From their inception, action cameras have been a favorite amongst sports enthusiasts and adventure seekers. This article tells you about the best budget action camera to buy in India.
Action cameras are fantastic for capturing all your best moments. Whether you’re filming an epic wedding, a fun hike, or a great sports game, action cameras can let you capture once-in-a-lifetime moments. The videos these cameras produce are incredible, but it is essential to know what kind of video quality you want from your camera before you make your purchase.
The advantages of action cameras are that they can take high-resolution videos at a higher frame rate, which is excellent for recording fast action. In addition, action cameras have a wide field of view, which is great for capturing a wider scene. This means that you can capture more of the action and will get a better overall video.
Moreover, action cameras are great for capturing video in low light. With most action cameras, you can shoot in the dark and still get a clear picture. Also, they are small and light, which makes them perfect for carrying around in your pocket. This means that you can capture all of your best moments on the go.
Even though action cameras have several advanced features and can record good quality action videos, they have some cons also. As mentioned earlier, action cameras are small in size, but the accessories can occupy a lot of space in your backpack. Also, they can drain the battery fast while recording high-resolution videos. So, it’s always good to carry extra batteries.
Why need an action camera? It’s a fantastic method to capture and document your adventures, whether it be sports or other activities. The best action camera for you will depend on what type of videos you want to make and how much money you are ready to spend. If you’re looking for the best action camera in India, then we’ve got you covered.
Best action cameras in India
| Action Camera | Max. Video Resolution | Max. Photo Resolution | Video Stabilization | Rear Screen | Front Screen | Rear Touch Screen | GPS | Connectivity options | On Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoPro Hero9 | 5K | 20 MP | HyperSmooth 3.0 | 2.27" | 1.4" Color LCD | Yes | Yes | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth,GPS, HDMI Out, Quik App | Check Price |
| GoPro Hero8 | 4K | 12 MP | HyperSmooth 2.0 | 2" | Status-only Screen | Yes | Yes | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth,GPS, HDMI Out, Quik App | Check Price |
| DJI OSMO Action | 4k | 12 MP | RockSteady Technology | 2.25" | 1.4 inches | Yes | - | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth | Check Price |
| Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition | 4K , 5.7K | 12 MP & 18.5 MP | FlowState Stabilization Technology | 1.39" | 1.38 inches | Yes | - | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, USB-C | Check Price |
| SJCAM SJ6 Legend | 4K | 16 MP | Yes | 2" | 1 inch | Yes | - | Wi-Fi, Mini USB Port | Check Price |
GoPro hero9
GoPro hero9 is one of the best action cameras for your adventure activities because it has many features. It comes with a fantastic video recording quality of up to 5k and a wide-angle lens that captures more of the scene than other cameras on the market.
The video stabilization, waterproof, detachable lens, two screens make it one of the great products for having some cool videos.
The GoPro Hero9 can record up to 30 frames per second in 5K resolution. Also, in 4K resolution, it can go up to 60fps. It is powered by HyperSmooth 3.0 image stabilization algorithm, which will provide you with some good and smooth videos and photos.
Also, this camera comes with voice control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C port, and GPS features. These connectivity features would make it easy for users to transfer their videos directly from the action camera to a laptop or smartphone.
Moreover, the 1720mAh rechargeable battery can provide power back-up for more than one and half hours in Full HD recording mode. It can be charged by USB-C cable and takes only 3 hours to get a full charge.
Furthermore, the camera is waterproof up to 33ft and can withstand harsh conditions. It has two screens. The front display is mainly for selfies, and the rear touch display has more features.
Features:
- Support various video resolutions up to 5K 30fps
- 20 MP Photo resolution
- Detachable lens
- Video Stabilization powered by HyperSmooth 3.0
- TimeWarp Video
- Night Lapse Video
- It can use as a Webcam
- Support Live Streaming in 1080p
- Touch Screen
- 8x Slow-Motion
- Rechargeable Battery
- Waterproof up to 33ft
- GPS Enabled
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C port
GoPro hero8
The second action camera on this list is GoPro Hero8. The main difference between hero9 and Hero8 is in the video resolution and image quality. Hero8 supports the video recording quality of up to 4K 60fps and a photo resolution of 12MP.
The HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilization technology powers the Video Stabilization. Also, there is no In-camera horizon leveling.
In Hero9, the front screen is a 1.4-inch color LED for live preview and status display. But in Hero8, the front screen is only for status display, and there is no front screen live preview option.
Also, compared to Hero9, there is no scheduled capture, Hindsight, and duration Capture features in GoPro Hero8.
Comes to the connectivity options, like Hero9, Hero8 also has voice control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C port, and GPS features.
Regarding the cost, GoPro Hero8 is listed below Rs 30,000 on Amazon.in while writing this article. Overall, this is a great 4K action camera for your adventure activities.
