Capture Every Adventure: Best Small Action Cameras

You will need the most incredible mini-action camera to capture your exciting movie and dominate the internet. These rugged recording gear can catch magnificent films of your adventurous exploits, whether skydiving or surfing. We put a variety of the best mini action cameras, ranging from more economical alternatives to more expensive ones, through our rigorous testing process, and the results are summarized here.

Which mini-action camera is the most suitable for the majority of users? The Hero 11 Black continues GoPro’s long tradition of producing top-notch mini-action cameras. The 8:7 aspect ratio of its sensor provides a helpful array of cropping choices for social media. In addition, the Horizon Lock function maintains 5.3K/30p footage stable and level through 360 degrees, making it, without a doubt. This most feature-packed model is currently available for purchase.

Video: 5k 60 fps / 4k 120 fps / 2.7k 240 fps / 1080p 240 fps video. | Sensor: 8×7 Image sensor. | Image Quality: 27.13 MP photo (.jpg / raw) + Superhoto/HDR. | Lock: Hyper smooth 5.0 + 360 Horizon | Waterproof: Yes, up to 33 ft (10m) | Lense: Hydrophobic lens.

HERO11 Black instantly sends amazing highlight footage to your phone. In addition, its bigger image sensor lets you rapidly post vertical photos to social media.

AutoBoost and Horizon Lock in HyperSmooth 5.0 ensure your smoothest, most beautiful photos. Night Effects and 10-bit color allow you to be creative at night. HERO11 Black is the most powerful GoPro.

Dimensions: 39×39×22.3 mm | Waterproof: 10 m without Waterproof Case, 60 m with Waterproof Case | Number of | Microphones: 1 | Weight: 56 g | Touchscreen: 1.76 inches 350 PPI 500±50 cd/m² 446×424

The DJI Action 2 is a modular DJI 4k action camera with a tiny design capable of recording stunning 4K footage. It is a redesigned version of DJI’s Osmo Action camera. It comes with a selection of magnetic modules, allowing users to tailor the camera to their requirements in terms of shooting.

Compared to the 1/2.3″ sensor in the first Osmo 4k Action camera, the 1/1.7″ CMOS sensor included in the Action 2 is significantly bigger. Its F2.8 lens has a field of view (FoV) of 155 degrees, and it is equipped with a revolutionary color temperature sensor that enables the camera to instantly adapt to changing shooting conditions.

If you’re content with its restrictions, the DJI Action 2 may be better than GoPro’s action cameras. Action 2 is a little metal cube you may acquire with one of two extra units (either a standard battery or a battery with a second screen for vlogging). We liked its magnetic installation, which is more accessible than GoPro mounts. It delights gadget lovers.

DJI’s first action camera, the Osmo Action, is now redesigning GoPro’s Hero Session camera. The DJI Action 2 is half the size of a GoPro Hero 10 Black and offers virtually the same functions, but its magnetic locking technology allows for more creative mounting options. The DJI Action 2 appears to compete with the Hero 10 Black, but does it? Discover.

Sensor: 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor, Wide 155° FOV | Screen: Front & Back Color Touchscreen Displays | Video: Up to DCI 4K60, UHD 4K120, 1080p240 | Fast Charge Technology, Voice Control

The initial version of DJI’s action camera included a color front screen; the second version featured an ingenious modular and magnetic construction; and the most recent version is, in many respects, a combination of the most significant features of the previous two versions. There is a lot to admire about this in terms of its design and functionality.

It would be a very close race between the new Osmo Action 3 and the GoPro Hero10 if they were against one other. Unfortunately, the GoPro Hero11 has already been on the market, and the Osmo has a hard time keeping up with it regarding the video and image quality it provides. However, if you do not want vertical video, a film with a resolution of 5.3K, or still images with a resolution of 27 megapixels, the Osmo Action 3 is a more cost-effective option while still being an extremely high-quality action camera.

Sensor: 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor, Wide 155° FOV | Screen: Front & Back Color Touchscreen Displays | Video: Up to DCI 4K60, UHD 4K120, 1080p240 | Fast Charge Technology, Voice Control

If you’re content with its restrictions, the DJI Action 2 may be better than GoPro’s action cameras. Action 2 is a little metal cube you may acquire with one of two extra units (either a standard battery or a battery with a second screen for vlogging). We liked its magnetic installation, which is more accessible than GoPro mounts. It delights gadget lovers.

DJI’s first action camera, the Osmo Action, is now redesigning GoPro’s Hero Session camera. The DJI Action 2 is half the size of a GoPro Hero 10 Black and offers virtually the same functions, but its magnetic locking technology allows for more creative mounting options. The DJI Action 2 appears to compete with the Hero 10 Black, but does it? Discover.

DJI’s Osmo 3 action cam ($329) returns. DJI’s experimental magnetic, modular Action 2 wasn’t successful, so the new camera returned to the old design shape.

The Osmo 3 resembles a GoPro Hero, except it has a front touch screen and a quick-detach mounting method. If you value frame rate above pixel count, it’s an excellent alternative to the $300 GoPro Hero9 Black.

