In motivation of a rugged compact television camera that can plow ( almost ) anything you throw at it ? We ’ve round off up the in effect action camera we ’ve brush up to avail you encounter the gross one for your next adventure .
activity tv camera are small vlogging photographic camera designed to hold out tougher conditions , whether that intend being knock around on a deal bike , absorb underwater during a diving lesson or assume into environments with harsher temperature and weather weather .
Image quality is an crucial factor when picking up an action camera , with most flagship tv camera offering 4 potassium and in high spirits resolutions , along with HDR support and slo - mo transcription . humiliated - light performance is crucial if you be after to register in dimmer environments and some cameras even allow you to record directly in the view ratios required to share your subject matter on apps like TikTok , Instagram Reels and YouTube .
If you wish the idea of capturing unique 360 content with a large field of view , there are also cameras specifically designed to treat this , such as theInsta360 One RS 1 - inch 360 Editionand theGoPro Max .
Keep reading to strike some of our top - order action cameras from leading brands in this family like GoPro , Insta360 and DJI .
Below you ’ll see our top picks at a glance , or scroll down further for a brief summary of each camera , along with pros , cons and contact to our complete in - depth reappraisal with sample photo and video recording .
For those settled on a GoPro as their next action photographic camera , we ’d recommend visiting our guide to thebest GoPros . or else , to learn about more corking cameras across the full chain of categories , check out our scout to thebest mirrorless cameras , upright DSLRs , undecomposed instant camera , best vlogging camerasandbest trailer , as well as our breakdown of thebest camerasoverall .
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Learn more about how we test cameras
We screen every camera we review thoroughly . We use set tests to liken features properly and we use each entry as our main twist over the critical review period . We ’ll always tell you what we find and we never , ever , accept money to review a product .
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Pros
Cons
Insta360 X4
Insta360 One RS 1-inch 360 Edition
DJI Osmo Action 3
Insta360 Go 3S
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Trusted Score
TheGoPro Hero 12 Blackis our plectron for best action camera , beating tough competition from brands like DJI and Insta360 . This is n’t the newest GoPro ( we have yet to share our thinking on the of late denote GoPro Hero 13 Black ) , but it is the best we ’ve try and a fantastic all - rounder for any adventure .
The Hero 12 Black will no doubt look familiar to any GoPro user with its small-scale , boxy form and lightweight , rugged build . It ’s waterproof up to 10 meter or 60 yard with GoPro ’s Protective Housing case , being beat out by theDJI Osmo Action 5 Pro ’s 20 m trope out of the loge . The Hero 12 Black also includes two bright and sharp displays , though the front screen door has no touch support – this is another matter we ’d like to see GoPro adopt from the Osmo Action 5 professional .
Where the Hero 12 opprobrious profits is double quality . The compounding of GoPro ’s own GP2 processor and a 1/1.9 - column inch CMOS sensor enable 5.3K/60p video and 27 - megapixel distillery . We found the video recording quality to be vivacious and elaborated when shooting in good lighting , though the photographic camera is n’t quite as adept when faced with low Christ Within . For this , we ’d recommend theInsta360 Ace Pro 2 .
There are also good deal of new and familiar features squeezed into the Hero 12 Black . These admit up to 8x slo - mo capture , HyperSmooth stabilization with AutoBoost and Horizon Lock and support for wireless headphones such as Apple AirPods . There ’s also Scheduled Capture , Hindsight and Timecode Sync living , along with an array of originative Night Effects .
The Hero 12 Black has also received a battery rise compare to its predecessor , repeat the recording time when sprout 5.3K/60p telecasting .
TheInsta360 X4is a versatile activeness camera that makes it potential to capture 360º video and poke - like shots in 8K.
The main draw of the X4 is 360º TV . The activity River Cam is capable of recording 8K/30p ( 4 K reframed after redaction ) for more detail , or 5.7K/60p to prioritise a high flesh rate and quiet results . There ’s also a more standard GoPro - stylus unmarried - lens mode but , unlike the GoPro Hero 12 Black which extends to 120p , this is limited to 60p .
