Action cameras (from English action cams) are not similar to any other kind of cameras. Small and easy to use, they are mounted on any kind of surface, record videos and photos in high resolution with an incredibly wide viewing angle. Many lovers of travel and outdoor activities attach the camera to the monopod and talk about their adventures, extreme sportsmen take off first-person tricks, for divers these are the most affordable underwater cameras. They also liked the video industry professionals for the opportunity to place the camera where other equipment simply could not fit: even on the wing of an airplane, even on a live bird. Before you decide to purchase one of them, it is worth deciding on the key parameters, on which the price of the action camera will depend. In this article, in addition to general recommendations, we will consider the most interesting models on the market that set the tone in 2017 and explain for which tasks which model is best suited. But first, a little theory.
Action Camera Features
HD, Full HD or 4K. If you want, while watching a video, to relive exciting emotions again, then buy a high-resolution camera. HD means shooting at a resolution of 1024x720 pixels - not so much by modern standards. Full HD provides shooting with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and this is a kind of standard today. But the 4K format, which has a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, is used so far mainly in a professional environment. Cameras shooting in this format are more expensive, they require very expensive flash drives, and not every TV or monitor can watch the captured video. However, 4K is becoming more and more part of our lives; the detailing of the videos shot in it is really amazing! The number of frames per second (FPS). This option is very important for comfortable viewing of dynamic scenes. At a low frame rate, videos can look “jerky” on the TV screen or monitor. The more frames per second the camera makes, the smoother the picture will be. In most cases, a speed of 25 fps is enough, but when shooting fast scenes, a speed of 50 fps is recommended. The speed of 120 k / s and higher allows you to create the effect of time dilation during installation. Image stabilization . Since shooting on action cameras involves the most action packed game, stabilization is necessary to get a better picture. This technology allows you to compensate for camera vibrations when shooting, allowing you to remove the jitter of the picture and reduce the time it takes to process the video. There are several types of stabilization in action cameras: digital and optical. Memory card. Most action cameras work with microSD and SD cards. For a camera with Full HD resolution, it makes no sense to buy a card with a volume of less than 32 GB, and for shooting in 4K - less than 128 GB, since a minute clip can take up about 400 megabytes of space. Usually, the manufacturer gives recommendations on choosing a memory card, but you can choose it yourself by reading our article on choosing a memory card. Wireless technology. More and more action camera models are equipped with Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth wireless modules. Remember that due to their small size and complexity, action cameras rarely have an integrated LCD screen. But with the help of free applications, you can turn your tablet or smartphone into a comfortable display for viewing and recording videos. Parameter settings are also more convenient to do through the application. And you do not need to remove the memory card every time to dump the material on the computer. Therefore, in our selection there are only models with wireless capabilities. Accessories The possibility of mounting on different surfaces and diving to great depths implies the presence of appropriate accessories. Before buying, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the technical specifications of the models you are interested in. Some of them are not protected from the elements, so they hide in compatible boxes (often come with the camera). Others have such protection and allow you to shoot even underwater without an additional accessory. Be sure to clarify how many mounts are included: the more there are, the better.Best action cameras of 2017 according to Prophotos
GoPro HERO5 Black
Buy GoPro HERO5 Black To remain a leader in your field, you must constantly improve your product. GoPro HERO5 confirmation of this. The camera has voice control (English, Russian in the future), a large 2-inch screen with a touchscreen and a GPS module. The following formats are available for recording video: 4K video: 30/25/24 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps and HD up to 240 fps. With a 12-megapixel sensor, you can save photos in RAW format and enable the function of the expanded dynamic range (HDR). For the first time in a long time, the camera does not need an additional protective box and is capable of diving to a depth of 10 meters without it. The company is especially proud of the presence of an image stabilizer when shooting video. An additional bonus GoPro can be called branded applications Capture and Quick. With their help, you can view, record and edit your own videos, and then share them with the world. A free desktop video editing software is also available. We highly recommend the GoPro HERO5 for purchase and the only thing that can stop is not the most “tasty” price.SJCAM SJ6 Legend
Buy SJCAM SJ6 Legend Accessibility and manufacturability in one package - this is the SJCAM SJ6 Legend. With an average price of half that of GoPro, this action camera has a 16-megapixel sensor from Panasonic and records video in 4K resolution at 24 fps. In addition, formats are available: 1080p 60 fps, 720p 120 fps and 480p at speeds up to 240 fps. Photos can be saved in RAW format or using the Time Lapse function to compress multi-hour events up to several seconds. An external microphone is supported to improve the quality of the recorded sound. To stabilize the image in the SJCAM SJ6 Legend provides a gyro sensor. You can control the camera using the 2-inch touchscreen LCD or via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. To harness the full potential of wireless connectivity, the SJCAM ZONE app is available. The camera body itself is not protected from the weather, but the kit comes with a protective waterproof box. A good solution from Chinese manufacturers!Sony FDR-X3000R
Buy Sony FDR-X3000R Sony FDR-X3000R is the flagship among Sony action cameras, and its elongated shape makes it easier to mount the camera on a helmet. Complete with the camera itself is a wireless remote control, it is also a camera screen that resembles a clock. With it, you can quickly change all the shooting parameters, crop the image, turn the camera on and off. Optical stabilization, which has proven itself in traditional camcorders, an 8.2 megapixel sensor with backlight technology, a fast f / 2.8 ZEISS® Tessar lens can give the best picture in its class. The maximum supported resolution is 4K. In Full HD resolution, the Sony FDR-X3000R records video at a speed of 120 fps to create a time dilation effect. There are also advanced settings such as white balance, exposure, brightness and contrast of the picture. The kit also comes with a protective box that can withstand immersion to a depth of 60 meters. The Action Cam App provides additional options for editing video, applying effects, time-lapse photography and remote camera control.Xiaomi YI 4K +
Buy Xiaomi YI 4K + Xiaomi YI 4K + has become the first action camera that is capable of recording ultra-high-resolution video at a frequency of up to 60 fps thanks to a new generation video processing chip. To make the picture even smoother, Xiaomi YI 4K + is endowed with an electronic image stabilizer. You can control the camera using both a 2.2-inch LCD screen and voice commands, and the Type-C USB port makes data transfer much faster. This is very true for 4K video. Fans of arranging live broadcasts Xiaomi YI 4K + will open access to most well-known streaming platforms. Photos from Sony's 12-megapixel sensor can be saved in RAW format. Of course, the novelty is not deprived of wireless technology. Thanks to the Wi-Fi connection and the mobile application YI Action Camera App, you can view, edit and upload videos and photos to the network.Nikon KeyMission 170
Buy Nikon KeyMission 170 Nikon entered the action camera market quite recently, but it already has three models that are completely different in characteristics. We decided to focus on the Nikon KeyMission 170. The viewing angle of the Nikkor lens, as the name implies, corresponds to 170 degrees, there is also an electronic image stabilizer in it, and the video is recorded in maximum resolution of 4K. The camera body already has protection against dust and moisture, is not afraid of frosts down to -10 ° C and is able to withstand immersion up to 10 meters for 1 hour. The Nikon KeyMission 170 provides such shooting modes as slow-motion, interval, time-lapse, serial. Using the Wi-Fi module, you can control the camera while shooting, upload and edit videos. Also in Nikon KeyMission 170 there is a Bluetooth module. With it, you can save battery power, while constantly maintaining communication with a mobile device. A good solution from a renowned manufacturer!