Best action cameras of 2022

Best action cameras of 2022

When you think of action cameras, there's a good reason that GoPro is often the first brand name that comes to mind. GoPro cameras are compact, lightweight and built to be tough enough to withstand extreme adventures. But GoPro isn't the only game in town. If you're looking for a good high-resolution, mountable, rugged waterproof camera to take on your next incredible outing, we can help you find the best action camera for your needs. 

A good action camera offers a variety of features to help you make a great video recording of your most extreme exploits. Some features are must-haves, like image stabilization and a waterproof case. Others aren't necessarily make or break for a sports camera, such as a touch screen, 4K resolution and remote control compatibility.

With that in mind, here are the best action camera models we've tested. All of these action cams are portable, tough and, depending on the shooting mode, have solid video quality. Keep reading to find the best action camera for you. If you've had good results from an action camera not mentioned here, please share it in the comments.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

This is the best single-lens action camera you can get from GoPro at the moment in features and performance. Compared with the Hero 8 Black, there are new tools for photos and videos like being able to schedule recordings or set them for a specific duration -- from 15 seconds to 3 hours -- and it now records at 5K at 30 frames per second. That might sound like overkill, but you can pull high-quality stills from the video, making 5K video good for when you can't choose between getting a movie or stills. 

However, the biggest changes are in the design of the GoPro camera. The Hero 9 Black is larger to accommodate a bigger, more powerful battery. The lens cover is also now removable so it can be replaced easily if it gets scratched. It also allows you to add lenses including the new GoPro Max Mod Lens that gives you an ultrawide view with hypersmooth stabilization. The action camera is currently on sale for $400, but if you sign up for GoPro's service, the camera price drops to $350 and that includes the service costs. 

Read about the GoPro Hero 9 Black.

Josh Goldman/CNET

While GoPro has long called itself the most versatile camera, the Insta360 One R takes versatility to another level. The One R's modular design lets you swap out camera modules for different features and shooting options. At the moment, the module options include a 4K video wide-angle camera for that traditional 4K action camera experience with 4K footage; a dual-lens 360-degree camera; and a Leica-engineered camera with a 1-inch sensor for the best image quality possible even in low light conditions. 

Each camera has its own unique capabilities letting you really push your creativity. However, should you get stuck, the company's mobile app and the Insta360 community are a constant source of inspiration. Speaking of the mobile app, it has superintelligent editing features that make it easy to create sharable clips. And all your footage will look incredibly smooth when you use its FlowState image stabilization. 

But one of the best parts of the Insta360 One R is that the company never stops improving it and adding features. For example, it just updated the device so it can be used as a webcam, and with the camera's WiFi you can now livestream with the 360 camera. There is no shortage of accessories for it, either, including a dive housing and a selfie stick that disappears from view when you use it with the 360 camera. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Hero 8 Black's image quality, stabilization and features aren't too far off from what you get with the Hero 9 Black, but its price is certainly more affordable. This 4K video camera was the company's first to feature the redesigned waterproof housing body with built-in mounting fingers to attach the camera directly to a GoPro mount. This HD video camera also has a customizable interface with shooting presets and improved video stabilization and image quality from the Hero 7 Black. The lens, while not removable like the 9's, is made with Gorilla Glass that's twice as impact-resistant as the glass on past Hero models.

Read our GoPro Hero8 Black review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

For a company known for its camera drones, DJI got a lot right with its first action cam. One of its stand-out features is its front color screen. Osmo Action might be small, but it's enough to make sure you're centered in the shot when the camera lens is facing you on a selfie stick. Another great feature of the camera is that it responds to voice commands -- the view can be switched with a voice control. It's also waterproof and rugged with removable lens covers, it has great electronic image stabilization, shoots HDR video and has customizable presets so you get to control the shooting modes you want without diving into menus. This is an excellent waterproof camera for people who are looking for better control when shooting photos and videos.

Read our DJI Osmo Action preview.

Josh Goldman/CNET

Good 4K video for less than $150 and it has a front display. The Brave LE is quite the deal. The body is water-resistant but, along with a variety of mounts, two batteries, a charger and a wrist remote, Akaso includes a dive housing good to 40 meters (131 feet). A touch screen on the back lets you tap your way through its simple interface to change modes and camera settings. A long press on the Mode button on top lets you switch to the front display so you can see yourself while you shoot. 

