Manufacturers have started to include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in some models, allowing you to instantly playback, edit, and share still images and videos with a companion app, or live stream your day to friends and fans on sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. Some have begun to make action cameras that can record 360-degree video and stereo sound, allowing you to make VR-ready videos for more immersive playback. No matter what you want your action camera to do, there is a model out there to suit. We’ve broken down features from our top picks to help you choose which best fits your needs. For more information make sure to take a look at our digital camera how-to guides before committing to one of our picks for the best action cameras. It’s not all good news though—the HERO9 Black is larger than the HERO8, which means that it breaks support for popular accessories like the Media Mod. The Media Mod adds a built-in directional mic, a 3.5mm mic port for your external mic, and an HDMI-out port. So if you’re a current GoPro owner with a lot of accessories, expect to have to purchase most of them again. Also, a bit of a mixed change is that the body itself is now waterproof. Good on paper, but GoPro has also used it as an excuse to drop the protective housing / waterproof case from the included accessories, which you can still buy separately of course. Ultimately the upgrade from the HERO8 to the HERO9 might simply prove too incremental for most people to consider, especially given the accessories. Those that are buying their first GoPro, or are coming from a much older model, won’t need to have these reservations. The GoPro HERO9 Black is an extremely capable action camera. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you livestream your video straight to YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch as long as there is an internet connection available. The GoPro app turns your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for the HERO 8 so you can change settings and lens modes on-the-fly without touching the camera. A built-in microSD card reader allows you to quickly and easily store your raw captures for editing later. The HERO 8 lets you shoot in 4K, 2.7K, 1440p, or 1080p so every detail of your experiences is captured clearly. The 145-degree wide-angle lens allows you to capture a larger view, and with DJI’s RockSteady image stabilization technology, you’ll get crystal clear video time after time. The DJI Mimo app turns your smartphone into a remote control for the camera so you can quickly and easily change settings and shooting modes without touching the camera. With five different voice commands, you can turn the camera on and off, start and stop recording, or take still photos with just a word. The camera is robustly built, though the camera lenses themselves are still somewhat fragile. However, with the included neoprene case you needn’t worry about carrying it in your pocket like a phone, and one of the big advantages of the One X2 is the fact that it’s actually smaller than most phones. The big caveats of the One X2 are its less than spectacular image quality from its 5.7k sensor and the steep learning curve for editing 360 footage. However, the One X2 is all about capturing the shot, so the unimpressive image quality can be excused for the camera’s ease of use, and the built-in editing features of the smartphone app help streamline 360 footage editing. If you want to capture exciting and spontaneous moments without having to think about the camera, then the Insta360 One X2 is a great solution. The newest version of the cam also gives you a bigger 16MP sensor for better low-light performance and crisp stills. It has built-in electronic image stabilization for shakier shoots, a newly increased 131 feet of waterproof shooting protection, and even an extensive selection of cases and mounts. But, at this price point, Wi-Fi integration is the real killer app. With it, you can use the iSmart DV app to not only monitor the picture you’re viewing in real time, but to transfer photos and videos on the spot, too, for instant shareability. The RX0 II has 10 white balance modes for accurate colors and contrast in almost any indoor or outdoor environment. You can adjust the shutter speed from ¼ of a second to 1/32,000 of a second to capture moments that you can’t see with the naked eye. With Sony’s Bionz X image processing technology and electronic stabilization, you get smooth, clear video and still images. The camera has built-in Wi-Fi so you can use the companion app on your smartphone to access raw video and photo files as well as adjust camera settings. The 10-megapixel camera can shoot in 4K up to 30fps or 1080p at 240fps for smooth playback. It features the same automatic noise suppression and image stabilization as the HERO 8, letting you capture cleaner audio and jitter-free video no matter what you’re doing. The built-in GPS allows you to add information like altitude, speed, and location to your videos so you can show off your skills to the world. The body of the camera is water-resistant up to 33 feet, allowing you to record underwater while you surf, swim, or snorkel. The rear screen allows for touch inputs for faster, easier access to menus and camera settings. The GoPro app not only lets you access your raw video and photo files, it lets you edit and share them directly from the app; it also allows for live streaming to social media and other sites in 1080p for incredibly detailed live images. The GoPro MAX can take 270-degree panoramic photos without you having to scan the horizon, giving you distortion-free finished shots. The TimeWarp setting lets you automatically adjust shooting speed based on lighting, scene detection, and motion so you can capture epic moments in slow motion. A fast charging adapter is available to give you more battery life more quickly so you can get back to the action without having to wait all day for the camera to recharge. That said, our reviewer found that the image quality lags behind even the most budget smartphone camera systems, but the immersion provided by 360-degree content is undeniably unique and is something no smartphone camera system can replicate. For image and video quality, we test by taking sample shots and video, both indoors and outdoors, in a variety of environments, modes, and lightning conditions. Then we look at the resulting images and video on a monitor to evaluate their sharpness, focus, and color reproduction. When recording video, we also pay attention to frame rates, stabilization, and general clarity. Finally, we take a look at the price and competition to evaluate how much value an action camera offers before making our final judgement. All of the action cameras we test are purchased by Lifewire; none are provided by manufacturers.
About our Trusted Experts
Jeff Dojillo is a Los Angeles-based photographer specializing in digital and analog photography. His work is utilized for brand development and marketing, and he has experience teaching digital photography workshops. Taylor Clemons has over three years of experience writing about games and consumer technology. She has written for Lifewire, Digital Trends, TechRadar and her own publication, Steam Shovelers. Jonno Hill has been a reviewer for Lifewire since 2019. Specializing in photography and video, Jonno has previously been published in PCMag and AskMen. Andy Zahn has been writing for Lifewire since 2019, specializing in outdoor gadgets, laptops, and gaming. Gannon Burgett has been contributing to Lifewire since 2018, covering photography, accessories, PC hardware, photo editing software, and more.
What to look for in the Best Action Cameras
Resolution - There are plenty of action cameras that can record in 4K, however, they can cost considerably more. Also, a camera that’s advertised as 4K, may not be a true 4K. Mounting options - Some cameras come equipped with numerous mounting options right out of the box, and may even include a waterproof case. However, some manufacturers include these separately, making a complete kit a more expensive affair. Storage - Plenty of action cameras have space for expandable storage, but some feature integral storage only, which severely restricts the amount of space you’ll have for photos and videos.
