The first camera that was available for sale was Kodak. It was made available in the year 1888.
From those times to today we have come up with a long journey. Earlier the cameras were bigger in size and were not compatible with using everywhere such as shooting in extreme adventurous events. This was all due to the size and instability of shots by the camera.
In current times there are lots of action cameras that are very compact in use.
GoPro has brought a revolution in the market of action cameras. They are very compact in size and the quality they offer is also unmatchable. The great accessory support has made its youngsters’ favorite camera. YouTubers have a lot of craze about this camera.
GoPro has multiple camera models from basic to High end. Fashion influencers and Travellers mostly use GoPro cameras to shoot their videos. Though they were made as action cameras, they have gained a huge customer base in almost all sections of camera lovers.
The only downside of GoPro is that they have high price tags attached to them. Though this quality is worth that price beginners need to go for other options due to price.
Guys, my very first advice to you is to prefer GoPro only if you can afford it. Move to other alternatives only if you are tight in the budget because GoPro has got unmatchable features.
Also Read: Best Videos Editing Software For YouTubers
Some Tips For Beginners
Here is the list of some points that beginners need to consider before buying a camera or GoPro alternative:
- Camera should be equipped with OIS or EIS to remove vibration from videos.
- A budget action cameras should support at least 1080/60FPS video recording.
- Build quality should be good
- If you are looking for an action camera then it should have at least 10 M of water pressure to make it waterproof.
- Good accessory support is a must.
The Internet is full of GoPro alternatives that are CRAP🤔 in real. Today in this article I have come up with a list of GoPro alternatives that surely serve the purpose at even low prices. I have included features of the cameras listed for your convenience. I hope you find this list helpful. Let’s Begin:-
Most Affordable Action Cameras in 2021 (Top GoPro Alternatives)
1. AKASO EK7000 [Winner]
Price: 49.99$
See its more than 16,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 average rating and you will know why AKASO EK7000 is at the first place of our list.
The first camera in my list of best GoPro alternatives is AKASO EK7000. It is a budget action camera that will cost you just $75 on Amazon.
It has got a 12-megapixel sensor and a 170-degree wide-angle lens. It is also equipped with Wifi and HDMI connectivity. EK700 is waterproof at a depth of 100ft. and has got a 2 inch LCD display.
It is powered by 2 rechargeable batteries with a recording capacity of 90 minutes with a full charge. Its burst mode can shoot 30 frames per second.
EK7000 can shoot 4k videos at 25 FPS. It comes with a wireless wrist remote that makes its controls quite convenient. Considering all the features above this camera is good at its price.
Key Features:
- 4K recording
- Remote control [Wrist Watch Remote]
- Wireless sharing
2. Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 [First Runner-Up]
Price: 399.99$
Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 has got excellent build quality with a bunch of innovative features which are an add on to its clear video recording. There are numerous other things that make this camera the best GoPro Alternative to choose in 2021.
VIRB is a small camera with a lot of features that are packed in its tough body. This camera is not waterproof on its own but comes with an external waterproof housing which can stand waterproof at depth of 131 feet. This housing does not affect the quality of shots and voice recognition.
The 4k recording is also possible at 30 FPS and also there are some extra recording options too. It has got amazing WiFi connectivity which helps you to connect with your phone and you can also stream youtube videos on it.
Battery life is limited and drains faster when you record at higher resolutions.
Key Features:
- Excellent connectivity thanks to solid voice recognition and the G-Metrix system.
- Compatible w/ GoPro mounts and accessories.
- Excellent video and image quality.
3. Campark V40 [Second Runner-Up]
Price: 139.99$
If you are low on a budget and looking for an action camera as an alternative to GoPro then you can surely go for Campark 4K. It will cost you only $40 from amazon. It comes with 4k recording at 30 FPS. And is equipped with a SONY IMX206 sensor.
You will also get dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth to control the camera and will also you to share the media using your mobile. It is equipped with EIS to keep your images still and out of vibrations.
There is a 2-Inch display for input and output and is not a touch screen. It comes within an inbuilt battery which can last for 2 hours while shooting continuous videos at 1080p.
Key Features:
- 4K recording
- External mic included
- Remote control
4. Yi 4k +
Price: 150$ (Approx)
The Yi 4k is another one of the best GoPro alternatives which come in 1/2 of GoPro price. It has a touch screen and also long battery life for the best 4k videos recording at high resolutions.
If you are looking to buy GoPro Hero 4 then you can surely replace it with this camera at a low price. 4k video recording is possible up to 30 FPS and 240 FPS at 720p. The video quality is quite good.
