Although gentlemen still take their word for each other, it’s more enjoyable to have visible evidence of their adventures that you can share with friends, family, or blog subscribers. And here you can not do without a good action camera.
But which action camera to choose? It all depends on your budget and the affairs for which you plan to use this device.
How to choose an action camera for an amateur
What to look for when buying, if you are first facing a choice of camera for active sports.
- Action camera mount
- Most models fit on a regular helmet, although if you are looking for unique viewing angles, you will need additional accessories such as an arm, frame, or chest mount.
- Always look at the complete set of the model you like, sometimes various mounts are offered along with the action camera.
- There are universal action cameras that have been designed for almost any sport and can be installed on any surface - from the handlebars to the ends of the skis. Such models usually have image stabilization so that you can record smooth images while engaging in any activity.
- Specifications
- Resolution Is the amount of detail that a camera can capture, measured by the number of pixels in each frame. 1080p is Full HD, 720p is standard HD, and 4K is four times as many pixels as Full HD. Thus, the higher the resolution, the more detailed the images.
- Viewing angle - this is how many objects the camera can “see” in one frame. Having a wide viewing angle means you can get a more exciting perspective.
- Frames Per Second (FPS) Is the number of consecutive shots that the camera can process per second. Most cameras shoot at 30 frames per second, while more expensive ones can shoot at 60 frames per second, so you get smoother and less blurry images. If you want crisp, clear shots in slow motion, shoot videos with the highest possible FPS.
- Useful features
- Wireless (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, less commonly - NFC) Allows you to use your phone or tablet as a camera screen. This allows you to easily configure settings and remotely control the camera using the application.
- Image stabilization - Another important factor, since most action cameras are designed to shoot footage on the go. Therefore, the image should be as smooth as possible, if only you are not going to use the effect of the "camera shake". Cameras with good image stabilization will allow you to record video that does not cause "seasickness" when viewing.
- Waterproofing. If you plan to dive with the camera under water, its body must be waterproof, or there should be an aquabox in the kit.
Action Camera Rating 2019
10. Mijia Mi Action Camera 4K
The average price is 7 900 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 8 MP matrix (1 / 2.5 ″)
- microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- stabilizer
- up to 1 h of battery life
- weight 99 g
Video example:
Admit, you were waiting for the appearance of the Xiaomi product on this list? Well, both we and Yandex.Market users agree with your expectations. On this resource, the Mijia Mi camera has a high rating (4.5 out of 5 possible) and good reviews.
Its Sony IMX317 sensor is capable of shooting at 1080p (60 frames per second) with image stabilization and at a resolution of 4K (3840 x 2160) without stabilization.
In bright sunlight, the colors in the pictures taken by Mi Action Camera look bright, and the image as a whole is no less contrast than that of GoPro. It is hard to believe that this action camera costs less than 10 thousand rubles.
There are many different features you can play with, including slow motion, burst, and loop recording. And the camera timer has the ability to count 3, 5, 10 or 15 seconds to get perfect single or group shots.
pros: excellent build quality, intuitive controls, touch screen, you can take photos in RAW format.
Minuses: mediocre sound in windy weather, poor Russian localization, works only with fast memory cards.
9. Olympus Tough TG-Tracker
The average price is 18 900 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 8 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- SD memory cards
- Wifi
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 1.5 hours of battery life
- weight 180 g
Video example:
Perhaps the Olympus TG-Tracker does not look as presentable as most participants in the rating of action cameras. But here, as they say, "either checkers, or go." After all, this model has undeniable advantages, such as compactness, durability and waterproof housing. Yes, and a folding screen, which gives you the opportunity to look at what is happening from a different angle.
Among the most interesting features of TG Tracker is recording video at a speed of 240 frames per second with a decrease in resolution to 720p HD. This allows you to use this action camera while mountain biking or snowboarding.
4K resolution video goes up to 30 fps. The quality of the Tough TG-Tracker's video is not inferior to some eminent action cameras, and the relatively low price certainly makes it an attractive option for those of you who need a good, versatile action camera.
pros: there is a tripod socket with standard thread, excellent ergonomics, excellent image stabilization, good quality when recording sound (even in the aquabox).
Minuses: Olympus Share app allows you to record video only in short sections, poor color reproduction in low light.
