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5 Best Action Cameras to Capture Your Special Moments

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If you want to capture your special moments, a good camera is essential. Action cameras are an even better choice if the moments you want to capture involve the outdoors, and different activities that do require ruggedness. As someone who recently purchased this type of camera, and has done thorough research I can share with you my top choice.

Keep in mind that price directly correlates with quality, so my grandfather’s saying ” If you don’t know what’s good, you know what’s expensive” definitely proved true here. However, if you are looking for something on the budget, we got you covered as well. Without any further ado here are the best action cameras in 2021.

5. CAMWORLD Action Camera 4K WiFi Waterproof Underwater Camera

CAMWORLD Action Camera 4K WiFi Waterproof Underwater Camera

We’ll start our list with the most affordable camera we could recommend. It is a CAMWORLD Action Camera, and it is a great value for money. Although it can’t compare to some of its more expensive competitors, it is still a very capable device which is a great starting point.

It records in 4K at 30fps, and it has electronic image stabilization. An intuitive touch screen is used to operate it, and it is quite impressive for a camera in this price range.

Besides this, we have to mention that it is water-resistant, up to 100ft, and that it has an adjustable lens that covers 70, 110, 140, and 170-degree angles. To top it all off, it comes with two rechargeable batteries, which allow you decent recording time. Considering the price, it might be the best budget deal you can get.

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4. AKASO Brave 7 LE 4K30FPS 20MP WiFi Action Camera

AKASO Brave 7 LE 4K30FPS 20MP WiFi Action Camera

We are moving on to our second choice when it comes to budget action cameras, and it is an AKASO Brave 7. It is another great choice if your budget is limited, and it will provide you with decent footage which, with clever editing, can look pretty good.

As stated above, this camera records in real 4K at 50fps. If you want to capture images with it, you can do it at 20 megapixels. Again, just as our previous contender, this one is also equipped with a touch screen which is used to control it all.

AKASO Brave 7 also comes with image stabilization, which is good but can’t be compared to some of the more popular brands. When it comes to water resistance, it is a bit more capable than the previous camera, and you can take it down to 120ft(with a water-proof case). It comes with a large 1350mAh battery which ensures a longer recording time. It is a great product on the budget, and it definitely deserves to be on our list of best action cameras in 2021.

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3. SJCAM SJ10 X Gyro stabilization WiFi Remote Action Camera

SJCAM SJ10 X Gyro stabilization WiFi Remote Action Camera

The next contender on our list is an SJCAM SJ10 X, it is a bit more expensive compared to our two previous contenders, but you also get more capabilities. The main one worth mentioning is water-resistance.

While the two previously listed cameras require a water-proof case to go underwater, this one can do it on its own. For this price, you get a better-built quality and some of the other features of shared with more expensive contenders.

We already mentioned the water-resistant capabilities, but you can replace the lens on this camera as well. While it records in 4K at 24fps, the image looks significantly better compared to the cheaper cameras. Also, we have to mention the high capacity battery which allows for longer recording times. Its predecessors did come with some bugs and quality issues, but they managed to fix them all with this product. It is a great camera at a decent price, and it surely deserves our recommendation.

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2. Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition – Action Camera & 360 Camera

Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition – Action Camera & 360 Camera

We are moving on closer to the top, and one of the main contenders on the action camera market is the Insta360 ONE R. The one main thing that differentiates it from the competition is the fact that this is a modular camera.

This means that you can take the separate components apart, upgrade them, and basically adapt them to fit your needs best. It is a great concept which will become more popular in the future. Since this camera is on the next level, compared to the previous products on our list, the price is also higher.

However, as we mentioned above, with a higher price you get better capabilities. This camera can record in 5.7K in 360 mode. You can also change it to wide-angle 4K which records at 60fps. It has amazing image stabilization which will make all of your videos stunning. Besides this, you also get the AI editing which amps up the quality even more. You can take it underwater as well, without the case, up to 15ft of depth.

With the case, this number climbs much higher. If you decide to purchase it, also consider the 1-inch lens, which will make the footage even better, and it will give you a better image in the low light. In the end, it is a great product that introduces innovation and sets the bar higher for future generations of action cameras.

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1. GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screen

GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screen

And last, but not least is the GoPro 9. GoPro 9 is my favorite camera, and the one I decided to buy. There are several reasons behind this decision, but it all comes down to two. The first one is the image quality.

Just as the OneR, GoPro 9 can record in 5K which results in incredible footage. However, that is not the only reason for premium quality. The advanced image stabilization will allow you to record the action even in the most demanding conditions.

If you need a camera to take incredible photos, this one is the one to go for. You can take photos with 20-megapixel quality, and the end results are incredible. The second reason I’ve decided to buy this camera over the One R is customer service. According to my research, Insta 360 didn’t really cover this aspect in the best way possible, while the GoPro is on top of the game.

You can also take this camera underwater without the water-resistant case, and that is a plus in my book. Other features include microphone drainage, replaceable lens, horizon leveling, etc. In the end, GoPro 9 is overall the best action camera, and it definitely deserves to take the number 1 spot.

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FAQ

Are action cameras worth it?

