Whether you want to shoot extreme outdoor adventures or underwater excursions, sports cameras are perfect for both. Because of their portable size and ruggedized look, they have gained massive popularity not only to the vloggers and adventurers.
Especially for the adventurer junkies, having a sports camera is pretty convenient for them as compared to a traditional camera, a sports camera is quite compact and can withstand harsh conditions. No matter if you’re scuba diving or skydiving, a sports camera would be the perfect media tool to capture all your moments. Besides, casual users have also started to consider them. Even if you’re not an adventurer, a sports camera is a pretty cool device to own. However, buying an action camera can be a daunting process, especially if you’re new to the market. There’s a lot of things to consider. That’s why in this article, we’ll be talking about what to consider before buying a sports camera.
Durability
The first feature to consider when buying a sports camera is durability. Because your sports camera should be able to endure some beating and successfully withstand any harsh environmental conditions. Besides, waterproofing can also be a great feature to look for if you want to dive deeper into the water. Your sports camera should have additional settings and modes if you’re up for underwater photography. Best action cameras like GoPro Hero 10, DJI Action 2, Insta 360 One R all offer extreme durability with a waterproofing feature.
Sensors & Lens
Although sports cameras are meant to be compact in size, there is still some room for considerations when it comes to sensors and lenses.
A bigger sensor can significantly boost the overall camera performance. You can get brighter images and videos with adequate details in both highlights and shadows. Almost all the sports cameras in the market come with 1/2.3-inch image sensors. However, some cameras like Insta 360 One R and Sony RX0 II pack a 1-inch sensor to produce better results even in low light conditions.
The next thing to consider is the lens. All sports cameras in the market use a wide-angle lens to capture all the surroundings in one frame. So, it’s best to look for a lens that’s perfect for capturing all the actions around you in just one shot.
Videos
The main purpose of buying a sports camera is to shoot high-quality videos in any environment. You will be glad to know that almost all the sports cameras in 2021 can shoot both Full HD and 4K videos. Other than that, you should also look for the frame rates support. A great example of this is GoPro Hero 10, which can shoot 5.3k videos at 60 frames per second, 4K videos at 120 frames per second, and 2.7k videos at a whopping 240 frames per second for a super slow-mo effect.
In addition to videos, you should also consider the image quality. The image quality mostly depends on the sensor size and processing. The bigger the sensor, the more light it can capture. And combining the sensor with a capable image processor means you will instantly get crisp and sharp photos in almost every lighting condition. GoPro Hero 10 again could be a great example of that. A large 23 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and GP2 chip show amazing results.
Stabilization
Stabilization is another factor to consider when it comes to sports cameras. Whether you are running along a track or riding a bike in the mountains, it’s important that your footage is stabilized. Besides, stabilization also depends on how well you’re mounting the camera on your sports equipment or body.
Companies like GoPro and DJI have an age-long reputation of offering impressive stabilization. Hero 10 uses Hypersmooth 4.0 while the Dji Action 2 uses the Rocksteady version 2.0. So, these are the things you should look for to take stabilized footage even in extremely shaky situations.
Screens
Screens on sports cameras can also be a deciding factor. A relatively large screen means better viewing and control of your camera. Some of the sports cameras also house a front screen for selfies and vlogging. For example, the Hero 10 incorporates a larger rear screen as well as a front screen. Insta 360 R has a reversible touch screen that’s perfect for shooting high-res selfies and vlogs.
Battery Life & Accessories
Finally, you should also consider the battery life before buying a sports camera. Most modern sports cameras last up to three hours on continuous filming. However, if you crank up all the specs, the battery drains drastically faster. So, you need to look for a camera with a spare rechargeable battery.
Also, make sure the mounting accessories like bike mount, chest belts, telescoping poles, helmet mount, handlebar and other things come with the camera or not. Because if you’re into any extreme sports like mountain biking, skiing, base jumping or surfing, you would need these attachments.
Other Things to Consider
Before buying a sports camera, you should be considering the support for Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to make transfer files easier. Besides that, look for the Microphone quality in sports camera, software support, and the dedicated app that comes with the camera to edit video footage and settings.
Without a doubt, sports cameras provide travel bloggers with cutting-edge technology for infinite creative possibilities. But with so many options in the market, it’s easier to get confused. So keep these features in mind when considering yourself to buy a sports camera. We hope you find this article helpful.