You get several shooting options with this 4K action camera including video and photo time-lapse modes, slow motion and loop recording. It has Diving and Driving modes: the former to compensate for the lack of red light in underwater scenes, the latter will turn on and off with your car when you have the camera connected to your car for power. 

As for picture quality, you'll want to keep this budget action camera set to 4K30 with the image stabilization and video quality set to high for the best results, though. Also, while it offers a solid mix of resolutions and frame rates, not all of them have image stabilization including 1080p120 for slow motion.  

Read more about all types of cameras

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DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299

DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299

The DJI FPV drone is made for everyone but is not for everyone. It's built for speed and agility, but its features and capabilities cater to both beginner pilots and those who can keep a drone in the air without the assistance of sensors and GPS. The FPV drone is also much more about experiencing flight than it is about what the camera can do. 

In the box for $1,299 (£1,249, AU$2,099) you'll get the FPV drone, DJI's FPV Goggles V2, a new gaming-style controller and a single battery. That means out of the box you have everything you need for FPV flying and, with the exception of a firmware update, it's also ready to fly. That's unusual for the category, which is still mainly a DIY situation. Even the prebuilt drones this size usually require some setup. 

The FPV has obstacle detection to help beginners.

Drew Evans/CNET

No fear of flying (well, almost)

If you've never flown using an FPV headset, it can be simultaneously thrilling and terrifying, with a little bit of nausea thrown in for good measure (at least for me). It really does feel like you're in the pilot's seat of an aircraft as you soar through the air or zip above the ground at speeds up to 87 mph (140 kph). It also means one small control slip-up could take you out of the sky and empty your wallet. 

If you've ever built your own racing drone, you're likely good to repair damage from crashes. Trying to lower that bar, DJI made some of the FPV's parts easily replaceable, specifically the landing gear, the plastic top shell (an extra is included), the gimbal and the propellers. It's sturdier than DJI's other drones, too, which helps if you get a little too close to a tree, building or other obstacles. 

The large battery is integrated into the frame and securely clips in. DJI says it will last up to 20 minutes, but that's going to depend on how aggressively you're flying. Still, I didn't have any problems getting past the 10-minute mark in Sport mode, which is about the best you can do. It's typical for an FPV drone to only last five to 10 minutes in the air. 

Most of the main body is a battery.

Drew Evans/CNET

Choose your own adventure

The FPV has three flight modes -- Normal, Sport and Manual -- with varying degrees of automated assistance. Normal mode is the closest to flying something like DJI's Air 2 or Mini 2 camera drones. Cameras on the bottom can keep the drone hovering in place without your help, while more on the front will slow you down as you approach obstacles. The top speed is 30 mph. 

Switching to Sport mode lets you fly at up to 60 mph, but the front obstacle detection is shut off. In Manual mode, you're pretty much on your own, although by default it starts with an attitude limit that can be turned off. There is no obstacle detection and no help hovering in place. You can even open up the back of the controller and adjust the stick tension so they don't spring back to the center. 

No matter what mode you're in though, you get an emergency brake on the controller and the same button will trigger the drone to return to the home point. Plus, there's a Find My Drone feature that you can use if you crash and can't see exactly where it went down. 

Analog performance with digital clarity  

The Goggles are lightweight and comfortable. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Most FPV drones aimed at consumers typically rely on using an app and your phone in a VR-type headset. That's fine for casual flying, but the latency of the video feed from the drone's camera to the phone won't be much good at speeds up to nearly 90 mph. On the other hand, FPV racing drones generally use low-resolution analog cameras to send a low-latency feed to a headset while a second camera records the action. The image quality isn't great but when milliseconds count, you want as little delay in the video as possible. 

The FPV drone paired with the FPV Goggles V2 solves these problems by using DJI's transmission technologies to give you low-latency video with great visual clarity. When DJI launched the Goggles I said it's like the difference between a VHS tape that's been played a few too many times and a remastered DVD. 

It's the clear, cinematic live view at 810-pixel resolution that drives the immersive experience from the FPV. Plus, since all of the pieces are paired and ready out of the box, it's a hassle-free experience. Turn on the drone, the headset and the controller and you're ready for take-off. 

