9 best budget action cameras

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Action cameras have become a hit among those who love travel and extreme sports, whose life is filled with bright moments and unforgettable impressions. Unfortunately, not all lovers of such a pastime can afford expensive models of small gadgets, and are forced to use only what the free budget is enough for.

The editors of the magazine, together with experts, drew attention to the urgent problem of recent days and made their list of the 9 best budget action cameras with a low price and acceptable video quality parameters. The rating was compiled based on the following aspects:

1. build quality and workmanship;
2. average cost;
3. nominal technical parameters;
4. consumer reviews;
5. popularity in the Russian market.

Rating of the best budget action cameras

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best budget action cameras	1	GitUp Git2P Pro Panasonic 170 Lens	RUB 6 800
	2	AC Robin Zed2	RUB 7,004
	3	Xiaomi Mi jia Mi Action Camera 4K	RUB 6 646
	4	SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi	RUB 4,249
	5	Rekam XPROOF EX640	RUB 4,240
	6	Gmini MagicEye HDS5100	RUB 2,730
	7	EKEN H9R	RUB 3,190
	8	Digma DiCam 385	RUB 1,944
	9	X-TRY XTC162	RUB 1,658

GitUp Git2P Pro Panasonic 170 Lens

Rating: 4.9

The first place in Panasonic's GitUp Git2P Pro is due to the action camera components that work great with image capture and processing. The Novatek NTK96660 processor is responsible for the speed, coupled with the adequate operation of the system functions, and the 16 megapixel Panasonic MN34120PA sensor allows you to achieve the optimal picture when shooting in 2k resolution. It has full automatic image stabilization, photo mode and time-lapse, thanks to which users can get exactly the shooting result they want.

A qualitatively different level of performance of an action camera is revealed at the stage of viewing peripheral parameters, such as power consumption. In standalone mode, GitUp Git2P Pro Panasonic works up to 2 hours, during which it manages to fill up to the maximum all available 64 GB of Micro SD memory. There is not much to get to the bottom of here – even the components were selected so as not to offend any of the potential buyers.

Advantages

• 16-megapixel Panasonic CMOS;
• automatic stabilization function;
• fast processor from Novatek;
• 120 minutes of battery life.

disadvantages

• not found.

AC Robin Zed2

Rating: 4.8

AC Robin Zed2 is a budget action camera with 2k video recording function (2880×2160 pixels) and 160 degree field of view. Supports wide-angle shooting and has a 16MP CMOS sensor with electronic image stabilization and auto white balance. Thanks to the “strong” set of hardware characteristics, the model managed to achieve a frequency of 60 frames per second when recording in Full HD – the captured videos look dynamic and smooth, without any artifacts, graininess and tears in the video stream.

An important feature of the AC Robin Zed2 is support for flash cards with 64 GB of memory – apparently, manufacturers here understand the importance of convenience for users. The package bundle is not the most “fat”, but quite good, as well as the overall parameters (weight is 58 g). Of the rest, we can only note a complete set of interfaces (HDMI, USB and Wi-Fi) and the fact that the camera is definitely worth its money.

Advantages

• 16-megapixel sensor;
• the presence of electronic image stabilization;
• own application for working with media files.

disadvantages

• lack of function of shooting in 4k-resolution.

Xiaomi Mi jia Mi Action Camera 4K

Rating: 4.7

The third place in the ranking goes to a budget action camera from a Chinese company Xiaomi. Let's say in advance: it is not the best in the rating from the point of view of numbers, but in terms of the totality of characteristics it is no less good than Panasonic's GitUp. The Ambarella A12S75 processor is responsible for the performance in Mijia Mi Action Camera 4K, which supports the auto stabilization function, white balance settings and other less significant parameters. The 8-megapixel sensor actually shoots in the same way as the 16-megapixel counterpart in the AC Robin Zed2 model (the difference between them is minimal). But in terms of resolution, a full-fledged Ultra HD is implemented here – 3840×2160. True, the viewing angle is extremely understated: 145 degrees does not fit into any reasonable framework.

Other features Xiaomi Mi jia Mi Action Camera 4K should highlight the presence of a touch screen, an abundance of recording modes and the absence of wired interfaces as such. Instead of the latter, the model provides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which provide connection with other Xiaomi – gadgets. The battery life of the camera does not exceed 1 hour, and the weight almost reaches 100 grams.

Advantages

• high quality shooting even with obviously low characteristics of the hardware;
• the presence of a touch screen and image auto-stabilization;
• cheap and affordable accessories in mass markets;
• low price.

disadvantages

• small angle of view of the camera;
• 1 hour of battery life;
• lack of wired interfaces.

SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi

Rating: 4.7

The fourth line of the rating went to SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi for quality parameters, namely for the 12-megapixel CMOS matrix, which allows you to shoot really beautiful videos. True, in Full HD – resolution, but at a stable 30 frames per second, smoothly, with exposure adjustment and automatic white balance. The viewing angle is 170 degrees, which makes it possible to work in widescreen mode.

By chance, JCAM SJ4000 WiFi was not lucky enough to acquire support for large amounts of memory: the maximum of the camera is working with 32 GB Micro SD. But, in all fairness, from the Rekam XPROOF EX640 it is distinguished by the richest equipment, and the presence of Wi-Fi, and low weight with compact dimensions. In general, the option is not without flaws, but capable of capturing all the important moments of travel in colors.

