Updated November 12, 2024
Shooting a video or some still shots while cycling can be a lot of fun whether it’s for your own memorabilia, something to share with family and friends, or as a record for insurance purposes in the event of an accident while commuting.
The small action cameras that can be fixed to your handlebars, seat, or helmet can frequently be used for a variety of adventure activities. The performance of these handy lightweight little dynamos continues to rapidly develop making the selection of one to suit your needs a bit of a research project. To help you cut that process down to size, some of the best cameras for cycling are reviewed below for your consideration. There’s a comparison table to start, followed by descriptions, key features, specifications, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on bikes and accessories, please check out these reviews:
MTB Lights Hardtail Mountain Bikes Gravel Bikes Under $2,000 Beginner Road Bikes Bike Computers Comfort Bikes Children’s Mountain Bikes Women’s Mountain Bike Helmets Mountain Bike Helmets Affordable Electric Bikes Women’s Mountain Bikes BMX Bikes Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 Budget Mountain Bikes Fat Bikes Single Speed Bikes Beach Cruisers
Best Camera for Cycling Review
- DJI Osmo Action
- Cycliq Fly12
- Cycliq Fly6
- GoPro Max
- GoPro Hero7 Black
- Akaso V50 Elite
- Olympus TG-Tracker
- Garmin VIRB 360
Best Cameras for Cycling Comparison Table
| Photo | Camera | Photo Resolution | Video Resolution | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | DJI Osmo Action | 12MP | 4K/60fps | $$ |
  | Cycliq Fly12 | 12MP | 1080p/60fps | $$ |
  | Cycliq Fly6 | 12MP | 1080p/60fps | $$ |
  | GoPro Max | 16.6MP | 5.6K/30fps | $$$ |
  | GoPro Hero7 Black | 12MP | 4K/60fps | $$ |
  | Akaso V50 Elite | 20MP | 4K/60fps | $ |
  | Olympus TG-Tracker | 8MP | 4K/30fps | $$ |
  | Garmin VIRB 360 | 12MP | 5.7K/30fps | $$$$$ |
| Photo | Camera | Photo Resolution | Video Resolution | Price |
It supports 4K/60fps HDR videos along with 8X slo-mo, time-lapse, and hyper-lapse videos, and still photography is possible in 5 modes.
In addition, the audio quality is high, and it is waterproof to 36 feet (11 meters), and resistant to the effects of the cold down to 14°F (-10℃).
Many users report that the DJI Osmo Action camera compares well to the GoPro Hero7, and of note is that it comes in at a little lower price.
Ask for details of the manufacturer’s warranty from the customer service of the seller.
Key Features
- Dual-screens (front and back LCD displays)
- RockSteady EIS video stabilization
- Slo-mo (8X), time-lapse, and hyper-lapse video
- 5 still-photography modes – single, countdown, timed, burst, and AEB
- Mimo App compatible with many smart devices
Specifications
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.6 x 1.7 x 1.4 inches
- Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Video Resolution: 4K/60fps, wide-angle 145° for HDR videos
- Waterproof: to 36 feet (11 meters)
- Temperature Resistant: to 14°F (-10℃)
- Battery: removable, rechargeable lithium-polymer
- Price: $$
It shoots video up to 60fps at 1920 x 1080p with audio and a wide 135° viewing angle.
6-axis electronic stabilization provides good definition and it includes a bike alarm that emits a beep, starts recording, and alerts your smart device if your bike moves.
Waterproof with an IP67 rating, the lithium-ion battery powers up to 8 hours and recharges in only 2 and a half hours.
Key Features
- 600-lumen light with 3 modes and 3 dimming options
- Integrated bike alarm
- 6-axis stabilization, 135° viewing angle
- Mobile app connection through Bluetooth, ANT+, and USB connection to PCs or Macs
- Looping video so you never run out of recording space
- CycliqPlus Desktop software for editing
- Easy quick-release mount above or below the handlebar
- 2-button operation
- Home Safe mode shuts off the camera when battery power is low leaving enough power for 30 minutes of light
Specifications
- Weight: 87 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.31 x 2.17 x 1.30 inches
- Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080p/60fps, wide-angle 135° for HDR videos
- Waterproof: IP67 (to 3 feet/1 meter water submersion depth)
- Battery: removable USB rechargeable lithium-ion, up to 8 hours on one charge, 2.5 hours recharging time
- Price: $$
It mounts on the seat pole and has an easy 1/8th turn mechanism for attachment and removal and a 3-mode 100-lumen safety light.
