How to choose a good action camera
Choosing an action camera is not a simple task. If a few years ago on the shelves you could see only expensive devices from famous manufacturers, today there are a lot of Chinese devices. Their price is lower, and the characteristics are the same or even better. We will understand what needs to be considered when choosing this trendy device.
Content
General nuances of choice
An action camera is a device that, by default, should be small and weigh a little. Also quite important parameter is Battery capacity.
To protect against damage and water most often in the kit is shockproof and waterproof box. Some of them are able to dive to a depth of 30 meters, shoot and not leak. In addition, they protect against dirt. It is logical that an action camera in a protective box will shoot without recording the sounds of the environment.
So, before you buy an action camera, you should figure out what it is needed for and in what conditions it will be used.
- To kid, who does not plan to conduct extreme shooting and will show off his device to friends, you can take a model without a protective box. A child will be able to shoot a video with a good sound, but she will not survive a drop in water.
- For people who travel a lotIt’s better to sacrifice sound and take a device with wide-angle optics and high resolution. In addition, a good action camera is capable of shooting video at a frequency of 240 frames, which during subsequent processing can be altered in slow-motion, that is, video with slow motion. Such a function is now very popular, and many smartphone manufacturers equip their premium devices with the possibility of such shooting.
All of the above is of course quite important for a device that will be used in extreme conditions, however, the video quality is not affected at all. Modern models can take a picture in HD quality and higher, while the frame rate varies from 30 to 240 per second. It is quite logical that models with higher resolution and increased frame rate are more expensive than their simpler counterparts. However, very often, models with approximately the same characteristics stand differently for different brands. The thing is that they have different equipment, in particular - processor, matrix, lens. These three parameters will largely affect the quality of the course image. And in some cases, the video in Full HD will look an order of magnitude better than the 4K resolution shot on a not the best model.
Lens parameters
The lens is the first element that is responsible for the quality of the picture. In most cases, it is impossible to find out which optics are in an action camera, although there are brands that proudly declare that they put in their models. An example would be the SONY brand, which has used ZEISS optics in its devices for many years.In any case, the characteristics of the lens the user usually knows the following - viewing angle and focal length. They are very closely related.
Given that the action camera, even with its name implies shooting in motion or motion, as well as constant dynamics, it should not force the user to somehow be guided, focused or make additional settings. Most mini-cameras have a viewing angle of 120-170 degrees. That is, it is enough to turn around - and all the most interesting will be in sight. Given the fact that the model should not be large, the lens should not protrude strongly beyond the camera.
It so happened that the wide viewing angle makes the focal length small, which means that the optical element itself does not protrude strongly above the body. In addition, wide-angle lenses have a high depth of field, and this allows you to shoot both nearby and distant objects without any blur.
Due to the fact that in recent times action cameras have been used for other than their intended purpose, for example, for blogging and recording reports on city streets, some changes have been applied to devices.In particular, the wide viewing angle makes it so that The frame gets a lot of superfluous. You can fix the situation with various adapters and lenses with a small angle or cropping. This is a feature that allows you to crop an image and scale it. Obviously, the quality of the picture from this is somewhat spoiled.
Tip! That is why for those who like to shoot video reports on an action camera or to broadcast with it, it is better to take a model with a viewing angle of 90 degrees. Such devices are not so widespread in the market, but there are already some bright representatives.
Matrix indicators
The matrix is a photosensitive element that receives light coming from the lens and forms images from it. The matrix is very important for the final image, its size is more important. If for SLR cameras a size of 36 * 24 mm is considered a good value, then for an action camera, due to its limited dimensions, a matrix of 6.17 * 4.55 mm is considered worthy.
Matrix resolution is a conditional parameter, as it ultimately affects the image detail, however,the greater the number of pixels, the smaller their size, and, as a result, the sensitivity to light decreases. Because of this, everything must be in harmony. So, for a matrix with the possibility of shooting in 4K, the size should not exceed 12 inches, provided that the matrix itself physically has a size of 6.17 * 4.55 mm.
