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Tips for choosing action cameras from China

Here are some important features to look for when choosing an action camera.

Waterproof

More expensive devices provide a high level of dust and moisture protection. While cheaper gadgets are usually equipped with waterproof cases. Don't forget this if you are buying a diving camera.

Stabilization

The more expensive the Chinese action camera on Aliexpress, the better the image stabilization works. Electronic stabilization allows you to trim the edges of the frame when shaking or vibration occurs. Optical stabilization adjusts images by moving optical lenses relative to each other. The latter is of higher quality, so it is found only in premium devices. If the manufacturer does not provide such a function, you will have to purchase an external stabilizer separately.

Equipment

Most often, the same device can be supplied with different configurations. Buying an action camera with additional mounts, a memory card with high write speed and a spare battery is much more convenient. It's better to spend a little more upfront rather than looking for compatible accessories later. Equally important is their availability for sale separately from the configuration, since if one or another mount becomes damaged, or there is a need to replace the battery, you will immediately encounter this problem.

What to look for when choosing an action camera

Shooting quality

Modern action cameras have good modules and are capable of recording in high resolution. We recommend choosing models that can record in FullHD or 4K format. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the frame rate, it is better that it is 60-120 fps.

Stabilization

Action cameras are constantly used to film in motion, and the presence of stabilization is an important criterion. Good models may have a floating lens, which minimizes image shake.

Fastenings

Most action cameras can be mounted on your head or the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. There are special aqua boxes that allow you to conduct underwater photography and protect your device from water. When considering a purchase option, make sure you have the mounts you need, or you will have to purchase them separately.

Battery

You should not consider an action camera with a weak battery that will not last even 30 minutes; you are unlikely to be able to shoot something normal and interesting. When choosing, focus on models that can work for at least 2-3 hours, or carry an additional battery or power bank with you.

Budget action cameras from Aliexpress in 2020

Chinese action cameras that fall into this category are suitable for novice users who do not need stabilization and high image quality. You shouldn’t expect anything incredible from them, but due to their low cost, these models can be recommended for purchase.

OWGYML mini camera

Characteristics:

Display:

2.0″
Stabilization:
no
Video format:
AVI 640 x 480
Battery:
about 60 minutes

Description:

This miniature camera costs just $13 - for that money you get a waterproof case with the ability to dive up to 30 m and a variety of different mounts.

Pros:

Waterproof case
The best price/quality ratio

Minuses:

Small viewing angle 120°

Eken H9R/H9

Characteristics:

Sensor:

OmniVision
Display:
2.0″
Weight:
up to 100 g.
Battery:
1050mAh

SJCAM SJ4000 AIR

Characteristics:

Sensor:

OmniVision
Display:
2.0″ LTPS
Weight:
up to 100 g.
Battery:
900mAh

Description:

A relatively inexpensive camera with a rich set of components. Suitable for cycling, diving or as a video recorder.

Pros:

Wide shooting angle up to 170°

Minuses:

Small built-in battery capacity
The shooting quality does not match the declared 4K

Which action camera to choose on Aliexpress and what accessories to buy for it?

In principle, above we gave ratings to the most popular models of action cameras on Aliexpress. Choose from them the model that you can afford.

As for accessories, the main ones can be divided into three groups:

Mounts and boxes
Screens and remotes
Power supply devices

The most important and extensive category of accessories for the devices described are all kinds of fastenings. Therefore, if you are going to mount this gadget somewhere, then you cannot do without mounts. On Aliexpress, most sellers offer action cameras in a rich package. Which already includes various fasteners . But, if you need something special, then you will have to purchase such a mount.

You can separately purchase a mount for a bicycle handlebar, a helmet, or a tripod. Aliexpress sells special mounts for installing an action camera on the chest or arm. There are also car latches or universal “clothespins”.

To shoot underwater, such a camera needs a special transparent waterproof box . And selfie lovers need to purchase a special monopod . On which you can attach a camera and film not original tricks, but yourself.

