If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best action camera under $100 is, then I’d recommend the Campark V30 Native 4K Action Camera as the best one!
When you’re living your best outdoor/adventure life, you want an action camera that can keep up with you and give you the footage to remember your adventures. There are a lot of action cameras in the market, but today we’re going to look for action cameras specifically at or under the $100 price range.
This article is long, so if you want to jump straight to a specific topic, the Table of Contents will take you straight there.
Why Trust Me?
As with all of the Ultimate Guides I create, I have poured countless hours of research into this article to make sure I give you as much information as possible to help you make the best decision.
In my opinion, to truly understand what makes a good action camera, you need to have used them day in and day out in a variety of different situations.
I’ve been a professional travel photographer since 2018 and have been lucky enough to work on projects all over the world with brands such as Alaska Airlines, Kayak.com, Prague Tourism, Visa, Airbnb, and many more. If you’re curious to see the full list of companies we’ve worked with, just head over to our Work With Us page
From these past experiences, I think I’m in a good position to help you find the perfect budget action camera in this price range.
Most importantly, I’m just a message away. So, if you have any questions, just leave a comment below, email me at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram @tom.shu.
P.S. I answer every question that is sent 🙂
Reviews of the 10 Best Action Cameras Under $100
Here are my favorite 10 action cameras that come in at under $100. The first five that we go over are Native 4K cameras and the last five in this article are non-native upscaled 4K cameras.
1. Campark X25 Native 4K Action Camera
Our first offering has quite a lot to get our teeth into. This comes in quite a lot under budget, which is a definite plus for a Native 4K camera. The frame rate in Native 4K is at 30 FPS which is pretty similar to the other Native 4K cameras we’ll go over.
It is waterproof to 100 feet, which is not too bad, and can remotely activate the camera by Wi-Fi (30 feet range).
The features are here too, slow-motion, time-lapse, Loop, 4K video, and burst, as well as a 16MP camera for stills.
With the HDMI out, you can record straight to your device if you want to. All said and done, for most videoing tasks, you won’t go far wrong with this product.
What are the negatives then?
A lack of an external mic will be an issue, and the battery life certainly could be improved. Its big brother, the Campark V30 has 1350mAh over the 1050mAh supplied with this model, which does make a difference.
There’s no motion stabilization, which for the price is understandable, but as an “Action Camera”, it’s nice to have especially when you’re using it on land.
The camera has 170 degrees fixed lens, so you do lose the flexibility of having multiple lens configurations like some of the other cameras in the article. There’s also a degree of distortion around the frame that limits what you can use the camera for.
Pros
- A native 4K camera at a really reasonable price making it one of the best budget action cameras.
- 100 feet waterproofing, which isn’t the best, but not bad at the price point.
- Great range of accessories and compatibility.
- Includes extra battery.
- 240 FPS at 720p and 120 FPS at 1080p. The 120 FPS at 1080p is nice because even some of the more expensive cameras we will cover only have 120 FPS at 720p.
Cons
- Poor sound options.
- FIxed lens at 170 degrees so you don’t get the flexibility of shooting at different focal lengths.
- No motion stabilization, which could be an issue if you plan to use it for activities on land.
- Battery life is only 1050mAh compared to the 1350mAh you’ll find on the rest of the Native 4K cameras.
2. Campark V30 Native 4K Action Camera
Next in the frame is the big brother of the X25. It scrapes in just under budget, but it does punch far above its weight when you look at some $400+ cameras out there. So, what do you get in the box? A whole host of mounting accessories including mounts, helmet and clip-on, a waterproof case, and two batteries (1350mAh unlike the Campark X25’).
The camera? Touch screen, tilt option, and image stabilization. Shall I go on? Why not … 20MP still camera, Go-Pro compatible accessories, waterproof to 100 feet and a 4x zoom.
The lens is adjustable, giving 4 field of views (170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees), which I found super useful when shooting. There’s also external mic support for that extra quality to your footage; all in all, a great package.
Pros
- Nice anti-shake image stabilization ability.
- 1350mAh battery, which has more charging power than the 1050mAh on the Campark X25.
- Native 4K video at a reasonable price. A wide selection of flexible frame rates includes 4K 30 FPS, 2K 60 FPS, 1080p up to 90 FPS.
- A good set of included mounting accessories with a variety of different mounts, a waterproof case, and an external charger for the 2 batteries.
- 20MP camera versus the highest image resolution of 16MP on the Campark X25
- External mic support.
