However, several other cameras can also capture great skateboarding content. I tested cameras, including a budget choice, a great first camera, and a top-of-the-line option with great specs.
For those uncertain of what to look for, you may be asking questions such as,
- What to look for when buying a camera for skateboarding?
- What camera lens do skaters use?
And most importantly…
- What is the best camera for skateboarding?
Or, if you are just in search of the best camera for skateboarding, make sure to keep on reading.
Best Camera for Skateboarding – Reviews
A camera is the most important piece of equipment to capture all your amazing stunts and tricks.
Having personally tested 5 of the best action cameras currently on the market, I am sharing with you the low down on each option.
Panasonic HC-VX981K – Best Skateboarding Camera Overall
Having tried, tested, and reviewed all 5 action cameras, it is clear that the best camera for skateboarding is the Panasonic HC-VX981K.
It has an impressive zoom range that can capture even the most elaborate and distant tricks with perfect clarity and precision.
What’s more, its cutting-edge technology allows for unparalleled image quality that can be used for both professional and personal use.
With its cutting-edge image stabilization system, you can be confident to get ultra-smooth footage even when skateboarding at high speeds or recording fast-moving objects.
This advanced system ensures that all footage is stable and sharp with minimal blur and distortion, giving you the highest quality results.
The Panasonic HC-VX981K is a powerful and feature-packed camcorder that is ideal for recording all your skateboarding adventures.
This advanced camcorder offers an impressive array of features. These features include a powerful wide-angle lens that allows you to capture detailed wide shots with ease. A large sensor that ensures crystal-clear close-up shots with remarkable clarity and detail.
4K Resolution – Advanced 4K image processor that delivers sharp, detailed images with vibrant colors and rich contrast.
Fisheye and Wide Angle – The fish eye lens offers a 180-degree field of view, while the wide angle lens allows users to capture more of the scene without losing any quality.
Frame Rate – Offers a maximum frame rate of 60fps, allowing users to capture smooth and detailed video footage.
Slow Motion – Captures slow motion at 120fps.
Video Stabilization – Equipped with a 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilizer that ensures steady shooting even when you are walking or running.
Exposure Compensation – Easy to adjust exposure settings to capture the perfect shot, even in difficult lighting conditions.
ISO Range – Impressive dual-native ISO up to 6400.
Autofocus – Advanced auto-focus technology.
Battery Life – One hour per charge.
Sound – Advanced noise reduction, adjustable gain control, and high-definition superior sound quality.
The Panasonic HC-VX981K is the ideal camera to capture all of your skateboarding adventures and special moments.
“With its powerful imaging capabilities, the Panasonic HC-VX981K is the perfect tool to capture all of your skateboarding memories.”
GoPro MAX – Best Skateboarding Camera for 360° Video
The GoPro Max is an all-in-one camera that allows you to capture stunning, professional-quality videos and photos with ease.
To capture your stunts and tricks in 360°, the GoPro MAX is the superior choice. Featuring dual-camera technology, the GoPro MAX captures at any angle and will not miss even a second of the action.
4K Resolution – Shoots 360° video captured in 6K and stitched to 5.6K or HERO mode 1080p.
Fisheye and Wide Angle – With dual-camera technology, the GoPro MAX is the ultimate wide-angle camera capturing 180° each side and 360° imagery. The camera also features PowerPano technology to capture 270° panoramic shots at the touch of a button. The GoPro MAX features 4 digital lenses; narrow, wide, linear, and Max SuperView.
Frame Rate – 5.6K resolution of 30fps or HERO mode at 60fps.
Slow Motion – 2x slow-mo in 360° mode.
Video Sstabilization – Features advanced technology MAX HyperSmooth for maximum stability and horizon leveling.
Exposure Compensation – Auto-adjusting exposure control. Exposure levels may be unbalanced in 360° mode.
ISO Range – Maximum ISO 6400.
Autofocus – Great autofocus technology with Reframe mode locking focus throughout action videos.
Battery Life – 115 minutes per charge.
Sound – Premium quality stereo audio captured from 6 mics.
