Best action camera 2019: 10 cameras for the GoPro generation

If you’re looking for the best action camera, then you’ve come to the right place. Action cameras are unlike any other kind of camera. They’re designed to be attached to helmets, surfboards, cars and other objects, and they’re small, tough and simple to operate, with a lens that captures the world in high-definition video.

Their small size and dramatic POV (‘point of view’) footage has made them popular with extreme sports participants, who capture their adventures by attaching cameras to themselves or their equipment. They’re also used by TV production companies where using a regular video camera would be impossible. 

You don’t have to be an adrenaline-junkie or filming your own TV show. Action cameras are also great fun for the family, especially on days out or vacations when you simply want to hit record and document you time together. 

Who makes the best action camera though? GoPro is without question the market leader – in fact, they invented this whole action camera genre. They’re not alone though, with a number of new rivals out there to tempt you. 

When it comes to key features on action cameras, most now shoot 4K footage, though some do these better than others, offering faster frame rates for buttery-smooth footage, while the very best action cameras have slick image stabilization systems to make the most of this. 

While action cameras are principally for shooting video, the best action cameras also shoot pretty decent still images as well, though don’t expect anything better than a point-and-shoot compact camera. 

Other features to consider when looking for the best action camera include Wi-Fi, GPS and touchscreen control. These all bump up the price, and while they are invaluable in some situations, you can still get great footage without them.

Before we look at our top picks of the best action cameras you can buy right now, GoPro has just announced three new action cameras. 

The top of the range GoPro Hero7 Black replaces Hero6 Black and is our best action camera pick right now. We’d even recommend you now avoid the Hero6 Black. Don’t get us wrong, it’s not a bad action camera at all, it’s very good, but with the price of the older model only a few dollars or pounds less than the Hero7 Black, you’re better off spending your money on the newer model. 

Best action cameras in 2019

1. GoPro Hero7 Black

Weight: 118g | Waterproof: 10m | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080: up to 240fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1-3hrs est

Great 4K video

HyperSmooth very effective

Struggles with voice commands

Screen unresponsive at times

While it may share pretty much of the same headline video specs as the Hero6 Black that it replaces, the Hero7 Black offers a number of big improvements. The most significant of this is the addition of GoPro’s all-new HyperSmooth image stabilization technology. It really is very impress, delivering gimbal-smooth video footage. TimeWarp video is a further new feature, one that combines the idea of regular frame-by-frame time-lapse shooting (which you can still do separately) with HyperSmooth – essentially, a stabilised hyperlapse, while the user interface has been overhauled for a much better user experience. Delivering buttery-smooth 4K video footage the Hero7 Black is the best action camera you can buy.

2. Yi 4K+ Action Camera

Weight: 93g | Waterproof: N/A (optional case available) | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery life: Up to 2hrs