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 action cameras on the market.
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 6
- Adjustable Aperture
- 4K/120fps Video Recording
- 38MP 1.1" Image Sensor
- Lightweight Build: Weighs Under 150 Grams
- 20M Waterproof
The latest flagship release from DJI, is the exciting Osmo Action 6. This model puts a premium on image quality, with an updated 1.1" image sensor at the helm, delivering 4K video, brilliant 38MP stills, and brilliant results in all lighting conditions, thanks to the ability to capture up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range. In a first for a model in this series, users can expertly tweak the depth of field of their action shots, thanks to the adjustable aperture.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 is a powerhouse built for maximum creative versatility, excelling at dramatic slow motion with native 4K/120fps and up to 32x Super Slow Motion for incredibly detailed visuals. Its innovative 4K Custom Mode lets you "shoot first and crop later," offering superior post-production flexibility for any platform. Backed by the expansive Osmo ecosystem, the Action 6 seamlessly integrates specialised accessories like the Macro and FOV Boost lenses, and its groundbreaking DJI OsmoAudio system captures high-quality sound directly from two transmitters, ensuring this camera is ready for everything from extreme sports to everyday life with professional ease.
GoPro Max 2
- 29MP
- 8K 360-Degree Footage
- Versatile Mounting Options
- 5m waterproof
- Live Streaming
- Replaceable Glass Lenses
Want to take your action shots one step further and capture them in all their glory? We are talking, of course, about 360-degree video, which is what the GoPro Max 2 has to offer. This stunning 360-degree footage is offered in brilliant 8K resolution, no less, and the GoPro Max 2 can also deliver 29MP 360-degree still images, if that's what you have the need for. To capture audio that matches the 360-degree footage of the Max 2, GoPro includes 6 microphones, making it ideal for live-streaming thanks to its built-in WiFi connectivity.
The GoPro Max 2 is rugged and reliable, being waterproof to 5m, while the glass lenses are suitably tough but if something were to go wrong, they are easy to twist off and replace - this means you don't have to replace your whole camera. Your results will always be smooth and stable with the Max 2 and its HorizonLock and Adjustable Video Stabilisation, and you can enjoy other highlights, such as 5.6K slow-motion video, and 4K 180-degree footage, if you think your scene calls for it.
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.One of the most popular action cams we have seen from this brand is 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