Best Sports Action Cameras 2023 – Comparisons, Reviews and Buying Guide

If you want to get right into the heart of the sporting action, you need to bank on the best camera in town. And don’t let the big cameras that major television companies use to record sporting action intimidate you. You’ll be surprised to learn that even a tiny camera can humble those huge ones.

You simply need to insist on getting the best specs for the money. And that’s exactly the criteria we have used to rank the following 10 most popular cameras for sports.

Just to provide you with a quick perspective of what to expect in the next few paragraphs, the following is the variety of cameras at your disposal.

• Budget DSLR camera
• General purpose cameras
• Best GoPro for outdoor sports
• Advanced compact cameras
• High-end mirrorless cameras

Looking for a comprehensive guide to buying a budget-friendly camera for gaming action? Sit tight, we have some awesome suggestions for you.

Sports Action Cameras – Comparison

Psst! The following article is full of serious details about cameras, lenses, and a lot more. But if you’re looking for some specific recommendations, you’ll definitely want to mosey over the following simplified table.

1. GoPro HERO7 Black

If you want to understand why the GoPro firm is a dominant player in the market, you have to pick the Hero7 Black model. It has mainly paid attention to video stabilization technology, which is a very vital feature.

Product description

This model has incorporated some features from the Hero6 Black. These (features) include the 12MP sensor and wide-angle lens. The top video specs of 4K at 60fps and full HD to a maximum of 240fps for 8X slower footage are also included.

To make the camera stronger than its predecessor, it has some additions. This includes the HyperSmooth Video stabilization which is more than the common optical stabilization, and you can use it even when capturing 60fps footage at full resolution.

Other new features include TimeWarp video, Voice Control, and SuperPhoto.

Other features and benefits

The Hero7 Black has a solid build quality. The fiddly design on the doors to the battery and card compartments is meant to make it waterproof. The camera can travel up to a depth of 10m underwater without housing and will not incur any leakage.

The UI contains more information such as battery life while it (Hero7) operates like a Smartphone and you would make simple directional swipes to access different modes, images and more.

The new HyperSmooth video stabilization system is quite capable, and you will find it useful if your activities involve constant movements.

The Time Warp feature will help you capture super stabilized time-lapse videos whether as you move about. You can hold it in your hands or mount it on a moving vehicle.

The SuperPhoto feature also results in high-quality images by regaining some highlight detail that would usually disappear.

The voice control will help you control your Hero7 hands-free. You can video-stream your images to your social media accounts via the live streaming feature.

Pros

• Great image quality
• Significant UI improvements
• Great Hype-Smooth video stabilization

Cons

• Too expensive

2. 4K Sports Action Camera by REMALI

The REMALI Action Camera your images or record videos in 4K, 2K, 1080P or 720P HD. The shots will be in 12MP quality at an ultra-wide angle of 170 degrees. The shots will be single or cluster.

Product description

The package includes a remote control as well as a Wi-Fi app which is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

It is waterproof up to 30m deep when placed in the waterproof case.

Additional features in the kit include a carrying case, three rechargeable batteries, one dual charger, and a 1.4G remote controller.

Other features and benefits

With this action camera, you can be sure of getting the best quality images and videos, mainly due to the clear 4K resolution. You will capture your moments by using the cam’s ultra wide angle of 170 degrees, and you will also have the option of capturing in singles or multiple shots.

The kit includes a remote control that will make it possible for you to start recording and capturing images from up to 30 feet away.

 It also has a waterproof case which makes it waterproof and can be submerged up, to 30m deep. This means that you can use this action camera to capture your underwater excursions too.

The extra batteries will ensure that you will never run out of power at the wrong time and this purpose is further backed up by the charger.

The carrying case will give you an easy time moving around with your accessories.

Pros

• Waterproof up to 30m deep
• Easy to use
• You can operate it via remote control from a distance away

Cons

• Poor battery life

3. GoPro Hero6 Black

The Hero6 Black model is an improvement of its predecessor, the Hero5 Black. You can record a 4K video at 60fps and also shoot a slow-motion 1080p video at 240fps. It has advanced video stabilization and waterproof even without housing at 33ft.

Product description

When it comes to video quality, the Hero6 Black has the new GP1 processor which will enable you to capture videos at 4K resolution at 60fps.

It also has a touch zoom feature, a more improved UI and a 2-Inch display to give you better access to the settings.

 Additionally, it has a Wi-Fi app for copying and sharing photos and videos to your phone.

Other features and benefits

First, it measures 2.44 by 1.75 by 1.26 inches and weighs only 4.16 ounces. It is waterproof without a case and has a rugged body to make it withstand heavy falls.

If you have used other older models, you will find this one quite easy to use. If not, there is a simple tutorial to guide you through the basics of using it.

It has the GoPro app which makes it possible for you to control the camera from your smartphone.

Lastly, it takes quite a short amount of time for it to be fully charged.

Pros

• Has a fantastic video stabilization feature
• Produces better images in low light
• Waterproof without a case

Cons

• Poor battery life

4. AKASO EK7000 4K Wi-Fi Sports Action Camera

If you are an adventure-junkie that enjoys capturing their escapades on an action camera, then the AKASO EK7000 is just what you need.

Product description

This camera features 4K Ultra HD video recording and captures 12MP photos at up to 30fps, which is four times the resolution of ordinary HD cameras. The build is designed to withstand harsh environments and is waterproof at up to 100 feet in its case.

 It has built-in Wi-Fi and HDMI, and a has longer battery life. On top of that, it comes with two extra rechargeable 1050mAh batteries. There is also the Wireless Wrist Remote Control which you can use to control your camera from further away.

Other features and benefits

The Ultra HD 4K video recording delivers sharper picture quality as well as produce extremely smooth videos. This is mainly due to the high frame rate of 4K 25fps and 2.7K 30fps.

It has up to 4 times the resolution of regular HD cameras, and you will, therefore, capture your moments more clearly at higher resolutions.

The 12MP wide-angle lens also enhances this superior quality of the images.

You will also have three different modes to choose from single, time-lapse and burst mode.

The built-in Wi-Fi will enable you to connect your camera with your mobile phone from a distance of up to 50 feet while the wireless remote control will allow you to switch different modes with the single press of a button.

The waterproof housing is very useful and will keep the camera dry up to 100 feet deep.

Pros

• Has a higher resolution
• Longer battery life
• Waterproof case up to 100 feet

Cons

• The spare backdoor is not waterproof

5. Olympus Tough TG-4

This camera 2.6 by 4.4 by 1.2 inches and weighs 8.7 ounces. This combination of size and weight are just enough to make it rugged and compact. It has a zoom range of 25-100mm which is equivalent to that of a full frame camera.

Product description

The TG-4’s top plate hosts the power button, the shutter release, and a zoom rocker while the rear controls can be found lined up along the right side.

It is waterproof up to 50 feet deep and contains fully automatic (iAuto), Macro (Microscope) and underwater settings which you can choose from according to your preferences.

The camera is also freeze-proof up to 14 degrees f, shock-proof to 7 feet and crush-proof to 220 pounds.

Other features and benefits  

This compact digital camera has its body designed to be durable and withstand a significant amount of external impact and is tightly sealed to keep out water and dust.

It also has a firm and steady grip which makes the camera suitable for comfortable handheld shooting.

The field sensor system makes it very useful for outdoor for outdoor action. This system includes a GPS, temperature sensor, barometric pressure sensor, accelerometer, and an e-compass.

The video quality includes 4K at 30p, 1080 at 60p/30p, 720 at 240p/120p/60p/30p and 480 at 240p/120p/60p/30p.

Pros

• Has a steady grip
• A durable and tough body design
• Waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof and freeze-proof

Cons

• No raw shooting capability

6. GoPro Hero5 Black

The Hero5 Black was released in October 2016 to overcome the flaws of the Hero4 model. It captures 12MP photos at 30fps and has 4K UHD video recording up to 30fps. It is waterproof to 10m deep without housing and has an advanced video stabilization.

