8 Best Budget Action Cameras in 2024

Best Budget Action Cameras
Best Budget Action Cameras

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We look at the best budget action cameras for filmmakers who want to capture awesome footage without breaking the bank. In addition to the main leading brands like GoPro we also give you a few cheap action camera alternatives 😉

Currently, it’s never been easier to record your epic adventures and make short travel films. Whether it’s climbing up sheer rock faces in Yosemite, or Kayaking the fjords of New Zealand. Action cameras have made it possible to capture every moment, giving you the chance to relive those brilliant memories and share them with friends. It’s a chance to prove that you’re not just making it up!

However, these cameras can come at a price. Increasingly, a wide array of features such as screens, 4K capabilities, waterproofing, stabilization, size and menu options can all add up to make a real dent in your wallet. But fear not. There are alternative, cheap action camera options out there.

Obviously, the biggest fear about purchasing a cheap action camera is whether it can actually deliver. So below, we’ve researched and given you a list of our 10 Best Budget Action Cameras.

1. GoPro Hero 7 White

ProsCons
✔ Part of the GoPro family✘ Limited resolutions
✔ Simple to use✘ Limited modes
✔ Solid 1080p HD video quality✘ Non-removable battery
  • Video quality: 1440p at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps
  • Weight: 92g
  • Battery life: 2 ½ hours
  • Waterproof: up to 10m

Firstly, when looking for great budget action camera deals, it’s inevitable that one brand has to appear at least once. GoPro.

While the Hero 7 Black is not a cheap action camera (it’s out of range budget-wise along with the new Hero 8 range), the White is a great option at a very affordable price.

Similarly designed, it’ll work with all your GoPro accessories. Furthermore, there’s a big, two-inch touchscreen, waterproofing to 10m, voice control and in-house digital stabilisation of your footage.

Lastly, its capabilities are limited. There are just two filming resolutions: 1440p or 1080p at 30 or 60fps. But if you need a reliable, ready-for-YouTube HD camera that’s easy to use then look no further.

2. GoPro Hero 7 Silver

ProsCons
✔ Part of the GoPro family✘ Still not as good image quality as Hero 7 Black
✔ Great 4K quality✘ Non-removable battery
✔ Great audio and stabilization 
  • Video quality: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps
  • Weight: 118g
  • Battery life: 2 hours
  • Waterproof: up to 10m

Moreover, if you’re willing to push the boat out a little further, you can now pick up the GoPro Hero 7 Silver for a very reasonable price – not much more than the white.

Building on everything that the white gives you (video stabilisation, waterproof, easy to use), this cheap action camera is a mid-range model that provides a few more options.

Most importantly, it allows you to shoot in 4K at 30fps. The image quality is superior to the White and, although it’s by no means the Hero 7 Black, it is a great budget action camera.

3. Akaso EK7000 Pro 4K

ProsCons
✔ Half the price of the GoPro White✘ Low-quality audio
✔ Lots of accessories (including two batteries)✘ Needs extra case for underwater
✔ Comes with remote control 
  • Video quality: 4K at 25fps , 2.7K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps
  • Weight: 59.5g
  • Battery life: 1 ½ hours
  • Waterproof: up to 40m (with case)

Alternatively, at roughly half the price of the GoPro Hero White, the Akaso EK7000 Pro 4K is a very competitive and cheap action camera.

It boasts 4K capabilities, is waterproof up to 40m down (when using a case), and has a similar two-inch touchscreen along with in-house digital stabilization.

No, the battery won’t last as long as your GoPro and it won’t fit your GoPro accessories, but it’s a very tempting budget action camera. Not to be sniffed at.

4. Akaso V50 X Action Camera

ProsCons
✔ GoPro accessory compatible✘ The interface could be improved
✔ Waterproof housing up to 30m✘ No protection cover for the SD card slot or ports when the camera is out of waterproof housing
✔ 6-Axis Advanced EIS (Stabilisation) built-in.✘ No audio when in the waterproof housing
  • Video quality: 4K at 30fps, 2.7K at 60fps or 30fps, 1080p at 90fps or 720p at 120fps
  • Weight: 80g
  • Battery life: 1 – 1 ½ hours
  • Waterproof: up to 40m (with case)

Notably, Akasao has a wide range of budget action camera models available.

With the V50 X, you get a lot of bang for your buck with the ability to film at 4K in 30fps and slow-motion with 90fps at 1080p.

