Best action camera to buy in 2024

The best action cameras are tough, waterproof and highly capable, and can capture brilliant video and stills in places and situations where conventional cameras cannot. The small size of action cameras makes them wearable and easily mountable, and able to capture POV footage. If you like to live a little adventurously, they’re some of the best vlogging cameras you can buy — and with new releases every year, they just keep getting better and better.

While the GoPro name has become synonymous with the action camera thanks to its iconic, pioneering GoPro Hero, there have been plenty of challengers to its throne from the likes of DJI and Insta360, as well as some radical rethinks of what an action camera could or should look like. This guide represents the best of the best — the action cameras that have most impressed our reviewing team.

Best action cameras – our quick list

Looking for the best deal on action cameras? Not only will you find the best action cameras, but also the best cheap action camera deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are setup to automatically take you to the best prices, from trusted retailers. You’ll also find a list of other retailers below each action camera, so you can find the right deal for you.

• Best overall action camera: GoPro HERO12 Black – buy now
• Best DJI action camera: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro – buy now
• Best mid-range DJI action camera: DJI Osmo Action 4 – buy now
• Best budget GoPro action camera: GoPro HERO11 Black – buy now
• Best budget DJI action camera: DJI Osmo Action 3 – buy now
• Best 360 action camera: Insta360 X4 – buy now
• Best modular action camera: Insta360 GO 3 – buy now
• Best small GoPro: GoPro HERO11 Mini – buy now
• Toughest action camera: OM-System Tough TG-7 – buy now

Read on for our full breakdown of each entry, including our review team’s ratings…

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The best action cameras to buy – our full list

Best overall action camera: GoPro HERO12 Black

GoPro’s ubiquity in the action camera market has become something of a double-edged sword – many people who use generic knock-off action cameras refer to them as GoPros, and aren’t really aware of the difference. Once you’ve used the real thing though, it’s unmistakeable. GoPro is still at the top of its game, delivering a superb action camera experience with diverse mounting options, excellent video quality and some of the smoothest stabilisation in the business.

The HERO12, released in 2023, was a fairly modest update. Keeping the larger sensor of the HERO11 (designed to facilitate shooting in. multiple aspect ratios, including vertical), the HERO12 mostly adds small but welcome improvements, like a better battery life and support for a flat Log profile. It can also run for longer without overheating, which is certainly welcome.

If you own a HERO11, or even a HERO10, there’s no reason to rush out and upgrade to this one. However, if you’re buying your first action camera (or upgrading from something cheap) the HERO12 is the best you can get – and while it’s more expensive than the competition, the difference isn’t that much.

With the v2.00 or later firmware update you can get new features and optimize your GoPro’s performance. The easiest way is to use the Quick App on your smartphone or tablet and you can download the It also lets you remotely control your camera and review photos and share on the go.

Note: GoPro has recently unveiled its HERO13 Black and entry-level HERO cameras. We’re in the process of testing these new models now, and once we’ve published our full reviews, you’ll likely find them making their way onto this list.

Read our GoPro HERO12 Black Review.

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Best DJI action camera: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

At a glance:

• Full HD to 4K resolution
• Waterproof to 20 metres
• Weight: 146g
• Price: $349 / £329 standard combo

While outwardly it looks pretty much identical to previous Osmo Action generations, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro comes with a number of exciting upgrades on the inside — enough to earn that new ‘Pro’ suffix to its name. For starters, while the 1/1.3-inch sensor size is the same and video resolution still caps out at 4K, stills resolution has been greatly improved to the tune of 40MP. This gives much more detail to images, and allows much more latitude for cropping.

Elsewhere, there have been plenty of general tune-ups. Video resolution may be the same as the previous model (featured below), but the actual footage is significantly better — brighter, crisper, cleaner to the eye. We compared the two side by side in our full review, and the difference is quite clear-cut when shooting with the HLG profile straight out of the camera. If you prefer to tinker with your footage in grading, the Log profile is there for you to do just that.

It’s not the most exciting update, but the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is unquestionably the best action camera DJI has ever produced, and once again provides a compelling GoPro alternative. It’s tough, it’s capable, it’s lightweight and it just works. What more could you ask for?

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review.

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Best mid-range DJI action camera: DJI Osmo Action 4

At a glance:

• Full HD to 4K resolution
• Waterproof to 18 metres
• Weight: 145g
• Price: $209 / £229 standard combo, $309 / £319 adventure combo

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is mostly the same on the outside to the already-great DJI Osmo Action 3. That’s good news for existing Action 3 users, who already have the correct batteries, cages, mounts and other accessories for the Action 4; which can amount to a fair saving. The Osmo Action 4 also retains the magnetic Quick Release design that has proved popular and enables users to switch from regular shooting to a more social media-friendly portrait format orientation.

