vidi lcd waterproof action camera brands

What’s the best action camera you can buy right now? As you might expect, it’s a GoPro that tops our list. A compact yet powerful shooting tool, the Hero 10 Black packs impressive HyperSmooth stabilization skills, which can be used across most of its shooting modes. It can also slow-mo your action-packed moments in 4K at 120fps. Plus it’s waterproof and responsive.

The downsides are the fact that it doesn"t offer the best 2D video quality (due to the need to convert it from a fish-eye image, and the max 1440/60p resolution) and that it can"t quite match the Hero 8 Black or Hero 9 Black in low light situations. But it remains the best waterproof, 360-degree action camera around.

Unlike the original Osmo Pocket, the Pocket 2 has a larger 1/1.7-inch sensor that can shoot 64MP stills and 4K/60p video at 100Mbps. Your options for capturing high-quality audio are also much-improved, thanks to the inclusion of four microphones and an optional Creator Combo that includes an external wireless mic. And while the Pocket 2 isn"t waterproof itself, but you can buy a waterproof case that keeps it protected to depths of up to 60m.

Rugged enough to record any adventure, the Olympus Tough TG-6 is a premium compact in hardcore housing. Waterproof to 15m, freeze-proof to minus 10°C, crushproof to 100kg, and shockproof against drops from 2.1m: this is an action-ready camera that thrives in conditions that would kill lesser rivals

While the right action camera for you will depend on what and how you like to shoot, there are some key skills every good action cam should have. It should be rugged enough to endure some rough and tumble, plus waterproof down to at least a few meters. It should also be straightforward to use and operate, even in extreme conditions. Touchscreens can make an action cam easier to control, but if you plan to shoot while wearing gloves, it might make more sense to select a model with physical buttons.

Many people use action cameras to capture footage of their adventurous pursuits, such as mountain biking, skydiving or snowboarding. The best action cams are also waterproof, so some outdoor enthusiasts employ them to shoot watersports or record underwater video while swimming or diving. Most action cams come with a range of mounts, which make it easy to attach them to your helmet, handlebars or even a strap which wraps around your chest. So you should always be able to find an attachment that suits.

Is the DJI Pocket 2 an action camera? Well, it"s not rugged and waterproof, but it"s pocket-sized, simple to operate and does many of the jobs you might have bought an action camera for – and with superb stabilization, smooth "follow" modes and flip-around selfie shooting. There’s also a handy ultrawide lens attachment that definitely drops quality, but adds field of view. Despite some real highlights: shallower depth of field than expected and nippy focusing, not to mention great object tracking and color reproduction, noise handling isn’t a highlight on the Pocket 2. That aside, the convenience, versatility, and stabilization offered by the DJI Pocket 2 can’t be overstated. After all, nothing much can do all the things it can and still slip into a jacket pocket. You can even plug it into your smartphone and get big-screen control and playback via the DJI app.

If you’re looking for one of the best GoPro alternatives(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) for all-round basic use then the Wolfgang GA400 action camera (US$119.99 / £119.99) should be on your radar. Boasting 4K 60fps video and up to 20 megapixel stills, it appears to match its much pricier rivals both on resolution and by having a natively waterproof chassis. It’s loaded with accessories and easy to use yet it lacks some crucially important characteristics that flagship action cameras alone offer.

You can buy cheaper action cameras, but they won"t offer all the features of our top picks, and likely aren"t as durable. Typically they have lower build quality, inferior lenses, no waterproof ratings, and crappy chipsets and specs. Still, depending on your needs, something like the Dragon Touch ($70) might be good enough. The results won"t be GoPro-caliber, but if you"re just getting into action cams, this is a good way to test the waters.

We may be at the tail end of summer, but that doesn"t mean you have to stop swimming -- the weather outside is still hot after all. And though our swimming days may be numbered, we"re heading into the wet seasons of fall and winter. That makes waterproof cameras still worth having around if you like taking video on rainy days.

Of course, depending on your plans, something as simple as a waterproof case for your phone might work. But there are other situations. You may want a waterproof action camera, such as a GoPro underwater camera and alternatives like it, to capture adventures on the high seas (or your latest kayaking trip).

If you"re into underwater photography, you"re probably looking for a digital camera that"s not only waterproof but also takes amazing pics. A more rugged camera may not necessarily come with things like wide-angle shooting, the ability to take pictures in low light or optimal white balance. We don"t have any underwater DSLR cameras on this list, but some of the best waterproof camera options here can take incredible photos.

Are you ready to find the best waterproof camera for you? Below is a roundup of choices, ranging from a simple and cheap underwater camera to a more expensive and elaborate device for underwater shooting. You might not need the latter, but you"ll be able to record killer videos on every waterslide and deep underwater reef. See my video below for a sample of what to expect.

We update this list of the best waterproof camera options periodically, most recently to reflect changes in the GoPro line, along with an updated evaluation of our budget pick, the Akaso Brave 7 LE.

