gopro hero+ camera with lcd touch screen review made in china

If you asked me what I thought about action cameras many years back I might have scoffed and told you they’re just a fad. However, the GoPro HERO3+ I was gifted back in 2013 completely changed my mind.

Some people would say modern camera phones have made action cameras redundant. After all, phone cameras are fantastic these days, and let’s not forget the vast selection of outdoor phone accessories on the market today.

But action cameras aren’t going anywhere. Action cameras serve a very specific purpose, something you find out the moment you actually step out and record something adventurous.

Whether it’s lifting it up on a selfie stick when you’re going down a slide, mounting it on your bike helmet or even taking it underwater diving – the benefits of owning an action camera are numerous.

Personally, I feel that if your budget allows it, going for a GoPro has many advantages. The GoPro doesn’t necessarily have the best capture quality or best technical specs, but they’ve developed their own ecosystem that makes doing everything a breeze.

The GoPro camera’s user interface is top-notch, the iOS/Android app is great and there’s no shortage of great support and custom accessories. They’re a bit like the iPhone of action cameras.

But there are people who would disagree with me. New Chinese brands like DJI are producing action cameras with features on par with the most expensive GoPros, and in some aspects superior. Many ‘GoPro’ accessories are also compatible with these cameras nowadays, so there’s more competition than ever before.

What about if you just want to have a go filming action sports? Or perhaps you’re thinking of buying an action camera as a gift for someone who may or may not end up using it.

In cases such as these, a budget action camera is an awesome way to test the waters—without breaking the bank. They will pretty much do everything you need them to do, and be infinitely better suited for filming intense action than any smartphone.

When you shop around for action cameras you’ll notice practically all of them feature ‘4K’. The reality is that for many of the cameras, this is little more than highly misleading marketing gimmick.

Many of these so-called 4K cameras are simply up-scaling footage by means of interpolation. The resulting output file is technically a 4K video, but the actual quality difference with a camera that is capable of shooting native 4K is drastic.

Most action cameras under $100 won’t shoot native 4k footage. And those that can will cost something very close to $100. So it really makes sense to split up the sub-$100 bracket into the following:

If your budget allows, getting an action camera that can record native 4K video is definitely the way to go. Even if you’re not going to be recording at that resolution, the video quality is likely much better.

AKASO is becoming one of the biggest names in the budget action camera market. The V50 is their flagship camera line and the only one to boast 4K30fps recording.

Although you probably haven’t heard of its predecessor, the Akaso V50X is the upgraded V50. In specs, however, it is much more comparable to the older V50 Pro than the V50. Like the V50 Pro it features a 2-inch IPS touchscreen, adjustable viewing angle, WiFi, and gyroscope.

The 20MP Sony sensor produces amazing daylight footage and acceptable nighttime video recordings (no action camera can produce great nighttime footage because the sensors are so small). The ability to record at up to 170° wide-angle means you also won’t miss anything in your shots.

Compared to the V50, the touchscreen is definitely the most welcome new addition, bringing it closer to GoPros which have featured them since the relatively old HERO5 model.

One of the cheapest native 4K action cameras you can find, the Apeman Trawo does everything you need to start recording high quality video with electronic image stabilization.

Previously it one-upped the AKASO V50 with its bigger 1350mAh batteries which gave it superior battery life. However, the V50X now also features 1350mAh batteries which nullifies that advantage. Both can continuously record for an impressive 180 minutes at 1080p.

Compared to the AKASO V50X, its f 1.8 lens and Panasonic image sensor allows it to capture higher resolution 20MP still images, but personally I don’t care much if my action camera takes 12MP or 20MP photos. It’s also slightly cheaper.

On the flipside, the TRAWO’s 2-inch IPS retina display isn’t touchscreen, which makes controlling the camera a little troublesome. It’s true that 90% of the time you’re only looking to hit the record button, but the other 10% of time there’s no touchscreen to navigate the awkward menus.

The 4K+’s younger brother, the Yi 4K, can often be picked up for less than $100. With 4K @ 30fps recording, the ability to capture 12MP raw stills with EIS and a nice scratch-resistant, gorilla glass 2.2-inch touchscreen display, the Yi 4K is a very solid action camera.

However, the overall package is a little bit expensive for what it is. It doesn’t feature an accessory pack, something you’ll normally get when purchasing a cheap action camera. Granted, a lot of us don’t plan on taking our action camera underwater or mounting it to a helmet, but that isn’t the point. For a camera that isn’t superior to the likes of the AKASO V50X or Apeman TRAWO, it doesn’t offer the great value for money it did back in 2017.

In the last few years, Xiaomi has quickly gained a reputation for being a high quality, budget friendly Android phone manufacturer. Now it appears they are having a stab at the action camera market, too.

The Xiaomi MI Mijia 4K is an excellent native 4K action camera. Capture quality is on par with the V50X and Yi 4K. The camera itself also looks incredibly sleek and sexy.

