Pevly

Cameras · Drones · Video

Camera and Drone Guides

Evergreen guidance on choosing, protecting and getting real footage out of small cameras and camera drones.

1/3.2" 4.5 x 3.4 mm 1/2.5" 5.8 x 4.3 mm 1/2.3" 6.2 x 4.6 mm 1" 13.2 x 8.8 mm Sensor area, drawn to scale A 1" sensor gathers roughly 8x the light of a 1/2.3" sensor at the same exposure — the single biggest driver of low-light quality. More area = less noise, more dynamic range.
Sensor size is the specification that most reliably predicts image quality, and the one budget cameras are quietest about.

Choosing a camera or drone 3

The decisions that actually change your footage, and the specifications that only look like they do.

ArticleTypeRead it ifCovers
How to Choose an Action CameraGuideAnyone choosing their first cameraBudget tiers, sensor, stabilisation, audio
How to Choose a Camera DroneGuideAnyone choosing a camera droneSensor, gimbal, weight class, regulations
What Separates a Cheap Action Camera From a Good OneExplainerComparing budget modelsWhy bitrate beats resolution

Water and housings 2

Depth ratings, seals and the maintenance routine that prevents almost every flood.

ArticleTypeRead it ifCovers
Waterproofing for Underwater PhotographyGuideShooting in or near waterDepth ratings and flood recovery
Underwater Housing Care and MaintenanceMaintenanceHousing ownersO-rings, seals and pressure testing

Mounting, storage and care 2

Getting the camera where it needs to be, and keeping it working between shoots.

ArticleTypeRead it ifCovers
Action Camera Clamps and Mounting HardwareGuideMounting in awkward placesClamp types and load limits
Storing and Protecting an Action CameraGuideStoring and transporting kitCases, bags and battery storage

Buying safely 1

How to tell genuine hardware from the counterfeits that flooded this category.

ArticleTypeRead it ifCovers
How to Spot a Counterfeit Action CameraGuideBuying from marketplacesSpotting counterfeit hardware

Background and reference 3

Where the category came from, and reference material for hardware people still own.

ArticleTypeRead it ifCovers
The History and Evolution of Action CamerasBackgroundGeneral readingFrom helmet film rigs to stabilised 4K
The First GoPro: The HERO 35mm StoryBackgroundGeneral readingHow the category began
SJCAM SJ4000 Reference ManualReferenceSJ4000 ownersSetup, settings and troubleshooting