pcmag.comWhich Action Camera Should You Buy? Action cameras are small, lightweight, wearable, mountable, portable, and sometimes waterproof camcorders. They're useful because you can mount them to pretty much anything—from skateboards, surfboards, bicycles, and drones, to helmets, body parts, and even your pets. Sure, you can also mount a traditional camcorder, which could very well feature better functionality and performance for the price. But regular camcorders are too heavy and bulky to strap onto yourself, your apparel, or your equipment. Plus, the gap between traditional camcorder and action camera performance is narrowing as technology improves. Action cams are forever getting smaller, lighter, and less expensive, while the consumer market for traditional camcorders is stagnant, with fewer models on sale than in years prior. Here you'll find the top-rated action cams we've tested. Frame Rates and Resolution Before you start digging into the reviews, a few notes on choosing a cam that's right for you. You'll definitely want to consider frame rate, expressed as frames per second (fps). Some action cameras offer up to 240fps recording, while others only go to 30fps. For standard playback, 30fps is perfectly fine. It's when you want to slow footage down in editing to create dramatic scenes that frame rate matters. Footage captured at 240fps can be slowed down and played back smoothly at one-quarter speed. You may also want to go for a cinematic look, in which case you'll want one that has a 24fps capture option, the same speed used by most Hollywood productions. Then there's resolution and video quality. At this point, the best action cams on the market capture footage at 4K, most at 30fps. Some can also shoot in 4K at 60fps. Shooting in 4K does have some advantages, notably in the ability to crop footage and maintain 1080p quality at output—it makes the ultra-wide view of a typical action cam lens a bit more versatile. Cameras that support 4K can be set to record in lower resolutions as well, if you want to keep file sizes down. Mounting You'll also want to keep your specific needs in mind. Not all cameras are suitable for every sport, and certain form factors lend themselves better to certain activities. On top of that, different shapes allow for different mounting accessories and possibilities. If you want to catch a unique perspective, like an under-skateboard shot, you'll want to pay close attention to size. Waterproofing is important to consider if you'll be recording footage underwater or even around water. Some waterproof cameras can go deeper than others, and some have built-in waterproofing so that you don't need to think about extra housing. And if you're already invested in a system, like GoPro, which uses a proprietary mount, then sticking with what you've got can help save money on extra accessories. Some drones have gimbal mounts that work with certain GoPro models. We've reviewed several drones that work with older GoPro models, including the Yuneec Typhoon G, the Blade Chroma, and the Xiro Xplorer G. But aside from the discontinued Karma, we haven't seen any that support the current GoPro camera design. There's some appeal to using a modular action cam with your drone—but it looks like integrated cameras have won out. The aircraft that we've seen released in the past year have shown that DJI is just as capable of making a small video camera as GoPro, and the lenses are better tuned for aerial use, with narrower fields of view and no fish-eye distortion. Controls and Apps On-camera controls and wireless features should also be considered. GoPro's Hero5 Session, which is no longer in production but still available at retail, focuses on simple, one-button operation, but relies on a connected mobile device to adjust settings. Some models have LCDs and controls built in, but can be a bit more cumbersome to use. There's a lot of give and take when you're dealing with such compact devices. We've found touch-screen models to be the easiest to operate. A great app can supplement a poor on-camera control system, and even elevate the camera's usefulness. For instance, some apps let you use your phone as a live viewfinder to frame your shots, and some even let you transfer files to your phone wirelessly. The GoPro app goes one step further and will automatically edit your video once it's on your smartphone. Many apps let you use your phone as a wireless remote, so you can easily control that helmet-mounted camera without all the fuss of dismounting or taking off your gear. Ultimately, your choice in action camera should come down to performance and ease of