Best action cameras in 2022 Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us.

Best action cameras in 2022

By Mike Prospero last updated 25 October 2022 We've reviewed the best action cameras for capturing all your outdoor adventures. Included in this guide:1GoProHero11 BlackCheck Price (opens in new tab)2Insta360One RSCheck Price (opens in new tab)3GoProHero10 BlackCheck Price (opens in new tab)4Insta360Go 2Check Price (opens in new tab)5DJIOsmo Action 3Check Price (opens in new tab)6GoProHero9 BlackCheck Price (opens in new tab)7OlympusTG-TrackerCheck Price (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The best action cameras are essential for capturing your daring exploits. After all, if nobody sees what you've been up to, how will they know you really did it? The cameras in our list all have special skills that make them ideally suited for the task. Most are ruggedized to protect them against the elements, as well as from drops, spills, and falls. And unlike other types of cameras, action cameras are also small and compact - which makes them easy to stuff in a bag, or to mount on a helmet, motorcycle, bike, skis, or even your dog. After testing dozens of models in all sorts of conditions, we think the best action camera overall is the GoPro Hero11 Black. It has a large, 1/1.9-inch image sensor with a unique 8:7 aspect ratio. When coupled with horizon leveling and motion stabilization - you can literally rotate the camera 360 degrees - you get some incredibly smooth footage. And, the GoPro Quik app lets you make some impressive edits to your videos. However, the Hero11 Black is on the large side, so you might want to wait for the upcoming Hero11 Mini (available on Nov. 18) if you're planning to mount it on a helmet. Read on for more picks of the best action cams.

The best action cameras you can buy today

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

1 GoPro Hero11 Black

The best action camera overall

Specifications

Max Video Resolution: 5K/30 fpsMax Photo Resolution: 27 MPTouch Screen: Yes (2)Battery Life: 1:38 (1080p/30 fps)Water Resistance: 33 feetSize: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inchesWeight: 5.4 ouncesToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Innovative editing features+Larger image sensor+Amazing motion stabilization

Reasons to avoid

-Bulky The GoPro Hero11 Black has a large 1/1.9-inch image sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio. This squarish format lets you capture expansive views, but more importantly, gives you much more flexibility when editing the video afterwards. In the GoPro Quik app, you can output your video in a number of formats, including the TikTok-friendly 9:16 ratio. What also makes the Hero11 Black the best action camera overall is its superior image stabilization - you can literally rotate the camera all the way around, and it will keep the horizon level. New shooting modes also let you capture star trails and try your hand at light painting, and GoPro's Quik app makes editing your videos a real pleasure. Read our full GoPro Hero11 Black review and check out our GoPro Hero11 Black vs GoPro Hero11 Black Mini comparison. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

2 Insta360 One RS

This 360 camera has a modular design

Specifications

Size: 2.8 x 1.9 x 1.3 inches Weight: 4.4 ozBattery life: 75 minutes (4K/60 fps); 82 minutes (5.7K@30fps)Max video resolution: 5.3K @ 30 fps (360 lens); 4K @60 fps (4K lens)Max photo resolution: 6080x3040 (360 lens); 8000x6000 (4K lens)Water resistance: 16 feetToday's Best DealsView at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Innovative modular design+Multiple lens options including 360 lens+Reversible screen for front facing option+Impressive in-camera stabilization

Reasons to avoid

-Small screen size-Needs frame for mounting The Insta360 One RS makes our list of the best action cameras, but it's also one of the best 360 cameras too. That's because this innovative camera has a modular design that lets you swap out its wide angle 4K camera for a 360 lens or a camera with a 1-inch sensor. Its video stabilization is excellent, but not quite up to the same par as the GoPro Hero10. We like that the One RS' display can be turned around so you can frame yourself in videos, but its small size relative to the GoPro makes it much more difficult to navigate on-screen menus. And, like older GoPros, you'll need to use a frame to mount it to anything. But, this is one versatile action camera. Read our full Insta360 One RS review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

3 GoPro Hero10 Black

GoPro's older, but still very capable action camera

Specifications

Max Video Resolution: 5K/60 fpsMax Photo Resolution: 23 MPTouch Screen: Yes (2)Battery Life: 1:41Water Resistance: 33 feetSize: 2.75 x 1.9 x 1.6 inchesWeight: 5.3 ouncesToday's Best DealsView at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Excellent image stabilization+Removable lens+Media "Mods" add functionality