- Includes extra battery.
- An intuitive touchscreen that makes it much easier to navigate the menus.
- 100 feet waterproof depth rating
- Adjustable lens and x4 zoom.
Cons
- The app is very basic and is not the easiest to use.
- The Wi-Fi from the camera doesn’t connect consistently.
- Video can be a little dark with auto settings.
- Slow-motion frame rate only goes to 90 FPS at 1080p versus 120 FPS at 1080p on Campark X25
3. Apeman TRAWO A100 Real 4K Action Camera
The first thing I noticed is the 130-foot depth rating. This puts the camera past recreational SCUBA and into decompression diving (at about 118-131 ft). The downside is that there’s no lighting system, so even if you shift the image towards the red end in an editing program, the images at that depth look like one color.
On the other hand, it is 130-foot, and that is not-to-be-sniffed-at.
The camera (20MP) and frame rates of 4K at 30 FPS, 1080p at 60 FPS, and 720p at 120 FPS place it in the middle of the pack. The Campark X25 offers 720p at 240 FPS and 1080p at 120 FPS, which is slightly better than this camera.
Although the frame rates of the Apeman are not bad, you can usually find the Campark X25 at a little cheaper price.
There is a range of shooting modes available, Burst Photo, Loop Recording, Time-Lapse, Shooting Timer, and Rotate. These are broadly similar to the Campark X25. All good options but nothing out of the ordinary.
It certainly is a good camera—it does all the standard things you expect and does them well.
As one of the more expensive cameras in this article, however, it should stand out more and offer unique features, but it doesn’t. As a result, it doesn’t outshine the competition.
Pros
- 130-foot depth rating. Any SCUBA divers, CCR, or Freedivers take note.
- Anti-shake image stabilization works pretty well.
- Adjustable wide-angle lens with a wide, normal, and narrow-angle. This is a clear step up from the cameras with a fixed 170-degree lens like the Campark X25.
- Shoots native 4K video.
- Includes spare battery.
Cons
- It’s one of the more expensive cameras in this article.
- The battery life is not the best even though it takes 1350mAh batteries.
- 120 FPS is only at 720p versus 120 FPS at 1080p on the Campark X25.
- The menu interface isn’t the most friendly.
4. Akaso V50X Native 4K Action Camera
This is another camera that SCUBA divers and freedivers should note. A 130-foot depth rating makes it great for recreational underwater shooting. The fact that it is modular, (17 piece mounting accessories kit, mounts, tethers, case, straps, helmet mounts, and remote control), and is compatible with most GoPro gear is another win.
There is the ability to switch between 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70-degree field of views with the lens. There is also distortion calibration for the widest angle, which is also a big plus. The feature is particularly helpful with wide-angle close-up shooting as this is when distortion usually is more noticeable.
I found the built-in Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) works well too—riding a bike, skiing or general point of view (POV) footage was smooth but not earth-shattering.
The flexible frame rates with this camera also surprised me. It can shoot 30 FPS at 4K, 60 FPS at 2K and it even has a slow-motion setting of 90 FPS at 1080p. It’s a bummer it doesn’t have 120 FPS at 1080p like the Campark X25, but I think the 60 FPS at 2K more than makes up for that.
Compared to others tested, the cheaper Campark, X25 for example, the low light performance wasn’t great. If you are at the maximum depth, close to 130-foot, or in poor visibility in whatever you are doing, it might be harder to get the best footage.
On the upside, there is an external mic port and remote control, but for one of the more expensive cameras in this review, this should come standard, so again, not a huge positive.
Pros
- The 130-foot depth rating is one of the best waterproof depth ratings.
- Accessory package and compatibility with other accessories on the market are good.
- Smooth gyroscope image stabilization feature that gives you pretty stable footage.
- A wide selection of flexible frame rates which include 4K at 30 FPS, 2k 60 FPS, 1080p at 90 FPS.
- Includes spare battery.
Cons
- Low light isn’t the best on this camera.
- It’s one of the more expensive cameras in this article.
- The internal audio is not very good, so you will need to use the mic port if you want to get a good sound.
- The menu can be cumbersome to use especially when it’s in its waterproof case.
- Slow-motion frame rate only goes to 90 FPS at 1080p versus 120 FPS at 1080p on Campark X25
5. Dragon Touch Vista 5 Native 4K Action Camera
This is the last Native 4K camera in this article. The 100 feet depth rating puts it in the middle of the pack and its price is usually one of the best out of the Native 4K cameras we have gone over.
