If you want to embark on an adventure and share your experiences with the whole world or just with your family, check out these best action cameras for travel vlogs. Our selection is designed for every traveler and vlog format, including the top models in various shapes, to suit every condition.
Millions of people are interested in exploring places thousands of kilometers away from home from the comfort of their living room TV. Fortunately, today it is easy to reach your audience with numerous social platforms, and carrying around a 200-gram camera that can shoot in 4k is genuinely enjoyable.
The quality and technology of these small gadgets have now reached levels that were unthinkable just a few years ago. They are now really close to the quality level that only professional cameras used to achieve. The new GoPro HERO11 Black is undoubtedly the latest flagship model. Just a few weeks after its release, it has already set new standards in the action camera world. At GoPro, they even decided to release a completely new creator mod for the most modern and demanding vloggers. However, aside from the king, there are rivals that are much cheaper and have recording quality that falls just short of the famous California manufacturer.
✪ Best choice
GoPro HERO11 Black
The newcomer to GoPro has raised the level of competition. If you’re ready for better, richer, faster and more extreme footage, this is the action cam for you.
Tough, versatile, sharp, iconic. If the GoPro HERO10 Black was already nearly perfect, the GoPro HERO11 Black has exceeded all expectations. And this is not only our view, but it is also the strong opinion of most experts in the sector. Every aspect of shooting has been improved, adding a wider sensor, richer colors, better stabilization, a new hyperview, night effects, and an endless list of other top-notch features. There is also the great GoPro HERO11 Black Creator Edition, designed especially for travel vlogs. The only thing we wish had been improved? Overheating, but this is inevitable considering the technology on board the latest addition to the GoPro family. If budget is not an issue, this is the best action camera for travelers or vloggers for both beginner and pro users.
✪ Still rocking
GoPro HERO10 Black
It has been built so well that it is still in the top rankings and the right choice if you want to save money while still getting one of the best products.
As just mentioned, the GoPro HERO10 Black was already one of the best action cameras for travel vlogs. With this model, the US company had already managed to reach extreme levels of shooting quality and video stabilization. It also has most of the functionality and features of the new HERO11 Black. You will still find the possibility to film at 5.3K with 60 fps, HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization, and a 23 MP camera. So, if you don’t need to use the full width of the new video sensor, or you want to opt for a more affordable model, this action camera already has everything you need to share incredible vlogs. This is really one of the few cases where a tech gadget manages to maintain a podium position after the release of its successor.
GoPro HERO11 Black Mini
GoPro has done it again. It has reinvented action camera design with this little prodigy with capabilities impossible for its size.
It’s small, but it has all the power of the full-size GoPro (which, by the way, is already tiny and very light!). The GoPro HERO11 Black Mini is the real novelty of the year, an action camera that really can be placed anywhere to shoot the most extreme footage. It has the same lens and functions as the GoPro HERO11 Black, without the screens on both sides. The reduced size and weight open up a completely new experience, while the launch price is the same as last year’s model. A true small revolution that could become the new format for all future action cameras. We especially recommend it to those travel vloggers who need content filmed in tiny spaces, or where the weight helps better balance. Or if you simply want to try something completely different.
Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition
An action camera with a truly fascinating modular concept and outstanding performance. The real rival to GoPro with an extra note of creativity.
A high-end alternative to the GoPro is the Insta360 One RS Twin Edition, which offers an innovative modular design and high-end performance. The ingredients of its success are the aforementioned modular design, consisting of the battery, optics, CPU, and display. With 4K resolution shooting and 60 fps, the video is sharp, with well-defined images. Not to mention, it also includes a very sophisticated stabilizer and horizon-hold feature. For taking photos, this small action camera even goes as high as 48 MPX, beating the specs of its competitors. This camera is a great alternative for the more creative vloggers who want to break free from the GoPro universe and go beyond the limits of its accessories and technology.
DJI Action 2
Tiny, really tiny and ready to surprise anyone who takes it in their fingers. This is the right action camera for short, quality shots anywhere, but in the right light. The budget version of the GoPro 11 Mini.
If versatility is your priority, here is another cutting-edge action camera using the new design we will see booming in the coming years. The DJI Action 2 is similar in size and weight to the GoPro HERO11 Mini, with the option of adding a small screen that also increases its battery life. The video quality is very impressive considering the size (also recording in 4K), although you have to compromise with more overheating and shorter battery life. Despite these flaws, the DJI Action 2 is one of the best action cameras for travel vlogs because its size really makes it fit every pocket and every need. However, our advice is to buy it only if you think your shooting will take place mostly outdoors and probably as an extra camera to support more complex recording scenarios.
Olympus Tough TG-6
An ancient design, remarkable durability, and a real camera approach like the sturdier ones of a few years ago. An action camera from Olympus is definitely a guarantee.
We like the Olympus Tough TG-6 action camera, although we understand that its design may not be for everyone. As the name suggests, it is indeed rugged and suitable for environments hostile to its competitors. Suffice it to say that it can reach a depth of 15 meters underwater (the GoPro HERO11 Black at most 10), although it is recommended to buy a screen protector, to save its Achilles heel. High video performance is assured by the lens’ ability to reach F2.0 and higher ISO. The design breaks the lines, harking back to more classic Olympus cameras, but in our opinion, this is one of its most fascinating sides. This is definitely not the most comfortable, versatile, or lightweight solution for a travel vlogger. Nevertheless, you will be rewarded by the quality of the images and the additional functions that other models do not have.
DJI Osmo Action 3
The budget alternative, but not too much. GoPro’s cousin, with almost all the qualities of its muse and a few more surprises.
If you want a cheaper model that keeps the classic GoPro design, you can opt for the DJI Osmo Action 3. It will not have the same recording quality compared to its cousin, but there are some noteworthy details. First, the design and accessories are completely identical to those of the California company. Then the outdoor endurance, which is truly remarkable, with the best resistance underwater up to a depth of 16 meters. Video resolution is not second-rate, however, with 4K up to 120 fps. In addition, a slightly reduced number of features means longer battery life. In short, this is the economical choice among the best action cameras for travel vlogs.
