DJI Osmo Action vs. GoPro Hero 9 vs. Insta360 ONE R: Which Makes the Best Action Camera for Live Streaming?

What is an Action Camera?

Essentially, action cameras are small, portable camera devices with a hard, durable, shockproof shell designed to withstand being taken on adventures and into extreme conditions.

They tend to provide a good degree of electronic image-stabilisation, have wider-angled lenses to fit in more of the action, and fit on a range of mounts to attach to equipment such as bikes, helmets and climbing gear.

What to Look for When Buying an Action Camera?

• Video Quality 

It is a crucial point in your purchasing decision. The video quality and resolution of your action camera should allow you to capture clear, crisp, and immersive footage or still pictures. Go for the highest resolution available today – 4K – but only if it suits your needs.

•  Size and Shape

Some action cameras feature different sizes, shapes, and weights. It means that, depending on what you intend to do with it, you have multiple choices. The bulkier, square ones go better for chest mount, while the bullet-shaped ones make excellent additions to your helmet, bike handles, and so on.

• Accessories

When you browse online for action cameras, pay attention to the accessories that accompany them. Usually, standard accessories include helmets, head mounts, handlebar mounts, chest belts, telescoping poles, etc.

However, if you are into surfing, skiing, or other extreme sports, you want a camera coming with those specific accessories. It would be a pity to decide and pay for a device and learn you will not be able to attach it to your surfboard.

•  Durability

Action cameras are usually durable and resilient to wear and tear. Nevertheless, you may want a camera that is waterproof and weatherproof. Moreover, you want a camera coming with settings that match your hobbies and sports interests – such as one able to meet and even exceed your expectations in the scuba diving department.

• Battery Life 

Most action cameras offer up to three hours of ongoing filming before their batteries run off. Make sure you pick your camera depending on the battery life that best suits your needs. If your primary purpose is to film hi-res videos, you have to know that you will deplete your battery juice faster. Moreover, you should also consider having a separate charging bank for the camera’s battery or at least a spare one.

Which is Best Action Camera?

DJI Osmo Action

Price and where to buy: $199 + 1% cashback @ Best Buy or $199 @ DJI Store 

Best for:Best action camera for simple selfies

For a company known for its camera drones, DJI got a lot right with its first action cam. One of its stand-out features is its front color screen. It might be small, but it's enough to make sure you're centered in the shot when the camera lens is facing you on a selfie stick. Another great feature of the camera is that it responds to voice commands -- the view can be switched with a voice control. It's also waterproof and rugged with removable lens covers, it has great electronic image stabilization, shoots HDR video and has customizable presets so you get to control the shooting modes you want without diving into menus. This is an excellent waterproof camera for people who are looking for better control when shooting photos and videos.

Instead of the camera-on-a-motorized-gimbal design of past Osmo cameras, such as last year's palm-sized Osmo Pocket, the Action is a rugged little GoPro-like model that's shockproof, dustproof and waterproof down to 11 meters (down to 60 meters with a housing). I didn't get a chance to do any diving with it, but it worked just fine in a downpour. 

The DJI Osmo Action is available in 'Gray/Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.

DJI Osmo Action Key Specs

• Camera: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12MP effective

• Lens: 145-degree field of view, f/2.8

• Front LCD: 1.4-inch, 330ppi

• Rear LCD: 2.2-inch touchscreen, 300ppi

• Video: 4K (60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps); 2.7K; Full HD and HD

• Images: Raw (DNG) and JPEG

• Battery: 1300mAh (charging time 88 mins)

• Dimensions: 65 x 42 x 35mm

• Weight: 134g

Pros 

• Good video and still photo quality

• Easy-to-use menus

• Front-facing screen makes it easy to frame selfies

• Dedicated in-camera slow-motion mode

Cons

• Major lag when EIS is active at max resolution

• App connection failed across devices

• Limited accessory options

Conclusion

Given that this is DJI’s first foray into the world of GoPro-style action cameras, the Osmo Action is a pretty good debut. It shoots detailed, smooth 4K footage at 60fps, has a range of useful modes and is natively waterproof, too, without the need for a case.

Who is DJI Osmo Action for?

In short, if you're looking for a camera to take out mountain biking, surfing, skydiving or climbing, this DJI OSMO ACTION  should be on your shortlist.

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GoPro Hero 9 Black

Price and where to buy: $349.98 + 3% cashback @ GoPro US 

Best for:Best action camera for hardcore users

This is the best single-lens action camera you can get from GoPro at the moment in features and performance. Compared with the Hero 8 Black, there are new tools for photos and videos like being able to schedule recordings or set them for a specific duration -- from 15 seconds to 3 hours-- and it now records at 5K at 30 frames per second. That might sound like overkill, but you can pull high-quality stills from the video, making 5K video good for when you can't choose between getting a movie or stills. 