If native 4K isn’t necessary, our options for action cameras costing below $100 are plentiful. In fact, they’re too plentiful. Finding the right one is a daunting challenge.

Most of these cameras record fairly similar quality video. Many of them share the same 16MP or 20MP image sensors which deliver acceptable 2.7K footage at 30fps or [email protected]

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.

You might think the software might be a problem coming from a relatively unknown brand like Dragon Touch. However, I found it to be surprisingly usable, which shouldn’t be too surprising since Dragon Touch are primarily a tablet producing company.

The Dragon Touch Vision 3 is currently my recommendation for the best under $50 entry-level action camera available today. If you want an external mic and EIS, take a look at the Dragon Touch Vision 4

Voice control using various voice commands is a relatively new feature for action cameras. Most action cameras are yet to feature it, let alone the budget ones.

The AKASO Brave 6 is really the only choice you have when it comes to sub-$100 action cameras featuring voice commands (besides the more expensive ThiEYE T5 Edge I discussed earlier).

The AKASO Brave 6 features a decent 20MP sensor which is similar to that of the AKASO EK7000. It’s nothing special but typical for a decent budget action camera.

It also features Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) which reduces the impact of camera shake via electronic processing (software). That is another reason why it costs more than most other non native 4K action cameras.

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.

Now, if you’re only going to surf once a month and plan to mostly record footage of you doing mountain biking or other less ‘wet’ sports, I’d personally get one of the other cameras on the list which offer better bang for buck.

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.

Polaroid got their name from building instant cameras, but the company is moving along and has come up with their very own action camera—The Polaroid Cube Act II.

The 124-degree wide angle lens simply isn’t up there with the 170-degree ultra wide angles you’d expect from a ‘true’ sports action camera. That means you don’t capture as much in the video. However, for simple vlogging a less wide angle lens is appreciated (reduces fish eye effect).

With a design similar to the GoPro HERO session, The Polaroid Cube is a very cute action cam that makes a fantastic and affordable gift. It’s very simple to operate and a great way to get a newbie into the world of shooting action videos.

Polaroid Cube Act II – HD 1080p Mountable Weather-Resistant Lifestyle Action Video Camera & 6MP Still Camera w/ Image Stabilization, Sound Recording, Low Light Capability & Other Updated Features

While marginally more expensive than the Dragon Touch 4K Vision 3, this list wouldn’t be complete without the Campark ACT74 Action Camera which was once the best selling budget action camera for almost 2 years running.

It was released back in December 2016 so it is slightly older, but has an incredibly solid track record. Its 2-inch HD screen was a unique selling point before, but that’s already become a standard feature across cheap action cameras.

In terms of features and video quality, it is almost identical to the Dragon Touch 4K Vision 3. Yet it costs a little more and doesn’t come with a remote control so I wouldn’t consider it the best ultra-budget action camera today.

With stellar Amazon reviews and a lot of praise across the website, the Campark ACT74 might seem like a great choice. However, it’s outdated by today’s standards and the Dragon Touch Vision 3 is a better ultra-budget choice (especially as it includes a remote).

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.

All the action cameras listed on this page feature built-in WiFi. It’s an essential feature to have as it allows you to connect your iPhone or Android to the phone. By connecting to your smartphone, you can remotely control your action camera using your phone.

It is helpful to disable any form of Electronic Image Stabilization if you are recording at night. This can improve video quality, but you will need to be aware that the recording will be more sensitive to camera shake.

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.

Recording at higher resolutions and using features like EIS will consume more battery. Most of these budget action cameras come with a spare lithium battery so make sure you carry that around with you.

Slow motion recording and time-lapse modes are also fairly common. If there are any shooting modes you would like to use, check to make sure the camera features it before purchasing.

2023 is no doubt the beginning of the $100 native 4k action camera. If your budget allows, going for a native 4k action camera will allow you to record much better quality videos.

At the same time, $50 can now buy you a perfectly acceptable action camera that can be taken underwater and controlled using a remote. This offers incredible value for money.

I’m a photographer and the chief editor of Capture Guide. After spending several years in parts of South America with my trusty old Nikon D7100, I’m now back home patiently waiting for borders to re-open.

GoPro makes some of the best action cameras, especially its flagship Hero10 Black. It has excellent image quality and supersmooth stabilization and the whole thing is waterproof without a case. But all those features don"t come cheap -- the Hero 10 Black costs around $449. If you can"t quite stretch the budget to get the best GoPro, you can get a

There"s no shortage of contenders looking to take on the GoPro. I"ve chosen two cameras to compare with the current top-tier GoPro, at different prices to suit all budgets. First is the Akaso EK7000 Pro, at $75. The second is the

There are also companion apps on iOS or Android that let you view the live image, start recording, pull down footage to your phone or even livestream (GoPro and Yi only). I didn"t have any problems connecting, downloading footage or filming with any of the cameras when I tested on iOS.

Open the box that comes with the Akaso EK7000 Pro and you"ll be shocked at how much you get for your money. There are several mounts, a waterproof case, a remote control and a spare battery.