Features:
- Support video resolution up to 4K 60fps
- 12MP photo resolution
- Video Stabilization powered by HyperSmooth 2.0
- TimeWarp 2.0 Video
- Rechargeable Battery
- Support Live Streaming in 1080p
- 8x Slow-Motion
- Waterproof up to 33ft
- GPS Enabled
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C port
DJI Osmo action
If you are looking for a 4K action camera, you should add DJI Osmo action to your list. This is a great action camera for beginner and advanced users.
The image quality it records is great, making it one of India’s best action cameras. It supports video resolution up to 4K 60fps and photo resolution up to 12MP.
Moreover, it has an impressive video stabilization feature, supported by RockSteady Technology. It also supports Timelapse Video and 8x slow-motion.
Furthermore, Osmo action comes with waterproof housing (36 feet), so you can take this action camera for your underwater activities. Also, it can perform well in extreme temperature conditions as low as -10 degrees Celcius.
Like GoPro Hero9, DJI Osmo action also has dual screens. The front screen will be helpful to take selfies and shows camera status. The rear screen is touch responsive and can monitor the video progress and adjust your settings, like video resolution and frame rate, etc.
About the battery capacity, Osmo action comes with a 1300 mAh Li-polymer battery. According to the manufacturer, it takes around 90 minutes to get a full charge. Once fully charged, it can provide back up up to 63 minutes for 4K/60fps video recording.
Overall, DJI Osmo action is for everyone. Beginner to advanced users can enjoy its attributes and ability to take videos using this action camera. If you are looking for a budget-friendly, high-performance 4K sports video action camera, then DJI Osmo is the best choice in India.
Features:
- Support video resolution up to 4K 60fps
- Video stabilization supported by RockSteady Technology
- Dual screens
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options
- Voice Control
- 8x Slow-Motion
- Waterproof up to 11 meters (~36 feet)
- Temperature resistant up to -10 degrees Celcius.
Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition
Are you searching for an action camera with 360-degree video capture in 5K quality? Then the Insta360 ONE R Twin edition is for you. In addition to 360 Dual-lens, it comes with a 4K wide-angle lens also.
It can provide photo resolutions of 12 megapixels and 18.5 megapixels with the wide-angle lens and 360 dual-lens, respectively.
In the Insta360 ONE R Twin edition, the video stabilization is supported by FlowState Stabilization technology. This technology can provide a gimbal-like video stabilization quality even without using a gimbal. Also, it comes with a 6-axis gyro stabilization system. So, the output video will be super smooth and shake-free.
Compared to the action cameras mentioned above, the Insta360 ONE R Twin edition is waterproof up to 5m. So, it can be used for poolside or rainy-day video recording. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for underwater video recordings.
Additionally, the Insta360 ONE R Twin edition comes with an invisible selfie stick and point-to-track features. The point to track feature is designed to automatically align photos with the surrounding point of reference even if it is not installed on a tripod. Also, your object of interest remains always on focus while shooting an adventure.
Regarding the connectivity options, the Insta360 ONE R Twin edition comes with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a USB-C port. Also, this camera has a voice control feature.
A 1190mAh battery powers this action camera. According to the manufacturer, once it’s fully charged (charging time: 65 minutes), it can provide power up to 70 minutes for a 5.7K @ 30fps video recording.
In short, the Insta360 ONE R Twin edition is a very capable action camera. It comes with many features, like a wide-angle lens, dual-lens, and waterproof capability.
Features:
- Flowstate stabilization technology
- Waterproof up to 5 meters
- Invisible selfie stick
- 8x Slow-Motion and 4x Slow-Motion in 360 degrees
- Voice control
- Point to track and deep track features
- Good quality low-light night shots.
With 4K WIDE ANGLE
- Aperture: F2.8
- Max Photo Resolution: 12 MP
- Max Video Resolution: 4K @ 30fps
With DUAL-LENS 360
- Aperture: F2.0
- Max Photo Resolution: 18.5 MP
- Max Video Resolution: 5.7K @ 30fps
SJCAM SJ6 Legend
SJCAM SJ6 Legend is included in this list because it is one of the best affordable 4K action cameras under Rs 10000. Also, it is a good value for money product.
Compared to other action cameras mentioned in this article, SJ6 legend has 4K @ 24fps (2880×2160) interpolated video recording quality. However, it supports 16MP photo resolution compared to GoPro Hero8 and DJI OSMO Action.
Also, this action camera has many features, just like the GoPro Hero8, which cost more than double the price of this model.
Furthermore, SJ6 Legend has a good build quality and comes with a wide-angle lens. Also, it has two Screens: the front one is for status display, and the rear one is a 2 inch LCD touch screen.
Additionally, SJ6 comes with a 1050mAh battery which can provide power back-up for up to 130 minutes.
On the flip side, this action camera lacks the voice control feature, which is available in all the other models listed in this article. Also, it has a Mini USB Port instead of USB-C.
Overall SJ6 legend is an amazing low-priced action camera occupied with the necessary features needed to shoot your adventures.