If you"re on a budget, you can still get a waterproof action cam for all your underwater activities. The Akaso Brave 7 LE not only records 4K video, has image stabilization, and a front-facing screen, but comes with a plethora of accessories all for way less than a comparable GoPro sans accessories.

If you don"t need the ultimate in video quality, frame-rates or stabilization, the Hero7 Black will work just fine. The compact camera"s small size can fit just about anywhere, and it"s waterproof without a case to 33 feet (10 meters). This is plenty for things like surfing, pools, probably snorkeling too unless you"ve got fins or can really hold your breath. For deeper dives, there"s a dive case available that"s good down to 131 feet (40 meters).

Two other accessories I recommend for this waterproof underwater camera are the Handler and the Hand/Wrist Strap. The Handler floats with the camera attached, making it much harder to lose your GoPro. The Strap lets you have your hands free. Not ideal for continuous shooting, but for short clips and photos, just aim like Spidey. OK, maybe not exactly like Spidey.

For a step up in resolution, frame rate and image stabilization, the Hero 9 Black is only a bit more money than the Hero 7 Black. Like the 7, the Hero 9 is waterproof down to 33 feet on its own and has a protective underwater housing capable of going much deeper.

GoPro isn"t the only name in action or waterproof cameras by any stretch, but it is the biggest. The ability to get an extra battery, get a different mount or case, just about anywhere, is a major selling point for this waterproof digital camera.

However, you can offset that a bit. This 600 lumen waterproof LED light from Light and Motion should work great for close up photos and videos. It"s not going to light up a school of fish, but a fish for sure, and sometimes that"s all you need. It"s rated down to 60m/196ft.

There are a lot of options available under $100, but they"re either dimmer, have extensive bad reviews or both. Before you buy this, or any underwater camera light, check out the user photos so you know its capabilities. Then double check you"re able to attach the light to your camera mount. If you want more brightness, there"s likely a waterproof light for however high your budget can go.

The One R is waterproof to 16 feet/5 meters as long as you have it secured inside the included mounting bracket. To go deeper, there are three options. For the 360 mod, there"s a vertical case (shown above), though you"ll need the vertical battery to go with it. That"s good down to 98 feet (30 meters). There are cases good to 197 feet (60 meters) for both the wide-angle 4K and 1-inch sensor modules.

One last piece of advice. No matter where you take your waterproof camera, make sure at the end of the day you rinse it, or its case if it has one, thoroughly with fresh water. Then let it dry completely before you put it away.

A good action camera offers a variety of features to help you make a great video recording of your most extreme exploits. Some features are must-haves, like image stabilization and a waterproof case. Others aren"t necessarily make or break for a sports camera, such as a touch screen, 4K resolution and remote control compatibility.

The Hero 8 Black"s image quality, stabilization and features aren"t too far off from what you get with the Hero 9 Black, but its price is certainly more affordable. This 4K video camera was the company"s first to feature the redesigned waterproof housing body with built-in mounting fingers to attach the camera directly to a GoPro mount. This HD video camera also has a customizable interface with shooting presets and improved video stabilization and image quality from the Hero 7 Black. The lens, while not removable like the 9"s, is made with Gorilla Glass that"s twice as impact-resistant as the glass on past Hero models.

For a company known for its camera drones, DJI got a lot right with its first action cam. One of its stand-out features is its front color screen. Osmo Action might be small, but it"s enough to make sure you"re centered in the shot when the camera lens is facing you on a selfie stick. Another great feature of the camera is that it responds to voice commands -- the view can be switched with a voice control. It"s also waterproof and rugged with removable lens covers, it has great electronic image stabilization, shoots HDR video and has customizable presets so you get to control the shooting modes you want without diving into menus. This is an excellent waterproof camera for people who are looking for better control when shooting photos and videos.

It also has a 60-lumen light that helps illuminate darker scenes, image stabilization and is waterproof to a depth of 100 feet—three times that of the GoPro. The TG-Tracker also tracks temperature, elevation, depth, latitude/longitude, distance traveled, barometric pressure and speed, so you can capture more than just amazing videos.

Because of the popularity of GoPros, most competing action cameras and third-party accessory makers have adopted the GoPro-style mount, two semicircular tabs that slot into add-ons such as selfie sticks, waterproof cases, and helmet mounts.

The GoPro HERO10 Black is the latest flagship action cam from GoPro. It"s reliably well-built, comes with a ton of frame rate options, and has an upgraded processor over its predecessor that"s advertised to give it improved low-light performance. On top of its sturdy construction, it"s also waterproof to an advertised depth of 33 feet and has a front-facing screen that lets you monitor yourself in Live View while recording.

Elsewhere, the GoPro HERO 9 Black appears similar to the HERO 8, with the bunny-ears mount present, along with caseless waterproofing to 10m. Look closer, though, and the improvements are many and varied (check out our GoPro HERO 8 Black vs HERO 9 Black showdown for a direct comparison). Under the hood, there"s a bigger sensor (23.6MP), which means this cam can now shoot 5K/30 video and 20MP stills, and a very welcome 30% battery boost. Incredibly impressive horizon levelling now comes baked in, although you won"t be able to tilt the camera quite as much as you can with the HERO 10 Black. Hindsight and Scheduled Capture tools add new opportunities to get creative, and Hypersmooth and Timewarp features – upgraded over the HERO 8 but not quite as good as in the HERO 10 – remain excellent.

