Best GoPro Alternatives For A Lower Budget

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Best GoPro Alternatives For A Lower Budget

GoPro is undoubtedly the best action camera in the market, and it became the most notable company in the market by producing action cameras capable of recording and capturing your sports ventures in up to 4k resolution. However, with the high-quality and top-performance features, GoPro cameras come with a price tag not everybody can afford. Also, since men and women in motion use these action cameras to record action and adventure, there are chances of the camera getting lost, drowned, or even damaged during a stunt, so it isn't the most affordable option to purchase a GoPro. There are additional cases to protect your action camera, but the costs add up.

As of now, GoPro has come out with a number of different action cameras, with the latest being GoPro HERO9 Black - a model that features 5K resolution video recording, longer battery life, and stunning 20-mega-pixel photos.

The ever-changing and always-improving action camera market pushes the manufacturing companies into a never-ending race to claim that number one spot. As a customer, with the progressions of features that come with each new product, it becomes impossible to keep up every time a new model comes up. And with innovation comes a higher price tag. On the flip side, people should not settle for an action camera that does not meet your requirements.

That's why we compiled a list of the best GoPro alternatives for a lower budget.

How to find a good GoPro alternative camera?

A good GoPro alternative must meet the minimum performance requirements without burning a hole in your pocket. Many of GoPro competitors are Chinese manufacturers that replicate some of the best features at a reduced price tag. But apart from Chinese alternatives for GoPro, there are various other companies like Garmin, Sony, Olympus, etc., that produce some great cameras to choose from.

Here are our top GoPro alternative cameras:

These action cameras come in different shapes and sizes, and you can find a wide range of cameras to suit your needs. Look for these top specifications when making a choice:

  • Depending on what you are recording, pick the recording and picture resolution as well as camera features.
  • Take the size of the camera into consideration so that depending on the sport you choose it for, it fits perfectly and conveniently.
  • Check whether the action camera is waterproof or not (the latest GoPro is waterproof without a case), and how tough it is in rugged conditions.
  • Accessories - Make sure there are plenty of accessories available for the model you select. Some cameras will fit the GoPro accessories which would be the best options as the market is full of them.
  • Understand whether you require an LCD at the back of the camera to view your recordings or not. Cameras without it will obviously be cheaper.
  • Inquire about the camera's after-sales service, and how easy or tough it is to replace the parts or repair in case of any damage.

Buy a GoPro alternative camera and record your next adventure without having to spend a fortune, and also ensure that you receive all the necessary features but at the fraction of the cost that a GoPro would cost you! 

Whether you want a different brand or just a cheaper option, we have created this page that has a bunch of cameras for you to choose from. 

Cheap GoPro alternatives list - (Updated Dec 2020)

This page will keep getting updated as new models hit the market so make sure to check back from time to time!

DJI Osmo Action Review

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Featured image of DJI Osmo Action camera review for WAC Magazine

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Weight (KG)

0.11

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App
LCD Display

Give your creativity a chance to shine and your stunts a shot at becoming viral with the DJI Osmo Action camera! This easy-to-use camera features 4k video recording at 60 frames-per-second and a 12-megapixel lens which produces awesome and still pictures in JPG and RAW formats.

Sony FDR-X3000R 4K Action Camera

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Sony FDR-X3000R 4K Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
1080P 120/60/30 fps
720P 240/120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App

Accessories In Box

Attachment BuckleMicro USB cableRechargeable battery pack (NP-BX1)Startup guideUnderwater Housing (MPK-UWH1)

The Sony FDR-X3000R 4K Action Camera is the newest from Sony and comes with 4K recording a well as a plethora of much-needed action camera features that are great to give tough competition to the latest GoPro action cameras.

SJCAM SJ5000X Elite Camera Review

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sj5000x elite

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
2K 30 fps
1080P 60/30 fps
720P 120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Weight (KG)

0.08

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App
LCD Display

SJ5000X Elite is a great and affordable option for all daredevils and action video enthusiasts. Featuring 4K videos shot at 20 frames per second, with gyroscopic stabilization, 12-megapixel lenses, and with a low price tag, we can see why the camera is definitely a tempting deal.

For those who can’t help themselves but rush to the backcountry ASAP with their new action camera, here’s tl;dr:

Yi 4K+ Action Camera

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Yi 4K+ Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 60/30 fps
2K 60/30 fps
1080P 120/60/30 fps
720P 240/120/60/30 fps
480P 240/120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
LCD Display

The Yi 4K+ Action Camera is Xiaomi backed Yi Technology's third action camera, which was debuted at CES 2017. It gives direct competition to the recently launched GoPro Hero 5 Black Action Camera, because the Yi 4K+ is the first action camera that has the ability to record videos in 4K at 60fps.

