The world of sports cameras is governed by GoPro, a model of cameras that you will surely know. The trajectory and what the devices of this company offer are tremendously known among people who do sports and want to capture those moments but, of course, there are other alternatives to these cameras that also contain a large number of interesting features. For this reason, today we show you the main alternatives to GoPro action cameras .
Why is the GoPro famous?
You may be wondering where this “fame” that this company owns comes from and is that, in one way or another, this company was the first to start selling and popularizing action cameras worldwide . Although its beginnings were based on buying these types of devices from China, modifying them slightly and then selling them for about $ 35 back in 2004.
Of course, these teams have been offering good video quality for years for those who wanted to capture moments in the most adverse conditions : jumping planes, diving, skiing or motocrossing, for example. Dealing with this type of situation for a camera is not easy, since they face problems of stabilization, luminosity, resistance and a set of characteristics that must be incorporated in order for the result to be adequate.
What to look for in an alternative camera
And speaking of these qualities, there are a set of them that you should take into account when purchasing an action camera. The three fundamental pillars that you should look at are:
- Image quality: Image quality is one of the most important not only in chambers action but in any camera details. Currently we can find some of these equipment that allow us to record video in 4K resolution at 60 fps or even slow motion from 240 fps to 1000 fps. Although the cheapest options of these devices will offer us a maximum resolution of 1080p, which may be enough, you will get better results if you bet on something more of image quality.
- Resistance : Another key point for these teams is the resistance to shocks, water and dust available to them. As these are cameras that will be exposed to the worst possible situations, and with a high probability of being hit or falling to the ground, it is recommended that the manufacturer assure you that they will withstand this type of situation.
- Stabilization : and of course, if we want to forget about the camera and continue recording while we move without stopping, it is essential that it has a good stabilization so that the result is visible.
In addition to this trio, there are a set of features that could be considered an “extra” but that, if your choice has them, will greatly improve the experience you have with your new action camera:
- Connectivity and connections : there are different types of connectivity that will be useful to us to interact with the camera such as Wifi or Bluetooth. In addition, in terms of connections, they should have a port for micro SD cards and a charging port that, in our opinion, the best option is that it is a USB-C (due to the possibilities it offers compared to others) .
- Adapter Compatibility : The accessories that accompany, or can be purchased separately, these cameras are an important point for the final experience with them. But, even if you do not have a large number of these items, what is really important is that they have compatibility with those of GoPro. Above all, the most important is the support “thread” to attach the camera to the surface we want.
- Screen : having a screen with which to see what we are recording is another one of those details that will help us a lot when using these products. There are even some models that include a front screen to check what we record in selfie mode.
- Battery life : of course, that the battery lasts long enough is a fundamental detail to not lose any moment that you want to capture. You can also buy additional batteries to change them if you need to.
Our selection
Now that you know all the characteristics that an action camera must have to function properly and that its captures are of good quality, it is time to choose a model. To facilitate this work, taking into account that there are hundreds of possible choices, below we show you the main alternatives to the GoPro actioncam .
Insta360 One R
In this choice, our favorite option is the Insta360 One R. What makes us opt for it is, above all, its versatility. It bases its concept on modules that we can interchange with each other to turn it into a camera: action, 360º video recording or, with its one-inch module, a more professional option.
Of course it features 4K video recording at 60fps, good stabilization, and high image quality. In addition, we can control it remotely through its application.
Sony rx0
Another alternative that you should take into account, especially if you want the most professional quality in this format, is the Sony RX0 . This small camera has a 24mm ZEISS lens, allows you to record video in 4K or super slow motion at 1,000 fps.
It allows continuous shooting of up to 16 photographs and, for video professionals, we can record video with logarithmic profiles for greater versatility in post-production.
DJI Osmo Action
As we already told you in our video review, the DJI Osmo Action is a great alternative that you should consider when buying an actioncam . This is one of those options that has a double screen (one on the back and one on the front) to be able to self-record and see the final shot.
It has great stabilization, correct image quality with a maximum resolution of 4K at 60 fps and, in addition, resists shocks and immersion under water without the need for a protective case.
Yi Action Cam
Another possibility in this world of sports cameras is Xiaomi‘s Yi Cam . With the possibility to record video in 4K resolution at 60 fps, it offers good image quality and correct stabilization (although it is not the best of this collection in this regard).
Sony FDRX3000R
Turning now to action cameras but with a different design, we have another option from Sony . The FDRX3000R is a model that has been on the market for years and that, little by little, has evolved depending on the characteristics requested by its users.
It captures 4K video, has good stabilization and quality sound recording. In addition, it has its own application for remote control, face detection while recording or the possibility of using it for live broadcasts with Ustream.
Polaroid Cube +
If you are into colorful and different cameras, the Polaroid Cube + can be a great option. Being able to acquire it in red, blue and black colors, this camera allows us to record video with a maximum resolution of 1080p for a maximum of 90 minutes. It does not have a screen, so we will not be able to see what we are recording directly on it, an important detail.
The most curious thing is that it has a magnetized surface with which, by bringing it closer to metal objects, we can attach it to a wall without any other method of fastening and start recording.
DJI Osmo Pocket
Dji’s Osmo Pocket is another great alternative in this sector. It is true that it is a different camera since, this device has a small gimbal on the top that makes the recordings super stable. Although this point is also the most fragile of his body. Our recommendation is that, if you are going to use it to film extreme sports, you should acquire its protective casing, which also gives it the possibility of diving under water.
With it we can record video in 4K at 60 fps using logarithmic profiles, we can take photographs in raw format and manage it with or without the need to use our smartphone.
These are the main alternatives to GoPro action cameras. If you have any questions about these options, do not hesitate to leave us a comment and we will try to resolve it as soon as possible.