Waterproof box

Not all manufacturers have equipped their cameras with a screen. Yes, in most cases it can be replaced with a smartphone or tablet. But, you can also buy a special additional screen for your camera.

A remote control will also be useful. It is necessary if you have fixed the camera in a place where you cannot quickly reach it. Most action camera controllers work over Wi-Fi.

For comfortable use of an action camera, it is very important to extend its autonomy by using additional batteries . After all, it will be very disappointing if your camera runs out of charge while shooting an interesting video.

In addition to an additional battery, today you can purchase a capacious power bank or car charger.

Catalog of accessories for action cameras on Aliexpress

Mid-budget action cameras from Aliexpress in 2021

The quality of shooting with cameras from this selection is much higher thanks to a wide range of equipment and a high-quality sensor. Some models are equipped with built-in or external image stabilization.

YI Discovery 4K

Characteristics:

Sensor:

Sony IMX179 (1/3.2" 8 MP)
Display:
2.0"
Weight:
up to 100 g.
Battery:
900mAh

Description:

The weakest action camera in this category. Unfortunately, there is no electronic stabilization. The Sony IMX179 sensor takes good pictures outdoors in bright light, but if you need to record in the evening, it’s definitely not suitable.

Pros:

Modern stylish design.
Remote control.
Waterproof case.

Minuses:

Lack of electronic stabilization system.
Low image resolution.

AKASO V50 Pro

Characteristics:

Sensor:

OmniVision
Display:
<2″
Battery:
1050mAh + 1050mAh as a gift
Stabilization:
electronic

Description:

The image quality obtained from this action camera is slightly better than the previous one. For $90 you get an electronic stabilization system with a 6-axis gyroscope, a built-in NFC module and an additional battery.

Pros:

Access video files via smartphone app
Remote control on hand

Minuses:

Lack of Russified interface.
Not suitable for filming in the evening.

Eken H5S Plus

Characteristics:

Sensor:

SONY IMX078 (1/2.3" 12.4 MP)
Display:
2.0"
Weight:
up to 150 g.
Battery:
1050mah
Stabilization:
electronic

Description:

Another interesting camera in this category with an ultra-wide lens with a 170° field of view. The device is equipped with a waterproof case that is rated for immersion up to 30 meters.

Pros:

The build quality is excellent.
Wide range of configurations.

Minuses:

Shooting 4K 60fps only on a tripod.

Action cameras SJ4000 on Aliexpress: review, specifications, catalog, price

The second most popular action camera on Aliexpress is SJ4000 . For 7,000 rubles you can purchase not only a camera and a waterproof case, but also various mounts, an additional battery, a monopod and even a stylish case. The camera is compatible with all GoPro accessories. This means you can buy whatever you want.

Externally, the camera has a recognizable form factor. There is a wide-angle lens on the front of the device. The viewing angle of SJ4000 is 170 degrees . The button on the front side of the gadget is responsible for changing shooting modes.

SJ4000

This device runs on an NTK96650 with an AR0330 . This action camera can shoot video with the following resolution:

1920×1080 30fps
1280×720 60fps (duplicate)
848×480 60fps
640×480 60fps

The maximum photo size is 4032×3024 pixels .

This camera has a 1.5-inch display , thanks to which you can set shooting modes and view the footage.

Overall, this action camera is not inferior to its counterpart from the more famous Xiaomi brand. The developer’s excellent solution was to provide this device with a removable battery. If you go on a long trip, you can take several batteries and increase the autonomy of the device significantly.

Catalog SJ4000 on Aliexpress

Flagship action cameras from Aliexpress in 2020

Chinese action cameras in this category are designed for professional photography during outdoor activities, diving and cycling. The cost of such devices is sometimes double or even more than what you would pay for an average budget camera. At the same time, the quality of shooting is much higher.

