Best Stabilized Action Camera - GoPro, DJI or Sony?

For several years now, the vast majority of action cameras support underwater diving. At least, if we are not talking about budget models. So the brand new Go Pro is ready to be at a depth of 10 meters without an aquabox. The purchase of the appropriate accessory will only be needed to conquer even greater depths. SJCAM also has serious water protection, but we still wouldn’t count on it - you can find reviews of recessed specimens on the net.

Our selection includes two modular cameras. It is easy to guess that they could not get perfect water protection. Indeed, Insta360 is not only afraid of splashes. This means that it can be used in the rain, but not in the pool or the sea. What can not be said about the new product from DJI. If you unfasten an additional module with a second display, then with this little one you can dive to the same 10-meter depth. And the modest size gives the device another advantage - it can be fixed anywhere. Most of all, this process simplifies the magnetic mount that comes with the kit.

It is impossible not to pay attention to the appearance of the Sony FDR-X3000. It uses its own design.Due to it, the device is easy to point at yourself - your palm will not be in an uncomfortable position. Yes, and the microphones at this moment will be directed specifically at you, which will please any blogger. However, we will talk about this separately. Here we note the lack of full water protection. The device is not afraid of splashing - this has been verified. But no more than that, this model is definitely not worth immersing under water. And for this action camera, you need to look for specific accessories, mostly sharpened for mounting to a tripod socket. Finally, another serious drawback is the lack of a color display. You can view the finished frame only on a smartphone. There is an option with a remote control made in the form of a smart watch, but such a kit will cost even more.

The new camera from Go Pro is perfect for shooting action scenes. The fact is that its lens has a very wide viewing angle. However, not everyone likes it. Fortunately, in the device settings you can get rid of the fisheye effect by reducing the viewing angle. But remember that in this case, not the entire area of ​​​​the matrix will be used, as a result of which the video quality will slightly deteriorate, and high resolution may not be available. As for aperture, the GoPro HERO10 also has no problems with it. Rescues in the dark and a fairly large matrix. However, Insta360 still wins in this regard.But you need to understand that only the most expensive version of this action camera is endowed with an inch sensor. The majority prefers to save money by buying a variant with a module, which has at its disposal a matrix with the usual dimensions. It can be easily distinguished by a smaller lens.

The viewing angle of 170 degrees is also declared for the SJCAM SJ10 Pro. This means that the camera can be attached to a snowboard, helmet or rider's chest - any trick will be captured in the frame. But the aperture ratio of the lens used here is worse. In this regard, shooting in the dark is still not recommended. And the “old woman” Sony FDR-X3000 copes with this task without any problems. Like a miniature novelty from DJI. This device confuses only the viewing angle, which does not exceed a maximum of 155 degrees. However, this parameter is sufficient in the vast majority of cases.

It may seem that GoPro should have the largest matrix, because it is this device that is larger than all its other brothers. But in fact, Insta360 can boast of this. As mentioned above, you can find a kit with a module in which an inch sensor is built into the sale. With it, the picture quality will amaze any buyer, especially if the video is recorded in 4K resolution. However, there are no particular complaints about the operation of the 23-megapixel GoPro matrix either. What is important, shooting in 5.3K resolution is available here, which allows you to crop without losing quality at the editing stage.

Curiously, a 1/1.7-inch sensor fit into the tiny DJI Action 2. They are not even able to boast of a competitor from GoPro! Yes, its resolution turned out to be lower, but it is precisely due to this that a less noticeable amount of digital noise is observed in the dark. SJCAM and Sony have a not so large matrix. However, the second action camera does not require this, since it is mainly intended for shooting video in Full HD resolution.

The processor built into GoPro is amazing. Above, we have already said about how high resolution it is ready to shoot video. However, most will limit themselves to 4K video shooting, since such material can be edited even on relatively weak devices. Most importantly, when choosing 4K resolution, 120 fps remains available! This will please everyone who is going to shoot a full-fledged action. A similar parameter is provided by the new creation of the Chinese company DJI. The only difference is that in this mode of operation, the camera can overheat after 15 minutes. However, how often do you shoot such long continuous videos with an action camera?