Reasons to avoid

-Heavy While the outside hasn't changed from the Hero9 Black, the GoPro Hero10 Black sports a new and improved processor on the inside, which translates to video recording as high as 5.3K/30 fps, as well as 2K video at 240 fps, and 4K video at 120 fps. On top of that, it has a larger 23MP image sensor, and manages to shave off a tiny bit of weight. What's most impressive is the Hero10's upgraded image stabilization; you can now tilt the camera as much as 45 degrees and it will still smooth things out for you. However, this puts a serious dent on battery life, which is unchanged from the Hero9. But, you can use the same battery, as well as the same accessories, as before. Read our full GoPro Hero10 Black review. Insta360 Go 2 (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

4 Insta360 Go 2

The best really small action camera

Specifications

Max Video Resolution:: 1440p/50 fpsMax Photo Resolution: 9 MPTouch Screen: NoBattery Life: 30 minutes (150 with case)Water Resistance: 13 feetWeight: 0.93 ounces (2.24 with case)Today's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Very small+Takes good photos and videos for size+Charging case doubles as remote

Reasons to avoid

-Gets hot in use-Shorter battery life than other action cameras If you want a really, really small action camera then look no further than the Insta360 Go 2 - a wearable camera designed to capture life's most important moments. The original version impressed us with its video and photo quality, but was just too tricky to control. The second version fixes that, mainly thanks to a clever charging case that doubles as a remote. Image quality has also been improved, and the electronic image stabilization works really well - it's just a shame that video footage maxes out at 1440p and that battery life is limited to 30 minutes without the case, or 150 with it. But those drawbacks aside, the Insta360 Go 2 is a good option for those who want something smaller than the average action cam. Read our full Insta360 Go 2 review. DJI Osmo Action

5 DJI Osmo Action

The best action camera for selfies

Specifications

Max Video Resolution: 4K/60 fpsMax Photo Resolution: 12 MPTouch Screen: YesBattery Life: 95 minutesWater Resistance: 33 feetWeight: 4.2 ouncesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Good motion stabilization+forward-facing screen+rich colors in video

Reasons to avoid

-Motion stabilization doesn't work with HDR-No livestreaming
If you're trying to use an action camera to take videos of yourself, you have to sort of guess where you are in the frame, as you can't look at the screen on the rear of the camera and yourself at the same time. The DJI Osmo Action solves that dilemma, as it has a color screen on its front, which makes it much easier to frame yourself in photos and video. This durable camera also has very good electronic image stabilization, and it also can shoot 4K/60 fps HDR video. Unfortunately, you can't use HDR and image stabilization at the same time, and there's no way to livestream video from the camera. Still, for selfie enthusiasts, the front-facing camera alone could be worth the price. Editor's Note: The Osmo Action has been replaced by the DJI Osmo Action 3 ($329), which has a 4K/60 fps sensor, dual touchscreens, and improved image stabilization. Stay tuned for our review. Read our full DJI Osmo Action review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

6 GoPro Hero9 Black

An older GoPro

Specifications

Max Video Resolution: 5K/30 fpsMax Photo Resolution: 20 MPTouch Screen: Yes (2)Battery Life: 1:41Water Resistance: 33 feetSize: 2.75 x 1.9 x 1.6 inchesWeight: 5.6 ouncesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Front-facing screen+Removable lens+Media "Mods" add functionality

Reasons to avoid

-Heavy With the GoPro Hero9 Black, GoPro not only took the criticism of the Hero8, but also added a much-needed feature: A front-facing display. This small screen now shows a live preview, making it much easier for selfie artists and bloggers to frame themselves in photos and videos. In addition, the Hero9 has a removable lens, so you can once again add filters, such as GoPro's new Max Lens Mod, which enables you to take really wide and stabilized video. It can also shoot at resolutions up to 5K, and its larger battery will perform better in colder temperatures. Our one criticism is that it's pretty heavy, so you'll notice it if you attach it to a helmet. With the introduction of the Hero11 Black, the Hero9 Black has been discontinued by GoPro, but it's worth checking out if you can get it for less than $300. Read our full GoPro Hero9 Black review. Olympus Tough TG-Tracker (Image credit: Olympus)

7 Olympus Tough TG-Tracker

Camcorder meets action camera

Specifications

Max Video Resolution: 4K/30 fpsMax Photo Resolution: 8 MPTouch Screen: NoBattery Life: 120 minutes (est)Water Resistance: 100 feetWeight: 6.35 ouncesToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Good color and definition+Waterproof to 100 feet+Built-in 60-lumen light+Fold-out monitor

