Action Cams

Insta360 Ace Pro 2 In-Depth Review

 Insta360 has just launched their latest action cam, the Ace Pro 2. This unit adds an absolute boatload of smaller tweaks: Some hardware, some software depending on said new hardware. The headline feature is the 8K functionality, though that’s … Read More Here

Insta360 GO 2 Tiny Action Cam In-Depth Video Review

There’s a new winner in town for the smallest action camera. Or at least, the smallest action camera from a brand name you’ve probably heard of. While Insta360 has a more pronounced history in the 360° action cam market, over … Read More Here

GoPro Labs 2021 New Features For Hero 9, Hero 8, Hero 7 and Max

For pretty much the second time in GoPro’s history, they just now added camera features to significantly older cameras – in this case, the Hero 7 in particular (the other time was the GoPro webcam mode). You may remember last … Read More Here

GoPro Hero 9 Charging Door Accessory: Video Review Posted

This is a super quick post just for the handful of you that are into action cam stuffs but who might not also subscribe to the DC Rainmaker YouTube channel. Because, that’s where most of my action/cam drone stuff ends … Read More Here

GoPro Hero 9 Black: Every New Feature Detailed & Tested Video

Today GoPro announced the new GoPro Hero 9, which adds a front-facing screen and 5K resolution, though also slightly increases the price. Sorta, kinda, not really…it depends. It’s complicated. While I’m still a few days away from a final written … Read More Here

GoPro Max Action Cam In-Depth Review

Everything you ever wanted to know about the GoPro Max after plenty of testing and comparison time to the GoPro Hero 8 Black. From stabilization to SuperWide and more. Read More Here

GoPro Hero 8 Black In-Depth Review

Here’s everything you need to know after nearly a month of testing the new GoPro Hero 8 Black, from stabilization to features and plenty more! Read More Here

DJI OSMO Action: In-Depth Review of DJI’s First Action Camera

Is the OSMO Action a GoPro Killer? I dive in with extreme detail to see how it stacks up against the Hero 7 Black, from piles of side by side footage and plenty of tests. Read More Here

GoPro Hero 7 Black In-Depth Review

It’s that time of year again. Like clockwork it’s the annual drop from GoPro of new action cameras. This year they’ve launched three new cameras – the Hero 7 Black, Silver, and White.  These three new cameras will replace all … Read More Here

My 6 Favorite Action Cam Accessories I Use Daily

Virtually every day I use action cams to get shots for all assortment of things: In-Depth reviews, general posts, Strava pics, and even Instagram (ok, I suck at being daily there, The Girl is far better). Over on YouTube I’ve … Read More Here

GoPro Fusion 360° Action Camera In-Depth Review

Just shy of a year ago GoPro announced initial details around their consumer-oriented 360° action camera, Fusion.  But it wouldn’t be until this past November that the company started shipping the $699 dual-lens unit.  Since then I’ve been using the … Read More Here

Wiral LITE Cable Cam for Action Sports: How it all works

Over the last month or so you’ve probably seen a few action clips of mine using a funky length of 50 meters of cable and a doohicky zip across it like something out of crazy ziplining video.  That is Wiral, … Read More Here

GoPro Hero6 Black In-Depth Review

Today GoPro announced their latest action cam – the GoPro Hero6 Black.  While it may look the same from the outside, it’s packed with tons of huge changes on the inside.  Some of those changes are headliner options like 4K … Read More Here

GoPro Karma Grip Gimbal In-Depth Review

I get detailed on the GoPro Karma Grip, Grip Extension, Hero5 Black, and Seeker bag in a 10-month test of how things actually work and hold up. Read More Here

Feiyu Tech G5 Action Cam Gimbal In-Depth Review

Ahh yes, gimbals.  It’s the magic that makes your average footage look beautiful.  It’s what keeps shaky stuff from being unusable, and what makes selfie-sticks feel like a simple tree branch. You might remember last year I did a review … Read More Here

Garmin VIRB 360 5.7K Action Cam In-Depth Review

Today Garmin jumped into the 360° fray by introducing their own 360° action camera – the VIRB 360.  This camera one-ups everyone in the specs department by mic-dropping 5.7K resolution alongside being completely waterproofed with GPS built-in.  Not to mention … Read More Here

Best Action Cam 2017: GoPro Hero5 Black vs Garmin VIRB Ultra 30

In virtually every post or video I make where I use an action cam, I’m asked which camera I’m using and why.  And even more commonly since this past fall I’m asked whether to go with the GoPro Hero5 Black … Read More Here

DJI Mavic Pro In-Depth Review

While the widely held assumption this year was that the GoPro Karma drone would be the hottest drone to get one’s hands on, it’s quickly become clear over the last 75 days that wouldn’t quite pan out.  A mere 7 … Read More Here