Since this camera is a low budget camera it lacks some camera modes which are present in GoPro.
The touchscreen provided also suffers a lot in bright sunlight. It has got not additional accessories and housings. You have to purchase everything separately.
Key Features:
- Solid 4k video recording.
- Large responsive touchscreen.
- Great battery life.
5. Dragon Touch 4K
Price: 42.99$
Dragon Touch 4k is a reliable camera that offers rich features with modern designs. The shots are very rich in colors. This camera is most suitable for lifestyle bloggers. It is equipped with EIS(Electronic Image Stabilization) which makes the images free from instability. It can also be controlled remotely which it a worthy GoPro alternative.
It supports 4k videos at 30fps and full HD resolution at 60 FPS. A huge collection of accessories come with this camera such as Shock Proof and waterproof housing etc. Its 900 mAh battery lasts for 1.5 hrs continuous HD video shooting. You can confidently take it to your adventurous tours.
Key Features:
- Supports 4K
- 170-degree wide-angle camera
- EIS available
6. Akaso V50
Price: 119.99$
Akaso is a nice camera that performs very well and will surely meet your expectations as a GoPro Alternative. AAAT $100 you will get a 4k recording camera, a remote control, and extra batteries too. It is really a sweet steal deal.
If you are looking for an economical action camera then you should go for this one. It can record videos at 30 FPS and also inbuilt image stabilizer(EIS) to remove the vibrations from the video. the microphone is not that good but good at this budget.
The remote control can be used to start and stop recordings. You can also link up your smartphone with a camera. There are USB and HDMI ports too on this sporty camera.
Features:
- Clean 4K recording.
- Additional remote and batteries.
- Very affordable.
7. SJCAM SJ7 Star
Price: 199$
SJCAM is a budget-friendly camera with a competitive 4k video recording and a touchscreen. This camera gives a tough competition to all other action cameras including GoPro.
It offers various video recording options that other cameras offer. The video quality of this camera leaves no complaints from the users. There is an inbuilt EIS to eliminate vibrations and make the video smooth.
Good use of technologies is made on this camera. The body of the camera is also very durable and is made from tough aluminum. All the camera controls are offered from the LCD main menu only. The LCD in this camera suffers from glares in bright light.
Key Features:
- Excellent 4k video recording.
- Decent image stabilization.
- Good price.
8. Crosstour Action Camera
Price: 42.99$
With recent upgrades, Crosstour Action Camera has also got into a competition of budget action cameras. it will cost you only $40 on amazon. It has got a 2-inch screen with small bezels which give it a modern and stylish look
4k video recording is also very awesome. It comes with a dual-band WiFi and you can take it with you while swimming up to 40 meters of depth. Out of Box, it has got 1050 mAh battery which will surely give you long HD videos recording time. the Gyro based stabilization enables smooth video recording.
It has a dedicated application that can be used to control remotely from your device. With all these features and an attractive price tag, this camera becomes a good GoPro Alternative in 2021.
Key Features:
- 4K recording
- Great underwater performance
- Sturdy design
9. VanTop Moment 3
Price: 36.99$
VanTop Moment 3 is another action camera on our list. This is an inexpensive camera that offers you all the basic features of GoPro cameras. It offers you 4k video recording at 30FPS. The still shots by this camera are also amazing.
This camera uses a premium sony sensor and gives you the best results. It has got 16bMPcamera and you can take ultra-wide videos at 170 degrees. 60 FPS video recording feature is also available for this camera.
There is wireless connectivity through Wifi and it can sustain the underwater depth of 30m. I would personally suggest you buy this camera if you are looking for an affordable camera.
Key Features:
- Sony sensor
- Can record 4K videos
- Advanced EIS
10. Polaroid Cube
Polaroid cube is the most attractive camera on this list. This camera is so cute in looks. It is also one of the smallest GoPro alternatives in this list. The pictures and videos shot on this camera are a perfect balance of light and contrast.
The recording capabilities of these cameras are not up to the mark but the design of this camera is very loved by users as it comes in very handy.
On the bottom of the camera is a magnetic surface that is used for mounting the camera to other metal objects. This camera has the only button that is used for taking pictures and recording videos and also turning the camera ON and OFF. There is no live screen on this camera.
Key Features:
- Small and portable.
- Cheap.
- Good Quality Video
11. TomTom Bandit
This rugged camera with savvy design has really attracted everyone towards it. It is so much compatible with GoPro mounts. TomTom is one of the best alternatives to GoPro cameras. It is very much compatible with GoPro accessories. It has got a very hard body and is also waterproof.
