Rating of the best action cameras by user feedback

With the help of an action camera you can easily take off cycling trips, as well as other outdoor activities. There is an enormous amount of accessories intended for such devices. For example, you can purchase a mount on a pipe or sticker, with which the device is attached to the roof of the car. As for the action cameras themselves, their quality varies from very lousy to ideal. In today's collection, we will only consider those devices that are pleasing as a result of video shooting, and ease of use.

Action camera of which firm to buy

Garmin

Originally Garmin positioned itself as a manufacturer of GPS navigation equipment. The company was born in 1989.Surprisingly, buyers immediately appreciated the tourist, automobile, marine and other GPS-navigators. Certain claims they had only to the value of the products. This shortage of Garmin products exists even now - it is much more expensive than most competitors' products. But in recent years the company has significantly expanded the range. On sale there were bike computers and action cameras. The latter, strangely enough, also have a navigation chip in their composition. It allows you to overlay a separate window in the video editor that shows a map with the current route.

GoPro

Elite manufacturer of action cameras. It was founded in 2002, the headquarters are located in California. Perhaps, GoPro action cameras are the most expensive, especially top-end models. But they provide the highest quality of photo and video. Also, this product is characterized by high-resolution support( up to 4K) and accelerated shooting support. The second function is supported also by competitors, but there for its use it is necessary to strongly sacrifice the permission.

SJCAM

The most famous Chinese manufacturer of action cameras. Its products look very much like any GoPro Hero. However, Chinese action cameras are sold at a much lower price. But we should not expect any advanced technologies from these devices. The budget models are the most annoying - the picture they retain is not worthy of any criticism. Top models are shot a little better, but their video can also start to appear inadequately high quality.

Sony

The Japanese company Sony is working on the creation of video cameras not for the first decade. The most popular are the usual Sony camcorders, which are quite large in size and support optical zoom. However, you can find on the shelves of shops and Japanese action cameras. Their price tag may seem high, especially against the backdrop of Chinese products. This is due to the excellent quality of shooting, which only slightly falls short of the level of GoPro. Top models of Sony action cameras are equipped with support for shooting in 4K-resolution.

Xiaomi

Another Chinese manufacturer who decided to try himself in creating video cameras for extreme. The company earns the largest amount of money on the sale of smartphones, while its action cameras are produced to expand the range, almost as an experiment. The Chinese focus on low cost, which allowed them to immediately become the leader of all sorts of ratings. In particular, Russians often make their choice in favor of Xiaomi products, not paying attention to what it does not do best - much more important they think the fact that such a camera is several times cheaper than devices from GoPro.

Rating of the best action cameras

In this rating, based on numerous reviews of users, the following are taken into account:

• Maximum video resolution;
• The frequency of video shooting in different modes;
• Presence of image stabilizer;
• Dimensions and weight;
• Matrix used;
• Average price in Russian stores;
• Used interfaces and connectors;
• Package Contents;
• User complaints.

The best action cameras

Sony FDR-X1000V

One of the few worthy competitors for action cameras GoPro. The Japanese model records the picture in good quality, which is facilitated not only by the proprietary 12-megapixel matrix, but also by the presence of an electronic image stabilizer.

Pluses:

• Possibility of 4K-video;
• Up to 120 frames per second with Full HD resolution;
• The presence of HDMI-out and microphone input;
• Ability to use NFC and Wi-Fi;
• Presence of GPS-module;
• Qualitative CMOS-matrix.

Disadvantages:

• High enough cost;
• Expensive accessories;
• High memory card requirements;
• Decent size.

Reviews on the Sony FDR-X1000V indicate that this action camera is not without its shortcomings. Accessories for it are expensive, a memory card for it should be high-speed, and even a miniature device can not be named. But you forget about all these shortcomings after you realize that there are some functions that GoPro does not have yet! In particular, it is shooting at a frequency of 120 frames per second when using 1080p resolution, as well as the ability to save navigational coordinates. We should not forget about the stabilizer, even if it is electronic, not optical.

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Basic Edition

The tiny Chinese action camera, which weighs barely 72 grams. The number of wireless technologies it supports includes not only the usual Wi-Fi, but also Bluetooth.

Advantages:

• Very low cost;
• Availability of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules;
• Low requirements for microSD card;
• Compact and minimal weight.

Disadvantages:

• 120 frames / s only with HD resolution;
• No function for 4K-video;
• Image quality is far from ideal;
• Scarce package.

