Whats the best action camera 📷

[pauljohn75]

Whats the best action camera to get for recording rides. I have a GoPro Session 5 which is compact and is mounted to handlebars but battery doesn't last long.

 

[VWsurfbum]

Depends on what you're after. simple point and shoot from the bars or a full-on action cam that needs input.
GoPro Action is a point-and-shoot.
The GoPro Max is an all-around, full-featured tool for creating amazing shots.
The GoPro 13 / DJI Osmo Action are very good, but the DJI is better in the dark. Both will give fantastic footage if mounted correctly, and stabilisation is fantastic.

 

[pagheca]

I recently bought a DJI Osmo Action 5, and overall I’m quite satisfied with it. It does exactly what you’d expect: photos, timelapses, and videos at various resolutions and lights, all at a lower price than the equivalent GoPro.

The human interface isn’t always natural, but the integration with the mobile app is reasonably good and easy to use. The battery life is sufficient as well: it lasts about an hour of recording at high resolution, and of course you can extend that with a backup battery. A nice extra feature is the ability to overlay data from a Garmin watch (and likely other devices) onto your videos, which makes the footage more engaging.

The only real downside I’ve noticed is the file size: videos are huge and can quickly fill up both your phone and computer storage.

Overall, I’d recommend comparing DJI and GoPro before making a decision, but this is definitely a strong option, IMO.

 

[levity]

Anyone try “smart glasses”? The Oakley Mera AI glasses offer voice controlled recording options and music through your phone.

 

[Powerslider]

I run a DJI Osmo Action 6 with FOV Boost lens on a Stuntman chest mount. I easily get more than 2 hours of continuous recording out of a battery. Probably can get the settings dialed further but I think it’s doing a decent job how I have it configured.

 

[Mikerb]

I still use my Gopro 7.....nothing about any of the later models convinced me of the need to upgrade.
To make good ride videos with any action cam consists of more than buying the right camera though.
I found the best mount is the chestie. It is low enough to give a good perspective, as stable as needed with the good stabilisation on most modern cameras....and if aimed correctly can include the bars/ front wheel as well as the trail ahead to provide more immersive footage. Chin mounted on a full face is second best as long as you don't keep looking left or right panning at speed. Bar mounted is the worst.
Every camera module has an optimum resolution so experimentation is needed. On my gopro 7 I use 2.5k at 50fps. 50/60 fps is fast enough to capture good detail and 2.7k provides good resolution even in less light under tree cover. It also delivers reasonable sized files with no noticeable processor overload.
Last thing is editing. It's worth investing some time and money in a good editing suite.
Re file size. I avoid higher resolutions which produce huge files for no real benefit in viewing since the vast majority of people are unlikely to be viewing on anything higher than 1080p on a phone or TV. You also make life easier and quicker on your editing suite and pc or laptop.

 

[Powerslider]

I like the perspective of a helmet mounted camera but find the weight and balance from a chin or visor mount unacceptable.

 

[pagheca]

I like the perspective of a helmet mounted camera but find the weight and balance from a chin or visor mount unacceptable.

Actually I tried and at least for me is fine with the DIJ Osmo Action 5.

 

[Rando_12345]

I had an old first gen hero session, then a gopro 7 and now a DJI action 4.

Anything past the gopro 7 is going to be pretty good, that's when all the brands implemented motion smoothing (anti-shake). While cameras do get better and better, once you put it on youtube it ends up looking kinda rubbish, so much detail is lost.

I'd also point out that since getting a DJI neo drone (cheaper than most new action cams), I never take my action cam out anymore, but after years of filming POV, maybe it is mostly the novelty and lack of new trails to film that ended my interest in the action cam.

 

[Mcharza]

I switched from a GoPro to an Insta360 X4 camera. It's easy when you don't have to adjust the camera much in terms of the horizon.
When you shoot 360, you can always adjust it to your liking afterwards. The camera is never pointed too high or too low anymore.

 

[Scott_123]

I have an Insta360 Action Pro 2. Works very well and good battery life.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I have a GoPro Hero 11 Mini.
I have had a few Go Pro models and a few others as well.
This one is ideal for eMTB recording as it has great stabilisation, decent controls and is nice and compact.
Its only downside is the lack of photo mode as it has no rear screen.
I like it, it's reliable, it does the job.

 

[Powerslider]

I switched from a GoPro to an Insta360 X4 camera. It's easy when you don't have to adjust the camera much in terms of the horizon.
When you shoot 360, you can always adjust it to your liking afterwards. The camera is never pointed too high or too low anymore.

