Video Quality
Regarded as the most important feature of any video camera, the quality of a video will certainly be in your top 3 priorities when choosing an action camera. So how does one inspect the quality of a clip?
Most people just type “Camera XYZ video sample” into a YouTube. Let me tell you right away, while watching samples from websites like Vimeo or YouTube seems like a logical thing to do, the most reliable way to actually see the footage quality is to try to find downloadable samples.
Why? Because streaming websites always compress quality of a video. YouTube is especially known for calibrating uploaded videos in a weird way.
That’s why the best thing to do in order to inspect the video quality of any camera is to find a downloadable, unedited video sample, download it and watch it on your own PC. To be more precise, I personally encourage people to download VLC software (Windows link | iOS link |, since this one really works well and is able to play most of the video formats without any issues.
For instance, on our website, we always offer unedited video samples which people can get, for all the action camera we review. If you are having a trouble finding an unedited (raw) sample, you can post a request of plenty of online forums where owners of that particular camera happily provide few short videos. My recommendations are aerial photography section of RCGroup Forum, and DashCamForum. There are probably few more online communities similar to the mentioned duo, so feel free to do your own research and let me know if you have any other reliable website.
It would be good if you can preview movies recorder in different situations and various light conditions (For instance, low-light, night footage, direct sunlight, etc). Assuming you downloaded the VLC, while watching the sample, feel free to pause the video and closely inspect the paused frame. Make sure that the sharpness is satisfying, that there isn’t too much glare under the direct sunlight or that you can see objects at night.
To summarize it’s extremely important that you download unedited, raw sample and preview it on your own computer via reliable player, such as VLC. Under no circumstances should you judge video quality based on a video uploaded on any sort of a streaming website, since those sites compress quality and lower bit-rate, making the video look blocky. If you can’t find a downloadable sample, either ask manufacturer support to send you one or ask for help on online forums. Pay special attention to video colors, stabilization, sharpness and low-light performance while evaluating a sample.
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Hi, I am interested in an Action Cam that would produce the very best quality of still shots for zooming and seeing details in the picture. I see some cameras on the market advertising 20MP photos but the image sensor is a Sony IMX117 (12MP sensor). Could you offer any advice about which Action Camera might best fit my needs?
If a sensor is 12mp, and output is 20mp, that means resolution is interpolated and will be 12mp stretched up, basically useless for your need.
You can check YI 4K (12MP), or YI (16MP) (YI vs YI4K comparison), Sony FDR X1000V (8mp), those are some quite decent.
Hi, what is the best camera below 100 usd for photos?
There are multiple factors, but from a price-value aspect, I would say this one.
Long shot but any idea which is the better action camera (going to be using it with a weather balloon and general biking and such) the Soocoo C30R or the Git2 Pro?
Basically is the Git2 worth the extra cost? Some say a 16MP sensor might be worse in lower light than a 12MP but I have no idea :’)
I’ve personally reviewed two Soocoo cameras, and I just do not trust their quality control and support. In my humble opinion, Git 2 is worth the extra cost. As for the low-light, that is true, however difference would be far more visible in 16 vs 2MP sensor, than in 16 vs 12.
Hy Pavle,
I want to buy an action camera: good 4k picture quality, native if possible, stabilization, under 100USD. this is my first camera…
thanks for help.
Cheers Gabriel
Hi Gabriel, check out our recomendations here http://pevly.com/best-action-cameras/
Thanks for the guidance.However, these models are older models, can you suggest me something from 2017: Andoer, Akasoo, Firefly, Xiaomi Mijia(can go up little 100usd).
Thanks once again Pavle.
If something was released after does not mean it works well, I can’t recommend any specific camera besides the one we thoroughly tested and recommended here.
Hi:
Can you please suggest a budget action camera that would support external Mic. Should have a good Camera as well.
Regards
Tarun
Hi Tarun, please check our recommended camera list, there are some supporting external mics out there https://pevly.com/best-action-cameras/
hello which is better between, SJCAM SJ6 – Xiaomi Mijia – SGCOOL explorer 2c – SGCOOL explorer 3 – Eken H6s 4k – Eken H9s.
The best camera is the one which suits your needs the best and budget. Our top picks can be found here https://pevly.com/best-action-cameras/
Your list is way to long. I recommend that you start with our recommended cameras and see which one fits your needs the best https://pevly.com/best-action-cameras/
From your experience, which is better between h8r n h9r ?
Hi Suhrisman,
Between these two models the H9R has better results. The main reasons are the video quality and the price. In essence, the H9R can shot sharper videos. A part this difference these two cameras are very similar. If i can suggest you another camera, you could consider the Xiaomi Yi !