Action cameras allow you to shoot video in extreme conditions - they are unpretentious to external factors and have small dimensions. Most often they are purchased for recording various tricks, outdoor activities and video filming while traveling. They have found their application in everyday life - the device will perfectly replace a webcam or video recorder. Choosing a camera from the category of inexpensive ones - it is important not to miscalculate with the technical characteristics and stay on a proven model. After all, the device must cope with its tasks, function stably and not fail in any conditions. Such models were included in the rating of the best inexpensive action cameras of 2020 from our editorial office.
TOP 10 Best Inexpensive Action Cameras
Go Pro has pioneered the development of compact action cameras with great media capabilities. Today there are more than enough analogues of the famous brand's products. Among them there are decent models of the budget segment - inexpensive, but high-quality cameras at prices up to .
When choosing the best budget action cameras, the experts of our editorial office studied in detail the trends, offers of popular and little-known brands. The main criteria for action cameras included in the TOP-10 were:
- High-quality and trouble-free operation in extreme conditions.
- Compliance with modern requirements of photo and video shooting.
- No technical flaws.
Most budget devices are inferior to professional counterparts, but they do an excellent job with their tasks, as proven by numerous reviews. For a small price, you can choose an action camera with 4K support and various additional functions.
1. SJCAM SJ6 Legend
A high-quality camera with 4K video recording, despite its moderate price, has a set of functions comparable to more expensive devices. It has widescreen and photo modes, good image stabilization, two LCDs, touch controls and WiFi. In addition to excellent color rendition, the camera is capable of shooting clear video even at night. According to the owners, the combination of price and quality of this action camera is one of the best in its segment.
Advantages:
- good quality of shooting;
- compact size;
- gyro stabilization;
- many accessories included;
- functionality.
Disadvantages:
- uninformative instruction;
- there is a marriage of underwater boxing.
2. EKEN H9R
The budget model of the action camera is rich in equipment and good quality shooting. In addition to the basic functions, it can be used as a video recorder and instead of a webcam. Feedback on the operation of this device is positive, the only thing that does not suit the owners is the low sound quality. The rest of the camera leaves only positive impressions. The action camera is reliable, easy to operate, and has all the features beginners and pros alike need, including a remote control for drone shooting.
Advantages:
- the cheapest camera with UHD 4K;
- auto white balance;
- chic equipment;
- high-quality matrix;
- support for remote control;
- high quality workmanship;
- long battery life.
Disadvantages:
- no stabilization;
- poor sound writing.
3. AC Robin Zed2 Pro
An inexpensive action camera with 720p and 1080p recording formats capable of shooting up to 120 frames per second.This budget and compact action camera contains all the options you need to shoot quality. Electronic Image Stabilizer helps to smooth out vibrations when recording on the move, while Time-lapse and wide-angle shooting greatly expand its overall capabilities. Also, for ease of use, the camera is equipped with WiFi, and a remote control bracelet is included in the kit.
Advantages:
- image stabilizer;
- remote control bracelet;
- matrix from SONY;
- slow motion - Time-lapse;
- charging speed;
- the presence of a modern USB C interface;
- advanced service.
Disadvantages:
- unstable Wi Fi connection.
4. SJCAM SJ4000
According to the owners, this time-tested model is the best inexpensive action camera. Its characteristics are far from the modern requirements of professionals, but it is ideal for amateurs. At the available "maximum speed" - 1080p, with the latest updates, the action camera shoots high-quality video with good clarity, detail and natural shades. By releasing software updates, the manufacturer fixed the color balance problem inherent in the first samples, and over time eradicated other minor flaws. As a result, the cheapest action cameras on the market outperformed many more recent models in performance. The downside of popularity has become a large number of fakes, therefore, this device should be purchased only in trusted stores.
Advantages:
- high quality shooting;
- good image quality;
- reliability;
- low weight allows use with weak quadcopters;
- Slow motion;
- low price;
- there are many inexpensive additional accessories on sale.
Disadvantages:
- no stabilizer;
- battery life varies with temperature.
5.SJCAM SJ6 Legend Air
This budget 4K high-definition action camera has become popular due to the technical equipment as well as the quality of the device itself. The wide viewing angle of 166 degrees, 120 fps, 2160/2880 resolution, wide mode, H.264 compression and many additional options allow you to get the highest definition video regardless of shooting conditions. A complete set of mounts will help you fix the action camera as the situation requires. A minor drawback of the device, discovered by users, is a slow turn on.