I find the FOV Boost lens provides increased forgiveness with aiming too. To a far lesser degree of course.
Biggest downside for me (in my bright desert conditions) is no ability to use an ND filter lens when using the FOV lens. A lot of my tweaking settings is working around not having an ND filter.

 

[elvendawn]

I couldn't be bothered to use my Osmo Action 4 very much, it was just bulky and annoying to find a mounting solution that I liked. So I ended up selling it and trying the Osmo Nano and I love it. So small and light, and the hat clip works great for helmet visors (my half shell and full face) no chance it's going to rattle off. But it's also easy enough to remove and share with your friends if you want follow cam footage of yourself, etc. Also I find the 128g version is plenty for all day, or all weekend at the bike park just recording down clips with 4K30 8bit color, UW, RS, and the footage looks great, you can see the fine details and edges aren't warped. My only complaint so far is the FOV is a bit lower than other full sized options which means it's hard to get the bars and good horizon together.

Here is some recent footage:

 

[ArtMTB]

I run a DJI Osmo Action 6 with FOV Boost lens on a Stuntman chest mount. I easily get more than 2 hours of continuous recording out of a battery. Probably can get the settings dialed further but I think it’s doing a decent job how I have it configured.

Very interesting, some of the sky shots in this video are beautiful. There's some kind of stabilization or editing that I don't like, where the camera is swaying vertically every time you go uphill but this is nearly perfect when it works. It makes me just a little motion sick from that sway. Nice riding!

 

[ozzybmx]

Have a look over here.

https://www.emtbforums.com/threads/lets-see-your-ride-footage.2252/post-655147

I've had many over the years but the Osmo Nano is the first in a while that you just clip on and forget. 54g and shoots the same footage as the Action 5 Pro.
I'll take it out and not even use it occasionally.

Video on the link is from the visor mount.

 

[Powerslider]

Very interesting, some of the sky shots in this video are beautiful. There's some kind of stabilization or editing that I don't like, where the camera is swaying vertically every time you go uphill but this is nearly perfect when it works. It makes me just a little motion sick from that sway. Nice riding!

I wonder if what you’re seeing is my chest being in different positions and changing the perspective?

 

[ozzybmx]

I wonder if what you’re seeing is my chest being in different positions and changing the perspective?

Looks good to me. Very Aus like dry terrain but swap the cacti for gum trees or termite mounds.
Chest footage is the best but the decision to take and wear the camera has to be thought about, the chesty can be warm and needs cinched tight for techy downs to stop additional wobble. The heat aspect here in Aus is the biggest issue.

 

[Pizzman]

Camera is only half the battle. Make sure you can stomach the editing software. If you want something for people to enjoy….
Best is just to relative. For what, where, why? Budget? 100$ £500? 2000$?
Most new action cams will shoot about the same quality. Some will be more robust, some fly.
I have DJI drones and up to a GoPro Hero 10.
They all work awesome for what they are for.
Fun tech/steep learning curve = DJI drones (with lots of practice, can deliver amazing, expansive scenes)

Wet, robust filming over multi types terrain = GoPro or similar

Best is a very over used word.
Proper for me should be the new question……

 

[EMTBSEAN]

I use a GoPro 13 black and to be honest I can’t fault it, it’s pretty fast at reacting from light to darkness when riding through woods and the picture and sound quality is better than my old 9 black, I love the quick release mag mount I bought for my Camelbak chesty too

 

[rooftiler1]

Another vote here for the OSMO Action series. I wanted to invest in an action camera last year having dabbled with the cheap versions for years. It was between GoPro/Insta360 and OSMO and after reading stacks of reviews although the Insta360 was coming out top it was too expensive and the GoPro seemed to attract negative press about reliability.

I bought the OSMO Action 5 Pro and its been solidly reliable. DJI regularly release software updates and are attentive for any issues (maybe not so much now as the Action 6 was released recently).

A couple of useful things that sold me on the DJI was that if you get the bluetooth watch you enable GPS recording if you want to apply various overlays to your footage - this overlays is free, unlike with GoPro where you need to invest in another product. You can also use FIT data from a device like a Garmin to provide input for the overlay which can be useful.

End of the days its horses for courses and you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[pdrmartins]

Whats the best action camera to get for recording rides. I have a GoPro Session 5 which is compact and is mounted to handlebars but battery doesn't last long.

I had all of the Gopro's and i recently updated to the new DJI OSMO NANO and its amazing!

