From surf and cycling to family days out, an action camera captures the moments a phone can't — hands-free, waterproof and impossibly steady. Here's how they work and how to choose one for your summer.
What makes an action camera different
- Tough & waterproof straight out of the box — no case needed on many models.
- Powerful stabilisation keeps footage smooth even on bumpy rides.
- Wide-angle view that fits the whole scene in.
- Mountable on helmets, bars, chests and selfie grips.
What to look for
- Resolution: 4K is the standard for crisp video.
- Stabilisation: the smoother, the better — a key differentiator.
- Battery & spares: bring a second battery for full days.
- Mounts & accessories for how you'll film.
Beyond the action cam
For walking vlogs and travel, a pocket gimbal camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is wonderfully smooth; for sweeping aerial shots, a drone opens up a whole new angle.
Our picks
- Classic action cam: the GoPro HERO12 — rugged, waterproof, brilliantly stabilised.
- Vlogging: the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 — see the full action cameras range.
Final thoughts
For adventures, choose a 4K action cam with strong stabilisation and a spare battery; for smooth everyday filming, a pocket gimbal. Browse action cameras and drones online, or ask in any of our 60+ stores.
