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The 5 Best GoPro Alternatives: Ranked

Key Points:

  • GoPros are excellent cameras but aren’t always suitable for everyone’s needs. There are some great alternatives.
  • When choosing alternatives to the GoPro, consider the following: sensitivity and post-processing, price, mounting, form factor, ruggedness and battery life.
  • The DJI Osmo Action is waterproof up to 10 meters and has a range of 48 meters with 30-minute battery life. It can also connect to your phone for video stabilization and editing.
  • Sony FDR X3000R is a budget GoPro alternative with built-in Image Stabilization and weatherproofed lenses. It has many features that appeal to action-crashers and general enthusiasts.

GoPros have ruled the realm of action cameras for many years, but they are not without their challengers. And those contenders are making a real run for the throne, attracting consumers looking for more compact cameras. While not perfect, GoPros work great – even if they have a reputation for being sensitive to sudden movements. Mounting them can be challenging, especially when you don't want the camera poking out.

Here are 5 best alternatives to the GoPro in 2023:

Best Overall: DJI Osmo Action

The DJI Osmo Action, a personal favorite of mine, is one of the newest cameras as part of the DJI Osmo Action family of cameras. This is a very affordable alternative to the GoPro and has come at an excellent time for customers who have been waiting for something new from GoPro.

The Osmo Action offers many of the same features as the GoPro Hero,. These include a still camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels and the ability to record 4K video at a frame rate of 120 frames per second. Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and built-in Wi-Fi are other features.

The Osmo Action is waterproof up to 10 meters and has a range of 48 meters with 30-minute battery life. It can also connect to your phone for video stabilization and editing. Being rugged, it can easily withstand hard drops in water, snow, dirt, and sand.

The Osmo Action has an excellent user-friendly operating interface with a unique DJI UI. You can control it with a smartphone app, and even stabilize shaky video on your phone. Videos are typically saved in mp4 format, with the option to take time-lapse sequences.

The DJI Osmo Action is a top camera for action and is popular with extreme sports enthusiasts. Swimmers, surfers, divers, skiers, bikers, and adventure seekers will, without a doubt, benefit from this camera.

Best Budget GoPro Alternative: Sony FDR X3000R

The Sony FDR X3000R is a budget GoPro alternative with built-in Image Stabilization and weatherproofed lenses. It has many features that appeal to action-crashers and general enthusiasts, including 4K video recording, awesome imagery, and even an HD recording mode for those who desire more flexibility.

The X3000R also has a Wi-Fi function, so sharing is easy and fast. NFC connectivity makes it easy to upload recordings straight from the camera. The X3000R also has an excellent white balance system that adjusts with changing lighting conditions.

As a fairly small camera, the X3000R won't take much space, so it's suitable for travelers. What's more, it comes with a waterproof case for underwater use. However, it's not all sunny skies, though. The Sony FDR X3000R Action Cam is plagued by the same possible issues as GoPro cameras. Ensure you mount it securely so it can do its job properly.

Best High-End Alternative: Akaso V50 Pro

The Akaso V50 Pro is an advanced action camera with an all-around good finish. It comes with a range of convenient features, many of which are absent on the GoPro and other comparable cameras.

The V50 Prp is waterproof up to 100 feet deep and can go down to temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The camera also comes with a built-in GPS that tracks the location of the device, making it easy to find the device if lost. Photographers who want to know the exact location they took certain photos will find this feature handy too.

The camera comes with various accessories, including wireless remote control, a tripod mount and quick-release buckle, and a waterproof bag for keeping the device dry. The included wireless remote allows you control your camera from a distance when shooting or recording videos.

Good All Round GoPro Alternative: Garmin VIRB Ultra 30

If you are looking for a good, all-round action camera that is not a GoPro, the Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 is an excellent alternative for those that aren't ready to jump on the GoPro bandwagon but want something with similar features and a setup that is familiar to GoPro users.

The Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 has some great features out of the box that makes it a worthy competitor to the GoPro. It is waterproof to 10 meters and has a 4K video capture mode with stabilization. The Ultra 30 also has a built-in GPS which adds extra functionality, like the ability to track your movements on Google Maps and information about any jumps you make or races you run.

It's also got a touchscreen, either built-in or on the side, so you can swipe right and left to go through the videos you have recorded. The best thing about the Ultra 30 is that it's a solid action camera with a familiar interface at an affordable price.

Best Alternative For Extreme Sports: Olympus TG Tracker

Olympus has been making inroads into the action camera niche some sturdy and waterproof cameras, including a rugged range for extreme sports enthusiasts. One top choice for GoPro users is the Olympus TG Tracker. It comes with some accessories, including straps and mounting clips, making it more compatible than your average action camera.

