[Motorcycle.com]

1. Staff Pick: Insta360 ONE X2

Yes, GoPro has a 360-degree camera, but for as good as the Hero 10 Black is, its 360 cam is average, at best. That’s where companies like Insta360 are making a name for themselves, and insta360’s latest is the ONE X2.

The insta360 ONE X2 is the action camera for the rider who wants maximum versatility. Whereas other action cameras require you to be precise with how you position them, the ONE X2, like most 360 cams, allows you to be lazy because you’re going to capture everything around you, anyway.

With the ONE X2, however, you get many of the same features mentioned with the GoPro Hero 10 Black, but inside a 360 cam. This means 5.7k 360-degree video capturing, Steady Cam mode, FlowState Stabilization (another term for image stabilization), an ultra-bright touchscreen, waterproofness up to 10 meters, AI editing capability, four microphones capturing 360-degree audio, Insta’s Timeshift feature, and voice control.

As far as tech specs go, the ONE X2 can shoot in 16:9, 1:1, and 9:16 aspect ratios. Its ISO ranges from 100-3200, with video resolution up to 5.7K, 30fps. In short, this is one of the best 360 action cams out there today.

MO Tested: Insta360 One X2 Camera Review
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Bottom Line / Perfect for the rider who wants both 360° and traditional wide angle action video.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

2. Industry Standard: GoPro Hero 10 Black

The trusted name when it comes to action cameras, GoPro’s latest top-o-the-line model is the Hero 10 Black, and boy does it pack a punch. There’s a lot to unpack with the new 10 Black, but the biggest advancement comes in the form of its new, faster GP2 processor. It’s something you won’t ever see, but you’ll definitely feel its effects. In short, it ramps up the Hero 10’s capabilities and pushes the bar even further.

What does that mean, exactly? Well, for starters, the Hero 10 Black shoots 5.3K video with double the frame rate as the old Hero 9. It can take 23MP photos (and grab impressive stills from its video), has enhanced low-light performance and game-changing HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization in all modes. On top of all that, HERO10 is cloud-connected—so the moment you charge it, your footage is automatically uploaded to the cloud. This last bit requires a subscription service, but if you plan on using the camera a lot, it’s worth it.

There are screens front and back for better framing of the shot, no matter where you stand, and for motorcyclists looking at the Hero 10 – Valentino Rossi is one of GoPro’s supported riders. There’s a good chance he’s put the HyperSmooth 4.0 function to use, and if it’s good enough for him, then it’ll likely hold up to anything we can throw at it just fine.

Bottom Line / The best GoPro has to offer.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

3. GoPro Hero9 Black

If it weren’t for GoPro, there wouldn’t be an action camera market, and the GoPro Hero9 Black represents the company’s state of the art – at least, it did until the Hero 10 Black above took over the top spot. Content creators will love that the Hero9 because its ability to shoot in 5K resolution will allow them to crop in to cover important details. Then there’s the 20-megapixel photo capability with SuperPhoto processing. To frame the shot from where you mount the camera, you have a front LCD and a rear LCD touchscreen with touch zoom. The bumps of the road or the trail will be erased with HyperSmooth 3.0 image stabilization. You can also live stream in 1080p if that’s your thing. Finally, the Hero9 is waterproof down to 33 ft. You certainly won’t need to worry about having it mounted to your bike when you ride in the rain.

Bottom Line / Still a solid GoPro if you can't get a Hero 10.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

4. INNOVV K3 Dual Channel Motorcyle Motocam

If you want to record what’s happening both in front and behind your motorcycle, Innovv is where to turn. Its multiple product offerings consist of different variations of tiny, discreet cameras that are perfect for recording video without making it obvious to the world.

The Innovv K3 is prepared to handle any weather condition you ride in and is rated IP67 waterproof, meaning the K3 is completely dustproof and can be immersed in up to three feet of water for a period of 30 minutes. So, unless you’re planning on launching your bike into a lake, you’re sure to be covered. The remote control has been upgraded to full metal construction and gives the rider the system status at a glance while riding. The K3 has also received a microphone for recording engine sounds or rider narration. The cable is long enough to reach the rider from many remote mounting locations for the DVR unit. Dual HD cameras record front and rear views simultaneously in your choice of 1080P 30fps or 720P 60fps, and a WiFi connection allows for reviewing and sharing of videos directly on a smartphone. Parking mode can record any attempts to molest your motorcycle while you aren’t there. The built-in, user-adjustable G-sensor automatically protects the current recording from erasure if the unit detects an accident. Loop recording starts recording over the oldest files first when the microSD card fills up. Still, with a maximum card size of 256GB, you can record approximately 18 hours of video before the unit overwrites old files.

MO Tested: Innovv K3 Review​

Bottom Line / Record front and back views simultaneously from stealthily-mounted cameras.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

5. Cambox V4 Pro

Thanks to its unique mounting position, the Cambox V4 can mount in just about any helmet while not disrupting the airflow or adding any protruding objects in case of a crash. If you want a true rider POV, this is the camera. Its 150° wide angle lens records in 4K at up to 60 fps and keeps things smooth with 6-axis stabilization. Weighing in at just 70 grams and 19mm thick, the V4 Pro mounts via hook-and-loop fastener inside the top of a helmet’s eye port. Controls include: large power button, 3 LEDs to easily know the camera status, and a lockable cap to protect the micro SD card and charging port. Control the camera wirelessly via the iOS & Android Cambox App.

