Review
Never miss any moment

Best Action Cameras for extreme sports and outdoor adventures

Published In Gadget , Sports & Fitness , Tech , Travel

Shopping for the best action cameras for extreme sports and outdoor adventures should no longer be a tedious process because our reviews and buyers guide to make it easy to pick the right one for your needs.

Recommendations


 

If you engage in extreme sports and other outdoor adventures you will want to capture these moments and brag to your friends or even show them to your grandchildren in future. 

Well, you can always hire someone to follow you around and capture all these moments in the video. But, what if they miss some of it? And are you willing to spend the extra cash every time you need to do some extreme sports? Probably not!

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The best way of recording your extreme sports adventures is with a body mounted camera. 

But, how do you pick the right action camera from the many types available? There are dozens of brands that manufacture these little gadgets and choosing among their many models can be hectic. And this is because every manufacturer will always claim that their cameras are the best.

We understand how frustrating it can be trying to pick the right camera for your outdoor activities and sports. And it can even be more annoying if you buy something that does not capture quality images and videos and it ends up breaking down after a few uses. 

However, with our reviews below of some of the best action cameras for sports and outdoor activities and buying guide it should be easy for you to pick a top-notch camera.

Our Pick

01

HERO6 Black by GoPro

High-End

Pros

  • High-resolution 4K and 1080p videos.
  • QuickStory app reduces editing time for your videos significantly.
  • Super smooth footage guaranteed when both handheld and mounted.
  • 2-inch display for simple shot framing.
  • 5GHZ 1WiFi for three times fast video and image copying.

Cons

It is quite a pricey action camera.
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If you want a reliable and high performing action camera that will ensure that you never miss any moment the GoPro HERO6 is an excellent buy for you. 

" The HERO6 Black delivers excellent performance that bests its predecessor in several key metrics.   TechCrunch

It is our top pick despite the fact that it is quite pricey because it has everything that you can want on an action camera. And this includes high-resolution 4K and 1080p to ensure you always get the best image quality and 5GHz WiFi for fast copying. 

This compact camera is waterproof (without casing) up to 10 meters, it has a large 2-inch screen for simple shot framing previewing, touch zoom and advanced stabilization for smooth images both when handheld and mounted.


A high-end and high-performing camera with all the features that you can ever wish for in an action camera, and it will never disappoint you. But it is also quite expensive.

If you’re interested in reading customer reviews of HERO6 Black, you should check from Amazon Now. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

Also Great

02

EX5000 Action Camera by DBPOWER

Budget

Pros

  • Pocket-sized and portable 1080p action camera.
  • 2-inch LCD to make it possible to play back your videos.
  • Long lasting and rechargeable battery.
  • Built-in WiFi for easy sharing and editing if videos.
  • Waterproof up to 30 meters.
  • Comes with multiple mounts and accessories.

Cons

  • The build quality of the action camera is not as sturdy as the high-end ones.
  • There is no 4K.
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We know that you will not always have the money to spend on an expensive action camera. And it is because of this reason that we recommend the DBPOWER EX5000 Action Camera as it is one of the cheapest that you can get. 

But despite the affordable price tag it also has 1080p HD recording, and it comes with two rechargeable batteries for an extended use time. 

The 2-inch LCD makes it possible to playback your videos, and it also has built-in WiFi for quick and easy connectivity.

It is a high-quality action camera that provides some good images and video but what sets it apart is that it is very affordable.

For more about EX5000 Action Camera, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

03

DBPOWER 4K Action Camera by DBPOWER

affordable

Pros

  • 4K ultra-high action camera.
  • Includes wireless wrist remove for convenient control.
  • Integrated 2-inch LCD for easy shot capturing and previewing.
  • Waterproof cameras case withstands extreme conditions.
  • Provides a variety of functions including continuous and time lapse.
  • Waterproof up to an impressive 100 feet.

Cons

It does not come with head or chest strap.
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You do not always need to spend a fortune to own a 4K action camera because there are still many affordable ones out their like the DBPOWER 4K. But, besides from the 4K and 12 MP camera it also features an ultra wide angle lens, a 2.4G remote function, and built-in WiFi and it is waterproof up to 100 feet.

Great camera for anyone that is looking for an affordable underwater 4K action camera.