Despite being the lowest-specced GoPro you can easily get hold of, the GoPro HERO 7 Black is still a very capable action cam. The H7 brought with it stabilisation at 4K60, and while it"s not as impressive as newer Hypersmooth versions, it"s still good enough that you don"t need a gimbal. This rugged action camera is waterproof down to 10 metres on its own, you can expand that to an impressive 30 metres with an optional GoPro waterproof housing. The H7 was the last HERO not to sport that frameless design – no bunny ears here – but it"ll still work with the wide range of mounts and extras in the GoPro ecosystem if you add a case first.

Want your own camera crew? A seriously impressive 360º camera as adept with creating widescreen action camera-style video as it is wraparound imagery, the Insta360 One X2 is all about "shoot first, edit later’. The editing suite is comprehensive, permitting everything from third-person perspective video, time-lapses and hyperlapses to freeze-frames, "smart track’ face recognition and much more besides. Waterproof and with new modes for vlogging and for instant panoramic photos, the pocket-sized camera is processing-intensive, with editing on a phone a battery-hungry exercise, but here’s a 360º camera that will exceed the expectations of anyone trying to do something new and expansive-looking without the need for drones and a camera crew.

The best action cameras also come bundled with accessories and a versatile system of mounts – or least have the option to buy the ones you want. Waterproofing without a case comes as standard with some models, but with others you"ll probably want to invest in waterproof casing to safeguard your cam for everything from watersports to an unexpected downpour.

The AKASO V50X generously includes a huge accessory kit featuring things like a remote control, 12 different mounts and a waterproof case. You really have everything you need in the box.

Like most budget action cameras on the market there is no shortage of bundled accessories. Put it in the waterproof housing and suddenly you have an underwater camera. The included wrist-strap remote is quite basic but does the trick for taking photo and capturing video without having to touch the camera itself.

Ever since the release of the GoPro HERO5 (released in 2016), GoPros are waterproof out of the box (typically up to 10m). You don’t have to worry about extra casing when you go to swim at the pool, surf around the beach or go kayaking on the river.

However, the vast majority of non-GoPro action cameras are not waterproof out of the box. You need to put them in plastic casing which is usually included in the box. This is not only a bit of a hassle, but using external housing will also slightly reduce audio quality since it adds an extra layer between the sound and mic.

The Dragon Touch Vision 5 is waterproof up to 40m without casing. It’s therefore a great budget friendly GoPro alternative for those who don’t want to deal with external casing.

As for video quality, it’s not the Vision 5’s strongest point, and it is very similar to slightly cheaper action cameras like the Vision 3, ACT-74 and AKASO EK7000. In other words, you’re definitely paying a premium for the waterproof design.

Most cheap action cameras also come with other bundled accessories. Typically this will include a spare battery, mounting accessories, a remote control and a waterproof case.

Action cameras are designed to be taken underwater. However most action cameras will require them to be put in waterproof housing. Make sure you correctly fit the waterproof casing before taking your new action camera underwater.

2. ONLY THE ACTION 2 CAMERA UNIT IS WATERPROOF. THE FRONT TOUCHSCREEN MODULE AND POWER MODULE ARE NOT WATERPROOF. It is recommended to use the DJI Action 2 Waterproof Case if you intend on using DJI Action 2 underwater for long periods (such as when diving) or under high water pressure conditions (such as when cliff diving). The DJI Action 2 Camera Unit and its Waterproof Case have an IP68 waterproof rating. Do not use the camera in hot springs or expose it to corrosive liquids.

With its specially-designed waterproof case, the S6 can dive into water up to 40 meters deep. A 60-meter waterproof case is also available (sold separately).

In this buyer’s guide we take a closer look at the emergence of action cameras as another fresh and potent tool in the kit bag of both photographers and filmmakers. The driving force behind action cameras has been the company GoPro who, as Woodman Labs, launched a $20 US model in 2004. The Hero 35mm 0001 was an analogue model that came with a 35mm Kodak film, a waterproof case, a wrist strap and no video capabilities.

In 2006 GoPro went digital and launched the GoPro Hero Digital model that could record VGA videos in 10-second sequences, but with no sound. The following years saw the Hero 2 and Hero 3 models coming out and through continued innovation today’s action cameras feature specs such as LCD touchscreens, 4K shooting capabilities, WiFi, editing software and companion apps. GoPro, which soon became a verb in itself for filming everything from your skiing to surfing to running, sat alone in the market. But over time, challengers emerged.

As well as a great sensor the camera boasts a 24mm f/4 Zeiss Tessar T* prime wide-angle lens and a tiltable rear LCD screen. The camera is said to be ‘crushproof’ and is also waterproof down to 1 metre and has a rugged outer body.