How to Buy a Sports Camera

Find the tough action camera that's right for your sport

Sports cameras (aka action cameras) are tough digital devices designed to record extreme sports action from your point of view -- you mount them on your equipment, helmet or body. Most can shoot both still photos and videos, and the best ones shoot in full HD (1080p). Great for skiing, snowboarding, ATVs, mountain biking and motocross -- some sports cameras are fully waterproof, so you can take them scuba diving, surfing or kayaking.

Look for these features on the best action cams:

• Top-notch image quality: Most sports cams shoot full 1080p HD video and 5-megapixel still photos -- but the top-rated GoPro HD Hero2 bumps that up to 11 megapixels, and its video looks better than others' in tests.

• Decent sound quality: Sports cams often wear protective cases that can muffle sound, but some (including the Hero2) offer microphone jacks so you can plug in an external mic.

• Waterproofing: The best sports cameras can go surfing, snorkeling and more -- although some charge extra for a waterproof case (GoPro includes one as standard equipment).

• Easy-to-use controls: If you're wearing gloves or have cold-numbed hands, fiddly controls can be a pain. Some cameras (like the GoPros) let you tweak controls on the fly, right on the camera, while others require you to hook the camera up to a computer.

• Shape and size: Slim, oblong cameras (like the Contours) fit best on a helmet or goggles, testers say. GoPro cameras are boxy, which can make them more obtrusive.

• Add-on features: You can add extras like Wi-Fi hookups and Bluetooth connectivity to share or remote-control your camera, but these usually cost more.

• Mounts that fit your sport: Action cams usually come with an array of mounts in the box -- and you can buy additional mounts for your surfboard, roll bar, bike handlebars etc. Just remember to budget for any extra mounts you may need.

• Price that fits your budget: Rugged as they are, it's entirely possible that your sports camera could get trashed in a wreck or washed away at sea. Experts point out that you can get a very good sports camera for $200 or less -- and that could be your best bet, if you'd worry about ruining a costlier camera.

• Other tough cameras: You'll also find rugged and waterproof cameras in our digital camera and HD camcorder reports. These can work well for shooting firsthand sports action, if you don't plan to totally abuse your camera.