Action cameras are small, lightweight, wearable, mountable, portable, and sometimes waterproof camcorders. They're useful because you can mount them to pretty much anything—from skateboards, surfboards, bicycles, and drones, to helmets, body parts, and even your pets.
Sure, you can also mount a traditional camcorder, which could very well feature better functionality and performance for the price. But regular camcorders are too heavy and bulky to strap onto yourself, your apparel, or your equipment. Plus, the gap between traditional camcorder and action camera performance is narrowing as technology improves. Action cams are forever getting smaller, lighter, and less expensive. Here you'll find the top-rated action cams we've tested.
Frame Rates and Resolution
Before you start digging into the reviews, a few notes on choosing a cam that's right for you. You'll definitely want to consider frame rate, expressed as frames per second (fps). Some action cameras offer up to 120fps recording, while others only go to 30fps. For standard playback, 30fps is perfectly fine. It's when you want to slow footage down in editing to create dramatic scenes that frame rate matters. Footage captured at 120fps can be slowed down and played back smoothly at one quarter speed.
Then there's resolution and video quality. At this point, the best action cams on the market capture footage at 4K, but at just 30fps. That's fine for most types of footage, although the extreme action folks love the way that 60fps video captures action. Shooting in 4K does have some advantages, notably in the ability to crop footage and maintain 1080p quality at output—it makes the ultra-wide view of a typical action cam lens a bit more versatile. The cameras that support 4K, including the Hero5 Black and Hero4 Black, can be set to record in lower resolutions as well, if you want to keep file sizes down.
Mounting
You'll also want to keep your specific needs in mind. Not all cameras are suitable for every sport, and certain form factors lend themselves better to certain activities. On top of that, different shapes allow for different mounting accessories and possibilities. If you want to catch a unique perspective, like an under-skateboard shot, you'll want to pay close attention to size.
Waterproofing is important to consider if you'll be recording footage underwater or even around water. Some waterproof cameras can go deeper than others, and some have built-in waterproofing so that you don't need to think about extra housing. And if you're already invested in a system, like GoPro, which uses a proprietary mount, then sticking with what you've got can help save money on extra accessories.
Some drones have gimbal mounts that work with GoPro Hero3 and Hero4 models, but we've yet to see one that works with the Hero5. I'm not counting GoPro's recalled Karma, as it had an unfortunate habit of turning off in midflight and falling from the sky.
We've reviewed several drones that work with the older GoPro models, including the Yuneec Typhoon G, the Blade Chroma, and the Xiro Xplorer G. The best of the bunch, as far as GoPro intergation goes, may be the 3D Robotics Solo, but it's flawed in its own right, with a spotty GPS connection and short flight times. It's now selling on closeout, and it looks like 3D Robotics is abandoning the consumer drone market.
There's some appeal to using a modular action cam with your drone—but it looks like integrated cameras have won out. The aircraft that we've seen released in the past year have shown that DJI is just as capable of making a small video camera as GoPro, and the lenses are better tuned for aerial use, with narrower fields of view and no fish-eye distortion.
Controls and Apps
On-camera controls and wireless features should also be considered. GoPro's least expensive camera (the Hero Session) focuses on simple, one-button operation, but relies on a connected mobile device to adjust settings. Kodak's cameras have LCDs and controls built-in, but can be a bit more cumbersome to use. There's a lot of give and take when you're dealing with such compact devices.
A great app can supplement a poor on-camera control system, and even elevate the camera's usefulness. For instance, some apps let you use your phone as a live viewfinder to frame your shots, and some even let you transfer files to your phone wirelessly. On top of that, many apps let you use your phone as a wireless remote, so you can easily control that helmet-mounted camera without all the fuss of dismounting or taking off your gear.
Ultimately, your choice in action camera should come down to performance and ease of use. We've filmed hours of footage with all of the major contenders to determine where each device stands in the increasingly crowded field. Some excel in all manner of extreme situations, while others can fall apart underwater or once the sun goes down. And what good is an action cam if it's not built for action? We sussed out the best cameras overall, and you can't go wrong with any of the choices listed here.