaining the very best caliber of footage, so they’re well-liked amongst surfers, bikers, climbers, and different athletes. Plus, vloggers, video manufacturing groups, and hobbyists of every kind can profit from the compact and easy-to-handle design. From journey pictures to underwater pictures, the best action cameras present a very unparalleled video manufacturing expertise to customers of each curiosity and fervour.

How we selected the best action cameras

Some writers and editors at Popular Science are additionally writers and editors at Popular Photography and have a long time of expertise with nearly each digital camera model and style on the market, together with action cameras. As an adventure-lover and lively particular person, I’ve discovered myself in my fair proportion of conditions splendid for action cameras. We selected the cameras included right here by way of a mixture of hands-on expertise, consumer and editorial evaluations, and model information. 

When choosing the best action cameras, we centered on quite a lot of options and specs. They ought to foremost be compact and provide straightforward mounting options, making them straightforward to make use of with out obstructing the action. Action cameras also needs to be sturdy and capable of face up to epic adventures, together with water journeys. Lastly, we checked out video and photograph high quality, stabilization, and different camera-specific options. 

The best action cameras: Reviews & Recommendations

Whether climbing, mountain biking, browsing, or just desirous to doc your travels, these action cameras will provide help to seize your best (or typically worst) moments. 

Best general: GoPro Hero 12 Black

Specs

• Max video decision: 5.3K at 60 fps
• Max framerate: 240 fps at 2.7K
• Photo decision: 27 megapixels
• Waterproofing: 33 ft
• Dimensions: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 5.4 ounces

Pros

• Improved photograph efficiency
• Longer run occasions with the Enduro battery
• Award-winning stabilization
• Vertical video assist

Cons

• Not a lot of an improve over the Hero 11
• Low-light efficiency remains to be mediocre

The GoPro Hero 12 Black is among the many most well-known fashions of action cameras because of its sturdy and full-featured repute. This newest mannequin options the identical sensor because the Hero 11, which is the most important sensor in a GoPro but. The giant sensor makes it doable to crop video to vertical orientation with out dropping out on a lot of the scene so to share your epic adventures on social media. And it lets you change digital lenses for various views. 

The digital camera specs of the Hero 12 stay largely the identical because the Hero 11. It’s able to beautiful 5.3K video recording at as much as 60 fps, although now you possibly can document HDR video at this highest high quality. Or, you possibly can rise up to 240 fps at 2.7k if you need dramatic slow-motion. The photograph high quality stays at 27 megapixels, and also you’ll nonetheless have entry to time-lapse and evening modes, together with star trails and light-weight portray.

What is new is the Bluetooth audio connectivity choices. Now you possibly can join a wi-fi mic for higher audio high quality. Or you possibly can join wi-fi headphones to watch audio ranges and assist with voice instructions in noisy settings. The Hero 12 additionally provides improved battery life, which was a ache level in previous variations. Combined with the Enduro battery, you will get twice the battery lifetime of the Hero 11. That means you possibly can document steady 5.3K 60p video for as much as 70 minutes. And a normal tripod thread on the underside of the digital camera opens up mounting potentialities much more.

GoPro improved its already spectacular stabilization in the Hero 12 with HyperSmooth 6.0. Even movies of essentially the most rugged actions will likely be easy. The new AutoBoost possibility will mechanically cut back cropping, preserving your framing as you noticed it whereas capturing. It’s waterproof to 33 ft with no case, and GoPro constructed it with improved chilly climate efficiency, so you should use it for capturing your winter sports activities. The Hero 11 is a well-rounded, spectacular action digital camera prepared for something you throw at it. 

