The best 4K Action Camera 2017

The best 4K Action Camera 2017?

Here’s an overview of the most popular cameras, below you can find a detailed comparison with explanation of the most important specs:

	GoPro Hero7 black	GoPro Hero6 black	SJCAM SJ8 Pro	YI 4K+ Action Camera	GoPro Hero7 silver	GoPro Hero5 black	Sony FDR-X3000	YI 4K Action Camera	Xiaomi Mijia	Firefly 8SE	SJCAM SJ7 Star	THIeye T5
Sensor	12 MP ?	12 MP ?	12 MP Sony IMX377	12 MP Sony IMX377	10 MP	12 MP Sony IMX ?	12 MP Sony IMX317	12 MP Sony IMX377	8 MP Sony IMX317	12 MP Sony IMX 117	12 MP Sony IMX117	12 MP Sony IMX 117
Processor	GP1	GP1	Ambarella H22	Ambarella H2	?	Ambarella A9	BIONZ X image processor	Ambarella A9	Ambarella A12	Ambarella A12	Ambarella A12	Ambarella A12
Lens	F/2.8, 170° FOV	F/2.8, 170° FOV	F/2.8, 170° FOV	F/2.8, 155° FOV	F/2.8, 170° FOV	F/2.8, 170° FOV	f/2.8, f=17 mm	F/2.8, 155° FOV	F/2.8, 145° FOV	F/2.8, 170° or F/2.8, 90° version	F/2.5, 166° FOV	F/2.5, 170° FOV
4K Resolution	max. 60fps	max. 60fps	max. 60fps	max. 60fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps	max. 30fps
Bitrate in 4K	78 Mbps	78 Mbps	65 Mbps	135 Mbps	60 Mbps	60 Mbps	100 Mbps	100 Mbps	100 Mbps	70Mbps		70Mbps
2.7K Resolution	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	n/a	max. 60fps	max. 60fps	max. 60fps		max. 60fps	- (2.5K in 60fps)	max. 30fps (2.5K in 60fps)	max. 30fps (2.5K in 60fps)	max. 30fps (2.5K in 60fps)
1080p Resolution	max. 240fps	max. 240fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	max. 600fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps	max. 120fps
720p Resolution	max. 240fps	max. 60fps	max. 240fps	max. 240fps	no	max. 240fps	max. 240fps	max. 240fps	max. 240fps	max. 240fps	max. 200fps	max. 240fps
Photo Resolution	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP	10 MP	12 MP	8 MP	12 MP	8 MP	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP
RAW photo	yes GPR Format	yes GPR Format	yes .RAW Format	yes DNG Format	no	yes GPR Format	no	yes DNG Format	yes DNG Format	no	no	no
Display	2″ Touchscreen	2″ Touchscreen	2,33″ Touchscreen	2,19″ Touchscreen	2″ Touchscreen	2″ Touchscreen	data only	2,19″ Touchscreen	2,44″ Touchscreen	2" Touchscreen	2″ Touchscreen	2" live view
Battery (Capacity)	1220 mAh	1220 mAh	1200 mAh	1400 mAh	1220 mAh built-in!	1220 mAh	1240 mAh	1400 mAh	1450 mAh	1200 mAh	1000 mAh	1100 mAh
Image Stabilization	yes up to 4K 60fps	yes up to 4K 30fps	yes up to 4K 30fps	yes up to 4K 30fps	yes up to 2.7K 60fps	yes up to 2.7K 60fps	yes (optical) up to 4K 30fps	yes up to 2.7K 60fps	yes up to 1080p 60fps	yes up to 1080p 60fps	yes up to 1080p 60fps	yes up to 1080p 60fps
Gyro Sensor	"Hypersmooth"	"superior to Hero5" I guess 6-axis	6-axis	3-axis	I guess 3-axis	I guess 3-axis	optical stabilization!	3-axis	6-axis (3-axis gyro, 3-axis accelerometer)	6-axis	3-axis	3-axis
Wifi	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Bluetooth	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Remote Controller	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra	yes, optional extra
App	GoPro App iOS, Android	GoPro App iOS, Android	SJCAM Zone iOS, Android	Yi Action App iOS, Android	GoPro App iOS, Android	GoPro App iOS, Android	Action Cam App iOS, Android	Yi Action App iOS, Android	Mi Home App	Firefly Cam iOS, Android	SJCAM Zone iOS, Android	Thieye HD iOS, Android
Storage	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 64GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)
USB Port	USB-C port	USB-C port	USB-C port	USB-C port	USB-C port	USB-C port	micro USB port	micro USB port	micro USB port	mini USB port	mini USB port	micro USB port
A/V Output	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	(will be added)	yes	yes	yes
external Microphone	yes via USB-C	yes via USB-C	yes via USB-C	yes via USB-C	no	yes via USB-C	yes via 3,5mm	no	no	yes via mini USB	yes via mini USB	yes via 2.5mm plug
HDMI Port	micro HDMI	micro HDMI	no	no	no	micro HDMI	micro HDMI	no	no	micro HDMI	micro HDMI	micro HDMI
Voice Control	yes	yes	no	yes	yes	yes	no	yes	no	no	no	no
Special Feature	GPS recording	GPS recording	comes with Touchdoor Case	Facebook Live Broadcasting	GPS recording	GPS recording	GPS recording	Facebook Live Broadcasting			Aluminum Frame Body
Mounts	GoPro System on frame/case	GoPro System on frame/case	1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case	1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case	GoPro System on frame/case	GoPro System on frame/case	1/4" thread on body 1/4" thread on case	1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case	1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case	1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case	GoPro System on frame/case	1/4" thread on body GoPro System on case
Waterproof	10m without case 60m with case	10m without case 60m with case	30m with case	40m with case	10m without case NO case available	10m without case 60m with case	splash proof without case 60m with case	40m with case	with case	30m with case	30m with case	30m with case
Included Accessories	Frame	Frame	Case & Mounts (Full Box)	Many offers include case	Frame	Frame	Underwater Case	-	- kits will be available later	Case & Mounts	Case & Mounts	Case, 2nd battery
Best Price	Amazon:	Amazon:	Banggood: 189.99 USD	Amazon:	Amazon:	Amazon:	Amazon:	Geekbuying: 159.99 USD	Gearbest: 99.99 USD	Banggood: 119.99 USD	Banggood: 149.99 USD	Gearbest: 119.99 USD
Review		Review	Review	Review		Review	Review	Review	Review	Review	Review	Review