The build quality of the Olympus TG Tracker is very good. With an IP64 rating, the camera is dustproof and waterproof down to 3.3 feet/1 meters. While not rugged as the GoPro, it's decent for shooting in the rain or when boat or jet skiing.

The camera has a 5-megapixel sensor, lower than the average action camera. Because it lacks some of GoPro's advanced features like image stabilization, this camera is best for stills than video. However, it's 120 FPS slow-mo mode is pretty good. A 15x optical zoom means you can still get decent shots when closer to the action.

The 1.5-inch LCD display is big and clear. With an odd resolution of 400×240, don't expect the best quality picture on the display. The camera is easy to control, though.

How To Pick The Best GoPro Alternatives: Step by Step

Plenty of GoPro alternatives are just as well-suited for everyday use, but they may be more compact or more rugged. So how do you know which of the rival cameras will be best for you? There are a few things to consider:

  • Sensitivity and Post-Processing
  • Mounting
  • Form Factor
  • Price
  • Ruggedness
  • Battery Life

Let's review each one in more detail.

Sensitivity and Post-Processing

What sets GoPros alternatives apart from their competitors is how sensitive they are. This can be good when capturing action sequences that would otherwise go unnoticed on the small sensors of action cameras. Expect to do some post-processing for the footage to look good.

Mounting

The GoPro has a unique mounting system that lets you attach the camera to just about anything you want to film, but it does have limitations. A third-party solution may be needed if there is no official GoPro mount for something you want to film. The alternative cameras may offer official mounts more suitable for filming with the device in mind.

Form Factor

Some action cameras can be quite bulky and unwieldy, so it may be more comfortable to carry something a bit smaller. You may also have a higher level of control over what the camera captures, or perhaps even better visibility into when and where it is recording. A compact camera may be easier to pop into a pocket or even wear on a hat.

Price

Worth pointing out is that the cameras on this list aren't that cheap. So, you will want to research and ensure you get the best value. It's possible to find high-end models of GoPro alternatives for less than $200 in some cases. However, expect to pay more in post-production to make it look good.

Ruggedness

If you intend to use your action camera in rough conditions, you want to ensure that it isn't fragile or too bulky to carry around.

Battery Life

If you won't be shooting for several weeks or months, battery life is less of a concern. Find something that can keep recording on the go if you'll be surfing or skiing. But if you are planning to get a trickier shot or a prolonged sequence, battery life is crucial. Either way, it's nice to have a camera that won't run out of charge fast.

What To Know Before Buying the Best GoPro Alternatives

A lot of GoPro alternatives have their own requirements and benefits. Some require a better camera or the ability to shoot slow-motion videos. The best GoPro alternative ought to have a wide-angle lens, many shooting options, and a sturdy build. A few models are waterproof and can provide a wider view of trekking routes. There is one alternative that can do all that. It just needs to be small enough to take on a hike or biking trip yet powerful enough to make great shots when exploring new territory. Avoid bulky cameras as handling can be a nightmare.

Using the Best GoPro Alternatives: What it's Like

The best GoPro alternative is easy to use and carry. You can take the cameras for adventure without worrying they could get damaged or break. Shooting with these cameras can be fun if you know how they work. Most GoPro alternatives can deliver a better experience to the user. The shooting experience is what it's all about, which is why you are getting a GoPro alternative in the first place. Handing over your camera to someone else or even holding it yourself is not as good as being able to control and get the shots you want from any angle.

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Customdesigner/Shutterstock.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is GoPro‘s biggest competitor?

DJI Osmo Action Cameras are the best alternatives for GoPro alternatives due to their size. Osmo Action Cameras are small and fit any hand perfectly.

What is the price of the best GoPro alternative?

The price of best GoPro alternatives varies from $400 to $1,000. The price includes a camera plus extras like memory cards, mounts, and chargers. As you can see, it's quite affordable as compared to others. There are many good models in this range which you can find easily out there.

Does GoPro have a better video quality and picture?

GoPro is popular for its high-quality video quality. Its basic model has a resolution of 1080p, but the latest models expanded to 4K to 6K. Most of the users are satisfied with GoPro's video quality.

Are there any competitors to GoPro?

The most popular camera brands are Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, and Panasonic. There are many other brands in the market, including GoPro.

How long is the battery life of the best GoPro alternative?

It depends on the model you choose. Mostly they have 4-5 hours of battery life.

Do I need a memory card for my action camera?

Most of the cameras in this range come with built-in memory, but there are some exceptions in which you will have to use additional memory cards.

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