Best action cams for the summer that's not GoPro
Action cameras are everywhere, from GoPros to Sony Action Cams, they allow us to capture the action without being in the scene. And trust me, you will want some. If you're looking for a list of action cameras that you can bring on your indoor/outdoor adventures, you may want to check this article out!
GoPro Hero10 Black
The Hero10 Black is GoPro’s best action camera yet. It has the same resolution and frame rate as the Hero9 Black, but it’s substantially smaller, faster, and more capable than any previous GoPro, with a new touchscreen display that makes it easier to use on the fly.
The highlight is 5.3K video with 60 frames per second, but don’t underestimate the usefulness of GoPro’s new HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization – in all modes – alongside 23MP photos and best-ever low-light performance. Add a nifty cable for super-quick camera-to-app content transfer and auto-upload of videos and photos to the cloud while it recharges, and the Hero10 Black was worth the wait. It's definitely not the cheapest action camera you can buy, but GoPro is now expert at producing tough, and supremely effective action cameras, and you do get what you're paying for.
The Hero10 Black is GoPro's latest flagship action camera. It's an incremental upgrade on the Hero9 Black, with a few small changes and additions that improve performance and usability.
The Hero10 Black is waterproof to 10m without an extra case, compared to just 5m for the Hero9 Black and 3m for the Hero7. However, it has the same screen as before, so there's no touch or voice control. The screen does at least have a higher resolution than before, though, so you can see what you're doing better than before. You also get a new voice assistant called GoPro QuikStories, which can automatically edit footage from your camera into a shareable video that looks great - although unless you have access to Amazon Prime Video, this feature won't be much use in Europe yet!
The Hero10 Black offers faster shooting modes than before: 4K60 and 1080p240 are both available at up to 60fps, while 1080p240 is also available at 120fps if you've got enough light - so it can be used for slow-motion shots too! There's also improved audio handling, which means it's easier to capture good sound quality.
DJI Osmo Action
This tiny action camera packs a powerful 1/2.3" CMOS sensor and a wide f/2.8 lens, allowing you to record professional high-resolution video wherever the action is.
The Osmo Action utilizes DJI's RockSteady Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), supports up to 4K60 HDR video recording, captures slow-motion video at rates up to 1080p240, and can also operate in time-lapse and hyperlapse modes. Still images can be captured in up to 12MP resolution in raw or JPEG format, and when you rotate the camera 90 degrees when taking stills, it will automatically change to panorama mode.
The camera has Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) to help with transitions between light and dark, and it supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) when recording in 4K30 format.
All photos and videos are stored on microSD cards, which can have a maximum capacity of 256GB and a minimum write speed of 30 Mb/s.
On its tiny frame, this pocket-sized camera manages to fit not one, but two displays. The entire back of the device is covered by a clear 2.25" 16:9 display with a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels.
Both displays on the Osmo Action feature touchscreen control, saving valuable housing space from those annoying old-fashioned buttons. To prevent accidentally pressing anything on the touchscreen while shooting, there is a handy screen locking switch on the side of the housing. The Osmo Action can also be controlled via Bluetooth or Wi-F.
A maximum ISO of 3200, a dewarp mode to remove wide-angle FOV bending, custom setting modes for quick access, dual microphones, dual speakers, and a removable LiPo battery are among the additional features.
You can surf, snorkel, and swim with the Osmo Action camera safely for up to 30 minutes at a time because it is waterproof to a depth of 36'.
With a separately available waterproof housing, you can take the Osmo Action down to 197' for even deeper underwater activities.
Its original housing is so strong that drops from up to 5' high won't damage it.
A mounting frame, a USB Type-C cable, a quick release base, a flat adhesive mount, a curved adhesive mount, and a connector screw for connecting the mounting frame to a compatible action mount are all included in the box.
GoPro Max
The GoPro Hero Max is a high-end action camera with great video quality, excellent stabilization and an excellent editing app. It's also rugged and waterproof, making it easy to take with you on any adventure. The downside is that its lack of full manual control makes it less appealing for more serious videographers, but if you're looking for an action camera that can do everything, it's hard to beat the GoPro Hero Max.
