Best action camera 2019: GoPro Hero7 Black review

When it comes to the best action cameras you can buy right now,

GoPro is still the market leader... but it has some serious competition from DJI. This year the drone king introduced its debut action camera, the DJI Osmo Action, and in terms of spec it's very similar to the revolutionary GoPro Hero7 Black.
In fact, when we pitted these action cams against each other, it was nothing short of a blood bath. So when it comes to declaring which is the world's top action camera, there's some new considerations to make now (keep reading) before answering that.
Beyond GoPro and DJI, there are several other genuinely ace action cams worth checking out. Because let's face it, not everyone can afford the flagship cameras, or might not need the intense wealth of tech they offer. If you're on a strict budget, don't forget to check out our guide to the best budget action cameras.

The best action cameras are also super-versatile, and when used with the right mounting system they can be securely attached to anything from bicycle helmets and surfboards, to handlebars and even your pet dog—who wouldn’t want to view the world from their dog’s perspective?

Action cams are small and rugged and, because of the first person POV (point of view) footage they capture, they’ve become the go-to gadget for extreme sports enthusiasts looking to film their high-octane adventures. They’re also brilliant for capturing cool timelapse videos.
Best cheap action cameras Best GoPro deals Whether you're an MTB rider, a surfer, or you want to capture epic views on a mountainous hike, arming yourself with the right action cam can help you film your adventures to view later, capturing footage to share with family and friends.
Buy one with a waterproof housing and you can take your action camera in the pool, river or ocean to film your surfing, SUP tour or wild swim. There are also models with a degree of waterproofing as standard.
Since their growth in popularity, the number of these cams to choose from has increased, so finding the best action camera for you seem a little daunting. Luckily, we’ve done all the testing and research to help you make an easy decision.
The most important things to consider are what you want features-wise and what your budget is. If you want to shoot super-smooth footage in 4K and control the camera hands-free (so using voice control), be prepared to spend upwards of £250, depending on what current deals are being offered.
The best GoPro accessories Best instant camera Best camera for kids BEST ACTION CAMERA: OUR EXPERT PICK We regularly review new contenders for our expert buyer’s guide, and without question our top recommendation right now is the GoPro Hero7 Black. Why? For starters it's waterproof to 10 metres without needing an additional casing, making it ideal for surfing, SUP and more.
This rugged action camera is tough enough to be mounted to a variety of outdoor gear, and has voice control for hands-free filming. There's also a limited edition Hero7 Dusk White to be snapped up.
That said, you might not want the abundance of features packed into GoPro's flagship shooter. And that's fine, as we have some solid GoPro alternatives in our guide. It’s also worth noting upfront that all of the new GoPro cams are now regularly discounted, so there’ll be a deal on whichever one is right for you.
Read our GoPro Hero7 Black review Find the best GoPro for you

CHOOSING THE BEST ACTION CAMERA FOR YOU

There's massive amounts of choice when it comes to buying an action cam, with big hitters like GoPro and Sony, as well as lesser known brands including Veho and Olfi, all vying to create the best action camera bar none.

Image quality is one of the most important factors when choosing the right one for you, and the GoPro and Sony models in our list excel in this area.
It's always worth checking out frame rates rather than max resolution. This is because while a lot of cameras shoot in 4K resolution, some cheaper models use a frame rate of 15fps, which makes the video look jumpy. If you're shooting in 4K you want at least 30fps, or just shoot in 1080p HD at 60fps.
The best action cameras also come bundled with accessories and a versatile system of mounts – or least ones that you can buy to go with it. If you want to take your camera diving, for example, you'll need a waterproof housing (casing).
If you want to mount your one on your dashboard you'll need a suction mount. Some action cams, such as the Veho and Olfi models, come with plenty of mounts and cases. Other brands are less generous.
Last year, we saw a rise in the number of extra features being added to action cams. Features like image stabilisation and GPS are mainstays, while newer additions such as voice control might be important to you depending upon your chosen sport and whether you need to be hands-free to do it.
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The Hero7 Black scooped the Best Action Camera award at the T3 Awards 2019, and brings a bevy of updates and refinements to the already superb Hero6. Arguably the most important of which is stabilisation at 4K60 (more on that shortly).
For a long time GoPro remained truly unchallenged in the action cam arena, but now drone king DJI has come along and royally put pay to that free reign. So much so, it's now a very close call between the Hero7 Black and the DJI Osmo Action (see below), with both landing five-star reviews from us.
Whether this GoPro is the best action camera for you comes down to what type of pursuits you regularly film, and whether a camera's looks and feel, as well as live streaming capability and great app functionality, are important to you. If they are, you're in the right place with the Hero7 Black.
Waterproof down to 10 metres on its own, you can expand that to an impressive 30 metres with an optional GoPro waterproof housing. Plus, there’s a positively gargantuan amount of compatible mounts and extras that work with a GoPro action camera.
One of our favourite features is the ability to record video at frame rates all the way up to 60fps, while image stabilisation has been improved and refined to the point where you don't need a gimbal. We also love the TimeWarp video function, plus the accurate face, smile and scene detection.
There’s a touchscreen on the rear of the Hero7 Black, which has also been improved for smoother gestures, and you can also use your voice to control the action cam. This is handy in situations where you can't physically reach the Hero7 easily, such as when it's mounted to your helmet during climbing or snowboarding, or fixed on the end of your surfboard.
The hugely useable and creative GoPro QuikStories app is on hand to condense all of your buttery smooth videos and unique shots into one shareable nugget, too, ready to delight your social media fans (and your proud mum, of course).
Check out more of this year's award winners on our main T3 Awards 2019 page.
Read our full review of the GoPro Hero7 Black here