Who should buy an action camera

Due to the fact that ordinary cameras are not able to work in conditions of poor lighting, high humidity or pollution, as well as when driving at high speed or when driving on difficult terrain, an action camera was created to take pictures in such conditions. Their main purpose is to shoot extreme sports, at least for these purposes they were created. Today, the scope of use is much wider, very often such cameras are bought for shooting trips. This article will talk about what an action camera is, what it is for and what it is like.

What is action camera

An action camera is a type of digital camera created specifically for for shooting in a hostile environment. To protect against shock, moisture and dirt, it is placed in a special case. Distinctive features of such devices are small size, low weight, wide-angle lens and increased depth of field.

Another important point is the fix-focus, which, unlike autofocus, has a constant fixation, that is, it is not afraid of shaking and jumping, the image is still clear. The camera is enough to send in the right direction to fix all the interesting.

The action camera differs from the usual one in that it can shoot in any unfriendly technology environment. With this she does not require any settings from the operator. It is enough for him to turn on the device for recording and forget about the need to configure something. Such devices are sold with a set of accessories for use in different conditions, in addition, any accessories can be purchased separately. Good action camera supports high-resolution shooting - 2K and 4Kand can also make high-quality pictures with a resolution of up to 12 megapixels.

Scope of the device

Buy an action camera is for those people who are engaged in extreme sports or just shoot a video in hiking, fishing, hunting and similar events. Also recently, such devices have become popular. for filming social reports: the ability to fix a model on the head provides shooting from the first person, which allows you to show real events and not be distracted by following this process. The presence of a shockproof case makes the device resistant to mechanical stress, for example, when an operator falls to the ground. The waterproof design allows you to shoot without any problems during rain or in water.

On a note! Several years ago, action cameras tried to be used for shooting staged films, but they abandoned this idea due to insufficiently high-quality pictures from the point of view of the possibility of further video processing during editing.

Also a similar device can be used, as a motorcycle recorder. Due to the fact that it is attached as a webcam, you can fix the device on the hood or steering wheel. A wide viewing angle will provide an opportunity to record everything that happens on the road.

Often, users have a question, whether to buy an action camera for shooting home holidays and similar events. In such situations, it is better to use a conventional camera or a camera with video recording function. The description of the characteristics of the action camera and important parameters for its high-quality work directly indicates that it needs to be shot in the conditions of impossibility to carry out a long adjustment, focus and apply all the skills that are necessary when shooting with a conventional camera.

Comparing action cameras with other video capture devices.

Currently, there are many devices that can shoot video - these are cameras, camcorders, smartphones, tablets and others. What is better to choose for shooting video, will help to understand the comparison of data devices on the function of shooting video. In this, each device has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Camera

Any modern camera can shoot video. The advantages of using this device are good video quality, the ability to apply different effects, for example, blur the background (on SLR cameras), color reproduction, and, as a bonus, high-quality photos.

Now consider the disadvantages of such devices.

1. No stabilization. This makes shooting video with a tripod or at least have a stop. Often this is not acceptable, especially when it comes to extreme conditions.
2. Manual focus. Most cameras do not know how to focus when shooting a video and do it with your hands.
3. Low zoom. Quite often, when shooting, there is a desire to bring the object closer or to remove it; it’s rarely possible to do this on a camera without bugs in a video.

In addition, a SLR camera is not the most convenient device for shooting video and at the same time quite heavy. If we are talking about small amateur cameras, they are simply not able to give a decent image that will look good on the big screen.

Camcorders

Actually the video camera was originally created for shooting video, and therefore, in comparison with a camera or smartphone, it should automatically be out of competition. In fact, a good camcorder really gives you more options and better video in comparison with other devices.

Smartphone

Modern smartphones in addition to the main characteristics (processor, coprocessor and RAM) often get more and more powerful cameras. In some models, the focus is on the type of sensor, in others on the dimensions of the matrix, in the third, laser autofocus technology is used.

The main advantage of the smartphone is that it is always at hand, which means there is always the opportunity to shoot an interesting story.