Fortunately, all the cameras are compatible with the standard GoPro mounting system. It"s really easy to change them in and out as you need, as long as you have the right parts.

Hands down, the best image out of these cameras comes from the GoPro, which is our benchmark for all these comparisons. The other two cameras just can"t match it for dynamic range, especially underwater. But the Yi gets close and captures detail and color in bright, outdoor situations well. Motion at 60fps looks smooth and overall I think the image looks quite good.

I went to the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco to test out underwater image quality. Dive safety operator Chris Grace took all three cameras down to 16 feet in the Near Shore and Sharks of Alcatraz tunnels. Want to see sharks and fish up close? Watch the video at the top of the article.

Note that all the sample video and images were taken on default color settings, although you can use ProTune on the GoPro or a flat profile on the Yi so you have more flexibility to color correct footage.

Stabilization is so important on an action camera, otherwise that epic bike ride or skate trick will make you sick when watching the footage. GoPro has its own version of electronic image stabilization called HyperSmooth that makes everything look like it"s been filmed on a gimbal. And it works at most resolutions and frame rates, including 4K/60.

The Yi also offers its own electronic image stabilization but it"s nowhere near as nice as the GoPro and it"s only at 4K/30. And the Akaso … well, the less said about that the better. It"s only at 1080/60 and it doesn"t look particularly smooth at all, at least from the footage I took on a bike ride.

My pick is the Yi 4K Plus Action Cam because it does a lot more than the Akaso and offers comparable image quality to the GoPro -- for half the price. That said, you get absolutely nothing apart from the camera in the box, so you"ll have to invest a little more in accessories to get the most out of it.

Don"t forget to watch the video at the top of the page for my full review, where I talk about battery life and audio quality and show you plenty of video samples!

Also, if you have your heart set on getting an actual GoPro but aren"t prepared to pay for the Hero 10 Black, then you"ll want to check out the Silver and White lines. Or look for discounts on earlier models like the Hero 9 or Hero 8.

Today GoPro announced its latest action camera, the GoPro HERO+ LCD.  This marks the first time GoPro has done an ‘off-cycle’ release of a new camera product, as the company has historically released new action cams in the September/October timeframe.  It also bookends a rather busy week of announcements for the company.  Last week they announced both their intentions of launching a drone early next year, as well as their crazy 6-camera spherical mount system.  And that’s all before we talk about an apparent upcoming software update to start cloud sync of GoPro files to some sort of still unannounced internet service.  And don’t forget that even more crazy 16-camera virtual reality mount they built for Google.

While I normally don’t post about products unless I’ve had hands-on time, I’m also keenly aware of how many e-mails/tweets/etc I’d get if I didn’t post about this one.  The new cameras are apparently already on the way to me, so I’ll likely have a better hands-on first-impression of them soon (and then likely an in-depth review some period later).  In the meantime, here’s a quick rundown.

The new GoPro HERO+ LCD is sorta exactly as the name implies: It’s the 2014 GoPro HERO…plus…an LCD screen.  Well, and connectivity over WiFi and Bluetooth Smart.

You’ll likely remember that the entry level GoPro HERO was $129US, and had a non-removable external case.  That meant that you couldn’t take it out of the case, which in turn meant you couldn’t add in any additional rear-attaching accessories such as the extra battery packs or LCD screen.

They also added in the WiFi and Bluetooth Smart compatibility.  Not for sensors, but rather for connecting to your mobile phone. This connectivity allows you to transfer photos and videos over to your phone, and then up to the interwebs.  Further, the HERO+ LCD includes the remote highlight tagging, which wasn’t available on the lower end model.  This means you can use the remote control to tag highlights so you can find them quicker later on during editing.

Finally, the camera has an internal editing capability, allowing you to slice the clips a bit better before transferring them.  This helps reduce the time to transfer video clips to your phone, making the process a little bit quicker.  This is planned to come to the HERO4 Silver later this summer, and the HERO4 Black as well (if you have bought the additional LCD back touchscreen).

Now the downside is that you can’t swap out batteries like the more expensive HERO4 Silver & HERO4 Black.  Nor can you remove it from the case like those other units (at +$100 and +$200 respectively).  You’ll also lack the 2.7K and 4K video, as well as some of the higher speed options found like the 120/240FPS speeds.  Same goes for lack of HDMI connectivity.

But the reality is that for the vast majority of folks wanting an affordable camera, the specs hit the core of the market.  The noted 2.5 hour battery life is in the ballpark of most other units these days (though, without a way to swap batteries, that can be a problem for certain activities).  Here’s a comparison between the four GoPro HERO units:

The Hero+ LCD unit includes a few different back doors, so you can use it in wet environments and still touch the screen, as well as using an open door too.