YI 4K+ Action Camera vs GoPro HERO6 black vs Sony FDR-X3000

Which is the best 4K Action Camera? GoPro HERO6 black vs YI 4K+ Action Camera vs Sony FDR-X3000. These cameras are the flagships of the best known action cam manufacturers:

° Live View Remote Control is an optional extra.

Price & Deals

GoPro Hero6 black

YI 4K+ Action Camera

• Banggood: n/a
• Gearbest: n/a
• Geekbuying: 319.99 USD – Coupon Code: YI4K+103 (incl. Case!)
• Aliexpress: 389.99 USD (official YI store) (incl. case)
• Amazon:

Conclusion

In contrast to GoPro Hero5, GoPro Hero6 black offers higher frame rates: 4K at 60fps, 2.7K at 120 fps and 1080p at 240fps. It’s waterproof without case up to 10m and offers GPS recording. YI 4K+ also offers 4K at 60fps, but lower frame rates in 2.7K and 1080p. Sony only offers 4K at 30fps. All of the cams above offer image stabilization in 4K with 30fps, GoPro Hero6 and YI 4K+ do so with electronic stabilisation, Sony offers optical image stabilisation. Whereas GoPro is waterproof up to 10m, and Sony is splash proof, you need a case for YI 4K+. In terms of photos YI 4K+ and GoPro Hero6 offer 12MP 4:3 resolution photos in RAW, Sony is limited to 8MP 16:9 without a RAW option.

Cheaper Alternatives

The following cameras are a bit cheaper hence only lack a few features compared to the cameras above. They still offer native 4K video and a touch screen, so if you don’t need all the features, you can save a few bucks:

* Voice Control might be added at a later point

Price & Deals

YI 4K Action Camera

• Banggood: only accessories
• Gearbest: 199.99 USD
• Geekbuying: 199.99 USD
• TomTop: 218 USD – Coupon Code:  LQPYCA30
• Aliexpress: 191.99 USD (official YI store) – EU stock available!
• Amazon:

SJCAM SJ7 Star

• SJCAM: 199.00 USD
• Banggood: 183.20 USD
• Gearbest: 165.99 USD – Coupon Code: ocuyhg
• Geekbuying: n/a
• Camfere: 199.00 USD 
• Aliexpress: 199.99USD (official SJCAM store)
• Amazon:

Xiaomi Mijia

• Banggood: 139.99 USD
• Gearbest: 122.24 USD – Coupon Code: GBCE
• Geekbuying: 129.99 USD
• TomTop: 129.99 USD – Coupon Code: HTYMJC30
• Aliexpress: n/a

Conclusion

Even tough I don’t show the direct spec comparison of GoPro Hero5 and YI 4K Action Camera, I did an extensive comparison of these cameras during my trip to Iceland. YI 4K lacks a few features, but in terms of image quality it’s legit to compare them.

Image Quality:
I can’t decide which one is better. Sometimes I prefer the GoPro HERO5 image, sometimes the YI 4K footage. Depends on the light situation which one is the best suited. HERO5 is a bit sharper, whereas YI 4K is a bit softer and warmer. That’s of course with auto settings, not Protune or YI Flat and edited afterwards.

GoPro HERO5 black:
Audio is outstanding! Better than on any other action camera I had before. GoPro Hero5 black has 3 mics and chooses the best audio stream and filters wind noise very good. That’s the cam to go for when audio is important to you.
Waterproof without case is such a great feature I wouldn’t have expected it to be such an important factor. Currently I’m traveling and it is raining a lot. You don’t have to care if you should take a housing or not, just take the camera and you are ready to go. While you still can access all settings very easily.

YI 4K Action Camera:
Battery life is really awesome on YI 4K. I am constantly down to 1% on Hero5 black, when YI 4K is still way over 15% (when the indicator light turns red). Even tough the Hero5 battery is brand new and I loaded my YI 4K battery several times. I turned off all features on Hero5 (voice control, GPS, wifi, Bluetooth,…) still it runs out first every time.
Display if waterproofing is not needed I prefer the YI 4K screen & menu. Not only it is larger, the response is also better and I prefer the menu structure.

SJCAM SJ7 Star:
Compared to YI 4K Action Camera, SJ7 Star offers some features which might be interesting for you: external mic is not available on YI 4K due to the micro USB port. SJ7 Star uses a mini USB port and is therefore available. It also offers a HDMI port if that is important to you.

Entry Level native 4K cameras

The following three action cameras represent the entry level of native 4K action cameras. Be aware you will fond 40 USD cameras offering “4K video”, but it is not native. These cameras record a lower resolution and scale it up to 4K! All of the below have again a little less features, non of them a touch screen e.g. But again, if you can live without it, you can save again:

* a newer version of Thieye T5 go a 2.5mm port.

Price & Deals

Firefly 8S

EKEN H8 Plus

• Banggood: 116.99 USD
• Gearbest: 125.99 USD
• Geekbuying: n/a
• Aliexpress: 139.99 USD
• Amazon: n/A

Be aware there is an “EKEN H8 Pro” which has a lower spec sensor and no image stabilization! Learn more about the difference here.

THIEYE T5

• Camfere: n/a
• Banggood: 135 USD
• Gearbest: 111.99 USD – Coupon Code: thieyet5e
• Geekbuying: 119.99 USD
• Aliexpress: n/a
• Amazon: n/a

Conclusion

In terms of processor and sensor these three cameras are the same and have a pretty much similar image quality. It depends on other factors which cam to go for. If you want to use an external microphone, EKEN H8 Plus is out of the race. Mic in works differently on the other two cameras: Firefly 8s uses its mini USB port, while Thieye Te is equipped with a 2.5mm port. Careful this feature was introduced later, so check which cam you will be getting!
Thieye T5 comes with less accessories than the other two cams, only the a quick release mount is included hence a 2nd battery.
If you want to use your camera for FPV flying, go for Thieye T5 or Firefly 8s, they offer A/V output.
Another factor might be the included App and it’s features. I’ll add some screenshots to this article.

Other famous brands

Action Cameras are also available from other famous brand names including Nikon, Garmin and Ricoh. They all have about the same price tag as Hero5 black.

to be continued