They are rugged, reliable and can stay faithfully by your side when you are at your most adventurous — or should we say reckless? That said, there is more to your GoPro or action camera than brawn. The best action cameras are waterproof and made for adventure, but thanks to ever-advancing feature sets, they can also be used to enhance your ability to produce content in various situations, whether you are on the road or in the comfort of your own home.
1. Take it to the water
It should come as no surprise that we always pack our action camera when there is a day by the water planned, whether that means a simple swim in the pool or a dip in the choppy and unpredictable surf.
Capturing the best underwater photos and videos largely relies on your equipment being able to be submerged safely, and action cameras like the GoPro Hero 12 can do this right out of the box. This particular model is waterproof to 10m, and can go even deeper when paired with a dedicated underwater housing. Voice commands let you start and stop recording even when visibility is low or you are wearing gloves.
2. Record POV shots as you drive, ride or cycle
You can put your action camera to use while you hit the road for several reasons — to record scenic sights as you take the long way home, or simply for security; in a pinch, your action camera can double as a dashcam.
No matter your choice of vehicle, you need the right accessory for the job: a handlebar mount for your bicycle or motorbike, a helmet mount, or a heavy-duty suction cup mount for your car windscreen. An action camera with a long battery life is the best choice for extended trips, and a spare battery is always recommended.
3. Use it to keep a record of your travels
If you are jet-setting soon, an action camera deserves serious consideration as your travel camera. As well as capturing stills and video in super high resolution, action cameras are tough enough to handle whatever the day throws at you.
Mounted on a selfie stick or extension pole — such as the GoPro Shorty — you can use the extra reach to see over crowds and capture better views of the world's great landmarks. This setup also makes it easy to produce selfies with the whole wide world as your backdrop, as well as both selfie-style and POV vlogs.
4. Vlog or live stream from anywhere in the world
You probably already know that action cameras are great for vlogging, but let's touch on what makes them so good. Portability, great video quality, and excellent audio capture are key — and the best action cameras deliver all of this, with the bonus of being mountable to virtually any surface. Viewers always have a front-row seat, whether you are in the great outdoors or filming in your kitchen.
An external mic input is a high priority for vlogging, while image stabilisation keeps your footage smooth and blur-free even during high-energy activities. Modern GoPro cameras also offer live streaming, so you can share your view of the world in real time on your favourite platform.
5. Keep your home secure with a temporary security camera
While not a long-term substitute for a dedicated security system, your action camera's Wi-Fi capabilities allow it to be repurposed for temporary security monitoring. The ability to control the camera remotely means you can keep an eye on your home when you are not around — ideal for checking in on a curious pet!
As always when recording for extended periods, install a larger memory card and a high-capacity battery so your camera doesn't call it quits before the job is done.
