7 best action cameras UK 2021: compact, rugged cameras to capture adventures, from Insta, GoPro, Sony and DJI
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With camera technology getting smaller, more versatile and more dynamic, action cameras have come a long way since GoPro’s founder, Nick Woodman, launched the original 35mm GoPro Hero in 2005.
The original model was only £30, and with its launch, a new era of home action-movie making was born.
Famously durable and waterproof, once video recording capability was improved, this new family of cameras could be taken anywhere and everywhere, with short snippets of hitherto uncapturable footage able to be spliced together on editing software to create dramatic and captivating material.
What is an action camera?
Essentially, action cameras are small, portable camera devices with a hard, durable, shockproof shell designed to withstand being taken on adventures and into extreme conditions.
They tend to provide a good degree of electronic image-stabilisation, have wider-angled lenses to fit in more of the action, and fit on a range of mounts to attach to equipment such as bikes, helmets and climbing gear.
Popular amongst vloggers, a number of cameras we tested also feature a front screen which makes easy work of selfies and taking into the lens.
In this article, we look at some of the best action cameras on the market today, including the more well-known examples and some fun alternatives worth considering.
Key Specs: Weight: 121g, 4K Footage: Yes @ 30fps, Waterproof? 5 metres, Stabilisation? Yes
One of the most exciting and alternative camera options we tested, the Insta 360 One R is a full 360-degree camera with a modular system designed to suit the user’s requirements.
It comes with a battery base, on which you plug in a core camera, and then optionally a dual-lens 360 ability and/or a 4K wide angled mod.
It provides a versatile and dynamic experience, which is easy to use and understand – we started shooting excellent 360 footage in next to no time when testing. It can also shoot 4K footage out the box at 30fps. We liked the flip-screen, too.