When it come to features , FlowState electronic image stabilization is brilliant at crafting smooth and jerk - gratis consequence , while HorizonLock ascertain that TV stay stratum even when turn 360º. The Insta360 X series is bang for its auto - stitching and selfie stick removal which continue excellent on the X4 , though you’re able to occasionally spot the seams if you look out for them .
The designing will no doubt feel conversant toInsta360 X3users with its scoop - sized , stick shape and dual lenses pouch out of either side . The camera is waterproofed up to 10 m without a dive case or 50 m with one and can be manoeuver in temperatures down to -20ºC.
On the one side , there are physical control condition , including a shutter release and another push to cycle through shooting modes . Above them sits a 2.5 - inch Gorilla Glass touchscreen , while the side of the camera include a king button and a customisation Q clitoris for flicking through presets .
The UI is streamline , make swiping through the preferences and legal action a breeze , or you could use the nomadic app to entree the same alternative remotely . The app also allows you to edit and share content on a larger filmdom .
The camera ’s new 5 nm microprocessor chip is open of analyze and reframing videos mechanically using AI , rapidly create video that we found to be either wondrous or curious . It ’s an interesting feature to play around with , but not one we would necessarily rely on .
Finally , the battery life has been given a huge 66 % boost compared to the X3 , with the X4 now offer up to 135 minutes of transcription time at 5.7K/30p .
TheInsta360 One RS 1 - inch 360 Editionis the best military action tv camera for 360 filming , combining 6 KiB resolution and dear - flawless stabilization .
The action camera looks more like theInsta360 X3than theOne RSthat came before it . Gone is the red shelling coterie and the horizontal intention , and the button can now be find on the side of the camera . The 1.5 - inch screen is quite small compare to that of challenger , such as theGoPro Hero 11 Black .
The shelling also has a large capacitance than the vertical one found in theInsta360 One R , entail it annoyingly is n’t compatible with the newer camera despite the two batteries being the same size . The photographic camera can also get quite red-hot , which is something to deliberate during longer filming sitting , such as when becharm time - lapse .
The Insta360 One RS 360 Edition is capable of enter up to 6 jet footage , set the camera in line with theGoPro Maxwhen it descend to video quality . We find oneself footage captured with this camera to be vibrant with William Green that crop up and batch of hopeful blues .
The mic boasts excellent quality too , with voices picked up distinctly even on windy days . There ’s also a disjoined mic adapter available for those look to bind a more professional bent - up .
The Insta360 app and Insta360 Studio make blue-pencil footage less daunting , even for fledgling , with feature like Snap mode crap it well-situated to change the angle and rapid growth level during playback . This permit you to set a itinerary for the viewers ’ position or select a specific field for the video to be .
icon stabilisation is also next - degree , meliorate upon the FlowState stabilisation found on the One RS .
If you could tolerate the in high spirits price of the Insta One RS 1 - in 360 Edition , you ’ll struggle to find a good 360 action television camera .
TheDJI Osmo Action 3is an excellent option for underwater cinematography and a corking activeness camera in its own rightfulness , bested only by theGoPro Hero 11 Black .
DJI has switched out the modular design it debuted on theAction 2 in favor of a more standard GoPro - esque action tv camera guide . However , DJI has n’t all ditch the previous pattern , keeping the magnetic clamp and using it to make a fantastic quick - release organisation for attach the camera to first and third - party mounts .
This stand for you may unclip the camera from mounts instead of unscrewing it as you might with a GoPro , making it much faster to change . There ’s even a 2d mag - lock get on point on the side of the protective case for easy filming in portrayal orientation for TikTok or Instagram Reels .
Even without the case , the Osmo Action 3 is capable of last drops of up to 1.5 m and water as thick as 16 m. This astuteness extends to 60 yard when used with the optional waterproof case . you may also replace the lens so if it does get damage , there ’s no pauperism to substitute the entire camera .
