11 Best Stabilized Action Cameras and Camcorders Reviewed (2021)

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Welcome to my list of the best stabilized action cameras and camcorders in 2022!

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Look:

It’s summer time now and I’m sure there are a lot of great on-land and water adventures that you’d like to capture.

Whether it’s biking, skating, water activities or underwater photography, you’d definitely want to have a camera that’s able to get good (motion) shots.

Here’s the good news…

There are a lot of great action cameras with image stabilization and anti-shaking features that you can get (across various price points).

And that’s exactly what I’m here to help you with today.

(At the end of the post, I’m also offering 4 more not-so-popular options.)

Before digging deeper into this guide, let me give you a little tip:

There are many cheap options on the market today, and there’s nothing wrong with buying one. But, you have to make sure that image and video quality are not compromised because of a lower price tag.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

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Best Overall Action Camera in 2022

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GoPro Hero 8 Black

• Weight: 126g (no frame required)
• Dimensions: 66.3W x 48.6H x 28.4D (mm)
• Connectivity: WIFI and Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes, up to 10m without case
• Battery: 1220mAh
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 1080P at 240fps, 2.7K at 120fps, 4K at 60fps

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Let’s face it:

GoPro is undoubtedly one of the best and biggest manufacturers of action cameras today. And they have once again topped the chart in producing the best GoPro for vlogging.

But wait…

This beauty is not only good for vlogging, but also for capturing both stills and videos of fast-paced action sports and adventures (both underwater and on the ground).

There are tons of reasons why it got to the top charts.

READ ALSO: Are GoPros Waterproof Without a Case?

One is that it has an upgraded and much sleeker design compared to its predecessors. It is one of the most noticeable changes in GoPro’s flagship lines.

And as if that’s not enough…

GoPro also improved its image stabilization feature, making it more practical and functional than ever. Basically, you’ll be able to capture shake-free videos of high quality.

It’s another reason why you can create great time lapse videos with your GoPro.

This is probably the biggest contributing factor that made it the number one action camera for 2022.

While a lot of folks prefer the latest and the greatest (Hero 9 and Hero 10), the Hero 8 model is also great and comes with a cheaper price tag.

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Best Runner-up 360° Sports Cam

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Insta360 One R Twin Edition

• Weight: 130g
• Dimensions: 72W x 46H x 27D (mm)
• Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: Yes, 3.25”
• Waterproof: Yes, 5m without case
• Battery: 1190mAh
• Photo Resolution: 12MP, 9MP
• Video: 5.7K @ 30 fps (360 video), 4K @ 60 fps (widescreen), 4000×3000 @ 30fps

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Look…

If you are not quite a fan of the first product mentioned, here is one of the best GoPro alternatives that you can get your hands on this year.

You will be surprised at how many resolution options you can choose for your videos.

For instance, if you want to capture a 360° video, the highest resolution you could get is 5.7K at a significantly fast burst rate of 30 fps (that’s faster than most conventional camcorders).

Just imagine how much details you can perfectly take at that rate.

And guess what?

Insta360 made all those video resolution options possible because they carefully designed the product, in a not so traditional way.

They designed this beauty as “modular”.

This means the parts can come off or stick on depending on your needs. Because of this innovation, you can use it as a 4K action cam, a 360 drone, or a 1” (large sensor) camera.

How awesome is that!?

That’s like owning three different photography and videography cameras in one.

No wonder it’s one of the best 360° cameras around.

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Worthy Alternative to GoPro’s Hero Series

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DJI Osmo Action 4K

• Weight: 124g
• Dimensions: 65 x 42 x 35mm
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 60fps
• Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: Yes (back LCD)
• Waterproof: Yes, 11m without a case
• Battery: 1300mAh

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I’ll say this…

DJI Osmo product is not only a great alternative to GoPro’s Hero series but I’d even say it’s a great option for those who enjoy taking selfies.

And to be able to produce gram-worthy summer vacation photos, you need to have a reliable gear, like an action camera with best image stabilization.

But why an action cam and not a regular DSLR or a compact?

