If you’ve been into videography and vlogging for a while you probably have an idea of what kind of action camera you need already. You’re in search of one of the best action cameras to create raw HD or 4K video or to create special effects. Finding a great action camera that can provide good performance while staying on budget can be a terrible task. However, we’ve curated a list of the best action cameras you can buy this season because we know videography is an expensive hobby. If the first idea coming to your mind is the GoPro, it’s time for you to reconsider because many other brands are providing impeccable features and designs you should overlook. Yes, GoPro is still one of the finest action cameras available but it would be a shame if we don’t check other brands before making the final decision.
Let’s start with the most affordable and compelling GoPro alternative action camera. DJI Osmo packs brilliant features, rock steady stabilisation, and a 1.4-inch, 300ppi full-color LCD, all at a tempting price tag. If you vlog a lot, need steady HD video with good stabilization, and don’t want to pay the GoPro prices, the DJI Osmo Action is a great alternative. The color scheme of the Osmo Action is slightly more neutral compared to other action cameras and the 12MP camera is perfectly good enough for capturing images. The most impressive features of Osmo Action are the Rock Steady stabilisation mode and the 1.4-inch LCD. With its wide 145° field of view, DJI Osmo Action matches GoPro’s flagship action camera on almost every video specs.
Key specs:
- Sensor: 12-MP 1/2.3in CMOS
- Stabilisation: RockSteady EIS
- Video: 4K/60p 100Mbs
- High frame rate: 2.7K/60p, FullHD/240p
- HDR video: 4K/30p
- Field of view: 145°
- Lens/Aperture: f/2.8
- Battery: 1300mAh
- Connectivity: GPS/WiFi/Bluetooth
- Waterproof: 10m
- Dimensions: 65 x 42 x 35mm
- Weight: 124g
- Memory: 1x MicroSDHC/SDXC
Hero9 Black comes with a breathtaking 5K video recording at 30fps and a bit rate of 100Mbps and it is the highest resolution action camera on our list. This futuristic device now comes with a front screen which has always been missing in a GoPro. The DJI Osmo Action introduced the front screen option in action cameras but you manually switch from front to rear screen as needed; the Hero 9 has both screens ready to go at all times. It makes the Hero 9’s front screen more practical and useful. The Hero9 took a huge step ahead in the sensor department by introducing a 23.6-megapixel sensor compared to the Hero8’s 12mp sensor. It can also snap 20-megapixel still images and we have noticed a considerable step up from previous Hero sensors. Another important upgrade is in the battery life, thanks to a larger 1720mAh battery. All these impressive features make the Hero9 black twice as expensive as the DJI Osmo action.
Key Specs:
- Sensor: 23.6-MP 1/2.3in CMOS
- Stabilisation: HyperSmooth 3.0
- Video: 5K/30p 100Mbs
- High frame rate: 2.7K/120p, FullHD/240p
- HDR video: 4K/30p
- Field of view: Undisclosed
- Lens/Aperture: f/2.8 | Battery: 1720mAh
- Connectivity: GPS/WiFi/Bluetooth
- Waterproof: 10m
- Dimensions: 71 x 55 x 33.6mm
- Weight: 158g
- Memory: 1x MicroSDHC/SDXC
Insta360 One R is a modular 360 camera with a convertible option to other cameras such as a 4K action camera, a 1-inch sensor camera, or a 360-drone camera. You can select the best camera for the job you desire and the 4K Wide-Angle module is ready to be in action with all the features you would expect from an action camera. The impressively small and compact Insta360 One R comes in four parts that neatly interlock; a processor module complete with touchscreen, a dual-lens module for 360º, a 4K-capable module, and a 1190mAh battery base that joins them all together. And there’s a lot more to like about the Insta 360 ONE R for general users.
Key specs:
- Sensor: 15.3-MP 1-inch RS CMOS
- Stabilisation: 6-axis Gyroscope
- Video: 4K/60p 100Mbs + 5.7K/30p 360°
- High frame rate: 2.7K/100p
- HDR video: Yes
- Field of view: 16.4mm+7.2mm
- Lens/Aperture: f/2.8+f/2.0
- Battery: 1190mAh
- Connectivity: WiFi/Bluetooth
- Waterproof: 5m
- Dimensions: 72mm x 48 x 32.4mm + 72 x 48 x 43mm
- Weight: 121 + 130.5g
- Memory: MicroSDHC/SDXC
In a competitive market where high-end features are bartered about such as 4K at 60fps, dual screens, and voice control- Olfi comes with a more traditional approach and offers great value for money. Olfi One Five Blackis one of the perfect budget action cameras we have tested yet. This compact action camera offers 4k (Interpolated) at 24fps, 1080p at 60fps, and 720p at 120fps which is reasonable for a £150 product. Apart from the normal video and photo modes, the Olfi Black also features an extended time-lapse mode which enables you to set the camera to take one frame every hour, we find this a small but unique addition in an action camera. If you are looking for an entry-level device to capture the action, Olfi Black is a perfect choice.
Key Specs
- Sensor: 16-MP Sony BSI Exmor-R CMOS
- Stabilisation: EIS
- Video: 4K/24p, FullHD/60p
- High frame rate: HD/120p
- HDR video: Yes
- Field of view: 166°
- Lens/Aperture: n/a
- Battery: 900mAh
- Connectivity: WiFi/RF
- Waterproof: 30m with housing only
- Dimensions: 54 x 40 x 24mm
- Weight: 60g
- Memory: MicroSDHC/SDXC
The RX0 packs Sony’s most successful 1-inch sensors inside a rugged, familiar action-camera body, and believe us, it’s a beast in performance and quality. Equipped with 4K-video recording at 30p and a 1.5in 180° tilting screen, the RX0 is an action camera that handles stills and video brilliantly. Pricing over £700, the RX0 II is by far the most expensive option on this list. Unfortunately, the RX0 does not have optical image stabilisation but it offers both enhanced colour reproduction and a new Soft Skin Effect mode to ensure that your videos and stills portray the best colours. Sony is pushing the RX0 II to be used in professional filmmaking productions rather than just being another action camera and that justifies the pricing of this premium device.
Key specs
- Sensor: 15.3-MP 1-inch RS CMOS
- Stabilisation: SteadyShot
- Video: 4K/30p 100Mbs
- High frame rate: FullHD/120p, 1000fps
- HDR video: Yes
- Field of view: 84°
- Lens/Aperture: 24mm Zeiss Tessar T* f/4
- Battery: 1220mAh
- Connectivity: WiFi/Bluetooth
- Waterproof: 10m (crushproof to 2000N)
- Dimensions: 59 x 40.5 x 35mm
- Weight: 132g
- Memory: 1 x MicroSDHC /SDXC
