GoPro is the global leader in action and sports cameras, allowing you to document all of your adventures in high-quality, 360° images and videos. The company has paved the way in the action camera industry, but that does not mean there is a lack of GoPro alternatives on the market for you to choose from.
#1. AKASO
- Founded: 2010
- Headquarters: Frederick, Maryland, United States
Need to Know:
AKASO is an American technology company that specializes in the creation of high-quality and affordable action cameras. The company was founded by a group of engineers and designers who championed that tech products should be both accessible to everybody as well as high-quality. At a cheaper price-point than many GoPro action cameras, AKASO has been able to sell over 500,000 cameras annually.
One of AKASO’s most popular action cameras is their Brave 7 model. This camera is able to record great photos and videos in 4k at 30 frames-per-second, and it can also connect to your Android or iOS device for functionality and ease of use.
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#2. DJI
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Need to Know:
DJI, which stands for Da-Jiang Innovations, is a Chinese technology company that sells high-quality drones and action cameras. The company has manufacturing facilities located around the world and also produces over 70% of all drones for consumer use. DJI’s drones are commonplace in industries such as film-making and media, agriculture, and search and rescue. In 2021, DJI’s revenue was reported to be over $3.83 billion.
Many consider DJI’s OSMO action camera to be a direct GoPro competitor. The model has an exceptional drone-quality camera and also has a touchscreen for ease of use. Not to mention, the OSMO model is also water-resistant and can record images and videos in 4k at 60 frames-per-second.
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#3. Sony
- Founded: May 7, 1946
- Headquarters: Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Need to Know:
Sony is a Japanese technology and media conglomerate and is one of the world’s largest producers of consumer electronics and videogame consoles, such as the PlayStation. As a result, Sony is the largest technology company in Japan with gross revenue coming in at over $200 billion in 2021.
The Sony FDRX3000 action camera can be mounted onto handlebars or helmets and also has built-in GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth features. This camera additionally has an optical image stabilizer, which is better than the electronic stabilization found in GoPro cameras. While the FDRX3000 shoots in traditional 4k at 30 frames-per-second, it is more expensive than some GoPro action camera models.
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#4. Garmin
- Founded: October 1989
- Headquarters: Olathe, Kansas, United States
Need to Know:
Garmin is an American technology company that was founded by Gary Burrell and Kin Kao, and specializes in GPS technology for outdoor use and sports activities. In 2020, the company’s revenue was reported at over $4 billion.
The Garmin Virb Ultra 30 is one of their best-selling action cameras. The touchscreen camera records images and videos in 4k resolution at 30 frames-per-second. Similar to the Sony FDRX3000 action camera, the Virb Ultra 30 allows users to connect to WiFi, which lets people live-stream their content on social media in real-time. However, the camera is not built to be waterproof without the purchase of additional waterproof accessories.
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#5. Yi Technology
- Founded: February 1, 2014
- Headquarters: Pudong District, Shanghai, China
Need to Know:
Yi Technology is a Chinese company that manufactures and sells cameras and computer technologies. The company also specializes in the creation of security cameras for indoor and outdoor use, which they produce under the sub-name “Kami.”
Yi Technology’s 4k+ action camera is cheaper than most GoPro models while still offering high-quality video. The camera can record images and videos in 4k at 30 frames-per-second and is also drop, scratch, and impact resistant. Special features include its touchscreen, voice command, and its burst, slow-motion, and time-lapse image options. The battery of the 4k+ camera can last up to 8 hours and can record up to 120 minutes of video at once. However, some users complain about the camera’s poorer sound quality compared to its competitors.
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#6. Insta360
- Founded: 2015
- Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guandong, China
Need to Know:
Insta360 is a Chinese technology and camera company that specializes in the production of action and 360-degree cameras, as well as editing software for phones and desktops. Insta360 was founded by JK Liu and is a smaller company than GoPro and its other competitors. Nevertheless, the company boasts over 100 million pieces of content created by users in over 200 countries and regions.
The company’s most popular model is the Insta360 ONE R. This camera is specially designed with three interchangeable lenses: a 4k lens, a dual lens, and a wide-angle lens. This exclusive feature results in the creation of high-quality images and videos. The ONE R is even waterproof for any aquatic adventures you may have.
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#7. Olympus
- Founded: October 12, 1919
- Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Need to Know:
Olympus is a Japanese technology company and a manufacturer of optics products, including photography products. When founded, the company originally produced microscopes and thermometers, and today Olympus is the largest manufacturer and seller of endoscopes. As of May 2021, the company has reached nearly $7 billion in sales.
The company’s Tough TG-6 action camera is waterproof and great for use underwater, but it is not meant to be strapped to a helmet or handlebars like GoPro action cameras. However, the Tough TG-6 model is still sturdy and impact and weather resistant. While the camera records images and videos in 4k, the image resolution is not as good compared to its action camera competitors.
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#8. SJCAM
- Founded: 2005
- Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guandong, China
Need to Know:
SJCAM is a Chinese technology company that produces and sells action cameras, sports cameras, and aerial photography cameras. This wide variety means that SJCAM offers many different ranges of action cameras including 4k, dash cams, along with both budget and pro models.
The company’s SJ7 Star action camera is considered to be a more budget-friendly alternative to GoPro action cameras. The SJ7 Star can record images and videos in 4k at 30 frames-per-second, and there is also a 240 frames-per-second model available in 720p. While the camera is a touchscreen, its electronic image stabilizer does not perform as well as other mechanical ones on the market. The SJ7 Star is also not waterproof but can be if purchasing waterproof accessories.
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#9. Polaroid
- Founded: 1937
- Headquarters: Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States
Need to Know:
Polaroid is an American technology company founded by Edwin H. Land and is famous for its instant film cameras. While the corporation has gone bankrupt several times and has undergone numerous iterations, it was renamed “Polaroid” in 2020. In 2015, the company released annual revenue figures of around $500 million.
Its Polaroid Cube is an action camera that weighs under 2 ounces, making it one of the smallest action cameras on the market. The Polaroid Cube records images and videos in 1080p, and while this is lower quality than its competitors, it comes in at a very cheap price point. The camera is also not waterproof, but it is impact resistant and has a magnet for mounting onto objects like helmets or handlebars. As well, videos can be no longer than five minutes.
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Sources
AKASO
DJI
- https://www.akasotech.com/resources/gopro-competitors
- https://www.dji.com/ca/company?site=brandsite&from=footer
Sony
Garmin
Yi
Insta360
Olympus
- https://www.forbes.com/companies/olympus/?sh=6e0b335b21f4
- https://www.akasotech.com/resources/gopro-competitors
SJCAM
Polaroid