The best GoPro alternative allows you to capture high-octane action without breaking the bank. GoPros have become synonymous with action cameras, but they are not the only players in the camera. DJI, Insta360, and Akaso all make rugged action cameras that make an excellent alternative to GoPros.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 is our favorite GoPro alternative. It’s rugged and waterproof, records stunning video footage, and has creative features to give your action media that extra wow factor. It’s also more affordable than the latest GoPro camera.
Don’t worry if that’s not the action camera for you. We have plenty more GoPro alternatives in the following article. Keep reading to find out more.
What Is the Best GoPro Alternative?
The best GoPro alternative is the DJI Osmo Action 6. Its variable f/2.0 to f/4.0 aperture and 1/1.1-inch sensor beat GoPro on low-light image quality, and it still shoots 8K video with class-leading stabilization.
There’s no doubt GoPro is leading the action camera market. But there are plenty of other action cameras out there. In fact, the best GoPro alternatives give you a similar experience only for a cheaper price.
There are certain things you should look for in any action camera. You need them to be rugged, otherwise they can’t handle the thrill-seeking lifestyle of their users.
They need high-resolution video recording, ideally with slow-mo options. And they need a good array of additional features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and live streaming capabilities.
All the action cameras in this list hit those marks and more. You can see a quick rundown of all the best GoPro alternatives in the table below. Then we look at each action camera in more detail so you can find the best GoPro alternative for you.
8 Best GoPro Alternatives
And now, starting with our overall top pick, here are the in-depth looks at each camera. None of the cameras in this review is a poor performer. And you can find a good GoPro alternative with solid features that won’t break the bank!
1. DJI Osmo Action 6
| Brand |
Brand
DJI
|
| Released |
Released
2025
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
8K
|
| Depth Rating |
Depth Rating
20m
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
1/1.1-inch
|
| Max Aperture |
Max Aperture
f/2.0-f/4.0 (Variable)
|
| Waterproof Rating |
Waterproof Rating
20 m / 66 ft (60 m with case)
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
Up to 4 Hours
|
| Best For |
Best For
Adventurous media makers who want DJI's newest, sharpest action camera
|
The DJI Osmo Action 6 is the best GoPro alternative right now. It’s DJI’s newest flagship action camera, launched in November 2025, and the first in the line with a genuine variable aperture, f/2.0 to f/4.0, rather than the fixed aperture every GoPro and every earlier Osmo Action has used.
That matters most in low light, which is where action cameras usually lose to GoPro. The wider aperture, paired with a larger 1/1.1″ square sensor, gives noticeably cleaner footage indoors, at dusk, or underwater without needing extra lighting.
It’s IP68 waterproof to 20 m / 66 ft without a case, or 60 m / 197 ft with one, and shoots up to 8K video with RockSteady 3.0+ stabilization and a 155º field of view. Battery life runs up to four hours, and there’s 50 GB of built-in storage as a backup if you forget a card.
It isn’t the cheapest camera on this list, and the variable aperture only offers preset stops rather than continuous manual control. It also launched with tighter U.S. retail availability than GoPro’s own lineup. But if you want DJI’s current best against GoPro’s current best, this is it.
2. Akaso EK7000
| Brand |
Brand
Akaso
|
| Released |
Released
2016
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
20 MP
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
4K
|
| Fieldof View |
Fieldof View
170
|
| Action Stabilization |
Action Stabilization
None
|
| Slow Motion Speed |
Slow Motion Speed
8x
|
| Best For |
Best For
First-timers looking for an affordable action camera
|
The Akaso EK7000 is a great GoPro alternative for someone who wants to try one out without committing large amounts of money. Or perhaps you want to film something dangerous and there’s a chance you might lose the camera. Then the Akaso would be perfect.
With 4K recording at 30 fps, you get excellent video footage. There’s a 4x digital zoom if you want to change the composition. And it has ports for external sound recording devices.
You can also extract 20 MP still images from 2.7K video footage. This means you have a 30 fps burst rate for capturing sharp images from fast action.
Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity helps you share media with other devices. It also enables the wrist remote. However, the wrist remote is not waterproof, so be careful.
The camera is not waterproof on its own. But you can take it to depths of 131 ft / 40 m when secured in the waterproof housing.
If you’re looking for a GoPro alternative, you’re probably quite budget-conscious. If that’s the case, the Akaso EK7000 might be the perfect option. It isn’t as advanced as other GoPro alternatives, but it’s a fraction of the price compared to some.
If you want a GoPro Alternative with advanced features for high-quality multimedia production, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the best option.
A 1/1.3″ sensor is fairly standard for action cameras. But there’s nothing standard about the 50 MP image resolution. We’re not saying the Ace Pro 2 produces images that match a camera like the Sony A1. But it is impressive in terms of action cameras.
