Top 10 Best Action Cameras – Record Every Minute of Your Adventure in High-Resolution!

Action cameras are a new breed of cameras designed to capture every moment of your adventure. They are small, inconspicuous devices that fit onto our helmets, surfing boards, and cars allowing us to film our adventures and action-packed travels as well as sports. Since they are so small and are easily set up, you can simply set them on and forget about them. They will keep recording smooth video footage in HD or 4K video quality for you to cherish later.

We have done our homework of checking out dozens of different models and comparing their specs. So, keep on reading to find which are the 10 best action cameras that are worthy of your attention.

1. GoPro Hero7 (Black)

The GoPro has been the undisputed king of the action cam scene for quite some time now. The company has been known to make some great action cameras that have stood the test of time with millions of users around the world. The Hero7 (Black) carries this legacy further and delivers powerful 4K videos at up to 60 fps. The Hero 7 features a redesigned HyperSmooth image stabilization system and has a greatly improved low-light performance. It is rugged and waterproof, and you can also control the action camera using voice commands.

The GoPro Hero 7 (Black) can take 4K 60 videos or 12 MP still photos along with the option of 8x slow recording. You will also benefit from stunning 12 MP stills that squeeze in a breadth of information from the landscapes it captures.

• Pros: Native 4K recording; Well stabilized videos
• Cons: None as such

2. Olympus TG-Tracker

The Olympus TG-Tracker is one the toughest action cameras in the market and is designed for the true adventurer. This camera is packed with sensors and features GPS, acceleration sensors, and compass built in. There's even a temperature and pressure sensor inside. All this information is captured and can be displayed later when viewing the footage. With an f/2.0 lens, this action camera is ideal for great results in almost any lighting condition. The image is also electronically stabilized to minimize shake.

The TG-Tracker is a bit heavy on account of the powerful modules it captures. It is extremely easy to use and features a bright front LED light too. The TG-Tracker is extremely rugged and is drop-proof. The only limitation is that some of the meta-data such as GPS applies only to photos and not to videos.

• Pros: Tough build; Wide array of sensors
• Cons: No GPS meta-data on videos

3. GoPro Hero7 (Silver)

The GoPro Hero7 (Silver) sits just below the Hero7 (Black) in terms of features. This camera shoots 4K images at a frame rate of up to 30 fps. The Hero7 (Silver) can even shoot still images in the RAW image quality, which means you get full editing freedom to refine your shots later. This is a very powerful feature indeed and makes this camera one of the best action cameras you can find today.

The camera also comes with built-in GPS and follows voice commands. There are amazing editing apps available for the GoPro as well that can help you craft incredible movies from your rushes. There is no live-streaming option or timewarp video feature with the Hero7 (Silver) so if you want those, you might want to look at the Hero7 (Black).

• Pros: Good performance for 4K
• Cons: No live-streaming ability

4. Yi 4K Action Camera

The Yi 4K is an affordable action camera that still allows you to capture breathtaking 4K footage at 60 fps. The touchscreen is large enough and many users claim that it performs even better than its costlier peers in some aspects. If you need the same features in the pricier models but would like to have a more affordable pricing tag, the Yi 4K might be an option worth considering. The camera packs in a powerful punch and makes it to our list with ease.

The quality of the Yi 4K action camera is top notch and can actually give some tough competition to the GoPros. However, the app is a little buggy and is not very intuitive.

• Pros: Great photo and video quality
• Cons: Yi app is buggy

5.  Sony FDR-X3000 Action Camera

An extremely capable camera from Sony that shines thanks to its numerous strong features. This action cam allows you to capture cinematic 4K videos at a frame rate of 30 fps. One of the best features of the camera is the built-in image stabilization that allows this camera to capture smooth videos without a problem. It is ideally well-suited as an underwater camera and can be taken into deep waters (60 m), a depth rating we haven't yet seen on other cameras in this list. The camera comes with its own underwater housing and finally, it also inculcates a superb ZEISS lens that makes it stand out too. The FDR-X3000 is very easy to use and the GPS is very accurate.

It would have been great if the Sony FDR-X3000 was water-resistant instead of just being waterproof. The storage is also limited to 128 GB and the battery might not last long, especially if Wi-Fi is continuously on.

