Help me choose an action camera

Im looking for a budget friendly, decent action 4K camera intended to record bike rides. Preferably as a kit with basic mounts and accessories. Budget around 80 Euro, if you know any good models, send the recommendations my way :+1:

These are the cameras I am using, they have been holding up great so far. Even inclusive of FPV flights (and crashes)

About 85$ after rebates SJCAM SJ8

Second camera is the Eken, about 75$ after discounts

Most accessories are compatible between various Gopros and other models, the only incompatible things are some batteries and some lens diameters. Other than that, I am superhappy with these two cameras. I use them mostly for
Mountainbiking, FPV or drones, some city travel vlogging (although thanks to Covid I won’t be doing that atm).

Also looked at this one initially, but didn’t buy it. Maybe a bit too small for my hands, but unsure. Reviews online are good.

I have the SJCAM M20 that cyberpunk linked to. I bought it for the time lapse function so I can’t comment on how it works as an action camera. I think it’s ok - definitely not GoPro quality but its a fraction of the price.

M<y reason for posting is to warn that the mounting bracket and/or the clip that slides into them is not completely compatible with standard GoPro mounts. I can’t recall whether it’s both pieces or only one, but if you do get a SJCAM I recommend checking before you stick the mounts on anything and possibly just buying some GoPro mounts. All of the ‘three prong’ components are fine, it’s just the stick on mounts and clip that aren’t quite compatible.

I use a GoPro Hero 7 Black every day to record loose threats in the street during my daily seven mile walks. It is not quite budget friendly, and its reliability is semi-decentish. It has a tendency to freeze/behave balky.

GoPro is out of my price range, and those EKENs and SJCAMs looks like decent cameras for the purpose I need them for. Can anyone comment on how any of these models perform in low light conditions or during night? I would like to record even some night rides, to test my new bike lights.

They work at night, but only with external illumination or a light source, they are unable to illuminate anything without light.

So on a nightly MTB ride or motorcycle ride, the headlamps would be sufficient.

These obviously don’t have the features of a GoPro, but they are also like 70% less expensive.
You can even find lens kits on Aliexpress for them and other lens adapters, if required.

Cyberpunk, which one of those two above do you like better or see as better value for what you get? I need to buy a kit with some basic accessories, mainly chest mount and helmet mount, as I plan to use it mainly for biking.

I am a little bit biased and prefer the SJCAM, but that might be because I had another SJCAM for years and always had positive experiences with it. Honestly, the differences are not huge - these models are direct competitors and quite similar.

Picture is not exactly the same, but at the same level of quality. As with every camera model there are slight nuances. I thought the SJCAM was not as good when you film from a boat and the sunlight reflects on the water. Shot a test video across a lake.
But 1) I don’t have a boat and will probably never have one 2) sunsets are not the typical scenario in my videos and 3) I have a CPL lens.

Build quality and craftsmanship are excellent for the money.
See if they have a package that includes a chest or helmet mount 淘宝网 - 淘!我喜欢

I believe most standard accessories that are widely available should be somewhat compatible. Only exception are lenses because apparently a lot of cameras have different lens ODs.

This is the model I bought, always wanted a late model GoPro but simply didn’t want to drop an expensive camera.


It works great, but I think it is not as good as the main brands listed above.

also, DO NOT buy this one, it broke within two weeks.

Thanks for your tip USA. I wonder if there is any must have feature, that one should be looking for with these budget brands? Is there any important parameter, that makes some of the models significantly better than the rest? And lastly, is the 24fps at 4K acceptable? Or should I go for at least 30 fps?

When it comes to budget action cameras it is important to read through the features and decide which ones are a must have, and which ones are only nice to have. SJCAM is a huge brand with a ton of warehouses and support.
What I didn’t look at initially was the quality of the app. the SJCAM app is better than the one I am using. With the app, you no longer need the remote control (the physical one), IMO.
I don’t see a difference between 24 and 30 fps. With 60, absolutely, but I don’t fly drones or anything. My car rides only need 24 or so fps, it looks totally normal to me.
If you outside of the well known brands the standard accessories may not fit or you may get different kind of technical support online through others.

If I had to buy something again, I would prefer this one. The warranty alone is worth it. And they actually have local warehouses.