Both the 1.4 - inch front and the 2.25 - inch rear screens are touch - capable , which puts DJI one step ahead of GoPro when liken the two front display . Physical push are limited to one large shutter push and a mightiness / quick prize clitoris for cycling through modes which we establish lacked a bit of travel .
When it come in to video quality , the Osmo Action 3 is capable of capturing 4 K video at 120fps , mean there ’s no 5.3 K option like the one found on the GoPro Hero 11 Black . However , the FOV is wide at 155 - degrees .
We encounter footage to be keen , elaborate and well - display during the day , though the quality did fall off in slick kindling precondition , with images and video suffering in humbled - light environments .
Despite these caveats , the DJI Osmo Action 3 remains a furrowed and very low-priced activity camera .
TheInsta360 Go 3Sis the small-scale , most lightweight action at law camera on this list , at just 1 x 2.1 x 1 inch and 39.1 g without its Action Pod .
The legal action tv camera has a alone design compared to competitors from GoPro and DJI , with the camera itself being tiny and discreet with no covert until attached to the more standard - sized Action Pod with a flip - up showing comparable to that on theAce Pro 2 .
The Go 3S calculate a lot like theGo 3that came before it . However , there are some major ascent to take musical note of . foremost , the waterproofing has doubled from 16 foot to 33 ft , put the Go 3S in line with theGoPro Hero 12and GoPro Hero 13 Black in terms of water resistance , though theDJI Osmo Action 5 Prostill have the cake in this field .
Insta360 has also upgraded the Go 3S with a 4 thou resolution , finally pushing beyond the 2.7 K video useable on the Go 3 . We found that the camera performed best in the day , delivering rich colour even on overcast days , though lowlight picture could be better . There ’s also a new Megaview option for those who dislike the fisheye twisting make by the ultrawide mode .
The Go 3S also include some iOS - sole features , include support for Apple ’s Find My tracking feature and automatic notifications that take you directly to the editing suite when the phone receive raw footage . Thankfully both iOS and Android users can make use of the Quick File Transfer button , which give up you to transfer telecasting to the mobile app with a water faucet .
You may have noticed a trend with many of the photographic camera on this list in that they often fall short when shooting in low - lighter configurations . This is broadly speaking inevitable due to the tiny sensors expect to fit inside their smaller organic structure . However , that does n’t intend some cameras do n’t put up a better combat than others .
TheInsta360 Ace Pro 2is the good action camera we ’ve tested for miserable - light shooting thanks to its PureVideo mode . While the 1/1.3 - inch sensor does still produce a large amount of dissonance and some distracting artefacts when inspected up nigh , it does handle to rescue right watchable footage in catchy conditions .
Another standout feature of the Ace Pro 2 is 8K/30p television recording . However , while prissy to have , it ’s more of a fillip feature than anything else . Few masses have machine that would allow them to enjoy 8 K contentedness and transcription in 8 K reduces the field of study of view , limits image stabilisation and lowers the framerate . It also means you ca n’t use Active HDR or the I - log colour profile . For this reason , we much preferred shooting in 4 K which offered excellent carrying out with all of the above features supported and more .
The photographic camera itself is small , rugged and waterproof up to 12 chiliad , putting it a step forward of theGoPro Hero 12and GoPro Hero 13 Black , but still behind theDJI Osmo Action 5 Proin this esteem . The Ace Pro 2 also include a unique flip - up monitor lizard also found on Insta360’sGo 3S. This permit for a more wide touchscreen when shoot vlogs and selfies equate to the motionless front covert on rivalling action cameras , though it can take a bit longer to move between them .
Finally , the battery offers around 140 min of 4K/30p shot in the camera ’s new Endurance Mode . There ’s also good timber electronic double stabilisation via Insta360 ’s FlowState feature , with Standard and High level usable , with the latter ideal for sports and faster - pace activities .
Test Data
Full Specs
