The best action cameras for 2025

It’s close, but GoPro still makes the best action camera overall with the Hero 13, even with DJI nipping at its heels. The biggest upgrade from before is the new family of modular lenses called the HB series (ultra-wide, anamorphic and macro), making it far more versatile. It also has a slightly bigger battery that allows longer capture times — up to 90 minutes for 4K 30fps video.

Other specs remain the same, including resolution up to 5.3K at 60fps in 10-bit color with high data rates, and 8:7 capture that uses the entire sensor. Elsewhere, the Hero 13 still has the best digital stabilization (aka Hypersmooth) of any action camera — the key to its number one ranking. It also has a full-color front screen and the best image quality in its class, along with the widest range of accessories ranging from mounts to waterproof remotes to harnesses. The main drawback is the mediocre low-light capability — one area where DJI’s Osmo Action 5 Pro is superior.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review

Action cams have been a weak point with DJI, but it finally broke through with the Action 5 Pro. Its best feature is the large 1/1.3-inch sensor that makes it better than the Hero 13 in low light. It also tops the action cam battery life charts at two hours-plus while shooting 4K 60fps. Another nice feature is 47GB of internal storage, a big help if you forget your microSD memory card. And the Osmo Action 5 Pro works directly with DJI’s noise-cancelling Mic 2 and Mic Mini wireless microphones, providing an easy way to record high-quality sound.

The Action 5 Pro’s main downsides are relatively low resolution and slightly poorer stabilization compared to the competition. DJI’s device tops out at 4K 120fps, which is lower than the GoPro Hero 13’s 3K 60fps (both can record log, though). And while the DJI camera’s stabilization is capable, it doesn’t quite match the excellence of the GoPro 13.

Cameras that can record 360-degree video can perform a nice trick: letting you reframe action after you shoot it or capture immersive VR video. Insta360 still leads this category, with its latest X5 model, though rivals are catching up. The latest model has a 1/1.28-inch sensor that’s much larger than before, allowing improved low-light sensitivity and higher dynamic range. Insta360 also introduced a new PureVideo mode with AI noise reduction and dynamic range optimization for clearer, brighter footage in low-light conditions.

It still captures action at up to 8K 30fps or 5.7K at 60fps, providing more detail when you reframe it to 16:9 for viewing on a regular screen. At the same time, the Me Mode that produces flat video (with automatic selfie stick removal) captures footage at up to 4K 30fps. Other features include waterproofing to 10 meters, removable lens guards and Insta360’s excellent editing app included for free.

Read our full DJI Osmo 360 review

DJI made a strong start in the panoramic camera field with the Osmo 360, very nearly catching rival Insta360 on its first try. That starts with the company’s all new one-inch square sensor that captures video at up to 8K 50fps and excels in low light. It also supports 10-bit D-LogM resolution to boost dynamic range, one-upping Insta360’s 8-bit I-log video. The Osmo 360 offers good stabilization in daylight conditions but falls apart a bit in low light. 360 stitching was very solid except when objects are close to the camera.

Battery life is comparable to the Insta360 X5 and batteries are compatible with the Action 4 Pro and Action 5 Pro. A huge bonus with the Osmo 360 is the 105GB of usable built-in storage (plus a microSD slot), compared to… zero for the competition. The main reason DJI’s Osmo 360 isn’t number one is because DJI’s Studio app for editing 360 footage can’t yet hold a candle to Insta360 Studio.

Read our full GoPro Max 2 review

GoPro’s 360 entry is the Max 2, a significant upgrade to the original Max. The main improvement is in the area of picture quality, with a new sensor that the company says allows for true 8K 30 fps resolution (with 10-bit log capture) without any wasted pixels like the competition. However, the Max 2 has a relatively small 1/2.3-inch sensor so it’s weak in low light compared to the competition.

But the Max 2 does have the best stabilization with GoPro’s excellent HyperSmooth system. Other features include excellent battery life, a new HyperWide 180-degree capture mode (along with the previous Selfie and POV modes) and new burst photo shooting. The Max 2 also ships with GoPro’s excellent Quik editor that beats DJI’s app.

Read our full DJI Osmo Pocket 3 review

Late in 2023, DJI unveiled the Osmo Pocket 3 and I called it “maybe the only vlogging camera you need.” It has a big one-inch sensor, which is the same size as the one on Sony’s ZV-1 II compact camera. That boosts image quality considerably, particularly in low light. It also has a new, large swiveling touchscreen that makes it easier to switch between horizontal and vertical video.

What really makes it great for vlogging are the follow modes combined with face tracking. If you’re working solo, you can simply set it up and it’ll rotate and tilt to follow you around. That also applies for walk-and-talk vlogging, so you don’t have to worry about focus or even pointing the camera at yourself. There’s very little not to like about the Osmo Pocket 3, but it’s not ideal for photos due to the reduced resolution, and it’s also quite expensive.

Read our full DJI Osmo Nano review

Mini-sized action cams are a whole new category with only two real participants — DJI and the inventor, Insta360. These cameras can be used with a screen or detached from it to be as small and light as possible, while still offering high video quality. DJI has the best model with its first entry, the Osmo Nano. It weighs just 1.83 ounces (4.83 ounces when connected to the screen) and is waterproof to 33 feet, so it can be used for activities ranging from mountain biking to waterskiing, or even attached to a kid or pet.

At the same time, it packs a big 1/1.3-inch so it offers nearly the same features as the much larger Action 5 Pro, including 4K 120p video and 10-bit D-LogM capture. That means video quality is excellent even in low light, though stabilization can fall apart in dim conditions. Battery life is solid and it comes with up to 128GB of internal memory.

If you want the lightest and most fun mini action cam possible, Insta360’s Go 3S is a great candidate. It weighs just 1.4 ounces when detached from its screen so you can mount it to your hat, a child, a cat or even an arrow. At the same time, you can shoot up to 4K 30fps video or 2.7K at 100 fps. Other key features include voice and gesture control, support for Apple’s Find My and a range of accessories including pendants and hat clips. When attached to its base, the screen flips up so it’s easy to shoot in either the forward or backward directions.

With the arrival of the Osmo Action 5, the Action 4 often goes on sale at very attractive prices. You’re not giving up much in comparison to the Action 5 Pro — it has the same 1/1.3-inch sensor that delivers excellent video quality, especially in low light. And it also comes with a D-LogM profile that boosts dynamic range in tricky lighting conditions, like skiing in the trees on a sunny day. The main reason to buy an Action 5 Pro instead is its built-in 47GB of storage, slightly better battery life and a higher bit rate that reduces pixelation. If those things aren’t critical, DJI’s Osmo Action 4 can currently be found for half the price.

GoPro’s Hero 12 Black is easy to recommend because it’s nearly the same as the Hero 13 but without the new external lenses. It can record videos at up to 5.3K at 60fps in 10-bit color with high data rates, and 8:7 capture that uses the entire sensor now works in all modes. The battery lasts around 10-15 percent longer than before, and it has a new quarter-inch tripod mount. Otherwise, the Hero 12 still has superior stabilization to most rivals, a full-color front screen and the best image quality, overall, of any cam in its class.

Insta360 also builds regular, non-360-degree action cameras and the Ace Pro 2 is ideal for creators. It’s the only one available that shoots at 8K 30fps (or 4K at up to 120 fps), providing spectacular detail, and the 1/1.3-inch sensor is solid in low light. Importantly for vloggers, it comes with a large flip-up screen that makes it easier to frame yourself when filming. It’s not nearly as nimble as rivals, however, as that flipping screen adds weight and size, making the Ace Pro 2 both bulkier and heavier than its competition.