The best sports cameras for the outdoors

When doing sports in contact with nature, whether in the sea, the mountains or the desert, we live fantastic experiences, we enjoy wonderful landscapes, but although it is said that they are unforgettable, they can remain in oblivion. That won't happen if you use one of the sports cameras that we will present below, as all the activities you do will be recorded in very good quality. If you are thinking of buying one of these cameras, keep reading this guide, to better understand the function of sports cameras, and to get to know the models that are having the most success.

If you have never looked at a sports camera before, and are not very familiar with its functions, here are some of the activities you can use a sports camera to record:

• At WATER SPORTS. While doing water sports such as surfing or canoeing, you can wear the camera on your head or attach it to your board or canoe to record the action. One of the biggest advantages of sports cameras is that they are waterproof.

• At mountain sports. For example, when mountaineering, you can carry your camera attached to a pole in your backpack, so you can record activities on ridges or edges where you need to rest your hands. You can also record your downhill cycling by wearing the camera on your head or on your handlebars.

• As long as you practice skydiving. The images you can achieve by wearing a sports camera on your head while in the air cannot be achieved in any other way.

• At MOTOR SPORTS. While you're racing your bike or car, you can record the activity by setting the camera wherever you like.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a sports camera is that they are very light, small and easy to transport. If you are looking to spend a quiet afternoon taking photos and recording videos on the go, a SLR camera may be the best choice. But if you want to be on the move and record all your activities, a sports camera is a better choice. In addition, the resolution and image quality will be very good, no doubt about it. And although many people don't know it, it is also possible to take high quality pictures with this type of camera. However, darkness is one of the biggest limitations of sports cameras. Sports cameras are not equipped to record at night. One last tip: with a sports camera, don't shoot from too close. These cameras have a wide enough angle to get a good shot of you and everything around you.

There is a wide variety of cameras that vary mostly in performance and price. Here are some of the best:

Xiaomi YI2 4KAction

The brand Xiaomi is one of those Chinese brands that are betting big to unseat the American brands. Specifically, the model YI2 4KAction (Click to view) is one of the best cameras considering the price-performance ratio. You can find this sports camera in shops online for 130 euros. You won't think it's much more after taking a look at its features. It is equipped with a camera capable of recording in 4K. It is also a multifunctional camcorder and has the following modes among others: timelapseIt has everything you would expect from a professional camera. In addition, the battery has a battery life of 120 minutes while recording.

SJCAM SJ5000X Elite

Along with the Xiaomi mentioned above, this is one of the cheapest cameras that is capable of recording in 4K quality. This camera has a wifi connection, and a small two inch screen. In addition, it can be submerged to 30 metres. Like most sports cameras this one can also take pictures. This model has a 12 megapixel camera. The battery life of this model is about one and a half hours. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on the camera, this is one of the best options you can find.

Rollei 430

This model from the German brand Rollei is also considered to be a lower-mid-range sports camera. It is still a very good camera. It also records in 4K at 30 frames per second. Waterproof 40 m, with a wide-angle lens that reaches 170°. Battery life in operation is 90 minutes. In addition, the camera can be easily connected to your mobile or tablet thanks to the app available for Android and iOS.

GoPro Hero 5

This is perhaps one of the most popular sports cameras. This model (Click to view) costs around 330 euros. The image quality of this camera is fantastic, recording in 4K quality at 30 frames per second. Compared to the previous model, the Hero 4, this camera offers better audio capture as it has three microphones. It can be submerged in 10 metres of water without any protection. The battery life of this model is also remarkable, lasting about two hours in operation. On the other hand, the camera can be operated by voice. For example, if you have the camera on your helmet and want to record.

Sony Action Cam FDR-X3000R

It's worth mentioning the price of this sports camera beforehand: 600 euros. If you are not willing to pay that kind of money, that's fine, as there are more models at a more affordable price; but if you have that kind of money and want a high performance camera, this could be the one for you. It is considered to be the best sports camera according to some experts in the field. The camera shoots 4K Ultra HD quality video, which is four times better than Full HD. This high-end model stands out from its competitors because of its ability to capture video in motion. Even if the movements are quite jerky, the image will not be distorted. In addition, this camera also has GPS connectivity.

Garmin Virb Ultra30

Although the Garmin brand is well known for its GPS y mountain watcheshas also invested heavily in the action cam market. And with good results. The Garmin Virb Ultra 30 (Click to view) has made its mark among sports camera enthusiasts. The 4K image quality this model offers is good, but not outstanding. However, the GPS sensor that Garmin is so famous for, or the possibility of sharing live images with wifi connectivity make it special. As for the camera of this model, it is a 12 megapixel camera.

Firefly 8S

The Firefly 8S (Click to view) is a mid-range model that costs between 100 and 200 euros, depending on the promotions you can find on the internet. It is a small, lightweight camera that is capable of recording in 4K quality. The image resolution is very good. Another remarkable feature of this model is the battery life, which is 1,200 mAh. On the back of the camera you will find a 2-inch screen that is not touch-sensitive.

Xiaomi Mijia 4K

Its price and features make it one of the best selling cameras on the market. It costs around 100 euros, and has some features that other cameras in higher ranges have. For example, its powerful 1,440 mAh battery. One negative aspect of this camera is that it does not come with any accessories, which must be purchased separately. However, the recording quality is 4K and the results are very satisfactory. On the back of the camera you will find a 2.4 inch touch screen. The size of this screen is not the most common, and it is one of the largest found to date.

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 17/12/2018.