Advantages:
- low price;
- support for 4K-resolution;
- built-in stabilizer;
- all necessary mountings as standard;
- large viewing angle.
Disadvantages:
- software flaws;
- turns on for a long time.
6. Rekam A340
The compact action camera will easily capture outdoor activities on the ground, in the air and under water. Its complete set includes all the necessary mountings for installation on bicycles and motorcycles, on a helmet, a tripod, and a lot of transition links and adapters. 4K resolution, 170 degree field of view, 120 fps (HD) and photo mode allow you to shoot regardless of weather conditions and time of day. The big plus of the action camera is the second LCD display, making it easy to take photos. According to reviews of those who already operate this model, the combination of price and quality in it is at the highest level.
Advantages:
- reasonable cost;
- quality of parts and assembly;
- duration of battery life;
- an excellent combination of price and opportunity;
- good parameters;
- all types of mounts included.
Disadvantages:
- demanding on the quality of memory cards.
7. HP ac200w
An inexpensive camera with great features and great functionality comes with a set of mounts, an underwater box and a remote control. Thanks to the widescreen mode and wide viewing angle, the captured video is very voluminous and high quality. Low weight allows you to attach the action camera to drones for aerial filming. The disadvantages of the camera include incompatibility with third-party accessories and the lack of an LCD display.
Advantages:
- good quality of shooting;
- there is a remote control;
- wide viewing angle;
- assembly flawlessly;
- long battery life.
Disadvantages:
- no display;
- only original mounts and accessories are suitable.
8. Mijia Seabird 4K motion Action Camera
High-quality build, 4K video recording, logical touch controls and the best price among similar devices have made this action camera very popular. As noted by users, its capabilities are enough to shoot high-resolution videos not only on land but also underwater, while the color and clarity remain the same natural. In addition to basic functions, the camera can record in slow motion and H.264 format.
Advantages:
- large maximum memory card capacity - 128 GB;
- support for recording in 4K format;
- compactness;
- good video quality when shooting underwater;
- convenient control.
Disadvantages:
- no image stabilizer.
9.X-TRY XTC197 EMR UltraHD
XTC197 is an obligatory participant in the rating of the best. The single display action camera is equipped with an external microphone and adapts to most types of mounts. High technical equipment makes the camera versatile. Thanks to auto-start, the model will replace the DVR, and high-quality shooting in active motion mode will be ensured by image stabilization. The removable battery allows you to record up to 90 minutes of continuous Full HD video. In addition, the action camera shoots well in adverse weather conditions, has a good viewing angle, a photo mode and a rich package bundle. This is the best choice for 4K, 720 / 1080p recording. and H.264.
Advantages:
- large viewing angle;
- there is image stabilization;
- capacious battery;
- autostart to turn on the car when starting the engine;
- good equipment;
- built-in WiFi.
Disadvantages:
- connection through the WiFi module may periodically fall off.
10. DIGMA DiCam 300
A budget action camera with support for high-definition UHD 4K video and a maximum shooting rate of 120 fps (HD), according to customer reviews, it has all the functions needed for amateurs. It provides automatic white balance adjustment, two recording formats, photo and widescreen mode, and WiFi connection for working with updates and transferring data to other devices. A multitude of mounts included in the basic configuration eliminates the need to purchase them separately or select suitable ones from other models. The disadvantages of the action camera are the lack of image stabilization and a weak standard microphone, due to its low cost.
Advantages:
- low cost;
- UHD 4K support;
- many additional modes;
- good equipment.
Disadvantages:
- there is no stabilization;
- poor sound recording.
What is the best budget action camera to buy
The review from our editorial team includes 10 best cameras in terms of functionality, tested by users in real conditions. To make your choice, you can use a few tips from experienced experts:
- For the amateur level, you can take a device without 4K support as the first camera, stopping at Full HD resolution.
- If you plan to shoot from the air, it is better to take a model with a remote control.
- An Image Stabilizer is required for shooting in active traffic, such as mountain biking. The function aligns the picture, excluding sharp jumps.
- Consider the weight and size of the action camera so that weaker quadcopters can easily lift it to different heights.
- It is also worth paying attention to the number of mounts and the operating time on a single charge.
Once you understand the pros and cons of the best budget models, determining which action camera is the best will be much easier. The main thing is to understand for what purpose the device is purchased and to choose the appropriate option from our rating.
