If you want to capture outdoor sports or underwater excursions, you need a tough and portable action camera. I’ve been testing action cameras for more than a decade and am here to help you pick the best one.
Are you looking for a small camera that you can take anywhere—even underwater—and record epic slow-motion videos of surfing, rock climbing, parasailing, or other adventurous activities? If so, you need an action camera. These compact wonders support fast frame rates, high-pixel video, and can be mounted on your person or in tight spaces. They also stabilize handheld recording, making them suitable for vlogs and travel videos, so you don’t have to be a thrill seeker to use one. I’ve been reviewing action cameras at PCMag for over 12 years, and I most strongly recommend the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro for adventures and vlogs, and the Insta360 X5 for 360-degree video. However, you won’t find a bad camera among our top choices. If you’re not an action cam expert, make sure to read past the list for a full rundown of what you need to know before buying.Why We Picked It
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro uses a big Type 1/1.3 format image sensor to produce crisp video in dim light that looks better than what you get from the GoPro Hero13 Black. The Osmo’s video resolution isn’t as ambitious as the Hero 13’s, but it still supports up to 4K120 or 1080p240, and it outperforms any GoPro for stills with 40MP Raw DNG and JPG capture. We love its large, dual touch screens, two-hour battery life at 4K60, and waterproofing for depths up to 59 feet. Who It’s For
Adventurers: The Action 5 Pro lives up to its name. It is built to withstand drops, is waterproof down to 59 feet, and is compact enough to mount on a helmet or skateboard, allowing you to capture your outdoor activities.
Content creators: Vloggers will appreciate the Osmo’s fantastic digital stabilization, good low-light recording quality, dual touch screens, and excellent battery life. It’s also compatible with DJI’s popular Mic 2, Mic 3, and Mic Mini wireless microphones.Why We Picked It
The Insta360 X5 is one of the best cameras for capturing dual-lens, 360-degree video at 8K resolution, providing a clear and detailed picture. It captures an all-around view of the world and works with a clever smartphone app, allowing you to creatively reframe the all-around video for display on flat screens. The camera is waterproof and can withstand rough handling, making it suitable for mounting and capturing action.Who It’s For
Creative editors: Creators who want to try their hand at 360-degree capture will love using the X5. Its smartphone app provides all the tools you need to pan and zoom through its spherical video, allowing you to add effects like Big Little Planet projections and Matrix-style bullet-time slow-motion.Why We Picked It
The GoPro Hero12 Black may not be the latest from the action cam powerhouse, but we see it as the best value option in the company’s current lineup. For $60 less than the newer Hero13, you get video that’s just as good, with excellent slow-motion options (5.3K60, 4K120, and 2.7K240), plus 10-bit color in HDR, SDR, or flat profiles. A nearly square image sensor boosts picture quality for creators pulling vertical 9:16 frames for TikTok, while its rugged and waterproof build means you don’t need an add-on case.Who It’s For
Adventurers: The Hero12 Black is small, tough, and waterproof down to 33 feet, so you can mount it, abuse it, or take it snorkeling. Slow-motion video is a strong point; it pushes 120fps frames at 4K, good enough for a 4x slow-mo effect on a standard 30fps timeline.
Content creators: With 10-bit video and an uncommon 8:7 aspect ratio sensor, the Hero12 Black is a good action cam to use for vlogs and social media. You can pull out both vertical and widescreen footage from the same clip.Why We Picked It
The Max2 combines GoPro’s expertise in action camera design with dual-lens capture. It records 360-degree video at up to 8K30 quality, tightly integrates with GoPro’s Quik smartphone app and subscription service, and serves as a traditional action cam with single-lens 5.6K60/4K100 recording capabilities. It earns extra points for durability; you can take it snorkeling at 16-foot depths without a case, and if you scratch or crack either of its lens guards, you can replace them in the field without needing extra tools.Who It’s For
Creative editors: Like other dual-lens cameras, the Max2 captures a 360-degree spherical image, allowing you to take its footage into the editing room and add pans, zooms to guide viewers through the scene. Additionally, it supports creative reframing shots, such as the popular Little Big Planet projection.
Adventurers: The Max2 is built tougher than other 360-degree cameras, allowing it to withstand drops and submerge underwater without worry. You can even change its lens guards without any tools, so it’s easy to perform quick repairs in the field in the event that you crack or scratch either lens.
