Buying A GoPro? Here's 5 Action Cameras To Try Instead

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Before action cameras, filming activities like skateboarding, skiing, biking, rock climbing, and other outdoor adventures required camera gear that didn't necessarily fit the job. Dedicated video cameras have historically been somewhat bulky, and photography cameras didn't necessarily provide quality video recording features. The idea of a small, rugged camera that could be strapped to just about anything became more realistic with the rise of smartphones and the shrinking camera hardware that came with them.

GoPro was at the center of the action camera's rise to popularity, as it was one of the first to market itself to niche camera users like surfers, skydivers, and athletes in general. Professional production companies caught wind of the GoPro lineup and began using them on reality shows and in adventure programming. Nowadays, action cameras can be spotted all over, with cameras like the flagship GoPro Hero 13 Black being a common upgrade by vloggers and everyday camera users looking to take a step up from their smartphone.

But GoPro is no longer the only name in town, and there are a number of popular action camera brands on the market. Competition in the space is fierce, with action camera manufacturers regularly working to outdo each other when it comes to features like video resolution, RAW image capture, battery life, ruggedness, and low-light capabilities. Many are even developing lens systems that allow for interchangeable lenses. If you have your eye on a GoPro camera, you may want to first take a breath, as there are several comparable action cameras to try.

DJI has been refining its action cameras after making a name for itself with its lineup of drones. Its flagship action camera is the DJI Osmo Action 6, which competes directly with GoPro's latest flagship, the Hero 13 Black. However, where the Hero 13 Black maxes out at 5.3K resolution, the Action 6 is capable of recording video in 8K. It uses a CMOS sensor and a variable aperture lens with a range from f/2.0 to f/4.0. While it likely isn't enough to capture a full day of footage, the Action 6 does come with 50GB of internal storage that can come in handy in the event you max out your microSD card before the day is done.

DJI has a lineup of accessories made just for this camera, though it's not as versatile as what GoPro has to offer. A couple of conversion lenses are available for the Action 6, which can make the camera's field of view wider and tighter. GoPro has been working on modifications under its HB-Series system, which the Hero 13 Black is part of. But this is a separate — and at $450, pricey — add-on, and in a straight-out-of-the-box comparison the DJI Osmo Action 6 has just as much to offer as any camera in the GoPro lineup. Each of these cameras is among the best underwater cameras you can buy, and each is regularly priced in the $430 range.

While the DJI Osmo Action 6 is among the best DJI cameras for photography and vlogging, so too is one the smallest action cameras on the market, the DJI Osmo Nano. It's made for people who need ultimate portability in an action camera, whether that's for purposes of transport or mounting. The camera weighs just 52 grams, but despite its tiny footprint, still manages to record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. It also manages to get up to 200 minutes of record time between charges and has fast-charging capabilities to get it back into use quickly once it's been drained.

Priced at $389 as part of a Standard Combo, the Osmo Nano makes a good entry-level GoPro alternative, though it takes some more investment to push it to its limits. The Standard Combo does include a Vision Dock, which is an independent touchscreen that's necessary for framing shots, but the Osmo Nano is such a uniquely designed action camera that it requires certain adapters to connect with standard action camera mounts and tripods. The Osmo Nano is available as part of a number of different bundles, with some including accessories tailored to vloggers and some geared for those planning to put it into true action camera use.

Another action camera made in the mold of GoPro's most popular options is the Insta360 Ace Pro 2. It is, however, on the more affordable side, as it's regularly priced at $400 and often sees significant discounts at Amazon. Just like the DJI Osmo Action 6, the this action camera outpaces the GoPro Hero 13 Black with its ability to shoot video at 8K resolution. But unlike both of those action cameras, the Ace Pro 2 features a 2.5-inch flip touchscreen that allows users to get better viewing angles when filming others and a full-frame view when filming themselves. The Ace Pro 2's lens is made by Leica, and several Leica color profiles are built into the camera.

The Ace Pro 2 records exclusively to a microSD card, so there's no internal storage to save you if you haven't offloaded footage before setting out for a long day of action. But just like GoPro has done for its action cameras, Insta360 has built out a broad accessory ecosystem for the Ace Pro 2. The action camera is available as part of numerous bundles, with some including additional microSD cards, some including extra batteries, and some including lens adapters alongside other videography tools. It's rated for up to 180 minutes of recording time before needing to charge up, and it's capable of reaching an 80% battery charge after just 18 minutes plugged in.

While GoPro cameras target a niche videography and photography customer base, they also make affordable alternatives to compact and mirrorless cameras. There are also budget options within the broader action camera world that GoPro has played such a huge part in creating. One such option is the Akaso Brave 8. It doesn't come with the same level of brand recognition as other action cameras we've looked at, but those considering a GoPro purchase should take a look at this budget flagship. It's regularly priced around $200 and will see a discount at Amazon from time to time.

Akaso has included in the Brave 8 a half-inch CMOS sensor that can capture still images at 48-megapixel resolution and shoot 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The camera also features a dual-screen design that includes a 2-inch high definition rear touchscreen and a smaller front screen that makes the Brave 8 particularly helpful when recording selfie shots. This is another action camera that doesn't quite have the accessory ecosystem GoPro has to offer for its cameras, but the Akaso does make battery chargers, light adapters, and a number of different mounts that are unique to its camera lineup.

Among the more budget-minded GoPro alternatives is the Xtra Edge Pro. It's priced at $269 as part of a Standard Bundle, which includes a protective frame for the camera, a cold-resistant battery, and a number of different mounts, along with a few other accessories. It utilizes a CMOS sensor capable of recording 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, and while that's slightly less than the GoPro Hero 13 Black's 5.3K recording capabilities, the Xtra Edge Pro can be used under water to depths nearly twice as deep as the Hero Black 13. The battery outperforms many other action cameras, as it can live up to four hours of life between charges.

Similarly to the Akaso Brave 8, this action camera doesn't come with much brand power behind it, but the Xtra Edge Pro does come with two years of support. Purchasers at Amazon also stand behind the camera, as it's amassed a 4.6-star overall rating, with several reviewers raving about the camera's image quality, several others about its great value, and one even claiming the camera has been an upgrade over their GoPro Hero 11. While already well priced at its regular $269 price point, the Xtra Edge Pro is also available as part of a Dual Battery Bundle for $279.