Best Action Cameras

In this article, we’re going to look at the Top Best Action Cameras Of 2022: 5.3K Full HD & Affordable. We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We’ve considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.

The best action cameras are small, simple and easy to use, and can go whether other cameras can’t.

Best Action Cameras in 2022

So, here are the Top 5 Best Action Cameras you can buy in 2022. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.

#1. GoPro HERO10 Black

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 153g / Waterproof: 10m / 5.3K video: 30fps / 4K video: 120fps / 2.7K video: 240fps / Stills resolution: 23MP / Battery life : 1,720 mAh

REASONS TO BUY

• +Powerful new processor
• +Handy 4K/120p mode
• +Class-leading stabilization

REASONS TO AVOID

• -Same sensor as Hero 9 Black
• -Pricier than rivals

The GoPro HERO10 Black is the best action camera you can get. The latest flagship action cam from GoPro, this camera is reliably well-built, comes with a ton of frame rate options, and has an upgraded processor over its predecessor that’s advertised to give it improved low-light performance. On top of its sturdy construction, it’s also waterproof to an advertised depth of 33 feet and has a front-facing screen that lets you monitor yourself in Live View while recording.

It’s the most capable GoPro yet, with 5.3k video recording up to 60 fps, 4k video up to 120 fps, and 2.7k and 1080p video at up to 240 fps, so you can easily capture high-res slow-motion footage as well as regular smooth action video. Its digital image stabilization feature reduces camera shake incredibly well for handheld recording, although it does incur a noticeable 1.36x crop. The overall video quality is also better than most action cameras we’ve tested, particularly when it comes to low-light recording.

#2. Insta360 ONE R 1

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 158.2g / Waterproof: 5m / 5.3K video: up to 30fps / 4K video: up to 60fps / 1080p video: up to 120fps / Stills resolution: 19MP / Battery: 1,190mAh

REASONS TO BUY

• +Large sensor for great image quality
• +Strong low-light performance

REASONS TO AVOID

• -Processing niggles
• -Sluggish software

Already a proven rival to GoPro’s Hero series, the modular Insta360 One R is now available with a sizable 1-inch sensor. That gives it low-light abilities which are brighter, cleaner and more detailed than the GoPro Hero 9 Black, as well as a native dynamic range better than any other action camera.

Raw stills are impressive, while videos are sharp and punchy, in both 5.23K/25p and 4K/60p modes. That said, GoPro’s processing powers are more effective overall, with video from the Insta360 One R suffering from shimmer and fizz in detailed areas.

The One R also lacks the point-and-shoot simplicity of a GoPro, with more sluggish software when it comes to exporting. All the same, the Insta360 One R produces some of the best stills and video you can get from an action camera.

Its 1-inch sensor also handles the crop of image stabilization better than most. A flexible 5K camera with solid low-light skills, the Insta360 One R is one of the best action cams around.

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#3. GoPro HERO9 Black

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 158g / Waterproof: 10m / 4K video: up to 60fps / 1080: up to 240fps / 720: up to 240fps / Stills resolution: 20MP / Battery: 1720mAh

REASONS TO BUY

• +5K video captures lots of detail
• +Front display for vlogging
• +Improved battery life
• +New software skills.

REASONS TO AVOID

• -Rear screen currently unresponsive
• -Little improvement to 4K video.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, consider the GoPro HERO9 Black. It’s the predecessor to the GoPro HERO10 Black, and while it uses an older processor and has fewer frame rate options, it still has many of the same features at a lower price point. It feels very well-built, is waterproof up to 33 feet, and has a second front-facing screen with Live View that’s ideal for vlogging.

It supports 5k video recording up to 30 fps, as well as 4k up to 60 fps and 1080p up to 240 fps, so you still have a wide range of frame rates to choose from to suit whatever style of video you want to shoot. Its digital stabilization feature also does a fantastic job smoothing out camera shake, though there’s a noticeable crop on your footage when you enable it. Video quality also looks a tad worse in dimly-lit conditions than it does on the HERO10.

Get the HERO10 Black if you want improved low-light performance and more frame rate options. However, if you want to save a bit of money for a camera that performs very similarly overall, the HERO9 Black is a great alternative.

#4. DJI Pocket 2

The DJI Pocket 2 is a portable handheld camera with a built-in gimbal, making it a great choice for handheld action video and vlogging. The gimbal is stabilized across three axes, and you can set it in a few different configurations, for instance, to lock the horizon or prevent the camera from tilting and rolling. All in all, it does an exceptional job of smoothing out camera shake.

In addition to its stabilization, the camera also has an excellent autofocus feature for video. There’s an active tracking mode that can lock onto a specific subject and automatically follow them without having to move the camera. It can record 4k and 1080p video at up to 60 fps for smooth action video, and it has a ‘Slow-Mo’ video mode as well, which captures 1080p video at 120 or 240 fps for slow-motion playback. Its overall video quality is also pretty good relative to most action cameras, thanks to its slightly larger 1/1.7-inch sensor.

#5. AKASO Brave 7 LE

If you’re on a tighter budget, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is a solid GoPro alternative that won’t break the bank. Despite its relatively affordable price point, this camera feels well-built and has an IPX7 rating, so it can withstand being submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. For more extensive waterproofing, it also comes with a protective case that renders it waterproof to an advertised depth of 131 feet.

Like the GoPro HERO10 Black and GoPro HERO9 Black, this camera has a secondary front-facing screen that’s helpful for vlogging. It has an intuitive menu system and a great battery life depending on what settings you use. You can also keep using it while it charges via USB-C, which is handy for longer shooting sessions. It can record 1080p video at up to 120 fps, which is great for slow-motion capture. Its stabilization feature does an excellent job of reducing camera shake in 1080p and works very well in 4k at slower speeds, though enabling it does incur a severe 1.6x crop, which is unfortunate.

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Best Action Cameras Q&A