Instead of viewing the action from a distance, action cameras are able to get a close shot. Usually, action cameras are able to offer a unique perspective that’s sometimes hard to capture with other cameras. Unlike your typical camera, action cameras are a lot more versatile. You can shoot both video and photo, and they’re also very compact and easy to carry around.
In the past, action cameras for use outdoors came at a very high price, even though the feature sets and specifications they came with were modest. Today, there’s a saturation of the market, and with a bit of research you’ll be able to find a camera that’s affordable and high-quality at the same time.
There are many benefits to owning an action camera, whether it’s taking photos during an undersea adventure, mounting it on your bike helmet, or lifting it up on a selfie stick when you’re going down a mountain.
We’ve been scouring the market in order to find some budget action cameras that are high-quality. Today, we’ll share our complete review and best action camera under $100: vlogger gear guide for those who are on a tighter budget.
1. AKASO Action Camera Ultra HD Underwater Camera
The AKASO EK7000 has 4k smooth video, still photos, burst mode, and timelapse. It comes with waterproof housing and built-in Wi-Fi. This action camera is quite similar to GoPro when it comes to the features, and it’s even identical in size. The design is also reminiscent of GoPro, and it even uses the same mount connection system.
The AKASO EK7000 is definitely a great alternative if you’re on a tighter budget and you want high-quality photos and videos.
What We Like:
- Water resistant
- Portable design
- Good video stabilization
- Has 4k video
What We Don’t:
- Fixed screen doesn’t rotate
2. Dragon Touch 4K 16MP Vision 3 Underwater Waterproof Camera
The Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera has lots of amazing features like 16 MP photo resolution, superb image stabilization, and 4k Ultra HD video quality. This action camera comes with a waterproof case, a 170-degree wide angle camera, and a wireless wrist remote control.
Even though it comes at a low price, the action cameras come with many accessories, and two spare batteries, which add even more value to the kit. The mounting accessories include helmet and bicycle mounts. Although it’s mainly made out of plastic, the overall look of the camera is pretty impressive.
What We Like:
- Waterproof camera
- Remote control
- 4k Ultra HD recording
What We Don’t:
- Average battery life
3. AKASO Brave 4 4K 20MP WiFi Action Camera Ultra HD
The AKASO Brave 4 includes the following shooting modes: photo, video, burst, timelapse, loop, and underwater. It comes with a helmet mount, 2 clips, 7 mounts, and a bicycle stand. The action camera includes a waterproof case with a 30-meter submersion rating. It can be controlled remotely and it has Wi-Fi mode.
This is definitely one of the most famous action cameras for beginners. When it was first released to the public several years ago, this camera revolutionized the entry-level action camera market. The camera is fit for different types of activities, including action sports and vlogging.
Like most of the action cameras available right now, this one is also very light, and it weighs only 160 grams or 0.35 lbs. Due to the fact that the AKASO Brave 4 camera looks very similar to the GoPro Camera, it’s also compatible with many accessories for GoPro.
The wide range of mounts that are available allow you to easily attach the camera to various surfaces and record any action you want.
What We Like:
- Features decent stabilization
- Comes with tons of accessories
- Sturdy design
- Decent 1080p recording capabilities
What We Don’t:
- No touch screen
- Lacking optimal battery life
4. COOAU 4K 20MP Wi-Fi Action Camera
The COOAU 4K is equipped with up to 30fps, it’s able to go underwater up to 40m, and it has Wi-Fi connection, so it’s pretty safe to say it’s a modern low-budget camera. The camera comes in black and it’s well-built with high-quality plastics. With the waterproof case, it feels pretty durable. It can take pictures up to 20 megapixels, which is pretty good quality.
The camera has F2.5 fish-eye optical glass and an ultra wide-angle lens which delivers a brighter and broader perspective, even if the light conditions are low. The camera supports different types of modes, such as time-lapse photos, car driving mode, timer capture, burst photos, diving mode, and loop record.
The camera is also completely waterproof and the camera housing is IP68. It’s fully functional underwater, which makes it ideal for sports like skiing, snorkeling, and diving.
What We Like:
- Comes with a stabilizer
- Includes an external microphone
- Comes with Wi-Fi
- Records videos with a resolution of 4k
What We Don’t:
- Doesn’t have a touch screen
- It needs a waterproof case to go underwater
5. Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera Touch Screen 16MP Vision
The Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera has an intuitive touch screen which makes the camera handy to shoot with and easy to operate. It delivers steady videos and smooth photos. The 4k action camera features a 4x zoom, and adjustable angle lens. You can explore amazing scenery underwater thanks to the waterproof features.
The camera comes with two batteries which can be combined and provide a longer battery life. The camera comes with lots of accessories, and you can easily connect with your phone through the Wi-fi Feature.
