Top 10 Best Action Cameras 2026

Weighing only 1.4oz and about the size of a thumb, this ultra-compact camera captures high-quality 4K footage without weighing you down.
Hands-free POV recording is made easy with an upgraded chip, new wide-angle lens, and a MegaView field of view that delivers ultra-wide shots with less distortion.
The Action Pod adds functionality with a 2.2″ flip screen, remote control, live preview, and up to 140 minutes of battery life, plus the ability to charge while recording.
Advanced FlowState Stabilization and Horizon Lock keep your shots smooth and level, eliminating the need for a gimbal.
Thanks to its magnetic design and included mounting accessories, you can film from creative angles not possible with larger cameras.
Built tough with IPX8 waterproofing for the camera and IPX4 for the Action Pod; can handle depths of up to 60m when used with the Dive Case.
Features like QuickCapture, Gesture Control, and Voice Control make operation seamless even when the camera is out of reach.
AI-powered Auto Editing finds the best moments, edits them to music, and prepares them for quick sharing on any platform and in any ratio.

Capture immersive 360° video in stunning 8K or 5.7K at 60fps, with Active HDR keeping colors rich and accurate even during intense action.
Reframe your shots effortlessly using the AI-powered Insta360 app, allowing you to focus on capturing the moment without worrying about perfect angles.
Enjoy the invisible selfie stick effect that gives you dynamic third-person views, making your footage look like it was shot by a drone or film crew.
Switch to single-lens mode for ultra-wide 4K video at 60fps or use MaxView for a 170° field of view at 4K30fps.
FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock provide consistently smooth and level footage no matter how rough the activity.
Designed for rugged use with improved lens guards, cold resistance down to -4°F (-20°C), and waterproofing up to 33ft or 164ft with a dive case.
A larger 2290mAh battery gives up to 135 minutes of runtime, with fast charging support to get you back in action quickly.
A bright and durable 2.5″ Gorilla Glass touchscreen offers tough protection and intuitive controls in any environment.
The invisible selfie stick is not included in the standalone version, which may limit the signature third-person effect unless purchased separately.

Shoots best-in-class 5.3K video at 60fps, delivering incredibly sharp and detailed footage for professional-level content.
Engineered with legendary durability, built to handle extreme conditions, shocks, and water without missing a beat.
Equipped with next-gen HB-Series Lenses for even crisper visuals and enhanced low-light performance.
Features a more powerful battery for longer shooting sessions, letting creators stay focused on the moment.
Ideal for both casual users and professional creators seeking high-performance in a compact, rugged package.
Delivers rich colors, smooth motion, and cinematic clarity for action, vlogging, travel, or any creative project.
Designed for seamless integration with accessories and mounts, perfect for versatile shooting scenarios.
Maintains the iconic compact form factor GoPro users love, now with upgraded internals for better performance.
Requires additional accessories for full functionality in certain scenarios, which may increase the overall cost.

Equipped with a 1/1.3″ sensor, it captures vibrant urban nightscapes and excels in low-light environments like nighttime biking.
Powered by a 4nm chip for fast and accurate subject tracking, ensuring moving subjects stay framed in both horizontal and vertical formats.
Delivers ultra-stable footage using 360° HorizonSteady, perfect for action sports, vlogging, or capturing smooth cinematic shots.
Offers extended battery life up to 4 hours, allowing uninterrupted recording during long adventures or demanding shoots.
Dual OLED touchscreens provide vivid color accuracy and responsive control, enhancing both recording and playback experiences.
Compatible with DJI Mic 2 and Mic Mini transmitters for direct, receiver-free high-quality audio capture ideal for vlogging and voiceovers.
Standard combo includes essential accessories with the flexibility to upgrade for more advanced creative setups.
Compact and versatile, it’s designed for creators who want high-end performance in a user-friendly form.
Requires activation through the DJI Mimo app, which must be downloaded via QR code due to removal from Google Play.

Captures stunning HDR video in 5.3K and 4K, along with HDR photos, for balanced exposure and vibrant detail in both bright and shadowy scenes.
Shoots ultra-sharp 5.3K video with 91% more resolution than 4K and 665% more than 1080p, plus 27MP photos and 24.7MP frame grabs from video.
Features Emmy-winning HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization with improved AutoBoost, offering buttery-smooth footage even in high-motion activities.
Delivers rugged performance with waterproof durability down to 33ft (10m), built for harsh environments including mud, snow, and water.
Includes a water-repelling lens cover to reduce glare and artifacts for clearer, more cinematic footage.
Comes bundled with essential accessories like the Enduro battery, curved adhesive mount, mounting buckle with thumb screw, and a USB-C cable.
Compatible with the GoPro Quik app for easy video edits and frame grabs straight from your footage.
Designed for a wide range of action-packed uses from biking and snowboarding to pet POV and family adventures.
Requires careful battery management in cold weather or longer shoots, as high-resolution modes can drain power quickly.