MO Tested: Cambox MkV4 Pro Action Camera​

Bottom Line / Discretely mounts inside your helmet for a true rider's-eye-view.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

6. Insta360 GO 2

This tiny 27 gram marvel packs 6-axis stabilization just like your $40,000 Panigale R, remote start/stop/power up, 120 fps slow motion @ 1080p, Timelapse, Time Shift Hyperlapse, HDR video, and resolution up to 1440p at 30 or 50 fps through a 120 degree ultra wide lens with adjustable view modes. Unlike your smartphone, this camera is tiny, rugged, easy to mount just about anywhere, and best of all, utilizes auto horizon leveling technology combined with Flow-State Stabilization to automatically keep your shots level and free of jitters and bounce. It’s small enough to mount just about anywhere, and when you’re not using it, just pop it in your pocket.

MO Tested: Insta360 GO 2 Review​

Bottom Line / Small and full-featured video recording fun.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

7. Sena 10C EVO

The Sena 10C EVO is the company’s sole camera entry in their line of Bluetooth and Mesh communicators. The 10C EVO combines Bluetooth communications with 4K video. The camera captures video at 4K 30fps. Other video features include Video tagging and Smart Audio Mix. When the 10C EVO is in standby mode, the Video Tagging feature records the minute before and after the rider presses the Video Tagging button. Smart Audio Mix allows for Bluetooth conversations to be recorded to the captured video. Then the Sena 10C EVO is also a Bluetooth communicator that allows the rider to be able to communicate with up to four others over a claimed one-mile range. Pairing to your smartphone allows for calls, music, or GPS directions to be broadcast to the rider. Additionally, the camera preview mode lets the rider verify that the camera is in the correct orientation for the bike they are riding. Additionally, videos can be downloaded to the phone for sharing.

The Sena 10C EVO retails for $399.

Bottom Line / Ideal for moto-vloggers.

 

[Motorcycle.com]

Motorcycle Camera FAQ

What is the best motorcycle camera?
As the action camera market has matured and diversified, that question can only be answered by asking more questions: What do I want to use the camera for? Do I want to mount it permanently on the bike or move it around? Do I want the camera with the highest resolution? All of these questions can be answered with one of the models above.

Are motorcycle helmet cameras legal?
Good question. It depends on the state. For example, in California, objects that protrude more than 5mm from the helmet are illegal, but we’ve never seen it enforced.

Where is the best place to mount a 360-degree camera on a motorcycle?
We’d recommend mounting it on the tank or the handlebar. That way both the road and the rider can be seen in the video.

Recent Updates: March 2022: Updated imagery, added Insta360 One X2 review link, and changed camera ranking. September 2021: Replaced the GoPro Hero8 with the GoPro Hero10 Black, removed Insta360 R and replaced with Insta360 ONE X2.

Additional Resources

• MO Tested: Insta360 One X2 Camera Review
• MO Tested: Innovv K3 Review
• MO Tested: Cambox MkV4 Pro Action Camera
• MO Tested: Insta360 GO 2 Review
• MO Tested: Innovv C5 Motorcycle Camera System Review
• MO Tested: Innovv K1 Motorcycle Camera Review

MO Tested: Insta360 One X2 Camera Review
Here at MO we’ve become fans of the new kid in the action camera room – Insta360. As the brand name implies, its specialty is 360-degree cameras which allow the user to capture all the action surrounding the camera, and decide after the fact which elements of the action they’d like to feature in their video. The beauty of this is that you never miss the action because the camera was mounted or pointed in the wrong direction. We’ve previously tested Insta’s One X, One R Modular 360 camera, and the tiny GO 2 pocket action camera.

Insta360 One X2
Version 2.0 of Insta360’s original 360-degree camera makes it easier than ever to make sure you don’t miss the action, wherever it is.

+ Highs Sleek, easy to handle package Fantastic smart phone and desktop apps Never miss a shot again

– Sighs Vulnerable in a tumble Optional lens covers rumored to introduce glare Standard video limited to 1440p

The One X2 is version 2.0 of Insta360’s first consumer camera, the One X. That camera made capturing unique perspectives of all the action easy with video modes like Bullet-Time, Hyperlapse Time Shift, and Deep Track automatic subject tracking in post. Flow-State stabilization worked very well and was a huge boon for motorsport video. The One X had oodles of potential for changing the action camera game because of the advantages of a constant 360° field of view, but was let down by buggy file stability and a somewhat difficult to use two button camera interface with a dated LCD screen.

The One R addressed the file instability issues of the One X and added a color touch screen and modularity with a standard action camera 4k lens. It was also first in the action-camera space with a one-inch sensor lens option capable of shooting up to 5.3k, giving it the flexibility of being a 360 camera, standard action camera, and a higher-resolution low-light capable action camera all in one. The form factor was a more traditional chunky square camera body, and the One R camera itself was wider between the two 360 lenses compared to the One X. A wider camera in the 360 world means a more noticeable stitch line where the AI software stitches the two images from each lens into one.

Which brings us to the Insta360 One X2, which really is what the One X should have been from the start – an easy-to-use 360 camera with robust files, a modern, color touchscreen to control the camera and display vital information, and a sleek pocket-friendly profile for fans of iPhones.The incredible smartphone software and robust yet easy desktop software remain. How does the One X2 stand up to the demanding world of being mounted on screaming, vibrating, speeding motorcycles? Smash the video link below to find out. So far, after many months of that kind of abuse making a bunch of moronic videos, the One X2 has become an invaluable piece of camera gear.

Watch the Video Review
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