A controller fit for FPV gaming

The controller ties it all together. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Many transmitters used for FPV drone racing are large, clunky and loaded with switches. DJI's controller has more in common with your favorite gaming console controller. Flying by FPV feels a lot like you're playing a racing game with a view from behind the wheel, so it's fitting that the controller feels like one made for gaming. 

On top, you just have the two sticks, the power button and a programmable shortcut button. The sticks unscrew and can be stored in the controller's grips and the antenna flips down so it's easier to slip into a bag. The back of the controller is loaded with buttons to control the camera and performance. For example, there's a switch for jumping between flight modes as well as a switch and a dial for moving the camera up and down on its gimbal. 

DJI also made a single-handed pistol-grip motion controller. There are buttons for camera controls, the emergency brake and take-offs and landings. Flying, however, is done by pulling back on a trigger and tilting your hand to the sides or up and down. It's available for $200. 

More a drone with a camera than a camera drone

The FPV's camera records 4K video and transmits a view to the headset.

Drew Evans/CNET

The FPV's camera can record video: up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and 128 Mbps, or 1080p at up to 120 fps. It's on a single-axis gimbal for image stabilization, as opposed to the three-axis gimbals found on most of DJI's drones. The gimbal helps when rotating vertically, but most of the shake and vibration is controlled with DJI's RockSteady electronic stabilization. The results are overall good, especially given how quickly the drone moves, but it's not without some motion artifacts. If you're expecting the silky smooth -- and level -- video of a three-axis gimbal, you're better off with a Mavic 2 Pro. 

Also, recording video is pretty much the end of the road for camera features. There are no drone modes or any other automated camera moves. There's no subject tracking or panorama photos. You can correct distortion to remove the fish-eye look from your recordings and video can be stored in H.265 or H.264. That's it, though, and all of the settings are navigated with a mini-joystick and buttons on the headset. Also, there's a microSD card slot on the headset so you can record the FPV video, but it won't have the RockSteady stabilization. 

A big battery for big power. 

Drew Evans/CNET

The DJI FPV is fun to use. For beginners, there's just enough flight assistance to take some of the intimidation out of flying. Experienced pilots will appreciate the additional camera control and how agile and fast the drone is and the great-looking video in the headset. And it's also a good, albeit expensive, way to grow as an FPV pilot without needing to cobble together your own drone, headset and transmitter combo. 

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DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299

DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299

The DJI FPV drone is made for everyone but is not for everyone. It's built for speed and agility, but its features and capabilities cater to both beginner pilots and those who can keep a drone in the air without the assistance of sensors and GPS. The FPV drone is also much more about experiencing flight than it is about what the camera can do. 

In the box for $1,299 (£1,249, AU$2,099) you'll get the FPV drone, DJI's FPV Goggles V2, a new gaming-style controller and a single battery. That means out of the box you have everything you need for FPV flying and, with the exception of a firmware update, it's also ready to fly. That's unusual for the category, which is still mainly a DIY situation. Even the prebuilt drones this size usually require some setup. 

The FPV has obstacle detection to help beginners.

Drew Evans/CNET

No fear of flying (well, almost)

If you've never flown using an FPV headset, it can be simultaneously thrilling and terrifying, with a little bit of nausea thrown in for good measure (at least for me). It really does feel like you're in the pilot's seat of an aircraft as you soar through the air or zip above the ground at speeds up to 87 mph (140 kph). It also means one small control slip-up could take you out of the sky and empty your wallet. 

If you've ever built your own racing drone, you're likely good to repair damage from crashes. Trying to lower that bar, DJI made some of the FPV's parts easily replaceable, specifically the landing gear, the plastic top shell (an extra is included), the gimbal and the propellers. It's sturdier than DJI's other drones, too, which helps if you get a little too close to a tree, building or other obstacles. 

The large battery is integrated into the frame and securely clips in. DJI says it will last up to 20 minutes, but that's going to depend on how aggressively you're flying. Still, I didn't have any problems getting past the 10-minute mark in Sport mode, which is about the best you can do. It's typical for an FPV drone to only last five to 10 minutes in the air. 

Most of the main body is a battery.

