10 best GoPro and action cameras
Action cameras are unlike any other kind of camera. They’re designed to be attached to helmets, surfboards, cars and other objects, and they’re small, tough and simple, with a lens that captures the world in high-definition video in a wide-angle fish-eye perspective.
Their small size and dramatic POV (‘point of view’) footage has made them popular with extreme sports personalities who capture their adventures by attaching cameras to themselves or their equipment. They’re also used by TV production companies where using a regular video camera would be impossible.
Action cams are almost the opposite of regular video cameras – they’re small, they’re inexpensive, they’re simple to operate and tough.
GoPro is the market leader with its iconic box-shaped Hero cameras, but action cams also come in a ‘bullet’ style, like the iON Air Pro. There’s lots of choice now, and you shouldn’t just buy on brand – think about what you want from an action camera and how you plan to use it.
If you’re helmet mounting, then a bullet cam will probably be the best choice. For a chest mount a box design will be more stable. And when it comes to features, do you really need Wi-Fi, 4K, GPS or even a screen? These all bump up the price, and while they are invaluable in some situations, you can still get great footage without them.
1. TomTom Bandit
Shake-to-edit features could tempt users away from GoPro
Weight: 190g | Waterproof: Splashproof, with lens swap | 4K video: 15fps | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 16Mp | Battery life: 3hrs
Bullet shape cams might have fallen out of fashion recently thanks to GoPro and its box-shaped cameras, but the TomTom Bandit bucks the trend. In fact, the Bandit packs features that other manufacturers will need to follow if they’re to keep up with this newcomer. Taking years of GPS experience, TomTom has built in a series of sensors that not only record location but speed and G-force too, so that when these sensors pick up that something exciting has happened they automatically tag the footage. Back in the pub and with the app open and connected, a quick shake of your phone and the app will automatically edit your footage ready for upload. It really couldn’t be easier.
Read the full review: TomTom Bandit
2. GoPro Hero4 Black
4K video from the biggest name in the action camera market
Weight: 89g (152g with housing) | Waterproof: 40m (case included) | 4K video: 30/25/24fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12Mp | Battery life: 1-2hrs est
We really rate the TomTom Bandit, but the GoPro Hero4 Black is a close second. It’s the company’s flagship model, featuring a wealth of video options and accessories that help to ensure the model and brand’s popularity. These options include 4K video or slow motion full HD video at 120 frames per second, alongside a range of 1080p full HD frame rates. This makes it a great choice for professional videographers as well as home users who want flexibility over the video quality and resolution settings. If however you just want a camera that captures the action then the the GoPro Hero4 Black may just be overkill.
Read the full review: GoPro Hero 4 Black
3. Garmin Virb XE
Capture your action, speed and location at the same time
Weight: 152g | Waterproof: 50m | 4K video: No | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 12Mp | Battery life: 2hrs
The original Garmin Virb introduced motion sensors and GPS tracking to action cameras, adding an extra element to capturing the action, like the TomTom Bandit. Building on the solid foundation of the original Virb, Garmin has revisited the design, losing the bullet shape and remodeling the camera around the popular ‘box’ style. This new shape makes chest mounting far easier and, as with the original, the build quality is excellent. The XE offers increased video quality, it’s waterproof without an additional case, features Wi-Fi along with compatible app and software, this all makes the Virb XE one of the best action cameras at present.
4. Veho Muvi K-Series K2 NPNG
Comprehensive package and amazing 100m dive depth
Weight: 84g | Waterproof: 100m | 4K video: No | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 16Mp | Battery life: Up to 4hrs
It’s not a familiar High Street brand, but UK-based Veho has put a great deal of effort into making sure that its Muvi range of action cameras is a major contender in this competitive action cam market. The box design and wealth of mounts included in the box is a great move. Its design and build show that it is made to withstand the action, and an ultra-tough dive case quotes a maximum depth of 100m – deeper than all the rest and far greater than we’re able to test.