For one great reason, this tiny gear is really lightweight and sleek (can even fit in your pocket).

It saves you so much space and hassle, with almost the same photo quality with bigger photography gears (but with some notable restrictions of course).

Now…

If you want to get the best selfie while still being in action, consider getting DJI Osmo Action.

(For casual vlogging goals, you can check out the DJI Pocket 2 gimbal camera.)

It is perfect for this purpose since it has 2 screens; the main screen at the back, and a tinier screen in front that serves as a mirror. Through the smaller display, you can see your reflection and pose accordingly.

Check it out.

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Best Camcorder for Action Shots (2022)

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Sony FDR-X3000R

• Weight: 114g (incl. battery)
• Dimensions: 29.4 x 47 x 83mm
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K @ 30 fps
• Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes, 60m with housing
• Battery: 1240mAh

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Without a doubt:

This Sony creation packed with awesome features tailored for water-sports enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies.

Unlike most box-type action cameras, Sony made it like a camcorder (but significantly smaller in size), so it really stands out no matter how you look at it.

No matter the weather, you can use this little monster without worrying about hardware damage and impaired photos or videos.

The 3 things that make this product special:

This Sony model features a Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization that works in any resolution, even when shooting video in 4K. 

Another selling point is the built-in stereo mic, which allows you to make realistic recording with high-quality sound.

It gets better…

Unlike other action cams, Sony FDR X3000R offers better image quality in low light conditions.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Be sure to turn off the recording ONLY on the camera itself, and not on the Live View remote!! If you stop the recording via Wi-Fi, you’ll end up having broken files.

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Best Rugged Compact Right Now

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Olympus Tough TG-6

• Weight: 253 g 
• Dimensions: 113 x 66 x 32 mm
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video: 4K movie and full HD 120 fps, 20s
• Connectivity: WIFI
• Touchscreen: No
• Durability: Shockproof & waterproof

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This beast stands out among the rest of sports/action cameras today.

Designed more like a compact, you can totally tell at first glance that it’s one of the Olympus Tough series models.

The best thing about this item is that it doesn’t need a separate case for added toughness and protection. Its design is already shockproof and waterproof, all the more reason why it is so ideal for underwater action shots.

You can submerge it at 50ft/15m deep and it wouldn’t take damage. Just imagine how powerful its housing is.

Bottom line:

Olympus Tough TG-6 is easily the best among other compact underwater cameras.

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1″ Sensor Ultra Compact with a Tilting Screen

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Sony DSC-RX0 II

• Weight: 132g
• Dimensions: 59 x 40.5 x 35 mm
• LCD Screen: Tilting
• Photo Resolution: 15MP
• Video Resolution: 4K
• Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes

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Sony has again deviated from manufacturing compacts and mirrorless photography gear just to keep up with the ever changing trends and consumer demands.

And as usual, they did well in making a tiny beauty packed with beastly photography and videography features.

Sony RX0 II gained a lot of praise because of its minimalist yet functional design.

This product is so compact; it can barely take up the space of your palm. And because of this design, it became one of the most powerful and portable camera from Sony.

What I truly love about it is that despite its tiny size, it showcases a wide-angle lens that allows you to capture scenic underwater (or on the ground) events.

Another thing that makes this so special is that it has a tilting screen. It means you will be able to flip the screen up and rotate it so that it faces you.

Which means it’s a great choice for vlogging and selfies as well.

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Best Cheap Action Camera (Under $100)

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Apeman A80

• Weight: 447g
• Dimensions: 60 x 41 x 30mm
• Photo Resolution: 20MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 24fps
• Connectivity: WIFI
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes, 40m with housing
• Battery: 1050mAh

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You may wonder:

What is the best action camera for under $100?

In my opinion, the Apeman A80 is one of the best budget action cams under $100 available on the market to you.

At first this camera seemed to be so-so or mediocre. However, I was so wrong.

Despite being significantly cheaper compared to high-end counterparts, it surprisingly has great features that come close with those products.

The good thing about this is that you don’t need to worry about accessories because there are a lot of compatible ones available today.