Drew Evans/CNET

Choose your own adventure

The FPV has three flight modes -- Normal, Sport and Manual -- with varying degrees of automated assistance. Normal mode is the closest to flying something like DJI's Air 2 or Mini 2 camera drones. Cameras on the bottom can keep the drone hovering in place without your help, while more on the front will slow you down as you approach obstacles. The top speed is 30 mph. 

Switching to Sport mode lets you fly at up to 60 mph, but the front obstacle detection is shut off. In Manual mode, you're pretty much on your own, although by default it starts with an attitude limit that can be turned off. There is no obstacle detection and no help hovering in place. You can even open up the back of the controller and adjust the stick tension so they don't spring back to the center. 

No matter what mode you're in though, you get an emergency brake on the controller and the same button will trigger the drone to return to the home point. Plus, there's a Find My Drone feature that you can use if you crash and can't see exactly where it went down. 

Analog performance with digital clarity  

The Goggles are lightweight and comfortable. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Most FPV drones aimed at consumers typically rely on using an app and your phone in a VR-type headset. That's fine for casual flying, but the latency of the video feed from the drone's camera to the phone won't be much good at speeds up to nearly 90 mph. On the other hand, FPV racing drones generally use low-resolution analog cameras to send a low-latency feed to a headset while a second camera records the action. The image quality isn't great but when milliseconds count, you want as little delay in the video as possible. 

The FPV drone paired with the FPV Goggles V2 solves these problems by using DJI's transmission technologies to give you low-latency video with great visual clarity. When DJI launched the Goggles I said it's like the difference between a VHS tape that's been played a few too many times and a remastered DVD. 

It's the clear, cinematic live view at 810-pixel resolution that drives the immersive experience from the FPV. Plus, since all of the pieces are paired and ready out of the box, it's a hassle-free experience. Turn on the drone, the headset and the controller and you're ready for take-off. 

A controller fit for FPV gaming

The controller ties it all together. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Many transmitters used for FPV drone racing are large, clunky and loaded with switches. DJI's controller has more in common with your favorite gaming console controller. Flying by FPV feels a lot like you're playing a racing game with a view from behind the wheel, so it's fitting that the controller feels like one made for gaming. 

On top, you just have the two sticks, the power button and a programmable shortcut button. The sticks unscrew and can be stored in the controller's grips and the antenna flips down so it's easier to slip into a bag. The back of the controller is loaded with buttons to control the camera and performance. For example, there's a switch for jumping between flight modes as well as a switch and a dial for moving the camera up and down on its gimbal. 

DJI also made a single-handed pistol-grip motion controller. There are buttons for camera controls, the emergency brake and take-offs and landings. Flying, however, is done by pulling back on a trigger and tilting your hand to the sides or up and down. It's available for $200. 

More a drone with a camera than a camera drone

The FPV's camera records 4K video and transmits a view to the headset.

Drew Evans/CNET

The FPV's camera can record video: up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and 128 Mbps, or 1080p at up to 120 fps. It's on a single-axis gimbal for image stabilization, as opposed to the three-axis gimbals found on most of DJI's drones. The gimbal helps when rotating vertically, but most of the shake and vibration is controlled with DJI's RockSteady electronic stabilization. The results are overall good, especially given how quickly the drone moves, but it's not without some motion artifacts. If you're expecting the silky smooth -- and level -- video of a three-axis gimbal, you're better off with a Mavic 2 Pro. 

Also, recording video is pretty much the end of the road for camera features. There are no drone modes or any other automated camera moves. There's no subject tracking or panorama photos. You can correct distortion to remove the fish-eye look from your recordings and video can be stored in H.265 or H.264. That's it, though, and all of the settings are navigated with a mini-joystick and buttons on the headset. Also, there's a microSD card slot on the headset so you can record the FPV video, but it won't have the RockSteady stabilization. 

A big battery for big power. 

Drew Evans/CNET

The DJI FPV is fun to use. For beginners, there's just enough flight assistance to take some of the intimidation out of flying. Experienced pilots will appreciate the additional camera control and how agile and fast the drone is and the great-looking video in the headset. And it's also a good, albeit expensive, way to grow as an FPV pilot without needing to cobble together your own drone, headset and transmitter combo. 

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