This is a brilliant move by GoPro.  Since last October’s announcements came out, it left a bit of a hole in the price range.  They had the GoPro HERO Basic (2014 Edition) at $129, but then the next camera up was at $399US (HERO4 Silver), and then the HERO4 Black at $499 at the top.  For many (including myself), the brilliant touch screen on the back of the HERO4 Silver was loved – but for most consumers that was a bit pricey when existing action cameras were mostly in the $200-$300 range.  But with GoPro’s cheaper HERO base not having mobile phone connectivity and a bunch of other limitations, it wasn’t as ideal in the share-it-instantly world that is today.

By removing the 2.7K/4K support in the HERO4 Silver and focusing on 1080p (w/60FPS) support with good phone connectivity – they hit the majority of the audience (Oh, for those curious why I’ve said that Garmin needed to be at 2.7K support on their new XE product, it’s because they priced themselves that high).

In some ways, it’s almost like GoPro did a bit of a fake-you-out move price-wise.  See, both TomTom and Garmin recently announced new cameras – and matched GoPro’s $399 prices for certain models (for reasons that even then seemed hard to justify).  With those cameras being less well known, and specs to the average consumer in the same range – it was a hard sell. With the GoPro brand so strong, you have to compete and beat on multiple levels: Specifications and Prices.

In the case of Garmin, this move is even more so ironic – given Garmin recently cut the display when they updated Garmin VIRB lineup with the X/XE and decided to go without the preview screen that was present on the first generation units. A move that many of you thought was short-sighted (no PUN intended).

Looking forward, the real question is will GoPro again release this fall as they have done annually for years?  With neither the recently announced Garmin or TomTom units actually shipping yet – it might be challenging for both if GoPro doubles down as usual in the fall with new models.  In Garmin’s case, they are better positioned with a more unique offering around widely extended sensor offerings in the X/XE range, including new automotive and boating support – but that continues to be more of a niche offering at the $299 price point when trying to compete with GoPro branding/marketing.  While TomTom will need to iterate quickly with their automated movie maker software to truly become a competitive offering.

Definitely an interesting market for sure.  For those curious about my recommendations – for 95% of folks it’ll likely shift from the Hero4 Silver to the HERO+ LCD, assuming there are no issues with it.  The reason being that if you’re using it for cycling and such, you can actually use your Garmin Edge device with the GoPro, inside of Garmin’s free VIRB Edit software suite – thus getting all the benefits of data overlays there (I suppose Garmin is probably happy you’re buying their device).  It’s really only if you’re doing direct to camera sensors and don’t already have a GPS device for speed/distance/pace/altitude that I’d recommend looking at the Garmin X/XE lineup.

Note: You can now order the Hero+ LCD via both Amazon and Clever Training.  While both sites help support the site here and all the work I do, by using Clever Training you’re also going to save 10% on your order with DCR Reader Coupon Code DCR10BTF – further, you’ll get free shipping within the US!

When you think of the best action cameras, you think of GoPro, right? Well, it"s true that GoPro leads the way for conventional action camera design, but while the best GoPro cameras(opens in new tab) are pretty amazing, there are alternatives that are equally compelling in their own way. DJI, Insta360 and Akaso cameras offer features GoPro cameras don"t, or at prices, GoPros can"t match.

DJI is perhaps GoPro"s best-known rival, but certainly not the only one. There"s a lot of crossover in this market with other areas like the best 360º cameras, and the newly updated modular Insta360 One RS Twin Edition includes both an action camera module and a 360 module – it"s two cameras in one!

And while the GoPro Hero 11 Black takes the top spot in our list, don"t forget that GoPro keeps older Hero9 and Hero8 models on sale at reduced prices. Or, for a completely different take on the idea of "action" cameras, check out the amazing Insta360 Go 2, also on our list. We thought we"d also throw you a curve ball with the DJI Pocket 2. It"s not a rugged go-anywhere camera like a GoPro, but it"s a pocket-sized gimbal camera with stabilization, "follow" modes, and image quality way beyond what its size suggests.

These action cameras aren"t the only way to record your adventures. For a step up in quality, check out our guide to the best cameras for vlogging(opens in new tab). Alternatively, for a whole new perspective, we have a guide to the best camera drones, which are like having an action camera in the sky.

Despite the Hero 11 Black looking like every other GoPro this side of 2019, with upgraded hardware and software, it"s a triumph on all fronts. The new, almost square sensor is supremely versatile, the camera"s software has been simplified successfully, and GoPro"s companion app, Quik has also been improved. With best-in-class stabilization, great-looking video in all but dimly-lit and dark scenes, and some fun new modes like light painting, the Hero 11 Black is an excellent addition to the line.

The Hero 11 Black"s 8:7 aspect ratio is also a standout highlight for content creators. Able to shoot in 5.3K resolution, 8:7 video at up to 30fps, its footage can be losslessly cropped to create new 4K portrait, landscape, and square clips from a single video.

On top of 8:7 video, the Hero 11 Black captures 5.3K resolution video at 60 fps, 4K resolution video at 120 fps, or 2.7K resolution at 240 fps. You can also grab 27MP stills from 5.3K video.