5. iSAW Edge
Leading the pack of high-spec budget action cameras
Weight: 64g | Waterproof: 40m, with waterproof housing | 4K video: 10fps | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 16Mp | Battery life: 2hrs
It has its limitations but the iSAW Edge is still an incredibly capable action camera at a price that defies its features. The spec sheet really does look too good to be true for the price, with 4K capture, 120fps slow motion at 720p and up to 60fps at 1080p. The design is similar to the GoPro Hero series and the 40m waterproof housing is fully compatible with the majority of GoPro mounts, but where the camera really wins confidence is in the quality of both the build and video. Footage is sharp clear and crisp and the overall design takes on board easy clean elements such as a flat, wipe-clean lens, that so many of the newer manufacturers totally overlook.
Read the full review: ISAW Edge
6. GoPro Hero4 Session
Back-to-basics box-shape action camera
Weight: 74g | Waterproof: 10m | 4K video: No | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 100fps | Stills resolution: 8Mp | Battery life: 1.5-2hrs est
The Session is a welcome break from the standard GoPro design, and strips back the action camera concept to its basics – but the price does seem high for the video options available, which stops this moving further up our list. This is a camera designed as a perfect cube design harnessed within a skeleton frame. This design makes it incredibly easy to mount in any direction. The large Record button on the top starts and stops recording so there’s no worrying about different modes and options – that’s all handled by the app. The Session feels like a welcome return to the basics but still captures the quality of video that you’d expect from GoPro.
Read the full review: GoPro Hero4 Session
7. Drift Stealth 2
Compact, mount-anywhere action camera
Weight: 97g | Waterproof: 40m using optional case | 4K video: No | 1080: 30/25fps | 720: up to 60fps | Stills resolution: 12Mp | Battery life: 3hrs
The Stealth 2 is an incredibly small action camera, making it an ideal choice for anyone wanting a helmet or vehicle mounted device. As with the larger Stealth-S, this compact version features a 300 degree rotating lens which enables the easy leveling of footage without the need for adjusting mounts. Despite the small size, the battery is good for a staggering 3 hours of life and enables easy charging through USB. Recording options are limited to a maximum of 1080p at 30fps, however, but there’s a good selection of lower resolutions with higher frame rates. The Stealth 2 is a lightweight yet robust action camera ideal for use in difficult to mount situations.
Read the full review: Drift Stealth 2
8. Sony FDR-X1000V
Clear, crisp 4K video quality
Weight: 114g | Waterproof: 10m, with waterproof case | 4K video: 30/25/24fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 8.8Mp | Battery life: N/A
The X1000V demonstrates Sony’s long standing expertise in imaging. It offers outstanding visual quality with 4K video and full 1080p video at 120fps, so you can capture stunning large scale or slow motion footage. The only snag is that while many other cameras have adopted the GoPro mounting system, Sony has stuck to its own. However, this does lock solid and is of exceptional quality – and mount adapters for GoPro accessories are available if you need them. There is also the option to use the RM-LVR2, a wearable wrist live view remote that gives complete control over the camera and is a great accessory if you’re mounting the camera out of reach.
9. Kaiser Baas X100
Australian action camera combining price and performance
Weight: N/A | Waterproof: 30m, with waterproof case | 4K video: No | 1080: 30fps | 720: up to 60fps | Stills resolution: 5Mp | Battery life: Up to 2.5hrs
The X100 leads Kaiser Baas’s latest range of action cameras. It follows the tried and tested GoPro box style of design and features the standard GoPro mount on the base. There is little to fault when it comes to build quality with the sturdy 30m waterproof housing and it even comes with its own wrist remote for easy operation. Video options are a little limited when compared with the latest batch of action cameras, though, with a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30fps, and the video quality is also little less refined than some – but the visuals are still sharp and vibrant. At the price it offers a good, solid choice for anyone looking for a first action camera.
10. Panasonic HX-500E
Unique design best suited for head mounting
Weight: 185g combined | Waterproof: 3m | 4K video: 25fps | 1080: up to 50fps | 720: up to 100fps | Stills resolution: 8.3Mp | Battery life: N/A
Panasonic has taken a different design approach to the main swathe of action cameras by splitting the device in two – the camera and main unit. The two sections are connected by a cable, which means that you need to find two different ways to fix the camera to your person or vehicle. However, video quality is excellent, with options to shoot 4K as well as HD formats. NFC, Wi-Fi and a built-in screen are other welcome features. It’s a great idea, but the design restricts it mainly to helmet use.