Reasons to avoid

-Awkward mechanics-Hard to change field of view The Olympus Tough TG-Tracker looks more like a mini-camcorder than a traditional action camera, which is both good and bad. It's much larger than a GoPro-style camera, so it's too bulky to mount to, say, a helmet. However, the TG-Tracker has a nice, expansive flip-out touchscreen, so you can easily view what you're recording. It also has a 60-lumen light that helps illuminate darker scenes, image stabilization and is waterproof to a depth of 100 feet-three times that of the GoPro. The TG-Tracker also tracks temperature, elevation, depth, latitude/longitude, distance traveled, barometric pressure and speed, so you can capture more than just amazing videos. Read our full Olympus Tough TG-Tracker review.

How to choose the best action camera for you

When it comes to action cameras, GoPro is the dominant brand, and with good reason: It makes the best action cameras around, and has been for a number of years. With few exceptions, if you're thinking of buying an action camera, you should look to GoPro first, and look for the camera that best fits your budget. In the past, we've tested a number of sub-$100 action cameras, but have found them to be average to middling at best. It's worth spending a little bit more for a reputable brand. After that, it's a matter of choosing the specs that you want. Most action cameras will record 4K video, but only the newer models will support frame rates of more than 30 fps. Another feature that's becoming standard is electronic image stabilization-key for when you're filming bumpy exploits, like mountain biking. However, the newer the model, the more sophisticated its motion stabilization will be, which means smoother video for you. Action camera design has progressed to the point where most are water-resistant to around 33 feet; if you want to go any deeper, though, you'll need to get a case. Because of the popularity of GoPros, most competing action cameras and third-party accessory makers have adopted the GoPro-style mount, two semicircular tabs that slot into add-ons such as selfie sticks, waterproof cases, and helmet mounts. Due to their nature, some of the best action cameras are also among the best cameras for vlogging, so if that's something that interests you then they're well worth bearing in mind. How to use your GoPro as a webcam

How we test action cameras

We've got to be honest: It's a lot of fun testing action cameras, because it lets us get outdoors and go biking, skiing, swimming, and more. While we're out enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer, we put the action camera through its paces. We see how well it records video in a variety of lighting conditions; if it has features such as HDR, we see how it handles both light and dark areas in the frame. If the camera has motion stabilization, we take it over bumpy terrain to see how well it smooths things out. During the review process, we also take a look at the camera's ease of use. As you're going to be using it in less-than-ideal environments, it should be easy to turn on and off, and start recording, even when you're wearing gloves. And, while an intuitive on-screen interface is important for any device, it's even more crucial with an action camera, as it has such a small display. Be sure to check out all of our camera picks: Best cameras Best DSLR cameras Best waterproof cameras Best point-and-shoot cameras Best instant cameras Best mirrorless cameras Best cheap cameras Best GoPro camera Best GoPro accessories Best drones Best 360 cameras Best iPhone lenses Best iPhone tripods DSLR vs. mirrorless Best Nikon accessories Best Sony a6000 accessories Best ring lights Best ring lights for phones best cameras for vlogging
The best apps and software for editing, managing, and sharing your photos:
Best photo organizer apps Best photo storage sites Best photo editing software Best photo editing apps Best photo collage appsRound up of today's best deals (opens in new tab)GoPro Hero11 Black (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$399.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Insta360 One RS (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$299.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)GoPro Hero10 Black (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$382.49 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Insta360 Go 2 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$299 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)DJI Osmo Action 3 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$329 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)GoPro Hero9 Black (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$349.99 (opens in new tab)$299.98 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Olympus TG-Tracker (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$579.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by

Be In the Know

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Mike ProsperoU.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's GuideMichael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom's Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he's not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he's probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight - or chagrin - of his family. More about cameras Best home security cameras in 2022: Top wireless, indoor and outdoor models Best GoPro camera in 2022Latest Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special trailer, release date, cast and moreSee more latest ► Topics Cameras MOST READMOST SHARED1Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special trailer, release date, cast and more2iPhone 15 rumor - one of the worst iPhone 14 features tipped to continue3How to know if someone blocked your number4The 10 best free Steam games5Why you want a mechanical keyboard1Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special trailer, release date, cast and more2iPhone 15 rumors: One of the worst iPhone 14 features tipped to continue3How to know if someone blocked your number4The 10 best free Steam games5Why you want a mechanical keyboard