10 best action cameras of 2018

From Full HD to 4K, image stabilization, motion sensors and automatic edits, the latest action cameras offer you tons of possibilities and applications for every kind of travel. Here are the best deals available for sale for July 2018.

Choosing the right action camera for you can be quite daunting and daunting. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of options, ranging from feature-rich 4K cameras to cheap, budget-friendly ones. So which camera is best for you and what features do you need?

We tested about a hundred models and came to the conclusion that the best action camera (aka action camera) today is the GoPro HERO6 Black. It shoots 4K video at 60fps, is capable of submersion in water up to 10 meters without aqua box * and also boasts electronic image stabilization.

The bottom line, however, is that the correct option depends on the purpose for which it will be used. If you're a specialized filmmaker, you should look for a 4K action camera. If you are an extreme sports enthusiast looking to record part of a ski run, bike ride, or kayak sequence, features such as loop recording and voice activation may be helpful.

Some action cameras are capable of submerging in water with an aqua box up to 30m, others do a good job without it, and still others are not provided with moisture resistance at all. More expensive models have additional charms, ranging from GPS and ending with an indicator of human temperature and pressure. Others at this time can only offer Full HD resolution. One of the key differences is the number of frames per second (fps): in simple terms, the more frames the camera takes, the smoother and sharper the image will be. However, just as important is the smartphone app that accompanies most action cameras. They can range from simple basic ones to providing automated editing and instant publication of the result.

GoPro is currently the market leader in almost every area, but it doesn't cost a dime either. Would you like to save money by dropping a few niceties? Certainly. In fact, you can save 50% on your purchase by dispensing with the basic action camera without image stabilization or some other function unnecessary for a beginner.

No matter how adventurous you are, there is a camera for everyone. Here are our best deals.

1. GoPro HERO6 Black (GoPro's latest flagship is the best action camera you can buy today)

+ Water resistance
+ 4k HDR video

- It is very expensive
- Inconvenient touch screen

GoPro HERO6 Black is just top notch! Something is wrong? Yes, it's expensive, but 4K video at 60fps will be hard to beat. This is in part due to the lighting, which has been improved over the previous HERO5 Black, and the excellent image stabilization that suppresses camera shake. Although not only one quality played a large part here. Let's take the same voice activation. It is useful when your hands are full and you cannot start recording. The initial water resistance without an additional housing adds a couple of points to the camera, and a couple of thousand too. Also a great Quik app for smartphone. With the QuikStories feature, it automatically downloads your photos and videos to your device and edits for you. With an abundance of features, the GoPro HERO6 Black is the ultimate action camera.

2.Yi 4K + Action Camera (Many basic functions, but not waterproof)

+ Easy to use
+ Detailed 4K / 60fps video

- No GPS mark on video
- Accessories not included

Those looking for a better quality action camera usually choose between the latest GoPro models. There is only one problem - the high price. Yi 4K + Action Camera - Yi's more affordable action camera gives you almost as many possibilities. For example, its touchscreen is not much larger than the GoPro HERO6 Black, and matches its rival in 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The image is detailed, smooth and colorful, and the user interface is reasonably easy to use. Alas, the camera body is not waterproof, without additional accessories, and the camera itself does not have a GPS function. But these are empty trifles. Yi 4K + is already a fabulous action camera.

3. Sony FDR-X3000 Action Camera (4K resolution of this camera corresponds to the best image stabilization)

+ Balanced Optical SteadyShot **
+ Waterproof case

- Low frame resolution
- The remote control is unreliable

The highlight of this Sony camera is the Live-View Remote, a wireless wrist-based touchscreen that lets you control the camera and view live feed from the lens. But, unfortunately, as practice shows, this accessory is unreliable. The FDR-X300 camera itself has many possibilities. 4K videos at 30fps are superb, and the impressive Balanced Optical SteadyShot looks amazing, even making handheld shots smooth and smooth. This feature, probably, even has no equal. As a bonus, the box contains the MPK-UWH1 waterproof case, which makes the FDR-X3000 waterproof and allows you to dive up to 60 meters. This is one of the best Sony action cameras you can buy.

4. Olfi One.Five (A budget action camera perfect for cyclists)

+ Image stabilization
+ Photo resolution 16 MP

- The battery runs out quickly
- Basic smartphone application

You are presented with a small action camera with a lot of functions. Features include motion detection, time-lapse videos, video looping, and a couple more twists. The camera is suitable for active sports just as well as the dash camera. However, users have several complaints about the camera. First, 4K is actually interpolated from a 2.8K sensor. An app for a smartphone, roughly speaking, is useless, since the camera's battery runs out quickly, making it impossible to use almost half of the available functions. However, another feature is the special waterproof case, which allows the camera to be submerged to a depth of 30 meters. Olfi One.Five is a great choice for cyclists and possibly riders.