8. TomTom Bandit
The average price is 20,200 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K high definition video support
- maximum video resolution 3840 × 2160
- widescreen video mode: yes
- matrix type: CMOS
- number of matrices: 1
- Sensor: 16 megapixels
- up to 3 hours of battery life
Video example:
Thought TomTom makes some of the best GPS navigators, watches and nothing more? But no. This company has made this ideal low-profile model that can be fastened to a helmet when you ride a mountain bike, snowboard or off-road.
Smart software automatically edits the footage, which eliminates the unnecessary work of people with little experience in editing video.
Bandit is undoubtedly one of the heaviest models in our ranking of action cameras in 2019, since it weighs 190 grams, but it is easy to use and shoots great shots.
pros: This action camera is compatible with GoPro mounts, has a convenient interface and splash-proof housing.
Minuses: 4K only shoots at 15 fps.
7. GoPro HERO 5
The average price is 20 500 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 2 hours of battery life
- weight 118 g
Video example:
Surfers, kayakers and snorkelling enthusiasts will enjoy communicating with this device, since with it you can dive to a depth of 10 meters without a protective casing. This camera is also famous for its durability and strength, which is important if you plan to take it on extreme trips.
Video can be recorded up to 4K at 30 frames per second, and the camera also takes 12-megapixel photos in RAW format.
The GoPro HERO5 has a two-inch touch screen at the back, which makes changing settings easier.
pros: there is video stabilization for taking smooth shots, many photo settings, you can install a smartphone application for remote control of the camera, image preview and video playback.
Minuses: expensive accessories, image stabilization works when shooting at a speed of less than 60 fps.
6. YI 4K Action Camera
The average price is 7 978 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 1.5 hours of battery life
- weight 95 g
Video example:
One of the most affordable models in the top action cameras. It is equipped with a 12-megapixel Sony IMX377 Exmor R sensor and shoots without noise even in low light.
YI 4K users praise her for her good sound (no aquabox), fast Wi-Fi data transfer, excellent autonomy, and very fast charging (up to 100% in an hour).
Another advantage in comparison with competitors are inexpensive accessories.
pros: excellent shooting quality, the kit includes an aquabox, user-friendly interface and touch control, electronic image stabilization.
Minuses: a tight plug in the usb port, extremely demanding on memory cards, sometimes it doesn’t work even with Class 10 cards, the lens glass is subject to scratches, as it sticks out of its frame.
5. Sony FDR X3000
The average price is 19,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 8.2 MP matrix (1 / 2.5 ″)
- memory cards MS, microSD
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- optical stabilizer
- up to 2.35 hours of battery life
- weight 114 g
Video example:
Even in 2019, this model remains Sony's best action camera. It uses optical image stabilization, which works even when shooting 4K video.
With its CMOS Exmor R-matrix, backlighting and excellent optical image stabilization, the Sony FDR X3000 will be an excellent tool for a vlogger who often shoots videos in low light conditions. In the daytime, its capabilities match those of the GoPro Hero 7 Black and Osmo Action.
If you plan to shoot in 4K, it’s best to do it at a low frame rate so that the camera has more time to capture light.
pros: excellent picture quality in any shooting mode, the kit includes an aquabox, a simple menu.
Minuses: warms up during long shooting in high resolution, expensive branded accessories.
4. SJCAM SJ8 Pro (Full box)
The average price is 14 390 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- microSD memory cards
- Wifi
- stabilizer
- weight 85 g
Video example:
If you are looking for a GoPro-compatible action camera with a resolution of 4K with a video speed of 60 fps, we recommend that you opt for the SJ8 Pro. This model also offers many other resolution options, including 1080p (120 fps) and 720p (240 fps) for video.
The SJ8 Pro lens consists of 7 layers of glass for greater clarity and reduced distortion, and also has a fixed focal length of 2.8 mm, aperture of f2.8 and a field of view of 170 °.
The ace in the sleeve of this camera is an 8x digital zoom feature that captures extreme close-ups.
pros: The camera has a tripod mount, 6-axis image stabilization, 2.33-inch IPS Retina touch screen.
Minuses: There is no voice control and waterproofing of the case, but the kit includes a waterproof case.
