VFX, Stunts, or Extreme Sports—These Action Cameras Are a Must

Small cameras may be a niche tool, but they are necessary for VFX, stunts, and action. For our Deals of the Week, we have just the cameras for the job. 

Whether you're doing dangerous stunt that requires small but hardy cameras to capture the action, or you're creating HDRI maps to support your VFX workflow, tiny action cameras are the goto for many creatives. 

For our Deals of the Week, we found two brands that fit perfectly for these types of workflows. And when you're done, you can even take them out to film your favorite extreme sport activity. Or maybe a vlog!

GoPro HERO11 Black

The GoPro started the action camera revolution so it's only fair we start with the newest iteration of the tool. The GoPro HERO11 Black offers a 27MP image sensor that can capture stunning photos as well as 5.3K60 and 2.7K240 video. Also, GoPro's HyperSmooth 5.0 digital stabilization ensures stable footage even when filming crazy chaotic moments. On top of that, creatives will get a horizon lock feature to ensure videos line up properly to the horizon. For action and stunt sequences that demand a tiny camera, a few GoPro's go a long way to capture the scene.

This Creator Edition Bundle equips you with a HERO11 Black action camera, Media Mod, Light Mod, and Volta Battery Grip, which also expand the GoPro's content creation capabilities. Not to bury the lead, but the GoPro is also water proof up to 33-feet, opening up loads of underwater videography options. 

Insta360 ONE X2

Insta360 on the other hand, embraces the POV in a way that GoPro doesn't. With 360 degrees of view, the Insta360 ONE X2 lets you record your whole scene and then reframe as need in post. While it's not going to be your goto for action sequencess, this camera is great for creating HDRI maps for VFX. 

The ONE X2 comes with dual and single-lens modes. In dual-lens mode, also called 360 Cam Mode, the camera uses both its front and rear lenses to capture immersive 360 5.7K resolution video with automatic internal stitching, and then using the companion iOS/Android app, you can navigate through the shot and select a specific angle and share it directly to social media. However, in Single-lens mode, also called Steady Cam mode, this camera becomes a standard camera that you can capture regular shots with. In both modes, FlowState Stabilization, with an advanced scene-detection algorithm, digitally smooths out your shot, so it looks more steady. The ONE X2 is also designed to be waterproof up to 33-feet without any waterproof housing required. 

Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition Camera

The Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition is an attempt to be the GoPro and a 360 camera in one. The Twin Edition includes the Core module, 4K Boost Mod, the 360 Mod, and the necessary Battery Base that holds the modules together.

When assembled with the 4K Boost Lens, the ONE RS can shoot 4K60 wide-angle action video and 48MP photos. With the 360 Lens, the ONE RS can shoot 5.7K 360° footage with creative effects like the Invisible Selfie Stick and 360° reframing. Both lenses have FlowState stabilization and Horizon Lock. A 1" wide-angle lens, which captures 5.3K resolution video, is also available separately and can be swapped in. With this camera, creatives can utilize it as they would a GoPro, but also have the ability to create HDRI maps for VFX use. 

Which of these actions cams is your favorite? Is there one you'd like in your toolkit? Let us know in the comments!