The other features of the two cameras are practically the same with high-resolution stabilized video for a smooth professional look.
They both have a bike alarm, Home Safe mode that shuts off the camera when power is low to preserve power for the light and looping video that lets you record without concern for running out of space.
Power lasts for 7 hours on one charge and recharging takes only a short 2 hours.
Key Features
- 100-lumen light with 3 modes and 3 dimming options
- Integrated bike alarm
- 6-axis stabilization, 135° viewing angle
- Mobile app connection through Bluetooth, ANT+, and USB connection to PCs or Macs
- Looping video so you never run out of recording space
- CycliqPlus Desktop software for editing
- Easy quick-release rear seat pole mount requiring only 1/8th of a turn
- Home Safe mode shuts off the camera when battery power is low, leaving enough power for 30 minutes of lighting
Specifications
- Weight: 3.88 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.73 x 1.38 x 3.31 inches
- Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080p/60fps, wide-angle 135° for HDR videos
- Waterproof: IP67 (to 3 feet/1 meter water submersion depth)
- Battery: removable USB rechargeable lithium-ion, up to 7 hours on one charge, 2 hours recharging time
- Price: $$
Compact and lightweight, it has a touch screen as well as 13 command voice controls that keep your hands free to steer your bike.
Photo and video capture are available in 4 focal lengths for extremely wide-angle panoramas and with 6 microphones excellent directional and immersive audio is enabled.
Max HyperSmooth stabilization delivers smooth high-quality HD footage including in slo-mo and time-lapse that can be streamed or vlogged using the GoPro app.
Ask for details of the manufacturer’s warranty from the seller.
Key Features
- 2 digital lenses
- 360° panoramic views
- Video and photo capture in 4 focal lengths – narrow (27mm), linear (19mm), wide (16mm), and max superview (13mm)
- Time-lapse and (2X) slo-mo videos
- 6 stereo microphones for directional or 360° audio with noise/wind reduction
- Max HyperSmooth video stabilization
- Touch screen display
- Hands-free 13-command voice control feature
- 1080p live streaming to social sites
Specifications
- Weight: 5.4 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.52 x 0.98 x 2.72 inches
- Photo Resolution: 16.6MP
- Video Resolution: 55.6K/30fps, HDR
- Waterproof: to 16 feet (5 meters)
- Battery: removable, rechargeable lithium-ion
- Price: $$$
While you keep a firm grip on the handlebars, you can activate the camera with 16 voice commands for easy no-hands control, and 4K videos can be captured at 60 frames per second with 8X slow-motion and time-lapse capability. In addition, your friends can join in on the action with live streaming to Facebook Live.
GoPro offers the Hero8 and Hero9 models with some additional features but the Hero7 has a nice package of features at substantially lower pricing.
It’s a great camera for use in a range of action adventures including scuba diving where it is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters) without a housing.
Ask for details of the manufacturer’s warranty from the seller.
Key Features
- HyperSmooth video stabilization (a clear step up from earlier GoPros)
- Slo-mo (8X) and time-lapse (TimeWarp) video
- Photo timer
- Portrait and landscape orientation
- 2-inch intuitive touchscreen display with zoom
- Hands-free 16-command voice control feature
- Live streaming to Facebook Live
Specifications
- Weight: 4.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.75 x 2.44 x 1.26 inches
- Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Video Resolution: 4K/60fps, HDR
- Waterproof: to 33 feet (10 meters)
- Battery: removable, rechargeable lithium-ion
- Price: $$
It has a responsive 2-inch IPS touchscreen display and controls that can also be activated through a wireless remote mounted on your wrist or by using basic verbal commands.