SJCAM SJ8 Pro

Characteristics:

Sensor:

Sony imx377 (1/2.3 "mp)
Display:
2.3" IPS Retina
Battery:
1200 mAh
Stabilization:
yes

Description:

This action camera shows excellent quality in extreme shooting conditions. The F2.8 aperture allows you to get decent shots in low light conditions. Unlike the other two cameras in the line, the FJ8 Air and FJ8 Plus, this one can shoot 4K video at 60fps.

Pros:

Good shooting in low light conditions
Support in the proprietary SJCam Zone application

Minuses:

May get a little warm when shooting in 4K and with Wi-Fi on

Drift Ghost XL

Characteristics:

Display:

liquid crystal
Weight:
up to 150 g.
Battery:
3000mAh
Waterproof:
IPX7

Description:

A very unusual action camera from Aliexpress that does not have a color display. The shooting angle is adjusted using an analog switch located around the lens, and all necessary information is displayed on the mini-LCD display. The shooting quality is excellent, as expected from an action camera in this class.

Pros:

High autonomy - 9 hours
The charging connector is hidden inside a sealed, screw-on compartment.

Minuses:

No display for watching videos
No ultra-wide-angle lens (limited to 140°)

GoPro HERO 7

Characteristics:

Stabilization:

three-axis stabilization
Screen:
2.0″

Description:

The most expensive of all the action cameras presented here. However, the device is definitely worth the money. There is GPS, automatic cloud data storage, scene recognition and 3 microphones (used for active noise reduction). The only drawback is the high cost. In the basic configuration, you will have to pay about $310 for the device. A complete set will cost $100 more.

Pros:

Excellent, vibrant images in bright light.

Minuses:

High cost of basic equipment.
Poor shooting quality in poor lighting.

Thieye T5 Edge

Price: from 5,500 rub.

This very inexpensive action camera from AliExpress differs from even cheaper analogues by the presence of a color LCD display. It allows you to crop and quickly change settings. The manufacturer abandoned the second display in order to reduce the cost - there is not even a monochrome screen that displays only the current parameters. When you point the device towards yourself, you will only see the lens and indicator lights.

Despite the very low cost, the camera comes with an additional accessory. It serves as a small remote control with three buttons. Of course, it’s easier for some to control an action camera remotely using a smartphone (and this option is also present here), but the remote control is much easier to get, and to work with it you don’t need to waste time launching the application.

The device includes a fairly powerful processor. It even allows for stabilization! This allows you to save the picture from unpleasant shaking. Of course, this feature is not available when saving videos at maximum quality. But if you use 4K resolution and a frame rate of 30 frames/s, then electronic stabilization will still work.

This action camera can automatically correct distortion. This means that it will not be obvious to the viewer that the shooting was carried out using ultra-wide-angle optics. There is also moisture protection here. We don’t recommend checking it thoroughly - Chinese action cameras regularly suffer from poor build quality, which is why water still gets inside. If you plan to go underwater, then buy a camera kit with a corresponding box, then you will definitely be free from any problems.

Advantages:

Distortion correction works;
Shooting in 4K resolution at 60 FPS is possible;
GoPro accessories supported;
Digital stabilization available;
There is a very large LCD display;
Possible control via remote control;
There is a tripod socket.

Flaws:

Uses an outdated micro-USB connector;
Mediocre moisture protection;
The functionality cannot be called particularly broad;
Average sound quality.

Buy

Budget models

In this price range there are devices that are offered up to $100. With this option, the user immediately loses the opportunity to shoot in 4K, and must also be prepared for the lack of various additional options. However, even among “economy class” devices you can find worthy examples that deservedly made it into the top budget action cameras.

MGCOOL Explorer

The main advantage of the device is its cost, which does not exceed $50. However, for such a price the user acquires a worthy product that has the following technical properties:

Matrix 16 MP;
Viewing angle – 170°;
Weight – only 55 grams with dimensions 59x41x29 mm;
The moisture protection standard is IP68, which allows the device to be used at a depth of up to 30 meters.

For viewing video there is a 2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320x240 pixels.

Another advantage is the organization of control from a smartphone via a Wi-Fi module.

