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Best Bicycle Cameras for Cyclists
Love cycling and want to capture your rides on camera? Action cameras are small, feature-packed, and you can mount them on just about anything. But with so many models available, picking the right one for cycling isn’t always straightforward.
We’ve put together a list of the best bicycle cameras to help you find the right fit for your riding style and budget.
1. GoPro Hero 9 Black
The GoPro Hero 9 Black is an excellent all-around action camera for cyclists. It has built-in mounting points and shoots 5K video, which gives you plenty of resolution for editing and cropping. Battery life is solid too, adding about 20 minutes compared to the Hero 8.
The front-facing display makes it great for vlogging while you ride. Internal microphones deliver clear audio recording, though you can add an external mic for even better sound quality in windy conditions. There are also tons of GoPro accessories available to customize the setup for your bike.
The main downsides? It’s a bit large and heavy compared to some competitors, and low-light footage isn’t its strong suit despite the high megapixel count.
2. Xplova X5 EVO GPS Computer and Camera
The Xplova X5 EVO is a unique option that combines a GPS cycling computer with a built-in widescreen action camera. It overlays ride data on your footage, so you can share cycling adventures with speed, elevation, and route information baked right into the video.
The data-connected automatic recording feature starts shooting based on your current GPS location, which is a nice touch. The touchscreen is broad and easy to read while riding. On the flip side, video quality doesn’t quite match dedicated action cameras like the GoPro, so keep that in mind if image quality is your top priority.
3. GoPro Hero 8 Black
The Hero 8 Black was a standout action camera from GoPro and still holds up well. It includes TimeWarp 2.0, Hypersmooth 2.0 stabilization, and 1080p live streaming. Photo quality also got a bump with an improved HDR mode.
GoPro Mods expand the camera’s capabilities. The multi-directional mic Mod improves audio, and there’s an extra 3.5mm external mic port for even better recording. A cold shoe frame lets you attach a flip-up screen for self-framing. The built-in 200-lumen LED light helps in dark conditions, which is useful for dawn or dusk rides.
The biggest weakness is audio quality in windy conditions with just the built-in microphones. An external mic mostly solves that problem.
4. AKASO V50 Camera
The AKASO V50 is one of the best budget-friendly helmet cameras for recording your rides. It has a responsive 2-inch touchscreen for previewing and adjusting settings on the fly.
Electronic Image Stabilization keeps your footage smooth even on rough terrain. Built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi lets you connect to your phone and share videos directly to social media. The camera is also waterproof, so rain won’t be a problem.
Low-light performance is limited, though, and you can’t run EIS and lens distortion correction at the same time. For the price, those are reasonable trade-offs.
5. DJI Osmo Action Camera
The DJI Osmo Action is a compact action camera with some standout features, including dual LCD screens. It’s the rare action camera with a front-facing selfie screen, making it easy to frame yourself while recording.
The wide f/2.8 lens supports 4K HDR video at 60fps, and the 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor produces good results in most lighting conditions. Plenty of mounting accessories are included, and the body is waterproof. Just note that it lacks GPS and doesn’t support live streaming.
Which Camera Should You Get?
The right bicycle camera depends on what you need most. If you want the best video quality, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is hard to beat. On a budget? The AKASO V50 delivers solid results without the premium price tag. And if you want ride data overlaid on your footage, the Xplova X5 EVO is the only option that does it natively.
Pick the one that matches your riding style, mount it up, and start capturing your rides.
See also: 15 Best DSLR Cameras for Beginners, Canon Cameras with Flip Screen, 5 Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras
