Action cameras have become tiny cinema cameras — stabilised, waterproof and ready for anything from mountain bikes to family vlogs. We tested ten popular action and vlogging cameras on image quality, stabilisation, battery, durability and ease of use.
Quick Answer
The GoPro HERO13 Black is the best action camera overall, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is the best in low light, and the Insta360 X4 is the best 360° camera.
Our Top 10 at a Glance
| Image | Product | Why It Made the Cut | Price |
|
Best Overall
1
 |
GoPro HERO13 Black |
5.3K video, HyperSmooth, swappable lens mods. |
|
|
Best Low Light
2
|
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro |
Large sensor, long battery, magnetic mounts. |
|
|
Best 360° Camera
3
 |
Insta360 X4 |
8K 360°, invisible selfie stick, reframe later. |
|
|
Best for Vlogging
4
|
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 |
1-inch sensor, 3-axis gimbal, rotating screen. |
|
|
Best Flip Screen
5
|
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 |
Flip screen, 8K, strong low light. |
|
|
Smallest
6
|
Insta360 GO 3S |
Thumb-sized, wearable, 4K. |
|
|
Best Compact GoPro
7
|
GoPro HERO (2024) |
Tiny, simple, waterproof 4K. |
|
|
Best Compact Vlog Camera
8
|
Sony ZV-1 II |
Wide zoom, great autofocus, directional mic. |
|
|
Best Budget
9
|
AKASO Brave 7 |
Dual screens, waterproof, cheap. |
|
|
Best Under $100
10
|
AKASO EK7000 Pro |
Cheap 4K starter camera with case. |
Head-to-Head: Our Top 3 Compared
Best Overall
GoPro HERO13 Black
$399
|
Best Low Light
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
$349
|
Best 360°
Insta360 X4
$499
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Max video | 5.3K | 4K | 8K 360° |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front screen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | All-round action | Night & water | Travel & reframing |
The 10 Best Action Cameras, Ranked
1. GoPro HERO13 Black — Best Overall
The most complete action camera: gorgeous 5.3K footage, class-leading stabilisation and a huge accessory ecosystem.
Best for: Adventure and sports.
2. DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro — Best Low Light
A larger sensor gives cleaner night and indoor footage, and the magnetic mounts make swapping setups fast.
Best for: Low light and dives.
3. Insta360 X4 — Best 360° Camera
Shoot everything around you and choose the angle later. The invisible selfie stick effect is magic for travel.
Best for: Travel and creative shots.
4. DJI Osmo Pocket 3 — Best for Vlogging
A pocketable gimbal camera with a 1-inch sensor — stunning vlog footage and smooth face tracking.
Best for: Vloggers and creators.
5. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 — Best Flip Screen
A large flip screen makes selfie framing easy, with strong image quality and AI editing.
Best for: Moto vloggers and selfies.
6. Insta360 GO 3S — Smallest
A tiny magnetic camera you can clip to clothes, hats or pets for true POV clips.
Best for: POV and pets.
7. GoPro HERO (2024) — Best Compact GoPro
The smallest, simplest GoPro — 4K, waterproof and easy for beginners and kids.
Best for: Beginners and kids.
8. Sony ZV-1 II — Best Compact Vlog Camera
A compact vlogging camera with Sony’s excellent autofocus and a wide lens for arm’s-length shots.
Best for: YouTube and talking-head vlogs.
9. AKASO Brave 7 — Best Budget
A capable budget alternative with dual screens and waterproofing for a fraction of GoPro prices.
Best for: Budget adventures.
10. AKASO EK7000 Pro — Best Under $100
A starter action camera with a waterproof case and mounts included — ideal for trying it out.
Best for: Kids and first-timers.
How We Tested
We mounted each camera on bikes, helmets and chest harnesses, filmed underwater and at night, and compared stabilisation, dynamic range, battery life and the companion app editing tools.
Buying Guide: What Actually Matters
Checklist Before You Buy
Action vs vlog cameras
Action cameras are rugged and wide; vlog cameras like the Osmo Pocket 3 and ZV-1 II offer better faces, focus and audio.
Why 360° is different
360° cameras capture everything so you can choose your framing later — great for travel, but editing takes time.
Memory cards matter
High-bitrate 4K and 5.3K footage needs U3/V30 microSD cards or better.
Our Verdict: GoPro HERO13 Black
The GoPro HERO13 Black remains the best all-round action camera. Pick DJI’s Osmo Action 5 Pro for low light and Insta360 X4 if you want creative 360° shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoPro still the best?
For all-round action and accessories, yes. DJI and Insta360 lead in specific areas like low light and 360° video.
Can action cameras be used for vlogging?
Yes, especially models with front screens, though dedicated vlog cameras give better faces and audio.
Which microSD card should I use?
A reputable U3/V30 card such as SanDisk Extreme is a safe choice.
Capture Every Adventure
Check today’s price on the GoPro HERO13 Black.