The Hero 11 Black might not have wildly improved the line"s lowlight performance. Still, with its new 8:7 sensor, a simplified interface, and enhanced horizon leveling, it"s upgraded GoPro"s offering in a meaningful way. Particularly appealing to folks who use multiple social platforms, nothing else can do quite what the 11 Black can.

Welcome to the newest and best GoPro around. Though launched without much fanfare and looking identical to the Hero9 Black in almost every way, the Hero10 Black is nevertheless a significant upgrade. That’s all down to its use of the all-new GP2 processor, which powers a speedy user interface, doubles the frame rates, and fuels the best image stabilization tech yet.

The highlight is 5.3K video with 60 frames per second, but don’t underestimate the usefulness of GoPro’s new HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization – in all modes – alongside 23MP photos and best-ever low-light performance. Add a nifty cable for super-quick camera-to-app content transfer and auto-upload of videos and photos to the cloud while it recharges and the Hero10 Black was worth the wait. It"s definitely not the cheapest action camera you can buy, but GoPro is now an expert at producing tough, reliable, and supremely effective action cameras, and you do get what you"re paying for.

Is the Insta360 ONE RS a novelty or a serious filmmaking device? Unique in the market, the ONE RS is designed to appeal to anyone who would normally consider a GoPro yet yearns to at least have a go at 360º. The fact that its 360º lens is unchanged from the first-gen version does indicate that the format has settled in as a nice option for occasional use but one that lacks much more development, which chimes with us. That lens does allow a lot of creative options and we love how the Insta360 app provides templates to create natty 360º sequences from clips, but most users will rely on its 4K Boost Lens. The second-generation camera impresses us with its longer battery life, higher resolution stills, and a new widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Insta360’s FlowState stabilization is smooth and now more versatile with lots of AI-powered auto-editing features in an excellent smartphone app.

Leading drone maker DJI forced a re-think for GoPro by introducing a front screen to their first action camera; a handy innovation for vloggers. The new Action 2 puts even more choice in the user’s hands, coming as a tiny 39x39mm square camera core that can be operated alone or attached (by a magnetic clip) to other units which offer more connectivity, battery life, and a front-facing screen. The camera has a 1 / 1.7” sensor and RockSteady 2.0 and HorizonSteady image stabilization. Even paired, it is only around the size of a GoPro, though on the downside the rear touchscreen is only the size of the main camera unit. The modular system is strong and has immense gadget value (though can get a bit hot when charging), while DJI’s Mimo app makes control via your phone painless. There is an interesting new world of accessories (as well as adaptors for the traditional ‘GoPro’ style ones), making this a hard option to overlook.

The Insta360 Go 2 is a long way from the rugged adventure cameras in the rest of this guide. It"s a cute and tiny wearable camera you can clip to your clothing, snap to a magnetic pendant around your neck, prop up on your own desk in its own holder, stick to a car dash or window... and more. Capable of unique immersive POV shorts and also worth considering as a minimalist rig for vloggers, the lightweight Insta360 Go 2 has some surprisingly big features for such a small camera. Excellent image stabilization, ‘horizon lock’, and a multi-functional battery case make this versatile clip-on camera more than just a novelty item. It"s not an action camera in the same sense as the rest, but its tiny size means it can film things you might never have attempted before.

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 a 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.

GoPro’s first action camera to feature a vlogging-style front-facing screen is now better value than ever. It allows you to frame yourself while vlogging, when used as a webcam, or just for selfies. The resolution got a boost too, with 20 megapixel stills capability and a 5K video shooting. The latter will be overkill for many, but it also allows 14.7 megapixel grabs from video, which could be hard to resist.

It’s also got a larger 2.27-inch display than the older GoPro Hero8 Black, super-smooth Hypersmooth 3.0 video stabilization, TimeWarp 3.0 for handheld time-lapses, a travel case. There’s also a Max Lens Mod accessory that will bring GoPro Max(opens in new tab)-style features like 360º horizon lock and an ultra-wide 155º Max SuperView mode.

For most adventurers, the Osmo Action 3 is the perfect balance of quality and price. Stabilized 4K video looks great and the camera can take a lot – not just rough and tumble but temperature extremes. It isn’t cheap, but the RRP is comfortably less than a similar GoPro and won’t push you toward a subscription after 12 months.

while it is a little sad to see the modular design seemingly abandoned, the Action 3 is easier to manage and more capable. The only sacrifice is the larger size and weight, but even then it still has the GoPro beat.

The EIS remains excellent from the previous generation; RockSteady and HorizonBalancing both produce a smooth video from aggressive action. For most 4K is the ideal resolution for action, especially with up to 120fps.

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.

With good quality, if imperfect, 4K video and good 20MP stills, the GA400 makes a great alternative to one of the big brands of action camera if you’re after results a level below the cinematic quality offered by the leading action camera brands. At this mid-range level, the build quality is excellent and the touchscreen is responsive while the onscreen menus are intuitive and easy to use.