GoPro Hero5 Black In-Depth Review

It’s been two years since the last major GoPro Hero launch.  No, I don’t count the Session last year.  I’m talking about a multi-camera launch like GoPro has typically done each fall for the majority of its history.  Back in … Read More Here

Everything you need to know: GoPro’s New Hero5 Cameras & Karma Drone

Update: Go see my full GoPro Hero5 Black In-Depth Review here! Today GoPro announced three new action cameras, a drone, and a rather interesting flotilla of accessories.  These include a handheld gimbal, external microphone/remote combos, and even a nifty $19 … Read More Here

Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 In-Depth Review

Last week, Garmin announced and released their newest action cam – the VIRB Ultra 30.  To summarize this 50-million word in-depth review in the most succinct manner possible: Someone at Garmin finally got it.  They created what might possibly best … Read More Here

Cycliq Fly12 Bike Light/Camera In-Depth Review

It’s been over a year since Cycliq first introduced their Fly12 combo bike light and HD camera.  While the road to shipping was certainly longer and bumpier than the company wanted, they started shipping units to customers last month.  You’ll … Read More Here

360Fly 360° Action Camera In-Depth Review

It’s the all-seeing action camera in-depth review.  Or at least, the mostly seeing action camera in-depth review While I’ve talked about 360° action cameras a bit over the last year or so, it hasn’t been until now that they’re actually … Read More Here

Garmin VIRB X & XE Action Cam In-Depth Review

Every once in a while in the DCR Review Realm I go ahead and pull out a slightly longer review cycle.  This would be one of those times.  In this case, I’ve used the Garmin VIRB X & XE action … Read More Here

The Feiyu Tech GoPro Action Cam Wearable Gimbal In-Depth Review

I know, approximately 97% of you are looking at the title right now and going “Who the fudge is Feiyu Tech?”  And then about 65% of you are saying “What the heck is a gimbal?” (and is it related to a gumball?).  Fear … Read More Here

A 360° Action Cam Roundup: Nikon, 360Fly, Giroptic…and GoPro

Just as last year was the year of the drone at CES, this year there is a lot of buzz about virtual reality. Lots of news surrounding bunches of new VR headsets. And to do VR, you need 360. As … Read More Here

A Look at Sony’s New HDR-AS50 Action Cam

Sony has announced a new action camera, the HDR-AS50, coming in at a baseline $199.  The real news here is that Sony actually has listened to customer complaints (or suggestions as they like to call them) and then made some useful improvements … Read More Here

GoPro Hero4 Session In-Depth Review

Please note: My Full In-Depth Review is now published and available.  Please click on over to that post to get my final impressions of the unit. Enjoy! It’s been about almost three months since GoPro announced their Hero4 Session action cam.  … Read More Here

GoPro announces new HERO+ LCD camera (oh, and a drone too!)

Today GoPro announced its latest action camera, the GoPro HERO+ LCD.  This marks the first time GoPro has done an ‘off-cycle’ release of a new camera product, as the company has historically released new action cams in the September/October timeframe.  … Read More Here

TomTom Bandit Action Camera In-Depth Review

Today TomTom has announced they’re venturing into the action cam business, with the introduction of the TomTom Bandit.  This Twinkie sized action cam contains 2.7K (30FPS) and 4K (15FPS) capabilities, as well as GPS functionality that you’d expect from a … Read More Here

Sports, Drones, and Follow-Me Aerial Action Imagery: A State of the Industry

There’s been a ton of interest as of late in using drones within sports.  This interest comes from many different angles.  First is the more traditional approach of simply using the unmanned aerial vehicle as a platform for videography and … Read More Here

Understanding Live Streaming Video Options for Action Cams: GoPro, Sony and HTC

The ability to stream in real time (live) video footage from action cams remains a bit of the holy grail of sports action.  Today, 99.99% of what you see on TV is done via broadcast quality cameras and equipment, with … Read More Here

A look at Sony’s new 4K action cam, crazy concurrent multi-cam support

Last week at CES Sony announced their latest action cam, the Sony FDR-X1000V, which is capable of shooting 4K video.  They also updated their HDR-AS camera line with a new 200V version  (HDR-AS200V).  These came as a surprise to approximately … Read More Here

Giroptic edges closer to 360° action cam release, YouTube announces support for 360° footage (huge deal)

°° Giroptic was on-hand last night at the CES Unveiled event showing off their 360° action camera which had debuted on Kickstarter this past summer to very strong backer support.  The action camera is somewhat a descendent of previous attempts … Read More Here

GoPro Hero4 Silver & Hero4 Black In-Depth Review

(Note: Review updated March 10th, 2015, inclusive of most recent firmware updates) Early last month GoPro completed their annual October ritual of releasing a suite of new units.  Like past years, GoPro doesn’t tend to make massive upgrades in their … Read More Here