Best for vlogging: DJI Osmo Action 4

Specs

• Max video decision: 4K at 120 fps
• Max framerate: 240 fps at 1080p
• Photo decision: 10 megapixels
• Waterproofing: 59 ft
• Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 5.1 ounces

Pros

• Image high quality has been improved
• Waterproof right down to 52 ft
• Front and rear touchscreen
• High-capacity battery for lengthy recording classes

Cons

• Video high quality tops out at 4K
• Limited photograph high quality

DJI constructed loads of upgrades into the fourth iteration of its action digital camera, and it’s prepared for critically epic adventures. It’s waterproof right down to 59 ft with out particular housing and contains a shade temperature sensor to mechanically alter the colour of your video even if you’re deep beneath the floor whereas scuba diving. Should you wish to go even deeper, with a water-proof case, the digital camera can go to 210 ft. 

For actions on land, the digital camera can perform as chilly as -4 levels Fahrenheit. You’ll be capable of doc even your freezing-cold ski journeys. It makes use of a novel magnetic quick-release plate that’s handy and simple to make use of. And you possibly can mount the digital camera vertically, that means no cropping is required in order to create social-media-ready video. For vloggers, the stay stream assist at a number of resolutions is a big profit. 

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is able to image-stabilized 4K video as much as 120 fps. DJI claims that there are not any recording limits apart from the promised 2.6-hour battery life when recording 4K 60p video, so lengthy, single takes are doable. It provides the equal of an 11mm full-frame lens, so you possibly can catch all the action. The RockSteady stabilization does an incredible job of smoothing out video. And the HorizonRegular mode retains your photographs stage and adjusts for any horizontal rotation. Unfortunately, photograph decision is restricted to 10 megapixels, but when your focus is vlogging, that seemingly received’t matter as a lot anyway.

Specs

• Max video decision: 5.7K 360-degree, 4K single-lens
• Max framerate: 60 fps at 4K
• Photo decision: 72-megapixel 360-degree, 18-megapixel single-lens
• Waterproofing: 33 ft
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.8 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 6.3 ounces

Pros

• Impressive stabilization
• 360-degree video is very immersive
• Lots of enhancing choices
• Excellent photograph and video high quality

Cons

• App is a little bit complicated to make use of

If you need really immersive movies of your action adventures, you possibly can’t beat the Insta360 X3. This digital camera can document 360-degree video at as much as 5.7K and 30 fps. Then, you should use both the Insta360 cellular or desktop apps to edit your video and reframe your photographs the way you wish to showcase the best components of every second or exhibit the total 360-degree view without delay. 

This action digital camera is very versatile, because of the power to make use of a single lens together with the twin lenses used for recording 360-degree video. You can both document selfie content material with the rear lens or exhibit what’s in entrance of you with the front-facing lens. And it contains a handful of capturing modes, comparable to as much as 8K 360-degree timelapse and 4K slow-motion. The 2.29-inch touchscreen makes it straightforward to regulate settings and see what you might be recording. 

The X3 is a sturdy digital camera and is waterproof right down to 33 ft with no separate housing. It contains a 6-axis gyroscope and makes use of Insta360’s FlowState stabilization for easy video, even with actions like mountain biking. And the Horizon Lock mode retains the shot stage whilst you progress and rotate. 

Best small: GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini

Specs

• Max video decision: 5.3K at 60 fps
• Max framerate: 240 fps at 2.7K
• Photo decision: 24.7 megapixels
• Waterproofing: 33 ft
• Dimensions: 2.1 x 2 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 4.7 ounces

Pros

• Tiny kind issue is much less intrusive 
• Award-winning stabilization
• Excellent video high quality
• Two mounting factors

Cons

• No show for framing
• No devoted photograph mode

For those that are further involved about wind resistance and drag, the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the way in which to go. This digital camera is 13 p.c smaller than the Hero 11 Black, making it extra appropriate for mounting on a bike helmet, surfboard, or airplane. It additionally options mounting ft on the underside and again of the digital camera, opening up extra choices for a way you mount it. 

Despite the smaller dimension, the Hero 11 Mini will get most of the identical options and specs as its huge brother. It makes use of the identical bigger sensor, permitting for vertical movies, and remains to be able to 5.3K 60p video with class-leading stabilization. Unfortunately, there isn’t any photograph mode on the Mini model. Instead, you’ll must depend on grabbing 24-megapixel stills from movies. 