If you need a front screen for vlogging – or to ensure you stay in the shot as you film yourself skiing down a slope with a selfie stick – then this is a bargain buy. It has the same killer feature found on the GoPro Hero 9 and the DJI Osmo Action, but the second screen comes at a fraction of the cost. You get 4K shooting and 20-megapixel stills - plus a capable 6-axis image stabilization system. There is a good range of accessories in the box too - including a second battery, mounts, and underwater housing. Note, though, that unlike with many rivals you need to use this housing before you take your action cam into the water.

We test cameras both in real-world(opens in new tab) shooting scenarios and, for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera"s ISO range. We only use real-world testing for our guides to instant and compact cameras - comparing results against similar models that we have tested.

Since its founding 20 years ago, GoPro has pretty much defined the “adventure camera” product category. Its rugged little cameras have appealed to the human drive to climb and jump off high things, speed down steep cliffs at bone-jolting velocities or launch oneself out of perfectly good airplanes.

It’s been a journey, and the new GoPro Hero 10 Creator Edition is the latest travel companion for those supremely confident in their bodies’ healing abilities. So what’s new this year?

The GoPro Hero 10 updates last year’s Hero 9 with a new GP2 image processor that makes camera response faster and images better, and that increases frame rate and resolution when making videos. But is it enough to upgrade year over year? We say if you already have a Hero 9, no, but if you’re looking for your first GoPro camera or you’re running a Hero 8 or earlier, this will be a big and worthy upgrade to your current adventure videography needs.

We reviewed the Hero 10 Creator Edition, which includes not only GoPro’s latest flagship camera but also a 32GB microSD card; the Volta battery grip; the Media Mod, which is a case with a built-in external mic and cold shoes for attachments; and the Light Mod, which is, as expected, a small light you can attach via said cold shoe mounts.

Pricing is a bit complicated, given the big discounts offered if you buy a yearly subscription ($49.99 per year) to the GoPro service. Nonsubscribers can get the kit for between $785 and $830, depending on where you shop around, and existing GoPro subscribers will pay $581.96. But new subscribers get another $50 off, so you can get the whole kit for $531.95 if you’re a total GoPro newbie. And if you don’t need all the perks of the Creator Edition, you can score the standard Hero 10 Black for as low as $349.

Aimed primarily at dedicated vloggers, the GoPro Hero 10 Creator Edition is a great purchase for a GoPro newbie or someone with a Hero 8 model or older. For those with last year’s Hero 9 model, the upgrade isn’t as compelling.

The Hero 10 is almost physically identical to the Hero 9, albeit 5 grams lighter, according to official specs. The Hero 10 feels solid, and considering it’s an “adventure camera,” it should. Like the Hero 9, it’s waterproof down to 33 feet without any protective case at all, which is pretty impressive, and it feels like its rugged outer case could get banged around a bit without wrecking the thing.

Beyond its toughness, it also has new smarts, thanks to the upgraded GP2 processor. GoPro says it offers twice the performance of the previous-generation processor, the GP1, and in our testing, it delivers. The GP2 offers an increase in image quality, capture speed, video stabilization, slow motion and just general zippiness to the camera’s responsiveness, which is a big deal when you’re trying to capture fast-moving subjects like kids, pets or you shredding some awesome powder on the slopes.

It can shoot up to 5.3K video (up from 5K in the Hero 9) at up to 60 frames per second (fps), 4K at up to 120 fps and at 1080p at a ridiculous 240 fps for super-slow-mo footage. The new processor also enables an upgraded HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization function. In our testing, which did not include shredding anything, the digital video stabilization practically eliminated the need for a physical gimbal. The GP2 also boosts the resolution of still photos to 23 megapixels (up from 20 megapixels) and includes GoPro’s proprietary SuperPhoto setting with HDR.

The GP2 has sped up the front screen of the camera, which can be used for selfies and other POV shooting, giving you a 30 fps image with almost no lag (the Hero 9’s front screen was notoriously choppy). The back touchscreen, where you control the camera, is even better. While not quite as fast as an iPhone or Android touchscreen, it’s close. It feels responsive, and the GoPro menus are thoughtfully arranged, making navigation easy with a little practice. You don’t want to be hunting and pecking through laggy menus when you’re on the side of a mountain angling for the perfect shot.

The new processor also just speeds up the whole GoPro experience. It boots up quickly and is ready to capture content in a couple of seconds when you push the red shutter button on top. Taking and processing the photos feels super fast, and overall there’s very little waiting around for the palm-sized camera to crunch through millions of pixels.

The processor also speeds up offloads of photos and videos, with GoPro claiming a 30% increase in Wi-Fi speed to transfer photos to your phone, and it also offers a new USB wired option. Yes, you can finally plug a cable into your phone and Hero 10 and transfer content even faster.

The Hero 10 also claims a new removable lens cover with “water-shedding hydrophobic glass” is more scratch-resistant and helps reduce ghosting than the Hero 9’s lens.

