The Best Action Cameras in 2024
When it comes to thrill-seeking and adventure, most of us fall into two camps; those who enjoy taking in the sights from the sidelines and those who live to get amongst it. No matter which of these categories you fall into, there is a range of portable and powerful action cams for those keen to get front-row seats and help you relive the action for years to come.
To help you sort through this range and identify which action cam is right for you, here is our roundup of the best adventure cameras in 2024.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
- Front & Rear-Facing LCD Displays
- HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilisation
- 27MP Image Sensor
- 5.3K 60FPS Video & 2.7K 240FPS Slow-Mo Videos
- 10M Waterproof
The latest top-of-the-line offering from GoPro, a name most of us think of when it comes to adventure, is this GoPro Hero 13 Black. As well as the class-leading 5.3K video quality and advanced HyperSmooth stabilisation that users have come to rely on, the Hero 13 Black includes a host of new updates that provide content creators of all levels the best user experience yet.
Keen eyes may have noticed a design change in the GoPro Hero 13 black; this has been done to accommodate a longer-life battery, which provides extended shooting times in all climates. As well as the tried-and-true mounting fingers, this model offers quick and simple magnetic latch mounting for versatility, while if there is a specific look you want to achieve in your adventure shots, consider one of the new compatible HB-Series lenses. There are ultra-wide, macro and anamorphic lens options available, as well as ND filters, and to keep things simple, the GoPro Hero 13 automatically detects when one of these accessories is attached and adjusts its settings accordingly. There has never been a better time to go on an adventure.
DJI Osmo Action 5 PRO
- Dual screens
- RockSteady 3.0 Stabilisation
- 4K/60fps Video
- Extended Battery Life
- 20m Waterproof
The leading contender, coming for the GoPro throne is DJI, a brand most will recognise from their excellent range of drones. The latest release is this model, the DJI Action 5 Pro, a portable and full-featured waterproof action camera (up to 20m), with a host of features that will appeal to all content creators. Using their experience from creating drones and gimbals, DJI provides a premium level of Image Stabilisation in their action camera range, with this new model offering RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation. 360-degree HorizonSteady is also available, correcting for any bumps and tilts caused by your adventures, and keeping your footage smooth and enjoyable to view.
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro can record 4K resolution video and massive 40MP still images, and it features dual screens to help you frame your footage with accuracy. Users can live stream straight from the camera and utilise ultra-fast WiFi and USB-3 connectivity, so they don't need to wait till they are at a computer to share their adventures. Ready to be pushed to the limits, this action camera offers 47GB of built-in memory, as well as a Micro SD Card slot for storing plenty of 4K footage, while battery life has been extended to allow up to 240 minutes of recording before pausing to recharge, or of course install a spare lithium battery.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
- Front & Rear-Facing LCD Displays
- HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilisation
- 27MP Image Sensor
- 5.3K 60FPS Video & 2.7K 240FPS Slow-Mo Videos
- 10M Waterproof
This GoPro Hero 12 camera can produce brilliant image quality, both as high-resolution 5.3K videos and 27MP stills. As is expected, the front and rear-facing LCDs can help you frame the most exhilarating adventures, no matter what side of the camera you find yourself on.
This brand new and highly anticipated release includes an updated HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation system, which provides a smooth and enjoyable playback, and horizon lock is also available to keep your shots level - this is impressive when you consider what the GoPro is used to capture!
The GoPro Hero 12 Black includes a few advancements that make it a worthy upgrade if you are already a GoPro user, and a necessary investment if you are looking for your first action camera. First of all, this camera comes with an Enduro battery for increased recording times without stopping to recharge or change to a spare. This wonderful action camera also comes with Bluetooth audio connectivity, so you can pair your favourite wireless microphone or headphones and experience cable-free audio recording and monitoring - this is excellent news if your hands are busy keeping you steady as you cycle, skate etc.
GoPro Hero 11 Black
- Front & Rear-Facing LCD Displays
- HyperSmooth 5.0 Stabilisation
- 27MP Image Sensor
- 5.3K 60FPS Video & 2.7K 240FPS Slow-Mo Videos
- 10M Waterproof
The GoPro Hero 11 Black camera was released alongside an updated image sensor that provides lucky users with astonishing image quality, both as high-resolution 5.3K videos and 27MP stills. Front and rear-facing LCD displays are available for framing your adventures from various angles, while the updated HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilisation system delivers a smooth and enjoyable playback, even if the initial adventure was anything but careful!
The GoPro Hero 11 offers versatile capture options, so matter the adventure or the desired outcome, users can put this camera to work. This includes high-quality slow-motion video and fast burst shooting for sports enthusiasts. Other highlights of this model, which has once again taken the action camera world by storm, include built-in time-lapse, Full HD LiveStreaming and a WebCam mode; this camera can produce high-quality content for sharing with the greater world, both out in the great outdoors, and in the comfort of the home or office.
GoPro Hero Action Camera
- 4K30p Video Recording
- 12MP Stills
- 5m waterproof
- Ultra-Lightweight Build
- Rear Touch-Screen & Voice Commands
Capturing high-quality video that is smooth and steady is simple thanks to this camera's HyperSmooth Image Stabilisation. The GoPro Hero can be controlled with ease, even when your hands are full thanks to voice control, while a rear touchscreen is also available for navigating the menu to find the right setting.