Features:
- Video resolution up to 4K@24fps
- Photo resolution up to 16 MegaPixel
- Remote control
- 2.0″ LCD touch screen
- Wi-Fi Optional
- GYRO stabilization
- Waterproof up to 10 meters with hard backdoor
- Distortion-Correction feature
- Low light mode
- Smartphone App
- External microphone support
How to choose the best action camera?
The best action camera depends on several criteria, and it will differ from user to user. But here are some basic tips on which you should focus when buying the best action camera for yourself or your beloved one. I am talking about almost all types of action cams; it does not matter if you are looking for a budget compact model or a higher-end one.
Resolution
A higher resolution gives you better images and videos, but it also increases the file size and storage requirements. Resolution is measured in megapixels (MP).
Action cameras’ most common video resolutions are 5K, 4K, 2K, Full HD (1080p), and HD (720p). The higher the number is, the more detailed your images or videos will be.
Sensor size
The video quality you get from an action camera depends on the type of sensor it uses. The most common sensor size is 1/2.3-inch. The size of a sensor affects how much light it can capture in a given situation. A larger sensor collects more light and produces a higher-quality image even in low light than a smaller one with similar specifications.
Lens
Action camera lenses have a significant influence on image quality. The larger lens aperture allows more light and reduces noise by ensuring that all of it is directed into your video or picture. A good action camera has a wide-angle sensor with an interchangeable glass lens to capture different views from one position. Also, they have a wide field of view.
Stabilization
Image stabilization is an essential feature in an action camera. Stabilization helps prevent shaky footage by smoothing out camera movement. This can be helpful when filming during windy conditions or while walking around with the camera on a tripod because it allows one to record without any distortion or shaking.
Some action cameras have gyro stabilization, which helps stabilize the camera while recording. Some also include optical image stabilization (OIS), which uses a lens to compensate for vibrations and shake during video capture. However, some of the action cameras have inbuilt image stabilization software for recording smooth, shake-free videos.
| Camera brand | Stabilization technology |
|---|---|
| GoPro | HyperSmooth |
| DJI | RockSteady Technology |
| Insta360 | FlowState Stabilization Technology |
Frame rate
Video cameras record video at a certain frame rate. This is measured in ‘fps’ (frames per second). The higher the fps, the smoother your footage will appear. The videos with higher resolution and higher frame rates have the best quality. But keep in mind that the higher the frame rate, the higher level of processing power is required. This can affect battery life as well. Also, they will have a larger file size.
Slow-motion
Slow-motion video is useful for capturing fast-moving subjects. It can be used to film races, sports, and other activities that require speed.
Also, check at which resolution the camera support slow-motion video recording. Some cameras won’t support slow-motion recording in all resolutions. They may use software to create slow-motion videos.
GPS
GPS feature in action camera allows you to track the movement of your camera and the video in real-time. Also, this feature helps you to remember the location where you take the video or photo. Most action cameras include GPS chips to track speed, distance, and waypoints while recording videos or taking pictures for archiving purposes.
Not all action camera comes with this feature, so if you prefer to have GPS on your camera, select one with this feature.
Time-lapse
Time-lapse is a useful feature that captures a series of images at set intervals. This allows you to create a video that shows the passage of time over an extended period. Time-lapse videos are commonly used in nature documentaries and sports broadcasts.
Microphone
A microphone is another important feature of an action camera. It allows you to record audio with your video without the need for a separate device.
Connectivity Options
The most common connectivity options in action cameras are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features allow you to share your video with others wirelessly. You can also use it to transfer data between the camera and other devices, such as smartphones or tablets. If you prefer to connect your camera via Wi-Fi, then the action camera should have wireless connectivity options.
Additionally, you can transfer the video to a laptop via a USB port. Most new action camera models have USB-C support.
Also, these cameras come with cloud storage options. So, you can transfer the recorded videos to cloud storage and download and edit them on smartphones or laptops.
Waterproof
Waterproof cameras are designed to withstand the rigors of being submerged in water. They can be used for snorkeling, scuba diving, and other underwater activities. So, if you’re thinking of using your action camera for any such adventures, you must choose a camera with a waterproof feature. Also, you can get a separate waterproof case for your action cameras.
Battery life
Battery life is a key factor when choosing an action camera. A higher-capacity battery will allow you to capture more footage or videos. However, if you are recording a high-resolution video, the battery may drain fast.
Most action cameras available in the market have a minimum of one-hour battery back-up for high-resolution video recording. Also, don’t forget to have extra batteries for uninterrupted recording.
App
Most action cameras available in the market come with their companion smartphone Apps. These Apps help you capture higher quality video, which makes editing easier. You can also use these apps to apply various special effects to videos before uploading them online.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, action cameras are fantastic for capturing all your best moments. The best action camera for you will depend on what type of videos you want to make and how much money you are ready to spend.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, versatile camera that can take video and photos at the same time, we recommend the GoPro hero9. This is an excellent device with many features, including a 5K video recording at 30 frames per second. If you’re looking for a 360-degree video recording option, check out the Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition. However, your budget is less than Rs 10000, then go for SJCAM SJ6 Legend.