As with some of the previous cameras we have covered, this camera has built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS), touch screen, adjustable lens angles (170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees), Wi-Fi, and remote control.
The camera offers a range of shooting modes that are similar to the Akasa V50X like slow motion and timelapse. The frame rates are also just as flexible too with 4K 30 FPS, 2.7K 60 FPS, and 1080p up to 90 FPS.
The accessory pack and compatibility are also similar, so again, not a lot between these two.
One of the biggest differences is the waterproof depth rating is 30 feet less than the Akasa V50X, so if you are a diver this may be the deciding factor.
Overall, if you’re looking for a slightly lower price range than the Akasa V50X and don’t need the 130 feet waterproof depth rating, this camera might be a good fit for you.
Pros
- Good overall value for money considering the flexible frame rates and additional features.
- The built-in anti-shake electronic image stabilization (EIS) is always nice to have.
- The 4x zoom is nice to have if you want to get closer to the subject you’re filming.
- Great set of add-ons to the camera, 17 piece kit including spare battery.
- Driving mode—the camera automatically starts and stops with your vehicle, which is similar to some of the other cameras.
- Shoots native 4k video.
Cons
- The app doesn’t work very well, but that’s similar to what we have found with the other cameras.
- It tends to get hotter than usual when it’s in the waterproof case, but it shouldn’t prevent the camera from shooting.
- Slow-motion frame rate only goes to 90 FPS at 1080p versus 120 FPS at 1080p on Campark X25
6. DB Power 4K Action Camera
This is the first of the Upscaled 4K cameras. You can usually find the DB Power at about 1/5th the price of the most expensive Native 4K camera in this article, so there is a pretty big price difference.
So, what do you get for your money? For Upscaled 4K, the video is clear and sharp, and the camera focuses well. However, for the most part, the footage quality won’t always stand up to the previous Native 4k offerings that we have gone over so far.
In other features, the camera, for its price, compares quite well. It is waterproof to 100 feet. It has frame rates of 4K 24 FPS, 2.7K 30 FPS, 1080p up to 60 FPS, and 720p up to 120 FPS.
The still camera has a surprising 20-megapixel resolution, which, is not bad either. Except for it being Upscaled 4K and having only 60 FPS at 1080p, the rest of the camera features stack up pretty nicely to the more expensive Native 4K cameras.
On the downside, although the camera has electronic image stabilization (EIS), it’s not the best, but you can’t expect everything at this price range.
Pros
- A cheap action camera with a reasonable amount of features.
- You get a pretty decent range of different frame rates to record in especially at this price point.
- Waterproof to 100 feet.
- EIS—not the best, but still a welcome addition at this price range.
- Includes a spare battery.
Cons
- The overall build quality feels more on the cheap side, but that can be expected.
- The camera does not come with an external battery charger, so the only way to charge it out of the box is to connect the camera to its included USB cable.
- The battery life is below average compared to the cameras with a 1350mAh energy capacity.
- The 4k video is upscaled so it won’t have the same high quality as the native 4k action cameras.
7. Akaso EK7000 Pro 4K Action Camera
You can usually find the Akaso EK7000 at a slightly more expensive price point than the DB Power 4K. For the additional increase in price, you would expect at least a decent step up in quality and features. However, on paper, the stats are pretty much identical to the DB Power 4k.
It has 4K 25 FPS, 2.7K 30 FPS, 1080p up to 60 FPS, and 720p up to 120 FPS.
The clearest downside initially is that the Akaso EK7000 only has a 16-megapixel camera compared to the 20-megapixel camera on the DB Power 4k. This isn’t a huge deal considering shooting video is the primary focus of this camera.
On the plus side, we have the now-familiar lens range of 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees which gives you additional flexibility when you’re out shooting.
This is also the new version of the Akaso EK7000, so the waterproof depth rating has increased to 130 feet and it now has built-in image stabilization.
The big downside about this camera is that it is in a similar price range to the Campark X25, which is usually the cheapest Native 4K camera in this article. Yes, you do lose the electronic image stabilization with the Campark X25, but you get 1080p at 120 FPS and the ability to shoot in Native 4K if you want to.
Pros
- The 130-foot depth rating is one of the best waterproof depth ratings.
- Flexible frame rates with 4K at 25 FPS, 2.7K at 30 FPS, 1080p at 60FPS, and 720p at 120 FPS.
