DJI Osmo Action 3 and GoPro Hero12 are the default for these use cases
Caveat: they don’t have the same cinematic depth or control you get from a larger sensor camera but for most trail and POV hiking content theyll look clean and sharp still + weight advantage
More premium option with better shooting under different light settings - Sony ZV-E10 which is more of a traditional camera than a “action camera” but choice is really yours, weight will be a factor here but still sub $1000. More options though - [10 Best Action Cameras to Invest In](https://alaskanarrows.com/10-best-action-cameras-to-invest-in-2025/) for you to consider
But whatever you choose, prioritize battery spares and a way to keep them warm too! Cold temperatures and long hours of shooting on the trail will drain power, and fast
Cheers!
The main thing with a 360 camera is you don’t have to make sure the camera is pointing in the right direction so don’t miss anything. So far I’ve used mine hiking and cycling, I haven’t tried it with skiing yet. I also have a DMI Osmo Action 3 that I used to take out a lot but find I reach for the Insta 360 X4 Air more.
As others have said, the editing is a bit more involved because you have to choose which view you want to save to the exported video but once you get used to it, it isn’t too bad. I find editing on the phone is fine for a quick result but you get more control on the desktop app which find quite easy. You just have to get your head around using key frames to change direction of view during the video.
I feel like the 6 is a very small iteration that is probably worth it jumping from the 3, maybe worth it from the 4, definitely not worth it from the 5P.
But, packs in good features like a square sensor and aperture ring that will be well perfected by the time 4-5 users *need* to upgrade for whatever reason.
On the other hand, the aperture ring is a mechanical point of failure which I don’t love with DJI’s current situation here in the US.
I bought the action 3 last year Aug. 2024. It was on sale, just needed it to record cycling videos in 2k or 4k and vlog. I love it, now I want a newer model to be able to sync a mic up. Is the 6 much different than the action 5?
Yeah, sure. They release.. what.. 2 or 3, maybe 4 firmware releases with actual improvements upon the camera, but then abandon it after about 7 months or a year after it releases, then release a new model and the cycle repeats.
Happened to me with OA3 and OA4, I'm not buying a new one until a sizeable enough difference between the OA4 and a new generation is made.
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