With the Hero10, you can record 4K at 120 fps, which allows for some ultrasmooth, Ultra HD slow-motion videos. The 5.3K video is 5120×2880 pixels-well above the 4K resolution used by most action cameras and televisions, which is 3840×2160 pixels. The biggest change in the Hero10 over its predecessors is an improvement in frame rates, allowing you to record 5.3K video at 60 frames per second, doubling what you get with our current budget pick, the Hero9 Black. Being able to use the camera as a webcam is also handy. Live-streaming/webcam capability: Though it’s not important to all people, the option to live-stream adventures to popular social media platforms is key for vloggers, and definitely a nice option to have for everyone else.Ideally, it also lets you cut and create interesting videos without relying on third-party software. The camera’s dedicated mobile app should be well designed and easy to use, function as a remote control for the camera, and allow you to edit clips on the fly. Reliable wireless and a good app: Because you’ll rarely use your action camera in front of a computer, it should easily pair with your phone so that you can off-load and edit footage.(Most action cams now feature the standard GoPro-style mount.) These mounts should be as easy to use as the cameras themselves. The ideal action cam is compatible with a wide range of mounts, including both manufacturer-branded mounts and cheaper third-party options. A bevy of mounting options: To get the most out of your camera, you need a few accessories.Being able to swap out for a fresh battery is essential. A removable battery: Most action cams have similar battery life-about an hour at their maximum resolution and frame rate, and a bit longer at 1080p.

We didn’t require voice commands, but a truly great action camera probably has them. And having a live-view front screen so you can easily get yourself in the frame is ideal. An action camera should make adjusting settings and framing shots as easy as possible, so you can enjoy yourself while still getting great footage to share later. Easy-to-use controls: The last thing you want to worry about while skiing a black diamond slope, cliff jumping, or rafting the Rio Grande is fiddling with camera settings.We preferred cameras with integrated waterproofing, reinforced glass for the lenses and screens, and other ruggedized features. Rugged design: Given the extreme environments in which action cameras thrive, they need to be able to handle stuff that would take most cameras out of commission, including sand, dust, water, and even serious impacts.Effective video stabilization: What good is 4K resolution if your footage is a shaky mess? The best action cameras use either optical or electronic image stabilization to counteract bumpy trails and running pups for almost gimbal-like smoothness.The best cameras offer up to 8x slow motion (240 fps) with at least 1080p resolution. With more resolution, not only is the image sharper, but you can also crop in for better framing, a slight zoom, and so on, without the image looking overly soft. We’re looking for a minimum of 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (4K60), and ideally more. Excellent video quality: A top-tier action camera records crisp, smooth, vibrant video and offers multiple resolutions and frame rates.If you just want the latest and greatest, the 11 is a small but noticeable improvement over the 10.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll need these features, you probably won’t, so you can save a little money by getting the Hero10.

Other improvements like 10-bit color are aimed at professional users, but if you’re editing on a phone and posting to social media you won’t see much difference. Video image quality gets a subtle boost thanks to an increased bit rate and Horizon Lock, which allows you to vertically spin the camera 360 degrees while the image remains flat compared with the horizon, is now built into the camera where before it required the Max Lens Mod. Video frame rates and resolutions stay the same, but it’s now capable of 27 megapixel still images, up from 23 on the Hero10. This means you can record vertical videos for TikTok or Instagram Stories/Reels at the same time as horizontal video without having to change the camera’s orientation to vertical. GoPro’s latest camera, the Hero11 Black, has a new, larger almost-square image sensor compared with the rectangular sensors in the company’s other cameras.

Gopro hero 4 session vs black