What We Like:
- Waterproof
- Adjustable angle lens
- 4x zoom
- Intuitive touch screen
What We Don’t:
- SD micro card isn’t provided
Choosing The Best Action Camera Under $100: Vlogger Gear
Picking the right action camera can be difficult with so many cameras out there. In this best action camera under $100: vlogger gear buying guide, we’re going to briefly discuss the things you need to look out for when buying action cameras.
Footage Quality
Check the quality of the footage before you use 4k video as a benchmark of quality. Unless you’re a professional YouTuber or vlogger, you won’t need 4k. The quality of the footage will depend on the quality of the camera glass and the image sensor, even if two cameras have similar or identical specifications.
Waterproof
Manufacturers often hype the waterproof feature of a camera in order to get better sales. However, you need to think about what you intend to do with the camera. If you plan on mounting the camera on the handle of your bicycle or the dashboard of your car, you won’t really need a camera that’s waterproof.
A camera being waterproof isn’t mandatory, it’s just a great additional feature.
Accessories
Almost every affordable action camera will include a USB cable, charger, and battery. Keep in mind that they don’t include a micro-SD memory card, so you’ll have to buy one separately. Usually, cheaper action cameras come with accessories in a bundle.
These often include a waterproof case, a remote control, mounting accessories, and a spare battery. The aforementioned accessories are enough for most people. However, some other accessories that might be helpful are: head or chest mounting straps, a powerbank, tripod, and grip or gimbal.
Sharing and Connectivity
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi should be standard features that you can find in an action camera nowadays. You can share the captured footage directly on social media if there’s a compatible mobile application with the action camera.
This is a feature that you want to keep an eye out for, especially if you’re a social media fan. On the other hand, you might want to look for HDMI connectivity if you want to do video editing on your laptop.
Ease of Use
Action cameras look similar to one another. However, once you mount it to the handles of your bike and you’re going down a mountain, things start to change. When you’re buying an action camera, you need to look for an action camera that you can easily operate.
An action camera through which you can access most functions with only a click of a button or two is ideal. You don’t want layers of menu options to get to the main features of the action camera. Does the camera have one-touch-recording? If not, does it have a large LCD touchscreen display?
Make sure that the camera is easy to control and use. A huge plus would be if the camera has a compatible mobile application that comes along with it.
Why Are Action Cameras so Cheap?
Compared to DSLR cameras that cost anywhere between $500 and $1,000, action cameras are considered much cheaper. So, why are action cameras sold at such a cheap price? There are several reasons why an action camera is cheaper when compared to other cameras.
Action cameras are made out of rubber and plastic, unlike the metal construction that other cameras have. The materials for the action camera are cheaper, so it makes sense why the camera itself would be cheaper.
In addition, unlike mirrorless cameras and DSLRs that are made for professionals, action cameras don’t need high-image quality and are predominantly used for fun. Even though action cameras don’t have as good of an image quality as digital cameras, they’re great for recording a fun and exciting moment in life.
Lens Type
In order to capture all the action, more action cameras have an ultra-wide-angle lens. Even though it’s great most of the time, if you want a close-up shot it can be quite annoying. You’ll start to notice distortion around parts of your photo if you’re shooting with an ultra-wide angle lens. Your subjects might look awkward and the horizons may start to bend.
If you want to avoid this from happening, you need to look for an action camera that has different lens types built-in.
By having these types of lenses, you’ll be able to change the perspective and get rid of any distortion without having to physically change the lens. In order to capture things exactly the way you want to, you’ll need this option to be available on your action camera.
In-Camera Stabilization
In order to reduce the shakiness of your camera while you hold it in your hands, you need in-camera stabilization. Any bumps or rolls will be smoothed out and the footage will feel less rocky with an internal stabilizer.
When it comes to photos, this means that the subjects in your pictures won’t be blurry. Stabilization will help keep your subjects sharp, instead of having motion blur in your shots.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are lots of affordable, great action cameras you can pick from. The cameras we mentioned come with different features, so you’ll have to decide which one suits your needs.
The AKASO Action Camera Ultra HD Underwater Camera does a great job of smoothing out the camera share. It’s lightweight, and has a portable, sleek design.
The Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera comes with a wireless wrist remote control that can be really handy for adventurers.
The AKASO Brave 4 4K 20MP WiFi Action Camera is a great choice for those who are looking for an action camera they can mount on any surface.
If you want an external microphone with your action camera, you should pick the COOAU 4K 20MP Wi-Fi Action Camera.
The Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera is for those who are looking for an adjustable angle lens.
This list is a perfect place to start if you want a camera to capture great pictures of the adventures you’re experiencing. We hope that you can find yourself a good action camera at this price point and that our best action camera under $100: vlogger gear guide has been helpful!
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