use. We've filmed hours of footage with many of the major contenders to determine where each device stands in the increasingly crowded field. Some excel in all manner of extreme situations, while others can fall apart underwater or once the sun goes down. And what good is an action cam if it's not built for action? We sussed out the best cameras overall, and you can't go wrong with any of the choices listed here. GoPro Hero7 Black Review MSRP: $399.00 at Pros: Compact, rugged design. Waterproof to 33 feet. 4K 60fps recording with stabilization. Up to 240fps at 1080p. Voice control. Smartphone app with streaming support.Cons: Battery life could be better. Wi-Fi file transfer time can be lengthy.Bottom Line: The GoPro Hero7 Black adds stabilization to 4K60 video, and is the lone Hero with live streaming support.Read Review Sjcam SJ6 Legend Review MSRP: $159.00 at Pros: Compact. Stabilized 4K capture. Touch-screen interface. Includes waterproof case. Standard tripod mount. Integrates Wi-Fi.Cons: Limited Raw image conversion support. Dated mini USB charging port.Bottom Line: If you can't afford a GoPro, the Sjcam SJ6 Legend records stabilized 4K video and boasts a touch-screen interface. It's our favorite low-cost action cam.Read Review Pros: Rugged, waterproof build. Stabilized 4K footage at up to 60fps. 1080p slow-motion at up to 240fps. Easily swappable filters. Supports HDR and flat profiles. Front and rear color displays. Filters included.Cons: Battery life could be better. HDR video isn't stabilized. Stabilization not as good as GoPro. No tripod socket.Bottom Line: The DJI Osmo Action is a small, waterproof action camera with 4K video and a full-color front LCD, but its stabilization isn't quite as good as rival GoPro.Read Review Pros: Records 4K footage. Excellent video quality for the size. Waterproof without a case.Cons: No viewfinder. Awkward controls. No external mic support without an adapter.Bottom Line: With the Hero5 Session, GoPro adds 4K video recording to an impressively tiny midrange action camera.Read Review Pros: Compact design. Ultra-wide lens. Touch LCD. Simple operation. Records 4K video at 60fps. Time-lapse and slow-motion options. Flat color profile available. Waterproof to 132 feet with case. External mic via USB-C. Full-featured companion app. Supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.Cons: Doesn't support 24p. Digital stabilization introduces artifacts. No stabilization at 4K. Raw photo support not yet implemented. Requires case to be waterproof and rugged. Gets hot when recording long clips.Bottom Line: The impressive YI 4K+ records in 4K at 60fps, but is missing some other features that would make it our top action cam.Read Review Pros: Captures 360-degree video at 5.2K resolution. OverCapture brings life to 360 footage. Photo and time-lapse modes. Rugged build. Strong image stabilization. Compatible with GoPro mounting system.Cons: Pricey. Video stitching requires some serious horsepower. Mobile OverCapture editing tools need a little work. Huge file sizes. Gets very warm when recording.Bottom Line: The GoPro Fusion lets you do more with 360-degree video than other cameras, but its mobile software experience could use some refinement.Read Review Pros: Pre-stitched 360-degree 4K video. 29MP still capture. Waterproof to 100 feet. Wi-Fi remote control. Electronic vibration reduction. Mac and Windows desktop software.Cons: Doesn't double as a traditional action cam. Seams visible at close distances. Short battery life. Huge file sizes. 4K resolution at 24fps only. No mic input. Mounts aren't GoPro compatible.Bottom Line: The Nikon KeyMission 360 is the easiest 360-degree camera to use and delivers strong quality video, but the technology is still in its infancy.Read Review Pros: 4K recording with optical stabilization. 100Mbps XAVC S compression. In-body tripod mount. Protected from dust and splashes without case. Includes waterproof case. Standard mic input. Wi-Fi.Cons: Monochrome information LCD only. Underwhelming still image quality. Limited battery life.Bottom Line: The Sony FDR-X3000 action cam records optically stabilized 4K footage, but it's not as easy to use or squeeze into small places as a GoPro.Read Review Pros: Inexpensive. Shoots in 4K. Includes waterproof case. Compact. Rear LCD. Strong battery life. Wi-Fi.Cons: So-so audio quality. Ineffective digital stabilization. Shows date stamp by default. Bottom Line: The Wimius L1 is a compact action cam with 4K support and a rock-bottom price tag, but it doesn't support touch control and its microphone disappoints.Read Review

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