If we talk about the most affordable device, then it shoots 4K video at 60 frames / s. An excellent result that should suit the vast majority of readers of the site iquality.techinfus.com/en/. What can not be said about what the Insta360 One R and Sony FDR-X3000 are capable of. They only give out 30 fps. For the first, this must be due to the fact that you have to read data from a very large matrix. Well, Sony released its action camera many years ago, when there were simply no tiny processors ready to process 4K video content at a high frequency. But it is this camera that will please you with the best color reproduction! Seriously, competitors produce a subdued picture that is only corrected at the editing stage, while the Japanese camera produces bright colors that are pleasing to any eye.

Alas, Sony, beloved by many bloggers, has an extremely poor arsenal of features. At the time of its release, it was believed that an action camera should only be able to shoot traditional video and take photos. I am glad that the Japanese have not forgotten at least about time-lapse (but not about hyper-lapse). And why is Sony not willing to release a new action camera? It would definitely have a place for a touch screen, which would greatly simplify the choice of mode and device settings.

The most versatile is the camera from GoPro. This should not be surprising, because the device was released in the second half of 2021, and the American company has put all its experience into its development.The device offers several types of interval shooting, the creation of excellent photos (remember the high resolution of the matrix) and traditional video shooting, including high-speed. Streaming is also available, for which a mobile application is used.

The action camera from DJI also received a large number of shooting modes. But making adjustments here is a little more difficult. No, the screen on the rear panel is touch-sensitive, in this regard, everything is in order. It's just that it's small in size. But if you use a smart watch, then you should have gotten used to such a display. And it should also be noted that the DJI mobile application is the most convenient.

The main problem of Insta360 is unfinished software. Almost all instances suffer from one or another software error. GoPro action cameras of yesteryear could easily freeze at any moment. Insta360 has a similar situation. And in no case should this action camera be dropped, as this leads to the separation of its modules. In the future, because of this, the connectors can break, after which you will no longer be able to use the device for its intended purpose.

As for SJCAM, a rare buyer will expect a bunch of features from an inexpensive action camera. However, this model surprised! It provides both hyperlapse shooting, and interval photography, and live broadcast through a mobile application, and even a video recorder mode! The Chinese tried to create a universal device, and they succeeded. It is also impossible not to note the possibility of simultaneously shooting video and photos - not every competitor is capable of this either. But saving the material in this mode will be in JPEG format. If you switch to a special photo mode, RAW becomes available.

For at least four years, GoPro, DJI and several other companies have been developing electronic stabilization. She gets better year after year. This is clearly seen in the action cameras that fell into our comparison. When shooting in Full HD, the device from Sony offers to activate not only optical, but also electronic stabilizer. Alas, by modern standards, the result is not amazing. The picture continues to tremble a little, especially in the corners of the frame. And if you switch to 4K video, then only the optical stabilizer remains working, and shooting on the move becomes impossible at all, unless you are ready to put up with a lot of image shake. And yet this structural element is very vulnerable. There is a possibility that after the fall of the action camera will order a long life. At the author of this material, the device fell from a height of human growth, after which the lenses shifted, and the picture became very blurry. This is solved by replacing the entire internal matrix module. Do I need to talk about how expensive such repairs are?

Now you understand why all manufacturers switched to electronic stabilization? In the new Go Pro, it is implemented, perhaps, in the best possible way. When it is turned on, you can even shoot action, as it also works at a fairly high frame rate. What is important, the action camera is able to independently maintain an even horizon. To cause a problem, the device must be rotated very strongly. By the way, the same “trick” is implemented by DJI.This camera can generally be rotated - the picture will not rotate. At least if the shooting is carried out with not the highest parameters. As for stabilization, it is implemented in this device in a similar way - there are no special differences from GoPro. Even with a direct comparison of two similar videos head-on.

It must be admitted that the worst electronic stabilization works for SJCAM. However, this does not mean that the action camera loses the comparison in a dry way. No, the final video should suit the majority of our readers. This can also be said about Insta360, which, apparently, received far from the most powerful processor. What is there to say. It is so weak that it cannot stabilize the video right during the shooting! Data from the gyroscope is written to special tags, after which stabilization based on them is carried out on a PC! And for this you will have to use a proprietary program - the manufacturer did not bother to release a plug-in for Adobe Premier Pro and other similar software. If you don't want to waste your time at the editing stage, then Insta360 is not the best choice.

