The Best Motorcycle Cameras To Document Your Rides

Yes, GoPro has a 360-degree camera, but for as good as the Hero 11 Black is, GoPro’s 360 cam is average, at best. That’s where companies like Insta360 are making a name for themselves.

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 11 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. (Well, at least until we get to test the insta360 X3 listed below.)

MO Tested: Insta360 One X2 Camera Review

The trusted name when it comes to action cameras, GoPro’s latest top-o-the-line model is the Hero 11 Black, and boy does it pack a punch. There’s a lot to unpack with the 11 Black, but the biggest advancement comes in the form of its ability to shoot 5.3K at 60fps, giving you smooth, high-definition videos to share. How much more resolution? How about 91% more than 4K and a whopping 665% more than old-school 1080p! And if you want to capture still photos, you’ve got 27MP at your disposal or simply grab a single frame from the 5.3K video for the same resolution. Or how about the ultra-wide 8:7 aspect ratio that increases the vertical field view by 16% over the previous generation. You can even crop from 8:7 to more traditional ratios of 4:3, 16:9, and 9:16 without losing resolution.

Of interest to motorcyclists is the advent of HyperSmooth 5.0 which will make the Hero 11 appear to float along, no matter how rough the terrain is. Additionally, the Hero 11 is waterproof to a depth of 33 ft., and although we hope you don’t take your bike to those depths, we hope you’ll record the epic monsoon you rode through during your tour of the Southwest. Finally, the Hero 11’s battery’s performance has been extended by up to 38% under normal conditions and is significantly increased in cold temperatures.

Like the previous generation GoPro, the Hero 11 is cloud-connected, meaning that from the moment you charge it, your footage can be 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.

INNOVV has been producing progressively better motorcycle dash cams at reasonable prices for over five years, and we’ve typically had good results from them. Now, the company is stepping more directly into the action camera market with a helmet cam that offers some distinct differences from the 800-lb gorilla in the market.

The helmet-mounted INNOVV H5 camera (or DVR as INNOVV refers to it) brims with features. With a maximum resolution of 4K at 30fps, in addition to 2.7K at 60fps and 1080P at 60fps. The SONY 4K image sensor features a built-in image stabilization capability. The still camera function offers choices of 20, 10, and 5 megapixels. Finally, the camera can support MicroSD/TF cards up to 512GB, for roughly 4 hours of 4K video time. The camera has a built-in microphone for recording ambient sound, and an optional boom-microphone adapter is available as an accessory.

The H5’s form factor is unusual (and polarizing), favoring a narrow front face when compared to most GoPro-like action cameras, choosing instead to put the bulk of the camera to the rear instead of the side. The camera’s dimensions are 1.3 x 4.3 x 2.2 in., making it look a good bit larger than GoPro’s 2.64 x 1.34 x 1.85 in. Given the larger dimensions, you would probably be surprised to learn that at 5.1 oz., the H5 weighs less than the 5.4 oz. GoPro Hero 11. Additionally, the H5’s  smaller front facing surface area reduces the forces generated by the wind blast at speed (when mounted on the side of a helmet), while simultaneously allowing for a larger battery. If you’re still undecided, take a look at the full review linked below.

MO Tested: INNOVV H5 Helmet Camera Review

The newest offering from insta360 is the X3, and it sure is impressive. Utilizing dual 1/2-inch sensors, X3 captures 5.7K 360 Active HDR video, so you’ll never miss the action. In post production, you choose your favorite angle after the fact with easy reframing tools in the AI-powered Insta360 app. This takes away a lot of the fuss of setting up the action camera versus more traditional ones and allows for cool effects, like panning with your subject as you ride past it – great for documenting those track-day exploits! Speaking of railing around corners, FlowState Stabilization (image stabilization to you and me) and horizon leveling algorithms come together to deliver incredibly smooth videos where the horizon stays level throughout the corner, just like on MotoGP bikes.

In addition to video, the X3 is capable of 72MP photos and 8K time lapses. To give your ride a cool third person view, the 360 Lens with X3 makes the accessory Invisible Selfie Stick totally disappear from your shots for impossible drone-like footage and third-person perspectives.

The other upgrades included in the X3 consist of: an 1,800mAh battery for longer recording times, waterproof to 33 ft., and a huge, new screen for operating your X3!

How cool does this sound? We are anxiously awaiting our sample from insta360 to give it the full MO-Tested treatment. Keep an eye out for our full review.

The Sena 50C is the latest intercom/camera hybrid to join the 10C EVO in the company’s lineup. The 50C 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 50C 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 50C is also a Bluetooth communicator that now uses Sena’s mesh technology with a claimed one-mile range. Pairing to your smartphone allows for calls, music, or GPS directions to be broadcast to the rider. The unit also now uses Harman Kardon speakers and  allows for the use of  voice commands. Additionally, the camera preview mode lets the rider verify that the camera is in the correct orientation for the bike they are riding. Videos can also be downloaded to the phone for sharing. The Sena 50C comes with a three year warranty.

The Sena 50C retails for $549.

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