6 Best Action Camera for Hiking: (2023 Best Guide & Reviews)

There are many excellent cameras to capture the beauty of nature.

But for some reason, most of us still prefer the video mode over the photo mode.

However, hiking enthusiasts always seek the best action cameras for hiking photography.

The difference between an action camera and a standard point-and-shoot camera is that the former has many advanced features that help the photographer capture beautiful moments in the wild.

So, every beginner should buy the best action camera for hiking photography.

So, in this article, I will discuss some action cameras which I consider best for hiking.

Which are the Best Action Camera for Hiking?

Here are my recommended top 6 Best Action Camera for Hiking:–

GoPro HERO 11 Black: (best action camera for hiking)

Planning my hike on the Inca Trail in Peru was an exciting adventure.

I spent weeks preparing for the trip, researching and gathering the supplies I would need for a successful journey.

After double-checking my equipment list, I was ready to begin my journey.

My choice of camera for this trip was GoPro HERO 11 Black. With its HD resolution and waterproof capabilities, I knew it would be perfect for capturing all my memories along the trail.

The four-day trek through the Andes Mountains was breathtakingly beautiful, and every corner we turned felt more incredible than the last.

I documented every moment of my journey with my camera, from capturing early sunrises to desolate landscapes shrouded in afternoon mist.

Evenings were spent around campfires engulfed in laughter shared between new friends made along my trip.

The experience of hiking on the Inca Trail was both humbling and inspiring.

An experience that could never be recreated or described perfectly through words alone.

Features:

• Model: GoPro HERO11 Black
• Effective Megapixel: 27 MP
• Image sensor: CMOS
• ISO range: 100-6400
• Shutter speeds: 1/8 to 30 Seconds (Photo Mode) -1/30 to 1/480 Seconds (Video Mode)
• Storage: Single Slot: microSD/micro SDHC (UHS-III)
• Viewfinder: 2.27-inches
• Image stabilizer: ‎Digital
• Dimension: 71mm*55mm*34mm
• Weight: 127 g

ISO/Shutter speed

During the day, when the light was brighter, I adjusted my shutter speed to 1/250 to freeze the motion of the landscape.

I also took advantage of my camera’s low light capabilities by setting my ISO at 400 to capture the misty landscape in the evenings.

It allowed me to pick up more details in the shadows and capture those classic magical moments in the night.

Aperture/Depth of field

When capturing the early sunrises, I set my aperture to f/11, which allowed me to capture the sky’s details and the mountains’ silhouettes.

I also set the depth of field to a medium range to ensure all the landscape details were visible.

When there were desolated landscapes, I set my aperture to f/16 to capture the moody atmosphere of the foggy mountains.

As for the depth of field, I set it to a deep range to ensure that all the landscape details were visible.

White balance/ Frame rate

I set the value to Auto for white balance to ensure a natural-looking color balance throughout my photos.

This setting allowed me to capture the full range of colors in the landscapes and the colors of the sky.

I also wanted to capture the details accurately in the landscapes and the vibrancy of each moment.

So, I adjusted the value of the frame rate to 24 fps.

It allowed me to capture the movement and beauty of the Andes Mountains in the most authentic way possible.

Why is this camera the best?

The HERO 11 Black is the best action camera for hiking.

Its 27-MP sensor captures stunning 4K footage with exceptional image stabilization, giving a smooth, professional-looking video even when the terrain gets tough.

Its advanced shooting modes can easily take professional-style photos, slow-motion sequences, and time-lapses.

It also has an impressive battery life, and the camera’s rugged and waterproof design ensures it doesn’t get damaged.

Plus, the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections make sharing your hikes with friends and family easy.

Conclusion

It is the perfect choice for any hiker looking to capture their memories in stunning detail.

Its impressive features and rugged design make it the ideal action camera for anyone who wants to capture the moments that make their hike unforgettable.

Click here to buy.

GoPro HERO 10 Black: (best action camera for hiking)

I was excited about exploring the Camino de Santiago, a well-known hiking trail in Spain.

I had been looking forward to this for quite some time, and when the day finally came, I was ready with my GoPro HERO 10 Black camera.

I planned out the best routes along the trail and marked when I would have access to the best light for photography.

The experience of being on the Camino de Santiago was genuinely incredible.

The air was crisp and fresh, perfect for breathing deeply as I walked through all these magical places.

When it came to taking pictures, my camera did not disappoint.

Thanks to its advanced sensors and lens technology, it captured beautiful vibrant colors in every photo.

In addition, the dynamic range allowed me to get great shots even in difficult lighting situations such as backlighting or harsh sunlight.