And that’s only if you think all the box inclusions are not enough (which in my honest opinion is quite a lot already with all the various mounts and stuff).

Not only that…

Apeman A80 also has a really clear video footage, something you cannot expect from an action cam in this price range. But then again, they shocked us with its super clear 4K video. That’s another good thing you can get from using this tiny beauty.

Let me just give you one final advice:

Although it seems that the price mostly tells what you can expect from a product, you shouldn’t really base your judgement entirely on it. Remember, there are cheaper items available with almost the same features minus the brand name.

It’s never wrong to be practical.

Just make sure the quality is not compromised and you’re good to go.

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4 More Not-So-Popular Alternatives

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SJCAM SJ8 Pro

• Weight: 85g
• Dimensions: 62.5 x 41 x 28.8mm
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 60 fps
• Connectivity: WIFI
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes, 30m
• Battery: 1200mAh

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Finally, an action camera with best optical video stabilization is here.

SJ8 Pro is a great underwater photography gear that you should consider. It does not only boast an Inner 6-axis Gyroscope, but it also has the capability to zoom in up to 8x.

Now that’s quite something for a tiny box.

The good thing about it is that it’s very user friendly. It’s so easy to use and you don’t need to be a pro when operating this thing.

The LCD (touchscreen) is also larger compared to other action cameras which just means you can easily change settings without cramming the entire screen with your finger.

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Garmin VIRB Ultra 30

• Weight: 151.7g
• Dimensions: 77W x 40.6H x 36.8D (mm)
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 1440p HD at 30fps
• Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth, ANT+
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes, 50m without case
• Battery: 980mAh

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For all adrenaline junkies, here’s a great action camera for you.

It does not only work well on the ground, but it also does pretty awesome underwater. Its housing is waterproof, allowing you to dive with it for as deep as 50m without damaging the cam.

The thing I really liked about this one is that it is super easy to use.

There are no complicated menus or buttons to choose from. All the buttons that you need in order to fully operate this beauty are placed where they need to be.

So, ergonomically speaking, it’s great.

Moreover, it has a built-in GPS system that tracks your movement real-time, which is a really great feature for a tiny camera.

This product also uses ANT+ technology which means you can connect it to other sensors for heart rate, power and temperature and even speed.

Now if that doesn’t amaze you, I don’t know what will…

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Yi 4K+ Sports Cam

• Weight: 96g
• Dimensions: 65 x 42 x 30mm
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K
• Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes, 40m without case
• Battery: 1430mAh

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This is another great alternative photography gear for your blood-pumping summer water activities. It may not be as expensive as the popular GoPro products, but it does pretty well for its price.

It comes with a fully functional touchscreen, which is a really good feature.

As you very well know, action cameras are so small so having too many buttons for control isn’t that much of a good sight.

YI made a good choice letting you control the device by interacting with the screen directly instead of installing a lot of buttons that just consumes too much space.

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Olfi One.Five Black

• Weight: 55g
• Dimensions: 54 x 40 x 24mm
• Photo Resolution: 16MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 24fps
• Connectivity: WIFI
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes, 30m
• Battery: 900mAh

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This is a not-so-popular alternative item for those top-tier action cams mentioned above. It does its function well for its price.

Olfi One.Five is best for cyclists since it has a really good image stabilization feature. Also, it fits pretty well on bike handles due to its vertical orientation.

But don’t get me wrong.

It’s not only meant for cyclists. It’s also good for water sports since it has waterproofing built to sustain about 30m deep.

In addition to that, it also boasts a 4K video resolution at 24 fps. With this, you will never miss a great moment in action.

Note: It might be currently unavailable on Amazon US.

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Best Stabilized Action Cameras: Thoughts?

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In this guide I compare action cameras with stabilization across various brands and budget range, which are great for photography purposes, not just recording videos. I hope you found it informative.

Now, I’d like to hear from YOU:

• Have you tried any of the products listed in this post?
• In your opinion, what’s the best cheapest stabilized action cam?
• And what’s the best all around action camera in 2022?

Let me know your thoughts by leaving your comments down below.

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