Although the smartphone camera has become advanced and capable of shooting 4K videos, it cannot accompany you in adventurous places like action cameras. The design of 4K action cameras is compact, pocketable, and easily attachable which is highly suitable for shooting action movement. In addition, 4K action cameras bring 4K video quality and high-definition photos with image stabilization. Additionally, this special type of camera mostly comes with great waterproofing, shock proofing feature, and wind-resistant microphones for better recording. Significantly, such a camera provides you various features for multi-purpose use such as time-lapse, slow motion, burst mode, and driving mode. If you are looking for a 4K action camera that suits your requirement well, check out our reviews of 4K action cameras below.
Table of Contents
List of Top 10 Best 4K Action Cameras
10. insta360 ONE R–4K Action Camera
This ONE R twin edition surprisingly offers you a 360 degrees camera and 4K 60 fps wide-angle shot. Adding to that, you can preview as well as playback your shots with the swipeable 360-degree touch screen. You will no longer have to worry about the unclear shots or unsteady videos. In particular, the new scene-detection algorithm assures that the videos are quite clear and steady even in low light.
What is more, this model comes with a variety of features and shooting modes. With the intention to improve the quality of your footage, it features HDR which adjusts highlights, shadows, and other things automatically. Specifically, this unit enables you to capture a beautiful night sky full of stars. Exposure settings will be automatically adjusted to able to take a shot of the brilliant night sky once you turn on Starlapse mode.
What We Like:
- You can take a 360-degree shot with the quality of 4K.
- It comes with a feature of flash-cut auto-editing.
- It provides a variety of shooting modes.
What We Don’t Like:
- The touch screen is not quite responsive.
9. Neewer G2 4K WiFi Sports Action Camera
Seeking a wide-angle Wi-Fi Action Sport camera to capture exciting moments during the trip? Neewer G2 is a good choice to enhance your photography experience with many features along with a large accessories kit that satisfies your needs. In order to offer you a fascinating operation experience, this model comes with a 2-inch sensitive touch screen.
Additionally, you can rest assured that your footage looks professional with its 4K/30fps video and 12mp photo resolution with EIS. The 50-in-1 accessory kit consists of mounts, straps, and harnesses that will ensure the safety of your camera while you are having fun. If these features do not satisfy you yet, it also provides you multiple modes which are applicable beyond your expectation. Those multiple modes include time-lapse, burst mode for continuous shooting, loop recording, exposure, and more.
What We Like:
- It is compatible with any operating system of devices.
- Various useful camera modes
- Built-in Wi-Fi and wireless operation
What We Don’t Like:
- The photo resolution is not quite satisfying.
8. HLS Underwater Action Camera
Searching for an action camera that is multifunctional with great stabilization? This model is exactly what you need when you have to record your adventurous activities. Its durable waterproof case lets you capture every exciting moment of your activities such as swimming, diving, and surfing. Specifically, this model from HLS features ultra HD 4K 30fps & 2.7K 30fps video recording, 20MP offering you smooth videos and pictures.
You can also enjoy shooting your amazing moments with its 170° ultra-wide-angle lens. In addition, a function of Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) provides you various shooting such as time-lapse, loop recording, and more. Speaking of time-lapse recording, you can take videos of time-lapse events at specific intervals and view them instantly. Together with the Wi-Fi connection, you can transfer photos from the camera to your devices and share them on social media conveniently.
What We Like:
- It is durable and suitable for adventures like hiking, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, etc.
- This comes with wireless remote control.
- It provides longer battery life thanks to 2 rechargeable 1050mAh batteries.
What We Don’t Like:
- Less choice of shooting modes
7. APEMAN A77 4K 20MP WiFi Webcam Sports Action Camera
For the purpose of convenient usage, this camera from APEMAN allows you to take control with a remote and an app. This model allows you to shoot 4K videos and 20MP photos in loop recording, time-lapse, and burst photos through hands-free operation. In detail, you wear a 2.4G remote control on your wrist while installing the camera on your helmet to capture all moments comfortably.
Additionally, by downloading the “Apeman” app, you can reset everything and view photos and videos via preview and playback right away. It also comes with HDMI, USB, and AV video output enabling connection with computers, televisions, and projectors easily. What is more, you have no worries about shooting during swimming, diving, and surfing since this camera has waterproof features. Surprisingly, its dual improved 1050mAh batteries make sure you can use this gadget for up to 180 minutes in total.
What We Like:
- It boosts your creativity with multi-video mode.
- You can shoot, view, and set comfortably with remote control and app.
