Quick to use, sharp and wobble-free images, lots of accessories: the GoPro Hero10 Black wins the test.
Test winner: GoPro Hero10 Black
Lower resolution, but also cheaper: The GoPro Hero8 Black is a solid action cam that makes many happy.
Price tip: GoPro Hero8 Black
This is how COMPUTER BILD tests action cams
Small, robust and light, but still easy to use and stuffed with great technology? All GoPros and action cams have to show what they can do in the COMPUTER BILD editorial office and out in the wild. These are important test points:
- Measurements and weight: The more compact and lighter, the better! Good action cams should be so small that they don’t get in the way when you’re on your helmet or chest and fit comfortably in your trouser pocket during film breaks. The lightest models weigh just under 100 grams.
- Value and processing: Since GoPro & Co. have to withstand water, snow, sand and dust, but also extreme temperatures and shocks, durable materials and good workmanship are a must. GoPro & Co. rely on robust plastic. The DJI Action 2 with a metal housing and display made of shock-resistant Gorilla Glass looks high-quality and makes the plastic look of the competition look old. All GoPros are waterproof by default, and a separate housing even makes them suitable for diving.
Thanks to the image stabilizer, the GoPro cam is able to produce good videos even when driving fast on the bumpy cobblestones.
- Picture quality: Above all, action cams should make good, shake-free videos, but they should also take photos with a decent resolution and natural colors. COMPUTER BILD carries out a visual test to see what the image sensor, lens, viewing angle and image stabilizer are good for. More on that further down in the article.
- Audio quality: Many videos are only convincing if the accompanying sound is right. COMPUTER BILD listens in to see what sound quality the built-in microphones deliver and whether there is any disturbing wind noise.
- Service: All GoPros come with a touchscreen that can be used to make various settings and start recordings. But if the cam sits on the helmet, it’s of little use. Additional operating tricks are then important, such as non-slip buttons, a remote control, control via mobile phone app or voice control.
- Connectivity: All GoPros have Wifi to upload pictures and videos directly online, even on the go. There is space in a card slot for an SD memory card, which supplements the largest possible internal memory. At best, you need a USB-C connection or charging dock for charging, while an HDMI socket is worthwhile for image transmission.
- Battery life: To ensure that the mini camera doesn’t run out of breath on the go, the battery should last at least 1.5 hours. COMPUTER BILD checks the information provided by the manufacturer and says which devices last how long for occasional photography or continuous filming in 4K.
This is how action-packed photos and videos succeed
Current GoPros create at least Full HD resolution, i.e. record 1920×1080 pixels. That is always enough for playback on the computer, on the smartphone or on YouTube. However, the best places achieve more, up to 4K (3840×2160 pixels). This has two advantages: Such videos look sharp and rich in detail on the corresponding televisions. Alternatively, filmmakers can use the additional pixels as a reserve for enlarging sections, so that first-class Full HD quality remains after the cut. GoPro goes one step further: The Hero10 Black even captures 5.3K videos (5312×2899 pixels) with up to 120 frames per second (fps).
Over hill and dale: Only when the GoPro and image stabilizer compensate for wild shaking can decent videos be produced.
On Tour: Dynamic, yet smooth?
The quality of the recordings is particularly evident as soon as the camera has to master sports activities, a lot of movement and quickly changing motifs. COMPUTER BILD takes the action cams on rapid test drives with electric scooters and bicycles all over Hamburg. This is where GoPro delivered with its snaps: the result was clean videos with natural colors. Even brightly lit objects such as traffic lights or street lamps hardly appeared to be outshone. The image stability is also impressive: even with 4K recordings, they compensate for movements of all kinds and always keep the horizon level – even when you rotate the camera. Except for small twitches, the tracking shots with the GoPro looked buttery smooth and reliably smoothed the image during the bumpy ride on the cobblestones.
Successful GoPro alternative: The small DJI Action 2 does not have to master action scenes alone. Depending on the set, there is also a module with a front display or a particularly thick battery.
Alternatives: Does it absolutely have to be a GoPro?
As good as the GoPros are, they are not really bargains. The market leader is now feeling headwind from other, often cheaper, providers. The German company Easypix, for example, has a 4K camera on offer with the GoXtreme Vision+, which costs less than a fifth of the price of the test winner. The course at the time of the test: 90 euros. On par with GoPro: The DJI Action 2 (price at the time of testing: from 385 euros). The tiny one in the elegant metal housing comes with a stylish OLED display and magnetic accessories: an extra cube with a front display can be attached for video blogs and selfie shots, and a battery pack for more endurance.
The best cameras for outdoor use
Robust and light: The best action cams in the test!
Test conclusion: GoPros can and cost that
Which GoPro takes the best photos and videos?
With the Hero10 Black, you can create crisp, shake-free videos, which the reliable image stabilization also smoothes out. Only the previous models and the DJI Action 2 are similarly visually stunning.
Which GoPro is good for beginners?
All GoPro are easy to use and therefore also suitable for beginners. If you want to get a taste of action-packed filming, you’d better go for the relatively inexpensive GoPro Hero8 Black or the even cheaper competition from Easypix/GoXtreme.
How do I recognize a good action cam?
A robust housing, a decent battery life and suitable accessories depending on the planned area of application are important. When filming, at least HD, better 4K resolution should be used. With a lot of action, reliable image stabilization also ensures smooth and wobble-free images. In principle, all current GoPros bring these talents with them.
How much does a good action cam cost?
If you want to film in 4K and without shaking, you have to shell out around 300 euros for the GoPro Hero8 Black. Older devices from the manufacturer or cheaper action cams from other companies are also fun, but usually save on battery life and image stabilization or do without a color display and mobile phone app.
Which action cam manufacturers are there?
GoPro is the market leader and has the best cams in its range. At eye level: DJI with its Action 2. Adequate action cameras come from Rollei, Sony, Garmin, Insta360 and Easypix/GoXtreme.