Reviews on Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Basic Edition show that buyers do not expect this device miracles. Everyone understands that this product is released for those who do not need video recording in 4K-resolution. Also this device is not intended for photographing - this task is much better for your smartphone. But you can not find fault with video recording in Full HD resolution. The picture quality is not ideal, but very close to how budget camcorders are removed. About them we, by the way, will talk in one of the nearest articles.

Garmin Virb Elite

Action cameras are almost never equipped with a display. This is explained by the minimum battery capacity - the screen quickly consumes a charge of such a battery. However, exceptions to the rule do happen. An example of this is the Garmin Virb Elite - there is a small LCD on the top of this action camera. First of all, it is designed to display the current speed, which will be especially relevant for cyclists and motorcyclists.

Advantages:

• Presence of electronic image stabilizer;
• Excellent 16-megapixel CMOS-matrix;
• Presence of a small screen;
• The housing has a microphone input and an HDMI output;
• Synchronization with a smartphone via Wi-Fi;
• Built-in GPS chip;
• Very rich in equipment.

Disadvantages:

• The overpriced;
• High weight( 125 g);
• Low video recording frequency;
• You can forget about 4K-resolution.

The high cost of Garmin products will someday play a malicious joke with the manufacturer. It's enough to read the reviews on Garmin Virb Elite, to understand that this action camera should be much cheaper. The fact is that when shooting at 1080p, the frequency here drops to 30 frames per second! Only with HD-resolution can you increase the frequency. And about 4K should be completely forgotten! Against this background, the significance of having a GPS module and a microphone input is lost.

SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi

This action camera was released by a Chinese manufacturer in early 2016.The resolution of the matrix installed here is increased to 14 megapixels. This has further improved picture quality. It's all right here and with the lens, the aperture of which is open to f / 2.8.To complain is possible only because of the frequency of video shooting, which can not be called high.

Advantages:

• Democratic price tag;
• Ideal dimensions and weight;
• Synchronization with other devices via Wi-Fi;
• Presence of a two-inch LCD display;
• Connect to a TV via HDMI;
• Using almost any microSD memory card;
• The kit contains everything you need.

Disadvantages:

• The maximum resolution is only 1080p;
• Shooting at 60 frames per second - only with HD resolution;
• Very bad microphone.

Knowledgeable people never understood why the SJCAM action cameras became so popular. Yes, they write a quality picture, but the frequency is reduced to the limit. All this they provide low-quality sound. All this is evidenced by reviews on SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi - a novelty of the Chinese company. After viewing the result of shooting, even 74-gram weight does not please you. However, it should be noted that those not included in our list of action cameras are able to shoot even worse. Or, they are sold at a higher price with identical characteristics.

GoPro HERO4 Black

The ideal, to which competitors will not reach soon. Not enough for this device only image stabilizer. All the other characteristics here are at the highest level. Minus GoPro traditionally remains the high cost of the camera itself and additional accessories.

Advantages:

• Presence of Time-Lapse mode;
• Support for 4K-resolution;
• Presence of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi;
• Connect to a monitor or TV via HDMI;
• High frequency;
• Optimal weight and dimensions;
• Good lens and matrix;
• No questions about reliability.

Disadvantages:

• Very frightening price;
• Branded accessories are also expensive;
• Certain requirements for microSD.

Reviews on GoPro HERO4 Black show that as of the summer of 2016 nothing better has not been released yet. This is without a doubt the most surviving camera. There are no complaints about the quality of the picture. Good camera shoots even at night, which can not boast the vast majority of competitors. And the supplied waterproof box allows you to descend to a very decent depth - an additional accessory is not required even for real divers. In a word, it's possible to talk about GoPro HERO4 Black for a long time, but it's better to try this device in the business itself. This is the only way to appreciate its functionality.

Which action camera to buy

1. The undoubted leader of our today's selection is GoPro HERO4 Black. This action camera provides the most features that you can expect from such a compact device. But not everyone is ready to pay such a huge amount of money for such a device.

2. If you are looking for something a little cheaper, then take a look at the Sony FDR-X1000V.There are no serious claims to this model in terms of image quality. Slightly frightening only its dimensions - the device was a little more compact than the usual camcorders. But somewhere inside the gadget there is a GPS-module - this is a kind of bonus.

3. Among budget-minded action cameras should be noted Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Basic Edition. This model provides a tolerable picture quality, about the same words can be pronounced about the sound. Not forgotten here and the module Wi-Fi, through which the synchronization with the smartphone. But you have to forget about high resolution or shooting sloumo. As with the purchase of SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi. This model is generally not recommended for acquisition at least because of the quality of the audio track. How not to seriously consider the purchase option Garmin Virb Elite, unless you have already zatared other gadgets of this manufacturer.