Pros: Compact and good-looking, a great set of photo and video-recording features, intuitive interface, lots of optional accessories to choose from
Con: Expensive.
Key Features:
4K video capture at 60 fps, 1080p video capture at 240 fps
12 MP still images, optional RAW format capture, 30 fps bursts
Digital video stabilization
2-inch touchscreen
Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS
Waterproof up to 30 feet without a housing
GoPro’s range-topping HERO7 Black is the best action camera worth your attention today. It has a sleek yet rugged design, an intuitive touchscreen interface, and an amazing array of photo- and video capturing capabilities. It also comes with the best selection of optional accessories in the industry.
Reviewers from Engadget, Mashable, and Wired praised the image stabilization and the live stream capabilities of the GoPro HERO7 Black. The camera is universally regarded as a top pick in its product category.
When it comes to available options for capturing video and still images, the HERO7 Black is truly second to none. The gadget can record 4K video with stereo sound at up to a brisk 60 fps, as well as Full HD footage at up to 240 fps, among many other formats.
The camera has industry-leading, gimbal-like digital image stabilization tech on board. It enables the HERO7 Black to capture incredible content that’s in a league of its own in terms of smoothness.
The still photography capabilities of the device include the ability to capture bursts of 30 shots, as well as a dedicated wide dynamic range mode. Advanced photographers will appreciate the option to save images in RAW format for in-depth desktop editing.
You can transfer photos from the camera over Wi-Fi or by removing its microSD card (not bundled in the retail package). GoPro has a duo of mobile apps to help you make the most out of the gadget — one for previewing and sharing content, and another for editing it.
The HERO7 Black has a 2-inch color touchscreen, which makes navigating through its features and previewing content a breeze. Other highlights of the camera include the ability to control it with voice commands, built-in GPS, and a user-replaceable battery.
The HERO7 Black is waterproof up to 33 feet without a housing. An optional GoPro housing extends the depth rating of the gadget to a whopping 196 feet.
Pros: Affordable, easy to use, a good set of photo and video-recording features
Con: Not waterproof without a housing
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps; 1080p video capture at up to 120 fps
12 MP still images
Digital image stabilization
2.2-inch touchscreen
Wi-Fi connectivity
Waterproof up to 132 feet when putting in the bundled housing
Priced well below $200 with waterproof housing, the YI 4K is a great starter action camera for buyers on a tight budget. It has a sleek design, intuitive touchscreen controls, and impressive battery life for its price tag (up to 2 hours of 4K recording between charges).
The YI 4K is equipped with a high-quality Sony image sensor, which allows it to capture 4K video at 30 fps, or 1080p footage at up to a rather brisk 120 fps, as well as nice-looking 12 MP still images. The camera’s electronic image stabilization is excellent for its price point.
Reviewers from CNET and Wired liked the YI 4K action camera for offering solid performance and a nice set of available features at an attractive price point. However, they also observed that you need to spend extra on accessories to make the most out of the camera’s capabilities.
There are a plethora of YI 4K shooting modes to choose from. They include time-lapse, slow-motion, and burst image capture, among others.
The gadget has Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can connect it to your smartphone. You can view, share, and edit the content you captured via a free mobile app.
It’s imperative that you order the YI 4K action camera with the manufacturer’s official waterproof case because the device isn’t water-resistant without it.
Pros: Incredibly compact, handy voice controls, good video quality
Con: Some might find the controls a bit limited
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps, 1080p video capture at 90 fps
10 MP still images, 30 fps bursts
Digital video stabilization
Available voice controls
Wi-Fi connectivity
Waterproof up to 30 feet without a housing
The GoPro HERO5 Session delivers 4K video recording in an ultra-compact form factor with a no-frills design (there’s no touchscreen to distract you). Combined with the manufacturer’s superb selection of accessories, it makes the camera our favorite option for mounting (on a helmet, bike, car, etc.).
The camera’s 4K video recording capabilities top out at 30 fps. There’s also the option to capture Full HD video at a snappier 90 fps, as well as 10 MP images in bursts of up to 30 fps. Like all GoPro cameras, the HERO5 Session has digital image stabilization.
Like its more capable HERO6 Black relative, the HERO5 Session can reach depths of up to 33 feet without a housing. The camera also has Wi-Fi, so you can download your videos to your favorite mobile device (via an app).
Pros: Exceptional image and audio quality, great waterproof rating with the included housing
Con: The controls could be better
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps, 1080p video capture at 120 fps
12 MP still images, 10 fps bursts
Optical and digital video stabilization
Built-in LCD display
Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS
Waterproof up to 197 feet with the bundled housing
What sets the Sony FDR-X3000 action camera apart from all of its competitors is the presence of optical image stabilization. This means that there are actual hardware components to make up for the camera’s shaking — not a software algorithm.
A PC Magazine review editor gave the action camera high marks for its ability to capture high-quality 4K content with optical image stabilization. The tester also noted that the camera’s controls are not as intuitive as those offered by similarly priced GoPro offerings.
Combined with an excellent Zeiss lens, the optical image stabilization helps the FDR-X3000 deliver 4K video and 12 MP images that are arguably the best in its class. You can record high-resolution footage at 30 fps, as well as a rather cinematic 24 fps. Full HD video recording is also available at up to 120 fps.
The quality of the sound captured by the FDR-X3000 is also superb, thanks to a built-in stereo microphone. There’s also the option to easily connect the camera to an external microphone.
The camera has an impressive set of wired and wireless connectivity features that include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with NFC for easy pairing, and GPS, as well as micro USB and microHDMI ports. The FDR-X3000 can go as deep as 197 feet when equipped with its bundled housing.
It’s worth noting that compared to GoPro’s finest offerings, the Sony FDR-X3000 has inferior controls. The camera lacks a color touchscreen, so navigating through its shooting modes and settings isn’t as intuitive. You can’t preview content on the camera, either.
Pros: Rugged body, good image quality, the built-in sensors, and LED light are handy
Con: The mobile app experience could be better
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps, 1080p video capture at 60 fps
8 MP still images
Digital video stabilization
Tilting 1.5-inch display
Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS
Waterproof up to 98 feet, crushproof
The Olympus Tough TG-Tracker is an excellent option from one of the most storied names in photography. The camera has the ability to capture 4K video at up to 30 fps via an ultra wide-angle lens, as well as 8 MP still images. Like most action cameras, the TG-Tracker has digital image stabilization.
The rest of the camera’s key highlights include five built-in sensors (GPS, a compass, a barometer, an accelerometer, and a thermometer) and Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition to being waterproof up to 100 feet, the camera is also shock- and crush-resistant, as well as freezeproof.
The camera has buttons for navigating through its features, as well as a tilting 1.5-inch display for previewing content. You can also use the screen to check out data from the camera’s sensors. Unlike any of its competitors, the TG-Tracker also has a built-in LED headlight that’s really handy while exploring in the dark.
You can download and share videos from the camera to your phone via an app. However, the overall experience is far behind the best in this price range.
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