It has an adjustable view angle with distortion calibration to improve clarity as well as EIS video stabilization for steadier, smoother videos.
The features also include slo-mo video and digital zoom and with the included waterproof housing, the V50 Elite can be taken underwater to 131 feet (40 meters) in service of scuba divers.
To share videos directly from the camera through Wi-Fi, it has a built-in app.
Check with the seller for details on the warranty.
Key Features
- Advanced EIS video stabilization
- 2-inch touch screen with IPS display (the touch screen is a new addition, the video below reviews a model without touch screen controls)
- Wireless wrist-mount remote control (splash-proof)
- Hands-free voice control using the remote and simple commands
- Adjustable view angle (wide, medium, narrow)
- Distortion calibration feature for distortion improvements
- 8X slo-mo video, 8X digital zoom
- WiFi connection with built-in Akaso DV app
Specifications
- Weight: 1.26 pounds
- Dimensions: 2.36 x 1.57 x 1.18 inches
- Photo Resolution: 20MP
- Video Resolution: 4K/60fps
- Waterproof: to 131 feet (40 meters) in its waterproof housing
- Battery: rechargeable lithium-polymer
- Price: $
It has an ultra-wide 204° angle fish-eye lens, a fold-out 1.5-inch LCD display, and a 60-lumen headlight for low-light shooting and safety.
The 4K/30fps video resolution is enhanced by 5-axis EIS video stabilization to smooth out the bumps, and the camera includes a 1X zoom, sequential shooting, time-lapse, and video loop features.
With a range of built-in sensors, it was named the TG-Tracker because it can be used in data log mode to record environmental data and movement to be viewed in real-time on the LCD monitor using a small fraction of battery power.
Low temperature resistant and shockproof, it is also a good model for scuba diving with a waterproof rating without using a housing to 100 feet (30 meters).
It also comes with a 3-prong adapter for mounting.
Check with the seller for details of the warranty.
Key Features
- Fixed, fisheye, ultra-wide 204° angle lens
- EIS 5-axis video stabilization
- 1.5-inch tilt-out LCD display
- LED 60-lumens headlight
- Built-in sensors for e-compass, accelerometer, thermometer, barometer, and GPS
- Data log mode with action sensors without video for real-time data using minimal battery power
- Sequential shooting, time-lapse, and video loop features
- 1X optical zoom
- WiFi adapter built-in
Specifications
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.70 x 1.40 x 2.20 inches
- Photo Resolution: 8MP
- Video Resolution: 4K/30fps
- Waterproof: to 100 feet (30 meters), no housing required
- Temperature Resistant: to 14℃ (-10℃)
- Shockproof: from 7 feet (2.1 meters)
- Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion
- Price: $$
The Garmin VIRB 360 is a lightweight, compact, durable, waterproof high-performance model.
Packed with features it provides a high level of resolution with a 360-degree field of view and 4K spherical stabilization.
Activation is possible with voice, remote, and one-button controls and it has Garmin’s Hyperframe Director Mode and VIRB editing software for exceptional editing power.
It has numerous photo modes outlined below for a director to use to go with a rich G-Metrix data overlay.
The VIRB mobile app connects you with mobile devices.
Pricing is quite high compared to the other models here as you might expect. Check with the seller, Garmin, for the details of their warranty.
Key Features
- 360-degree vertical and horizontal field of view
- 4K spherical stabilization
- 360-degree audio with 4 built-in microphones
- Remote, voice, and one-button controls
- G-Metrix data overlay – GPS/GLONASS, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, compass
- Photo modes – single shot, burst shooting, exposure bracketing, time-lapse, travelapse
- Hyperframe Director Mode
- VIRB mobile app and VIRB desktop editing software
- Livestreaming is available on compatible Apple devices
- Tripod and action mounts
Specifications
- Weight: 5.64 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.54 x 2.33 x 2.75 inches
- Photo Resolution: 8MP
- Video Resolution: 5.7K/30fps
- Waterproof: to 33 feet (10 meters) without a housing
- Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion, 1-hour and 5 minutes of constant recording on 1 charge
Price: $$$$$
Cameras for Cycling Buying Guide
Photo & Video Quality
The main area of interest for bikers is action videography rather than still photography. When you do want to shoot some high-quality action or landscape still shots you want enough megapixels for a clear photo. The models reviewed here offer a range of 8MP to 20MP which is more than adequate.
