See full version: Best action cameras of 2021
But one of the best parts of the Insta360 One R is that the company never stops improving it and adding features. For example, it just updated the device so it can be used as a webcam, and with the camera's WiFi you can now livestream with the 360 camera. There is no shortage of accessories for it, either, including a dive housing and a selfie stick that disappears from view when you use it with the 360 camera. here
However, the biggest changes are in the design of the GoPro camera. The Hero 9 Black is larger to accommodate a bigger, more powerful battery. The lens cover is also now removable so it can be replaced easily if it gets scratched. It also allows you to add lenses including the new Max Mod Lens that gives you an ultrawide view with hypersmooth stabilization. The action camera is currently on sale for $400, but if you sign up for GoPro's service, the camera price drops to $350 and that includes the service costs.
The GoPro is often the first brand name that comes to mind when you think of action cams -- and for good reason. GoPros are lightweight, compact and built to be tough enough to withstand extreme adventures. If you're looking for a good mountable, high-resolution, rugged waterproof camera to take on your next incredible outing, we can help you find the best action camera for your needs. GoPro isn't the only game in town. here
A good action camera offers a variety of features to help you make a great video recording of your most extreme exploits. Some features, like image stabilization and a waterproof case, are must-haves. Others, such as a touch screen, 4K resolution and remote control compatibility aren't necessarily make or break for a sports camera. more
This is the best single-lens action camera you can get from GoPro at the moment in features and performance. Compared with the Hero 8 Black, there are new tools for photos and videos like being able to schedule recordings or set them for a specific duration -- from 15 seconds to 3 hours-- and it now records at 5K at 30 frames per second. That might sound like overkill, but you can pull high-quality stills from the video, making 5K video good for when you can't choose between getting a movie or stills.
These tiny rugged cameras are made for shooting and sharing your adventures, even if they only happen in your backyard.
While fishing is a pastime where both skilled knowledge and chance play equal roles - nowadays technology can now help us improve our opportunities to make a catch. Enter the underwater fishing camera, providing the keen angler with a visual representation of what’s otherwise hidden and happening beneath the surface. In short, these all-seeing devices can help reveal what would otherwise be extremely difficult if not impossible to ascertain from the riverbank. more
Underwater fishing cameras can be deployed on the line to work alongside the angler’s bait, and often unobtrusively mimic regular floats in their design. As they’ll be dealing with murky and sometimes dark waters, when making your selection you may want to consider a device promising low light capability, possibly with infrared vision. Yes, you could simply use a regular underwater camera or action camera rather than one directly related to fishing, but then, unless said camera has a dedicated app that allows you to use a smartphone as a remote, you won't have a way of monitoring what’s going on below the water’s surface in real time. Which some may consider the whole point of a dedicated underwater fishing camera. more
Use tech to ensure you get a bite with the best underwater fishing cameras around – the perfect fisherman’s friend.
Looking for the best underwater fishing camera? We are here to help you find the best one for you, and to guide you to the best price…
If you're trying to use an action camera to take videos of yourself, you have to sort of guess where you are in the frame, as you can't look at the screen on the rear of the camera and yourself at the same time. The DJI Osmo Action solves that dilemma, as it has a color screen on its front, which makes it much easier to frame yourself in photos and video. here
GoPro's Hero7 Black was the first of GoPro's action cameras to include the ability to record 4K video at 60 fps. Like earlier models, it's waterproof to 33 feet, has a rear 2-inch color touch-screen LCD, and voice control. While not as effective as the Hero 8, the Hero 7's image stabilization is still excellent. Plus, it can livestream to Facebook using the GoPro app. here
The Olympus Tough TG-Tracker looks more like a mini-camcorder than a traditional action camera, which is both good and bad. It's much larger than a GoPro-style camera, so it's too bulky to mount to, say, a helmet. However, the TG-Tracker has a nice, expansive flip-out touchscreen, so you can easily view what you're recording. [links]
Action camera design has progressed to the point where most are water-resistant to around 33 feet; if you want to go any deeper, though, you'll need to get a case.
If you want a really, really small action camera then look no further than the Insta360 Go 2 — a wearable camera designed to capture life's most important moments. The original version impressed us with its video and photo quality, but was just too tricky to control. The second version fixes that, mainly thanks to a clever charging case that doubles as a remote. [links]
The software has been improved as well, especially HyperSmooth 3.0, which really does create a nearly gimbal-like smoothness. The Hero 9 manages to have much better battery life—especially in cold conditions according to GoPro, which are always hard on batteries. You'll still want to pick up a couple of extra batteries, but you probably won't need the sackful it used to take to get through a full day's shooting.
To figure out which camera is the best, we tried them all. We dove with them, climbed with them, biked with them, and handed them to reckless 6-year-olds on bikes. We found a number of great options that will record, and survive, your future adventures.
The Hero 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is GoPro's most compelling update to the Hero line in years. It features a new 23.6-megapixel sensor—a huge jump from the Hero 8's 12-MP sensor. More megapixels means the Hero 9 Black can shoot 5K video and snap 20-MP still images. Perhaps even more exciting, you can now extract 14.7-MP images from that 5K video.
If an action cam isn't your speed, be sure to check out our Best Compact Camera, Best Mirrorless Camera, and Best Instant Camera guides as well.
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Choosing the right action camera used to be simple: Go with GoPro. It's still good advice. The GoPro ranks high on our list and is our top pick for most people. But we've finally found a few worthy competitors.