Device processor
This is the element that generally organizes the operation of the device. If we talk about the direct impact on the quality of shooting, the processor processes the data that the matrix transmits to it. Sometimes it happens that the matrix has excellent parameters, but the processor itself is not able to quickly and efficiently process them. The result is a bad video. One of the best representatives for action cameras is the Ambarella A9 processor.. This is the option that will allow you to make high-quality video in the format of 3840 * 2160. Usually, processor manufacturers write its name in the instructions for the camera, and before making the final choice, it doesn’t hurt to examine the processor parameters in reviews.
Review useful additional options
Good camera features can make high-quality video, but various useful options make this process more convenient and versatile.
Zoom
A device with a zoom can zoom in on the subject, which is very convenient in those cases when you are shooting any holidays and events. Naturally, this function implies that the user controls the shooting process. This is also true when driving a quadcopterwhen it is necessary to take a closer view from a bird's eye view.
On the camera itself, such a function is usually not installed, and the approximation is carried out using a remote control or from a smartphone.
Remote control
The remote control is a very useful thing if the model is fixed somewhere away from the subject, for example, a skateboarder wants to remove the trick from the side. With remote control, it can turn on and stop recording. The consoles themselves can have different functionalities - from full control of the camera to just a separate on / off button. The connection is most often via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Wireless interfaces
Modern action cameras are often equipped with various useful modules - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, G-sensor. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices make it possible to wirelessly transmit video to a smartphone or other device, in addition, by such a connection, the quadcopter is controlled, or the camera itself is connected to the control panel. Models with GPS sensor they allow you to record the place of recording on video, which is often done while traveling or when using the device as a recorder on a motorcycle.
Motion Sensor Models popular with users. If the device has a G-sensor, then the optics react to movement or a change of position in space and automatically starts shooting. This is useful for automatic recording when the user does not have the ability to control the device, or he is not at all nearby at all.
Display
Devices with a display began to spread recently, and on the first devices from the same GoPro they could be completely absent. However, in some cases they are necessary. Due to the small size of the camera, the display here is also not very large. All displays can be divided into the following types:
- monochrome - used to set the shooting mode using separate buttons;
- external module - a full color module, which is connected, if necessary, to the camera separately;
- models with a full screen and sensor - Usually these are expensive devices that are often used for shooting without protective cases, because otherwise there is simply no benefit from the sensor.
Remote flash
It is no secret that, until now, action cameras behave badly enough in poor lighting conditions. Cameras due to design features are not able to shoot a decent video in the dark. A new accessory is designed to solve this problem - a remote flash. It is mounted on a tripod near the camera and allows you to shoot even at night.
The flash significantly limits the possibilities of use, but otherwise you can use a camera with night mode, for which the built-in LEDs are responsible. At the same time, the quality of the video on such a camera will be inferior to the option with a portable flash.
Image stabilizer
Due to the fact that the considered devices are rarely removed, being at rest, they need to be able to stabilize the picture.Models with an image stabilizer have always been produced, however, the very way to minimize artifacts on video while moving may be different. There are models with optical stabilization and electronic.
- In the first case, the optics is mobile and responsive to changes in position. The built-in gyroscope is responsible for this.
- In the second, the processor is responsible for correcting the image. He tries to align the image by adjusting the defect to the norm. This method is significantly worse than using floating optics.
Action Camera SONY FDR-X3000 4K with optical stabilization
Remote camera
Models with a remote camera are just those devices that can shoot a full-fledged panoramic video. In this case, the camera connects to the remote control or smartphone. Ease of use lies in the fact that the camera can be left to shoot interesting scenes, and receive and view videos remotely.
Action Camera Panasonic HX-A500 with an external lens
Conclusion
Every year, the action camera market is growing rapidly and becoming more and more flexible. Many additional interesting and not very modules are installed in the models, new functions are introduced.New action cameras in 2018 will allow the user to videotape any idea, and make it very high quality. What is especially pleased is the presence of decent devices in any price segments. Even for little money you can buy a quality model.
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