You can also shoot still images in JPEG, DNG, or RAW files. That gives you even more options when editing your images.
Equipped with a Leica SUMMARIT lens, you get a lovely 157º field of view. It’s a wide-angle shot, but there’s no warping or distortion around the edges.
Video tops out at 8K30, and the 4K60 footage is bright and vibrant thanks to a dual-chip processing system. There’s an Active HDR mode at 4K60 for high-contrast scenes, a PureVideo mode for low light, and 4K120 for gorgeous slow-mos.
Fully waterproof down to 39 ft / 12 m, it’s a great option for water sports. It also has a 2.5-inch flip-out touchscreen that helps you shoot from different angles.
Insta360’s FlowState stabilization is one of the best in the business. It keeps even the bumpiest footage smooth, and the horizon lock keeps the footage level no matter what.
A magnetic mounting system makes the camera easy to mount and dismount. Wi-Fi connectivity also makes it easy to share media with the Insta360 app on your smartphone. Uploading media to your social media profiles only takes a minute.
It is not the camera for everyone. At 177 g it is noticeably heavier and bulkier than a GoPro or an Osmo Action, which you feel on a helmet mount. The 8K mode is locked to 30 fps with no HDR. And anything deeper than 12 m needs a separate dive housing.
The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 can still go toe to toe with the latest GoPro in most departments. The price is similar to that of the real GoPros, but it’s worth spending a bit extra for this level of quality.
4. DJI Osmo Nano
| Brand |
Brand
DJI
|
| Released |
Released
2025
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
4K
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
1/1.3-inch
|
| Camera Weight |
Camera Weight
52 g
|
| Field of View |
Field of View
143º
|
| Waterproof Rating |
Waterproof Rating
10 m / 33 ft (camera body
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
Up to 200 Minutes With the Dock
|
| Best For |
Best For
Hands-free POV angles a full-size action cam cannot reach
|
The DJI Osmo Nano splits the action camera in two. The camera itself is a 52 g block with no screen that clips magnetically to a helmet, a chest strap, or the neck of your jacket. It drops into a separate Vision Dock that adds a 1.96-inch OLED touchscreen, a second battery, and a microSD slot.
That split is the reason to pick it over a GoPro. A normal action camera makes you mount the screen, the battery, and the body as one lump, so the awkward angles go unfilmed. Here you leave the heavy half behind, stick the camera where the action actually is, and still get a proper screen to frame and review on when you clip the two back together.
The camera module carries a 1/1.3-inch sensor shooting 35 MP stills and 4K60 video, with 4K120 for slow motion. You get 13.5 stops of dynamic range, 10-bit D-Log M if you grade your footage, and RockSteady 3.0 with Horizon Balancing. The camera body is waterproof to 10 m / 33 ft on its own, storage is built in at up to 128 GB, and the pair runs for up to 200 minutes. Magnetic mounts for helmets, straps, and a neck pendant come in the box.
The lens is a fixed 143º ultra-wide with no zoom, so tighter framing and anything portrait-shaped is out. The 1.96-inch screen is hard to read in bright sun. The Vision Dock is only splash-resistant, so the half with the screen cannot follow the camera underwater. And long takes in the higher modes make it run hot unless you switch to Endurance Mode. If you want one camera that does everything with the screen attached, buy the DJI Osmo Action 6 above instead. It costs about the same.
The Insta360 GO 3S looks nothing like a GoPro… unless you want it to. That’s because the smallest available action camera now comes with a detachable “Action Pod.” This turns a small, lozenge-shaped camera into a more conventional-looking action cam.
Without the Action Pod, this is an impressive action camera, anyway. It is very small and easy to mount. It can be attached magnetically to a lanyard around your neck or any other convenient place.
The significant upgrade over the GO 3 is the jump to 4K. The Action Pod carries over, extending recording time to 140 minutes and adding a 2.2-inch flip touchscreen for framing, selfies, and vlogging.
Where the GO 3S gives ground is video resolution. While the GoPro HERO12 records 5.3K, the Insta360 GO 3S stops at 4K30 with no 4K60 mode.
In other areas like image stabilization, timelapse, and slow motion, the GO 3S holds its own. The bigger catch is stamina: the camera on its own lasts 38 minutes, storage is fixed with no microSD slot, and the Action Pod is only splash-resistant. Buy it for angles you cannot get any other way, not as your only camera.
6. Akaso Brave 8 Lite
| Brand |
Brand
Akaso
|
| Released |
Released
2024
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
4K
|
| Depth Rating |
Depth Rating
10m
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
1/2.3-inch
|
| Photo Resolution |
Photo Resolution
20 MP
|
| Field of View |
Field of View
166º
|
| Batteries |
Batteries
2x 1550 mAh Included
|
| Best For |
Best For
A cheap 4K60 camera that arrives with every mount you need
|
The Akaso Brave 8 Lite is the step up from the EK7000 without the step up in price a GoPro demands. It adds a 1.2-inch front screen, a 2-inch rear touchscreen, and 4K at 60 fps rather than 30.
