Best Action Cameras 2022

Until 2006, shooting action sports was very different. Bulky camcorders were not waterproof and strong enough. If you wanted to shoot POV video, then it took a lot of effort to make mounts or pendants. Now you can easily attach an action camera to almost any accessory, record your adventures in 4K video with built-in stabilization and share them immediately on social networks.

In addition to video, action cameras are equipped with many photo and time-lapse modes, real-time streaming and GPS functions. Thus, they have everything you need to capture the interesting moments of life. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right action camera. Consider the best options available on the market in 2022.

Top 7 rating according to KP

Editor’s Choice

1.GoPro Hero 7 Black

GoPro has traditionally been synonymous with action cameras, and the new Hero 7 Black is their most powerful camera ever. It is at the forefront of modern action camera capabilities.

The main feature of the Hero 7 Black is Hypersmooth. Previous GoPros have had image stabilization, but the Hero 7 Black is the first GoPro that works well enough to smooth out any shaking. Not only that, Hypersmooth is available even when recording 4K video at 60 frames per second.

The Hero 7 also boasts TimeWarp stabilization, 12MP HDR photos, and live streaming capability. The camera is controlled by a high-quality touch screen that supports gestures for quick navigation through modes and settings.

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2. GoPro Hero 7 Silver

For most users, the amount of professional features of the Hero 7 Black will be overkill, and that’s where the GoPro Hero 7 Silver comes in handy.

Lacking features like Hypersmooth, ProTune, and the myriad recording modes found on higher-end models, the Hero 7 still delivers beautiful stabilized 4K footage at 30fps and wide dynamic range (WDR) photos.

Hero 7 Silver offers the same rugged, waterproof design and intuitive touch interface as the flagship GoPro. The classic front status screen has been ditched, with a rear touch screen instead, and a flashing LED to let you know when recording is in progress.

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3. GoPro Hero 7 White

The entry-level GoPro Hero 7 White is for those looking for a cheap, reliable camera to share their vacation shots and outdoor adventures with.

The Hero 7 doesn’t have 4K, only shooting in FullHD at 1440p/60fps or 1080p/60fps. Stabilization is carried out by the same electronic system as the Hero 7 Silver. With the GoPro smartphone app, video clips can be shared directly to social networks such as Instagram.

The Hero 7 White has the same water resistance, same great touchscreen and soft-touch finish as other more expensive Hero 7 models. It’s this rugged design that separates the Hero 7 White from other budget options available on the market.

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What other action cameras are worth paying attention to?

4. DJI Osmo Action

DJI is a big player in the drone market, but they are now gaining momentum in the action camera niche as well, vying for the top spot with their flagship Osmo Action.

The rugged body features a unique front-facing color screen that makes it easy to frame when setting up shots, taking selfies or vlogging. This is complemented by a video mode that features automatic face detection for exposure metering, making the Osmo an attractive option for frequent VLOG shooters.

Osmo Action can capture crisp, colorful HDR footage at up to 4K/60fps, and DJI’s own RockSteady stabilization technology does a great job of smoothing out vibrations. The adaptive rear touchscreen makes it easy to navigate through settings or play videos.

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5. Sony FDR-X3000R

The Sony FDR-X3000R has a custom shape for an action camera, but this allowed the company to bring Optical Steady Shot technology to the world of action cameras.

Optical Steady Shot counteracts camera shake with a gimbal mechanism that moves the entire lens and sensor to stabilize footage. This means full slow-motion stabilization at 4K or 240fps is unaffected by difficult or low light, unlike electronic stabilization.

While the camera is only IPX4 splash and dust resistant, Sony offers an optional housing that offers water resistance up to 60 meters.

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6.DJI Osmo Pocket

While the DJI Osmo Pocket doesn’t offer a rugged body, if you’re looking for a camera to just record events rather than being a part of them, Osmo Pocket is the best option.

It’s built around a three-axis mechanical gimbal that can put any electronic stabilization to shame and produce smooth, professional-looking footage. The gimbal has additional party modes in the form of ActiveTrack, which follows the selected subject, keeping it in the frame, and Motionlapse for creating perfect panning intervals.

Unsurprisingly, this rotating gimbal mechanism isn’t very strong and isn’t meant to be strapped to a helmet and rolled down a mountain in the rain. However, if you’re looking for a pocket camera that can take professional vlogging shots, then the Osmo Pocket is a decent choice.

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7. GoPro Fusion

Shooting in 360 is all about creating immersive VR content, and GoPro Fusion’s overcapture and stabilization features are just the thing to help you do just that.

When recording a full 360-degree video, you can take it into post-production with the GoPro app to get the perfect shot. Gone are the days of bad framing and missed moments behind the camera. The footage is automatically stabilized in post-production using the Fusion Studio application and produces unrivaled footage.

GoPro isn’t alone in the 360-degree camera market, but Fusion has managed to combine a host of useful features, additional sensors, and voice control into the GoPro’s classic rugged waterproof design, making it appealing to active sports enthusiasts and creative content producers.

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How to choose an action camera

The most important factor when buying a new action camera is what you plan to use it for. While most cameras can record high-quality video and take photos, it’s important to consider what other features you prioritize. The multitude of options for video, photo, slow motion, as well as stabilization, water resistance and build quality make this decision quite difficult.

Almost all action cameras are capable of shooting in Full HD, and modern models can record 4K. If you want to create slow motion, look for cameras with high frames per second (FPS): 240 fps will allow you to slow down shooting by 8 times, and budget cameras at least 2 times.

With the rise of vlogging, modern cameras offer advanced features to achieve the highest quality. Better quality optics, stabilization and sound make a huge difference to video as well as blog posting. Special modes such as GoPro Protune or DJI D-LOG capture more data and provide more flexibility for post-production editing.

There have been some significant improvements in stabilization recently as camera makers try to make content shot in bumpy conditions more enjoyable to watch. Optical stabilization provides the best results, however electronic stabilization such as GoPro’s HyProSmooth can effectively eliminate shaking. Even budget cameras have the benefit of image stabilization, though you can’t expect picture quality to match the top models.

The touch screen is the most popular control method and makes framing, menu navigation and video playback easier. However, touch screens are useless in wet environments or when wearing gloves, so it’s important to make sure that the desired shooting modes are available using the buttons.

Most camera manufacturers offer smartphone apps that allow you to control your camera remotely, play videos, and upload them to social networks. Some apps have editing features to merge clips and add music before downloading.