4 action cams in a quick check: How to keep your helmet camera under control!

Steffi Marth, influencer

As an MTB influencer, the Brandenburg native knows all the tricks of the trade when filming. Steffi uses the GoPro 9, 10 and 11, but almost all the tips also apply to older models.

We tried out these 4 action cams:

• GoPro 11 Black >> available here
• Insta 360 One RS Twin Edition >> available here
• Rollei Action One >> available here
• DJI Osmo Action 3 >> available here

Click to go to the individual rating

Actioncam with 4K - only for cracks!

For anyone filming and editing for social media channels, I recommend a maximum setting of Full HD (4:3, 1080 + 30 to 60 frames per second). This is perfectly adequate and won't fill up your storage space. For high-quality films, it's better to choose 4K.

Helmet camera with wide mode - more on it

For a wide viewing angle, I choose the wide setting on the helmet camera. That way you can see more of the trail. If you like filming for Insta stories, you should mount the GoPro upright on the chest strap. I use a mount from Ninja Mount. Basically, you can also do this with the GoPro joints.

Save better

It is worth investing in a large and, above all, fast memory card (at least 100 MB/s). Don't let your action cam run during your park lap. Press pause at stops or unspectacular passages. This makes it easier to process the footage later and saves battery power and space on the memory card.

Action camera from the POV

I swear by the Chesty (chest strap). It gives you the best perspective because you can see your arms and bike in motion. Style inserts are also visible, which are often not on the helmet perspective. If you attach the camera to the helmet, it is best to do so under the visor. This gives the most natural POV perspective. I like to let someone ride in front of me, the closer I am, the better.

Beginner's mistakes with the action cam

If you make a mistake with the alignment, you will be filming into the sky or onto the ground. That's why it's so important to simulate your position on the trail while standing and check the image section of your action cam via the app. Thanks to the wide angle, it is often enough to ask a friend for their opinion. Don't forget: Tighten the adjustment screw.

Photo instead of film

Photos from the first-person perspective are an exciting change. You can set the distance at which the helmet camera should trigger. Disadvantage: The camera often doesn't trigger when the action is at its best and you can't film at the same time. I therefore edit the photos directly from the film footage - simply by taking a screenshot. The quality is easily sufficient for Instagram.

Utilise instead of forget

Many people film and film and film - filling up their hard drives. The raw material is quickly forgotten. Therefore: utilise the recordings promptly. Music is always good. There are several editing programmes. E.g. with the GoPro app or Inshot. By the way: It's best to think about the story you want to tell before the bike trip, then you'll have an easier time editing. I don't use a microphone, the sound is also acceptable if you speak directly into the camera.

Four action cams in a quick check

1 - Top dog among the action cams: GoPro 11 Black

By recording in 8:7 format, the material can be cut into the desired formats for YouTube, TikTok and the like afterwards without any loss of quality. The image stabilisation is designed to GoPro 11 may be particularly successful. Also good: the action cam has a high photo resolution (27 MP). You can also choose between the longest possible battery life or the highest quality video recording. With the professional setting 5.3K60 resolution, high-resolution videos can be recorded. This usually only has disadvantages for amateur film-makers. Thanks to the 10-bit colour depth, a particularly large number of colours can be displayed. Price: 600 Euro

2 The hip helmet camera: Insta360 One RS Twin Edition

The name already gives it away: this helmet camera can become a 360° action cam can be extended. The lenses can be easily changed using a modular plug-in system. The manufacturer also advertises sophisticated image stabilisation for each lens, additional in-camera stabilisation for the wide-angle lens and a 360° horizon lock for straight and upright shots. At 48 MP, the camera has the highest photo resolution in this comparison. The 4K boost lens enables professional shots in 6K widescreen mode. When using the 360° lens, particularly entertaining and unique videos can be shot. Compared to the GoPro Hero11 Black, the battery performance is slightly lower. Price: 570 Euro

3 The affordable action camera: Rollei Action One

If you want a more affordable action camera, the Action One right. Its solid features for little money make it ideal for amateur film-makers. The image resolution of 12 MP and the video resolution with a maximum of 4K60fps are absolutely sufficient. Even smooth slow motion can be realised well with it. The battery performance is somewhat lower compared to other action cameras. Price: 249 Euro

4 The surprise: DJI Osmo Action 3

With a particularly reliable battery with a running time of up to 150 minutes and a short charging time, the manufacturer of the Osmo Action 3. As with the GoPro Hero11 Black, the 10-bit colour depth displays a particularly wide range of colours. At 12 MP, this camera has a lower photo resolution than the Insta360 One RS and the GoPro HERO11 Black, but the image quality is sufficient for recreational photographers. This camera also has an image stabiliser, which is designed to effectively minimise camera shake. The Osmo Action 3 can be switched from landscape to portrait format in a flash using a quick-release fastener. This also allows videos to be recorded in TikTok-supported format. In tests, the DJI performed even better than GoPro and Insta360. Price: 359 Euro