DJI Action 4
- 4K120p Video Recording
- RockSteady 3.0 Image Stabilisation
- 18m waterproof
- Live Streaming & Webcam Functionality
- High-Quality 1/1.3" Image Sensor
Designed for the intrepid adventurer, the DJI Osmo Action 4 boasts a larger image sensor, capturing stunningly clear and noise-free visuals, even in the depths of the ocean; great news, seeing as this action cam is up to 18 meters waterproof! Whether braving icy conditions or diving into tropical reefs, the camera's deep-freeze-resistant lithium battery ensures unfaltering performance, letting you focus on capturing your experiences without worrying about power limitations. This rugged action camera delivers superior image quality and reliable operation, allowing you to push boundaries and document your adventures with confidence, and style.
Capturing crystal-clear audio on the go is easy, using either wired microphones or the wireless DJI Mic, which offers an impressive 250-meter wireless audio transmission. Advanced features like voice commands, custom dials, and a QuickSwitch button make operation intuitive and efficient, empowering you to focus on the action. This is the camera built to keep up with your adventures, no matter where they take you.
Featured Products
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini
- 5.3K Video
- 24.7MP Image Sensor
- Built-In Lithium Rechargeable Battery
- Built-in mounting fingers (Both at the bottom & Rear)
- 10m waterproof with no housing
As its name suggests, the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini offers the exceptional quality expected from a GoPro, in a tiny package. Being small enough for any pocket and weighing just 133 grams, this GoPro is ideal for the space conscious, and an excellent choice for travellers and content creators on the go. The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini can produce stunning 5.3K video, which is smooth and enjoyable to view, thanks to its HyperSmooth 5.0 Image Stabilisation. This camera is only designed to record video, but high-quality stills can be captured from the video footage.
To help cut down on the size, this GoPro camera has been designed without an LCD screen, so users should expect to use their WiFi-enabled smartphone to help with framing and other functions. For simplicity, the Hero 11 Black Mini offers one-button control, while users can also rely on voice commands to launch the key functions of this stylish, and incredibly slim action camera.
GoPro Hero 9 Black
- 5K Video
- 23.6MP Image Sensor
- New front display & Rear touch-sensitive LCD screen
- Built-in mounting fingers
- 10m waterproof with no housing
The GoPro Hero 9 Black took the adventure world by storm with its 26.3MP image sensor and exhilarating 5K video recording capabilities. Couple that with a touch-sensitive rear display and a front-facing display for accurately framing your action camera exploits, and you've got one of the best action cameras for beginners.
The GoPro Hero 9 is capable of smooth video recording, no matter how fast-paced the activity is, thanks to its improved HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilisation system. Plus, with the in-camera horizon levelling feature, it's now even easier to produce professional and cinematic videos. Alongside a host of separately available modifications and accessories, the Hero 9 is a great action camera for vlogging and a real contender amongst the best vlogging cameras on the market.
GoPro Hero 8 Black
- 8x Slo-Mo
- Touch-sensitive 2-inch LCD screen
- Hyper Smooth 2.0
- 10m waterproof
- 4K 60FPS
Upon release, the GoPro Hero 8 Black broke new ground with its 4K resolution video, ease-of-use, and, most importantly, its advanced stabilisation called Hyper Smooth 2.0. Featuring 3 different stabilisation modes, the GoPro Hero 8 offers smooth and steady video results in various situations.
The GoPro Hero 8 features various advanced built-in features such as 8x Slo-Mo recording, which comes alive when paired with its range of optional accessories, including the GoPro LED Light Mod and GoPro Media Mod, which help users obtain a higher quality of lighting and audio recording in their movies. Great news for those looking for an action camera for livestreams or vlogs. Of course, it is still a GoPro and is waterproof up to 10 metres, making it a fantastic action camera for diving. If you want to dive deeper than 10 metres, you'll need to pick up a dedicated housing.
Put together your GoPro Hero 8 Kit
DJI Osmo Action 2 - Power Combo & Dual Screen Combo
- RockSteady 2.0 Image Stabilisation & Horizon Levelling
- 4K/120fps Video
- 12MP RAW stills
- 155 wide-angle FOV
- 10M Waterproof
Available in 2 kits, the DJI Osmo Action 2 is an excellent little action camera that makes every adventure look effortless. The DJI Osmo Action 2 Power Combo includes a power module for increased shooting times, and the DJI Action 2 Dual Screen Combo features dual screens for better POV performance. Both versions are 10m waterproof, feature a unique magnetic mounting system for quick and easy mounting of accessories, and have 155 wide-angle FOV to ensure things aren't slipping out of frame.
Both versions of the DJI Osmo Action 2 feature DJI’s improved RockSteady 2.0 Image Stabilisation and horizon levelling features to ensure you can capture the most incredible footage of your adventures. This impressive action camera is packed with features to encourage your creativity, including built-in Slow-Motion and Time-Lapse creation. Last but not least, the compatibility with the DJI Mimo App makes it easy to edit and share your films.
Take a closer look at the DJI Action 2
GoPro Max
- 16.6MP
- 5.6k 30FPS
- Max Hyper Smooth
- 5m waterproof
- Live Streaming
- Intuitive touch screen
Yup. Our last one on the list is another GoPro. Released alongside the GoPro Hero 8, the Hero Max sets itself apart with brilliant 360-degree footage. To capture audio that matches the 360-degree footage of the Max, GoPro includes 6 microphones, making it ideal for live-streaming thanks to its built-in WiFi connectivity.
Capturing brilliant 5.6K resolution video that is smooth and steady across all 360-degrees thanks to GoPro's Hyper Smooth stabilisation. The Max is an excellent choice, thanks to its slim design, voice commands, and 5m waterproof rating.
Take in all of the action with the GoPro Max
Featured Products
Capture All The Action With Ted's Cameras
With your action camera chosen, it's time to pack your bags for your next action-packed holiday. If you need help rounding out your kit of mounts and accessories, you can browse our blog or talk to the experts at your local Ted's store.
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