What makes it good value is what comes in the box. You get two 1550 mAh batteries and a charger, seven mounts, two helmet mounts, a remote control, adhesive pads, and tether straps. Buying that accessory set separately for a GoPro costs more than this whole camera.
The 1/2.3-inch Sony sensor shoots 4K60 in 16:9, 2.7K at up to 120 fps for slow motion, and 20 MP stills. The seven-element lens gives a 166º field of view, and the body is IPX8 rated to 10 m / 33 ft with no housing at all, which the EK7000 cannot do. There is dual-band Wi-Fi, voice control in seven languages, hyperlapse, HDR, and up to 60 seconds of pre-recording so you catch the moment before you pressed the button. Each battery is good for about 90 minutes.
Low-light footage is noisy enough to be unusable after dusk. The in-camera stabilization is weak, and the version that actually works, SuperSmooth, is applied afterwards in the phone app, so every clip needs processing before you can share it. Slow motion tops out at 2.7K. And the standard Brave 8's larger 1/2-inch sensor and 48 MP stills are a genuine upgrade if you can stretch to it. Skip this one if you shoot at night or need finished footage straight off the card.
7. Insta360 X5
| Brand |
Brand
Insta360
|
| Released |
Released
2025
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
8K
|
| Depth Rating |
Depth Rating
15m
|
| Sensor |
Sensor
Dual 1/1.28-inch
|
| Waterproof Rating |
Waterproof Rating
15 m / 49 ft (60 m with dive case)
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
Up to 208 Minutes
|
| Lenses |
Lenses
User-Replaceable
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone who wants true 360-degree capture and post-shoot reframing
|
The Insta360 X5 is the only true 360-degree camera on this list. Its dual-lens design captures the whole scene at once, so you can crop, pan, and reframe the shot after you’ve filmed it, instead of committing to an angle before you press record.
That’s the real reason to pick it over a GoPro: no fixed-angle action camera lets you fix a bad framing decision in the edit. Dual 1/1.28″ sensors also give it a genuine low-light advantage, with 8K 360° video and an AI-assisted “invisible selfie stick” that turns any pole into a drone-like third-person shot.
It’s waterproof to 15 m / 49 ft without a case (60 m / 197 ft with the dive housing), and battery life runs up to 208 minutes. The lenses are user-replaceable, so a scratch or a drop doesn’t mean buying a whole new camera.
It’s the most expensive camera in this review by a wide margin, and 360 footage has a real learning curve, so you’ll spend more time in the companion app reframing shots than you would with a standard action camera. If you just want point-and-shoot simplicity, the DJI Osmo Action 6 above does that job for less money. But for anyone who wants to shoot first and decide the angle later, nothing else on this list does it.
8. OM System Tough TG-7
| Brand |
Brand
Olympus
|
| Released |
Released
2023
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
12 MP
|
| Max Video Resolution |
Max Video Resolution
4K
|
| Field of View |
Field of View
74
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
Sensor-Shift
|
| Slow Motion Speed |
Slow Motion Speed
8x
|
| Depth Rating |
Depth Rating
15 m
|
| Best For |
Best For
Someone looking for a rugged compact camera
|
The OM System Tough TG-7 is a different beast than all the other GoPro alternatives. I include it here for those who might want a compact camera that has all the qualities of an action camera. It’s waterproof, records 4K video, and has specialist photography modes.
The Tough TG-7 stands out in the compact camera market as it’s completely waterproof. It also has several underwater shooting modes, so you get fabulous results from beneath the waves.
This camera really is tough. It’s shock and crush-proof. And you can even use it in sub-zero temperatures.
A 12 MP resolution isn’t record-breaking, even for a compact camera. But you can shoot in JPEG or RAW. It also has a wide f/2 max aperture and a 4x optical zoom.
Specialist macro shooting modes produce stunning results, allowing you to shoot macro photography with additional equipment.
A 10 fps burst mode allows you to capture full-res action images. It even starts snapping 0.5 seconds before you’ve fully pressed the shutter button, so you never miss the moment.
Crisp and clear 4K video will satisfy even fussy action camera enthusiasts. There’s a high-speed movie mode when you want slow motion too.
The OM System Tough TG-7 is one of the best underwater cameras. And its compact size, video recording, and mountability make it a great GoPro alternative.
What Should You Look for in an Action Camera?
The best GoPro alternatives will perform strongly in all of these areas:
Ruggedness
Action cameras have to withstand treatment that would destroy a normal camera. So your action camera should laugh at The Four Horsemen of the DSLR Apocalypse: dust, grit, shock, and weather.
