The 5 most recommended sports cameras

Sports Camera

If you are a sports fanatic, and would like to record your adventures, it is worth getting yourself a good sports camera. There are them to record hiking activities, for running, to go out with your bike, even for scuba diving.

There are many models of sports cameras, and each one of them has very different features.

DJI Osmo Action - 4K Action Cam 12MP Digital Camera with 2 Displays 36ft Underwater Waterproof WiFi HDR Video 145° Angle, Black

The best action cameras of this year

  1. GoPro Hero 8
  2. Insta 360 One R
  3. DJI Osmo Action
  4. Akaso V50 Elite
  5. Victure Ac-900

To make your search easier, I have prepared a comparison of the best sports cameras of 2021 that from my point of view are a safe choice.

GoPro Hero 8 Black

GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization

The GoPro 8 Black is the camera that we will choose if what we are looking for is quality and a good price. It is capable of recording video at 4k , with an appreciable fluidity. If you have been able to try with the previous model of the brand, and it already seemed fast to you, this will be even more so; It even allows you to control the fluency in 3 levels (activated, high and power) to choose the one that best corresponds to the situation we want to record.

Thanks to its TimeWarp 2.0 function, we will be able to record sequential videos with unique stability, even if you never stop moving. The function adapts the speed depending on the existing movement, and then even gives us the option to play with time to achieve the desired result.

Forget not being able to capture the scene in time: the camera manufacturers have managed to allow it to record 1.5 seconds before the shot in order to choose the best frame for each snapshot.

And do you know the best of everything? It is perfectly possible to control the camera without using your hands, using up to 14 different voice commands. For example, if we want the camera to turn on, we can say gopro, turn on . If we want you to take a picture, it will be a matter of saying gopro, take a picture .

You can buy this model in the camera-only option , or buy it with the accessory kit (recommended).

Insta360 ONE R

Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition Co-Engineered with Leica – 5.3K 30fps Action Camera with 1-Inch Sensor, 4K 60fps, Stabilization, IPX8 Waterproof, 19MP

If you are looking for a 360 camera, then the Insta 360 is for you. Like the previous model, it also allows 4K recording and has FlowState stabilization to stay stable in all circumstances, even if the lighting conditions are not too good.

One of the key features of this sports camera is its water resistance: it is IPX8 certified, which indicates that it can be submerged to a depth of up to 5 meters (but you will need its mounting case).

Another feature that it also shares with the GoPro8 Black is that it has voice control support, to be able to command it to record or capture an image without having access to the controls.

Through the application ONE R , and in combination with technology FlashCut based on IA, the camera is capable of detecting the top level. It is even capable of creating different compositions by itself depending on your tastes.

Once night falls, or the ambient conditions are not too good, you can activate the night mode and thus capture natural photos, sharp and with great precision. And if you want to see the stars, activate the Starlapse mode .

As with the previous model, we can also buy the Insta360 One R with different accessories, to make the recording more complete.

DJI Osmo Action

DJI Osmo Action - 4K Action Cam 12MP Digital Camera with 2 Displays 36ft Underwater Waterproof WiFi HDR Video 145° Angle, Black

With the DJI Osmo action you will have a dual screen system to have more control over what the camera focuses on. Unlike other sports cameras, this one has a front screen that will be very practical when taking selfies .

The stabilization system of this model is not far behind in comparison with those that we have already seen: it works with EIS technology that, combined with advanced algorithms, allow to stabilize the image to a new level. The shots will be smooth, accurate and stable, and the results will be unbeatable.

An advantage of the DJI Osmo Action compared to the Insta 360 is that the latter has a waterproof coating, at a depth of 11 meters, and you do not have to buy any additional housing or anything to achieve this resistance. This hydrophobic coating also protects the camera from other liquids, such as oil.

Do you want to record everything without having to complicate your life? With this model you will only have to touch a button and the camera itself will take care of focusing, without you having to make any effort.

To get the most detail in your video, you can turn on the HDR function . It allows obtaining optimal definition in the brightest areas, and enhances naturalness when the area is dark.

It also has a custom mode so you can save your settings.

Akaso V50 Elite

AKASO V50 Elite 4K60fps Touch Screen WiFi Action Camera Voice Control EIS Web Camera 131 feet Waterproof Camera Adjustable View Angle 8X Zoom Remote Control Sports Camera with Helmet Accessories Kit

If you want to buy a quality action camera , but do not have a lot of budget to invest in it, you may be interested in knowing the Akaso v50 elite .

It supports a maximum recording quality of 4K at 60fps and photos with 20MP. Thanks to its FHD function, we will achieve the best resolution taking into account the context of the photo.

It uses the EIS image stabilization system, as in the case of the DJI Osmo action . This technology allows for movement correction to avoid blurring of incredible moments.

One of the advantages of this model is that it allows us to adjust the angle of view in wide, medium or narrow, and it even has a distortion calibration function to improve the quality of the image to the maximum.

This model is an underwater camera, but it must be borne in mind that it can only be submerged if it is inserted into the housing included in the price. It calculates that it can be submerged to a depth of 40 meters . If you are looking for a model to practice water sports, such as surfing, diving, swimming or snorkeling, this proposal is for you.

To make it even easier to handle, it brings a wireless remote control that we can hang on like a bracelet. Just press the corresponding button and start recording. However, it does not have a voice control function because it belongs to the mid-range.

Victure AC-900

The Victure Ac-900 is considered the cheapest camera of the year. Although it is true that its benefits are limited, the truth is that it is quite good for what it costs, we can say that it is the best value for money.

You can record at 40k, 30fps, and capture photos with 20Mp resolution. It has a very fast sensor to capture the images that follow each other from one moment to another, it even achieves good image quality when there is not much light.

All functions can be controlled via a 2 ”LCD touch screen, which makes it as easy to use as possible.

It has a housing that allows us to submerge it to a maximum depth of 30 meters. You can record any water sport and the integrity of the camera will always be in top condition.

We can connect it through the YKJ application through the WiFi connection. So we can easily share any content we have recorded, from anywhere, as long as there is a connection.

In terms of functionalities, we are talking about a very complete camera: it has a slow motion function, continuous shooting and driving mode.

In addition, the price of the camera includes 2 batteries with a charging capacity of 1350 mAh. He estimates that the duration of each battery will be about 180 minutes, although it will depend on the quality that is chosen.

DJI Osmo Action - 4K Action Cam 12MP Digital Camera with 2 Displays 36ft Underwater Waterproof WiFi HDR Video 145° Angle, Black

How to choose a sports camera?

To help you make the decision of which action camera to buy , here are some criteria you can base yourself on:

  • Use: You will not buy the same model if you are going to give it a professional use, than if you want it for occasional use. If it is for advanced use, it is worth spending a little more money and buying a model that will hold you.
  • Image and video quality: Image quality is measured in megapixels, although a higher value does not necessarily mean higher image quality. The sensor brand, size and quality will also have to be studied. As for the video, the interesting thing is that it records, at least, at 1080p and 4K .
  • FPS: They are the acronym for frames per second and it speaks of the frame rate that the camera can capture per second. Sports cameras should have a minimum of 60fps . Some models dare with 120fps or even 240fps .
  • Battery life: You are interested in knowing how long it takes to charge and how long the battery lasts. Also find out if there is more than one battery with you or if they can be purchased at a reasonable cost.
  • Field of view and image stabilization: Find out if the camera gives you the option to change the field of view, to suit different sports. As for image stabilization, for advanced models, it is interesting that it has a couple of modes.

Also, keep in mind the functionalities, the way to connect it to the pc, the brand and above all, the price.