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The 8 Best Action Cameras in 2022
There’s something special about capturing the moment. You can proudly look back on your adventures and show everyone your action shots. Unfortunately, most regular cameras simply aren’t made to cope with the demands of extreme sports and thrill-seeking adventures.
That’s where the action camera comes in. They’re built to withstand a higher level of stress and capture those precious memories. The difficulty can come with choosing the best action camera as there are many great options on the market.
Thankfully we’re here to help. We’ve scoured the market to come up with the 8 best action cameras available right now. We’ve also answered some FAQs so you get exactly what you need.
All you need to do is read on and then choose your favorite. Let’s go!
Best Buy
1. GoPro Hero9
Say hello to the new and improved GoPro. The GoPro Hero9 captures amazing 5K videos and breathtaking 20MP photos. This camera is perfect for people that are on the move and want to capture every second of their lives.
The front and rear display is larger than before and can be easily used through its touch screen. This GoPro delivers highly stable and smooth videos with its Hyper Smooth 3.0. This waterproof and rugged camera can capture mesmerizing time-lapse videos and 8x slow-mos.
Have you ever clicked record on your camera a few seconds late and missed the most epic clips ever? Well, that will not be a problem anymore with the hindsight feature in the GoPro Hero9. This feature is designed for you to never miss a moment. It captures videos from 30 seconds before you clicked until you stop recording.
You can also live stream with this GoPro in 1080p Full HD which is perfect for vloggers, travel blogs, and social influencers. The brilliant camera contains specs such as compatibility with android, WIFI, GPS, automatic synchronization, fastest shutter speed, amazing depth reach (10m), and much more.
The new engineering and functions in the Hero9 leave all the other GoPros behind, providing you with practical and professional use.
2. Sony RXO II
Do not let the size fool you. This tiny but tough camera has all the features one can ask for. The Sony RXO II delivers superior image quality from an extremely compact body. Having the 1″ stacked back-illuminated Exmore RS CMOS Sensor and 24mm F4 ZEIS Tessar T lens allows it to provide much higher quality than the cameras it competes with.
This camera is waterproof to around 10 meters, crush-proof to approximately 200 kilos, and shockproof to around two meters. The LCD screen can tilt up 180 degrees and down 90 degrees.
It makes it a perfect camera to vlog with as you can see yourself while making the videos in selfie mode and having the flexibility to place the camera in different angles to get the perfect shot.
Though the screen of the RXO II might be tiny, it contains almost all the features and buttons needed. The RXO II also has internal 4K video recording and electronic image stabilization creating videos with extreme clarity, sharpness, and depth.
It can shoot 1080P up to 120 frames per second that can get you high-quality slow-mo footage or even bump it up to 1000 frames per second using the high frame mode. This is the perfect tiny camera to have in your pocket at all times.
3. AKASO 4K WiFi Sports Action Camera
This 100 feet waterproof camera is built to withstand any environment. It has a very durable frame that can be used for both indoor and outdoor activities. In addition, the camera is layered with transparent plastic that protects it from any damage.
The AKASO 4K camera has a splashproof 2.4G RF remote control that allows you to take pictures and footage away from your camera. The box comes with many different accessories such as a waterproof case, a bicycle stand, seven mounts, and a helmet mount.
It can record 4K resolution at 35 fps or 2K at 300 fps and capture 12MP photos at 30 fps. A downside of the camera is that it does not have a built-in storage system and requires an SD card. It can store up to 64GB of data which is enough to store a couple of videos.
The AKASO EK7000 has WiFi which lets users connect to the EZiCam app and easily transfer the pictures and videos captured onto their smartphone. The battery life of this camera is very good, having two rechargeable 1050mAh batteries which last around 90 minutes.
4. DJI Osmo Action
Are you on the lookout for a camera that allows you to capture it all? The DJI Osmo Action captures both the front and back with its dual-screen feature. This diverse and versatile camera is jam-packed with very advanced technology letting you spend less time adjusting the equipment and more time capturing amazing footage.
This camera provides outstanding stabilization and shake-free footage with its combination of EIS and complex algorithms. It also gives high-quality 4K resolution with 60 fps at 100Mbps videos. Slow your videos down with 1080p resolution and 240 fps by 8x slow motion.
The Osmo Action contains other features such as custom exposure settings, time-lapse, timed shooting mode, and the action OS interactive system. If you’re someone who loves chilly weather and wants to capture every moment, this camera is the one for you.
