Cheap action cameras (Chinese alternatives)

In recent times, action cameras have become very fashionable, and not only among the most adventurous users, but also by many people who want capture multiple and exciting moments of life which, normally, you cannot reach with a smartphone, a reflex camera or any other handheld device.

If you have come this far, it is most likely because you are also thinking of getting your first action camera or, perhaps, what you want is to renew your old camera for a much more functional and cheap model. In any case, if you are interested in buying a GoPro style camera, of good quality, resistant, but you do not want to empty your pockets in the attempt, I advise you to continue reading this post in which we will talk more about these devices and also, we will offer a selection of cheap action cameras so that you too can record all your adventures.

Cheap action cameras

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera

If we look to China for cheap action cameras, it is impossible not to mention the giant Xiaomi and its Yi Chamber.

La Yi Action Camera It has the Xiaomi seal of quality, a company well known by any fan of technology. It is one of the best options, with a good image quality (Sony Exmor R IMX206 and ZEISS Tessar Wide Angle 155 ° sensor - f / 2.8) a decent autonomy (1010 mAh battery), very Easy to use both in video recording and when taking pictures, and with a image stabilization also very noticeable. And if we add to this that its price is usually around 70-85 euros, even better. Also, I must admit that I love its design.

Blackview Hero 1

Another possibility is this Blackview Hero 1 (no, it is not a GoPro even if it seems so to you even by name). The highlight of this action camera is that it has a 16 megapixel Sony sensor with f / 2,8 aperture that allows video recording at up to 2K resolution and 60fps. It sins in the image stabilization, still acceptable, and in a synchronization with the smartphone that sometimes turns out to be excessively slow. And as for your 1050 mAh battery, it will give us an autonomy very similar to the Yi Action of Xiaomi.

SooCoo S60

La SOOCOO S60 It is an action camera with a really sporty design, although it may be redundant. Count with one 10 megapixel sensor with which you can record videos with resolution 1080 p and 30 fps with an aperture f / 2.8 and a fairly acceptable image quality. Its battery is similar to Xiaomi's Yi Action Camera, 1050 mAh and its autonomy is similar to this and other models in its category.

The highlight is that comes with a remote control with adjustable strap as if it were a watch so that you do not lose it, with it we can control our recordings, even applying the fourx zoom what includes.

SJCAM SJ4000

La No products found. It is a Chinese action camera that is close to a hundred euros in price and, although it is not the best option on this list, it can be if you catch it on sale and you are not going to use it too intensively, especially because It is difficult for him to move large files, and because his microphone is not exactly the best. Still, it offers a very acceptable image quality with a 12 MP sensor, f / 2.8 aperture and 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 fps. Ah! His battery is 900 mAh, also somewhat inferior to the previous ones. On the other hand, it has a image stabilization quite acceptable that it corrects and smooths out unwanted movements.

Eken H9R

Another option that we can recommend is this unknown Eken H9, unknown but with very good image quality. With its 12 megapixel sensor it is capable of recording videos in 4K FULL HD at 30 fps, as well as 1080p and 60fps, and 720p and 120fps. An image stabilizer that does its job very well, and a decent autonomy, similar to the rest of the cameras we have seen, although with the advantage that it comes with two 1080 mAh batteries. And with all these and many other benefits, its price is around $80.

And with this we finish this proposal of cheap Chinese action cameras, good alternatives to a GoPro as a concept that, without a doubt, can satisfy your desire to record a thousand and one adventures. In general terms, you have already seen that all of them are very similar. Some stand out more in some aspects, others do in others, but all the previous models offer a similar price-quality ratio, although perhaps this last camera, the Eken H9R, stands out from the rest.

Which one did you like the most? Do you know any other option? Do you use a cheap action camera that you are delighted with and want us to know about it?

Guide to choosing a cheap action camera well

Throughout the last few years, action cameras have become very fashionable Among the population, a trend that has been largely linked to the greater social interest in well-being, sports, health, outdoor activities… After all, a product of this type has little use at home. On the other hand, this greater popularity, in the same way that happens with other types of electronic devices, has favored a notable general reduction in prices, in such a way that at this time it is possible buy high quality and cheap action camera, at prices much lower than those of the first models.

Probably one of the best known action cameras is the GoPro, so much so that the brand has almost become standardized and we often talk about "GoPro cameras" or buying "a GoPro" when in reality we do not want to refer to this brand of action cameras in particular. But the truth is that there is life beyond the GoPro.

Most of us know these types of cameras for being the ones that are used to record those videos in motion that we see on YouTube and on social media. We are talking about videos in which its protagonists dive in crystal clear waters sharing space with beautiful corals and fish, or jumping from a bridge hundreds of meters high, climbing a mountain, snowboarding, exploring a cave or juggling on a skateboard. All this and much more can be captured with other action cameras available on the market at very affordable prices.

As usual, most cheap action cameras come to us from China. The "catalog" offers a wide range of prices, with diverse features and all kinds of recording modes and functions, so sometimes it will be difficult for you to choose, since the offer is more and more numerous. However, you should always keep in mind if you are going to use it and for what.

When choosing an action camera, just like we do when buying a smartphone or tablet, it is essential that it meets our expectations and needs. We can buy the best action camera in the world, but if all we are going to do is landscape photography, monuments or portraits, we can save money. Therefore, first think in what situations you are going to use it and from there, decide. Remember that the best action camera you can choose will depend on how you use it, without forgetting that you can not only capture moments related to adventure and extreme sports, but all kinds of moving images, for example, the trip of your next vacation. So let's not limit ourselves to jumping off a bridge either?

Essential features

That said, what should we pay special attention to when we have to choose from a good handful of action cameras?

1. Decision. Obviously, if we buy a camera to record, we want the image to offer the best possible quality, however, as happens in the cameras of smartphones, remember that a greater number of pixels in the sensor does not have to be synonymous with higher resolution. . A good way to check image quality is to watch videos shot with the model we are inspecting.
2. Autonomy. Basically, our action camera is going to be used outdoors, away from plugs, so we must pay special attention to the capacity of the battery. Do not forget that the duration of it will depend on several factors, for example, recording in Full HD consumes more than doing it in HD. Ah, it is also convenient to do it with the WiFi turned off, for the same reason.
3. Accessory compatibility, essential to give our action camera more uses and get more out of it. Many manufacturers have "copied" the bolt and shoe system from the GoPro, so in most cases you will find something similar. Pay close attention to this to be able to use all kinds of supports, poles, waterproofing shells and much more.
4. Image stabilization. Since action cameras are designed for motion recordings, this is another important aspect that we should not neglect, since we do not want our videos to vibrate so much that we can enjoy a smooth viewing. The best thing to check this aspect, once again, is to watch videos that have been recorded with the model you are considering.
5. Audio. It is a very forgotten aspect, but of great importance. Some action cameras barely pick up, for example, the noise of the wind, while with others, it will be almost the only thing you hear.

And now that you know something more about this type of GoPro cameras and, above all, the main aspects that you should look at before releasing the paste, here we offer you more action cameras although they are already more expensive than the alternatives that we have seen in this post.