Finally, there’s the GoPro subscription, which we feel is worth it. For $49.99 per year, you get unlimited cloud backup of all your images and videos, some advanced editing tools in the phone app, an automated backup whenever you plug your camera in and it’s on your home Wi-Fi network and a no-questions-asked replacement policy if you somehow destroy your Hero 10. This is a real peace-of-mind issue, and we feel that if you’re willing to plunk down $500-plus for an adventure camera that you’re going to dip in saltwater, take skiing, drop from great heights, etc., then you probably will want to protect the content you create with it (unless you’re seriously subscription averse). The $300 discount on the kit that comes with the GoPro subscription doesn’t hurt either.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a GoPro review without talking about the nigh unlimited number of accessories. In this case, however, we’ll limit ourselves to the Creator Edition, which includes not only the Hero 10 but also the Volta Battery Grip ($129.99), the Media Mod ($79.99), the Light Mod ($49.99) and a 32GB SD card (price varies based on where you buy it).

The Creator Edition is aimed at vloggers, livestreamers and those who don’t necessarily need to strap their GoPros onto energetic Labradors or something like that. It’s aimed at the influencer set, who live by the mantra “pics or it didn’t happen.” It’s an attractive bundle if that’s your jam, but the whole doesn’t necessarily add up to anything greater than the various parts.

First up is the Volta, a beefy battery grip that can double as a tripod for the Hero 10. Its built-in power supply can juice more than four hours of 5.3K 30 fps recording in addition to the Hero 10’s own battery life (more on that below). It has integrated buttons that can switch between camera modes for one-handed operation, and Bluetooth connectivity allows you to wirelessly control the Hero 10 from up to 100 feet away.

The Media Mod is an external case for the Hero 10 with an included directional mic that GoPro says enhances voice capture. In our tests, we didn’t notice much difference between the Hero 10’s built-in mic and the Media Mod’s mic. It does offer an additional cold shoe mount on the side of the case for additional lights, mics or LCD screens, and it gives you an HDMI out port, a 3.5mm mic jack and a USB-C power port.

Finally, the Light Mod is, well, pretty much what it sounds like: a little LCD light with a diffuser cap that can produce three brightness settings, ranging from 20 lumens up to 200, along with a strobe setting. Interestingly, this light is also waterproof to 33 feet, which makes it an option for snorkeling or shallow scuba diving.

Without GoPro subscriber discounts, this whole kit will run you $760 if you buy them all separately. The Creator Edition lists for $834.94 on its website (presumably including the cost of the SD card) but is “only” $531.95 with a GoPro subscription. That’s a pretty good deal for a nearly complete portable filmmakers kit, but if we were picking and choosing, we’d probably forgo the Media Mod case and get the Volta battery grip and Light Mod separately.

Where the Hero 10 falls short is its built-in battery life. It uses the same batteries as the Hero 9, so if you have some of these lying around, you’re in good shape, but the higher video frame rates, like the 5.3K at 60 fps, will suck that battery dry in three to four hours. If you want to shoot a full day of high-intensity activity, you’ll want some charged spares (at $16 a pop) to have in your rucksack. GoPro offers a $24.99 Enduro battery that the company says increases recording time by 40% with a 13% faster recharge time.

Secondly, buying into the GoPro lifestyle isn’t cheap. While $580 for a complete filmmakers kit isn’t bad, you’re still on the hook for $50 per year to get that discount. You can, of course, sign up, pay the $50, then cancel, spending only $630 total for the Creator Edition, but in our opinion, while the yearly subscription isn’t cheap, the automatic backup and advanced editing functions in the phone app make it worth it.

In the end, the Hero 10 is a great purchase for a GoPro newbie or someone with a Hero 8 model or older. For those with last year’s Hero 9 model, the upgrade isn’t as compelling.

GoPro launched the Hero 10 Black back in September last year and now looks set to bring a direct successor to the market, in the form of the Hero 11 Black. Images of the next-gen action cam have now leaked but fans expecting wholesale design changes may be disappointed.

As revealed by Roland Quandt, the GoPro Hero 11 Black sports an identical design to the Hero 10 Black it succeeds. From the look of things, the display sizes are the same, the buttons are the same, and the only change on the camera"s exterior is the new "11 Black" branding. Potential owners will be hoping this translates into accessory support, as it"d be great if the Hero 11 Black had backward accessory compatibility with the Hero 9 Black and Hero 10 Black.

While the design of the Hero 11 Black remains unchanged from the predecessor, it"s likely that the underlying hardware sees solid improvements. The source mentions potential HDR improvements, a new sensor, and perhaps, a boost to 6K video recording from the 5.3K recording the Hero 10 Black offers. The Hero 11 Black could feature new HyperSmooth 5.0 technology, too, although it"s likely it remains equipped with the GP2 chip that debuted on the Hero 10 Black last year.

I"ll cut right to the chase: GoPro"s Hero 8 is hands down the best GoPro the company has made. That"s not a small feat, considering we said the same thing about last year"s excellent Hero 7.

With its new $399.99 Hero 8, GoPro managed to dramatically improve what was already its top feature – its video stabilization – while making a host of big and small improvements that make its action camera easier, and more fun, to use.

