When it comes to action cameras, only one brand comes into mind and that is the GoPro. However, not a lot know that there are quite a number of cameras which are of the same caliber at the same time is offered at a cheaper and lower price. These cameras are great alternatives which you could purchase if you are in a budget.
Below are GoPro action camera alternatives:
1. Garmin Virb Ultra 30
Similar to GroPro’s Hero action camera, Garmin Virb Ultra 30 comes close in terms of its features such as having a 12MP image sensor and a maximum recording ability of 4K videos up to 30fps. It has a 3-axis image stabilization and a 1.75 touchscreen and a viewfinder which you can access when you record. Ultra 30 comes with G-Metrix technology which ensures it captures performance data at speed. This camera comes with sensors, an accelerometer, altimeter, gyroscope and magnetometer. It connects with Bluetooth, wi-fi and ANT+. Its battery is at 1250mAh which could last up to one and a half hours. It also has a waterproof case which enables you to use it under water. Lastly, this camera comes with high sensitive microphone and could be controlled by voice.
2. Sony FDR-X3000/R Action Cam
One of the best alternatives for GoPRo is the Sony FDR-X3000. This camera offers Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and comes with a 12MP exmor R CMOS sensor with ZEISS lens which could shoot up to 4K videos at 30fps and it has a slow-mo video feature which could shoot up to 240 fps. As for Its aesthetics does not look like its competitor GoPro but rather it looks more of a smaller camcorder. This camera could be connected through its built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, Bluetooth, HDMI and USB. It also comes with a microphone jack and has a 3x rec. lights. It also has an adjustable beep volume. It comes with an LiveView Remote also for its R version.
3. Xiaomi YI 4K+ Action Camera
This model is created by a giant Chinese tech company and is another great GoPro alternative. The YI 4K comes with Ambarella H2 chipset and has a 14nm video processing/encoding SOC. Through this, it ensures a longer life of your battery even with HD video. It also comes with Electronic Image Stabilization which provides the camera the ability to be able to capture RAW images. As for its connectivity, it offers Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi. This camera is voice controlled and has about 1200mAh battery and comes in a 2.19” touchscreen.
4. SJCAM SJ7 Star Action Cam
The SJCAM SJ7 comes in a sleek, elegant and stylish design. It comes with a 2” touchscreen rear control-panel. It has an Ambarella A12S75 chipset and has the ability to shoot high quality still
picutes with its IMX117 12MP sensor which could expand up to 16MP via interpolation. Its 166- degree wide angle lens is another feature this camera has that is worth raving about. It can shoot up to 4K at a 30fps and 1080p videos up to 120fps for its slow motion and time lapse features.
This camera is known for its advanced Gyro Stabilization and Distortion correction feature which acts towards rotary movements during filming at a high speed like surfing.
This model comes in black, grey and rose gold colors.
5. TomTom Bandit
TomTom Bandit comes with 16MP still photos and 4K videos at 15fps. It has a playback feature of 1080p videos up to 60fps. It also has a very useful feature shake to edit which helps you edit and upload movies to cloud without any difficulty and the most amazing thing with this model is it comes with a built-in media server which enables you not to have to download the footage for you to be able to edit.
The Bandit comes with sensors which monitors speed, altitude and rotation. It also has a GPS which senses your location and has about 1900mAh battery which allows you to shoot up to 3 hours of 1080p videos at 30fps.
6. Drift Ghost 4K
Drift Ghost 4k offers up to 4K UHD videos at up to 30fps and 12MP Sony IMX117CQT ½.3 CMOS sensor, 4GB NAND Flash and 8GB DDR3L memory. Its connectivity feature has dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5.8GHz). This model comes with dual microphones and video stabilization. It was also built with a modular design which enables its users to shoot with additional LCD screen. Its battery carries about 1,500mAh.
7. Olympus TG-Tracker
This specific model of Olympus comes with an 8MP sensor, an f/2.0 lens and a 204-degree view angle. It can shoot up to 4K videos at 30fps. It includes 5-axis electronic image stabilization which reduces shakes and blurs. Also this model is designed with a 1.5” tilt-out LCD monitor and LED light at its front side. This camera is waterproof and could go up to 100 feet. Its sensors includes GPS, magnetometer, thermometer, barometer and accelerometer.
8. Veho Muvi K-Series K2 NPNG
This model comes in three series- three versions which are:
* Entry level k1
* Muvi K2
* Muvi K2 NPNG
The Muvi K2 and Muvi K2 NPNG comes with similar hardware but the latter is an improve version and comes with a lot more features such as sticky and Velcro mounts, right angle and helmet front mount. It also comes with 8GB memory card, anti-mist tabs, hard case, LCD screen, 16MP sensor, photo burst, time lapse videos, interval photos and has the ability to capture up to 1080p at 60 frames per second videos.
As for its battery, it could be easily replaceable and rated up to 1,500mAh. For its connectivity, this model is compatible with Wi-Fi connection.
9. Boblov Mobius 2 HD
This camera has been designed as tiny as it could be with only 6.4 cm in length and at 45 grams. Though this camera is small in size, its offered features goes beyond one’s expectations with its 1080p videos at 60 frames per second and 720p videos at 120 frames per second. It also comes with time lapse photo, 130-degree view, microSD card slot and 820mAh Li-Po battery for its lights.
The amazing thing about this camera is it is known as a multi-application camcorder wherein it allows its users to use it as an action camera at the same time an FPV camera and a dash camera for your car.
10. AKASO EK7000 4K Action Cam
Though this model is one the cheapest camera, its performance and its features goes beyond comparable to its price. It has 12 magapixel sensor, 170-degree wide angle lens, connects through Wi-Fi and HDMI. Its batteries are rechargeable and are rated up to 1050 mAh. It could record up to 90 minutes and has about 2” LCD screen.
Alternatives for 360 degree GoPro Fusion:
Camera models featured above in this article are mostly alternatives and are similar with GoPro Hero 6. However, there are two more options which you could choose as an alternative not for the Hero 6 but rather for its other model, the GoPro Fusion where it could shoot 360-degrees videos. Here below are the two alternatives you could choose from:
1. SJCAM SJ360+
This model is one of the cheapest alternative for GoPro Fusion. It has lens which allows you to shoot 360-degree videos. This camera comes with .96” LCD display and 128GB for its memory. It is made of polycarbonate and ABS plastic. As for its size and weight, this model only weighs 85 grams. Its battery comes with 1,700mAh which allows you to use it up to 130 minutes of videos. For its connectivity, the SJCAM could be used through Wi-Fi and USB for charging.
2. Garmin Virb 360
This model is known for its ability to shoot 360 degrees at the same time it is also waterproof. It has the ability to shoot 4K videos, take 15MP images and shoot up to 5.7K videos at 30 frames per second. The Garmin Virb 360 comes with 4 microphones, 4K stabilizer, 12MP CMOS sensors, GPS, GLONASS, barometer, accelerator, gyroscope and magnetometer.
Garmin Virb 360’s connectivity is through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ANT.
