4K Action Cameras for Capturing Impossible: An Expert Review
4k action cameras are essential for filming adventures with remarkable details. Whether skydiving, hiking to the peak of the mountains, or exploring the wildlife sanctuaries, a great action-packed journey deserves to be captured. However, not every 4k camera has what it takes to film the best. Therefore, I have put together this list to work out your ideal image-making companion for your next journey. So, let’s scroll down and check out.
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro 4k ultra HD action camera
Tech Specs
- Sensor: CMOS
- Video Capabilities: 4k/120, 2.7k/120, 1080p/240 fps
- Image Resolution: 40 MP
- ISO: 100-51200
- battery life: 1950 mAh
- Waterproof: yes
- Weight: 5.2 oz
Pros
- Remarkable video quality
- Onpar image stabilization
- Dual touch display
- top-notch waterproof ability
- Great battery life
Cons
- Struggles in dim light
- Basic app feature
Quick Review
Osmo 5 is great beyond words, but it does not mean it is without cons. However, let’s first talk about the goodness that comes with it. DJI 5 Pro is small and rugged. Its build looks and feels sturdy. It’s like something that you can reliably take to the far edge of the world.
You will get two touch screens, a rare and a front display with good brightness and swift touch. You can navigate through the menu easily. The front screen is small, and the back one measures 2.5 inches with 1000 nits of brightness. Osmo 5 also includes voice command, another handy feature, so you can tell the camera to start and stop shooting when your hands are busy biking.
Osmo is really unbeatable when it comes to 4k capabilities. You can capture in a 10-bit color profile (although there are three color profiles, Standard, HDR HLG, and D-Log M with 8-bit and 10-bit color) with 4k, 2.7k, and 1080p video resolution. You can capture videos from multiple angles of view with almost no distortion.
The quality comes out vivid and crisp with a strong dynamic range. The still resolution is 40 MP to bring clarity and sharpness to pictures. It also includes a SuperNight 4k sequence for shooting in dim light, but it’s not that great. However, almost every action camera struggles in low-light videography.
The digital stabilization of Osmo makes the action clips worthwhile. You can capture the action while holding the camera and get gimbal-like stabilization. In conclusion, this is the best 4k action camera these days.
GoPro 13 Black 4k Action Camera
Tech Specs
- Sensor: CMOS
- Video Capabilities: 4k/120 fps, 5.3/60 fps, 2.7k/240 fps
- Image Resolution: 27 MP
- ISO: 100-6400
- battery life: 1900 mAh
- Waterproof: yes
- Weight: 159 g
Pros
- Fantastic video quality
- Excellent image stabilization
- Dual display
- auto-detected lens mod
- Good battery life
Cons
- Low light quality is just ok.
Quick Review
I like Hero 13 Black for two reasons: its portability and creative shooting option, but it definitely offers more. GoPro is small and weighs only 150g, so you can pack it in your small bag and carry it all the way to Mount Fuji. Moreover, the camera is waterproof and surprisingly rugged, so you can film while surfing, skydiving, or capturing other dynamic moments.
It also comes with a lens mod mount that automatically detects when you attach a new lens and change the system settings accordingly. This small feature saves time and enhances creativity.
Moreover, you will get two displays to see what you are capturing. There is a front 1.4-inch LCD screen and a 2.3-inch back touch screen that covers the backside almost entirely. You can access the menu and adjust settings from the back screen, while the front screen is a viewfinder when you are filming yourself.
Now, let’s move on to the image quality of GoPro. Hero 13 can film in 5.3k, 4k, and 2.7k at different frames per second. No matter what setting you choose, you will get the best out of this camera.
You will get crisp and detailed videos and images no matter what. The HyperSmooth stabilization works well to prevent shakes while capturing the action, and it almost feels like you are using a gimbal to shoot videos.
However, low-light filming is not that great, so if you want an action camera with 4k+ resolution and fantastic low-light image quality, Insta360 Ace Pro 8k is the way to go.
