I want to get a budget action cam for various uses such as fixing to the car and things.
I like the look of the Turnigy Actioncam:
As it’s a sort of GoPro copy.
The thing is, I really really want an external microphone port and it doesn’t have one.
Basic requirements are:
-external mic port —must have
–1080p
-budget priced, but not naff video quality
-support for various mounting systems a bonus
You can get the sjcam4000 for a good price and great video qualiy. Techmoan did reviews of it and it works great. It even has image stabiliser. Does only 30FPS though and battery life is kind of short at about 1h. There are other newer budget models out there. Be sure to check out techmoans youtube channel for the reviews!
EDIT: It comes packaged with a ton of mount options, car mirror mount, dash cam, helmet mount, etc ….
If you can live without external mic I think the XiaoMi Yi 1080P Ambarella is a better and cheaper option than SJ4000 (and clones). Around 63 USD at GB or BG
I just bought a Foxeer Legend 1 cam. 1080p at 60fps. Check out youtube for reviews. The Runcam HD2 gets good marks too, and 60fps as well.
External mic is the most important. I already have ways of recording stuff with in built mics and I have some nice external cam corder mics I’d like to use on something better than my DV camcorder.
Hmmmm… Google sez:
I just found this budget camera. Don’t know anything about it. Supports external mic. About 1/2 to 1/3 the price of a GoPro:
Looks like it would take standard GoPro mounts. Low end model goes to 1080P @ 30fps, high end does 1080P @ 60fps, 2160P @ 24fps. Both come as a camera only, or camera with accessories kit option.
They look promising thanks.
Buying used can be a good thing on a budget too. Just don’t buy the very cheapest used one.
What are you recording with this? I usually find recording the audio after editing makes for a better video. Maybe that’s not an option for you?
I have considered recording audio separately. Never done that before. Any tips on what to use? Although it does seem more faffing.
I’ve a number of uses but mostly I want to film cars and 4x4’s but want the sound of the engine/exhaust. Not interior noise or wind noise if the camera is mounted outside the vehicle. I’ve done this before with a DV tape camcorder and it works well and is easy to do. Only one thing to start recording. No syncing after.
Yea an external mic is the way to go for that. Get one with a foam cover so it doesn’t crackle when the wind blows over it. I don’t have any outdoor mics, so I don’t have a specific suggestion.
Just came across this thread for the first time. Several of us here are also on DashCamTalk Forums which has a section dedicated to action cams. Most folks there are a lot like here; budget oriented, some are very technically inclined, and a few are sellers pushing their product. Problems get noted and solved, limitations found, and there’s even some modding going on. Check there before buying a dash or action cam and your wallet will thank you!
Phil
I know it is not budget, but for what it offers (also in terms of datarate, not only resolution is important) I’m following closely the Firefly 6S 4K 24fps 1080@60fps 720p@120fps and it’s best price to date was 96-97 USD about a week ago.
I think it’s by far the best cam videos I’ve looked on youtube, roughly better tha Hero4 if you consider the latter are a bit better “video -equalized” on board, but you could always do some post processing and compensate for that. I’m no expert, but these are my 2c.
Agree the Firefly 6S looks very interesting, they only “bad” thing i see is that it can’t actually do 4K 3840x2160 only 2880x2160 (3K).
Otherwise it looks like the biggest bang for the buck i have seen yet 
Shame it doesn’t seem to have an external mic input though. The Git2 looks promising, just going to wait until the new year though.
Any decent cam can do these specs, it’s pretty much today’s standard. Some more costly ones can do better. One of the newer bargains is the JooVuu “X” cam; better specs for ~$130 but capacitor powered only for now; batteries will be introduced soon. Going to install mine as a dashcam today.
The good old Mobius does 1080@60 and has several lens options, and goes for ~$80. Still the best ‘bang for the buck’ bargain in a dash or action cam with development and upgrades keeping it ‘modern’. A 90 degree lens/case version is made if that form suits your needs better. A newer version is due out soon as the current one has essentially reached the limits of it’s processor/chipset/CMOS.
These both have a different form-factor than most action cams which may be an advantage. Both use standard 1/4-20 mounting, both support up to 128GB cards and possibly beyond. Both use a 12mm lens format so you can upgrade, but have very good lenses as sent. Probably the bottom line in decent action cams- go any lower and you may be disappointed.
The SJ series is gaining interest and looks promising as does the Git-Up but both have some known bugs and issues. Xiomi has it’s followers but development is slow plus it still has a few bugs. GoPro is like Fenix lights- quite nice but you pay a lot for the extra you get from them. Not budget at all but maybe the best.
The market is expanding with new cams emerging, and that’s good for everyone. Just beware the fakes; they are out there so if the price seems to be too good to be true it probably is!
Phil