Affordable Action Cameras: The Best GoPro Alternatives By Richard Gaspari

Think fast: what is the first thing that comes to mind when somebody mentions ‘’action camera’’? If your answer is GoPro, nobody is judging you – even I have a tendency of going straight for that brand. Due to their high-quality and in most cases innovative products, GoPro was a true trendsetter in the action camera market, setting the standard for what to look for when it comes to choosing a handheld device.

However, their popularity and high-quality comes with a price (literally) – they are well above most people’s budgets. Thankfully, GoPro’s days of being the belle of the ball are finally over, as a number of manufacturers have entered this highly-competitive market with their own lines of qualitative, but affordable action cams. Let me be clear, I think GoPro’s products are great action cameras that equal to any high-quality professional quality camera, they may perhaps just be out of a customers price range. So, in this article, we will focus solely on these alternative options and hopefully make your decision much easier. Here are the best GoPro alternatives:

Akaso EK7000 Action Camera

If you have been following the action camera market for long enough, you are probably already aware of Akaso’s reputation as being the alternative to GoPro. To put it into perspective, think about Akaso products as being the Android of the action camera market, and GoPro as Apple. The Akaso EK700 Action Camera is one of their most advanced models to date, and it is a great asset for active, sporty individuals who like to dabble into the occasional extreme sport or want to document their activities, travelling adventures and so on and so forth.

The Akaso EK7000 offers lots of options in terms of shooting videos and images. According to CreativePhotoConnect, its main selling point is the 4K shooting capability (admittedly, at 25 frames per second). Users also have the option to shoot 1080p footage at either 30 frames per second or 60. The device also sports a 2″ LCD screen, as well as an unusually wide angle lens, which makes capturing videos in tricky weather conditions a breeze (pun totally intended). Another thing that active people will surely appreciate is the sturdy waterproof casing, which makes capturing video at 100 feet underwater very easy, without exposing the camera to potential damages.

The camera has three capturing modes: single photo, burst photo and time-lapse. Furthermore, the sensor is capable of shooting 12 MP still photos at 30 frames per second. However, it is worth mentioning that the camera falls short when it comes to recording slow-motion footage in 4k. Although, videos shot at standard frame rates look smooth and clean, and the action photos are flawless.

All in all, the EK7000 is a perfect alternative to GoPro.

Intova Dub Action Camera

The Intova Dub Action camera is built, from the ground up, with adventurous and active people in mind, especially if they involve water. Thanks to the sturdy waterproof casing, you can take the camera out everywhere, from the lake, ocean or in the swimming pool, if you feel like taking it easy during that day. The waterproof casing resists at depths up to 200 feet, and the best thing about it is that it floats – so if you accidentally drop it for some reason, you can easily retrieve it.

Coming in under £100, you get tons of high-quality features – 1080p resolution, a 108-degree lens, and a 1.5 -inch LCD screen that is perfect for viewing videos. The internal battery has an autonomy of up to three hours on a full charge.

Sony HDR-AS50 1090P Action Camcorder

Another company that decided to enter the action camera market in full force is Sony. Their lines of action cameras are highly appreciated for their quality, as well as affordability. The AS50 is in line with the rest of the models, sporting an ergonomic design and structure, purpose-built for mounting on a wide variety of outdoor equipment, like bikes, helmets and such.

Another element that makes this Sony model stand out is the control scheme. Unlike other cameras that come with built-in touch displays, the AS50 has a live-view remote that you can attach to your wrist, giving you full control of the camera without having to unmount it. While the camera does not feature 4k capabilities, it shoots smooth and crisp 1080 and 720p videos at 60 and 120 frames per second.

Ion Air Pro 2 Action Camcorder

If you want something a little cheaper than Sony’s offer, then you should consider picking up this model from Ion. They share the same features, the only difference being a better battery autonomy – 4 hours versus the three that Sony has on offer. It also includes a sturdy bike mount and a high-quality waterproof casing.

Polaroid Cube Action Camera

Ion Air Pro 2 Action Camcorder

Unlike Kodak, a company which is barely visible nowadays, Polaroid has managed to adapt to the new market realities and enter the action camera scene. But instead of relying on brand recognition and jacking up the price of the camera, they instead took a different route and opted for an affordable product.

Meet the Polaroid Cube Action Camera, a ridiculously inexpensive, (available to purchase for as little as £38.99), and perfectly viable alternative to GoPro. Apart from shooting 1080p footage at the top-notch quality, the main selling point of this camera has to be its versatility. It is compatible with a wide range of mounts and features a network of built-in magnets which allow people to attach the camera to metal surfaces. It is sleek, competent and elegant, so if you are looking for a good GoPro alternative and you feel a tinge of nostalgia for Polaroid products, the Cube might be up your alley.

While GoPro is still far from feeling the burn from competitors, other brands are slowly catching up. If you are in the market for an action camera, but you are not keen on spending a fortune, make sure to read through our selection, and you will surely find a viable alternative.

If you are thinking about purchasing an action camera, or perhaps already own one but are looking to upgrade, then be sure to visit MyMemory for all your Action Camera accessories.