Unlike other types of cameras, action cameras are so small and compact that they fit easily into a bag and can also be easily placed on various objects, be it a helmet, motorcycle, bicycle, skis, or even your dog's collar.
Moreover, the best action cameras have the ability to record your actions as fully as possible. This means they shoot great video no matter if you are high in the mountains or diving deep under water.
How to choose an action camera for an amateur
When it comes to action cameras, GoPro is the dominant brand for good reason: This company has been making the best action cameras for a few years now. So if you are thinking of buying an action camera, you should first look at the GoPro and choose the model that best suits your budget and needs.
After that, you need to select the characteristics you need.
- Most action cameras will record 4K video, but only the newer models will support over 30 fps.
- Another feature that is becoming standard on good amateur action cameras is optical or electronic image stabilization (the former is preferred). You cannot do without it if you plan to use an action camera while on the move, for example, while driving a car or riding a mountain bike.
- The design of action cameras has advanced to the point that most are water resistant to around 10 meters. However, if you want to dive deeper with your camera, you'll need an aquabox. Some models have it as standard.
After examining the recommendations of experts from specialized publications on which action camera to choose in 2020, we have compiled a selection of the 10 best models.
10. EKEN H9R
- UHD 4K video recording
- 4 MP matrix
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi
- up to 1.1 h of battery life
- weight 64 g
The action cam rating opens up an inexpensive model that can record your adventures at 25 frames per second at 4K resolution.
The EKEN H9R has a remote control (remote control included), and the ability to write to a memory card. And the small size allows you to put the device in your pocket or small purse.
The device is equipped with a small two-inch display, with which it is very convenient to take pictures. And the quality of shooting itself, according to user reviews, is very good (at 1080p), the picture is clear and juicy, even if you are on the move.
However, this model does not have a stabilizer, so you should not hope for a smooth video when moving on an uneven surface.
pros: rich equipment (aqua box, protective glass for the screen, cable for PC, many mounts), solid assembly.
Minuses: in the box, the sound is very muffled, there is no microphone jack, no pause, no lens cap, no way to fix exposure and white balance.
9.X-TRY XTG371
- UHD 4K video recording
- matrix 4 MP (1/3 ″)
- 64GB on-board flash memory
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 0.5 h of battery life
- weight 55 g
Want to feel like James Bond testing a new Kew device? Then you just need this action camera, which is built into the frame of the glasses.
It is equipped with an Omni Vision sensor with digital stabilization (in FHD and HD modes) and, although it does not support recording to a memory card, it has 64 GB of internal memory.
The device can record 4K video at 24fps, 1920 × 1080 at 60fps and 1280 × 720 at 120fps. The captured video can be sent to a PC or laptop by connecting via Micro USB 2.0.
In addition, the glasses can be used as a webcam. To do this, you need to connect them to your computer and select in the desired program as a video capture device.
pros: Lightweight, UV400 rated polarized lens, can record video while charging from an external battery.
Minuses: high price, no water protection, short operating time without recharging.
8. DJI Osmo Action
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP (1 / 2.3 ″) matrix
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 2.3 h of battery life
- weight 124 g
If you're trying to use an action camera to film yourself, you'll have to sort of guess where you are in the frame since you can't look at the screen on the back and yourself at the same time. DJI Osmo Action solves this dilemma, as it has 2 screens at once - on the front and rear panels, and this greatly simplifies the creation of the desired frame in photos and videos.
This rugged camera also has very good electronic image stabilization and can shoot 4K HDR video at 60fps. Unfortunately, you can't use HDR and image stabilization at the same time.
This model supports manual and semi-automatic exposure settings, and, according to the manufacturer, has a waterproof case that can withstand immersion to a depth of 11 meters.
pros: high-quality noise reduction, good battery life, convenient control, excellent image stabilization, does not overheat during long-term shooting, there is a programmable button.
Minuses: not always accurate automatic white balance, in low light the picture is "noisy".
7. Drift Ghost 4K
- UHD 4K video recording
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi
- 8 GB built-in flash memory
- stabilizer
- up to 3.5 hours of battery life
- weight 120 g
This is the best action camera of 2020 with stabilizer for cyclists and bikers. It offers a variety of resolutions and frame rates to ensure you get the best video for any situation.
For quiet and leisurely shooting, we recommend choosing the maximum 4K Ultra HD resolution set at 30 frames per second. Just keep in mind that digital image stabilization works at a resolution no higher than 1080p.
The low-profile camera design and rugged construction make the Ghost 4K the perfect choice for adventures on two wheels (handlebar or helmet mount). And if you buy a waterproof box from Drift, you can explore underwater depths of up to 40 meters.
Some action cameras do a poor job of audio, but not the Ghost 4K. The camera has two microphones that improve sound quality and help combat annoying wind noise.
pros: impressive sound recording quality, long battery life, remote control possible.
Minuses: not very comfortable controls, no stabilization above 1080p.
6. Xiaomi Mijia Seabird 4K
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi
- up to 1 hour of battery life
- weight 60 g
Xiaomi's Best Action Camera of 2020 has 4K resolution at 30fps or 60fps at 1920 × 1080. It is possible and even faster - with a frequency of 120 frames / s, but then the resolution will have to be reduced to 1280 × 720.