The GoPro MAX also comes with a range of creative tools and features that make it easy to create unique content for any project or occasion.
“For impressive photography and videography, the GoPro MAX is an incredible choice for 360° imagery.”
GoPro Hero 8 – Best Skateboarding Camera for Beginners
It’s a powerful and versatile action camera that can capture stunning 4K footage and 12MP photos. With its advanced features, it allows you to take your videography to the next level.
A state-of-the-art update to the world’s most iconic action camera. The GoPro Hero 8 offers high-quality action content perfect for capturing skateboarding stunts and tricks.
4K Resolution – Up to 4K resolution.
Fisheye and Wide Angle – Features 4 digital lenses; narrow, wide, linear, and SuperView.
Frame Rate – 60fps at 4K resolution.
Slow Motion – 240fps at 1080p.
Video Stabilization – Features advanced technology HyperSmooth 2.0 for maximum stability. Corrects camera shake to create professional-quality capturing.
Exposure Compensation – Features both auto-tune composure settings and Protune manual exposure adjustment settings.
ISO Range – Maximum video ISO of 1600. Minimum ISO 100.
Autofocus – High-quality fixed-focus lens. GoPro technology ensures all subjects at a distance of at least 1ft have incredible focus.
Battery Life – 81 minutes per charge.
Sound – Advanced audio capabilities with a built-in external mic.
The Hero 8 also comes with a range of accessories and advanced settings giving you even more creative control over your videos.
“With the GoPro Hero 8, you can take your videography skills to the next level and create stunning skateboarding content seamlessly.”
Canon VIXIA HF R800 – Best Skateboarding Camera for Battery Life
Capturing crisp video with vibrant color, the Canon VIXIA HF R800 is a powerful and versatile camcorder.
A top-performing action camera with excellent image quality, the Canon VIXIA HF R800 captures moments in high definition.
4K Resolution – 1080p resolution.
Fisheye and Wide Angle – Fisheye and wide angle lenses are an optional extra.
Frame Rate – Captures at 24fps, 30fps, and 60fps.
Slow Motion – Slow motion, time-lapse, and fast motion capabilities with 8 different speed options.
Video Stabilisation – Built-in image stabilisation.
Exposure Compensation – Auto-adjusting exposure settings but does not perform highly in low light.
ISO Range – Maximum video ISO of 1600. Minimum ISO 100.
Autofocus – Excellent quality focusing with both autofocus and manual focus.
Battery Life – 2 hours per charge.
Sound – Functional built-in microphone with the option to utilize external microphones.
With its intuitive controls, easy-to-use menus, and wide range of features, the Canon Vixia HF R800 is an excellent choice for amateur videographers looking to take their projects to the next level.
“The Canon VIXIA HF R800 is an ideal choice for those who want a reliable camcorder and superior creative options.”
YI 4K Action Camera – Best Skateboarding Camera for Affordability
The YI 4K Action Camera is the perfect choice for skateboarders looking for an affordable and reliable action camera.
This lightweight and the durable camera can capture stunning 4K resolution videos, making it ideal for capturing all your skateboarding adventures.
It also has a range of features, such as image stabilization, time-lapse and slow-motion recording, making it the perfect tool to capture all your tricks in beautiful detail.
4K Resolution – Up to 4K resolution with 4K ultra setting.
Fisheye and Wide Angle – Features a 155° super wide angle lens with lens distortion correction. The YI 4k Action Camera has a range of built-in lenses including wide, medium, and narrow fields of view.
Frame Rate – 30fps at 4K and 240fps at 720p.
Slow Motion – Slow motion resolution up to 1080k. Supports speeds of 2x, 4x, and 8x slow-mo.
Video Stabilization – Stabilisation is not available for 4K imagery. Video stabilization is automatic for shooting at 2.5K or below. Features a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer.
Exposure Compensation – Incredible exposure compensation which excels at shooting outdoors. Features 7 layers of glass optical lenses to increase light intake to produce high-quality imagery in low light.
ISO Range – Maximum video ISO of 6400.
Autofocus – High-quality fixed-focus lens.