However, the biggest changes are in the design of the GoPro camera. The Hero 9 Black is larger to accommodate a bigger, more powerful battery. The lens cover is also now removable so it can be replaced easily if it gets scratched. It also allows you to add lenses including the new Max Mod Lens that gives you an ultrawide view with hypersmooth stabilization. 

Saving Tip:you can get a sizable discount on the Hero 9 Black if you get it with a one-year GoPro subscription. If you go this route, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is available to buy $349.99 / £329.99 / $559.95, including the subscription. 

GoPro Hero 9 Black Key Specs

• Dimensions:2.8 by 2.2 by 1.3 inches

• Weight:5.6 oz

• Sensor Resolution:20MP

• Sensor Type:CMOS

• Memory Card Slots:1

• Memory Card Format:microSDHC, microSDXC, microSD

• Display Size:2.3 inches

• Touch Screen:yes

• Connectivity:USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

• Maximum Waterproof Depth:33 feet

• Video Resolution:5K

Pros 

• Up to 5K quality at 30fps

• Front-facing color LCD

• Exceptional video stabilization

• Up to 240fps HD slow motion

• Time-lapse, buffering, and HDR imaging

• USB-C charging

• Strong app support

• Compact and waterproof

Cons

• Larger physical size

• Batteries are not backwards-compatible

• Touchscreen is laggy

• Max Lens Mod costs extra

• Hit-and-miss horizon leveling

Conclusion

Video and still photography quality won't match your flagship smartphone, that's for sure, but GoPro more than makes up for it by offering a camera you could bounce off walls, drown in a river, and take on the shakeiest bike ride - and still deliver awesome footage.

The latest iteration of HyperSmooth is truly exceptional, with its ability to automatically pan within footage and even out bumps using the camera's built-in algorithms and processor. What's more, you can shoot up to 5K resolution for really sharp images or at up to 240fps in Full HD resolution for super-looking 8x slow-motion. 

The GoPro Hero 9 is still the all action Hero that leads in the action camera category.

Who is GoPro Hero 9 Black for?

If you’re a taker of selfies, a vlogger or an adventure filmmaker, GoPro’s new flagship camera is made for you. There was a time when action cameras were primarily for capturing sports, but the new GoPro Hero 9 Black pushes in a new direction by including a front-mounted LCD 'selfie' screen to challenge the DJI Osmo Action and the Akaso Brave 7 LE. However, there’s plenty on the Hero9 Black for the all-rounder. 

 Insta360 ONE R

Best for:Best action camera for those who want it all

Do you want an action cam? How about a 360-degree cam? The answer is, you want both, and now you can get both. Insta360's One R eliminates this debate by bringing interchangeable lenses to the action camera. There are three lenses, or "mods", right now: A 4K mod that mirrors what you'll get from the other cameras on this page, a dual-lens 360-degree camera, and a wide-angle Leica lens paired with a 1-inch sensor that's capable of capturing 5K video. The best value lies in pairing the 4K mod with the 360 mod, but if you can afford it, the Leica 1-inch mod delivers the best image and video quality I've seen from an action camera.

Insta360 has released a series of firmware updates for the One R that have greatly improved low-light performance, and added a slew of new features, like the ability to turn your One R into a webcam. Not only is it nice to get some new shooting capabilities, but it's also nice to see this level of ongoing support in a world where some companies churn out a new model every year.

 Insta360 ONE R Key specifications

• Reversible touchscreen

• Raw and JPEG photos

• HDR, Night Shot, and Time-lapse

• H.264/H.265 video codecs (100 Mbps)

• FlowState image stabilization

• Waterproof to 5m (16.4ft)

• Wi-Fi

• USB-C charging

Pros

• Suits every type of shooting thanks to its modular nature

• Not locked into a FOV mode at the time of shooting, it can be changed later.

• Great battery life with the 4K mod

• 1-inch mod is the best in class for low light shooting

• Really nice colour reproduction

• Compatible with GoPro accessories

• Really good stills quality on the 1-inch Edition

• Extremely detailed image on the 1-inch Edition

• FlowState stabilisation is superb

Cons

• Image is over sharpened on the current firmware

• Pro mode and 360 footage needs processing in an app before editing

• Bulkier than the GoPro when inside its cage

• Small screen

• Lower resolution slow motion than the GoPro.