Features:

• Model: HERO10 Black
• Effective Megapixel: 23 MP
• Image sensor: CMOS
• ISO range: 100-6400
• Shutter speeds: 1/2000 seconds
• Storage: Single Slot: microSD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC
• Viewfinder: 2.27-inches
• Image stabilizer: ‎Digital
• Dimension: 71mm*55mm*34mm
• Weight: 158 g

ISO/Shutter speed

When there was bright sunlight, I set the ISO to 100 and the shutter speed to 1/500 a second.

This combination allowed me to capture vibrant colors without overexposing the image and creating too much noise.

I set the ISO to 200 for backlit shots and the shutter speed to 1/1000 a second.

It allowed me to balance the bright sky in the background with the darker foreground to get the perfect shot.

Aperture/Depth of field

I adjusted the aperture to a low value of f/2.8 for the best results to get a vibrant and sharp picture.

In addition, it allowed me to capture a wide range of light and details in each frame.

The photos were crisp and vibrant, with the dynamic range allowing me to capture the perfect shots even in difficult lighting situations.

White balance/ Frame rate

For the white balance, I set it at Daylight to ensure that the colors of the landscape were accurately represented.

It gave me the most natural-looking results and ensured the landscape’s vibrant colors were captured correctly.

For the frame rate, I adjusted the value to 30 fps.

It allowed me to capture the motion of the landscape, such as the wind blowing the trees or the clouds rolling by, without the resulting video looking choppy.

Why is this camera the best?

The GoPro Hero 10 Black is the perfect action camera for any hiker looking to capture their adventures.

Its features make it one of the most versatile tools for capturing all your hiking experiences.

Its hyper-smooth stabilization technology ensures that all shots it takes are smooth and stable, even when the user is in the middle of a hike.

It ensures that all the footage looks professional and sharp.

Furthermore, it has an impressive battery life, lasting up to two hours on a full charge.

This camera also offers a wide range of shooting options.

It lets the user capture all the details of your hikes so that you can relive them in beautiful high-definition.

Conclusion

It is the best action camera for hiking.

It is waterproof and dustproof also, meaning the user does not have to worry about any environmental elements ruining their footage.

It makes it perfect for capturing all the hikes in the rain, snow, or other extreme weather conditions.

Click here to buy.

GoPro HERO 9 Black: (best action camera for hiking)

When I decided to hike the Eiger Trail in Switzerland, I was determined to capture every moment on my GoPro HERO 9 Black camera.

I spent weeks researching and planning my trip to make the most of the experience.

The sights were breathtaking.

There were snow-capped mountains as far as the eye could see, crystal-clear alpine lakes and rivers, and lush green meadows filled with wildflowers.

I immediately began capturing photos with my camera; I wanted to capture it all, from panoramic landscapes to detailed close-ups of plants and animals.

As I hiked further along the trail, I stopped for more shots – this time focusing on the more artistic aspects of my adventure, such as shooting frames through trees or shooting long exposures in waterfalls.

After hours of hiking, we finally reached our destination, a serene lake on top of the highest peaks in Switzerland.

The photos will remain a reminder of this extraordinary journey for years, but they don’t quite justify how beautiful this place is.

Features:

• Model: HERO9 Black
• Effective Megapixel: 23 MP
• Image sensor: CMOS
• ISO range: 100-6400
• Shutter speeds: 1/2000 seconds
• Storage: Single Slot: microSD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC
• Viewfinder: 2.27-inches
• Image stabilizer: ‎Digital
• Dimension: 71mm*55mm*34mm
• Weight: 158 g

ISO/Shutter speed

I set the ISO to a low 100 setting and the shutter speed to 1/320.

I captured all the movement of the plants and animals on the trail.

The low ISO setting was essential for capturing the stunning landscape of the alpine environment, with its snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear alpine lakes and rivers, and lush green meadows filled with wildflowers.

The 1/320 shutter speed enabled me to capture the movement of the animals and plants, while the low ISO setting ensured that the photos would not be overly bright or washed out.

Aperture/Depth of field

I set the aperture value to f/2.8 to capture as much depth of field as possible.

It allowed me to capture the entire mountain range and the more minor details of the scenery, like the wildflowers and animals.

The shallow depth of field focused the attention on the subject of the pictures while blurring out the background elements.

I thought this was an essential artistic choice, as it allowed me to highlight the more visually appealing aspects of the trail.

White balance/ Frame rate

I set the white balance to ‘Sunny’ and the frame rate to 60 fps to get the best quality shots.

The Sunny white balance helped capture the sky’s bright colors, snow-capped mountains, and lush green meadows.

It also reduced the blue-tinted shadows so that the details of the landscape were not lost.

Why is this camera the best?

The GoPro HERO 9 Black is the best action camera for hiking.

With its new HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization and 23MP resolution, hikers can capture incredible footage from any angle.

With its MaxLens Mod, hikers can capture wide, immersive shots without distortion.

Plus, the camera is waterproof and dustproof, making it ideal for rugged terrain.