At first glance, the Hero 8 looks a lot like last year’s Hero 7. It has the same rubbery black case GoPro has been using for the last couple years, and a 2-inch touchscreen on the back. This year though, GoPro has added two extendable metal arms to the camera frame itself. This means you no longer need to put the camera into a case before attaching it to a mount.

It might not seem like a major update, but it’s one that makes a huge difference. I’ve always hated fussing with the external cases every other GoPro has required, especially in cold weather when my fingers go numb before I can yank the case off. Now, mounting is simpler and, most importantly, the battery and memory card are accessible at any time if you need to swap.

The most interesting physical design change GoPro introduced this year, though, comes in the form of mods: three optional accessories that attach directly to the camera to add extra functionality. The mods, which won’t be available for pre-order until December, let you add a front-facing display ($79.99), an extra light ($49.99), or a directional microphone ($79.99). Buy all three and you have a rig that looks more like a YouTuber’s fever dream than something you’d attach to a helmet or chest strap.

GoPro hasn’t made these new accessories available for testing, so I don’t have any firsthand impressions of these add-ons just yet. I imagine they"ll be appealing to professionals who rely on GoPros, but I don"t think they"re something most people really need. There are some who will (fairly, in my opinion) criticize the company for introducing an $80 attachment rather than just adding a fully functional front display right off the bat, like DJI did with its action camera. That"s a fair complaint, but GoPro seems to think most people won"t miss one.

In terms of the camera itself, GoPro has upgraded nearly all of its capabilities. Its stabilization tech, called HyperSmooth, has leveled up to HyperSmooth 2.0, and it"s definitely the most consistently impressive feature of the Hero 8.

With HyperSmooth 2.0, even the most unsteady video is impressively shake-free. And, if you"re in a situation where even more stabilization is needed, you can use "boost" for even more of a steady shot  (though it will crop a bit from the edges of your video). Here"s what that stabilization looks like in action. Note that in the clip below, the camera is attached to my wrist, with HyperSmooth set to "high."

Another new feature to get a big upgrade is GoPro"s TimeWarp, which is essentially its version of Instagram"s Hyperlapse. When TimeWarp is enabled, you ca take a stabilized time lapse video that"s adjusted automatically based on the length of the clip.

With TimeWarp now going to "2.0" you can change these up a bit by switching back and forth between the time lapse and to real-time. It"s a really neat feature, that definitely enables you to get much more creative with your shots, though it takes a bit of practice to nail the timing.

I’ve used previous generations of GoPros before and I’ve always felt like I was never really taking full advantage of their capabilities. That’s partly because I’m only a casual GoPro user, and partly because I’ve never been able to fully master the cameras’ settings. I always knew there was a lot more available, but it was hard to know where to start and the in-camera menus were not at all intuitive.

Now, there are dedicated, customizable presets that make it much easier to switch between modes and tweak specific settings. This is incredibly useful because you can now create a bunch of presets for settings configurations you know you"ll use ahead of time, so you don"t have to fuss much with the touchscreen while you"re on the go.

The company also completely revamped its mobile app so it’s much easier to use and has more editing controls built in. One of my favorite new features is horizon leveling, which helps correct videos where the camera"s position would otherwise make the clip unusable.

GoPro"s Quik app, which automatically creates “stories” based on highlights from your video, has also been fully integrated into the main GoPro app. These can be kind of fun, particularly if you’re someone who is never quite sure what to do with all your videos, but the effects are still a bit cheesy for my taste.

The touchscreen seems to be much more sensitive to water than previous cameras. The touchscreen on my Hero 8 consistently went a little haywire every time it touched water. This is something that"s happened a bit with previous cameras (and it"s normal for a bit of water to sometimes "confuse" touchscreens). But the issue was much more pronounced than on previous cameras I"ve used, to the point that it was almost unusable while swimming without the touch screen locked. You can activate voice control as a workaround, but I feel a bit ridiculous talking to my GoPro.

Speaking of the screen, Hero 8 doesn"t have a replaceable lens, as previous cameras did. It does use stronger glass than last year"s model, but if you break it, it"s not fixable. If you"re worried about busted glass, the company is selling additional screen protectors, as well as "GoPro Care," which is basically its version of AppleCare. But it"s still a bummer when you consider the environmental impact of replacing gadgets rather than repairing them

Another drawback is the battery life. The Hero 8 uses the same size battery as older models and while that means you can re-use batteries from previous camera, it also means there aren"t significant battery improvements with the Hero 8. Based on my testing you can expect anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half of shooting time depending on your settings. Probably less if you"re in cold weather (I only tested in warmer conditions).

As we noted last year when the Hero 7 came out, action cameras aren’t for everyone. As good as the latest GoPro is, smartphone cameras are more capable than ever. If you’re not into adventure sports or YouTube productions, your smartphone can probably handle most of your needs.

But if you want more flexibility than what your iPhone alone can offer, or steady, shake-free clips are your top priority, there"s a lot to like about the Hero 8.