Where it improves is image quality. While the older Action 3 packed a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, the new Action 4 increases this to 1/1.3-inch – the same size sensor that appears in the DJI Air 3 drone. The larger sensor means the pixel size levels up to 2.4μm-equivalent and this should result in better image quality – particularly in low light conditions.

Compared to the Action 3, the frame rates are the same, with 4K footage capable of being captured up to 120p. The bump in quality will be welcome news to filmmakers who incorporate action camera footage into their film-making. one, however, that the Action 4 does not make the leap to 5.7K, which is offered at 60p on the GoPro Hero12 Black.

For a super-tough action camera, with a decent battery life, a wide selection of resolutions and frame rates and with a big range of accessories to pair with the camera, then the DJI Osmo Action 4 is an excellent choice that will not disappoint.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review.

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Best budget GoPro action camera: GoPro HERO11 Black

At a glance:

• 5.3K 60p video
• 27MP photos
• Natively waterproof to 10m
• Weight: 154g
• Price: $285 / £319

New versions of GoPro HERO cameras tend to contain a specific improvement rather than a design overhaul. Previous iterations have introduced features like the famous HyperSmooth stabilisation, now a GoPro fixture, which makes video footage super-smooth even when the camera is moving.

For the HERO11 Black, the upgrade was the sensor. This version sports a brand new 1/1.9-inch sensor capable of producing 5.3K video in a near-square 8:7 aspect ratio. This makes your footage much easier to crop into for vertical video formats, providing TikTok-ready clips straight out of camera. Fear not though – you can also use the HyperView digital lens to create footage in gorgeous, cinematic 16:9, if you feel for the more traditional.

With other minor but welcome upgrades across the board, including Horizon Lock for stabilisation and improved battery life, the GoPro HERO11 Black is an excellent GoPro to buy, even after the release of the HERO12.

Find out more about the GoPro HERO11 Black.

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Best budget DJI action camera: DJI Osmo Action 3

At a glance:

• 4K 120p video
• 12MP stills
• Natively waterproof to 16m
• Weight: 145g
• Price: $270 / £299 (adventure combo)

Never ones to back down from a fight, DJI released its long-awaited Osmo Action 3 on the same day as GoPro took the wraps off its HERO11 Black. A return to the traditional action camera format after the odd modular departure of the DJI Action 2, the Osmo Action 3 undercuts GoPro on price, and gains a few enticing features of its own.

The big one is battery life. DJI crammed into the Osmo Action 3 a 1770mAh Extreme Battery, rated for up to 160 minutes of continuous recording and able to function in temperatures as low as -20°C. It’s also quick-charging, able to gas up to 80% in 18 minutes and 100% in 50 minutes.

Like GoPro, DJI also noticed that a lot of the kids these days are mostly watching video in a vertical 9:16 format, and most of the adults are too, for that matter. As such, the Osmo Action 3 features a dedicated vertical recording mode, and can be mounted vertically to facilitate using it.

It’s not got the raw resolution of GoPro’s latest Hero, with video resolution topping out at 4K (albeit with a lovely 120p option) and stills resolution at 12MP. Still, it’s significantly cheaper than the latest GoPro, even after the latter received a significant price slash. Along with the newer Osmo Action 4, it is one of the most compelling Hero alternatives on the market.

Find out more about the DJI Osmo Action 3.

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Best 360 action camera: Insta360 X4

At a glance:

• 8K 360-degree video
• 72MP 360-degree stills
• Natively waterproof to 10m
• Weight: 203g
• Price: $425 / £425

As the name implies, Insta360 specialises in putting 360-degree imaging in the palm of your hand – to capture it, well, instantly. The Insta360 X4 is a palm-sized action camera, waterproof down to depths of 10m, which can be extended to 50m with the ‘Invisible Dive Kit’.

The video the X4 captures with its dual 1/2-inch sensors is 8K 360°, which can be used either to create immersive virtual reality content, or simply crop into the parts where the action happened. The X4 can also capture 4K footage with a more standard ‘action camera’ field of view – those who want this above all will get more value out of a GoPro or DJI camera. However, if you’re up for experimenting with 360° content, the X4 is a blast. It’s got generous battery life (rated to 135 minutes!), effective stabilisation and fun AI editing tools that make fiddling about with your clips genuinely enjoyable.

Read more about the Insta360 X4

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Best modular action camera: Insta360 GO 3

At a glance:

• 2.7K 30p video
• 9.2MP photos
• Natively waterproof to 4.87m
• Weight: 35g
• Price: $289 / £319 (64GB version)

The Insta360 GO series is a leftover from the era of ‘lifelogging’ cameras, a brief period when a few dedicated manufacturers and enthusiasts envisaged everyone wearing cameras at all times to record the minutiae of their day. That didn’t really happen (turns out we’re all quite boring and no one wants to watch us walk to the shops!), but a few of the cameras did survive. The Insta360 GO 3 is the latest incarnation of probably the most wearable camera out there – at an incredible 35g in weight, you could pin it to your chest and forget it’s there.

