Best Action Cameras (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Examine Our Prime Choose Motion Cameras

The B-Roll

A few of our earlier picks stay good cameras, although their options lag behind more moderen releases.

DJI’s Osmo Motion 4 Digital camera for $225: The Motion 4 is a implausible motion digital camera. The magnetic mounting system is one of the best we have tried, the menu system makes switching between modes a snap, and the ensuing images and video are nice. The Motion 5 trumps it in a variety of methods, however when you’re on a price range, that is an superior digital camera and it integrates effectively into the DJI ecosystem.

All these low cost cameras on Amazon: Readers typically ask, why spend $400 on a GoPro after they can get a digital camera with 4K video for $100? It is a truthful query, and the reply comes all the way down to software program, primarily picture stabilization. Motion cameras are designed to be strapped to helmets or clipped to your chest when you skydive, rock climb, and race by means of town on a scooter. With out stabilization, the outcomes are one thing even your closest mates will not sit by means of. So sure, you will get 4K footage with the cheaper cams, however it’ll be footage nobody needs to see. In our view, you are higher off spending one other $100 for an older GoPro (Hero 10 or 11) on sale.

Finest Equipment to Trick Out Your Digital camera

{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson

After you have an motion digital camera, you are good to go for many use circumstances. GoPro, Insta360, and DJI all present helmet mounts and different methods to stay your digital camera the place you need it. However there are some good extras that may make getting that shot you are dreaming of even simpler. Listed here are a number of:

A superb microSD card: You could get an SD card along with your digital camera. Insta360’s SD playing cards are fairly good truly, however I have a tendency to make use of SanDisk’s Excessive Professional playing cards as a result of they’re quick and, as a bonus, waterproof. You possibly can choose up a 512-GB card for round $60. I additionally like Samsung’s Professional Plus microSD playing cards, that are a little bit quicker in my exams. You possibly can seize a 256-GB for round $60.

GoPro Media Mod for $80: GoPro’s sound is OK out of the field, however if you would like higher-quality audio, that is the place you begin. Not as a result of the Media Mod produces nice sound—it is higher than the digital camera, however nonetheless not nice. What if provides is a microphone jack. Plug in a high-quality microphone and you may lastly have superior sound. (Not beneficial whereas skydiving.)

Handlebar/seatpost/pole mount for $40: That is my favourite mount for mountain biking, however it’ll additionally work on ski poles and some other spherical object you need to clamp it to.

Motorbike accent bundle for $50: In case you experience, this mount for Insta360 cameras (Ace Professional, X5, and so forth) is a must have. It is probably the most safe clamps I’ve ever used, virtually nearly as good as a bench vice.

Yallsame tripod mount for $10: Motion cameras supply some ways to mount them, however one which’s curiously lacking is the normal quarter-inch tripod screw mount. The GoPro Hero 13 has one, however this three-pack of adapters solves the issue for the others.

Polarizer and ND filters: In case you shoot round water, by means of glass, or in some other high-glare state of affairs, a polarizing filter will assist reduce that glare. Impartial density (ND) filters maintain again mild to allow you to shoot at a wider aperture in brilliant mild, serving to to extend the quantity of movement blur. Each are nice additions to your motion digital camera package. When you have the Hero 13 Black you may get the brand new GoPro ND filter 4-Pack ($70), which routinely adjusts the digital camera settings when hooked up. That is large since getting the shutter pace proper with ND filters can take some trial and error. The GoPro ND filters deal with all that for you. If you do not have a HEro 13, I’ve examined and like DJI’s ND filter set for the Motion 5 ($75). For older GoPros, I like Freewell’s polarizing and ND filters ($20). I recommend beginning with an 8-stop ND or combo ND and polarizing filter.

Floaty for $35: One other one for the water shooters, however effectively definitely worth the cash since it’s going to maintain your GoPro from ending up on the backside of the ocean. I have never tried it, however this is one for DJI Motion 5 ($15) and one for the Insta360 Ace Professional 2 ($20).

Selfie stick for $25: I’ve examined a whole lot of selfie sticks they usually’re virtually all fantastic, however I maintain grabbing this Insta360 model once I head out the door. It is light-weight, sufficiently small to suit on the backside of my bag, and it is inexpensive. If you wish to go huge, this Insta360 Prolonged Version Selfie Stick ($100) can imitate a low-flying drone, good to be used in nationwide parks and different locations the place drones are forbidden.