- It comes with essential outputs that are great for use.
What We Don’t Like:
- You cannot choose an angle lens.
6. COOAU 4K 20MP Wi-Fi Action Camera
Having problems with the effect of weather and light on shooting? This model comes with ISO and Exposure Value allowing you to adjust brightness and restore the real colors of objects depending on different environments. Therefore, you can rest assured that your photos or videos will look as bright and real as the same sceneries. In view of recording clear sound, there is a 1.48M external microphone cable provided to reduce noise and improve sound collection.
Furthermore, this unit from COOAU specially upgraded waterproof depth from 30M to 40M for their customers to enjoy better performance. Similar to other models, you have two choices in controlling your camera which is a 2.4G wrist remote control and using a Wi-Fi connection. The remote control can work within 10 meters while taking pictures and videos, downloading files, and changing settings could be done on the “LIVE DV” app.
What We Like:
- Good features like ISO & Exposure Value, EIS, and rich solutions offer incredible footage.
- Provides external microphone for better sound recording
- Comes with over 20 accessories that are mostly compatible with GoPro
- Impressive functions such as self-timer, burst photo, screen saver, upside down, white balance, and so on
What We Don’t Like:
- The remote control is not quite responsive.
5. Campark X20 4K Action Camera 20MP
The X20 model gives you another level of convenience and ease. Its technology of 2-inch LCD high sensitivity touch screen lets you touch and scroll the screen smoothly. Moreover, you can set camera functions, adjust features, and frame for an accurate and amazing shot. It not only shoots an accurate picture but also a more stable and smooth picture in all kinds of sports activities. EIS technology controls the shake of movement effectively, so the image comes out steady though shot in high speed or other extreme sport conditions.
Apart from featuring professional 4K/24fps video and 20MP photo, it also has incredible burst photo mode and an adjustable wide-angle lens. This model offers you three choices of angles within a 170° wide-angle lens such as wide, middle, and narrow. In other words, you can choose the right angle that counts every detail of the scenery depending on your desire.
What We Like:
- High sensitivity to touch screen boosts productivity.
- Adjustable Wide-Angle lens improves the shots.
- It can be used under the water up to 30 meters.
What We Don’t Like:
- The frame rate for 4K resolution is a bit too low.
4. Victure AC920 4K 60FPS Touch Screen Action Camera
What makes this model from Victure a great choice is that the availability of altering different refresh rates quickly and conveniently. Thanks to the smooth touch screen, you can adjust the resolution from 4K/60fps, 4K/30fps, 2.7K/30fps, and more. Aside from shooting at different resolutions, you make sure that your footage looks stable because of the advanced 6-axis gyroscope technology.
Furthermore, this camera assures that voice recording is clear enough with the dual microphone and a Wind Noise Reduction function. It also comes with a handy remote control which allows you to operate it freely within 10 meters. Significantly, this unit is highly suitable for divers as you are definitely amazed at its diving mode. You are able to capture the stunning view underwater within 40 meters owing to its durable waterproof case. Besides, this model surprises you with useful features such as 8X Zoom, Power-On Auto-record, Photo Metering, and more.
What We Like:
- Trustable hyper smooth image stabilization
- Wind-Noise Reduction function for clear recording
- Amazing diving mode
What We Don’t Like:
- Webcam function is not available.
3. AKASO Brave 4 4K 20MP WiFi Action Camera
No more stress with a fixed wide-angle lens, this AKASO Brave 4 surprisingly allows you to customize your favorite angle ranging between 170°, 140°, 110°, and 70°. Plus, it assures you with the built-in smart gyroscope for anti-shaking that your captured videos look amazingly smooth. Speaking of resolution, you can record video at its highest resolution 4K/24fps, and shoot photos as clear as 20MP.
For the purpose of convenient usage, there is a free app compatible with the camera for sharing and editing easily. By downloading that particular app on your device and connecting them, sharing and editing is just a breeze. If you wish to view your playback on television, HDMI is available as well for that purpose of use. It is ideal for water sports like diving as well because it is 30-meter waterproof and you can check footage with a 2-inch IPS screen.
What We Like:
- Optional view angle and anti-shaking
- Wi-Fi signal and HDMI ports are available
- Comes with 5X Zoom feature
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not offer 4K/60fps for the highest video resolution
2. VanTop Moment 4C 4k Action Cameras
Similar to other models, this Vantop Moment 4C is capable of capturing videos in 4K resolution with two different frames per second as you desire. Shooting videos in lower resolutions are available as well. However, the highest resolution for photos might disappoint you a bit since it can only capture as high-definition as 16mp followed by 13mp and 8mp. Anyway, your footage will turn out perfect and smooth in both photos and videos once you turn on the Electronic Image Stabilization.