Another distinction between the Mini and regular-sized Hero 11 is the shortage of a display screen on the Mini. That means you’ll must depend on the Quik app for digital camera setup and framing assist, but it surely’s one much less factor to interrupt on the digital camera, which is sweet. It additionally contains a built-in battery, so that you received’t be capable of swap batteries out when one dies. But GoPro guarantees 73 minutes of battery life when recording 5.3K 30p, which is lots for many conditions. 

Best for newcomers: Insta360 GO 3

Specs

• Max video decision: 2.7K at 30 fps
• Max framerate: 120 fps at 1080p
• Photo decision: 6.6 megapixels
• Waterproofing: 16 ft
• Dimensions: ​​2.1 x 1 x 0.9 inches
• Weight: 1.3 ounces

Pros

• Stabilized video
• Unique magnetic mounting choices
• Versatile modular design with the Action Pod
• Tiny dimension could be very handy

Cons

• Photos are solely INSP or DNG
• Built-in reminiscence is limiting

If the GoPro Hero 11 Mini isn’t sufficiently small for you, the Insta360 GO 3 is the smallest kind issue that action cameras come in. It weighs simply 1.3 ounces, which is gentle sufficient to place in your hat and barely discover. The tiny dimension makes it possible to place in places that you just in any other case couldn’t. This modular digital camera makes use of a novel magnetic mounting system that’s quick and easy to make use of. And it comes with a number of totally different mountain gadgets proper in the field to get you began, together with a magnet pendant and Easy Clip for carrying the digital camera in your individual. 

The GO 3 tops out at 2.7K 30p video, which is the principle drawback of this digital camera. But when you simply wish to seize recollections or share your action adventures on social media, 2.7K is greater than sufficient. And there are not any recording limits at that decision, so you possibly can document lengthy takes. It additionally permits for 120fps when backing off the decision to 1080p, providing up slow-motion footage. And you’ll have entry to Insta360’s spectacular stabilization for easy video.

This tiny action digital camera is waterproof to 16 ft by itself. It comes with the brand new Action Pod, which, though it provides bulk, extends the battery life from 45 minutes to 170 minutes. It additionally provides a 2.2-inch flip touchscreen, which could be very handy and provides versatility to the digital camera. And it’s all very straightforward to make use of with easy controls and AI enhancing instruments to take a lot of the work out of your fingers. 

Best price range: AKASO Brave 7 LE

Specs

• Max video decision: 4K at 30 fps
• Max framerate: 120 fps at 720p
• Photo decision: 20 megapixels
• Waterproofing: IPX7, 131 ft with included case
• Dimensions: ‎2.44 x 1.61 x 1.26 inches
• Weight: 4.64 ounces

Pros

• Comes with waterproof housing
• Front and rear-facing display screen 
• Stabilization is pretty efficient
• Affordable

Cons

• Photo and video high quality are missing
• Image stabilization outcomes in heavy crop

Most action cameras are fairly costly and include in depth lists of options. Not everybody wants the newest and best digital camera, although. If you simply need a sturdy, primary action digital camera to doc your travels, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is a superb selection. This isn’t the newest Akaso mannequin (that might be the Brave 8), however the steadiness of options and value make it well worth the buy. The digital camera itself is IPX7 rated, but it surely comes with a case that makes it waterproof to 131 ft. The case additionally makes it extra rugged and sturdy, permitting you to fret much less about dings and falls. 

The Brave 7 LE is able to 4K 30p video or 720p at 120 fps for gradual movement. It provides 6-axis digital stabilization, which is fairly good contemplating the worth of the digital camera. It does consequence in a big crop in your footage, although. For nonetheless photographs, it will possibly take as much as 20-megapixel photographs. 

This price range action cam contains a entrance and rear display screen, which makes it simpler to border your photographs regardless of which manner you level the digital camera.  It comes with two batteries, a distant, waterproof housing, and multifunction mounting kits, so you’ve gotten every part it is advisable get recording instantly. And it helps a WiFi connection, making transferring your photographs and movies simpler. 