In this case, the device is used not only for shooting video, which affects the battery. Shooting a long storyline may lead to battery will sit down - for many users this is not acceptable. When using the zoom on a smartphone, the quality of shooting is seriously reduced. With all its "cool" characteristics, modern smartphones are still highly dependent on the level of lighting. Bad weather or twilight get a good level of video, most likely will not work. The cameras in smartphones do not stabilize well, and even when shooting on the go, the picture will seriously shake. The list of camera flaws in smartphones can be continued for a long time, the main conclusion is that they should be used for shooting video with no other options.

Action camera

A good action camera is not afraid of shooting in conditions of poor visibility, it is not afraid of blows, water and dirt, that is, it can shoot even if it is under water at this moment. New action cameras from major manufacturers have fast processors and light-sensitive sensors that provide good image sharpness. Due to the fact that in most cases, action cameras are focused on direct shooting, it is no longer necessary to do this manually. Besides, shooting angle can reach 170 degrees. Under this condition, it is difficult to remove the object of interest. Such devices are small in size and very simple to operate, in addition they can control with a wireless remote control or from a smartphone.

Minuses - short focal lengthThat does not allow to remove remote objects. There is no possibility to adjust any parameters, that is, the user receives a picture without the ability to somehow adjust the camera. In action cameras Zoom function is not provided.

Types of action cameras

The first manufacturer of action cameras was GoPro, in fact, these cameras are the progenitors and, to some extent, the nominal name for all such devices. Many users believe that GoPro is not a specific brand of cameras, but a camera itself. After these devices became popular, many manufacturers began to make them and introduce their technologies into them.Including it affected the appearance of the device. Today on the market you can find classic models, action glasses, and devices for shooting at 360 degrees.

Classic

Classic action cameras are a rectangle that has a screen on one side (it may be missing), and on the other is a lens. Such cameras are placed in special protective enclosures and have many different mounts and useful accessories. Most classic devices are like webcams or DVRs.

Action Camera Glasses

Glasses with an action camera - a device in the style of agent 007. The difference between this device and ordinary sunglasses is that they have more thick arms: they hide all the electronic filling of the camera and the battery. The camera itself is located in the center between the lenses and sometimes has the same color as the lenses themselves. This is done in order not to attract attention.

Similar models were created for those people who want to always be able to record video. With such a camera, you don’t need to worry about mounting it; glasses are lighter than classic devices; in addition, people around you may not know about shooting.

Along with standard models there is protection from dust, moisture and shock. The body of the glasses is usually made of specially enhanced plastic. Among other things, such a device allows you to shoot from the most interesting angle, namely from the first person.

For panoramic shooting

Panoramic cameras mean that the device should shoot 360 degrees. This is achieved through the use of multiple lenses. In total, they can be from 2 to 36. For the domestic segment, that is, ordinary users produce devices with 2-6 lenses, for more professional shooting make models with 16-32 lenses.

Here it is important not only the quantity, but also the quality of the lenses. In some cases, models with a small amount of lenses are removed much better than where they are twice as large.

Panoramic cameras divided into several types - some have a full view only around their horizontal axis, while leaving a blind spot below and above the shooting level (230-270 degrees vertically). Full cameras for shooting panoramas have an overview of 360 * 360 degrees.

Due to the fact that the viewing angle of more than 90 degrees gives some distortion of the video, namely fish eye effectRecently, models with a viewing angle of no more than this value have been published. The image they capture is not as wide as their colleagues from a high angle, but there is no distortion here.

With night mode

For a long time, action cameras were made without the ability to shoot video in the dark, relatively recently devices with night mode began to appear on the market. A similar night shooting opportunity IR LEDs. In some models, they install up to 6-8 pieces to get the maximum video quality. In fact, the principle of work here is no different from the one that is implemented in car DVRs.

For quadcopter

FPV action camera for quadrocopter is a special device that in real time displays video on the control panel (if it has a monitor) or on a smartphone. The broadcast speed primarily depends on the characteristics of the devices used. With the help of such a device you can control a quadrocopter, even if it is out of sight.