The GoPro , mark that opened the follow-up Action Cam follows firmly in the lead, but the market share of cameras has multiplied in recent years and today there are dozens of brands and models to suit all tastes and pockets.
How to choose your action camera
Image quality will always be the main issue when choosing a good action camera and obviously some are better because they have higher quality lenses, more advanced sensors, longer lasting batteries and exclusive features, but all cameras on this list, even the cheaper, have the minimum acceptable quality by current standards. The difference between them is strictly technical, so it’s good to understand what each camera item you’re going to buy means. Let’s go to them:
Video resolution from the best action cameras
The resolution of image in video is measured in pixels and when they say that a camera is 4K, it means that “4K” is the maximum resolution of the camera. The letter K is used to abbreviate the word “thousand”, so “4K” means 4,000 pixels. 4K cameras shoot at full resolution with 4096 x 2304 pixel frames. All cameras also film at lower resolutions, so a 4K camera will possibly also film in fullHD and HD.
4K: (Resolution of 4096 x 2304 pixels)
4K is the minimum resolution you should demand from a good action camera sold in 2022.
You will also find some cameras that promise to shoot in 4K but do it with low FPS rates (10 or 15 FPS), avoid these models. The minimum to create a good image whatever the resolution is 24 FPS.
Digital cameras are advancing rapidly in image quality and it is very likely that in the coming years we will see more definition models being launched by major brands. To give you an idea of what a 16k image would be like, just watch this time lapse video below produced with 16,000 pixels frames:
FPS rate
The FPS (Frames Per Second or Frames Per Second) rate corresponds to the amount of “pictures” or “frames” the camera records per second. For example, if the camera records in 4K quality at 30 FPS, it means that to compose the image it will record 30 “pictures” or “frames” of the size of 4096 by 2304 pixels in each second of recording. Theoretically, for the movement of something recorded to look natural to human eyes, a minimum of 24 frames per second is needed. Lower rates make images “robotized”. In the video below it is possible to better understand this difference.
Other features found on the best action cameras:
- Live Streaming
- Digital Image Stabilization
- voice commands
- front display
- Waterproof (no waterproof housing)
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection
- GPS
Let’s go through the list from the best GoPro Alternatives to the cheapest:
1. AKASO Brave 7
- 4K30fps, 2.7K30FPS video resolution
- 10M/33FT Waterproof Camera without Case
- 2 batteries included
- Visual Remote Control
- Convenient dual-display
2. Crosstour CT9100
- LDC feature
- Extra battery included
- Dedicated App
- Distortion correction
3. APEMAN A79
- Advanced EIS sensor
- External microphone
- 40m waterproof case
- 2” screen
4. Campark X15 4K
- 2” intuitive IPS display
- Built-in Microphone
- Two 1050mAh batteries
- Waterproof case
Affiliate disclosure:
If you make a purchase through the links on this page, I may receive a small commission. I wrote this review based on my honest experience and my vision of the company. I only write reviews about services and products that I personally use, like and believe in. I usually try to see good things rather than wasting my time thinking about the drawbacks. I strongly believe that if you take action and dedicate some time and effort, you will get your money worth and change your life for the better. Although I always list “cons” and strive to be as objective as possible, I also think that focusing too much on negative aspects can lead to procrastination and having a negative experience.