This model still has action camera credentials: waterproof down to almost 5m and the ability to shoot 2.7K video at up to 30p. It can capture stills too, and can even do so in DNG RAW format; though even by RAW standards these files need a good edit, with heavy black vignette in the corners. There’s also the option of the Action Pod housing, which the GO 3 snaps into and makes it look and feel a little more like a traditional action camera – it adds a flip-back screen for capturing the perfect selfie. The FlowState stabilisation also works well, helping keep footage smooth when you’re on the move.

It’s neither as tough nor as powerful as the other cameras on this list – but as far as portability goes, a camera that weighs about the same as a pack of crisps is in a league of its own.

Read our Insta360 GO 3 review.

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Best small GoPro: GoPro HERO11 Black Mini

At a glance:

• 5.3K 60p video
• 24.7MP photos
• Waterproof: 10m
• Weight: 133g
• Price: $237 / £249

With the Hero11 Black Mini you get almost everything you have in the Hero11 Black, but in an even smaller package. It has two mounting fingers that allow you to mount it on your clothes, helmet or create a lower angle of view.

Just like its big brother the Hero11 Mini can record video vertically and easily share to social media thanks to the 1/1.9″ CMOS image sensor. With 5.0 video stabilisation and a Horizon Lock option built in creating steady and levelled shots is a walk in the park.

This all sounds great, but then why not everyone opt for the smaller, lighter Hero11 Mini? Well, with the small size came a few compromises like no LCD screen, replaceable battery or ability to shoot stills. But with the 5K, 24.7MP resolution recordings you can still pick the best stills from your videos.

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Toughest action camera: OM-System Tough TG-7

At a glance:

• 4K 30p video
• 12MP photos
• Natively waterproof to 15m
• Weight: 250g
• Price: $500 / £499

While the Olympus (or OM-System) Tough TG-7 doesn’t quite fit the definition of an action camera, it performs many of the same functions and is a compelling alternative for anyone who prefers the idea of a more traditional camera format. The Tough TG-7 is a tough compact, meaning it can take an absolute pounding and a soaking – there are a few of these on the market, but the TG-7 is generally regarded as the best.

As well as a more comfortable, grippable form factor, the TG-7 has one key advantage over traditional action cameras – a 25-100mm f/2-4.9 equivalent zoom lens, giving you much more compositional flexibility and an ability to get in close to distant subjects. It’s also got a nice big 3-inch 1.04m-dot LCD screen, which provides a much more pleasant composing experience than any of the small screens on traditional action cameras. It allows you to capture stills in raw format, and this is worth doing for the best results (with additional time spent on post-processing, of course).

Of course, the TG-7 is not nearly as wearable as a GoPro, DJI or Insta360 camera, and isn’t as good for capturing POV footage. There is some built-in stabilisation, though it’s not on the level of GoPro’s or DJI’s.

Read our full OM-System Tough TG-7 review.

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How to choose the best action camera

Choosing an action camera means weighing up a few different factors. You’ll want to pay attention to the top video resolution – while you don’t always need to shoot at the maximum resolution, it’s useful to know how many pixels you have to work with, especially if you’re creating content for professional clients. For capturing photos as well as videos, it’s also worth being aware of the maximum photo resolution.

Stabilisation is an important part of an action camera’s make-up, as it makes POV footage much more pleasant to watch. You may also want to consider the weight of the camera if it’s something you intend to wear.

Shooting under water? The level of waterproofing varies between models. Many action cameras can be bought with optional housings that extend the depths to which they can be submerged – others can’t be submerged at all.

FAQ: Is an action camera good for photography?

While action cameras are primarily thought of as video machines first, they can be great for capturing stills too — as long as you get the right one. Resolution on action cameras tends to be on the lower side, which isn’t a problem for video, but can be limiting when shooting stills as it affects how large you can print your images and how far you can crop in. A

lso, bear in might that you will likely be stuck with that super-wide action camera perspective of your stills, so will need to get close to subjects in order to fill the frame. Some action cameras do have decent digital zoom modes that can help a little here.

If stills photography is a high priority, our recommendation is that you take a look at the newer DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. This camera boasts a stills resolution of 40MP, which is significantly higher than most of its competitors, which tend to top out at around 12MP.

FAQ: Are action cameras good at low light photography?

In general, low light is not an area of strength for action cameras. Their small design means a physically smaller sensor, and this is turn means a greater amount of digital noise when used at higher sensitivities. The sensors have got a little larger in recent years, with GoPro upgrading the chip in its Hero cameras with the 11 Black generation and DJI giving its a size boost with the Osmo Action 4. So, if low light is a priority for you, stick with cameras from these generations or newer, or consider one of the best compact cameras if low-light shooting is more important to you than waterproofing or wearability.

Related reading: If you’re looking for a mirrorless or compact camera for video, have a look at our guide to the best cameras for video, or why not have a look at the best waterproof cameras.

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