Best Action Sports Cameras for Your Adventure Kit in the UK

The Campark X30 compromises nothing. Considering the price, the camera's specs are almost too good to be true. First things first, the device is able to record Ultra HD (4K) footage at 60 frames per second, something that action cameras under £150 are normally unable to do. The housing is robust enough, so you'll be able to record that extra-smooth and ultra-detailed footage anywhere, diving 130 feet (40 metres) deep, hitting double black diamond pistes, hiking the toughest trails, you choose the activity.

Oftentimes, the issue with these budget action cams is that the specs are there but, when push comes to shove, these specs are unable to provide to advertised quality. With this product, that's hardly the case. Before anything else, the EIS (electronic image stabilization) tech here is brilliant, making sure that the footage remains sharp and stable in those situations where the camera is subject to knocks and bumps. There's also the anti-shake feature that works with the EIS tech to keep the footage buttery smooth.

Likewise, the distortion correction feature will be eliminating the fish-eye effect to make the recorded video more realistic/authentic. The obligatory ISO, WDR, and AWB functions are present too, eliminating weather effects and lights, all whilst making sure that the colours remain rich and vibrant.

Apeman A80 is more adaptable than any sports camera within this price bracket that we've looked at. The specs are there and we will address them soon enough. Before that though, let's look at the package that makes this product so adaptable to begin with.

Of course, the waterproof case goes without saying. More often than not, these cameras come supplied with bike mount clips and helmet brackets, so these do not inspire much more than a shoulder shrug. In addition to these accessories though, the folks at Apeman send you a dust Cover, USB cable, universal holder, long-head and short-head screws, an extension bracket, a J-hook bracket, two adapters, one quick-release buckle, 3M adhesive sticker, a safety rope, wrist strap, and a carry bag that will let you comfortably store and transport these accessories. 

Needless to say, that's quite a package. You'll be able to easily install this camera onto most bicycles and motorcycles. The brackets, mounts, and the adhesive tape will allow you to attach the camera onto any helmet, whilst the quick-release buckle will make sure the camera does not fall down yet remains easy to remove.

You can even use the J-hook bracket and the extension bracket to turn this sports camera into a dash camera. The Dash Cam Mode will aid that, automatically starting recording when the engine's turned on and automatically saving the recorded files and shutting down when you turn the engine off. The jury is still somewhat out on this application method though as the batteries do not last (~around 90 minutes each), especially when filming Ultra HD footage.

The Akaso EK7000 has features that many top models such as GoPro have, and it gives you many video opportunities at a very reasonable price. This camera allows you to capture 4K videos (3840x2160). However, take note that when shooting a blue streak in this resolution, an image might seem a bit blurred. That is because the picture frequency for this format is 25fps. So when you need to film objects that are moving very fast, we recommend you to select 1080P mode (1920x1080) with 60 fps. The image will be sharper, then.

A built-in Wi-Fi module is another advantage of Akaso. It allows for the wireless setting of video parameters. Plus, all the videos and footage will go to your phone immediately so that you can look them through. In order to optimise this process, you will just need to install iSmart DV on your smartphone or tablet. It works well on both Android and iOs. So it will take just a few minutes to get full access to your materials via your gadget. By the way, you can control your 4K cam via Wi-Fi at a 10-15m distance.

That also expands your options a lot. If you like to capture the nightlife of your city, for instance, the Time Lapse mode will be a pot of gold for you. You can edit a photo/video easily since images are made with 0.5 - 60 seconds interval. And in case you'd like to make videos in slow motion, use the 720p mode that records at 120fps.

The Campark X25 keeps things pretty simple and that's precisely where the camera's advantages lie. First, because the device comes without twenty different accessories that most people do not need, the people at Campark were able to keep the price really low without sacrificing the important stuff.

As far as action cameras are concerned, the important stuff is usability (including performance). The included protective case will allow you to dive ~100 feet (30 metres) deep, good enough to accommodate most daring/adventurous customers. The case is shatter-resistant too, so you'll be able to explore without worrying about damaging the glass. The dustproof part comes without saying, protecting the circuitry when you switch gears and go from diving deep to biking high.

Sure, some sacrifices have been made here compared to the brilliant Campark X30 that we've reviewed above. Unlike its successor, this camera is unable to capture 4K footage at 60 frames per second, limiting the maximum framerate to 30 fps. We can extend the same sentiment towards all cameras that cost less than 50 quid though, so we're not necessarily deducting points here. Plus, the camera will let you record Full HD (1080p) videos at 120 frames per second, so you can switch between these resolutions when you want smooth footage before detailed imagery.

We will be deducting points due to the screen though. The company's settings menu is always intuitive and accessible enough and the screen that lets you manage these settings is plenty tough and durable. However, its maximum brightness is pretty pedestrian and there's no anti-glare coating, making the screen basically inaccessible under direct sunlight.

The Apexcam M90 Pro with that "pro" part is writing cheques that the camera's tech can generally cash, so we've made sure to reserve the product a spot on this list. We're not saying that the camera doesn't have its flaws though. But, from where we're standing, these flaws are basically limited to the somewhat convoluted settings menu that might take you some time to get used to.

When it comes to the specs, the product does not disappoint. For starters, there's the 20-megapixel lens that will let you capture the most detailed, nuanced, and the sharpest pictures. You'll be able to take these pictures anywhere you want since the reinforced protective case supplied with the camera boasts the IP68 rating, making the device waterproof up to ~130 feet (40 metres) deep. That's enough to satisfy even the most experienced divers. The rating also implies that the case is protected from complete dust ingress.

Naturally, the rugged case has been added to the package to aid filming before capturing images, so let's pivot towards the camera's filming capabilities. Not dissimilar to most budget sports camcorders, the Apexcam M90 Pro is able to record 3840 x 2160p (4K Ultra HD) footage at 30 fps and 1920 x 1080p (Full HD) footage at 60 fps. That's not what sells the product though. What primarily sells this product is the six-axis EIS tech that provides hardware-level anti-shake. Using the three-axis gyroscope and three-axis accelerometer, the camera's Electronic Image Stabilization feature makes sure that even the most intense movements are captured smooth and stable.