Almost 5m action cameras were sold last year – 47% up on the previous year, according to Futuresource Consulting.

The UK and USA accounted for nearly half (46%) of total demand.

Market leader GoPro pulled in most of the sales, reportedly selling 3.8m cameras.

A Futuresource spokesman said: ‘The relative importance of outdoor pursuits, propensity to spend on emerging CE [Consumer Electronics] categories, and the use of social media, are some of the main drivers of demand for action cameras.’

Uses range from cycling, skiing and surfing, to television production.