Best GoPros and Other Action Cams for $400 or Less
These models can withstand some gnarly drops without breaking the bank
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Like Q-tips, Post-it Notes, Kleenex, and other ubiquitous brands, GoPro has come to define the category of action cameras so completely that shoppers sometimes forget to consider the alternatives.
A favorite among outdoor and extreme sports enthusiasts, the GoPro brand has championed the idea of miniaturized, rugged camcorders that can be strapped or hitched to a variety of mounts. Despite the name recognition, though, GoPro models haven't always excelled in our labs. According to Consumer Reports testers, action cams from other brands often perform better and cost less.
In fact, it’s Sony, not GoPro, that dominates our ratings, with five of the top 10 action cam models. And GoPro? Just three.
“Sony’s imaging prowess extends beyond its mirrorless cameras,” says Charles Davidman, who leads CR’s camera testing program. “The brand makes so many strong-performing action cameras that no matter what your budget, you can likely find a Sony that can work for you.”
That doesn’t mean you should dismiss GoPro cameras, however. The GoPro Hero5 Black, $250, which responds to voice commands and offers extra frame-rate options for shooting 4K video, is one of the best budget models in our ratings. The GoPro Hero8 Black, $350 (shown below), features impressive new motion stabilization technology. And oodles of accessories make it easy to use GoPro cameras for just about any sport or other activity you can think of.
Whichever model or brand you choose, don’t expect an action cam to offer the same image quality as a traditional camcorder. “Action cams have limited zoom, can distort images, and create blotchy videos compared with their larger cousins,” Davidman says.
On the upside, they're small enough to attach to a bicycle's handlebars or a kayak deck without becoming a nuisance. And most can withstand a dip in a lake or a short fall, so it’s easy to see why an action cam might be a great companion for your next hiking expedition. (PSA on that topic: Watch out for ticks.)
The sub-$400 action cams from Kodak, Sony, and GoPro listed below are rugged, easy-to-use, connect to a smartphone wirelessly, feature image stabilization, and weigh less than a half-pound. CR's testers grade the cameras on 350 data points over the course of a week of testing. And like every product in Consumer Reports’ ratings, we buy the cameras in retail outlets, just like you.
Go to Consumer Reports’ 2019 Holiday Gift Guide for updates on deals, expert product reviews, insider shopping tips, and much more.
