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If, like us, you ever used to lug a JVC camcorder up the hill – usually wrapped in an old hoody and stuffed in a backpack – then you’ll appreciate just how far the action camera game has advanced in recent years. For a few hundred quid you can shoot tons of high-def footage on a device that fits comfortably in your jacket pocket.  Some of the most memorable clips from the last few years were caught on action cams, including Tim Humphreys’ ‘selfie’ park lines and Billy Morgan’s triple rodeo. You don’t have to be a pro to use one – thousands of ‘radical unicorns’ (© Chris Moran) can now capture every thrill and spill of their holiday with their helmet-mounted camera.

It’s quite an investment, so we’ve done extensive testing on four of the most popular models on the market. Here’s how they measure up: