With so many to choose from, finding the right action cam should be easy, right? At the recent 2024 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Insta360 launched its latest model to much acclaim, but competition is stiff in a market where many believe GoPro continues to lead the way, while others see DJI giving them both a serious run for the money. Let’s take a look at some of the latest entries from three top brands.
Cutting straight to the chase, Insta360’s new X4 is one of the world’s first action cams to deliver 8K 360-degree video – and to capture it at ultra-sharp high-resolution 30 fps. The X4 also supports up to 5.7K 60 video for super-smooth shots at ultra-high resolution, as well 4K 100 for incredible slow-motion footage. And that’s not all.
Announced at this year’s NAB Show, this successor to the X3 boasts a slew of additional upgrades and enhancements, including AI-generated reframing and editing capabilities, a 2290 mAh battery for up to 135 minutes of recording time, and removable lens guards for added protection.
Like its predecessor, the X4 features two lenses – one facing forward and the other backward – to capture both perspectives at once, but it also functions as a full-fledged wide-angle action cam when filming with just one lens, supporting an impressively wide 170-degree field of view. It’s a great choice for vloggers and content creators.
- Waterproof to 10m
- FloState stabilization
- 360° Horizon Lock
- Gesture control
- 72MP stills with AI noise reduction
With a dozen iterations of its hugely popular HERO action cam under its belt, GoPro continues to up the ante year after year and for many consumers remains the brand to beat. The latest, the HERO12, is often touted as their best offering yet, with the best image quality and stabilization currently on the market. It also boasts substantially boosted battery performance, timecode sync and Bluetooth audio support for AirPods and other devices, and it’s the first model to sport a convenient 1/4-inch tripod mount on the bottom.
- Waterproof to 10m
- 1/1.9-inch CMOS sensor
- Record videos up to 5.7K at 60 fps
- 10-bit colour for enhanced depth and smoother gradations
- 156-degree field of view
DJI steps things up with its super-compact and cleverly modular Action 2 entry into this competitive marketplace. Like the others, it’s ruggedly built and waterproof, capable of highly stabilized 4K video and more, but it’s the versatile modularity that really sets it apart. The OLED front touchscreen and power modules can be purchased separately or together as a combo, including the DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo, as well as in accessorized kits, including the DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo 128G.
Magnetic attachments make these wide-ranging accessories easy to deploy in fast-paced environments, and wearable options such as the headband and hanging neck mount lend themselves well to a wide variety of vlogging and content creation applications. Accessories can be purchased separately as well. The DJI Action 2 Waterproof Case, for one, extends its underwater depth range to a staggering 60m.
- Waterproof to 10m
- 1/1.7-inch CMOS Sensor
- Records up to DCI 4K60, UHD 4K120, 1080p240
- 155-degree field of view
- HorizonSteady Image Stabilization
- Built-in 4-mic Matrix stereo
Cover Image Background Photo Credit: Derrick Cooper on Unsplash
