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Action cameras are becoming very popular for their portability, fun first-person perspective, and rugged design. Most shutterbugs — ourselves included — agree that the GoPro Hero5 Black camera is the best one you can buy with its rugged design, tremendous video quality, and cool features.
First-person photography and videography grow in popularity every day. But why? Bear with us for a minute, because here’s where a chicken-and-egg argument begins.
Perhaps these videos are popular because of the explosion of social media and the ability to share videos instantly. A good wipeout video always generates tons of likes after all — as long as no serious injuries occur, of course.
On the other hand, the ease with which people can shoot first-person photos and videos, thanks to all of the best new action cams, may be the reason people are shooting more footage from this perspective.
Here, we’re going to argue that the growth of the features found in action cams has caused more videos to appear. After all, people have tried shooting crazy first-person videos and photos for many years. There’s a small mountain of broken and water damaged smartphones somewhere to prove it. Action cams are made for harsh conditions, meaning you can shoot some great first-person videos and photos without causing serious injuries to yourself or to your action camera.
How action cams work
An action camera works like any other digital camera in that it records still image photographs and videos. All digital cameras use a lens that gathers the light from the scene, focusing that light onto an image sensor. The image sensor measures the light and turns it into a digital signal, which computer software uses to recreate the image digitally onto a display screen.
Beyond basic operation, action cams offer plenty of differences from typical digital cameras. Let’s break down the differences.
- Versus DSLR cameras: A DSLR camera is much larger and bulkier than an action cam in physical size, making it almost impossible to wear a DSLR to shoot first-person videos and images. The DSLR generates photographs of tremendous quality, clearly outperforming the best action cam. However, fragile and expensive DSLRs break down when exposed to rough handing or harsh conditions.
- Versus fixed-lens cameras: A traditional fixed-lens camera, also called a point-and-shoot camera, approximates an action cam in size, although most of these cameras remain slightly larger than action cameras. However, point-and-shoot camera designs aren’t meant to be attached to your body or bike for first-person shooting. Some fixed lens cameras are “tough” cameras, meaning they work underwater and can survive rugged conditions and drops, just like many action cams.
- Versus smartphone cameras: Smartphone cameras work well for shooting first-person video because of their small size and one-handed operation, but to call them fragile represents a serious understatement. The glass screens — and backs — of many phones are far too easy to shatter, and many phones still aren't water-resistant enough to take a dive underwater, let alone fall in a puddle. However, that is changing as more phones become water-resistant. Regardless, action cams are still more practical and easy to mount during first-person action shots.
Key features in action cams
The best action cams share some important features, as shown by Tech Radar, Misadventure Mag, and Choice.
- Weight: When using an action cam to record a fun or wild activity, having the action cam attached to your body or vehicle gives the best results. Wearing a heavy action cam that throws off your balance may result in a serious wipeout.
- Size: Along the same lines as weight, the action cam’s size plays a role in your enjoyment of it. Use a huge action camera, and your arm could bump into it, throwing off your movement.
- Video quality: Higher video resolutions result in sharper videos. HD and Ultra HD (also called 4K) provide common video resolutions for new action cams. For those who only will share their action cam videos on social media, video quality takes on less importance. However, for those who want to replay video on a large TV screen, high-quality video works best.
- Waterproof: Some action cams work in a greater water depth than others. This means if you enjoy diving with your action cam, look closely at its maximum water depth measurement. Some cameras offer only “weather proof” capability rather than waterproof, meaning they aren’t made for working underwater, but you can use them in the rain. Other action cameras require a waterproof case before they work underwater.
- Battery life: An action camera with a short battery life causes frustration. No one wants their fun limited by a dead battery. Action camera manufacturers should include the estimated battery life for their models in the specifications list.
If you're interested in action cameras, you should also check out our other great camera buying guides, including the best DSLR cameras, the best point-and-shoot cameras, the best SD cards, and thebest microSD cards.
SEE ALSO: The best DSLR cameras you can buy
The best action cam overall
Why you'll love it: GoPro is the king of action cams, and the Hero5 Black is the best of the GoPro family with its 4K video quality and the ability to shoot under 33 feet of water.
GoPro is the best-known action camera maker for good reason — its cams are the cream of the crop. GoPro action cams continue to grow in popularity and add new features. The latest and greatest GoPro model is the Hero5 Black, which wins the distinction of being our top pick.