Xiaomi Yi Camera

One of the first action camera models from Xiaomi and Yi Technology, which is capable of recording video in Full HD at 60 fps.

The product is based on a fast Ambarella A7LS processor. A 16-megapixel Sony Exmor R matrix is responsible for high-quality video recording, which allows you to get a clear image in any conditions.

The only drawback of this budget device is the lack of a display, so you won’t be able to view the footage. However, thanks to a special application that is installed on a Xiaomi smartphone, it becomes possible not only to watch videos, but also to control the device from a distance.

Excelvan Q8

A simple but functional device that allows you to shoot video with a viewing angle of 170 degrees. To display the image, a touch screen with a diagonal of 2 inches and 320x240 pixels is used.

The strengths include a 900 mAh battery, which provides autonomy for up to 90 minutes.

The best stores and sellers of action cameras on Aliexpress

The ranking of the best action camera sellers on Aliexpress is as follows:

SJCAM Official Store . 98.7% positive feedback. On Aliexpress for more than 3 years. Official store of the SJCAM .
Shopping In Mike's Store . 97% positive feedback. More than 3 years of work. The seller sells various electronic gadgets and components.
Yi Official Store . 97% positive feedback. Available on Aliexpress from June 2021. Official store of the Yi . It has its own warehouse in Russia.
iGeTek-3C Products Wholesaler . 96% positive feedback. More than 3 years of work. The seller sells various photo and video devices. Action cameras from the budget brand Andoer .
Electronic overseas online shopping . 96% positive feedback. Seller on Aliexpress for a little over a year. Sells various photo, video, audio and computer devices and components.
Trusted Link . 95% positive feedback. More than 5 years of work for Aliexpress. Introduces DBPOWER .

Best Action Cameras Under $300

In the price segment of more than 15,000 rubles in China, you can buy cool sports cameras that can compete on par with such giants as Samsung, GoPro and other well-known brands. Below is our selection of the best Chinese action cameras under $300.

MGCOOL Explorer 2

Another new product from MGCOOL, the Explorer 2 action camera. It is offered in two body colors, black and orange, and is about to go on sale. The camera has a nice design, as well as voice control, the ability to record 4K video and a built-in GPS module.

GPS will be used to geolocation tag your captured photos and videos so you can easily organize them and remember where they were taken. Explorer 2 also features a powerful gyroscope and electronic image stabilization (EIS) to improve image quality and stability in your videos. Among the software features, the modern H.265/HEVC codec is used, so even the longest 4K videos will not take up much space on the memory card. The manufacturer has not yet indicated the final price.

Coming soon

Yi 4K Action Camera

This gadget was created by Yi Technology without the participation of Xiaomi Tech. The camera has a plastic body, as well as a powerful 12 MP Sony IMX377 CMOS module with a 1/2.3-inch sensor size. The Ambarella A9SE processor is installed inside; the maximum shooting quality is available here at 4K/30 fps. Available colors include black, white and pink.

The display here is set to 2.19 inches with a Retina matrix; it supports not only regular touches, but also gestures. On the Yi 4K screen, you can manually set the shooting mode you need, without synchronizing with your smartphone. It can record video in 4K/30 fps mode for as long as two hours on a single battery charge, which makes it one of the best sports cameras in terms of battery life. Read our Yi 4K Action Camera review for more details.

Order on GearBest Order on Aliexpress

Yi 4K Plus

This is the second generation of action camera from the Chinese brand Yi; the new product was announced at the CES 2021 electronics exhibition, but has not yet gone on sale. Major improvements over the first Yi 4K Camera include an improved Ambarella H2 processor, a USB Type-C charging port, and EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization).

Yi 4K+ is one of the best action cameras with on-board image stabilization. The maximum shooting quality is 4K/60 fps, and the camera module here is a Sony IMX377 with 12 megapixels. Also among the features is voice control; you can play/pause videos on the Yi 4K Plus without using your hands or a smartphone.

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