- It comes with a good amount of accessories to get started including an additional battery.
Cons
- The electronic image stabilization doesn’t work with 4K and it’s not the best.
- Might not be the best value for the money since it’s in the same price range as some of the Native 4K cameras.
- The low-light ability of this camera isn’t the best especially considering its price range.
- The 4k video is upscaled so it won’t have the same high quality as the native 4k action cameras.
8. Akaso Brave 6 4K Action Camera
This is the best Upscale 4K camera that Akaso makes and it comes in at around the same price point as the Akaso V50X Native 4K Camera. Because the price is so similar, the big question here is how does the Akaso Brave 6 4K compare to its Native 4K counterpart.
Overall, there are slight differences between the two cameras, and depending on what you’re looking for one might be a better fit for you.
First up and most importantly is how the camera specs compare. I have to say the Akaso V50X is the clear winner here because of the higher resolution of flexible frame rates across the board. With the V50X, you will get 2K at up to 60 FPS and 1080p up to 90 FPS. With the Akaso Brave 6, you only get 2K at 30 FPS and 1080p at up to 60 FPS.
Here is what the differences in frame rates look like.
At the same time, the comparison can be a little misleading too. The most important thing you should keep in mind is that the Akaso Brave 6 upscales it’s footage to 4K, while the Akaso V50X shoots in Native 4K. In theory, this should make the footage shot on the Akaso V50X slightly better.
Even though the camera specs on the Akaso Brave 6 doesn’t seem to be as good as the camera specs on the Akaso V50X, there are some features the Akaso Brave 6 has that the V50X doesn’t.
The stand out difference here is the voice control on the Akaso Brave 6. You can give simple voice commands such as “Akaso, video start/stop”, which is very nice to have when you’re out and about filming.
Also, the digital zoom on the Akaso Brave 6 gives you 6x digital zoom versus 4x digital zoom on the V50X
Pros
- 6x digital zoom versus 4x digital zoom on the Akaso V50X
- 4-way lens configuration like other cameras with field of views of 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees.
- Voice control with 6 commands so you can start and stop the camera with your voice.
- Built-in anti-shake electronic image stabilization that is pretty good.
- Includes additional battery.
Cons
- Might not be the best value for the money as it’s in the same price range as the Akaso V50X, which is a Native 4K camera.
- Waterproof depth rating of 100 feet which is less than the 130 feet depth rating of other cameras in this price range.
- Again, the price range is high for an upscaled 4K camera.
9. Campark ACT74 4K Action Camera
Coming in at around the same price range as the DB Power 4K Camera, I was not surprised to see very little differentiation between the two cameras.
Both the cameras have a smaller 900 mAh battery versus a larger 1050 mAh battery or 1350 mAh battery that you see on the other cameras in this article.
Both cameras have nearly identical frame rates with 4K 30 FPS in the Campark ACT74 and 4K 24 FPS on the DB Power, 1080p up to 60 FPS , and 720p up to 120 FPS.
They both feature the 4-way lens configuration of 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees. and have different shooting modes like time-lapse.
The big difference is that the DB Power 4K has a decent electronic image stabilization system while the Campark ACT74 does not, which helps smooth out bumpy footage if you use the camera on-land.
Although the image stabilization isn’t the best, at least you have it with the DB Power. Plus, you can usually find it at a slightly lower price range.
Pros
- Another cheap action camera with a decent amount of features such as time-lapse.
- Flexible frame rates considering the lower price range.
- Waterproof to 100 feet.
- Includes additional battery.
Cons
- There is no electronic image stabilization that the cheaper DB Power 4K has.
- The screen isn’t the best and is hard to see in daylight situations.
- The DB Power 4K is slightly cheaper and has pretty much the same specs as this camera.
- The 4k video is upscaled so it won’t have the same high quality as the native 4k action cameras.
10. Apeman A80 4K Action Camera
The A80 is usually in the same price range as the Akaso EK7000 and the Campark X25. The features it has are very similar to the Akaso EK7000, so I’m going to compare it to the Campark X25, which is the cheapest Native 4K camera we have gone over.
When looking at the camera frame rates, it’s going to be hard for an Upscaled 4K camera like the Apeman A80 to compare to a Native 4K camera like the Campark X25.
The Apeman A80 does feature a good set of flexible frame rates which includes 4K 24 FPS, 2K 30 FPS, and 1080p up to 60 FPS. However, with the Campark X25, you get the additional 1080p up to 120 FPS and 720p up to 240 FPS.
