Initially, action cameras were invented to record stunning extreme videos, the creators were able to captivate the audience with the very idea of such cameras, while optimizing the production process so much that now, at the peak of their popularity, almost everyone can buy an action camera. The choice is not limited to standard GoPro - a huge variety of cameras allows you to find the best for any hobby and at an affordable price. For those who decided to purchase - we reviewed best action cameras of 2015.
10. Ricoh Wg-M1
Ricoh Wg-M1 impresses, first of all, with its appearance. The “armored” action camera looks like a gadget for an iron man - and is really ready to survive a huge number of adversities. However, for 16,000 rubles we are offered not the most convenient camera and average shooting quality - albeit FullHd.
9. Ion Air Pro 3
Ion Air Pro 3 has limited functionality due to size, but still, even best action cameras of 2015 give way to her in one way - in the ability to shoot underwater without a special box. It looks like a flashlight and a very impressive camera was created just for this - and a widescreen lens and the ability to record in FullHd / 60c to help you.
8. Garmin Virb Elite
Garmin Virb Elite claims the title best action camera 2015 for skiers. Here, for this, many interesting functions have been created: speed sensors, and, for example, GPS navigation. But the camera itself turned out to be average - even despite FullHd, the color rendition here is an order of magnitude worse than GoPro - which is very strange at a price of 21,000 rubles and the much larger size of the camera itself.
7. Sony HDR - AS100V
In terms of recording quality, the AS100V does to any competitor - even the GoPro Hero 4 and Panasonic HX - A500. Particularly pleasing is the wide angle of view - much wider than that of competitors. In general, the quality of the recording is best action camera of 2015. However, the AS100V has a huge minus - it does not look like an action camera. Yes, a large set of accessories can fix it in any position, but it’s hard to find a person who prefers her GoPro - even despite the difference in price. Sony product today costs about 12,000 rubles.
6. SjCam Sj4000
For 6,000 rubles, you get a camera that looks like GoPro 4 externally - but, naturally, not internally. The difference between SjCam and other GoPro clones is the presence of a display on the back - but it is, of course, not convenient. Everything else - at the level of other cheap action cameras - however, to the best action cameras of 2015 SjCam4000 is credited for FullHd's design and accessory pack.
5. Polaroid Cube
Opens our five best screen cameras of 2015 - Polaroid Cube. This is an amazingly “peppy” action camera, despite its modest size. A 45-gram baby is equipped with a five-megapixel matrix, capable of shooting in honest FullHd and immersing in water up to 5 meters - in general, it has all the reasons to be purchased. Management - through a couple of buttons on the case and a mobile application. The only drawback of the Polaroid Cube seems to be a small park of accessories, but at a price of 6000 thousand rubles, this can be completely forgiven.
4. Xiaomi Yi
The Chinese company, whose smartphones were as similar as possible to Apple smartphones, glanced at the market the best action cameras in 2015. And yes, they do the same - now their action camera is very similar to GoPro.
Xiaomi Yi is a great option for all beginners to shoot action videos. For 7,000 rubles you get an action camera that shoots perfectly in FullHd, has a wonderful design like GoPro (by the way, there are no marks on the case that this is Xiaomi) and a cool mobile application. And also - all the chips from previous versions of GoPro. The whole park of accessories of the “big brother” approaches Yi, and therefore there will be no problems with universality. The only major difference is the complete lack of a monitor at the back - all control is carried out using a pair of buttons on the case and the application on your mobile.
3. Panasonic HX - A500
HX - A500 is positioned as the first action camera with full-screen 4K video. Indeed, Panasonic achieved this earlier than GoPro - for half a year. And yet the main thing in the A500 is different - its form factor. Instead of a monoblock, the camera is divided into 3 elements: a control case, a camera, and a connecting cable. Due to this, the Panasonic A500 is recognized as the camera with the most convenient controls. However, there are big problems otherwise. So, for example, fixing the camera itself is quite difficult - the horizon is constantly falling over. Yes, you can control the camera through a control unit with a screen, but it takes time. The standard set of fasteners is also frustrating - a very headband rubs his ears - wearing a long time is corny. But it pleases the number of accessories where there was a place even for microphone heads. In general, at a price of 15,000 rubles, I want to call the A500 the best action camera of 2015 in the nomination “budget competitor GoPro”: here there is 4K video, a large number of accessories, and a convenient mobile application. And yet - a huge space for improvement.
2. HTC Re
In general, HTC Re hints with its appearance that this is a camera for real travelers - moreover, with a clear bias towards research. However, in reality, the camera is intended, rather, for convenient selfies (just imagine how it looks on a selfie stick!). Despite its appearance as a submarine periscope, HTC Re does not cope well with immersion in water (without additional accessories it falls only a meter), and with any extreme sorties - it is corny lacking accessories to successfully fix on you. And yet, among the best action cameras of 2015 for a reason. It's simple - HTC Re is very stylish and comfortable. With her, it’s really convenient to take selfies, shoot simple videos and travel. Its ergonomics (just 2 buttons on the case) makes it easy to take photos and videos - even in slow motion. Quality - Stable FullHD. And also - a very cool mobile application - here HTC show all their experience in creating smartphones and peripherals. The application’s functionality is colossal, we won’t describe it - we’ll only say that it allows, for example, direct video conferencing. However, whether all this costs 12,000 rubles is a good question.
1. GoPro Hero 4 Black
To choose best action cameras of 2015 and not call GoPro - impossible. GoPro is still the main action camera in the world and a must-have tool for any extreme. Hero 4 Black speaks in favor of a huge number of accessories for all occasions of extreme life, convenient applications on Google Play and the AppStore, excellent 4K video quality (the main feature of Hero4 Black), and significantly improved recording quality in dynamics. Among the shortcomings, one can single out the same inconvenient interface and the lack of a touch screen (everywhere except for the Silver version), and also its price in the Russian market - all the same, this is an average of 28,000 rubles.