• 360 lenses need care and protection in action scenarios

 Insta360 ONE R  1-Inch Edition

Price and where to buy: $549.99 + 4% cashback @ Walmart.com

What is the 1-inch module?

The Insta360 ONE R 1" Edition is one of the key configurations of the modular ONE R action camera system. It includes the Core module, 1" Mod, Battery Base, and Mounting Bracket, also known as a frame. The 1" Mod features a large 1" sensor and captures up to 5.3K resolution video at 30 fps.

Key Features

• 1" Mod + Core Mod with Reversible LCD

• Battery Base & 16' Waterproof Frame

• 1" Sensor, Up to 5.3K Video/19MP Photos

• FlowState Stabilization; Starlapse Mode

Insta360 ONE R 360 Edition

Price and where to buy: $429.99 + 1.5% cashback @ B&H Photo Video

What is the 360 Edition?

The Insta360 ONE R 360 Edition is a modular action camera system featuring the Dual-Lens 360 Mod lens module, which captures up to 5.7K30 fps 360° videos and 6080 x 3040 photos. Images are stitched automatically in-camera in all cases except when shooting raw photos, which must be stitched using optional stitching software.

Key Features

• Modular System with Dual-Lens 360 Mod

• 6080 x 3040 Photos

• 16' Waterproof Frame

• 5.7K30 fps Auto-Stitched 360 Videos

• Optional Dedicated Selfie Stick Support

• Touchscreen Reversible Live-View Display

• iOS/Android App with Auto Editing & More

• Support for Optional 3.5mm Mic Adapter

Insta360 ONE R 4K Edition

Price and where to buy: $299.95 + 2% cashback @ Adorama

 What is the 4K Edition?

It is a partial fisheye lens with 16.4mm equivalent focal length paired with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, similar to the field of view of a GoPro Hero8.

Key Features

• Modular Action Cam System

• Battery Base; 3-Prong Mounting Frame

• 4K Wide Angle Mod + Core Module

• Front/Rear-Facing Screen; 16' Waterproof

• FlowState Digital Stabilization

• External Mic Support

Does the 4K module have any advantages over the 1-inch module?  

Yes.

• The 4K is cheaper.

• When used with a dive case, it can be used up to 60 meters.  1-inch maxes out at 30 meters.  

• The 4K has a minimum focal distance of 30cm, while the minimum focal distance of the 1-inch is around 50 to 60cm. (see FAQ 4.5 below)

• The 4K has HDR Video mode, while the 1-inch does not.

Conclusion

The Insta360 One R is a truly remarkable camera with a bold and revolutionary concept. Like the first iPhone and iPad, it anticipates users’ needs before they themselves have realized that they had such a need. In this case, the One R addresses several problems: it combines the stabilization and third person view of 360 cameras with the detail and slow motion capture capability of action cameras by providing the user with the option to switch between both types of cameras as needed. It is also the first “invisible” drone camera with stabilization. Just as importantly, it is upgradeable, and can therefore remain relevant for several product cycles.

Who is Insta360 ONE R for?

If you can get past the clumsiness of the Insta360 One R’s user interface and menu system, it’s a versatile tool for content creators. The build quality is generally good, but we wish the microSD card slot's door had been sturdier. Swapping out camera modules was easy to do.

Comparing DJI Osmo Action vs. GoPro Hero 9 vs. Insta360 ONE R

Technical Specifications

Optics

General

Features

Input/ Output Connectors

DJI Osmo Action vs. GoPro Hero 9 vs. Insta360 ONE R: Which Makes the Best Action Camera?

All of the cameras here will give you great results, but with subtle differences as to what kind of scenarios they are best suited to. 360 cameras are a hoot, and they give you a lot of creative control in post, but you need to be prepared to do some work for it. If you simply want to film and forget then a 360 camera isn't for you. A camera like the GoPro HERO series or the DJI Osmo Action might be more up your street. The latter in particular forces you to be selective about what you film, so you don't end up with hours of footage to sift through.

Having said that the mobile apps are getting better all the time, and AI processes mean that with the 360 cameras you can track people and objects in one click. However these apps aren't the most intuitive or easy to use for creating actual edits. 

Best Action Cameras 2024 at a Glance:

• GoPro Hero 9 Black

• Insta360 One R 1-Inch Edition

• GoPro Hero 8 Black

• Apeman A100

• GoPro Hero 7 Black

• DJI Osmo Action

• Insta360 One R

• Akaso Brave 7 SE

• GoPro Max

• Insta360 Go 2

• Sony RX0 II

• Akaso EK7000

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