Another detail you have to remember is that although both cameras have 4K, the 4K footage shot on the Apeman A80 is upscaled, so it’s not true Native 4K like the Campark X25. In theory, the Campark X25 footage should be better.
If you plan to shoot in slow motion or you want the best quality footage possible, the Campark X25 might be the better choice at this price range.
However, the Apeman A80 does have 3 very unique features that the Campark X25 does not have, so it still might be a good fit for you. The features on the Apeman A80 and not the Campark X25 are:
- 130 feet waterproof depth rating versus the 100 feet waterproof depth rating on the Campark X25
- Built-in electronic image stabilization. Campark X25 does not have image stabilization of any kind.
- 4-way lens configuration like other cameras with field of views of 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees. The Campark X25 has a fixed lens at 170°.
Unlike some of the other camera comparisons within this article, it’s hard to clearly say which camera is a better choice since they both have unique advantages and disadvantages.
What I will say is that if you plan to film more in the water and don’t think you’ll dive to 130 feet in depth, the Campark X25 might be a better fit. In the water, the lack of electronic stabilization won’t be as much of an issue. Plus, the Native 4K camera will help you capture more detail in the dynamic lighting underwater.
Pros
- The 130-foot depth rating is one of the best waterproof depth ratings.
- Electronic image stabilization (EIS) is pretty good and nice to have.
- 4-way lens configuration like other cameras with adjustable viewing angles of 170°, 140°, 110°, and 70°. More flexible than a fixed lens like the one on the Campark X25.
- Includes additional battery.
Cons
- The Native 4K Campark X25 is in the same price range.
- It comes with a smaller 1050mAh battery compared to the 1350mAh battery in some of the other cameras we covered.
- The video quality is not the best even considering it’s an Upscaled 4K Camera.
The Winner – Akaso V50X Native 4K Action Camera
When I initially looked at these cameras, I thought it would be pretty clear that Native 4K action cameras are far better than Upscaled 4K cameras.
That couldn’t be further away from the truth as both types of cameras have their advantages and disadvantages. For the most part, the Native 4K cameras give you better overall picture quality, but it comes at a higher price.
On the other hand, even though the Upscaled 4K cameras don’t have as good of picture quality, the cameras in the lower price points come with more features.
It was a hard decision, but in the end, I think the Akaso V50X is the overall winner and the best 4K action camera under $100 in our article.
Although it’s one of the more expensive cameras on the list, I think the amount of features it offers in addition to it being Native 4K makes it a great value.
Highlights of the Camera:
- 4x zoom.
- Flexible frame rates of 30 FPS at Native 4K, 60 FPS at 2K, and 90 FPS at 1080p
- Four-way lens configuration with viewing angles of 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees.
- Depth rating of 130 feet.
- Built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS)
- Touch screen.
- Ability to take pictures while recording.
- Mic out.
- 20MP camera.
Can you Create a Great Film Using a Low Price Camera?
This is the million-dollar or at least the $100 question. In short, yes, you can.
A skilled videographer can produce great footage with all the cameras I looked at in this price range. Depending on what and how you like to shoot, some will suit you better than others.
The trick is to select the camera with the functions that are important to you.
The camera is only as good as the person using it. The more time you spend with a camera in your hand, the better you will become. Use the attributes of the camera to capture original and interesting footage that will set you apart from the pack.
What to Look for in an Action Camera?
First of all, the camera needs to be rugged to take a few hits. If you rock climb or ride mountain bikes then it needs to be hands-free (have a mount of some sort).
If you are in the water, then you need it to be splash-proof, waterproof, or depth resistant (60 feet to 130-foot).
There is a whole other range of features to make your footage jump out too, so we’ll run over these things initially:
- Image Quality: Native 4K vs Upscaled 4k and what the difference is.
- Waterproof Depth Rating: Important to the divers/freedivers and water enthusiasts.
- Range of Lens Focal Length: To wide-angle or not to wide-angle, that is the question.
- Flexible Slow Motion Frame Rates: For the cool slow-motion moments that the internet loves.
- GPS and WiFi: To tag the location of your footage, add waypoints, or connect your device to your smartphone.
- Battery Life: It won’t always be easy to charge your battery on the go, so you want some that last.
- Additional Apps: Some action cameras have nice app ecosystems that allow you to edit on the go or have other cool functionalities too.