It can cope with temperatures down to 14F. It works well in hot conditions too. Most electronics end up overheating, however, the DJI Osmo Action has a 16% increase in efficiency with the cooling system.
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5. Insta360 One R Twin Edition
The Insta360 One R Twin Edition is a very versatile camera. It has two ways to shoot, you can either use the 5.7k 360 or the 4K 60 fps wide-angle shooter. You can now record videos with 16mm equivalent focal length that allows the user to record 4K videos at 60 fps and 1080p footage at around 200 fps.
Thanks to FlowState and the new scene-detection algorithm, you are provided with really stable results even in low light. The Insta360 One R twin has a very innovative design and comes in three main parts; the core, battery base, and one of the mods.
You can switch the mod from action to 360 giving you unlimited options of footage. The camera is water-resistant up to five meters but only once it is mounted on the bracket. Another amazing feature it contains is the invisible selfie stick effect which makes it easy to create brilliant selfies.
The AI edit function edits your pictures within minutes and by entering the apps, you have access to a whole world of functionality. With the A.I. algorithms in the system, it makes the Insta360 one of the smartest cameras out there.
6. Apeman A100
One of the best action cameras on market, the Apeman A100 has a 4K at 50 fps camera and many features that make it stand out from the crowd. With its ability for electric image stabilization, it allows you to capture high-quality footage during any activity.
You can dive down to 40 meters holding the camera with its case and it’ll perform superbly. Without the waterproof case, this camera is as vulnerable to water as any other camera.
Two batteries come with it, each offering up to 60 minutes of shooting time. Other features such as WiFi connectivity, remote control, voice control, and other auto settings make this camera very easy to understand and use for beginners.
The camera is fully operated by touchscreen and there are no buttons. The Apeman A100 has a seven-layered glass lens and a 170-degree angle of view.
7. Olympus Tough TG-6
The Olympus Tough TH-G is categorized as one of the best waterproof, pocket-sized cameras with a mixture of amazing features that cater to all kinds of customers. Especially for those who like to live on the edge and capture their moments.
This camera is rugged, waterproof, and durable. Providing you with a high-resolution F2.0 lens, the Olympus Tech TG-6 can make 4K videos and full HD 120 fps movies. You can take this camera up to a depth of 15m underwater.
It also has face detection and AF tracking mode. It has a shutter speed of ½ to 1/2000 sec and has a GPS, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, and thermometer. The back end 3″, 1.04M-dot display LCD is not a touchscreen, however, it can be easily used through the buttons available.
8. YI 4K+ Action Camera
This camera has the same 4K 30 fps video and 12MP abilities as the GoPro Hero. It also has a bigger touchscreen compared to the GoPro with a 155-degree wide-angle lens.
With features such as 4K at 30 fps for 120 minutes nonstop in a single charge, amazing options, and video resolution, this camera is a steal with the price you’re paying. The image quality is superb, it has 2.7K/60 fps, 1080P/ 120 fps, 720P/240 fps video, and an EIS system providing you with the smoothest footage.
The intuitive screen has a user-friendly system that makes taking pictures and making videos easy for all. The touchscreen is durable and scratch-resistant as it is made with Gorilla Glass.
This camera also has Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities that make it very convenient to move your footage to a smartphone. It can also be used for water-based footage with a waterproof case kit, which does add a bit of weight and size.
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Action camera FAQs
An action camera is one that has been made to take images in more extreme environments. This usually means a higher chance of contact with water, impacts, and dust ingress. This allows those adventurers to capture their activities without worrying about breaking their cameras.
There are two main features that an action camera needs to have. Firstly, it needs to have the build quality and durability to cope with these more challenging environments. Secondly, the camera needs to remain compact so it doesn’t get in the way or weigh too much.
There is no doubt that GoPro got a jump on all of their rivals in the action camera market, with the brand becoming synonymous with adventure shots. While they still make brilliant action cameras, there are now many brands that make models such as Sony, DJI, and Olympus. It’s a good idea to look beyond the brand and read the reviews to find a camera with the features you need.
As with any product, the amount you should pay will depend on several factors, including your own budget. We’ve looked at a wide range of action cameras here and you’re sure to find something that matches your budget. We think they are all good value for money but sometimes it’s worth spending that little bit extra to get that higher image quality and durability.
