An action camera is a type of digital camera that is specifically designed for capturing. Action and adventure sports footage. They are often small, rugged, and waterproof, and can be easily mounted to helmets, handlebars, surfboards, and other gear.
One of the most notable features of action cameras is their wide-angle lenses, which allow for capturing a large field of view. This is particularly useful for capturing footage of activities like skiing, surfing, or motocross, where the camera is often mounted to the user’s body or equipment.
Additionally, best action cameras under $100 often have built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows them to be controlled remotely using a smartphone app, or paired with other devices like a smartwatch or remote control. Some also feature voice commands and can be controlled by saying “Start Recording” or “Take a photo”
Some well-known examples of action cameras include the GoPro HERO, the DJI Osmo Action, and the Sony Action Cam.
What is an Action Camera and What Does it Do?
An action camera is a compact, durable digital camera that is designed for capturing video and photographs of action and adventure sports and activities. These cameras are often small and lightweight, making them easy to mount on helmets, handlebars, surfboards, and other gear.
Some of the key features of action cameras include:
- Wide-angle lenses: These allow for capturing a large field of view. Which is especially useful for activities where the camera is mounted to the user’s body or equipment.
- Rugged construction: Many action cameras are built to withstand rough conditions and harsh environments. They may be waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof.
- High-definition video: Action cameras are designed to capture high-definition (HD) or even 4K footage, providing sharp and clear images.
- Slow-motion: Many action cameras offer high frame rates for creating slow-motion footage.
- Time-lapse: Some cameras have time-lapse mode, allowing to take photos automatically at set intervals. To create a time-lapse video of an event.
- Connectivity: Many action cameras feature built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Allowing you to control the camera remotely using a smartphone app or to pair with other devices.
Overall, action cameras are used to capture memories of sports and adventure activities in an easy way. Which would be hard to get with other cameras. Being small and light and allowing to be mounted in different positions giving the user freedom in capturing the footage. It allows to take footage that is impossible to take with traditional cameras, making possible to share experiences and memories in a more dynamic way.
Video Resolution
The video resolution of an action camera refers to the number of pixels that the camera is able to capture in each frame of video. The more pixels a camera is able to capture, the higher the resolution of the video, and the sharper and more detailed the image will be.
There are several common video resolutions used in action cameras, including:
- 1080p: This resolution is also known as “Full HD” and is capable of capturing 1920×1080 pixels per frame.
- 4K: This resolution is also known as “Ultra HD” and is capable of capturing 3840×2160 pixels per frame. It gives a more detailed image, but also requires more storage capacity.
- 2.7K: This resolution is capable of capturing 2752×1520 pixels per frame.
- 720p: This resolution is capable of capturing 1280×720 pixels per frame, it’s not as detailed as the previous ones, but it’s still a common resolution in action cameras.
Some action cameras may also offer a variety of frame rates in addition to different resolutions, like 30fps, 60fps, and even up to 240fps in some cases.
. In general, higher resolution provides more flexibility in editing, but it also requires more storage space and more processing power to handle it.
It is also important to consider that resolution and frame rate will consume more battery life and storage capacity, so you should plan accordingly if you’re planning on capturing a lot of video.
Frames Per Second
The frames per second (FPS) of an action camera refers to the number of individual frames that the camera can capture in one second of video. The higher the number of frames, the smoother and more detailed the motion will appear in the final video.
Common frame rates used in action cameras include:
- 30fps: This is a common frame rate for standard video and is considered the minimum for smooth motion.
- 60fps: This frame rate is commonly used for capturing fast-moving action and is considered the minimum for good slow-motion footage.
- 120fps and higher: This frame rate can be used to create ultra-slow-motion footage. This frame rate will be common in cameras that can record at 240fps or higher.
It is important to note that when recording at high frame rates. The action camera will consume more storage capacity and power. It’s always recommended to have extra storage and a spare battery on hand when recording in high frame rates.
When using high frame rates, you should be mindful that the resolution will be lower than if it was recorded at lower frame rate. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking to maintain the highest image quality possible.
Another thing to consider is that while high frame rates are great for slow-motion footage. They’re not always necessary. It depends on the type of activity and the final product you want to create. Recording at lower frame rates can save on storage space and make it easier to handle the footage, while still achieving great results.
Still Image Resolution
In addition to video, many action cameras also allow you to take still images. And the resolution of those images is measured in megapixels (MP). The resolution of the still images is important to consider, especially if you plan on using the images for printing or for other high-resolution applications.
The most common image resolution found on action cameras are:
- 12MP: This resolution is considered good for most uses, it’s common on entry-level and mid-range action cameras.
- 20MP and above: This resolution is considered high-end and it will give you the ability to print the images in larger sizes. But also will require more storage space.
It’s worth noting that while a higher resolution will provide more detail in the final image. It doesn’t necessarily guarantee better image quality. The camera’s lens and sensor. Along with the user’s composition and lighting techniques. Will also play a role in the final image quality. Additionally, like video, image resolution consumes storage space. And some high-resolution images might be hard to manage on a computer or a phone.
It’s also important to note that some action cameras come with additional features like burst shooting mode, which allows to take multiple shots in quick succession, a very useful feature for capturing fast-moving action.
Additionally some of them come with time-lapse or HDR mode for still images, these features can also contribute to the final quality of the still image.