For action video, an acceptable standard is 720p with 1080p or FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) the lowest of the cameras reviewed here. 4K or UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) video provides some more interesting options for editing. It does use more battery power to record which is a consideration for longer sessions.
The other specification to note for video quality is fps or frames per second, the higher the fps the smoother and less blurry the output. 30fps is the speed of many TVs. Cameras reviewed here operate at 30fps or 60fps.
The cameras with the best photo and video quality tend to be more expensive, with some exceptions.
Field of View
This term refers to the parameter of the image as measured in degrees from the front of the lens. Expressed very basically, a camera with a field of view of 150 degrees means that the camera can pick up the image 75 degrees up and down and to either side of the focal point of the lens.
An action camera for biking is useful when it has a wide field of view. Wide-angle shots will involve some distortion which many cameras have compensated for with a distortion control feature.
A 360-degree view is possible on some cameras like the GoPro Max and Garmin VIRB 360.
Ease of Use
Cameras are available that can be controlled in a number of ways. If there are buttons, you need to consider how easy they are to access and manipulate with or without gloves. Some models have a remote and in some cases, there is a hands-free option activated with verbal commands. Suiting the continuous action of cycling, most models are designed to set the controls in the appropriate mode and then pretty much forget about them for the duration.
Connectivity
While not necessary for normal operation, many cycling action cameras have responded to the high demand for connectivity options that enable connection to other devices and live streaming. Often top models offer one or more of Bluetooth, WiFi, ANT+, or NFC.
Mounting
Most cycling cameras offer options for mounting on your helmet or on the handlebars or seat. Helmet mounts offer a more personalized version of the action with the angle changing based on the point of view of the rider. Mounting on the bike itself is more stable without being as personally engaging. It will lose some shock absorption, though, that is provided by the body on a helmet-mounted version. Mounting on the seat or seat pole, like the Cycliq Fly6, provides a view to the rear for a look at what is behind including other riders.
Image Stabilization
Image stabilization is especially useful on bumpy or rough rides and is a feature on most cycling cameras. It involves a technology utilizing optical or gyro image stabilization which makes the video playback smoother by eliminating a lot of the jerky movements that are common.
Battery Life
As the cameras get smaller and lighter with continuous improvements in technology, demands on the battery are increasing. Unfortunately, battery technology is lagging some. You have to plan to not use up the battery charge too quickly. Most models offer battery life in a range of around 2 to 8 hours but some can’t even match this, like the Garmin VIRB 360 which only claims to offer 1 hour and 5 minutes of constant recording on one charge.
Waterproofing
Practically all the action cameras on the market can successfully tolerate rain and splashing. Some have more significant waterproofing for submersion and even have a depth rating. If you would like to use your camera for in-water activities or scuba diving, be sure to consult the specs or ask the seller or manufacturer for details.
Other Features
These little cameras, even some of the very reasonably priced ones, include an array of capture features like slo-mo, time-lapse, countdown, burst, timed, or others. There are different audio features available as well as wind and noise reduction. Editing apps offer many advanced options. Some models have sensors for an e-compass, accelerometer, thermometer, barometer, or GPS for data logging. Be sure to check the specs for the sorts of features that interest you.
For more information on bikes and accessories, please check out these reviews:
MTB Lights Hardtail Mountain Bikes Gravel Bikes Under $2,000 Beginner Road Bikes Bike Computers Comfort Bikes Children’s Mountain Bikes Women’s Mountain Bike Helmets Mountain Bike Helmets Affordable Electric Bikes Women’s Mountain Bikes BMX Bikes Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 Budget Mountain Bikes Fat Bikes Single Speed Bikes Beach Cruisers
Feedback and Comments
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