 

[ozzybmx]

I had all of the Gopro's and i recently updated to the new DJI OSMO NANO and its amazing!

The swap from dark to light on the GoPro sent me off line. It doesn't do ii well.

 

[Loch Sloy]

Budget? Cycling Only? lot of good answers up above...you can buy a second hand gopro 11 that will do a decent enough job (lock the white balance it to stop light shifts) or a second hand dji action osmo 4 (some folks prefer that to the new 6 for the brightness of colour) I have switched to the dji action 6 though as I film when off the bike or hiking too (just need to dial the colours in a bit more) it has action track (for when it's off the bike and will follow you a bit on the bike when in a fixed position tripod (but not for long once you go out of shot but if you are cycling by it at a reasonable distance it will look like it is panning along) if you can afford it the action 6 combo (3 batteries supposed 4hrs battery life each and 50gb storage built in) will do most things you need...£400 and last you an easy 5 years before upgrade needed...

 

[sam.spoons]

I have a GoPro Hero 4 and a Insta 360 mk 4 and both provide footage that is way better than my ability to create great videos. Once you get a camera that can take clear stable images (like both of the above) the quality of the finished video is down to your editing ability.

One thing to remember (if you don't already know) is that editing video is hugely time consuming, I love watching my rides (and sailing) afterwards but don't have the patience (or skill) to produce the kind of brilliant videos you see on YT, and FB

 

[CaptChip]

Whats the best action camera to get for recording rides. I have a GoPro Session 5 which is compact and is mounted to handlebars but battery doesn't last long.

I'm a UTuber for the last 3 or 4 years. I started out with a Go Pro 2 Hero and now use a Go Pro 10 and a 12, (and a Hover Air drone) for my filming. They have an excellent smoothing feature that takes the "shake" out of your videos. The batteries are good for about 45 minutes. ONLY buy your batteries from the Go Pro store as the off brands really suck. For editing, I find that the free version of iMovie is all you really need. The paid apps will give you a better selection of music and a few neat features, but, you don't really need them. captainchipowen 5184

 

[ozzybmx]

I bought Cyberlink PowerDirector before it went subscription, nutts... I got HEVC265 for free, next year it was gone for subscription. Its stupid cost now.

 

[Gnarly Bailout]

I switched from a GoPro to an Insta360 X4 camera. It's easy when you don't have to adjust the camera much in terms of the horizon.
When you shoot 360, you can always adjust it to your liking afterwards. The camera is never pointed too high or too low anymore.

Agree. I have the X5. It’s awesome.

I switched from a GoPro to an Insta360 X4 camera. It's easy when you don't have to adjust the camera much in terms of the horizon.
When you shoot 360, you can always adjust it to your liking afterwards. The camera is never pointed too high or too low anymore.

I switched from a GoPro to an Insta360 X4 camera. It's easy when you don't have to adjust the camera much in terms of the horizon.
When you shoot 360, you can always adjust it to your liking afterwards. The camera is never pointed too high or too low anymore.

 

[Mickeytix]

Another vote here for the OSMO Action series. I wanted to invest in an action camera last year having dabbled with the cheap versions for years. It was between GoPro/Insta360 and OSMO and after reading stacks of reviews although the Insta360 was coming out top it was too expensive and the GoPro seemed to attract negative press about reliability.

I bought the OSMO Action 5 Pro and its been solidly reliable. DJI regularly release software updates and are attentive for any issues (maybe not so much now as the Action 6 was released recently).

A couple of useful things that sold me on the DJI was that if you get the bluetooth watch you enable GPS recording if you want to apply various overlays to your footage - this overlays is free, unlike with GoPro where you need to invest in another product. You can also use FIT data from a device like a Garmin to provide input for the overlay which can be useful.

End of the days its horses for courses and you can't go wrong with any of them.

I have the action 4 and just bought the remote for it where you can attach it to the bars and start recording/screen switch etc…….You can also add telemetry to your videos with this pal…….Never owned a GoPro but my mates have them and the amount of complaints I hear from them about them always put me off

 

[Mickeytix]

DJI osmo action 4 combo bundle…….3 batteries, charging case which can be used as a power bank for your phone etc when out riding, selfie stick which you could sell for £25……Helmet mount, magnetic mounts………And you can get a remote for it where you can attach it to the bars and start recording/take pics and add telemetry to your videos…..Speed/ elevation and lots of other data………You can get the bundle for around £240+ used or £345ish new pal