GoPro Max: Best action for 360 shooting
Tech Specs
- Sensor: CMOS
- Video Capabilities: 5.6 k spherical at 30 fps
- Image Resolution: 16.6 MP
- ISO: 400-6400
- battery life: 108 minutes
- Waterproof: yes
- Weight: 163 g
Pros
- 360-degree shooting
- Great image stabilization
- great in-camera audio
Cons
- Not good in low light
Quick Review
If you want to shoot 360-degree videos, this camera is your best option. I was on a trip to Thailand when my friend introduced me to this camera. I have always been a huge fan of GoPro for capturing adventure, but I specifically like Max for underwater videography (not too deep, just snorkeling). Its rubberized finish is built to withstand water drops, so you won’t have to worry about buying a separate housing.
The touch screen is intuitive and allows you to switch between capture moods. The camera has two fisheye lenses that give 5.6k quality videos, and they do come out sharp. Imagine a 360-degree view of underwater life with immense details and a vibrant color profile; that’s what you will get with GoPro Max. You can also convert 360 video into flat video with GoPro software tools.
However, the flat video will be 1080p. You can convert the video into a 16:9, 1:1, 4:3, or 9:16 aspect ratio. The GoPro software is also great and easy to use. I have edited tons of videos without wanting to scratch my face.
Image stabilization is another feature that comes in handy in action cameras, and this one does a commendable job of keeping the video stable and level. If you are a vlogger wanting to share some biking actions with your audience, you will be impressed by the audio quality of this small image-making device. Whether 360 video, build, or audio quality, Max justifies its price point.
Akaso Brave 8 Lite: best budget 4k action camera
Tech Specs
- Sensor: CMOS
- Video Capabilities: 4k/60
- Image Resolution: 20 MP
- battery life: 1550mAh
- Waterproof: yes
- Weight: 4 ounces
Pros
- 4k in super affordable price
- Good video quality
- Reasonable battery life
Cons
- Not great in-camera stabilization for an action camera
- Poor audio quality
- Not great in low light
Quick Review
If you want to experience 4k at an affordable price, try Akaso. Although it’s nothing out of the world, it is a serviceable 4k camera with more than good video quality. The design of Brave 8 Lite is like any other action camera that is built by keeping bumpy rides in mind. It’s small and lightweight with a rubber finish that keeps it from slipping too much from your hand.
You get a front camera and screen, valuable inclusion for vlogging, and a rare 2-inch screen for previewing captured videos and images. The rare screen is in touch, so you can use it to go through settings.
You can’t expect exclusive video quality from a budget camera, but it is still one of the best you can get in this price range. It is at least better than the SJCAM SJ20 action camera.
The video quality looks good when there is adequate light. The lens keeps distortion away, but image noise is visible when zoomed in. Also, you will get vivid results without too much high contrast. However, the dim light results are too grainy.
Moreover, the stabilization is the poorest feature of this camera. It works, but not enough to make everything feel smooth. You can access video stabilization via the companion app and improve it. The app is also easy to use and offers some other basic editing features.
Overall, it is a good camera to film 4k videos for your YouTube channel or just capture the stunning moments of a mountain bike ride at a cheap price. However, if you want to go even cheaper, there is a Dragon Touch 4k action camera for just under $50.
Final Verdict
The 4k action cameras in this review are great at what they do. GoPro and Osmo are high-end and expensive; others are cheaper but have serviceable features and decent 4k capabilities. You can choose the device that fits your description of a perfect action camera and continuously capturing decisive moments.
FAQs
1. Is 4k the best quality?
Yes, 4k is the best quality because it gives superior images and videos. 4k cameras have a resolution of 3840*2160 pixels, four times the resolution of 1080p, so they deliver sharp and clear images with immense detail. However, 5.6k and 8k resolutions are also available and are even better than 4k.
2. Which is the best 4k budget action camera?
There are multiple options available for 4k budget cameras. If you have a tight budget, you can go for Akaso Brave Lite, GoPro 12, and even Dragon Touch.
3. Is an action camera worth buying?
Yes, an action camera really captures your decisive moment in a matter of seconds. It has a great processor and sensor to keep track of every move and film in excellent quality.