3. DJI Osmo Action
The average price is 29,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- weight 124 g
Video example:
The Chinese company DJI spent most of the decade dominating the world of unmanned aerial vehicles, developing advanced image stabilization technology and intuitive flight control. And now she has put this know-how into the creation of her first action camera.
The Osmo Action is slightly larger and slightly heavier than the Hero7 Black, but this is acceptable considering that it has a color front screen in addition to the 2.25-inch touch screen at the back.
Like GoPro, Osmo Action offers a wide range of management options, including voice activation. There are two built-in microphones in the device, but we recommend adding an external microphone to enjoy the best sound quality.
In terms of specs, the Osmo Action is not much different from the Hero7 Black. But it is cheaper and offers a front-facing screen, which is an excellent choice for video bloggers.
However, Osmo Action does not support live online broadcasts, so if this is important to you, select Hero7 Black. Similarly, if you want the widest possible field of view, select the Hero7 Black with wide-angle SuperView.
The Osmo Mimo app is also limited compared to the installed GoPro companion app, and its accessory kit is smaller than GoPro's. However, this camera is compatible with some third-party mounts.
pros: The action camera is easy to use, has a waterproof case, provides all the benefits of RockSteady electronic image stabilization.
Minuses: there is no screen auto-lock by timeout, the viewing angle is sometimes small.
2. GoPro HERO 7
The average price is 28,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 1.5 hours of battery life
- weight 116 g
Video example:
More recently, this king of action cameras from GoPro comfortably felt on the throne. But in the fall of 2019, he was replaced by a new market leader. However, HERO 7 is still one of the best action cameras on the market. And there are several reasons for this:
- This model features a portable and simple design. It has a touch screen on the back for easy control and a small monochrome display on the front. It displays data about what you are shooting: the duration of the footage, the resolution and frame rate, as well as how much battery and space is left on the memory card.
- GoPro Hero7 can shoot at up to 4K at 60 frames per second.
- The camera has a built-in 12-megapixel sensor that you can use to capture stunningly detailed photos.
- Your GoPro device offers HyperSmooth, an intelligent system that predicts your movements and can correct camera shake to make videos smoother. Then you can view your frames in the GoPro application, where you can manually select photos and videos.
- The camera even supports some voice commands. For example, you might say something like “GoPro, take a picture,” and she will take a picture. There are similar features for videos that come in handy when you want to use the speakerphone.
pros: even a beginner-friendly menu, water resistance, excellent sound on video, you can set the maximum ISO to 100.
Minuses: at minus temperature, the battery runs out quickly, heats up during long-term shooting, poor equipment (without aquabox).
1. GoPro HERO 8
The average price is 34,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- UHD 4K video recording
- 12 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- microSD memory cards
- Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth
- electronic stabilizer
- up to 3 hours of battery life
- weight 103 g
Video review:
The top action cameras of 2019 are headed by the new product from GoPro - an improved version of Hero 7 Black. It can shoot in 4K resolution at 60 fps and 1080p at 240 fps.
The following changes are announced:
- Improved image stabilization HyperSmooth 2.0, which works at all frame rates and resolutions as standard.
- Improved interval shooting on the move TimeWarp 2.0, compatible with Protune.
- As well as enhanced functionality and a new accessory system called GoPro Mods.
The most noticeable thing in the new GoPro camera is the frameless screen design and two folding metal “ears” at the base. They lie flat when not in use, but pull them out and you can use the camera with any GoPro mount.
And a new GoPro accessory called Display Mod adds a front or rear flip display to the action camera. Unfortunately, it is not yet available for order, but should appear in the near future.
The best action camera of 2019 also has four digital lenses, making it easy to choose the ideal viewing angle for shooting.
The sound on the front microphone has also been improved by enhancing wind suppression. Again, the upcoming Media Mod will further enhance the sound of Hero 8 Black.
With this camera you can dive without aquabox to a depth of 10 meters.
pros: voice control in Russian, many new modes, such as LiveBurst (three-second series of 99 pictures in 4K resolution), SuperPhoto + HDR to create realistic photos with a wide dynamic range, the ability to stream online in Full HD 1080p.
Minuses: high price.
Both the camera and its mods are currently available only for pre-order. The camera will go on sale October 22, fashion - a little later.