For more about DBPOWER 4K Action Camera, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

04

FITFORT Action Camera 4K WiFi by FITFORT

Pros

  • 100% 4K action camera with 12mp image resolution.
  • 2.4G wireless remote control for more convenience.
  • Comes with 2 rechargeable 1050 mAh battery for sufficient power supply.
  • 100 feel rugged waterproof casing.
  • Compatible with both Android and IOS devices.
  • Includes 19 different accessories.

Cons

This camera may not perform well in low light conditions.
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Here is another 4K with a 12mp camera that does not cost much to buy but still performs well. It also comes with 2.4G wireless remote to provide more convenience, and two rechargeable 1050 mAh battery to give you a long run time. 

And to make it an even better action camera it has a waterproof casing that will keep water out for up to 100 feet, and it is compatible with both IOs and Android devices.

It is an excellent 4K camera that also does not cost much to buy, and you can connect it to almost any device as it is both android and IOS compatible.

For more about FITFORT Action Camera 4K WiFi, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

05

YI 4K Action Sports Camera by YI

Mid-Price 4K

Pros

  • Superior 4K image quality and 12mp for the raw images.
  • Built-in intuitive and highly responsive 2.2-inch LCD.
  • Bluetooth and WiFi for instant video and image sharing.
  • High capacity and rechargeable battery with 2-hour run time.

Cons

The app has great features, but it is hard to figure out.
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YI might not be the most famous name in the manufacture of action cameras bit the fact that their 4K makes it to our least means that they have some excellent products. 

Besides from the excellent 4K recording and 12mp raw images it also features an impact resistant and highly intuitive 2.2 LCD. 

It also has built-in Bluetooth and WiFi for instant sharing and a high capacity battery with a long run time.

"Same specs as the Hero4 Black but half the cost. Adds a nice touchscreen and better battery life. Works with GoPro accessories."  Wired

Fantastic mid-price 4K action camera that will perform better than many high-end ones.

If you’re interested in reading customer reviews of YI 4K Action Sports Camera, you should check from Amazon Now. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

What to Look for When Buying

When buying an action camera many people will go for the GoPro as it is the most popular and also high performing brands. But, how do you make your choice when deciding on what to buy? Here are a few important factors to always consider when choosing the best action cameras.

Video Quality

Taking quality videos is one of the main reasons why you go for action cameras instead of the usual ones. And so the video quality should always be one of your primary considerations when picking your camera. 4K resolution is the best option, but if you are not willing to spend the extra cash, you should go for something with at least 1080p or 720p.

You can learn more about  Best practices for producing quality digital video .

Dimensions

Consider things like the size, weight, and shape because they will all influence the experience that you get from the camera and convenience. Most will come in a box shape to make them easy to mount on the chest while many others have a bullet-shaped design to make them simple to fit on the helmet. For the weight and size always go for the most compact and lightest camera.

Field of View

FOV (field of view) is the area that your action camera can cover. Most will have a wide FOV while many others and this is more so the high-end ones allow you to select between narrow, medium and wide FOV. The quality of the image you want or what you tend to shoot should determine whether FOV is vital to your decision or not.

Battery Life

You do not want to keep recharging or changing the batteries in your camera after every few minutes. And so you should always choose one with along battery life. But, also note that those with long battery life will not have many features because things like WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity tend to drain the battery fast.

Conclusion

With our buying guide above you should have some idea on how to pick the best action cameras. Also, out reviews of some of the best in the market should make it easy for you to choose. 

If you are ready to spend a few hundred dollars for a high-end, durable and high-performing camera, the GoPro HERO6 is an excellent pick. But if you are shopping on a tight budget but still want a reliable camera that produces high-quality images the DBPOWER EX5000 Action Camera will work just fine.

Buy Now

01 HERO6 Black
by GoPro
A high-end and high-performing camera with all the features that you can ever wish for in an action camera, and it will never disappoint you. But it is also quite expensive. Buy now on Amazon
02 EX5000 Action Camera
by DBPOWER
It is a high-quality action camera that provides some good images and video but what sets it apart is that it is very affordable. Buy now on Amazon
03 DBPOWER 4K Action Camera
by DBPOWER
Great camera for anyone that is looking for an affordable underwater 4K action camera. Buy now on Amazon
04 FITFORT Action Camera 4K WiFi
by FITFORT
It is an excellent 4K camera that also does not cost much to buy, and you can connect it to almost any device as it is both android and IOS compatible. Buy now on Amazon
05 YI 4K Action Sports Camera
by YI
Fantastic mid-price 4K action camera that will perform better than many high-end ones. Buy now on Amazon
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