Best action cameras in 2018
Action cameras are unlike any other kind of camera. They're designed to be attached to helmets, surfboards, cars and other objects, and they're small, tough and simple to operate, with a lens that captures the world in high-definition video and in a wide-angle fish-eye perspective.
Their small size and dramatic POV ('point of view') footage has
made them popular with extreme sports participants, who capture their
adventures by attaching cameras to themselves or their equipment. They're also
used by TV production companies where using a regular video camera would be
impossible.
GoPro is the market leader with its iconic box-shaped Hero
cameras, but action cams also come in a 'bullet' style, like the TomTom Bandit.
There's lots of choice now, and you shouldn't just buy on brand – think about
what you want from an action camera and how you plan to use it.
If you're helmet-mounting, then a bullet cam will probably be the
best choice. For a chest mount a box design will be more stable. And when it
comes to features, do you really need Wi-Fi, 4K, GPS or even a screen? These
all bump up the price, and while they are invaluable in some situations, you
can still get great footage without them.
1. GoPro Hero6 Black
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Weight: 118g | Waterproof: 10m | 4K video: up
to 60fps | 1080: up to 240fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1-3hrs estWhile it may appear to be a minor update from the Hero5 Black on the outside, a lot has changed on the inside. The Hero6 Black gets a new GP1 processing engine, allowing you to record super high-quality 4K footage at 60fps. Other highlights include an improved image stabilization system, while the Hero6 Black offers a wider dynamic range and better low-light performance than the Hero5 Black. Waterproof down to 10m, the Hero6 Black has a useful 2-inch touchscreen, voice commands and an updated app with QuikStories that automatically transfers and edits your footage for you. If you want the best action camera, this is it.
2. GoPro Hero5 Black
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Weight: 118g | Waterproof: 10m
| 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1-3hrs est
It may have been overshadowed by the new Hero6 Black, but the
Hero5 Black still has a lot to offer. Shooting 4K footage up to 30fps, video
footage is incredibly smooth, while the ability to shoot stills in raw format
brings even more flexibility. Waterproof down to 10m without the need for a
protective case, it's also simple to use, while the addition of a rear
touchscreen, voice control and GPS make it one of the most feature-packed cams
currently available. The great news is that GoPro's just wiped $100/£100 off
the price, making it an even more tempting proposition.
3. Yi 4K+ Action Camera
Weight: 93g | Waterproof: N/A (optional case available) | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery life: Up to 2hrs
If you're aquatic-minded, or you need to know exactly where you
were, and how fast you are going when you took a video, buy a GoPro Hero6
Black. However, if you're more interested in saving money on features you
didn't even want, the Yi 4K+ Action Camera is one of the simplest and best
designed gadgets around. Everyone considering buying an action cam should have
a look at the Yi 4K+ Action Camera because it's almost exactly the same and, in
some ways, even better than a GoPro.
4. GoPro Hero
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Weight: 118g | Waterproof: 10m | 4K
video: N/A | 1080: up to
60fps | 720: N/A | Stills resolution: 10MP
| Battery life: Up to 2hrs
If you've been eyeing up a GoPro for some time, but haven't been
able to justify the price, the stripped-down Hero could be the answer. It
doesn't shoot 4K but does shoot nice and smooth Full HD footage and is a great
camera for the novice or casual user who just wants to capture the action
without worrying about which frame rate or resolution they should be using.
There are better specified-action cameras out there for a similar price, but
they don't have the refined design and polished control of the Hero.
5. TomTom Bandit
Weight: 190g | Waterproof: Splash proof, with lens swap | 4K video: up to 15fps | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 16MP | Battery life: 3hrs
Bullet shape cams might have fallen out of fashion recently
thanks to GoPro and its box-shaped cameras, but the TomTom Bandit bucks the
trend. In fact, the Bandit packs features that other manufacturers will need to
follow if they're to keep up with this newcomer. Taking years of GPS
experience, TomTom has built in a series of sensors that not only record
location but speed and G-force too, so that when these sensors pick up that
something exciting has happened they automatically tag the footage. Back in the
pub and with the app open and connected, a quick shake of your phone and the
app will automatically edit your footage ready for upload. It really couldn't
be easier.
6. Olympus TG-Tracker
Weight: 180g | Waterproof: 30m | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 7.2MP | Battery life: 3hrs
The TG-Tracker's futuristic design is hard to
miss with an ultra-wide 204-degree lens. Headline video resolutions include 4K
at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and an impressive 240fps at 720p for slow motion
capture. This is an action camera ready for anything and even features a small
LED video light built in. Sensors are the big news for the Tracker with GPS,
compass, acceleration sensors plus a barometer and thermometer all capturing
data from inside the compact case. The intel from these can all be displayed when
viewing back the footage or in the video edit so you can show just how extreme
you are. What's more, it's waterproof to 30m, features built in stabilization
and can withstand temperatures down to -10C.
7. YI
4K Action Camera
Weight: 94g | Waterproof: N/A (optional case available) | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Stills resolution: 12MP | Battery life: Up to 2hrs
How often do you take an action cam underwater?
If the answer's not a lot, then the YI 4K Action Camera could be for you. While
there's an optional underwater case available, the camera isn't waterproof.
There is a large and responsive touchscreen, a big battery and a fast file
transfers however, and while it may lack a few niceties – and we would include
lens distortion correction and image stabilization in that list – the YI 4K
Action Camera remains a great value addition to any adventurer's kit bag.
8.
GoPro Hero5 Session
Weight: 74g | Waterproof: 10m | 4K
video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to
90fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 10MP | Battery life: 1.5-2hrs est
The Hero5 Session follows on from the Hero4
Session, stripping back the action camera concept to its basics, but sharing
many of the same specs as the Hero5 Black. That includes 4K video capture up to
30fps, image stabilization, voice control and is waterproof down to 10m. The
large Record button on the top starts and stops recording so there's no
worrying about different modes and options – that's all handled by the app
(though it does have a simple menu system if you wish). Back to basics, but
still captures the quality of video that you'd expect from GoPro.
9. Sony FDR-X3000R
Weight: 114g | Waterproof: 60m (case included) | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 120fps | Stills resolution: 8.2MP | Battery life: 1-2hrs
All action cameras are now promising 4K at
30fps, but Sony’s effort is about a lot more than just resolution and frame
rate. The diminutive FDR-X3000R's biggest claim is Balanced Optical SteadyShot
(B.O.SS) image stabilization, which works across all resolutions and recording
modes. It also includes an underwater housing – a rarity in the action camera
market – and comes with a wearable, mountable live view remote, a
smartwatch-sized contraption that allows the FDR-X3000R to be operated from
afar, and its images previewed in real time.





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