It also features an improved user interface that makes navigating the camera a breeze.

With its 5.3K 30fps video recording and 78-degree field of view, hikers can easily capture amazing footage.

Conclusion

Hikers can also attach it to their t gear to capture all their adventures, like on a backpack or bike.

This way, they can capture all the action without carrying the camera.

With its impressive features and user-friendly design, it’s the perfect companion for all your outdoor adventures.

Click here to buy.

GoPro HERO 8 Black: (best action camera for hiking)

Planning this hiking experience on the Eiger Trail in West Highland Way was exciting and nerve-wracking.

However, I was determined to ensure I had all my gear and supplies ready to provide the trip was as safe and enjoyable as possible.

It included maps of the area, extra layers of clothing, plenty of water and snacks, insect repellent, sunscreen, a first aid kit, my GoPro HERO 8 Black camera, and a tripod.

The high mountain view was stunning, and watching as the sun rose over the horizon was incredible.

I took photos with my camera, taking advantage of all its features.

After making it to the top of one peak, I took a break from filming to admire the beauty of nature around me.

Once I descended the valley below, I spent more time photographing close-ups of plants and flowers and wide-angle shots capturing clear views of mountains looming in the background.

Features:

• Model: HERO8 Black
• Effective Megapixel: 12 MP
• Image sensor: CMOS
• ISO range: 100-6400
• Shutter speeds: 1/16000 seconds
• Storage: Single Slot: microSD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC
• Viewfinder: 2-inches
• Image stabilizer: ‎Digital
• Dimension: 66mm*49mm*28mm
• Weight: 126 g

ISO/Shutter speed

I set the ISO to 100 for the wide-shot photos and the shutter speed to 1/500.

It allowed me to capture a high-resolution image with great detail and clarity.

When I wanted to take the close-ups of flowers, I set the ISO to 200 with a slower shutter speed of 1/100.

It enabled me to capture the texture of the petals and leaves with great precision.

Aperture/Depth of field

I adjusted the aperture value to f/8.

It gave me a wide enough depth of field to capture the mountains in the distance while still capturing enough detail of the flora up close.

The depth of field gave me a wider angle of view to capture the entire landscape while still preserving image quality.

This was especially helpful when capturing the beauty of the sun rising over the horizon.

White balance/ Frame rate

I adjusted the white balance settings to Auto as it allowed for accurate color results and ensured that the photos taken were not affected by any light source.

I adjusted the frame rate to 30 fps.

It allowed me to capture scenes in slow motion, freeze frames, and more.

This was key to ensuring I got the perfect shot regardless of the movement or action.

Why is this camera the best?

The GoPro HERO 8 Black is the best action camera for hiking.

With its impressive features, it is the perfect choice for outdoor adventurers.

Apart from its HyperSmooth 2.0 video stabilization, the camera has an upgraded SuperPhoto mode, which automatically applies HDR, local tone mapping, or noise reduction to the photos.

This allows the users to capture beautiful, vibrant photographs of their hikes.

It also has a TimeWarp 2.0 mode, which creates stabilized time-lapse videos.

The camera is also waterproof up to 10 meters, so hikers don’t need to worry about their camera getting wet or damaged.

Conclusion

It features an improved user interface, with an intuitive touch-screen that makes it easy to navigate and use.

Its impressive features make it the best action camera for hikers who want to capture their adventures in stunning detail.

Click here to buy.

DJI Pocket 2: (best action camera for hiking)

I was incredibly excited to visit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and embark on its famous hiking trail.

I brought my trusty DJI Pocket 2 camera to capture every moment of my journey.

The forest was breathtakingly beautiful, with lush vegetation surrounding me for miles.

Everywhere I looked, there were vibrant colors and diverse wildlife.

It was a nature lover’s dream.

I took photos of trees towering above me at every turn, beautiful bird species soaring through the sky, and exotic plants.

Whenever I snapped a shot with my camera, I felt more connected to this fantastic place.

Throughout my hike, there were plenty of exciting moments.

One particularly memorable experience happened when I encountered a troop of gorillas off in the distance; they were standing among the trees, watching me curiously but with total confidence in their surroundings.

It felt like such a thrill to witness them in their natural habitat, which only happens once in a lifetime.

Features:

• Model: DJI Pocket 2
• Effective Megapixel: 16 MP
• Image sensor: CMOS
• ISO range: 100-6400
• Shutter speeds: 1/8000 seconds
• Storage: Single Slot: microSD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC
• Viewfinder: 1-inch
• Image stabilizer: Gimbal Image Stabilization
• Dimension: 125mm*38mm*30mm
• Weight: 117 g

ISO/Shutter speed

I adjusted the ISO value to 400, which allowed me to balance the photos’ lightness and darkness.

It also enabled me to capture sharp images with good detail.

As for the shutter speed, I adjusted it to a higher range of 1/500th of a second.