Battery Life – Up to 2 hours per charge if recording at 720p. 4K shooting has a battery life of between 70-90 minutes.
Sound – Features an omnidirectional dual microphone for enhanced sound quality and noise cancellation.
“With its low price tag and wide range of features, the Yi 4K Action Camera is the perfect choice for budget-conscious skateboarders who want to capture their best moments on film.”
Now we have reviewed multiple action cameras that are great for skateboarding, what is the best camera for skateboarding?
How to Buy the Best Camera for Skateboarding
After trying and testing 5 incredible cameras for skateboarding, the clear winner is the Panasonic HC-VX981K.
Whilst this is the perfect skateboarding camera for us, each individual has unique requirements and it may not be the camera for you.
If you’re still looking for a camera for skateboarding even after the ones I’ve just reviewed, here are the features you should look out for.
4K Resolution
When looking for the best camera for skateboarding, a starting point is to look for one specifically designed to meet the needs of action shots.
Incredible cameras for skateboarding enthusiasts who want to capture their daring tricks and stunts in high-quality offer 4K resolution.
With stunning 4K video resolution, you can now record your most daring stunts with the highest image quality available. This gives you an edge over the competition and provides you with the best possible footage for professional editing and sharing online.
For amateur skaters, the reviewed cameras that support 4K bring simplicity to the 4K recording experience. Even novice videographers can capture every moment in the highest quality to share with family and friends.
With 4K video resolution, your skateboarding tricks can be captured with amazing clarity and detail, allowing you to relive the moment again and again.
The high-definition footage will ensure that no detail is lost, so you can truly appreciate the intricacies of your moves with every replay.
Fisheye and Wide Angle
Wide-angle lenses are essential for capturing the full panoramic of a skateboarding session, from the street below to the sky above.
The majority of camcorders and action cameras have limited to no capability for additional lenses. Therefore, built-in wide-angle capabilities are a key element when searching for the best camera for skateboarding.
The wide-angle lens helps to capture every detail of your tricks, from the board flipping in midair to the wheels spinning on the pavement.
The lens also captures details that would otherwise be lost with a regular camera, making it perfect for capturing those challenging tricks and stunts to remember.
Cameras with enhanced features may also offer a fish-eye field of vision.
The fish-eye effect of the lens has a greater and more unique field of vision than a traditional wide-angle lens. The lens provides viewers with an immersive experience as if they were actually there with you.
Fisheye and wide-angle lenses are perfect for action scenes and will ensure that you get the best shot possible.
Frame Rate
When looking for the best camera for skateboarding, a device with multiple frame rates is a great advantage.
The majority of action cameras offer a great frame rate of up to 60fps, which is perfect for capturing fast-paced activities like skateboarding.
With this frame rate, you can be sure that you will get clear and crisp footage no matter which stunts you are shooting.
Allowing you to capture even the most intricate movement with ease, this camera is the perfect tool to document your skateboarding journey.
You can also adjust the frame rate to suit your needs, making this camera suitable for all kinds of situations.
With up to 60fps, you can capture all of your skateboarding stunts in stunning detail and clarity.
An excellent frame rate is a perfect tool for any skateboarder looking to document their progress or capture their skills with a professional look.
Slow Motion
Capturing skateboarding in slow motion can be a challenge, especially when you don’t have the right equipment.
Action cameras are perfect for this task as many feature advanced frame rates. Many action cameras have a 120fps frame rate which is perfect for slow-motion capture.
Purchasing a camera with at least a 120fps frame allows you to capture smooth and fluid slow-motion shots with ease.
With a 120 fps frame rate, you can record action videos such as skateboarding in slow motion and get some amazing results.
However, some cameras also offer 240fps which provides even greater results.
Cameras that allow you to adjust the speed of your slow-motion videos will create stunning effects.
With 120fps or 240fps, you can create beautiful slow-motion videos of your favorite sports or activities with ease.
Video Stabilization
For anyone looking to capture smooth, stabilized footage of skateboarding, outstanding video stabilization is essential.
Many cameras feature 5-axis image stabilizers that ensure any camera shake is eliminated, allowing you to achieve professional-looking results.
