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 category you fall into, there is a range of portable and powerful action cams to 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.
In this roundup:
- GoPro Hero 13 Black
- DJI Osmo Action 6
- GoPro Max 2
- DJI Osmo Action 5 PRO
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
- 10M Waterproof
The latest top-of-the-line offering from GoPro is the 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. If there is a specific look you want to achieve, consider one of the new compatible HB-Series lenses — ultra-wide, macro and anamorphic options are available, as well as ND filters. The GoPro Hero 13 automatically detects when one of these accessories is attached and adjusts its settings accordingly.
Learn more about the Hero 13 Black
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 delivering 4K video, brilliant 38MP stills, and outstanding results in all lighting conditions — capturing 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. Its innovative 4K Custom Mode lets you “shoot first and crop later,” offering superior post-production flexibility. 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.
DJI Action 6 Standard Combo DJI Action 6 Adventure Combo
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, and the GoPro Max 2 can also deliver 29MP 360-degree still images. To capture audio that matches the 360-degree footage, 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 easy to twist off and replace if needed — meaning you don't have to replace your whole camera. Your results will always be smooth and stable with HorizonLock and Adjustable Video Stabilisation, and you can enjoy highlights such as 5.6K slow-motion video and 4K 180-degree footage.
Learn more about the Max 2
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 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, with this model offering RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation. 360-degree HorizonSteady is also available, correcting for any bumps and tilts caused by your adventures.
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. Ready to be pushed to the limits, this action camera also offers 47GB of built-in memory.
Learn more about the DJI Action 5 Pro