External hardware and memory
Cables – Essentially all action cameras include the USB cable needed for charging the battery and transferring files. A few cameras with an HDMI output also include the HDMI cable. Cables are cheap and widely available. Don’t let the exclusion of certain cables influence your purchase.
AC adapter – There has been a recent trend to exclude the AC adapter from camera packages. For some shoppers this will be a blessing – they have plenty of adapters from their mobile devices. Others need the adapter and consider its absence to be a cheap move by the manufacturer. You can decide if you need one but even if you do and your preferred camera lacks one, adapters are pretty cheap and widely available.
A note of caution about adapters – For US-spec cameras that include an AC adapter, look for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) symbol on the box and the adapter itself. Although a UL listing is not mandatory it does offer assurance that there is a near-zero chance the adapter is faulty. I know of at least two non-UL listed US-spec adapters that severely overheated and in one case began emitting smoke. That is a fire hazard you don’t want at home, work or anyplace else.
Spare batteries and external charging docks – Battery operating times can be quite short for action cameras depending on the settings – ranging from 50 minutes to 2-1/2 hours or so – and the battery recharging times are long – from 2-1/2 to 5 hours. Therefore some people consider spare batteries to be essential. If you do then you’ll want an external charging dock as well. A few action cameras include one or two spare batteries and the external charger. Most have them available as an option. Just a few action cameras have non-replaceable batteries. Nearly all the batteries are proprietary. Almost no action cameras use standard battery sizes like AA or AAA. Sometimes spare batteries can get relatively pricey because they’re proprietary. You’ll have to decide if you want them and how it affects your budget. A cheap and versatile option is to buy a USB power bank instead. Most cameras and power banks are compatible.
Memory cards – Nearly all action cameras use some version of a microSD card for their memory. Very few have internal memory only. Some cameras can only handle a maximum of 16GB of memory (microSD). Most can handle 32 GB (microSDHC) and some can handle 64GB or even 128GB (both called microSDXC). Most manufacturers specify that the card should be at least Class 10 (a measure of the data writing speed) and should be a name brand – no off-brands or generics. A few camera makers include a memory card with their camera. But sometimes cameras misbehave even when you’re using the right memory card so there’s no way to know if the card or the camera is defective without trying a different name-brand card. Memory cards aren’t too expensive so don’t worry if your preferred camera is packaged without one.
Global positioning system – Some of the higher-end action cameras have built in GPS,which enables you to geo-tag your photos and videos and also show the entire you hiking or running path that overlays the video. While this feature sounds like tons of fun, make sure to think whether or not you’ll really be using it, as GPS usually increases the final price by large.
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It’s 2018: Which Action Camera?
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 !