5. TomTom Bandit (Automatic editing makes this camera stand out from its peers)

+ Simple editing functions
+ 16MP photo resolution

- 4K limited to 15 frames per second
- Waterproof lens cap sold separately

TomTom Bandit has all the basic functions, but they are provided here, so to speak, in a simplified version. For example, there is no waterproofing, but a splash-proof lens cap will be sufficient for most users.It's the same with resolutions - 4K at 15 frames per second is not chic, and slow motion (SlowMotion) is recorded in HD quality, or even less. But still, the TomTom Bandit has GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope and pressure indicator. There is also a smartphone app that has a "create story" section where you can automatically select highlights from your recordings. Better yet, just shake your phone to create a video compilation that's easy to download and share. The battery life is also not disappointing - 3 hours.

6.iSaw Edge (A good action camera, which only low frame rate fails)

+ Manual setting
+ Lots of mounts included

- 4K limited to 10 frames per second
- The battery runs out quickly

While most expensive action cameras today deal with 4K video, a few years ago it was a real luxury. Hence, iSaw Edge was launched with a rather dubious claim on 4K video capability. It can technically shoot in 4K, but only at 10fps. Despite its 4K issues, the Isaw Edge is enjoyable in other areas: the small touchscreen on the back offers a lively viewing experience, and there is the option to manually adjust video with controls such as sharpness, exposure, and white balance. Together with the many included mounts and a waterproof housing that allows you to dive down to 40m, the iSaw Edge is a great action camera.

7. Olympus Tough TG-Tracker (Tough action camera for extreme climatic conditions)

+ Action tracking sensor
+ Resistant to water, cold and drops

- Sensors reduce battery life
- Basic smartphone app

Designed to withstand all the hardships of life: TG tracker, water resistance up to 30 m without a special case, able to withstand temperatures down to -10 C, can withstand up to 100 kg. and fall from a height of 2 meters without crashing.

The flip-down 3.8-inch screen makes it easy to see what is being filmed. Night photography is also possible with LED headlights. What's more, its suite of action-tracking sensors (GPS, compass, accelerometer, barometric pressure, temperature and water) adds all the data to the video. Probably the only drawback is the poor image quality. Well, well, this is perhaps the best action camera for those who travel in extreme climatic conditions.

8.SJCAM SJ7 Star (Still one of the high definition 4K action cameras)

+ Rear touch screen
+ Raw *** shooting

- No image stabilization in 4K
- Basic smartphone app

At first glance, the Sj7 Star Action camera looks a lot like a GoPro. Its 4K videos are detailed and colorful, and it has a 2-inch touchscreen, and even the photos are impressive (it shoots at 12MP, but interpolates to 16MP). The simple and compact design is another plus! Also included is a waterproof case that allows diving to a depth of 30 m. However, if you dig deeper, you can find disadvantages, albeit small ones. For example, image stabilization is not possible when shooting in 4K, and you cannot take photos in Raw format. There is also no GPS or voice control. Or at least a decent smartphone app. And this touchscreen is frustrating to use. Nevertheless, this is far from the worst choice.

9.Gopro HERO5 Black

+ Excellent 4K video resolutions
+ Voice control

- Expensive accessories
- Poor screen

If you decide to compare HERO6 Black and HERO5 Black, you will definitely notice that HERO6 Black reduces video quality from 4K at 60fps to 4K at 30fps. But whether it matters or not is up to you. In addition, they weigh the same, and both cameras are water-resistant up to 10 m. These two models also have both voice control commands and GPS. Oh, and brilliant editing apps that really help GoPro stand out from the crowd. But, after all, there were some drawbacks. The image stabilization isn't quite as perfect as its successor, and the touchscreen is downright awkward to use, especially when wet. But that doesn't stop the GoPro HERO 5 Black from being a great action camera.

10. Garmin VIRB XE (Excellent waterproofing and sensor set)

+ Water resistance up to 50 m.
+ Bluetooth audio options

- Full HD only
- It is very expensive

Would you buy an action camera that only shoots in Full HD? The Garmin VIRB XE offers a compelling reason as to why you should do this. This camera is waterproof and can dive to a depth of 50 m without a special cover. It can also withstand temperatures down to -10˚C. Virb XE is also equipped with many GMetrix sensors that can measure GPS, compass heading, temperature and even speed. With ANT + compatible devices, it can show your current status. As a bonus, for those who think audio is as important as video, a Bluetooth microphone is attached to the camera.

* Aquabox is a case for shooting underwater for mobile and photo apparatus
** SteadyShot and Super SteadyShot - image stabilization technology for camcorders
*** RAW - (English raw - raw) data format containing raw (or minimally processed) data, which avoids information loss, and does not have a clear specification.