Video recording is smooth, although not nearly as impressive as the GoPro at similar resolutions and frame rates according to users.
The action camera has a clear and easy-to-read screen for viewing and framing in sunlight. However, it is not waterproof and requires a waterproof case before you can submerge yourself in water.
pros: compact, easy to set up and manage.
Minuses: "Raw" Android application, no optical stabilization, no HDMI output.
5. Lemon Tree SQ11
- Full HD 1080p video recording
- microSD cards
- up to 1 hour of battery life
- weight 18 g
If you want the cheapest action camera and still have good quality, check out this model.
With its diminutive size and low cost, the Lemon Tree SQ11 shoots in Full HD resolution at 30 fps, and has a slot for a micro SD memory card.
Users praise the good sound quality and build quality of the device. Water resistance or image stabilization is out of the question, but for the price, that's to be expected.
pros: compact, well made, good removal, secure fit.
Minuses: short battery life.
4. Insta360 One R
- video recording 5.7K
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 1.1 h of battery life
- weight 131 g
Shenzhen Arashi Vision Company Ltd, which makes Insta360 cameras, has a lot of experience in creating panoramic cameras, but Insta360 One R is its first offering in the action camera market.
The main feature of the One R is a fully modular system in which the camera is presented in four separate modules:
- processor and touch screen,
- storage battery,
- wide angle lens,
- dual lens for 360-degree shooting.
To start shooting, decide if you want to record regular content or 360-degree content, select the appropriate lens, and then link the modules together. The system works very well, allowing additional parts to be added and, if necessary, updated or replaced on the fly.
360-degree video quality is excellent, and the Insta360 One R can also record regular 4K video, albeit in a 4: 3 aspect ratio at 30fps. If you're looking for the most versatile action camera available in 2020, then the Insta360 One R is a great choice.
pros: there is voice control, water resistance according to the IPX8 standard, however, to ensure it, a special platform must be attached to the structure.
Minuses: price, if the battery runs out during shooting, you will have to disassemble the structure, with fast movement and in poor lighting conditions, the video "gets blurry".
3. Sony FDR-X3000
- UHD 4K video recording
- matrix 8.2 MP (1 / 2.5 ″)
- MS, microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth
- optical stabilizer
- up to 2.35 h of battery life
- weight 114 g
Another 4K offering in the 2020 ranking of action cameras, this time from Sony. The Sony FDR-X3000 4K is equipped with optical image stabilization, and the ZEISS lens ensures your videos are clear and free from glare.
One of the big advantages of this action camera is the wind noise reduction feature. Therefore, the sound in your videos will be clearly audible. This can be especially important for those looking for an action camera for mountaineering trips.
pros: very simple menu, aqua box included, convenient form factor, you can connect an external microphone, there is an HDMI output, can be installed on any standard tripod.
Minuses: expensive branded accessories, at high temperatures it can overheat, which causes defocus and defects when shooting, no display.
2. GoPro Hero 7 Black
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP (1 / 2.3 ″) matrix
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 1.5 hours of battery life
- weight 116 g
The first GoPro action camera to record 4K video at 60 frames per second. It is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters in fresh water, has a 2-inch color LCD touch screen and voice control.
While the Hero 7's image stabilization isn't as effective as the Hero 8's, it's still excellent. The taken photos and videos can be sent to a mobile phone using the proprietary GoPro app.
Now that the Hero 8 has hit the market, GoPro has slashed the price of the Hero7 Black a bit and you might be able to find even better on-camera deals in online stores.
pros: convenient menu, good sound quality, Time Wrap mode with Hypersmooth stabilization, you can set the maximum ISO value (sensitivity) equal to 100.
Minuses: Not suitable for night photography, indoor flickering may occur due to artificial lighting.
1. GoPro HERO8 Black Edition
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix
- microSD cards
- Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 0.5 h of battery life
- weight 103 g
Surprise, surprise: GoPro's newest device, the Hero 8 Black, sits at the top of our top action cameras 2020.
This model records videos in 4K at 60 frames per second and in HDR.The G8 has also improved electronic image stabilization over the Hero 7, so videos are even smoother than before.
The biggest change to the Hero 8 action camera is its design. It is smoother than its predecessor and has a built-in mount that eliminates the need for an extra frame or box, and provides quick access to a memory card and USB port for simultaneous shooting and recharging.
In addition, the camera is waterproof and does not require a protective casing when submerged to a depth of 10 meters. It has a built-in touch screen and responds to voice commands.
GoPro has a very good app and software for editing your videos. In addition, the company recently released new software that allows the GoPro Hero8 Black to be used as a webcam. For now, this feature only works on Mac, but GoPro is developing a version that is compatible with Windows.
pros: customizable presets, you can adjust the bit rate, the Horizon Leveling function, which prevents the horizon from falling and jerking, the accelerated video can be returned to normal shooting with one tap on the screen.
Minuses: Quieter speaker sound compared to Hero 7, mediocre night time shooting, short runtime (40 minutes with periodic on / off and about an hour and a half with continuous shooting).
Action camera comparison test 2020