Product description

It also has Single, Burst and Time Lapse modes, voice control, advanced wind noise reduction, Auto Upload to cloud and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The camera comes with a 2-Inch touchscreen, and this eliminates the need for buttons to navigate through the settings, although the shutter button still exists for starting and stopping recording videos.

The voice control technology makes it possible for hands-free operations while the advanced video stabilization will result in smoother and more professional videos.

Other features and benefits

Its body is designed to be rugged and durable, making it dustproof and waterproof up to 10m without a case.

On the quality aspects, it can record 4K videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 120fps and 1440p videos at 80fps. The 12MP resolution will result in extremely high-quality photos.

Pros

• Affordable than predecessor
• Easy to understand and use
• A rugged and tough body design

Cons

• Poor battery life

7. YI 4K+ Action Camera

This model can record 4K videos at 60fps and has built-in Sony IMX377 image sensor which captures 12MP pictures. It also has an integrated Electronic Image Stabilization and an Ultra-responsive 2.2 Inch Gorilla Glass retina touchscreen.

Product description

The YI has impressively long battery life and has other features such as voice control, RAW image capture, live stream, built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and external type-c microphone support.

Other features and benefits

The amazing Electronic Image Stabilization ensures that you will get extraordinarily smooth and steady videos. You can also choose your preferred mode to be either slow motion, means you will be able to use it as a slow motion camera, time-lapse or burst video mode.

Regarding battery life, the 1400mAh battery will let you experience up to 2 hours of continuous recording on 4K/30fps.

First, the impact resistant Gorilla Glass acts as the LCD touchscreen and will give you a comfortable and convenient preview of the camera by just a slide of the finger on the screen.

Then, it has an impressive resolution of 640x360px with 330 PPI and also recording resolutions in 4K at 30fps, 1920 x 1080px resolution at 120fps and 1080 x720px resolution at 240fps.

The MicroSD memory is expandable up to 128GB.

The built-in Wi-Fi will let the camera connect to the YI Action app for editing and social media sharing.

Pros

• EQuite affordablelement
• Connects easily with mobile phones
• Clear video playback

Cons

• No built-in waterproof housing

8. Crosstour Action Camera

This camera has a 12MP and 1080P photo and video resolution which will deliver you high-quality pictures and videos. It is waterproof up to 30m deep and wireless remote control connection. It has a 2 inch LCD screen, and it comes with mounting accessories as well as two rechargeable 1050mAh batteries.

Product description

The high resolution will let you capture top quality videos and photos. It also has a larger, 2 inch LCD screen for you to view your videos and images much more clearly. The mounting accessories will enable you to mount the camera on to your preferred spot such as on a helmet, bike, etc.

It has a solid and waterproof case which will keep the camera free from leakages even as you film your underwater expeditions.

Other features and benefits

The Crosstour’s two extra batteries will ensure that you have a backup plan just in case power runs out at the wrong time.

With the wireless remote control connection, you can operate your camera from the comfort of your phone at a considerable distance away.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Higher resolution
• Has a waterproof case up to 30m deep

Cons

• Poor battery life

9. Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera

This 4K Action Camera has impressively high video and photo resolutions at 4K/30fps, 2.7K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, and 16MP respectively. It has a 2” screen and built-in Wi-Fi as well as a waterproof case up to 100 feet deep.

Product description

First, the high video and photo resolution will deliver you extraordinarily sharp and top quality videos and images. This feature is also backed up by a zoom range from 1.0X to 4.0X.

The wrist remote control enables you to control and apply settings on the camera during the periods when you cannot reach it.

It comes with two 1050mAh rechargeable batteries and a charger too. It also has a wireless wrist remote control with a range of up to 10m.

Other features and benefits

The Dragon Touch’s 2’’ screen has a convenient size to let you preview your images and videos after capturing and recording them. It is also the medium through which you will apply the different modes such as driving mode, slow motion, time-lapse and loop recording.