Action cameras nowadays are very advanced, and although they can't compete with professional cameras which cost thousands of dollars, they do offer an impressive quality. In the end, it all depends on what task do you need them to perform. Big brands like GoPro and Insta360 offer products that allow for professional production. And, you get all that in a small package which is shock, and water-resistant.

However, if your demands are fairly high, you might not be satisfied with the video quality action cameras provide. Sometimes it can be challenging to film in low-light situations using such products. While Insta360 ONE R can be upgraded with a 1-inch lens, which improves the night-time recording significantly, it is still not on the professional level.

So, are the action cameras worth it? They definitely are. The two most popular products Insta360 ONE R, and GoPro 9 allow you to film in 5K. The picture quality is amazing, and they are close to perfection when it comes to filming in action. Image stabilization is impressive, to say the least, and both of them will allow you to produce high-quality footage even in the most demanding situations. As mentioned above, the only downside to both of these products is the lower quality video in low light.

Are action cameras good for vlogging?

Not all action cameras out there are good for vlogging. However, two main contenders on the market the Insta360 ONE R, and GoPro 9 are perfect cameras for such use. GoPro 9 is particularly good since it has two screens, one on the back, and the smaller one on the front. The front-facing screen is significantly smaller, and it has a low frame rate, but it is enough to allow you to perfectly position the camera.

On the other hand, Insta360 ONE R is a modular camera that only has one screen, but you can still position the screen to face forward which in the end makes it good for vlogging. So to answer your question are the action cameras good for vlogging, we would have to say yes if you pick the right device. In the end, if we had to choose the winner between these two it would have to be a GoPro 9. It is simply less of a hustle, and although the front-facing screen is not as crisp, it is enough to produce high-quality content.

Are action cameras good for photos?

This is a question that came up a lot, ever since the action cameras came out. While the action cameras in the past couldn't take good quality photos, the situation nowadays is much different. But, before we get deeper into this subject, I have to say that action camera picture quality heavily depends on the price of the product itself. While some budget action cameras are great for video capture, they produce low-quality photos.

On the other hand, if you opt-out for the more expensive camera like GoPro 9, you'll be able to capture amazing photos in 20 megapixels. The same goes for Insta360 ONE R. If you decide to buy a 1-inch lens for One R, you'll be able to take amazing photos that are comparable to very expensive cameras.

However, picture-taking doesn't only depend on the cameras but also on the after-editing, which can drastically improve the end result.

Are action cameras good for YouTube?

Here's another popular question with a clear answer. The action cameras are great for YouTube for several reasons. They are not bulky, they can take punishment, and they produce high-quality video. This again goes only for high-quality cameras, like the two we mentioned.

Most of the popular YouTubers use them one way or the other. Even if video capturing depends on professional cameras, action cameras are used for the more challenging shots. Whether you need a camera that you can take underwater with you, or you just need a more maneuverable piece, action cameras are the way to go.

Are action cameras waterproof?

The answer to this question depends on the maker and model of the camera itself. Most of the cheaper action cameras require a water-proof case to take them underwater. However, GoPro 9 for example, is waterproof on its own up to a certain depth. This means that you don't have to worry about damaging it if you want to go snorkeling or have some fun in the shallow waters.

But, if you are a professional diver, and you want to take it to deep waters you will need a protective waterproof case. As mentioned above, if you are looking for a camera that you can take underwater, it is best to do thorough research on that particular model. That way you will have peace of mind when you take it on one of your adventures.

Are cheap action cameras any good?

As with any other thing on the planet, when something becomes popular, the market itself gets flooded with questionable-quality products. The same thing happened with action cameras. If you search for one on any of the popular online markets, you can find some bargains which cost close to nothing. But are they any good? The answer is, in most cases, they are not. The price ultimately dictates the quality and this shows best on the camera market.

While you can find a camera that will satisfy your needs cheaply, most of them do not produce the desired video quality. Here's my example. Once I've bought the camera for 50$ which claimed to take 4K video. It was obviously a generic brand, but since it wasn't a lot of money I've decided to go for it.

The video quality was poor, nowhere near the 4K, but the worst thing of all was the low-light capture. Even if I tried to capture the video in shade, the quality would be substandard. I wasn't even able to use the content. Even though it came with a lot of accessories, a protective case, etc., in the end, it is in my drawer never to be used again.

However, you can still find a good cheap action camera for $100 or so. But make sure to do thorough research before you decide to proceed with such a purchase.

Can action cameras be used as a webcam?

Here's another answer which heavily depends on the manufacturer and the model. More expensive action cameras offer this feature, while it gets tricky with the cheaper ones. You have to be extremely careful if you are buying the action camera to use for this particular task. The reason behind it is that they are simply not intended for that.

Some cheaper camera manufacturers claim to support this feature, and in the end, they fail. When it comes to more expensive options, it is still not as simple. Let's take GoPro 9 for example. This action camera does support this option, but it is not easy to set it up. You have to download the separate app which will allow you to hook it up as a webcam. It can be a tedious process and in the end, it might not allow for much configuration.

So, if you are looking for an action camera that supports this feature you have to do your research meticulously. If you fail, you might be left without this option.

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Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API