The best GoPro alternatives have weatherproof, dust-resistant, and shock-resistant bodies. But in many cases, this does still leave the lens vulnerable. This is especially true for wide-angle lenses that often protrude from the camera body.
Waterproofing
Action cameras vary in their resistance to water. Some have a watertight body for limited proofing and need external housing to go deeper. Be sure to check the depth ratings for your chosen action camera.
Image Stabilization
There’s a point where shaky camera work ceases to emphasize the action and starts to become tiresome. Electronic image stabilization (IS) is important when choosing a GoPro alternative.
Unless you want a Cinéma vérité feel to your bungee jump, you need in-camera IS. The best GoPro alternatives will also offer some form of horizon leveling.
A DJI action camera with image stabilization switched on.
Viewing Angle
One key aspect of that GoPro “look” is the wide viewing angle. A wide-angle lens lets you capture all the action without worrying about framing the shot. After all, your attention is likely to be elsewhere.
A feature to look out for is adjustable “digital” lenses. Basically, the digital cropping of an image allows a tighter composition. This is possible nowadays because cameras record in at least 4K.
Image Resolution
Action cameras need to be good at both video and still photography. But perhaps video is more important. Many let you capture high-resolution stills from video footage. When choosing a GoPro alternative, you shouldn’t compromise image quality.
Sound
Flexibility in recording sound is important. Our guide to the best camera microphones walks through the options for improving the sound of your video.
Poor sound is more likely to ruin your video than anything else. It’s worth it to have external microphone connectivity on your GoPro alternative.
Other Features
There are so many features to look out for. Keep your eyes open for the following:
- Front screen
- Face or smile recognition
- Time-lapse
- Remote control or voice control
- Good battery life
You can check out our Total Time-Lapse course to get amazing time-lapse videos from any of these action cameras!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a GoPro Alternative as Good as a GoPro?
At the top of the market, yes. The DJI Osmo Action 6 shoots 8K with a variable aperture, and the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 shoots 8K30 with a Leica lens and a flip screen. Neither of those exists in GoPro's range. Where GoPro still wins is the mount ecosystem and the sheer number of accessories built for it. Lower down the price scale, an Akaso trades low-light quality and in-camera stabilization for a much smaller bill.
What Is the Best Budget GoPro Alternative?
The Akaso EK7000. It records 4K at 30 fps, pulls 20 MP stills from video, and ships with a waterproof housing rated to 131 ft / 40 m plus a wrist remote. You give up in-camera stabilization and any hope of usable footage in low light, but nothing else in this review costs so little.
Do GoPro Mounts Fit Other Action Cameras?
Mostly. The two-prong and three-prong finger mount GoPro uses is the de facto standard, and Akaso cameras ship in frames that use it directly. DJI and Insta360 have moved to magnetic quick-release systems instead, and both sell adapters that convert their magnetic mount back to the GoPro finger pattern. So an existing collection of GoPro mounts is rarely a reason to stay with GoPro.
Is a 360 Camera Better Than an Action Camera?
It is better at one specific thing: never missing the shot. The Insta360 X5 records everything around it, so you choose the framing afterwards in the app rather than before you press record. The cost is time. Every clip needs reframing before it is watchable, and the files are large. If you point the camera and want the footage finished when you stop recording, a standard action camera is the better tool.
How Deep Can You Take an Action Camera Without a Case?
It varies more than the marketing suggests. The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is rated to 39 ft / 12 m bare, the DJI Osmo Action 6 to 66 ft / 20 m, the Akaso Brave 8 Lite and the Insta360 GO 3S to 33 ft / 10 m, and the Akaso EK7000 needs its housing to go in the water at all. Depth ratings also assume static pressure, so jumping or diving into water puts far more strain on the seals than the number implies.
Conclusion: Best GoPro Alternatives
Competition with action cameras is good news for the consumer. It has led to some exciting innovations. At the top end of the scale, the quality and features of the best GoPro alternatives are quite something. And less sophisticated cameras are competitive at the cheaper end of the price scale.
If you’re not completely sure about an action camera or have a tight budget, then you can’t go too wrong with the Akaso EK7000. If you’re looking for a top-quality alternative, the DJI Osmo Action 6 is the best choice. It has an impressive range of features, performs at an excellent level, and the durability required of a top action camera.
Between those two, pick by what you actually film. Helmet and chest POV where the camera has to disappear points at the DJI Osmo Nano or the Insta360 GO 3S. Diving and water sports point at the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 or the OM System Tough TG-7. Anything you want to reframe afterwards points at the Insta360 X5. And if you just want the most camera per pound of kit, the Akaso Brave 8 Lite arrives with the mounts already in the box.