• Pros: Great photo and video quality; Easy to use
• Cons: Storage restricted to 128 GB cards; Not water-resistant

6. GoPro Hero

The GoPro Hero is one of the best action cameras under $200. It is a bit old and is now superseded by the Hero7 range but we feel it is still a great action camera for those who don't need too many advanced features. The device shoots no 4K but will produce beautiful Full HD videos at 30 fps. Of course, you have several other options in this range but a model with Hero's finish and look is hard to come by. A must buy for action cam fans who are just starting out in this field. With a Hero, you also get to benefit from the 30+ accessories that are designed to extend the functionality of the device and make your GoPro experience much more enriching.

The GoPro Hero supports microSD cards up to 32 GB only so if you plan to record long videos, you might have to look elsewhere. Also, low light recording is not really up to the mark and image stabilization is not as great as other advanced action cameras.

• Pros: Affordable; Excellent picture quality
• Cons: Max storage only up to 32 GB; Not useful for low light conditions

7. TomTom Bandit 4K

The TomTom Bandit is a good alternative to the GoPro under $400 and offers excellent image quality and long battery life. The Bandit action cam is special in that it will continuously record GPS and speed data and automatically tag videos when it detects something unusual and exciting. The camera comes with an amazing app that simply edits footage with a shake of your phone. Though not waterproof, the device comes with a lens cover that makes it splash proof. The battery lasts for a full three hours, which is not an often sight in this category. The Bandit can record 4K but only at 15 fps so this is better suited for time-lapse videos. FHD videos record just fine.

The TomTom Bandit records great video but the same cannot be said for the audio. You will be better off attaching an external mic whenever possible.

• Pros: Good feature set; Easy to use the smartphone app
• Cons: 4K recording only possible at 15 fps; Audio quality can be improved

8. SJCAM SJ7 Star

The SJCCAM packs in powerful features at a very affordable pricing tag. It offers 4K video at 30fps, which is a welcome move. The camera is also waterproof up to 30 feet, another premium feature. You will not be able to take RAW images and the 4K video will not be stabilized, though. The camera also lacks GPS. However, it is still one of the most affordable underwater cameras with 4K capabilities. The SJCAM also features motion detection and a time-lapse function. You will also be able to pair your device with your smartphone and use the app to remotely control the camera. Video quality is markedly improved over the previous SJ6 version and it handles dynamic ranges very well in changing lighting conditions.

Interestingly, the SJCCAM SJ7 Star has the ability to record FHD slow motion videos but the software feature isn't enabled yet. The camera also gets very hot after prolonged use and it is kind of tough to get authentic replacement batteries as backup.

• Pros: Very good image quality
• Cons: Gets hot after use; No FHD slow motion option

9. Garmin Virb Ultra 30

The Garmin Virb Ultra 30 is the latest version of the popular Virb series and it now comes with the ability to record 4K videos at 30 fps. The Virb XE can be taken underwater without a case up to a depth of as much as 50m, which is amazing indeed. What's more, the camera continues operating even at temperatures nearing -10 degree Celsius. The camera will also support pairing with a Bluetooth microphone so you can record professional audio as well. The Virb Ultra 30 can connect to Garmin devices equipped with numerous sensors for measuring temperature, heart rate, acceleration, and GPS information.

The Garmin Virb Ultra 30 offers ease of use and excellent video quality. Even the mobile app is feature rich and can directly control the camera from your mobile device. Perhaps, the only negative is that Garmin still relies on the mini USB port for connectivity while most other cameras have moved on to USB Type-C.

• Pros: Ease of use; Excellent image quality
• Cons: No USB Type-C

10. Olfi One.Five

You might have not heard of the Olfi One.Five but this is one of the most feature packed action cameras under $200. At this price, it offers 4K recording at 24 fps and Full HD at up to 60fps. You also get stills at the incredible quality. The camera is well built and ready to be carried along with you for your upcoming adventures. You also have the option of shooting HDR videos. The Olfi offers a gyro stabilization sensor for improved image stabilization even during rough rides. It is not water resistant but comes with a waterproof case for the occasional protection from the elements.

While the Olfi One.Five is a great action camera, it still is not as feature-rich as some of the other cameras in this list. It does not come with any dedicated editing apps or community support and the wide-angle shot is a bit high.

• Pros: Affordable; Good video quality at FHD
• Cons: Wide-angle shots a bit high; 4K quality not up to the mark

Final Thoughts

With this, we conclude our review of the best action cameras in the market today. We hope you've found it helpful and informative. If there's anything else you want to know, make sure to drop us a comment below.

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