GoPro alternatives under 100 euros: What can cheap action cams do?

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GoPro alternatives under 100 euros: An overview of five inexpensive action cams

On the bike, while skiing, in the water and in the air. Action cameras have become indispensable in many outdoor sports. We present 5 inexpensive GoPro alternatives.

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Action cameras are among the high-flyers in the electronics market. Under water, in the air, on snow or in the mountains – outdoor fans can hardly do without the pocket-sized cams. We present five inexpensive GoPro alternatives and their features.

Action cameras are a bit like bluetooth headphones. A top dog has the segment under control, mostly delivering high-quality, but also correspondingly high-priced products. The US company GoPro has been setting standards for popular action cams for years – in terms of design, but also technically. With their Hero series, the Americans are omnipresent in the global market for robust cams for outdoor action. The new HERO9 creates videos with a resolution of up to 5K. But as with the AirPods from Apple, the classy cams from California also have their price. For the HERO9, that’s just under 400 euros. And the SD card is not there yet. That has to be cheaper, believes the competition and is constantly working on alternatives to steal GoPro market share. But what can the inexpensive outdoor cameras do for mountain bikers, skiers, divers and the like? In the following article we present five GoPro alternatives for less than 100 euros.

1. Rollei 7s Plus

The traditional North German camera manufacturer Rollei has also discovered the market for action cameras and offers different models in the lower to medium price segment. The 7s Plus is particularly noticeable due to the extensive range of accessories that are included in the scope of delivery. In addition to a small remote control, a bicycle and helmet holder, several adapters, an underwater protective housing, a replaceable battery (850 mAh) and a Velcro strap are part of the overall package. The action camera itself is equipped with a 2-inch display that can be operated via touchscreen. The device has a micro USB and a micro HDMI interface (type D). Time-lapse and slow-motion modes are available for video experiments. Otherwise, the 7s Plus films in four resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD. The maximum battery life is specified as 85 minutes. Here is the Rollei 7s Plus Action Cam.

2. AEE Lyfe Silver

The Chinese manufacturer AEE is competing with the giant GoPro in Europe with a whole range of inexpensive action cams. The Lyfe Silver comes with a 1.8-inch display, which corresponds to around 4.5 centimeters and is therefore a little less comfortable than the LCD screen of the competitors in this price segment. Navigation is carried out using a touch screen. It films action videos in 4K and delivers images with a resolution of a solid 16 megapixels. Time-lapse recordings are also possible with the Lyfe Silver. AEE has also integrated a slow motion function. With the housing (included), the camera should be waterproof. According to the manufacturer, the lithium-ion battery is enough for 90 minutes of video action. The Bluetooth and WLAN-enabled cam is supplied with a battery, housing and various brackets. The appropriate memory card (microSD or microSDHC) must also be purchased.

Action cams in comparison can be viewed here.

3. Renkforce RF AC4K 300

The accessory package for this action camera with the Renkforce label, a Conrad Elektronic own brand, is even a bit more extensive. In addition to the standard range, buyers will find a special holder for the frame, an extra suction cup holder, some cable ties and five Velcro strips in the box. The battery is good with 1050 mAh and thus a maximum of 90 minutes in action mode, a maximum of 128 gigabytes of video and image data are stored on microSD, microSDHC or microSDXC. The touch display has a diagonal of a little more than five centimeters (2 inches). This device also delivers videos in 4K. According to the manufacturer, the moving images can be transmitted to mobile devices via WiFi in real time, i.e. as a live stream, via an app. The underwater housing of the 64 gram camera is supposed to withstand a diving depth of up to 30 meters. It is marked with protection class IP68. The Renkforce RF AC4K 300 is available here.

With a Conrad voucher you get the action cams even cheaper.

4. GoXtreme Rebel

Compared to the other cameras presented here, the GoXtreme model “only” films with 30 fps (frames per second) and not even in 4K, but in HD quality (1280 x 720 pixels). Interpolated, i.e. through mathematically calculated intermediate images during post-processing, the resolution increases to Full HD according to the manufacturer. The display is 2 inches (approx. 5 cm) and the camera can be remotely controlled using a free WiFi app with a smartphone. The housing should reliably protect the technology up to a water depth of 30 meters. In addition to the camera body, two housings (underwater and outdoor), various adapters for helmet and bike as well as the battery (900 mAh) and a practical tripod adapter are supplied. The only compatible microSD memory card is also not included in the scope of delivery. USB 2.0 is available as an interface. Here’s the GoXtreme Rebel Action Cam.

5. Lamax X9.1

This cheap GoPro alternative comes from Czech production. The Lamax X9.1 films in 4K (at 30 fps) and Full HD resolution (at 60 frames per second). The manufacturer has installed a 2-inch LCD display. The functions of the camera can be controlled via a remote control on the wrist. The image and video data encoded with H.265 can be transmitted to various end devices via WiFi using the in-house app. The accessories are also impressive. The Lamax X9.1 comes with numerous adapters, outdoor and underwater housings, a battery (running time according to the manufacturer about 90 minutes) and a small bag. The Lamax offers the standard slow-motion and time-lapse programs as video modes. The Lamax X9.1 is available here.

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