You can make it fully waterproof by installing a sperate dive cover that comes with it. It becomes waterproof up to 131 ft. Tomtom has got flexible connectivity and features which makes it lived among the users.
In-camera menus are also very easy to navigate and changing settings are very straightforward. You can download the TomTom app to control it from your mobile.
Key Features:
- Easy to use.
- Great connectivity that allows for fast editing.
- Great battery life.
12. Olympus Tough TG-Tracker
Price: 450$ (approx)
Olympus Tough tracker has got robust designs that make it suitable for shooting in tough conditions too. Its bullet shape makes it look more aggressive. The camera is lightweight and weighs only 180 gms.
This camera easily fits into your pocket and is also waterproof. Olympus is very easy to use. To change settings and shoot videos there are multiple buttons on the camera. The LCD screen given flips out but cannot be rotated.
There is also one small LED light available for low light shooting. The FOV of the Olympus is 204 degrees, which is even more than the GoPro. The 8MP sensor of this camera produces decent images but they lack contrast sometimes.
Key Features:
- Environmental sensors
- Fully waterproof
- Excellent performance
13. iSaw Edge
Price: 399$
iSaw Edge is built with the same features as GoPro and is offered at very low prices. Images and Videos are of very good quality and give tough competition to GoPros. This camera can shoot 4k but at low fps of 10.
When put inside housing iSaw Edge is waterproof up to 131 feet. There are 3 buttons on the camera and can be used for turning On and Off and starting the videos. There is a touchscreen LCD screen as well but it suffers from the usual glare that afflicts such screens.
The battery life is decent and lasts for 2 hours for shooting videos. This camera also has a dedicated app that can be used for the remote controlling camera.
Key Features:
- Cheap.
- Good video quality.
- Lots of included accessories plus the ability to use GoPro mounts
14. Olfi one.Five
Price: 149.99$
Olfi One. Five is my personal favorite pocket-friendly budget camera with very flexible controls and half of the prices than its competitors. It is a great alternative to GoPro. Video quality in the Olfi One.
Five is decent but lacking in a lot of ways. Given the price and performance, this camera is most suitable for beginners who just want to start their youtube or lifestyle blogging journey. The design is also quite unique and impressive.
Separate housing can be used to make it waterproof but it makes it quite bulky. If you are a fan of high-quality videos then I won’t suggest this but beginners can still opt for this camera.
Key Features:
- Smaller than a GoPro.
- Very easy to use thanks to effective LCD screen and buttons.
- Good price.
15. Drift Ghost X
Price: 99.99$
This camera is from a US-based company named Drift innovation. this camera is a cool GoPro alternative loaded with a lot of features. Though it is a bit expensive. It was released back in 2016 and is receiving continuous updates since then.
The camera comes with the 12MP Sony IMX117CQT 1/2.3 CMOS sensor with 4GB NAND Flash and 8GB DDR3L (low-voltage) memory. It also has got dual-band WiFi connectivity over 2.4ghz and 5.8ghz.
It can also be connected to the drift lite app to control it remotely. The Drift Ghost X comes with a built-in 1,500mAh battery with an extra 500mAh battery which is included in the retail pack. It will cost you $99 from Amazon.
Key Features:
- Record up to 300 degrees
- Water-resistance is pretty good
- Battery life is decent
Some Frequently Asked Questions Regarding GoPro Cameras
Here I am going to list out some common questions that are in beginner minds regarding GoPro cameras:
1. Which GoPro Varient is Best for Underwater Video Recording?
Generally, all GoPro cameras are waterproof under the depth of 10m with any external housing. But I would suggest you go for housing while shooting with GoPro cameras as in to avoid risk.
2. Which One Should I Prefer GoPro 8 or Max?
If you are having a good bank balance then I would suggest you, GoPro Max, as it has got a lot of features in its budget segment. This camera is totally worth it. A bigger screen really gives you a lot of freedom.
3. Why are GoPro Cameras So Expensive?
I think that GoPro cameras are not that expensive, when we have a look upon those qualities and loaded features, everything seems quite balanced. however, when we compare GoProS with other alternatives it looks expensive but they don’t provide good customer support as GoPro does.
The Final Words
So to all my YouTuber and vlogger friends I have tried my best to bring out the best alternatives to GoPro cameras in every aspect.
GoPro cameras hold a good stand and trust of millions of users. Its amazing customer support and loaded features in the gadget are really worth paying. I wrote this article only for beginners who can’t afford GoPro cameras.
These cameras will surely serve your purpose. If you have any doubts regarding the alternatives mentioned in this article then please let me know in the comments section. I will surely guide you there.
Happy Vlogging!