You can as well capture the best moment and shot of your action or adventurous movement with burst mode. In detail, this burst mode is able to capture a very wonderful shot during sudden movement which human eyes cannot see. With the intention to make it perform at its best, the 2-inch ultra-clear touch screen lets you playback footage and share it instantly through Wi-Fi.
What We Like:
- 2-inch ultra-clear touch screen
- Great EIS for smooth photos and videos
- Various features such as Time-lapse, slow motion, self-timer mode
What We Don’t Like:
- Photo resolution up to 16mp only
1. GoPro HERO8 Black
GoPro HERO8 Black offers you another level of the greatest performance of each feature than other models in its product line. The advanced stabilization technology of HyperSmooth 2.0 allows you to choose three levels of stabilization as you desire. With this feature, you can obtain a very smooth video ever, and especially it works with all resolutions and frame rates. Furthermore, the newly upgraded TimeWarp 2.0 comes with an ability to automatically adjusting based on motion, scene detection, and lighting.
Equally important, this feature now allows you to slow down the effect to real-time and then tap to speed it back up. Another upgrade from this model is its new pocketable design and side door for better outdoor shooting and faster battery change. Significantly, the live stream feature enables you to share the live stream on social media in 1080p via the GoPro app and save footage to the SD card.
What We Like:
- Record smoothest action videos than ever
- New Digital Lens (Narrow, Linear, Wide, and SuperView)
- Live stream in 1080p
What We Don’t Like:
- Requires a huge budget
- Photos can be as clear as 12MP only.
Buying Guides To Choosing The Best 4K Action Camera
4K action camera is such an amazing and useful tool when you want to capture your moment while going on a trip. Since there are a number of different 4k action cameras on the market that you can choose from which is a little hard. In order to ensure that the product that you are getting comes with no problem, there are a couple of points that you need to consider first. Below are some buying guides that you can make use of when buying yourself a 4k action camera.
Quality of Video recording
Although all of these cameras offer you 4K video resolution, it is essential to check the frame rates as well. Beginners or a pro, you should check the availability of different resolutions from highest to lowest so that you have various choices. The reason why framerate genuinely matters is that only 60fps enables you to edit parts of your video in slow motion.
Size and Shape
The 4K action cameras come in different sizes, shapes, and weights in spite of other built-in features. If you plan to go for a chest mount, the bulky and square ones are ideal for you. However, the bullet-shaped ones work best for placing on helmets or bike handles. Plus, we suggest you choose the ones with adjustable angle lens because the wide-angle sometimes cannot capture a moment at its best.
Stabilization Technology and Accessories
Indeed, most of the 4K action camera models offer a great stabilization technology or so-called EIS. However, accessories or equipment are also a part of the assurance of your stable and smooth footage. Choosing the camera that comes along with good quality accessories, especially mounts, is a must because great footage depends on proper attachments. In general, mounting the camera correctly ensures that you can capture the best pictures or videos at the best angle.
Battery Life
Generally, this type of camera battery can last three hours at most for ongoing filming. Cameras with longer battery life can be a bit expensive, but it assures you the productivity and quality. In any case, you should prepare a spare charging bank for the batteries if you need to film more than its limit in a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I connect my 4k action camera to my computer?
A: You can do it simply without any problem. First, connect the 4k camera with your computer via a cable. Then, go to your computer and find the folder, and you will see your files.
Q: Is 1080p better than 4k?
A: No, 1080p is not better than 4k. With 4k resolution, you will be able to see more detail.
Q: Is an action camera worth it?
A: Of course, it is. An action camera allows you to bring it with you easily without any problem thanks to the compact size. Do not let its size fool you, with this size, it will perform just like the normal camera.
How to use the 4k Action Camera
Conclusion
Overall, owning a 4K action camera is a great decision for people who enjoy adventurous activities and demand to capture those exciting moments. 4K action cameras may require a large budget, but beginners should start at an affordable price. You should consider purchasing the one that matches your requirement and serves your purpose excellently rather than goes for an expensive one. In particular, some affordable models can offer you great experience and features like expensive action cameras do as well. To purchase the one that gives you an immersive experience, you should make sure of its video quality, size, and shape, battery life, stabilization, and accessories. It is vital to check out reviews, compare tech specifications and prices, and check for the specific settings that suit your need.
Also, Check out: