Table of Contents
Best video camera for action of June 2024
Short videos have set off a nationwide vlogger trend, promoted the vigorous development of mobile phones and cameras, and brought professional equipment such as action cameras into the homes of ordinary people.
As a sports enthusiast and a travel enthusiast, of course I need to study these aspects of knowledge carefully.
During this process, I learned a lot of knowledge in depth, from equipment to editing, various gameplay methods and ideas, and gained some experience.
Here I will sort out my purchasing methods, hoping to help you make a better choice.
Concepts related to action cameras
What is an action camera?
Action cameras are cameras used for shooting in sports scenes.
This kind of camera generally has a natural anti-shake function, which can capture images in complex sports environments and present clear and stable video effects.
For example, our common hiking, cycling, skiing, mountain climbing, downhill, diving, etc.
In a broad sense, action cameras include all portable cameras that support anti-shake, which can provide clear video when the photographer is moving or moving, without relying on a specific gimbal.
How to achieve anti-shake in sports cameras
General anti-shake is divided into optical anti-shake and electronic anti-shake.
[Optical anti-shake] can also be called physical anti-shake. It relies on the gyroscope in the lens to sense the shake, and then transmits the signal to the microprocessor. After calculating the relevant data, it calls the lens processing group or other parts to eliminate the effects of shake. Influence.
[Electronic image stabilization] uses digital circuits to process the image. Generally, a wide-angle shot is used to shoot a large-angle image, and then appropriate cropping and other processing are performed through a series of calculations to make the image smoother.
What scenarios are action cameras suitable for?
The action camera is suitable for general sports scenes. This is its specialty, which has been introduced above.
It is also suitable for traveling and shooting, because traveling itself is a kind of sport, always moving around. It is very convenient to take pictures while traveling. It is easy to carry and you can take pictures just by picking it up.
Because they are compact, portable and have strong anti-shake capabilities, action cameras are also favored by some photographers. They are generally used together with drones and professional SLR cameras to serve photographers.
Key points for purchasing action cameras
Look at the budget
The prices of action cameras are basically divided into these categories: less than $150, $150-300, $300-450, $450-600, and above $600.
- [Under $150] Basically it can only be used for fun and is generally not recommended.
- [USD 150-300] You can buy an entry-level action camera.
- [USD 300-450] action cameras are generally good, and action cameras at this price are the most worth buying.
- [USD 450-600] It is more professional, has no shortcomings, and is suitable for users who pursue higher performance.
- [More than $600] It is a particularly good one, but there is currently no suitable recommendation.
Look at the brand
- GoPro is an American brand and the originator of action cameras. It is also synonymous with action cameras. Its professional capabilities are well received in the industry. Coupled with the sports elements and adventurous spirit advocated in foreign countries, it is basically invincible abroad.
- DJI is a rising star with strong R&D capabilities and a representative in the field of drones. It has made great achievements in the field of action cameras for the first time. Its first-generation product, Osmo Action, caused quite a shock to GoPro and forced GoPro to undergo greater changes.
- Insta360 is also an excellent domestic action camera brand, known for its cost-effectiveness. Now it focuses on thumb cameras and has become the smallest in the industry.
The products currently on sale by Insta360 include Insta360 ONE, ONE X, ONE RS and Go.
Go is currently the smallest action camera. The body is only as big as your thumb. It is also called a thumb camera.
Depend on use
If you like to play extreme sports, then GoPro is a no-brainer recommendation. After all, this is the originator of action cameras.
Moreover, the latest GoPro already supports the front screen, which makes up for the shortcomings of selfies, and the anti-shake has been raised to a higher level, making GoPro stronger not only in the sports field, but also in the life field.
If you just want to be an ordinary Vloger and record your life, I recommend DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3.
If you’re looking for extreme portability and compactness, consider the Insta360 Go 3.
Recommended cameras at different price points
$150~300： GoPro 8
GoPro 8 is a very cost-effective action camera with excellent performance, compact and beautiful appearance.
The anti-shake is already very strong and the image quality is relatively good. It is widely used in shooting various scenes of sports, travel and life vlog.
After GoPro 11 was launched, the 8th generation didn’t sell much. If you have a limited budget, you can still get it if you have the channels.
If you have second-hand ones, you can also consider them. The second-hand price is below $250.
Disadvantages: Due to the performance of the chip, the system operation is not smooth, and it becomes obviously hot when used for a long time in summer.
$300~450: DJI Osmo (Action 4 | Pocket 3), Insta 360 ONE X3 (X4)
DJI Osmo Action itself is good. Except for the anti-shake aspect, it is a little worse than GoPro. In terms of system operation and after-sales service, it is better than GoPro.
The Action series now has four generations. From the third generation, it started to become regular and maintain its own style.
If you want to buy here, it is only recommended to buy products of the third generation and above. If possible, you must go to the fourth generation, which makes up for many shortcomings.
- DJI Action 4
The vertical shooting mode is very suitable for filming on some short video platforms. The selfie stick for skiing is also eliminated, and it also supports fast charging.
Now the fourth generation continues to enhance on the basis of the third generation. The most important thing is that the bottom has become larger, which is a decisive factor affecting imaging.
Action cameras are no longer daylight cameras and can take clearer pictures at night.
In addition, a log mode has been added, allowing those who have the ability to adjust colors uniformly by themselves, resulting in a higher film production rate and richer playability.
The price of more than $300 has certain advantages over GoPro 11. If you don’t consider extreme sports, Action 4 is well worth buying.
- Osmo Pocket 3
The first generation of Osmo Pocket had many shortcomings, but the second generation has basically solved those shortcomings and is more balanced in all aspects.
The third generation continues to improve on the second generation, with a larger screen and a lot of hardware improvements.
It is mostly used for life and entertainment. To a certain extent, it is equivalent to a gimbal + mobile phone. If you want to play this way, you can choose it. There will also be some AI automatic editing in the later stage to help you produce better films.
- Insta 360 ONE X3（X4）
Insta 360 ONE X3 (X4) has a lightweight body and its performance is not compromised at all.
Based on the previous generation, the X4 has an enlarged battery, can shoot up to 8K video, and has improved playability.
Gesture control has also been added, making it easier to control the camera and avoid some embarrassments.
It has its own original selfie stick elimination technology, which allows you to take some close-up shots around yourself, which has an effect similar to that of a drone following you.
The main product is a pocket panoramic anti-shake camera, which is very portable and suitable for personal shooting of some sports scenes (such as skiing).
Disadvantages: The screen is too small and the visibility when taking selfies is not high.
$450~600：GoPro 12>Insta360 ONE RS
- GoPro 12
GoPro 12 was released several days later than DJI Action 4.
GoPro, which has always been squeezing out toothpaste, is now feeling the crisis, starting from hardware to software.
Relatively speaking, DJI is taking a large and comprehensive approach, taking into account both sports and daily life, and GoPro has also begun to focus on the social field.
It has a brand new portrait mode, which is convenient for sharing on various short video platforms and circles of friends.
Supports Log video to facilitate unified processing in the later stage. Using enhanced anti-shake 6.0.
Disadvantages: The software is a bit weak and requires a certain amount of editing ability. The official app is lagging behind.
- Insta360 ONE RS
The ONE RS, which has a one-inch large Leica lens, has attracted much attention. The sensor area is larger than other sports cameras, which can bring better night photography capabilities. Coupled with excellent anti-shake, the picture quality is very good.
If you pursue image quality and like night photography, then the One RS with a one-inch large base is well worth buying.
The new Insta 360 One RS series is amazing. Compared with the One R, its performance is greatly improved. It has a modular design and the lens can be replaced freely.
Summary
The following is a classification summary based on various usage scenarios:
Mainly shooting at night
General action cameras are suitable for shooting during the day, but the effect is not so good at night.
If you are looking for nighttime image quality, then choose [ONE RS with a one-inch outsole and Leica lens]. After all, the outsole is one level larger.
a sports fan
If you are a sports enthusiast, then [GoPro 12] is your first choice. It is durable, compact, and has strong anti-shake performance.
There are many cyclists, motorcycle enthusiasts and extreme sports enthusiasts who choose GoPro.
Buying GoPro 8 now is very cost-effective, but you have to overcome the discomfort in system operation.
If you have the conditions, you can directly use GoPro 12, which is a more mature and stable product.
Sports and life
If you want to shoot some lifestyle vlogs while exercising, DJI Action 4 is a better choice.
It has sports elements, benchmarks against GoPro, has increasingly improved anti-shake, and its operating experience is also in line with Chinese people’s usage habits.
It currently supports 10-bit color depth and has a log mode to facilitate unified post-color grading processing.
It is more user-friendly in terms of daily vlogging, and the magnetic design is also more convenient for shooting and creation.
Portable and fun
If it is used to compensate for the shooting angle, it is mainly used for life and travel. It is usually used for fun, put in the pocket, and taken out when you want to take pictures.
Then DJI [Osmo Pocket 2] and [Shadow Stone Go 3] thumb cameras are all acceptable.
The thumb camera can basically free your hands and can be hung on a necklace, making it very convenient to shoot first-person videos.
If you have children at home, or if you want to record the daily life of your pets, or shoot first-person work videos, Go 3 is your first choice.
Panoramic gameplay
[Insta 360 ONE X3] is worth considering. First of all, it is a panoramic camera that can also shoot flat surfaces and is very portable.
For use scenarios like skiing, it is highly recommended. It can be said to be a dedicated camera for skiing.
For those with higher requirements, you can choose the latest X4, but I feel that the X3 is enough for ordinary users.
This is the introduction about action cameras for the time being. If it is helpful to you, please support it by clicking 5 stars!
Recommended Action camera for you
sport action cam | sports recording camera | sports hd dv | sports camcorder | kodak playsport
