Top Action Cam Accessories

Action cameras have become synonymous with adventure and capturing life’s most thrilling moments. In recent years, the market for these compact, rugged devices has seen a significant increase in sales. Brands like GoPro have led the charge, continually innovating to meet the demands of adrenaline junkies, travelers, and content creators. Action cameras, such as those from GoPro, have carved out a niche for themselves in the crowded camera market. Everyone who owns an action camera knows that the best shots and contents are created with many different action cam accessories that can be purchased. Here are top action camera accessories for biking, hiking, running, kayaking and even diving.

The Surge in Action Camera Sales

Several factors have contributed to the rising popularity and sales of action cameras:

1. Adventure Tourism Boom: With more people engaging in extreme sports and adventure tourism, the need for durable, high-quality cameras that can withstand harsh conditions has grown.
2. Social Media Influence: Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have created a demand for high-quality, immersive content. Action cameras are perfect for capturing and sharing these experiences.
3. Technological Advancements: Continuous improvements in camera technology, such as 4K video recording, image stabilization, and waterproofing, have made action cameras more appealing to a broader audience.
4. Affordability: The entry of various brands into the market has led to competitive pricing, making action cameras more accessible to the average consumer.

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Why Action Cameras Are So Good

Action cameras, such as those from GoPro, have carved out a niche for themselves in the crowded camera market. Here are some reasons why they are so highly regarded:

1. Durability and Build Quality: Action cameras are designed to withstand extreme conditions. They are typically waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, making them ideal for capturing adventures without the worry of damage.
2. Compact and Lightweight: The small size and light weight of action cameras make them easy to carry and mount on helmets, bikes, surfboards, and other gear. This portability ensures they can go wherever the action is.
3. High-Quality Imaging: Despite their small size, action cameras are packed with powerful technology. They offer high-resolution video (up to 4K and beyond), excellent frame rates, and impressive image stabilization, ensuring smooth and clear footage even in the most chaotic environments.
4. Versatility: These cameras are incredibly versatile, suitable for a wide range of activities from skydiving and scuba diving to hiking and vlogging. They come with various shooting modes, including time-lapse, slow motion, and burst mode, allowing users to get creative with their recordings.
5. Ease of Use: Action cameras are designed for ease of use, often featuring intuitive interfaces and simple controls. Many models also offer voice control, allowing users to operate the camera hands-free.

Top Accessories for Action Cameras

To maximize the potential of an action camera, there are several must-have action cam accessories:

1. Mounts and Straps: Various mounts and straps allow users to attach their cameras to helmets, handlebars, surfboards, and more, providing unique perspectives and stable footage.
   • Helmet Mount: Perfect for capturing first-person views during activities like biking or skiing.
   • Chest Mount: Offers a lower perspective, capturing more of the arms and handlebars, great for cycling or motorcycling.
   • Handlebar Mount: Ideal for attaching the camera to bikes, motorcycles, or even skateboards.
2. Waterproof Cases: Although many action cameras are waterproof, additional waterproof cases can provide extra protection for deep-water activities like scuba diving.
3. Extra Batteries and Chargers: To ensure you never miss a moment, having extra batteries and portable chargers is essential. Long days of shooting can quickly drain a camera’s battery.
4. Gimbals and Stabilizers: For even smoother footage, gimbals and stabilizers are excellent tools. They help to eliminate shake and provide professional-grade stability.
5. Memory Cards: High-capacity, high-speed memory cards are crucial for storing large amounts of high-resolution video. Look for cards with fast write speeds to handle 4K video recording.
6. Protective Cases and Bags: To keep the camera and accessories organized and protected during transport, a good quality case or bag is necessary.
7. Lens Filters: Filters such as ND (Neutral Density) filters can help control exposure and improve video quality in bright conditions.

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Top action cam accessories customized for sport types

Not every gear can be used all across the board, yes, battery and memory card, but that is probably it. Depending on how you want to utilize your camera and how you want to use it will dictate what gear and accessory you need and want to buy. Categorized into sport types, we will give you the best and most beloved action cam accessories in Canada and abroad.

