Camera Body
Form Factor – Action cameras come in many different shapes but they’re always small in size. Probably the most common shape is what I call “matchbox”. These cameras are rectangular and look like miniature point-and-shoot digital cameras. Another popular shape is the “breadloaf”, flat on the bottom, curved on the top and rectangular when viewed from the side. Recently cube cameras have become more popular. They’re shaped like – you guessed it – a cube! Tubes of various lengths and diameters are also common. There are others as well and some cameras are shaped for specific applications. You can decide which form factor best suits your needs.
Surface texture – Some camera bodies have a knobby texture that’s good for sweaty or wet hands. Others have a rubbery, easy-to-grip surface. Some pick up dirt and dust more easily than others and some are more readily cleaned.
Buttons – All action cameras use buttons. You use them all the time for navigating menus, snapping photos and starting/stopping recording so buttons can make your experience with a camera pleasant or annoying. Check to see if they’re comfortably located for your hands. Are they easy to find by touch without looking? Is the resistance firm but smooth when you press down on them? Do they have a definite, refined click or an unrefined clack?
Battery compartment – The battery compartment can be located in a variety of positions on the camera body. The most common locations are the side and bottom and sometimes the back. Side and bottom locations have narrow doors while back-mounted batteries have squarish doors. I prefer the side location because if the door should inadvertently pop open the battery won’t automatically fall out. I also prefer doors that remain attached to the camera when you open them. This is especially important for bottom-mounted batteries because if you lose the door there’s nothing to hold in the battery. Also some doors can be a bit fiddly to open and close.
Ports – The memory card slot and ports for cable connections are almost universally located on the side of the camera for “matchbox” style camera bodies. The location varies for other camera shapes and sizes. Except for cameras with a splash-proof design these openings usually aren’t covered. A few manufacturers include a dust cover for the opening. I think this is a good idea because it keeps out dirt and moisture.
Tripod mount – Some action cameras have a 1/4”-20 (that’s a quarter-inch with 20 threads per inch) threaded opening on the bottom of the camera body for mounting on a tripod. Others have a simple clip with a threaded connection and the clip attaches to the camera. But some cameras have neither. For those the only alternative is to use the waterproof housing with the appropriate mounting accessories – if a waterproof housing is available. Holding the camera with your bare hands for a long time such as at sporting events instead of using a tripod, monopod or even a simple pistol grip can be a real pain – literally if you have joint or muscle pain in your arms or hands.
Display – Many action cameras don’t have a display. That’s especially true of tube or “lipstick” cameras and others that are mounted to helmets. For those that do, size matters. The two most common sizes are 1-1/2- and 2-inches (measured diagonally). You’ll appreciate the larger size if your vision isn’t too good. A few 2-inch displays are touch screens which some people prefer for navigating menus. The brightness and quality of the display can vary from so-so to pretty good.
WiFi – WiFi is a common feature on action cameras. Not all cameras have WiFi but it’s certainly widespread, even among cheap cameras. WiFi allows your camera to communicate with an application installed on your mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. The app is proprietary and will only work with a specific brand and your particular camera. With the app you can see the live view from the camera and you can start/stop recording and snap photos using your device. The app allows you to change a variety of camera settings on your device rather than at the camera. Though the entire camera menu might not be available on the app the most commonly used settings will be there. WiFi can be a great feature in some circumstances. It’s much easier to align a camera on your helmet, surfboard or snowboard using the app. And because mobile devices have larger screens it’s easier to set up your camera to frame your shots just right.
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 !