5 GoPro alternatives for all your action camera needs

Let’s take a look at five GoPro alternatives that cost up to $250

Now that smartphones have all the ruggedness of the cookie I just dipped in my tea, people are starting to turn towards action video cameras. GoPro helped make this a big trend, and now a host of rival gadget makers are coming out with their own – many of which feature lower prices.

Let’s take a look at five good GoPro alternatives that cost up to US$250. Most of them are very light, strong, and support a growing array of accessories for strapping them to your bike, cat, car dashboard, helmet (delete as appropriate) – and they’re all good candidates to be on your gadget shopping list. Although they’re all pretty rugged as well, our selection is more likely to be used by a family or a techie than someone who wears a Red Bull cap and says things like Whoa that was gnarly!

1. Yi 4K Action Camera

PHOTO: XIAOMI

The very first Yi action cam caused a stir on its 2015 debut under the name of the Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi and with its 1080p skills. Now, a year on, it’s updated in the higher-res and sleeker form of the Yi 4K Action Camera.

The Yi 4K costs less than you’d expect considering its strong specifications. In fact, it’s close to the GoPro Hero4 Black in terms of specs, yet costs half. The Yi 4K is US$249.

That’s not as cheap as the first iteration, the Yi Camera, which was a mere US$65. Instead, the startup is this time aiming for top-end specs at a middling price rather than going for the bottom end of the market.

With a 1,400 mAh battery, the Yi 4K can shoot 120 minutes of video in 4K. The very clear touchscreen on the back is larger than on most action cams – and of any on this list; a decent 2.19 inches – and that’s where you configure most things since the gadget only has one physical button.



In an extensive review of the Yi 4K by Wired, the device came out well, even in side-by-side tests with the much pricier Hero4 Black. The image quality comparison is “very close,” with identical audio quality. The GoPro wins out with more shooting modes and an all-round feel of being more original and polished. But the Yi 4K comes out very well with its price tag.

It comes in three color options: rose gold, white, or black.

Here’s a video review of the Yi 4K from YouTube channel MarkHawkCam:


Specs

Weight: 74g

Video: 4K HD

Slo-mo: Yes, at 1080p HD

Viewing angle: 155 degrees

Storage: up to 64GB

Screen: 2.19-inch

Price: US$249

2. HTC Re

PHOTO: HTC

Poor old HTC is still struggling to regain its lost momentum in the smartphone race, but its roll-out of the HTC Re action camera shows that the Taiwanese company is still tuned in to what youngsters want. It comes in a choice of colors – white, orange, blue, or turquoise – though you might struggle to find it in anything but white and orange.

The HTC Re used to be pricey, but HTC has had the sense to drop the price. This was initially a hefty US$200 upon launch, but now you should be aiming to get it for less than US$100 – ideally about US$80, which is the current Amazon US price.

The periscope-shaped gizmo is great in terms of portability, shaped perfectly to be gripped with one hand. You could even use it whilst riding your bike and still be able to hold onto the handlebars with the same hand. Yes, there’s image stabilization.

In the box there’s a free multi-purpose mount as well as a dock. HTC’s camera also wins out for supporting the most storage (though you only get an 8GB microSD card in the box).

Here’s a nifty review of the HTC Re by the Android Authority team, which suggests the video quality isn’t that great, and it struggles in low light conditions:


Specs

Weight: 66g

Video: 1080p HD

Slo-mo: Yes, at 720p HD

Viewing angle: 146 degrees

Storage: Up to 128GB

Screen: no

Price: US$80 to US$100

3. Polaroid XS100 HD

PHOTO: POLAROID

Polaroid is still in business in the digital age, and its sports video cam looks like one of its most convincing new products – replete with image stabilization.

In the box there are a bunch of useful mounts and contraptions, such as for helmets and handlebars.

The cam looks like a flashlight. Because it’s tube-shaped, it comes with auto-rotate so it doesn’t matter which way up you hold it.

Here’s a really nice review from GetOutThereGear featuring sample footage from the XS100i. It seems to fare well apart from struggling in low light conditions compared to the GoPro it’s tested against:


Specs

Weight: 136g

Video: 1080p HD

Slo-mo: Yes, at 720p HD

Viewing angle: 170 degrees

Storage: Up to 32GB

Screen: no

Price: US$129

4. Sony HDR-AS50

PHOTO: SONY

Sony’s 4K Action Cam is too rich for this list, so let’s focus on Sony’s US$200 HDR-AS50. There’s image stabilization, which Sony has inevitably branded in its own way – it’s called SteadyShot – plus a waterproof housing (good to 60m/179ft) included in the price.

It does 4K only for timelapses and photos.

One possible deal-breaker is that it doesn’t have a universal tripod mount, so you’ll need to get the case in order to use it with a tripod. But using the case means you can’t capture audio. It’s an awkward situation since the camera also requires the case to have any kind of splash-proofing.

Aside from case-related quibbles, online reviews suggest that this is a strong alternative to a GoPro.

Here’s a video review of the HDR-AS50.


Specs

Weight: 83g

Video: 1080p HD

Slo-mo: Yes, at 1080p HD

Viewing angle: 170 degrees

Storage: Up to 64GB

Screen: no (the “Live-view remote kit” is a costly extra)

Price: US$200

5. SJCam SJ5000

PHOTO: SJCAM

If you don’t mind going “FauxPro” with an off-brand gizmo, this one from SJCam (no, not heard of them before either) could be worth a shot. The specs seem strong and the reviews online are mostly positive. Although the price seems high for a company you’ve never heard of, remember that it comes with a bunch of accessories, such as a waterproof housing, handlebar mount, frame mount, tripod adapter, and quite a lot more.



A downside for slo-mo lovers is that the SJCam only does 60fps at a lowly 480p. It’s getting mixed reviews on Amazon, and the entry-level GoPro Hero is slightly cheaper, so this is an alternative in only the sense that it’s an option – but it’s hard to see how it’s a good option.

Here are some sample videos from the SJCam SJ5000 courtesy of someone on YouTube:


Specs

Weight: 74g

Video: 1080p HD

Slo-mo: Yes, at 480p SD

Viewing angle: 170 degrees

Storage: Up to 32GB

Screen: 2-inch

Price: US$110

Wrap-up

While there are some cheap and good alternatives to a GoPro, online reviews suggest that the entry-level GoPro Hero is the best starting point when you factor in price and quality – and now it comes in at a reasonable US$150. Its specs – such as 1080p at 30fps and 720p at 60fps – largely match those from Polaroid, Sony, and HTC, and the comments on Amazon show a greater satisfaction rating for the GoPro Hero than for any of the budget new-comers.

Or you could stretch to US$199 for the GoPro Hero+ with wifi.

But the new Yi Action Camera looks unbeatable in the US$250 segment with its 4K capabilities.

A final note: when you’re buying a camera of any kind, remember not to be fooled by low prices or megapixel boasts.

This article originally appeared on Tech in Asia.