Video and still image quality truly shine with the GoPro Hero5 Black. Its 4K video resolution is among the sharpest you'll find on an action cam. The Hero5 Black creates amazing videos that you’ll be proud to show on a 4K TV. Additionally, maximum still image recording levels of 12 megapixels provide better than average results among action cameras.
For divers, the GoPro Hero5 Black’s ability to work under up to 33 feet of water is outstanding, according to one Amazon customer review.
Most of the negative Amazon customer reviews refer to poor customer service from GoPro when experiencing problems with the device. In its review, TechRadar’s biggest complaint against the Hero5 involves a slight downgrade in build quality from previous GoPro cameras.
However, TechRadar found more to like in its review, including how easy it is to control the Hero5 Black, using voice commands or the touchscreen display. CNET’s reviewers were impressed with all of the advanced components that come with the Hero5, including a GPS chip and electronic image stabilization. Simply put, no other action cam offers the combination of useful features, mount accessories, video quality, and still image quality as the GoPro Hero5.
Pros: Tons of above average features, crisp 4K video recording, strong still image quality, voice and touch screen control, waterproof to 33 feet, easily mountable and wearable
Cons: Customer service is lacking, build quality lags previous models
The best 4K action cam
Why you'll love it: More action cams now offer 4K video recording, but the YI 4K+ sets itself apart by offering 60 frames per second at 4K resolution.
4K resolution video recording, which is also called Ultra HD resolution, represents the future of video quality. Sure, HD video looks tremendous, but 4K video offers four times as many pixels. To give your action cam plenty of longevity, be certain to seek a camera that offers 4K video.
The best pure 4K video action camera you can buy is the YI 4K+ camera. Although several action cams offer 4K video resolution, the YI 4K+ moves to the top of the heap by offering an excellent frame rate of 60fps. One way digital camera makers try to “cheat” and offer 4K video resolution without upgrading the performance speed of the camera is to limit the frame rate to 15fps. The YI 4K+ doesn’t cheat, and it even surpasses what’s considered a good level of performance at 30fps.
Even though it records high-res video at a high frame rate, the YI 4K+ offers solid battery life. The YI 4K+ can record 4K video at 60fps for a full hour, which is really impressive for an action camera, as Digital Trends points out in its review. However, when recording long 4K video clips, PCMag points out that the YI 4K+ heats up quite a bit. Another drawback to this action cam’s design involves the lack of waterproofing. To use the YI 4K+ while diving, you must purchase a separate underwater case.
One Amazon customer reviewer loves the upgrades YI included from the 4K camera to the 4K+ camera, as well as the inclusion of Gorilla Glass on the rear screen, which makes it scratch and crack resistant.
Pros: Strong 4K video recording at 60fps, good battery life, easy to operate design with touch screen, strong photographic image quality, small camera body
Cons: Needs add-on case to provide waterproof capabilities, camera heats up over long 4K recording sessions
The best tough action cam
Why you'll love it: The Kodak PixPro SP1 is a tough camera that can survive a fall and work underwater without an additional case.
When using an action cam, you might as well just count on the fact that it's going to take some abuse. A lot of abuse, probably. That’s why we appreciate the toughness of the Kodak PixPro SP1 action cam, which features the ability to work in 32 feet of water without the need for an extra underwater case, to survive a fall of about 6.5 feet, and to work in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toughness isn’t enough, though, if the camera can’t create great images and video. As PC Mag points out in its review, the SP1 has excellent video quality during daylight hours, although you’re limited to recording 1080p HD video, rather than 4K.
Kodak offers the SP1 in two configurations, the Explorer Pack, which includes handlebar and helmet mounts, and the Aqua Sport Pack, which includes a surfboard mount. As far as downsides go, Tom’s Guide notes in its review that the SP1 struggles in low light with video and still image recording. However, it records still images at speeds up to 10 frames per second, a strong performance level for an action cam.
The PixPro SP1 has a good price point compared to some other action cams, too. One Amazon reviewer was impressed by the great performance of the camera given its relatively low price point. However, some reviewers on Amazon said the waterproof housing leaked, ruining the camera. It seems to be a rare occurrence, though.
Pros: Offers tough features, can survive fall of 6.5 feet, works in water depth up to 32 feet, good video quality, can record still images at speeds up to 10 fps, good value for the money
Cons: Struggles in low light situations
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