- Accessories: We need hands-free often, so mounts for bikes, helmets, and other gear are important.
Image Quality
Native 4K Video
A camera that records in 4K has an original picture resolution of 3840×2160. This is a massive step up (four times the information in each frame) in quality when compared to Full HD, which has a pixel resolution of 1920×1080 for 1080p.
Why is this so Important?
If you want your footage to jump off the screen, 4K video certainly gives your footage a crisp look and gives you the most depth in detail that 1080p just can’t produce in most cases.
Most importantly, because Native 4K video will capture the most detail possible from these small cameras, you will have the flexibility to crop into your footage or downscale to a lower resolution if you want to later on.
However, there are downsides to this. The large amounts of data consume lots of space on your memory cards and hard drives. Your memory cards will have to have a high read/write data speed, adding more cost (source).
The sheer volume of data also makes the whole editing process longer in post-production if you don’t have a computer that can handle it.
Lastly, the frame rate of Native 4K video shooting in these budget action cameras is usually around 30 frames per second (FPS).
If you are after slow-motion shooting at high frame rates like 60 FPS or 120 FPS, you probably won’t even be utilizing the Native 4K video since 60 FPS and 120 FPS on these small-budget action cameras are usually at 1080p or 720p resolution.
Non-Native 4K
This is where it gets a little tricky, it is 4K video, but it isn’t. What manufacturers do with non-native cameras is ‘up-scale’ the footage—in essence, they cheat. Your camera isn’t capturing 4K video in a 4K resolution, but the output is 4K video.
This is what happens. In non-native 4K resolution, the software in the camera interpolates (adds extra data) on what, essentially, it thinks should be there to turn Full HD footage into 4K footage. In other words, the camera mimics 4K video but without the extra data contained in Native 4K footage (source).
Is this all bad? No, not at all.
As there is less detail/data/information per frame, all the problems associated with data handling in 4K isn’t as big of an issue.
Non-native 4K cameras are usually cheaper too or at least have more features at each price point, so they are still cameras to consider.
Waterproof Depth Rating
All the action cameras in this review are waterproof, which means they are also weather sealed. The big question for some will be what the waterproof depth rating is on the device as that can make a big difference when diving or free diving.
If you don’t dive much, it’s also good to know what your camera can handle in case you do try diving at some point.
Range of Adjustable Viewing Angles
Having the flexibility to change the viewing angle from 170 degrees to 70 degrees is always a plus. Some action cameras in this article have a fixed lens angle at 170 degrees, while others give you a choice between multiple configurations.
Obviously how important this feature is to you will depend on your shooting style and shooting preferences.
Slow Motion Video Recording and at What Resolution/Frame Rate
Not all slow motion frame rates are equal. What’s important to look out for when comparing different slow-motion frame rates between cameras is at what resolution you can shoot in.
For example some of the action cameras we will go over can shoot 120 frames per second (FPS) at 1080p, while others can only shoot 720p at 120 FPS. If you’re going to shoot any slow-motion footage, this is important to pay attention to.
Battery Life
This is a case of more is always better. Using an action camera means you will probably be far away from a charging point or will be in a situation where changing the battery is difficult. Battery life does differ from camera to camera, so it’s important to compare the different battery capacities of each camera.
GPS and WiFi
Some systems offer the ability to geo-tag your footage, which is nice to have when you want to look back on your footage taken.
Having a camera with good Wi-Fi connectivity is a big plus too. This will give you the ability to transfer the footage you have captured, and some systems allow remote control through your mobile device through Wi-Fi, so you can control a static camera while you are on the move.
Additional Apps
Lots of systems come with apps of differing levels of functionality. Some have basic editing tools and share options, while others go the whole nine yards in terms of the range of features available:
- Slow-motion shooting settings.
- Timelapse options.
- The use of GPS data.
- Location/place names.
- Waypoints/transits.
- Visuals and graphics.
If you’re not comfortable in an editing suite or you want instant gratification, then these features might be useful for you.
Accessories
Some cameras have a very modular system. Many include lots of add-ons, from housings for deep diving (130-foot+) to gimbal mounts or dedicated handlebar clamps.
Some cameras are compatible with multiple systems like the GoPro and others are not, so if you already have another action camera system, this is something to remember.
Also, it’s important to think about what type of footage you want to capture and what type of camera mounts and accessories you will need.
The cost of accessories quickly adds up, so if the camera includes the mounts you’ll need, it can save you some money.