Best GoPro 2026 + Alternatives: Top 6 Action Cams

Straight to the winners

Looking for the best GoPro in 2026 — or a strong alternative? Our three top picks, checked against dpreview action cam tests and manufacturer specs:

• Best GoPro overall: GoPro HERO 13 Black — from €429
• Best alternative for gimbal-like stabilisation: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro — from €379
• Best 360° camera: Insta360 X5 — from €549

How we compare action cams

For every camera we compare stabilisation (HyperSmooth vs RockSteady vs FlowState), 4K thermal management, battery life and waterproofing to the manufacturer's rated depth, based on manufacturer spec pages and dpreview action cameras as tier-1 reference.

GoPro HERO 13 Black — Best GoPro overall (€429-€499)

TL;DR: HB mount for accessories (lenses, ND filters, macro), HyperSmooth 6.0, 5.3K/60p, and the Enduro battery finally comes as standard. The definitive mainstream GoPro for 2026.

Who it's for: mountain bikers, surfers, parents filming their kids' sports, vloggers who want a compact body.

Strengths: HyperSmooth 6 stabilisation; modular lens system; the widest mount ecosystem of any brand.

Weaknesses: the price of the "Creator Edition" with screen and accessories (€699); battery life in 5.3K still under 60 minutes; heat build-up during longer 5.3K recordings.

EU prices (2026-06-01): GoPro.com €429 · Bol €449 · Coolblue €449 · Mediamarkt €459.

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro — Best GoPro alternative (€379-€429)

TL;DR: DJI's fifth-generation action cam with front and rear screens (OLED), a 1/1.3" sensor (larger than GoPro's!), RockSteady 3.0 and a magnetic mounting system.

Who it's for: vloggers who film themselves, low-light shooters, value-for-money hunters.

Strengths: larger sensor means the best low-light performance of any action cam; OLED front screen; magnetic mount is the fastest setup going.

Weaknesses: DJI's mount system is incompatible with the GoPro accessory rail (without an adapter); software ecosystem less rich than GoPro Quik.

EU prices: Bol €379 · Coolblue €399 · Mediamarkt €379.

Insta360 X5 — Best 360° for reframing (€599-€649)

TL;DR: 8K 360° recording — shoot first, frame later. You don't have to decide where to point the camera up front; reframe afterwards in the app.

Who it's for: travel creators, skaters who want multiple angles, parents who never want to miss a moment.

Strengths: the 360° workflow is unique; FlowState delivers gimbal-like stabilisation; replaceable lens guards.

Weaknesses: heavy file management (8K 360° = 1GB per minute); steeper learning curve; eats up a lot of phone storage while editing.

EU prices: Bol €549 · Coolblue €579 · Insta360.com €549 with cashback.

GoPro HERO 12 Black — Best value GoPro (€299-€349)

TL;DR: Last year's flagship, identical to the HERO 13 on video (5.3K/60p, HyperSmooth 6) but without the HB lens mount. For 95% of users, nothing is lost.

Who it's for: budget-conscious buyers who want the GoPro ecosystem but don't need lens modularity.

Strengths: priced under €350; fully compatible with all GoPro mounts; identical video quality to the HERO 13.

Weaknesses: no HB lens mount, so no macro or ND filters; Enduro battery not included as standard (sold separately).

EU prices: Bol €299 · Coolblue €329 · Mediamarkt €319.

DJI Osmo Action 4 — Best budget action cam (€269-€309)

TL;DR: DJI's previous flagship: 1/1.3" sensor, RockSteady 3.0, dual OLED screens. Nearly identical to the Action 5 Pro on the core features.

Who it's for: budget buyers, beginner vloggers, a gift for a teenager.

Strengths: same large sensor as the Action 5; €100 less than the Action 5 Pro; magnetic mount.

Weaknesses: no 4K/120p (the Action 5 has it); slightly shorter battery life.

EU prices: Bol €269 · Coolblue €289 · Mediamarkt €309.

