The cameras that record longest, and at what setting

No two makers quote runtime the same way. Most use 1080p at 24 frames a second with the radios switched off, which is a mode almost nobody shoots in; the split-body cameras quote the figure with their battery handle or dock attached, which doubles or triples it. A number without its setting is marketing. 4 cameras also carry a figure from a named third party, with its own conditions.

How this list is ordered: ranked by the maker's claimed runtime, with the setting that claim was measured at printed alongside. 33 of the catalogue’s cameras qualify.

  1. 1SJCAMSJCAM C400437 min at 4K30 with the 3000 mAh handle attached; 172 minutes on the 54 g camera aloneHandheld vlogging that has to run all day~$24928 mm²
  2. 2SJCAMSJCAM SJ30420 min at 4K30 with the 4200 mAh power handle attachedAll-day recording where runtime beats resolution~$26428 mm²
  3. 3SJCAMSJCAM C300360 min at with the 2800 mAh battery grip attachedLong-form recording clipped to clothing~$15928 mm²
  4. 4GoProGoPro MISSION 1300 min at 1080p30 continuous, Enduro 2 batteryFootage that has to survive a real grade~$59972 mm²
  5. 5DJIDJI Osmo Action 6240 min at 1080p24 with RockSteady onBright-light shooting and vertical-plus-widescreen delivery~$37996 mm²
  6. 6DJIDJI Osmo Action 5 Pro240 min at 1080p24 with RockSteady onLow light and long days without a bag of spare batteries~$29972 mm²
  7. 7DJIDJI Osmo Nano200 min at 1080p24 with RockSteady on and Wi-Fi off, camera plus Vision DockHands-free POV where a full-size camera is too much~$29972 mm²
  8. 8Insta360Insta360 GO Ultra200 min at camera plus Action Pod, standard video modeHands-free POV you can wear all day and forget~$44972 mm²
  9. 9Insta360Insta360 Ace Pro 2180 min at 1080p24 with Endurance Mode onVlogging to camera, where you need to see yourself framed~$39972 mm²
  10. 10DJIDJI Osmo Pocket 3166 min at 1080p24 with Wi-Fi off and screen offHandheld vlogging where the footage has to look glassy, not mounted~$519116 mm²
  11. 11DJIDJI Osmo Action 4160 min at 1080p24 with RockSteady on, Wi-Fi offA big sensor on a small budget~$22972 mm²
  12. 12GoProGoPro HERO13 Black150 min at 1080p30 continuous, Enduro batteryHelmet and handlebar mounting where the accessory ecosystem matters~$34934 mm²
  13. 13Insta360Insta360 X6140 min at 8K30 360 video, Xtreme batteryThe 360 camera to buy if you only buy one~$66992 mm²/lens
  14. 14Insta360Insta360 GO 3S140 min at 1080p30 with the Action Pod attachedPet, kid and first-person angles a bigger camera cannot reach~$39928 mm²
  15. 15Insta360Insta360 X5135 min at 5.7K30 360 video, screen off, Wi-Fi on autoThe default 360 camera for people who will scratch the lenses~$54972 mm²/lens
  16. 16RicohRicoh THETA Z1 51GB110 min at 4K video, limited by the 51 GB internal storageProfessional 360 stills where image quality decides the invoice~$1,049116 mm²/lens
  17. 17GoProGoPro LIT HERO109 min at 4K60 continuous, built-in batteryNight vlogging and enclosed spaces where there is no other light~$26928 mm²
  18. 18GoProGoPro HERO (2024)100 min at 1080p30 continuous, built-in batteryA first action camera, or a disposable extra angle~$17928 mm²
  19. 19DJIDJI Osmo 360100 min at 8K30 panoramic, lab conditions at 25 °C360 work that has to be graded rather than just posted~$49996 mm²/lens
  20. 20GoProGoPro MISSION 1 PRO90 min at 8K30 continuous, Enduro 2 batteryLow light and heavy grading without giving up a waterproof body~$699116 mm²
  21. 21AKASOAKASO Brave 890 min at 4K60 continuousA GoPro-shaped camera with spares included, on a budget~$27931 mm²
  22. 22AKASOAKASO Brave 8 Lite90 min at 4K60 continuous; 150 minutes at 1080pA camera you can afford to lose~$19928 mm²
  23. 23Insta360Insta360 X4 Air88 min at 8K30 360 video, screen off, Wi-Fi on auto, standard bitrateSelfie-stick and helmet 360 where weight decides everything~$39938 mm²/lens
  24. 24Insta360Insta360 X381 min at 5.7K30 360 video, lab conditionsA first 360 camera without spending flagship money~$27931 mm²/lens
  25. 25GoProGoPro MAX78 min at 1440p30 single-lens, Enduro batteryA cheap second camera that shoots both spherical and straight~$34928 mm²/lens
  26. 26Insta360Insta360 X475 min at 8K30 360 video, screen off, Wi-Fi on auto, high bitrateDaylight 360 capture on a budget~$42931 mm²/lens
  27. 27GoProGoPro HERO12 Black70 min at 5.3K60 continuous, Enduro batteryGetting flagship stabilisation without flagship pricing~$26934 mm²
  28. 28GoProGoPro HERO11 Black Mini68 min at 5.3K30 continuous, built-in batteryA set-and-forget second angle on a helmet or chest mount~$19934 mm²
  29. 29GoProGoPro MAX266 min at 8K30 spherical, ideal conditions360 capture where the lenses will take a beating~$49934 mm²/lens
  30. 30GoProGoPro HERO11 Black60 min at 5.3K60 continuous, Enduro batteryVertical and landscape delivery from one take~$24934 mm²
  31. 31AKASOAKASO 36060 min at 5.7K30 360 recordingFinding out whether 360 shooting suits you, cheaply~$19931 mm²/lens
  32. 32KandaoKandao QooCam 358 min at 5.7K30 360 recording, standard settingsSpherical stills and virtual tours on a budget~$34951 mm²/lens
  33. 33KandaoKandao QooCam 3 Ultra50 min at 8K 10-bit 360 recordingSpec-per-dollar in 360, if you can live with the weight~$54943 mm²/lens