The Japanese company Sony at one time made a name for itself on audio equipment. No wonder her action cam records the best sound. This is also achieved due to the lack of complete water protection - the microphones in the FDR-X3000 are not covered with special membranes. But in this model, the software fight against wind sounds is poorly implemented. You have to use a custom windscreen created in the form of a special case. In this regard, GoPro pleases a little more - several microphones located on different sides almost perfectly suppress unnecessary noise.You just need to remember the location of your fingers while shooting, otherwise you can inadvertently cover one or two microphones.

If the GoPro still has some minor problems recording high frequencies, then DJI has almost solved them. Keyword: "almost". If you still want to record the perfect sound, you will have to buy a special wireless microphone, announced by the company at the same time as the action camera.

Good sound writes and Insta360. But no more. As for SJCAM, frankly mediocre microphones are built in by this company. No, a few years ago the situation was even worse. But still, if we recommend this action camera, then definitely not to bloggers.

When using a camera from Sony, the owner may encounter one unpleasant problem. The device received a too easy-to-press video activation button. As a result, the device often starts recording on its own, being in your pocket. This leads to both battery consumption and a decrease in free space on the memory card. What is most unpleasant, you cannot quickly dump the video on your smartphone or delete it here, especially if you did not have an OTG card reader with you.

Comparing the battery life of different action cameras is extremely difficult. The fact is that this parameter directly depends on the selected mode and weather conditions. Basically, you should focus on the hour of the finished video material.In the case of GoPro, you can achieve a longer result, especially if you do not mess around with switching to resolutions above 4K.

DJI Action 2 has a unique design. This device can be used without the second module. In this case, it becomes quite miniature and light. But then you don’t need to count on long-term work either - the camera will turn off in about 20-25 minutes. The fact is that the most capacious battery is located in the additional module. When you connect it, you can count on at least an hour of video shooting. But only on the ground or in the air - remember that with this module, water protection disappears.

If you want to shoot high-quality video for YouTube or home archive, then get ready to spend a serious amount. Especially after the beginning of the shortage of semiconductors and disruptions in the supply chain. Even for a modest SJCAM SJ10 Pro, they are now asking for tangible money. But this is not a world famous brand! From now on, DJI did not begin to dump either. Her first Osmo Action cost less than the competition, offering similar functionality, and gained a lot of fans. But the sequel, released in 2021, turned out to be significantly more expensive. Of course, you can buy a version without a display on an additional module, but it will not be cheap either.

Insta360 is an overpayment for an inch sensor.Again, there is a more affordable option with a smaller sensor, but this is only suitable if you are going to shoot only panoramic video. As for Sony, now the Japanese company has concentrated on the production of miniature camcorders that are not intended for use in extreme conditions. The release of the FDR-X3000 has been discontinued, and therefore it is very difficult to find it on sale. And even if you find it on the counter of the store, the price tag will be too high. Especially for a device that shoots 4K video at 30fps or less.

How exactly are you going to use the action camera? If for a variety of purposes, then the ideal option would be to buy a fresh GoPro HERO10. We are sure that some of our readers are not even aware of the existence of such video modes that are implemented in this model. Nothing bad can be said about the electronic stabilization system implemented in it. As, however, about the one used in DJI Action 2. But this is a more specific device. It will appeal to those who like to shoot from unusual angles thanks to its magnetic base that sticks to any metal.

If you plan to shoot home archive video with an action camera, then the SJCAM SJ10 Pro will also suit you. This model also provides many video modes. And in terms of video quality, it is not too inferior to more expensive competitors.

As for Insta360 and Sony, they scored the lowest scores for a reason. The time for the second has gone, we must admit it.And Insta360 is a kind of experiment, which, in our opinion, cannot be called successful. Who wants to spend extra time on editing, processing the resulting video with a proprietary program so that it turns out to be stabilized?