In addition, the camera can operate down to 40m underwater. It also has time-lapse capabilities along with metering and exposure options and comes with a whole host of accessories including a spare battery and GoPro-compatible mounts. It’s a great deal.

5. Sony HDR-AS50

ProsCons
✔ Amazing stills✘ Video quality is not so great
✔ Great design✘ Low-light performance so-so
✔ Long battery life✘ Heavy when in the waterproof case
  • Video quality: 1080p at 60fps. 720p at 120fps
  • Weight: 59.5g
  • Battery life: 2 ½ hours
  • Waterproof: up to 60m (with case)

While it may not kill the GoPro range anytime soon, Sony’s HDR-AS50 is a brilliant budget action camera, especially when it comes to taking stills.

Secondly, the quality here is spot on. And when it comes to diving, it’s superior. You’re able to operate this camera down to depths of 60m with housing! Full 1080p can be achieved up to 60fps whilst 120fps slow-motion can be shot at 720p.

Additionally, there’s built-in electronic video stabilization and the design is really streamlined with lots of mounting options. We like this one a lot.

6. Vivitar DVR783HD

ProsCons
✔ Incredibly cheap✘ Only films in 720p
✔ Comes with mounts for bikes and helmets✘ Only waterproof down to 3m
  • Video quality: 720p (framerate not specified)
  • Weight: 220g
  • Battery life: Not specified
  • Waterproof: up to 3m

Firstly, if you’re looking for an exceptionally cheap action camera then this is the one for you.

We doubt you’ll get anything cheaper, to be honest. Admittedly, with a limited spend comes limited options. The camera only films up to 720p and things like framerate and battery life are not specified.

However, it does come with mounts for your bike and helmet and it is waterproof up to 3m. It may just be what you need. A budget action camera that captures your adventures and gets up close to the heart of the action whilst not breaking the bank. That’s why you’re here!

7. Dragon Touch Vision 3 Pro

ProsCons
✔Great price✘ Audio is not crisp
✔ 4K✘ No image stabilisation
✔ Lots of accessories✘ Display is not the best
  • Video quality: 4K at 30fps, 2.7K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps
  • Weight: 150g
  • Battery life: 1 ½ hours (two batteries provided)
  • Waterproof: up to 30m

Likewise, for those who can’t justify the big bucks needed for a GoPro, the Dragon Touch Vision 3 Pro is another alternative cheap action camera.

It can shoot in 4K, it has a 2-inch touchscreen, a protective case that can take it down to depths of 30m, 120fps slow-motion capabilities (albeit in 720p), and a whole host of different modes and options.

Additionally, we love the wrist control that allows you to activate the camera and start recording from up to 33ft away.

Finally, just to sweeten the deal, the camera comes with an extra battery included, alongside a wide array of accessories, mounts, and tethers. It’s the full package and a top pick for the best budget action camera at only £33.99 on Amazon.

8. Polaroid Cube+ Action Camera

ProsCons
✔ Looks great✘ No screen
✔ Super small and lightweight✘ Nonremovable battery with short life
✔ Magnetic base 
  • Video quality: 1440p at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps
  • Weight: 59g
  • Battery life: 1 ½ – 2 hours
  • Waterproof: 30m (with additional case)

Some might think it’s a little lame, but we really like the Polaroid Cube+.

It looks fun and quirky, but it also performs really well. It can record in resolutions up to 1440p, has slow motion at 120fps in 720p and, due to its size, you can use it just about anywhere. The magnetic base helps you secure it in multiple scenarios and the one-touch button to record keeps it simple.

In summary, it reminds us of the old GoPro Session models – a great option for a cheap action camera!

Wrapping up – Best Budget Action Cameras

In short, you’ll see that when it comes to hunting down the best budget action camera, there are a lot of options. We’ve listed 10 but in reality, there are probably over 100 to choose from. Some are great. Others not so much.

Also when looking for a cheap action camera you’re searching for the sweet point between price and quality. There are some really cheap action camera deals out there but they may be slightly limited. If you want more features, be prepared to pay a little more.

On the other hand, you can find a budget action camera that comes with everything you need and gets surprisingly good video results, in 4K.

Competition works in the favor of the consumer, driving down prices. 😀

So, do your research and you’ll be rewarded!

Author
Josh Edwards
Josh Edwards
Josh is a filmmaker and YouTuber. He has a real passion for travel and documentaries. Follow him on Twitter and YouTube.
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