Advantages

• excellent recording quality at 1080p resolution;
• huge equipment;
• 12 megapixel matrix;
• compact, lightweight and stylish camera.

disadvantages

• case without moisture protection;
• does not shoot in 4k resolution;
• Supports up to 32GB of flash memory.

Rekam XPROOF EX640

Rating: 4.7

The Rekam XPROOF EX640 is a budget camera with great potential for recording quality, which was accompanied by an inadequately small amount of readable memory. The CMOS sensor in this model has a resolution of 8 megapixels, and the combination of structural elements allows you to record video in UHD 4k resolution at 30 frames per second.

As with the competition, the Rekam XPROOF EX640 features slow motion, loop and continuous shooting, but without image stabilization. The weight of the camera is 96 g with relatively small dimensions in width, height and depth (thickness) – 59x43x30 mm. The case is made waterproof, which is partly due to the scarcity of equipment. However, the main disadvantage, according to many users, is the ability to read micro-flash drives with a memory capacity of no more than 32 GB. This nuance makes the model from Rekam equivalent to the device from Gmini.

Advantages

• 8 megapixel matrix;
• stable video shooting at a resolution of 3840×2160;
• availability of HDMI and USB.

disadvantages

• expandable memory only up to 32 GB;
• meager set of accessories;
• lack of a Wi-Fi interface.

Gmini MagicEye HDS5100

Rating: 4.6

An ideological continuation of all the previous representatives of the rating with a viewing angle of 170 degrees and the ability to shoot stable video in Ultra 4k format. The recording frame rate, as befits high-quality action cameras, varies from 120 at 720p HD to 30 frames per second at 4k shooting. Large drawdowns are not observed, as well as flaws in the picture, although no advanced settings for automatic stabilization or anything else are observed. From the “advanced” in the Gmini MagicEye HDS5100 can be distinguished only by an amazing white balance.

For the first time in the ranking, an action camera has acquired an HDMI interface in addition to USB and Wi-Fi. It can still only be equipped with a 64 GB flash drive – there is no own memory capacity. As well as the waterproof case, since the kit comes with an aqua box. The model weighs only 45 grams and works offline for up to 93 minutes.

Advantages

• The optimum ratio of price and quality;
• stable video at a frequency of up to 30 frames per second (when shooting at a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels);
• modes of time dilation, cyclic and continuous recording;
• light weight.

disadvantages

• its own body is not waterproof;
• lack of internal memory and the ability to install a flash card of a larger size (than 64 GB);
• 4 megapixel matrix.

EKEN H9R

Rating: 4.5

Chinese budget action camera of the old format, updates of which are achieved by releases of new firmware with practically unchanged internal components. EKEN H9R is a popular device in the circles of domestic active leisure enthusiasts. Covers almost all current video quality formats: from HD 720p to Ultra 4k, delivering from an impressive 120 to an extremely modest 25 frames per second (with drawdowns up to 15 in the most difficult places to process). Of course, this is a nuance that cannot be ignored.

If we talk about peripheral indicators, then I would like to note 170 degrees of view of the lens, 90 minutes of continuous battery life (from a 1040 mAh battery), as well as the first truly waterproof case. EKEN H9R costs as much as Digma DiCam 385, but in some cases it looks much better than its direct competitor.

Advantages

• waterproof case;
• 170 degree camera view;
• extended complete set;
• the presence of a Wi-Fi module.

disadvantages

• 4 megapixel camera;
• quite serious drawdowns in fps when shooting at maximum quality settings.

Digma DiCam 385

Rating: 4.4

The Digma DiCam 385 is a slightly more attractive choice than the previously reviewed X-TRY XTC162. All other things being equal, this action camera has a wide-angle lens that allows you to capture up to 160 degrees of frontal view, as well as shoot full-fledged wide-format video.

The total weight of the model is 58 g with dimensions 60x41x30 mm. Digma DiCam 385 does not have its own memory, but users can install Micro SD (and other types of micro-flash drives) up to 64 GB. The battery capacity is enough for 90 minutes of continuous shooting with an active screen – if you turn off the screen, you can increase this time to 108 minutes. Video stabilization and other attributes of high-quality action cameras are still missing, but the offer is more than good for the money.

Advantages

• up to 108 minutes of continuous video recording at maximum resolution;
• low weight of the device;
• the ability to shoot video in widescreen mode;
• rich set (abundance of brackets and accompanying accessories).

disadvantages

• lack of your own memory;
• lack of Wi-Fi interface;
• the set of automatic settings is limited to white balance.

X-TRY XTC162

Rating: 4.3

A budget action camera with Ultra HD 4k video support and a moderate feature set. X-TRY XTC162 has dimensions of 59.3x30x41.1 mm and weighs no more than 60 grams. It uses a Sony IMX179 CMOS matrix with a resolution of 8 megapixels and an Allwinner V3 processor, which allows you to process a video stream at maximum resolution with a peak frame rate of 30 frames per second.

In addition to standard video shooting, the X-TRY XTC162 supports loop recording, slow motion and single shot modes. Functions such as image stabilization, laser aiming and remote control are not implemented here – from the good one can only mention the auto white correction. But the action camera accepts 64 GB Micro SD, has a Wi-Fi module and allows you to record video continuously for 90 minutes.

Advantages

• low price;
• good quality of 4k-shooting;
• underwater box included;
• wireless Wi-Fi interface;
• the viewing angle is 140 degrees.

disadvantages

• lack of your own memory;
• lack of protection from external influences (plastic case without moisture protection);
• a small number of automatic settings.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.