PROS:
High Quality Video
The GoPro Hero Max has excellent image quality, with 4K at 60fps and 1080p at 240 fps for slow motion modes. The footage looks very sharp and detailed even when viewed on a large TV screen or computer monitor. There are several different photo modes as well, including burst mode at 30fps and single shots at up to 10fps. The photos look good too, although they suffer from from the same limitations as all other GoPro cameras: no RAW mode or HDR mode, so there's no way to adjust exposure after taking photos or video.
Hero Mode & 360 Mode
The Hero Mode lets you capture 360-degree videos in 3D or mono versions of either format that can be viewed on your phone or desktop with an inexpensively available software program called Kolor Autopano Giga.
The design and build quality of the GoPro Max camera is one of its strongest points. The Max is water resistant up to 5 meters without a case and built to withstand a variety of harsh environments. Additionally, lens protectors that will prevent the camera's fragile lenses from breaking should you drop it are included in the box. The Max is clearly designed for action, and it is completely protected.
Since the Max is a 360-degree camera, you'll use the 360-degree mode frequently. This mode uses both lenses on the Max to shoot 360-degree videos, which can then be reframed to create super smooth, cinematic shots. You can also upload this 360 video directly to Facebook and YouTube and watch it with a VR headset for an engaging and interesting experience. The Max is primarily designed for the re-framing process.
In Hero Mode, you can shoot in either 1440p or 1080p. There is no 4K resolution like in other Hero cameras, but that would be a huge challenge. You can also choose between 60fps, 50fps, 30fps, and 24fps frame rates.
You can also do time-lapse pans and get 360 photos with GoPro Max as well.
Akaso Brave 7 LE
The Akaso Brave 7 LE is the best action camera you can buy without spending a ton of money. It's got a solid build quality, delivers excellent image quality, and the 2-inch screen is one of the largest on any action camera right now.
The Brave 7 LE shoots 4K video up to 30fps and 1080p video up to 120fps, which makes it one of the fastest cameras on this list. It also shoots stills at 20MP resolution, which is solid for an action cam. The camera's case-free waterproof rating means you can take it underwater without having to worry about it getting damaged.
The Akaso Brave 7 LE isn't perfect though; its 60fps footage isn't great and its electronic stabilization system is jumpy. There are also cheaper options available that do just as well, with some minor trade offs here and there (such as not having a 2-inch screen). But if you want something that does everything well at a reasonable price, then this is definitely worth considering.
Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition
The Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition is the latest action camera from Insta360 and comes in two versions: Black and White. The difference between the two is that the white version is waterproof up to 40 meters, while the black version is only waterproof up to 30 meters.
Insta360 has been making 360-degree cameras for several years now and has become one of the most popular brands on Amazon where they sell their products. It's no surprise that this new model has already become one of the top sellers on Amazon as well.
The Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition has a massive 5120 x 2560 resolution, which gives you plenty of detail even when viewed on a large screen such as an iPhone XS Max or Samsung Galaxy S10+. There are also two lenses on this camera, so you can create high quality photos as well as 360-degree photos and videos. One lens shoots at f/2.0 while the other shoots at f/2.8 which allows you to create some stunning shots during low light conditions.
IN CONCLUSION...
The best camera for your budget is one that you'll actually bring with you and use. The best camera for your activity is one that can withstand the elements and capture footage that's stable, smooth, and clear. The next five years will be filled with technical innovation; it just depends on which features are most important to you.
Action cameras are small lightweight cameras that can be fitted with a variety of accessories to record a variety of activities. These cameras have been used in racing, skydiving, snow and surf sports and other risky situations. Over the years, advances in technology and the evolution of these cameras have seen them penetrate markets like aquatic sports and also other recreational pursuits such as surfing, scuba diving and cycling. When making any purchase of an item as important as a camera, people will want a unit that they can depend on to accurately capture all the details they need. And while there are numerous action cams available on the market that can meet this exacting requirement it is important to know what the best is so you do not waste your money on something less than you need. The way to make such a determination is by looking at both general features and specific configuration features such as pixels for resolution, frame rates for recording, sensor size for crisp imaging, battery life for endurance, etc.