It allowed me to freeze the movement of the gorillas and other animals in the forest to capture the moment perfectly.

Aperture/Depth of field

As I explored the forest, I was taken aback by its stunning beauty.

The lush vegetation surrounding me seemed to go on for miles, and the birds flying above me provided a beautiful soundtrack.

Every time I snapped a shot with my camera, I felt more and more connected to this fantastic place.

I adjusted the aperture to f/5.6.

It allowed me to get a wide depth of field.

So, the resulting images had a good balance of the foreground and background elements in focus.

White balance/ Frame rate

At one point, I even encountered a troop of gorillas off in the distance, standing among the trees and watching me curiously yet confidently.

I set the white balance to Auto to ensure the highest quality photos.

It allowed the camera to assess the light and color of my surroundings and adjust accordingly.

For the frame rate, I set it to 60 fps.

I captured the dynamic movements of the wildlife I encountered on my journey.

Why is this camera the best?

The best action camera for hiking is the DJI Pocket 2.

One of the most essential features of the DJI Pocket 2 is its portability.

It is only 117 g and incredibly lightweight, making it easy to carry when hiking.

Its small size makes it easy to mount on the side of a backpack or other equipment for shooting on the go.

It can shoot in 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second, allowing for crystal-clear images.

It also features an intuitive gesture control system, allowing users to take photos without taking their hands off their gear.

Conclusion

It is waterproof up to 33 feet and shockproof, which makes it incredibly durable.

With its lightweight design, an impressive range of features, and durability, it is the ideal choice for anyone looking to capture their hike in the best way possible.

Click here to buy.

GoPro MAX: (best action camera for hiking)

I was so excited when I heard about the South Downs Way, a scenic hiking trail in the UK.

It was my first time traveling there, so I had to make the most of it.

To capture my experience in photos, I decided to bring along my GoPro MAX camera.

After a few hours of walking, I was mesmerized by the lush green hills and winding valleys that stretched before me.

The sun was shining brightly, and birds were singing in the distance.

I spent some time focusing on the various landmarks along the way, such as Beacon Hill, Butser Hill, and Old Winchester Hill.

On top of that, plenty of sheep grazing in idyllic meadows also provided some great photo opportunities.

I eventually arrived in Eastbourne.

I was exhausted but satisfied from having completed such an incredible journey.

I captured every moment of my adventure along the South Downs Way, from ancient stone monuments to cascading waterfalls, from breathtaking countryside views to peaceful moments spent admiring nature.

Features:

• Model: CHDHZ-201
• Effective Megapixel: 16.6 MP
• Image sensor: CMOS
• ISO range: 100-800
• Shutter speeds: 1/28000 seconds
• Storage: SD
• Viewfinder: 3-inches (1x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎Digital
• Dimension: 10.2*16.5*2.85 inches
• Weight: 1.15 lb.

ISO/Shutter speed

I set the ISO value to 100.

It ensured that I got clear and sharp photos without any grain.

For the shutter speed, I set it to 1/500 of a second, meaning that I could capture the dynamic range of the landscapes without any motion blur.

I wanted to ensure that my photos accurately depicted the beauty of the rolling hills and valleys I encountered on my journey.

Aperture/Depth of field

I set the aperture to f/2.8, which allowed me to capture a shallow depth of field.

This meant that the foreground was in focus while the background was blurred, creating a stunning effect that brought out the beauty of the scenery.

The wider depth of field allowed me to capture the vastness of the landscape and the details of the various landmarks along the way.

White balance/ Frame rate

The sun shone brightly, and the lush green hills and winding valleys of the South Downs Way were a sight to behold.

I took my camera out and started shooting away.

I set the white balance to Auto.

And for the frame rate, I adjusted the value to 30fps.

Auto white balance ensured that the colors in my photos were accurate, while the 30fps frame rate allowed me to capture fast-moving objects and movements.

Why is this camera the best?

As a passionate hiker, I know how important it is to have the right tools to capture the beauty of the outdoors.

The GoPro MAX is the best action camera for hiking, with features perfect for enhancing the experience.

Its dual lens feature lets one capture panoramic images and action videos in one shot.

When shooting video, it has an impressive 360-degree field of view.

Its advanced stabilization technology helps maintain a steady shot even on rough terrain.

With a waterproof rating of up to 10m, hikers can take it on their wet and wild adventures without worrying.

Conclusion

This camera is incredibly easy to use.

With an intuitive touch-screen display and one-button control, users can quickly switch between modes and settings on the fly.

Plus, its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

It is a perfect camera for outdoor adventures.

Click here to buy.

CONCLUSION:

All the cameras we will discuss in this article are all right, guys.

Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?

Which is your Best Action Camera for Hiking?

Is there a camera you love to use for hiking that I didn’t mention in this article?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

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