An action camera is the best friend of travelers, sportsmen, and other people who lead an active lifestyle. An action camera is much more compact than the usual point and shoot cameras. You can mount it to your helmet or wheels and take high-resolution photos and videos even on the go.
Choosing the best HD action camera can be quite frustrating when you consider the many options available on the market. In this article, we break down the best five HD action cameras based on the quality of video they are able to produce.
1. What Is HD: HD, Full HD, UHD?
The abbreviation HD appeared with the invention of high definition television (HDTV). Later, the first two letters were separated from the TV, and now HD means that the video or picture has a high resolution. Today, the most popular formats of high definition (HD) standards are:
- HD Ready(720p): 1280 × 720 pixels.
- Full HD (1080i/1080p): 1920 × 1080 pixels.
- Quad HD(1040p): 2560 × 1440 pixels.
Full HD is not a separate standard, it is just an improved version of HD with a large number of pixels. The main difference between these resolutions is picture quality.
Ultra HD is a video format offered by the Japanese company NHK. It was later announced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) that the term "Ultra HD" would be officially used for all screens that have a 16 × 9 image format. Such screens should also have at least one digital connection that can send a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels. Ultra HD comes in two variants:
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- 3840 x 2160, also known as Ultra HD 4K.
- 7680 x 4320, often referred to as HD 8K.
2. What is 1080P?
This resolution is used for high definition video and indicates how many vertical pixels the frame of this video has. 1080p or Full HD video has 1080 vertical pixels and an image resolution of 1920 x 1080. The letter after the numbers indicates the recording format of the video frame. P means progressive scan.
In this format, the frame is displayed immediately, and not sequentially in the odd and even lines. The progressive scan has improved display quality:
- no comb effect on the borders of fast-moving objects;
- no image jitter when there are thin horizontal lines in the frame.
- 1080p can be displayed (depending on the video mode used) in 1080p / 60 fps (most common), 1080p / 30 fps, or 1080p / 24 fps resolutions;
- 1080p / 60 - Improved video frame rate;
- 1080p / 30 - Standard live or recorded video frame rate;
- 1080p / 24 - the standard movie frame rate.
3. Which are the Best HD Action Cameras?
The main feature of an action camera is to capture extreme sports in a changing environment. But these days action cameras are used in many other situations. These devices are usually very small and light-weight, but at the same time, they feature a wide-angle lens with a permanent fixation.
You don't need to make any adjustments. It's enough to turn on a camera for recording. An action camera is an inevitable thing for people involved in extreme sports. Those who shoot a video when hunting or fishing will also appreciate it. Besides, travel bloggers use action cameras to create fantastic videos for social media. We offer you a review of the five best HD action cameras on the market.
1. SJ4000 1080P Full HD Action Camera
It is one of the smallest action cameras on the market.
The camera is adjusted with a 12-megapixel sensor for shooting clear photos and recording stunning 1080P videos. It comes in 8 colors and with a waterproof case.
◆ Dimensions: 59.2×29.8×41 mm;
◆ Weight: 58 grams;
◆ Modes: VideoLapse, PhotoLapse, burst shooting, automotive and underwater shooting, TV mode;
◆ The 170-degree angle of viewing;
◆ Maximum photo resolution: 12 MP 4032*3024;
◆ Maximum video resolution: 1080 FHD 1920*1080;
2. HDR-AS50 Action Cam
This action camera is an easy-to-use and reliable model in a relatively small size.
It records video in MP4 format (MPEG4-AVC / H.264) with a resolution of 1920x1080 / 25-30, 1280x720 / 25-120, 640x480 / 25-30, with a viewing angle of 170 degrees. The device can be used for live broadcast and continuous or interval shooting.
◆ Dimensions: 24.2 x 47 x 83 mm;
◆ Weight: 83 grams;
◆ Remote control via smartphone;
◆ Highlight Movie Maker with face recognition;
◆ A special aqua case allows to dive to a depth of 60 meters;
◆ SteadyShot stabilization system;
◆ Interval shooting Time-lapse;
◆ Video shooting parameters: Full HD (1920 x 1080), 60Fps (1280p);
◆ Maximum photo resolution: 12 MP 4608 x 2592.
3. EKEN H8R Ultra HD 4K Action Camera
This camera allows you to record in 4K resolution and very smooth images up to 30 frames per second. You can record in various modes.
The most popular are 4K 30fps, 2.7K 30fps, 1080P 60fps, 720P 120fps. The camera comes with many accessories, including a car mount, a protective waterproof cover, and remote control.
◆ Dimensions: 41 x 59 x 21.4 mm;
◆ Weight: 69 grams;
◆ Remote control;
◆ Built-in Wi-Fi;
◆ Photo modes: burst shooting: 3 photos per second; Delayed shooting;
◆ Video shooting parameters: 4K 30fps, 2.7K 30fps, 1080P 60fps, 1080P 30fps;
◆ Maximum photo resolution: 12MP 4608 х 2592.
4. Vermont Action Camera 1080P 12MP Sports Camera
A good portable camera to record wonderful moments during traveling. It comes with a whole kit of accessories such as a waterproof case, bicycle stand, clip, strap, adhesive tape. The camera does not have Wi-Fi support.
◆ Dimensions: 59 x 30 x 41 mm;
◆ Weight: 47 grams;
◆ 140-degree wide-angle;
◆ 180-degree turnover shooting;
◆ Time-lapse and continuous shooting;
◆ Capture Modes: Single / 5s / 10s / 20s;
◆ Video resolution: 1080p 30fps; 720p 30fps; 720p 60fps
◆ Image resolution: 12MP 4608 х 2592.
5. AKASO EK7000 HD Action Camera
This HD action camera provides high-quality photos with a 12MP camera at 30fps speed.
Single photo capture, burst mode, or time-lapse mode is also available to automatically take photos at preset intervals from 0.5 to 60 seconds. The resolution is 4 times higher compared to other HD cameras.
◆ Dimensions: 58 x 40 x 20 mm;
◆ Weight: 50 grams;
◆ Wireless wrist remote control;
◆ Built-in Wi-Fi and HDMI, allowing you to instantly edit and share your photos;
◆ Waterproof case: The camera can dive up to 30 meters;
◆ Shooting parameters: 4K 25Fps / 2.7K 30Fps / 1080P 60Fps.
Conclusion
Action cameras are designed to take falls, beating, and all sorts of intervention while guaranteeing you that it will work and provide high-quality content. No matter how much time it remains underwater, it will still give you the best photos and videos. A good action camera is definitely worth the money, just choose your best camera.