SJCAM SJ6 Legend Action Camera

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SJCAM SJ6 Legend Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
1080P 60/30 fps
720P 120/60/30 fps
480P 240/120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

16.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App
LCD Display

Accessories In Box

1 x Waterproof Housing; 1 x Quick Release Buckle1 x Handlebar Seat post Mount1 x Curved Adhesive Mount; 1 x Flat Adhesive Mount; 1 x 3-Way Pivot Arm Mount2 x 3M Adhesive Tape; 1 x Frame Mount; 1 x Quick Release Clip for The Frame1 x Vertical Quick Release J-Hook Buckle; 1 x Universal 1/4″ Camera Tripod Mount1 x Tripod Mount Adapter; 1 x Cleaning Cloth; 1 x USB Cable1 x 900mAh Li-ion Battery; 1 x Multi-language Manual 2 x SJCAM Stickers

The SJCAM SJ6 Legend Action Camera has been released along side the SJCAM SJ7 Star Action Camera, and can record 4k interpolated footage.

Drift Ghost 4K Action Camera

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Drift Ghost 4K Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
1080P 120/60/30 fps
720P 240/120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App
Comes With Remote

Accessories In Box

1 x Remote Control 1 x Remote Control Strap 1 x Universal Clip 1 x Flat Adhesive Mount 1 x Curved Adhesive Mount 1 x USB-Mic Converter 1 x MiniUSB Cable

The Drift Ghost 4K Action Camera is the newest from Drift Innovation, after the success of its predecessor Drift Ghost-S. It is the first action camera from the company to have a modular design and the ability to record videos in 4K. It has been created specially for bicyclists and motorcyclists who need a camera that is great for helmet mounting.

Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Camera

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Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
1080P 120/60/30 fps
720P 240/120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App
LCD Display

Accessories In Box

Waterproof caseLithium-ion batteryCharging/data cableFlat and curved adhesive mountsStandard and vertical mount adaptersShort and long screwsShort and long extension armsWrenchAnti-fog kitGarmin VIRB stickerDocumentation

The Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Camera is a compact, lightweight and waterproof camera that is easy to use and records spectacular footage in ultra HD. It can record videos in 4K/30fps, as well as 2.7K/60fps, 1080p/120fps, 720p/240fps and 480p/300fps with crisp, brilliant detail.

Olympus Stylus TG-Tracker Action Camera

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Olympus Stylus TG-Tracker Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
1080P 60/30 fps
720P 240/120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

8.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
LCD Display

Accessories In Box

Strap, LI-92 battery, F-5AC Adapter, CB-USB10 Micro USB cable, Mount Coupling Ring (MC-T01), Joint Screw (JS-T01), Standard Lens Protector (LP-T01), Underwater Lens Protector (UP-T01), Steady Grip (SG-T01), Manual, Warranty and Quick Start Guide.

The Olympus Stylus TG-Tracker Action Camera is another entrant in the 4k action camera race and features a very rugged design that can take on any conditions, as well as 7 sensors, apart from its 4k capabilities.

Contour Roam 3

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Contour Roam 3

Specs

Max Video Resolution

1080P 30 fps
720P 60/30 fps

Megapixels

5.00

Weight (KG)

0.36

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App
Comes With Remote

With the Roam3, Contour seems to be aiming for a camera that is an upgrade on Roam2, but is still easier to use and less expensive to buy than the +2.

Unlike the other 2 models, the Roam3 doesn’t have mobile connectivity, GPS video mapping, live streaming or an external microphone jack. But it does feature a 270 degree rotatable lens and a 170 degree field of view, a laser alignment system, a complete aluminum body and a locking instant-on record switch.

Polaroid XS100i Wi-Fi Extreme

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Polaroid XS100i Wi-Fi Extreme

Specs

Max Video Resolution

1080P 30 fps
720P 60/30 fps

Megapixels

16.00

Weight (KG)

0.13

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App

Accessories In Box

HDMI/USB Cable,  Mount-Lock + Key,  Secure string,  Carrying pouch,  Bike Mount,  Manual

The Polaroid XS100i Wi-Fi Extreme is an exciting action camera that is great for capturing footage of adventure sports. It has the perfect combination of functions, quality and durability to provide easy recording as well as amazing features like G Sensor, Dual File Recording, Vibrates, Ultra Light, etc.

Veho Muvi K-Series K2 Pro 4K Action Camera

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Veho Muvi K-Series K2 Pro 4K Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps
1080P 60/30 fps
720P 120/60/30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

Camera Features

Wireless Connectivity
Mobile App

Accessories In Box

Rugged CaseSilicone CaseLCD Smart Touch Screen1500mAh BatteryK-Series Tripod MountCMOS ProtectorCurved 3M MountFlat 3M MountRight Angle MountUSB Charging CableMuvi DecalPrinted Quick Start GuideManual on CD

The Veho Muvi K-Series K2 Pro 4K Action Camera is a step up from the previous Veho Muvi K2 NPNG, and can now record videos in UHD 4K, as well as take pictures in 12MP. Apart from 4K, it can also capture videos in 2.7K, and full HD videos in 1080p at 60fps or 720p at 120fps for perfect slow-motion playback.

Mobius 2 HD Action Camera

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Mobius 2 HD Action Camera

Specs

Max Video Resolution

1080P 60/30 fps

Camera Features

The Mobius 2 HD Action Camera comes after the massive success of the company’s first action camera, the Mobius. This new camera is capable of recording videos in 1080p HD quality at 60fps and comes with a smart software, allowing you to use the camera for a plethora of activities!