This technology allows users to capture fluid and level movement seamlessly.
With the help of this stabilization feature, you can capture moments without worrying about camera shake ruining your shots.
Whether you’re walking or running alongside a skater or your board is navigating bumps, this camera will keep your footage steady and smooth regardless of the motion.
With impressive video stabilization, you can rest assured that your videos will look as good as possible no matter how vigorous movement you are capturing.
Exposure Compensation
A top choice is an excellent camera that can capture skateboarding in low light and other difficult lighting conditions.
Exposure compensation features make it easy to adjust the exposure settings of your footage, allowing you to capture great shots even in the most challenging environments.
Whether you’re shooting outdoors or indoors, day or night, exposure compensation will help you get the best possible results.
A camera with enhanced exposure compensation is a great choice for skateboarders who want to capture their tricks in the best video quality without worrying about the lighting.
With easy-to-adjust exposure settings, you can take full advantage of any lighting situation and create stunning visuals with your skateboarding videos.
This feature helps even novice photographers take amazing shots of stunts and tricks with ease.
ISO Range
Cameras with an impressive ISO range of up to 6400 and dual-native sensors are great cameras for skateboarding.
This makes it perfect for capturing fast-moving action shots even in low-light conditions.
A camera reaching up to 6400 ISO is more than enough for most skateboarding videos.
Many action cameras offer a wide range of manual controls, allowing you to adjust your settings quickly and easily for the best results. These cameras are perfect for skateboarding.
Autofocus
Today’s action cameras are some of the most advanced auto-focus cameras on the market…
Advanced autofocus technology allows you to take stunning shots with ease. You can focus on the action without worrying about blurry videos.
Providing crystal clear, high-quality, and detailed footage, a camera with great autofocus is an ideal choice for skateboarders who want to capture their stunts in crisp detail.
With its advanced technology, autofocus will help you capture your skateboarding moments in vivid detail.
Battery Life
When trying to capture skateboarding footage, decent battery life is crucial.
The longer the battery life, the more opportunity you have to capture your stunts and tricks.
A camera with a battery life of up to 1 hour gives you plenty of time to film your best moves without worrying about running out of juice. Anything more than this is an incredible bonus.
However, for longer and more detailed projects, spare batteries are also a must. It’s essential to have a backup plan so that you do not miss out on any of the actions.
Sound
A camera with superior sound quality is required for skateboarding and other sporting activities.
A camera with advanced noise reduction technology, adjustable gain control, and high-quality audio capturing is the best choice for skateboarding.
These features allow users to capture crisp sounds with superior clarity and accuracy.
With adjustable gain control, users can easily adjust the sound levels to their preferences.
Meanwhile, a camera with an advanced noise reduction system ensures a clear and balanced audio output.
Any camera with advanced sound quality is perfect for skateboarding enthusiasts who want to record their adventures in crystal clear sound.
Things to Ignore
Whilst many features of a camera can be beneficial to skateboarding enthusiasts, there are some elements to ignore.
In-camera editing is often a unique selling point of a camera yet is fine to avoid this function. If your video needs editing, you will get a more impressive result through video editing software.
A wireless sub-camera, which features multiple action cameras, is also not a beneficial feature for skateboarding. This feature can take the focus away from the content and distract from what you are trying to capture.
Best Camera For Skateboarding – My Verdict
It is clear that the Panasonic HC-VX981K is the best camera for skateboarding if you are an enthusiast like I am.
Capturing clear sound and even more precise imagery, this camera is the best at capturing your stunts and tricks in high quality.
With image stabilization, advanced noise reduction, and exposure compensation, you can rest assured your skateboarding moments will be recorded to the finest standard.
Whilst the Panasonic HC-VX981K is the best camera for skateboarding that we have found, you may find an alternative that suits you more.
You may want to check GoPro MAX for its impressive 360° videography.
If you are just starting out with skateboarding videos, the GoPro Hero 8 is ideal for beginners.
Alternatively, a budget-friendly option to try would be the YI 4K Action Camera.
Whichever camera you decide to go for, your skateboarding moments will be captured in great detail.