Lastly, the waterproof case will enable you to capture moments undertaken in wet conditions.

Pros

• Impressive resolution
• Waterproof case
• Affordable

Cons

• The remote control is too big

10. Campark X20 4K Action Camera

This Action camera has 4K/20MP video and photo resolution with a built-in Sony sensor. It also has an EIS and a waterproof case up to 30m deep. It has a 2’’ touch screen and a 0.96’’ touch screen plus built-in Wi-Fi. It comes with several useful accessories such as remote control wristband and extra batteries.

Product description

This tiny workhorse never ceases to amaze with its wide variety of features. Not only does it present you with a 4K resolution but also delivers incredible 20MP shots.

On top of that, you get the amazing power of Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) which makes this cam a perfect bet for shooting fast moving objects. And for that reason, it’s ideal for outdoor photography.

Other features and benefits

The high resolution of videos and photos coupled with the Sony sensor will leave you with the best quality photos and videos.

The EIS will deliver you extremely smooth and steady images. The touchscreen will enable you to preview your pictures and videos while the vice screen will let you know the status of the camera such as battery and mode during recording.

The remote control will let you control the camera when you cannot reach it.

Pros

• Amazing microphone quality
• Stable videos produced
• Comes with useful accessories

Cons

• No cover for ports or memory card slot

How to Buy the Sports Action Cameras

Now that we have seen all the 10 top-rated rigs, let us now delve deeper into the different factors to consider. And this way, you can maximize your value for money and also enjoy the process.

Different Camera Types

Cameras come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re looking for a big and fancy camera, you’ll probably find satisfaction in the DSLR camera. Typically, DSLRs comprise two distinctive parts – the main body and lens.

DSLRs are quite popular in different sporting events. But that said, they are quite expensive to own and that’s beside the fact that you’d need to buy quality lenses in most cases to achieve the desired effect.

The mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, are a popular option for hobbyists. That’s because they are tiny in size and, therefore, highly portable.

Much like the DSLRs, some mirrorless cameras feature interchangeable lenses. But in general, mirrorless cameras tend to trail DSLRs as far as quality is concerned.

Point & Shoots

These cameras have become incredibly popular of late all thanks to their ability to capture high-quality shots. We like them because they are extremely easy to carry around and use.

So, if simplicity is a top priority to you, don’t hesitate to give point-and-shoots a shot. And gladly, we have included quite a few them on our reviews above.

Action Cameras

These are the real game-changers especially in the world of high action shooting. And this is where the like of GoPro, Yi 4K, and Sony fall.

The most interesting thing with these kinds of cameras is that they are able to pack up a lot of value despite being tiny in size. And what’s more, you can get some highly advanced features here at a fraction of the usual price.

On the flipside, though, the cameras can be pretty limited in terms of settings. So, you can expect to be a bit restricted if you go for this option compared to the DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

Important, Must-Have Features For Sporting Cameras

Cameras come with all kinds of features. And in this case, I would like to talk about some features that really matter.

Manual Mode

If you can get a camera with this mode, it’d provide you with better control the exposure of your images.

ISO

Don’t squirm on ISO. It’s the unit that ensures that your camera is sensitive to light. And in that case, you want to work with a unit with ISO 1600 or more.

Megapixels

The higher the camera’s MP, the better its resolution is likely to be.

Which One Is the Best? – Our Verdict

Given the wide and dynamic review provided above, your best bet is to be on the lookout for the key features that make the real impact. The GoPro Hero7, for instance, is a simple and light camera. Priced at well under $500 it provides excellent 4K HD recording abilities.

On a really tight budget? The REMALI 4K Sports Action Camera would be yet another awesome camera to settle for. It boasts the ability to capture 720P, 1080P, 2K, and 4K quality content.

Final Thoughts

Although we think the GoPro HERO7 is the one that represents the best value for money, all the 10 cameras are awesome. You only need to find one that works best for your situation and that way, you’ll be able to get the best deal.

So, to wrap up this review of best sports action cameras, all we’d wish you is nothing but the best action in the sports-fields!