GoPro has led the way, but there are many new challengers for its crown. These are our picks for the best action cameras you can buy today

The best action cameras enable you to capture video and stills in a way that no other camera can. The compact, go-anywhere design quickly found appeal in the extreme sports sector, and this use was projected by big-budget marketing from GoPro. Almost two decades later, and GoPro still leads the field with the formidable GoPro Hero12 Black, and actually we have the GoPro Hero 13 Black, so we’ll update that review soon.

But let’s take a quick look back at the development of this exciting new cameratype, and how we got to where we are and the range ofspecscavailablee on these best action cameras in 2024.

A short history of action cameras

The past decade-plus has seen an explosion in the options for shooting creative videos and stills. This period has seen the emergence of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras that can shoot in tight spaces, drones that can capture stunning video from theskies,s and uber-small action cameras that can record thrilling 4K video footage.

In this buyer’s guide we take a closer look at the emergence of action cameras as another fresh and potent tool in the kit bag of both photographers and filmmakers. The driving force behind action cameras has been the company GoPro, which, as Woodman Labs, launched a $20 US model in 2004. The Hero 35mm 0001 was an analogue model that came with a 35mm Kodak film, a waterproof case, a wrist strap, and no video capabilities.

In 2006, GoPro went digital and launched the GoPro Hero Digital model that could record VGA videos in 10-second sequences, but with no sound. The following years saw the Hero 2 and Hero 3 models coming out, and through continued innovation, today’s action cameras feature specs such as LCD touchscreens, 4K shooting capabilities, WiFi, editing software, and companion apps. GoPro, which soon became a verb in itself for filming everything from your skiing to surfing to running, sat alone in the market. But over time, challengers emerged.

The best action cameras in the beginning were designed to be water, dust and impact-proof, which meant that users could film their antics in the sea, through the air and even tunnelling underground.

Early features were limited. There was no screen, limited resolution, but users weren’t bothered by this. Finally, you could show just how extreme you are, capturing video proof of that 10-ft drop-off, 100-footwave,e or simply having fun with family and friends.

GoPro remains one of the leaders in the action cam market place but many others have emerged, including the likes of Sony, Xiaomi, SJCAM, Akaso, Olympus, Olfi and others. To help you decide if you need to dip your toe into the action pool let’s take a look at what such cameras offer…

What action camera should I buy?

The best action camera will have a mix of ruggedness, connectivity and video capability. When you’re trying to decide which action camera to buy, look for one that offers:

Which action camera features are also nice to have?

When you’re considering buying any action camera for shooting video remember to think about ease-of-use, the variety of frame rates, video resolutions, output options (such as HDMI), what memory card slots are available and if you need features like WiFi file transfer or GPS. For more tips and advice on the key factors to bear in mind when you’re buying a camera to shoot video with, check out our guide to the best cameras for shooting video. Other handy action camera features include:

The best action cameras you can buy today

All of our picks for the best action cameras were based off our experience testing them. For a deeper dive into the many different camera types and features available, check out our range of camera buying guides.