In 2018, analysts notice an upsurge of action camera sales over regular models or smartphones due to its rugged build quality and versatile mounting options.
What Makes Action Cameras Different
First of all, most of the action cameras flaunt different levels of ingress protection. Sometimes special accessories can be paired with the unit to make it completely waterproof. Additionally, there are available housings that protect the device from accidental drops or impacts, which often captures remarkable footage of its survival.
Another aspect that makes these gadgets adaptable is their size. Majority of manufacturers intentionally keep these items portable and lightweight to deliver more mounting options. Users can capture videos and photos featuring unique angles.
By now, the most common add-on seen paired with the products are poles that solo users rely on to capture action shots and more. Furthermore, most of these are designed to float in case the owner accidentally loses grip.
GoPro Hero 6 Black
This first on the list of top-rated action cameras is a brand that is immediately recognizable as a household name among its peers. Almost all devices under the same category have been called a "GoPro" one way or another by consumers.
The Hero 6 Black is the company's newest model that boasts a new custom GP1 processor, which supposedly offers double the performance of its predecessor. Other improvements such as HDR, enhanced dynamic range, superior low-light performance, and the addition of electronic image stabilization make it a worthy purchase or upgrade from the outgoing model.
Sony FDR-X3000R Action Cam
Despite its hefty price tag, Sony's offering sports an optical image stabilization system. Unlike the electronic kind, the feature even works on 4K resolution footage. Another unique component of the product is the live-view remote control. The wireless remote can be worn on the user's wrist like a smartwatch or attached to other accessories
Xiaomi Yi 4K Action Camera
The Chinese electronics manufacturer grabs a piece of the action camera market with the Yi 4K. Most consumers often describe it as a budget-friendly alternative to a GoPro. Just like the competition, it comes with electronic image stabilization and the ability to record video in 4K at 30 frames per second.
Touch-screen controls, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are some of its other notable features, but it does come with a few caveats. Even though the device parades a compact and quality construction, it lacks any kind of ingress protection. Owners must purchase its waterproof housing and mounts separately.
Garmin VIRB Ultra 30
A lot of consumers would agree that Garmin's action camera looks a lot like a GoPro unit. It likewise features the common bells and whistles such as electronic image stabilization, voice controls, and others. However, what makes it stand out is its built-in GPS telemetry and support for external sensors via ANT+ and Bluetooth. It is compatible with most of Garmin's premium fitness smartwatches, which doubles as a wireless remote to control the functions of the VIRB Ultra 30.
Olympus Tough TG-Tracker
With extensive experience when it comes to rugged and water-resistant digital cameras, Olympus introduces an action camera that reportedly lives up to its "Tough" moniker. Impressive features such as a waterproof construction that can withstand up to 30m without a special housing, it can operate in temperatures below 14 Fahrenheit, crush-proof frame up to 220 pounds, drop-proof from a height of 6.6 feet, and even comes with an LED headlight for low-light shots.
Moreover, the device is packed with several components that detect movement, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature. An electronic compass and GPS are likewise on board, which gathers information from the array of sensors to include everything on the video.