The best action digital camera to your wants will depend upon the character of the filming setting and your final use of the footage. Considering the scale, waterproofing, video high quality, and price range is important whether or not you’re touring, vlogging, or simply beginning out in your action digital camera journey.

Stabilization

One of a very powerful features of any action digital camera is how efficient its picture stabilization is. Action sports activities usually consequence in jarring actions, making footage unwatchable if it isn’t stabilized successfully. That stated, when you’re primarily utilizing an action digital camera for informal use in your travels, you could possibly get away with much less stabilization than others. And you can also make some changes in enhancing if you want. But, if you’re a mountain biker, path runner, or recording any kind of exercise with plenty of motion, you’ll want to search for a digital camera with the best doable stabilization. 

Mounting choices

An action digital camera received’t do you a lot good when you can’t mount it in a manner that lets you truly document your exercise with out holding it. For instance, you might have considered trying a approach to mount the digital camera to a helmet or the top of a surfboard, that are two very totally different mounts. So, earlier than buying a digital camera, make sure that the corporate makes a mount particularly for the exercise you wish to document.

Waterproofing and build-quality

Action cameras needs to be sturdy since they’re meant for use for, properly, action. Most are ruggedly constructed and capable of face up to plenty of abuse. That stated, relying on what kind of sports activities or actions you intend on utilizing the digital camera for, chances are you’ll wish to make investments in extra safety for the lens or digital camera as an entire. If so, you should definitely verify what equipment can be found prior to buying. 

For those that wish to take their digital camera underwater, realizing the waterproofing is vital. Most cameras lately are waterproof to pretty deep with none extra case. For instance, the GoPro may be submerged right down to 33 ft. But if you wish to use the digital camera for scuba diving, you’ll want to speculate in a case to take it deeper than that. We all the time suggest buying waterproof housing instantly from the corporate that made the digital camera to make sure correct match, as you don’t wish to danger the case flooding with water.

Photo and video high quality 

What photograph and video high quality you want out of your action digital camera is dependent upon how you plan to make use of the footage. If you might be simply wanting the digital camera to doc your travels and adventures for the sake of recollections or possibly to share on social media, you don’t essentially want 4K video high quality. But, if you wish to create YouTube movies of your content material, or possibly even have grander plans than that, then you’ll want to go together with the very best high quality doable. 

Likewise, when you primarily wish to document movies, you don’t essentially want to concentrate to photograph specs. But, if you need extra flexibility, you should definitely verify what the digital camera can produce in phrases of nonetheless photographs as properly.

Size

While all action cameras are compact, some are smaller than others. If you partake in sports activities or actions the place drag and wind resistance is crucial, comparable to browsing, motorbike or automotive sports activities, or flying an airplane, the smaller the digital camera, the higher. Smaller cameras additionally permit for extra distinctive mounting alternatives, as they are often positioned in places that bigger cameras can not. Of course, there are often sacrifices with smaller cameras, together with decrease video and photograph high quality and shorter battery life. It’s merely a matter of deciding what’s most vital to you.

FAQs

Final ideas on the best action cameras

The fundamental traits discovered in all of the best action cameras in the marketplace are excessive decision, high-speed video seize, and compact sturdiness. Whether you’re searching for a digital camera for newcomers, a water-proof digital camera, a vlogging digital camera, or some mixture of all three, take into account the principle actions and the setting that you just plan to movie that will help you make your remaining selection.

Why belief us

Popular Science began writing about know-how greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” after we revealed our first challenge in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Here in the current, PopSci is totally dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of gadgets in the marketplace proper now.

Our writers and editors have mixed a long time of expertise overlaying and reviewing client electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however after we’re reviewing gadgets outdoors of our quick wheelhouses, we do our best to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information individuals to the very best suggestions. We know we don’t know every part, however we’re excited to stay by way of the evaluation paralysis that web purchasing can spur so readers don’t must.