Biking

Biking is probably one of the most sport typer where action cameras are used to create some dramatic and adrenaline filled content. Best video can not be made while you hold your action camera in one hand while you focus on the path, balance and dangers that might come across your path! You will certainly want to have an attachment where your camera will be secured to. There are probably gazillion different attachments and we couldn’t possibly mention them all, but we will mention what we like using and what most bikers use while riding and filming at the same time.

Helmet attachment is one of the most logical choices and the most bought action cam accessories out there. It sits secure on bike or bicycle helmet, away from hands while it captures video from best possible view.

Bike clips are another great ways to secure your action camera while you focus on the road. They come in variety of shapes and materials. It is important to know how hard will the camera be used or how heavy will the vibration and possible hits will affect the material. In very mild and moderate usage, plastic clips are perfectly fine, while some heavy usage will definitely demand aluminum or steel clips and other attachments.

Chest harness can be utilized very effectively while biking. Your action camera will be securely attached to your chest, it will have a lover point of view compared to your helmet attachment but because it is attached to soft harness, it will have a more smooth video due to vibration absorption.

Kayaking

Helmet attachment, same as biking, these attachments are crucial when using action cams while kayaking. As the image shows, helmet cam is utilized usually while kayaking on white water rapids. Helmet cam attachment is among the most bought action cam accessories for kayakers.

Sticky clips are great way to securely attach your action cam to your kayak or canoe. It will provide secure attachment, amazing point of view while you enjoy the paddling and nature.

Chest harness can be used as well while kayaking or canoeing, just keep in mind that your paddle and your arms could obstruct the view of the camera.

Snorkelling/Diving

Floating stick is among the most used action cam accessories while snorkelling or diving. It holds your action cam secured while it provides extra security should you drop your camera. It will float and you could recover your camera easily.

Hard cover, provides extra protection for your action camera while snorkelling or diving. It is used usually at deeper dives, but even when snorkelling, it provides extra protection against salty water.

Underwater lights, can provide realistic colours while diving especially. Everyone who recorded a video during a dive knows that deeper you dive the more blue and green tint video becomes. Lights can help to record more realistic colours.

Colour filters are another great helpers while snorkelling or diving. Light red filter is used while snorkelling and it helps to record more realistic colours. Red filter is used on deeper dives while magenta filter is used in rivers and lakes where green algae is dominant. Colour filters can make or brake your video quality, test and play with filters before deciding the best one for your snorkelling or diving adventure. This can be one of the best action cam accessories if used properly.

Hiking/walking

Gimbal ring stabilizers are great tools when recording video while walking or hiking. Enhanced selfie sticks that will have some sort of mechanical or motorized stabilization mechanism will provide amazing videos free of harsh vibration and movements.

Drones are another great tools to create amazing content. Many drones have its own cameras while many have action cam attachments. Many drones have the ability to follow you while you focus on the path and nature surrounding you.

Skiing/Snowboarding

Helmet attachment is probably the apex of winter sports! It does it all and is a no brainer during skiing or snowboarding. Many helmet manufacturers have action cam attachment integrated into helmet it self. Like they know that many winter sport enthusiasts will use action cam.

Have we forgot other sport types, yes, but the accessories used to create great video content while undergoing the sport activity are somewhat same or similar.

The global action camera market has experienced significant growth over the past decade. This trend is expected to continue, driven by advancements in technology, increasing consumer demand for high-quality, immersive content, and the rise of social media influence.

The global action camera market was valued at approximately USD 3.3 billion in 2020. It is projected to reach around USD 6 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.5% from 2021 to 2027. The Canadian action camera market is a significant segment within the North American market. While exact figures are more challenging to pinpoint, the market is estimated to be worth several hundred million dollars. If we combine action cam accessories these numbers will probably exceed the estimated dollar amounts.