Sensor: 23MP GP2 Chip with Improved Performance | Image: 5.3K60/4K120/2.7K240 Video, 23MP Photos | Screen: New Front Display/Rear Touchscreen | Connectivity: Cloud Connected, 1080p Live Streaming | Performance: Enhanced Low-Light Performance | Image Stabilization: HyperSmooth 4.0 | Waterproof: 33′ without a Housing | Video Mode: Time-Lapse & Night-Lapse, 8x Slo-Mo | Battery: 1720mAh Capacity

The HERO10 Black is one of the most flexible cameras available since it provides maximum speed while maintaining a straightforward user interface. In addition, the HERO10 Black, which the ground-breaking GP2 processor powers, is capable of shooting 5.3K video at more excellent frame rates, 23MP pictures, improved low-light performance, and game-changing HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization in all modes. On top of that, the HERO10 is connected to the cloud, which means that your film will be uploaded to the cloud immediately as soon as you charge it.

Weight: 158g | Waterproof: 10m | 5K video: up to 30fps | 4K video: up to 60fps | 2.7K: up to 120fps | 1080: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 20MP | Battery: 1720mAh

With the HERO11 Black, you can automatically have fantastic highlight films delivered directly to your phone. In addition, you’ll be able to rapidly publish vertical photos to social media because of its new and improved image sensor, which catches a broader portion of the subject while maintaining a higher image quality.

AutoBoost and Horizon Lock are built-in features of HyperSmooth 5.0, guaranteeing that your photos are as smooth and gorgeous as they have ever been. After the sun goes down, you can unleash your inner artist with the new Night Effects, and 10-bit color will bring your films to vibrant life. Because of all of these features and others, the HERO11 Black is the most potent GoPro model to date.

Weight: 126g | Waterproof: 10m | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080: up to 240fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery: 1220mAh

It’s been replaced by the GoPro Hero 10 Black and Hero 9 Black, but this model may be cheaper if you don’t require a front-facing screen. So what’s missing from GoPro’s newest models? Both successors include 5K video modes and better slo-mo. If none are deal-breakers, the Hero 8 Black shoots similarly stunning 4K video, delivers virtually equivalent HyperSmooth stabilization (except in the most demanding modes), and has one less color screen to shatter.

Video quality: 4K30, 2.7K30, 2K60 | Battery life: 60 minutes | Waterproof: 40m with case

Compact action camera AKASO V50X. It has a transparent plastic cover touted to make it waterproof and impact-resistant, but we don’t test for that, and a range of attachments for helmet and chest rig mounting: handy FHD and 4k recording without cropping.

Its video stabilization is excellent, so action footage shouldn’t be shaky. Unfortunately, the video is blurry and soft. Its fixed wide-angle zoom lens, lack of autofocus, and inability to manually adjust the aperture and shutter speed make it unsuitable for photography.

Video: 4K30, 2.7K60, 1080P120, 720P240 | Photo: 20MP | Digital lenses: Super wide, wide, medium, narrow | Burst: 3, 7, 15, and 30 shots | Time–lapse: 3, 5, 10, 30, 60-second intervals | Long exposure: 1, 2, 5, 8, 30, and 60 seconds | Screens: 2-inch rear touchscreen and 1.5-inch front screen | Waterproofing: 1m without a case or 30m with the included case | GPS: No | Voice Control: Yes | Stabilization: 6-axis EIS 2.0 | App support: Yes | SD card included: No | Live Streaming: No | Remote Contol Included: Yes

The Chinese startup AKASO has been producing some of the most capable competitors to GoPro in recent years. The AKASO EK7000 and the EK7000 Pro have been discussed in the past. They mimic some of the most critical aspects of GoPro cameras but come at a far more reasonable price.

Although there are many imitations of GoPro’s action cameras on the market, which indicates that GoPro is on to something with this whole action camera thing, AKASO has begun to differentiate itself from the competition by providing quality that is consistent at a very reasonable cost. In addition, even something as fundamental as the packaging of the cameras demonstrates that they have seriously considered the product as a whole and how customers would employ it.

Video quality: 1080 25fps | Battery life: 200 18sec clips | Waterproof: Not quite

Dual-lens cameras were the foundation on which Insta360 developed its brand. The company’s One series of cameras has proven to be an asset to content producers who have remained committed to using this format. The One X3 ($449.99) is the successor to the One X2, and its idea is identical to that of the One X2; the only difference is in the length of the model name.

The two lenses of the X3 record everything that is going on around the camera, and its waterproof build ensures that it is always ready for action. Expert editors can accomplish a lot with 360 videos, especially with the software supplied, and HDR processing is a benefit for image quality in mixed light conditions. Due to our high level of satisfaction with the Insta360 X3, we have decided to designate it as the winner of our Editor’s Choice award for 360-degree cameras. This makes it the first model to get this honor since the Samsung Gear 360 in 2017.

When looking for a small action camera, consider the following features:

1. Video quality: Look for cameras with high resolution and frame rates.
2. Durability: Make sure the camera is waterproof and can withstand rough conditions.
3. Battery life: Look for cameras with long battery life, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power.
4. Additional features: Look for cameras with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and a wide variety of mounting options.
5. Brand reputation and reviews: Read reviews of the camera you are interested in and also look at the importance of the brand.

Some popular small action cameras include the GoPro HERO9 Black, DJI Osmo Action, and the Insta360 GO 2.