Insta360 Ace Pro 2 — Best alternative with a Leica lens (€449-€499)

TL;DR: Co-engineered with Leica: a 1/1.3" sensor paired with a Summarit lens. 8K recording and a flip screen.

Who it's for: creators who value photographic colour; an alternative to the GoPro Creator Edition.

Strengths: Leica colour tuning; AI noise reduction; flip screen for vlogging; more affordable than the GoPro Creator Edition.

Weaknesses: more limited mount ecosystem than GoPro; the software (Insta360 app) is slightly less mature than GoPro Quik.

EU prices: Bol €449 · Coolblue €479.

Action cam comparison table 2026

Model	Sensor	Max video	Stabilisation	Waterproof	Body screen	Price from
GoPro HERO 13	1/1.9"	5.3K/60p	HyperSmooth 6	10m	Front + rear	€429
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro	1/1.3"	4K/120p	RockSteady 3	20m	OLED front + rear	€379
Insta360 X5	2x 1/2"	8K 360°	FlowState	10m	2.5" touch	€549
GoPro HERO 12	1/1.9"	5.3K/60p	HyperSmooth 6	10m	Front + rear	€299
DJI Action 4	1/1.3"	4K/120p	RockSteady 3	18m	OLED front + rear	€269
Insta360 Ace Pro 2	1/1.3" (Leica)	8K/30p	FlowState	10m	Flip screen	€449

Which action cam is right for you?

• All-in on the GoPro ecosystem: HERO 13 if the budget allows, otherwise HERO 12.
• Vlogging with a front screen + low light: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro.
• Best value for money: DJI Action 4.
• 360° creator: Insta360 X5.
• Photographic look: Insta360 Ace Pro 2.

For traditional cameras, see our best camera 2026 buying guide. For smartphone video: best camera smartphone 2026. Drone vlogging: best drone 2026.

EU prices, warranty and accessories

All brands come with a 2-year EU warranty via Dutch stockists. Beware of grey imports: EU-stock GoPros ship with an EU plug and an EU manual; GoPros from AliExpress are often grey imports. DJI is safe via the DJI Store NL or Bol. Insta360 is best bought directly or via Bol — no grey-import headaches.

Accessory tip: a V30/V60 SD card (Sandisk Extreme or Lexar Professional) is essential for 5.3K — don't use a consumer micro-SD under €25.

FAQ

What's the difference between the GoPro HERO 12 and HERO 13?

The HERO 13 adds the HB lens mount (interchangeable lenses: macro, ND, ultra-wide). On video quality they are identical (5.3K/60p, HyperSmooth 6). That makes the HERO 12 the better value choice for 95% of users.

GoPro or DJI Osmo Action — which is better?

GoPro for the mount ecosystem and stabilisation. DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro for the larger sensor (1/1.3"), low light and OLED screens. Both stabilise superbly; choose based on the accessories you already own.

Does the Insta360 X5 work without the app?

You need the app to reframe 360° footage. Recording directly and cropping "traditionally" afterwards is also possible, but then you're not making use of the 360° capability. Plan for at least one hour of post-processing per hour of footage.

How much SD card storage do I need?

For GoPro 5.3K: 256GB V30 (roughly 9 hours). For Insta360 X5 8K 360°: 512GB V60 (roughly 8 hours). For DJI Action 5 Pro 4K/120p: 256GB V30 (roughly 12 hours).

How deep are these cameras waterproof?

GoPro HERO 13: 10m without a housing, 60m with the Dive Housing. DJI Action 5 Pro: 20m without, 60m with. Insta360 X5: 10m without, 50m with the Invisible Dive Case. For scuba diving, ALWAYS use a housing.

Can I use a GoPro as a webcam?

Yes — every modern GoPro (HERO 9 and later) supports webcam mode via USB-C and the GoPro Webcam software. The DJI Osmo Action 4/5 works too, via UVC.

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Last updated: 2026-06-01. Productvraag earns an affiliate commission on purchases made through our links.