Features a powerful 1/1.3″ 8K sensor with Leica Summarit lens, delivering 13.5 stops of dynamic range and cinematic color with 8K30fps or 4K60fps Active HDR video.
Utilizes a dual AI chip setup with a Pro Imaging Chip and 5nm AI Chip, offering 100% more computing power than previous models for enhanced image quality and performance.
Excels in low-light environments with PureVideo Mode and advanced AI noise reduction, supporting clear and detailed footage up to 4K60fps.
Comes with a detachable Wind Guard and improved audio algorithms to reduce wind noise and ensure crisp, immersive sound.
Includes FlowState Stabilization and MegaView FOV with a 157° wide-angle lens, built to handle extreme sports, diving (up to 39ft), and temperatures down to -4ºF.
Equipped with a 2.5″ flip touchscreen offering better pixel density, brightness, and durability, ensuring clear previews even under sunlight.
Allows seamless magnetic mounting, supports 4K Clarity Zoom, and can overlay data from fitness devices; includes features like Gesture Control and Pre-Recording.
Features in-camera AI Auto Editing and Highlights Assistant, making it easy to create share-ready content directly in the Insta360 app.
The camera’s high-end hardware and advanced features come at a premium price, which might not suit more casual users or beginners.

Delivers stunning 4K video quality with a large 1/1.3″ sensor, capturing sharp and detailed footage even in low-light conditions from sunrise to sunset.
Offers rich, true-to-life colors with 10-bit and D-Log M performance, enhancing dynamic range and vibrancy for golden-hour moments and cinematic visuals.
Built to perform in extreme environments, recording for up to 150 minutes at temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F), ensuring reliability in harsh conditions.
Supports impressive 4K/120fps recording with a 155° ultra-wide field of view, perfect for immersive action shots and dramatic slow-motion playback.
Features Magnetic Quick Release for fast transitions between vertical and horizontal shooting, enabling greater flexibility and creative control.
Equipped with three advanced stabilization modes, ensuring smooth, stable footage across rugged trails, high-speed action, and unpredictable movement.
Includes a solid starter combo kit ideal for new users, with essential accessories like a battery and Quick-Release Adapter Mount for immediate use.
Adds smart features like Pre-Recording up to 60 seconds and Highlight support for better timing and convenience during dynamic scenarios.
Requires the DJI Mimo app for full setup and operation, which may be inconvenient due to limited availability on some app stores.

Automatically creates highlight videos while charging, sending ready-to-share edits straight to your phone without any effort.
Features a revolutionary image sensor offering the tallest and widest field of view ever on a HERO camera for more cinematic or social-ready content.
Captures stunning 5.3K video and 27MP photos for crisp detail and immersive visuals across all your adventures.
Delivers high-res, high-frame-rate recording for ultra-smooth slow-motion and sharp playback in fast-paced scenarios.
Equipped with front and rear LCD screens, making it easy to perfectly frame your shots whether you’re behind or in front of the camera.
Uses Emmy Award-winning HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization with Horizon Lock to keep footage smooth and level even during full 360° rotations.
Ideal for all-in-one content creation with powerful performance, intuitive operation, and automatic cloud uploads for stress-free sharing.
Supports both cinematic widescreen and vertical social formats with added flexibility from the new sensor’s expanded field of view.
Requires a cloud subscription for automatic highlight video creation, which may not appeal to users looking for a fully offline experience.

Captures stunning 4K HDR video with 10-bit color depth, bringing over one billion vibrant and natural colors to life even in tricky lighting.
HorizonSteady ensures buttery smooth, ultra-level footage during intense activities like skiing or mountain biking.
Built for durability with up to 160 minutes of battery life and reliable performance in extreme cold down to -20°C (-4°F).
Features a quick-release mounting system for secure and effortless vertical or horizontal mounting in seconds.
Waterproof up to 16 meters without any housing, making it ready for underwater exploration right out of the box.
Dual touchscreens with hydrophobic coating allow for clear interaction and playback, even with wet hands great for vlogging and selfies.
The Adventure Combo provides more value with additional batteries, a multifunctional case, and a 1.5m extension rod for extended shooting flexibility.
Ideal for creators who need quick, on-the-go content capture with minimal setup and maximum stability.
Lacks onboard storage and doesn’t include a microSD card, requiring a separate purchase before you can start recording.

Captures 4K60fps UHD video and 20MP photos with HDR recording, ensuring enhanced details in both highlights and shadows for natural-looking footage.
Features revolutionary 2-in-1 stabilization technology, combining anti-shake hardware with an auto-smoothing algorithm for smooth, shake-free shooting.
Waterproof to 33ft (10m) without a case, and up to 131ft (40m) with a waterproof case (sold separately), perfect for underwater adventures.
Dual-screen design with a 2.0-inch HD rear touchscreen and rechargeable wristband remote control for easy self-recording and vlogging.
Supports instant portrait switching with a G-sensor, offering flexibility between landscapes and vertical shots for various recording styles.
Ultra-wide-angle lens with a 166° field of view captures immersive, wide footage for action-packed moments.
Ideal for time-lapse videos with upgraded Hyperlapse functionality, providing smooth fast-motion recordings without needing an additional stabilizer.
Sturdy aluminum alloy and PC plastic build ensure durability in extreme environments, making it a reliable companion for outdoor activities.
Lacks built-in storage and requires a microSD card to store footage, so it’s important to have one on hand before use.