DJI Action 2

Price: £349
Weight: 56g (excluding extra mounts)
Video: 4K 120fps
Stills: 12MP

Though perhaps best known for their drones, DJI also incidentally make some pretty neat action cameras. This example, the Action 2, is built with a magnetic locking design to enable cool customisations. Think: selfie sticks, a tripod, a remote control extension rod, a macro lens and even an extra monitor.

Related: DJI Mavic 2 Pro Review

There’s also a magnetic lanyard that you can wear around your neck (or place underneath your shirt for a more discrete look) and then attach the camera to. Modular adapter mounts likewise enable you to attach the camera to the likes of a bike, a surfboard, or even your dog’s collar. In this sense, the DJI Action 2 is both portable and wearable, and very discrete.

Another impressive feature is its audio locking capabilities. Thanks to the 4-mic Matrix Stereo, the Action 2 can pick up on the smallest of sounds whilst still focusing its efforts on the noises of your camera’s subject (otherwise known as directional audio). This gives it that ‘real-life’ effect, transporting you back to the scene. The sound even heightens as you zoom towards your subject.

Full Specifications

Magnetic locking design / 4k 120 fps / wearable / lightweight aluminium alloy body / aperture:  f/2.8 / lens FOV: 155° / ISO: 100-6400 / max photo resolution: 4000×3000 / shutter speed: 1/8000s to 30s or limit of fps / HorizonSteady built-in stabilisation / drop-proof and dust-proof / waterproof to 10m (60m with casing) / 32GB storage / AI editing options / dimensions: 39×39×22.3 mm.

Akaso Brave 8

Price: £240.79
Weight: 114.8g
Video: 4K 60fps
Stills: 48MP

At 48 MP, the Akaso Brave 8 boasts some of the most impressive image quality on this list, in part thanks to the 9 pieces of glass that have been intricately designed to fit into the lens. It also has the ability to shoot time lapses in a whopping 8K, or alternatively you can slow scenes down by up to 16x more than real time footage.

It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that the Brave 8 doesn’t have the highest frame rate per second for a 4K video – though 60 fps is still very solid. Other cool features include: AI face metering, SuperSmooth image stabilisation, hands-free voice control in up to seven languages, and a battery life of up to 90 minutes, to name a few.

Full Specifications

4K 60fps / 48MP / 8K time lapse / super wide angle / 16x slo-mo / AI face metering / dual colour screens / ½ inch CMOS sensor / waterproof to 10m (33ft) or 60m (196ft) with casing / voice control in 7 languages / 1550mAh battery (90 mins) / aperture: f/2.5 / ISO: 100 to 3200 (6400 for video) / dimensions: 63×36.5x45mm.

Insta360 Go 2

Price: £294.99
Weight: 26.5g
Video: 1440p 50fps
Stills: 16:9, 2560×1440; 1:1, 2560×2560 pixels 

Now this is one tiny action camera. So small, in fact, that Insta360 say it’s the smallest action camera in the world. And espite its size, the Go 2 can still film up to 50 frames per second at 1440p.

Though perhaps not ideal if you’re after super high image quality, or thinking of entering your videos into the oscars, this is pretty good if you want to document your adventures with very little extra weight or hassle.

You can also pretty much mount it anywhere, including on cars, around your neck, on your trail  running cap, on a skateboard, or probably even on your ear if you wanted to. With customisable colour options, and a whole host of accessories to choose from; there’s a lot to like about the Go 2.

Full Specifications

1440p 50fps / FlowState stabilisation / hands-free remote control option / mounts anywhere / 6x Hyper-lapse, 4x Slo-Mo / waterproof to 4m (13ft) / HDR colour boosting / 4-in-1 case / 30min charge time for 2.5 hours / controller works up to 10m (33ft) away / selfie stick compatible / Night Shot and AquaVision modes / FlashCut AI auto-editing option / customisable colours / accessories: easy clip, magnet pendant, lens guards, ND filter kit, mount adapters / aperture: f/2.2 / ISO: 100-3200 / shutter speeds: 1/800-120s / dimensions (WxHxD): 52.9×23.6×20.7mm.

GoPro Max

Price: £379.98
Weight: 154g
Video: 6K (360 mode only), 5K
Stills: 18MP

Boasting the option to switch between using two lenses for full 360 mode, or a single lens for the regular ‘GoPro’ look (1080p), the Max offers a huge range of framing options, helping you keep your edits interesting and engaging.

The 360 field of view particularly comes into its own when you come to edit your footage. Say you’ve got a Max outstretched on a pole as you ski, you’ll be able to adjust the framing in post, making sure that the camera follows you, before flipping around and following your mates too.

Because of these extra features, both the body and battery are bigger than other models, the latter being said to give you enough juice for a day’s worth of shooting in 360 mode. All in all, this means that the Max comes in at 154g which – given the priceless footage you’ll get – ain’t half bad for a camera.

Selected for their Ski 100 2020/21 – read Mpora’s full GoPro Max review.

Full Specifications

360 and Hero-style footage options / 6 audio mics / Max HyperSmooth image stabilisation / waterproof to 16ft / 1080p live streaming / Quik app compatible / cloud connected / 4 digital lenses: narrow, linear, wide & max superview / compatible with over 30 mounts and accessories / dimensions: 69x64x25mm.

Oclu Action Camera

Price: $199
Weight: 101g
Video: 4K 30fps
Stills: 12MP

The Oclu Action Camera  has a similar set up to the Insta360 Go 2, though is slightly heftier due to its increased features. At 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches, it’s still very aerodynamic, and can be attached to the likes of a bike helmet or trekking pole very easily.

Perhaps one of the coolest features here is the motion initiated recording abilities. This means that if, for example, you were wild camping and wanted to see what kind of wildlife walks by your tent at night; you can set up the Oclu to record as soon as it detects motion outside. And with the OcShell waterproof case attached, you won’t have to worry about it raining too much in the night either.

Related: A Beginner’s Guide To Wild Camping In The UK

Full Specifications

LiveCut technology / IPX7 water resistant / OcShell waterproofing case available / customisable shooting modes / OcSnap for magnetic charging and data transfer / one touch record / interchangeable battery / universal accessory mount / 1/4 inch tripod mount / motion initiated recording / wind reduction sound recording / GPS data recording / aperture: f/2.5 / 150° diagonal all-glass lens.

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