The Best Sports & Action Video Cameras under $500
GoPro Hero 7 Black
★ Top Choice
BUY NOW
From $318.97
Features
- Super Photo - Get the best photos automatically. With Super Photo, HERO7 Black intelligently applies HDR, local tone mapping or noise reduction to optimize your shots.
- Time Warp Video - Capture super stabilized time lapse videos while you move about a scene. Increase the speed up to 30x to turn longer activities into shareable moments.
- Voice Control - Stay in the moment. Control your HERO7 Black hands-free with voice commands like �GoPro, take a photo� and �GoPro, start recording.
- Rugged + Waterproof - Share experiences you can�t capture with your phone. HERO7 Black is rugged, waterproof without a housing to 33ft (10m) and up for any adventure.
- HyperSmooth Video Stabilization - Get gimbal-like stabilization�without the gimbal. HERO7 Black predicts your movements and corrects for camera shake to deliver insanely smooth footage.
Pros
- ⊕ Rugged body.
- ⊕ Great 4K video.
- ⊕ Superb stabilisation.
- ⊕ HyperSmooth is very effective.
Cons
- ⊖ Most expensive GoPro.
- ⊖ Poor low-light performance.
- ⊖ Screen can be unresponsive.
- ⊖ Screen unresponsive at times.
Specs
- Waterproof: 10m.
- Weight: 118g.
- Stills resolution: 12MP.
- 4K video: up to 60fps.
- 1080: up to 240fps.
- Battery life: 1-3hrs (est).
GoPro HERO6
♥ Runner Up
BUY NOW
From $348.97
Features
- With our most advanced video stabilization yet, Hero6 black captures super smooth footage, whether it’s handheld or mounted to your gear Hero6 black is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meter) without a housing.
- With 4k60 and 1080p240 video, Hero6 black delivers 2x the performance compared to Hero5 black with an all new GP1 chip optimized for GoPro capture, Hero6 black delivers vastly improved image quality.
- Featuring 5ghz wi fi, you can copy photos and videos over to your phone 3x faster than with Hero5 black; Note low or high temperature conditions may temporarily shorten the battery life or cause the camera to temporarily stop working properly.
- Now featuring touch zoom and an updated UI, the 2 inch display makes it easy to frame shots, change settings and play back footage.
- Hero6 black automatically sends your footage to your phone where the app turns it into a quikstory an awesome edited video.
Pros
- ⊕ GPS.
- ⊕ Touch screen.
- ⊕ Has WiFi connectivity.
- ⊕ 4K video at up to 60fps.
- ⊕ HDR and Raw photo capture.
Cons
- ⊖ Pricey.
- ⊖ Same battery as the HERO5.
Reviewed
GoPro Hero6 Black Review - pcmag.com
Mentioned
Best GoPro Cameras - bestreviews.com
Best of the Best
Best Action Cameras - bestreviews.com
Best of the Best
Best Waterproof Cameras - bestreviews.com
Ricoh Theta V
Best 360-Degree Capture
BUY NOW
From $376.95
Features
- Theta has a 4-channel microphone that supports 360 Degree spatial audio recording built in Omnidirectional audio is recorded not just in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction.
- Hi-res 360 Degree spherical stills & video with improvements to the image quality. New Qualcomm Snapdragon processor has completely enhanced the exposure accuracy and white balance algorithm. Object distance- Approx. 10cm - ∞ (from front of lens).
- Wireless LAN transfer speed (WLAN, MAX): 2.4GHz, 3mm: 20Mbps; 2.4GHz, 10mm: 10Mbps; 5GHz, 3mm: 50Mbps; 5GHz, 10mm: 10Mbps. The camera can always be connected to a smartphone using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) This function provides improvements in usability and power consumption.
- The world’s-first Remote Playback capable fully spherical camera allows users to wirelessly playback 360 Degree images and videos on a large-screen display Using a compatible wireless display adapter.
- Theta V shoots hi-def smooth 360 Degree video at 30 fps @ 3840 x 1920 pixels or 4K. It supports the H.264 file format for video recording ; Remote release: CA-3-compatible.
Pros
- ⊕ 4K livestreaming.
- ⊕ Slim, handheld design.
- ⊕ Live streaming support.
- ⊕ Includes 4 microphones.
- ⊕ Slim, sleek form factor.
Cons
- ⊖ Expensive.
- ⊖ Very expensive.
- ⊖ Locked at 30FPS.
- ⊖ Mini HDMI removed.
- ⊖ Non-expandable storage.
Specs
- Weight: 121g.
- Stills resolution: 14MP.
- Battery life: 80 minutes.
- Max. video resolution: 3840 × 1920 at 30fps.
Best 360-Degree Capture
The 9 Best Action Cameras of 2020 - lifewire.com
Mentioned
Best 360° Cameras - bestreviews.com
GoPro GoPro MAX
Best of the Best
BUY NOW
From $499
Features
- Live Streaming in 1080p: Shoot in Hero mode and share while you’re there. Live stream in 1080p on social, get Max HyperSmooth stabilization as you broadcast via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card to check out later.
- Horizon Leveling: In Hero mode, game-changing horizon leveling gives you that silky-smooth cinematic look whether you're getting sideways, flipping through the air or chasing your kids.
- Max HyperSmooth: Max gives you unbreakable stabilization by using 180-degree capture as the ultimate buffer.
- Digital Lenses: Choose from four digital lenses in Hero mode to get the shot. Capture video and photos in Narrow, Linear, Wide and Max SuperView—our widest view yet.
- Premium 360 + Stereo Audio: Six mics capture true-to-life 360 audio and deliver the best stereo sound ever from a GoPro.
- Three Cameras in One: Maximize your creative freedom. With Max you can shoot traditional Hero-style video and photos or capture immersive 360 footage. Vlog to the Max with shotgun-mic performance and a front-facing screen.
- PowerPano: Pano without the pan. Take incredible 270 distortion-free panoramic photos without having to scan the horizon. Take PowerPano selfies, action shots and vertical pics—all with a level horizon.
- Max TimeWarp: Capture super stabilized time lapse videos while you move through an activity. In Hero mode, TimeWarp automatically adjusts speed based on motion, scene detection and lighting. You can even slow down the effect to real time—savoring interesting moments—and then tap to speed it back up.
Pros
- ⊕ Great audio.
- ⊕ 1080p video.
- ⊕ USB-C charging.
- ⊕ Time lapse mode.
- ⊕ Crisp touch LCD.
Cons
- ⊖ Poor in low light.
- ⊖ Low-res 2D footage.
- ⊖ No slow-mo in 360 mode.
- ⊖ Low-resolution 2D footage.
- ⊖ Not the best in low light.
Specs
- Waterproof: 5m.
- Weight: 154g.
- Battery life: 1hr est.
- Stills resolution: 16.6MP 360.
- 5.6K 360 video: Up to 30fps.
- 1440: Up to 60fps.
Reviewed
GoPro Max Review - pcmag.com
Best for Sports and Adventure
The Best Action Cameras and Camcorders for 2020 - pcmag.com
Best for Underwater and Outdoors
The Best 360 Cameras for 2020 - pcmag.com
Best of the Best
Best 360° Cameras - bestreviews.com