In this post, I will try my best to give you all the relevant details about the top 10 best action cameras under $100.

Follow me along.

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When it comes to the action camera industry, there is one brand that has ruled the market for quite some time now.

You already know I am talking about the GoPro cameras, they are good for outdoor adventures because of their high footage quality and versatility. One downside with these cameras is their price tag.

Most people relate an action camera with a GoPro, which has single-highhandedly made this electronic gadget a household name across America.

However, GoPro is a high end brand and getting one of its cameras is not suitable for any one on a tight budget.

Take an example of the GoPro Hero8 Black, it was launched at a starting price of $399.

One of the primary reasons why people decide to go for an action camera is that these things are rugged and protected from environmental factors in such a way that you never have to worry about their longevity.

Action cameras allow you to capture the full experience of your ski runs or scuba diving adventures.

Their solid appearance, reliable features and ease of use set them apart from ordinary counterparts.

However, action cameras do not come in cheap; especially GoPro cameras so impulsive investment may not be a great option for someone with a tight budget and not looking for pro cameras like the Hero 8 Black.

If you still want to own a GoPro camera, you might as well consider the previous models which have significantly reduced in price but still maintain good quality.

Check out the Hero7 Black, Silver, and White or the Hero6 Black.

Also, another reason to consider an action camera under $100, comes in when you want to have a taste of what different companies offer.

Let’s say you own the GoPro MAX and you want to experience what Akaso offers, I would strongly recommend in this case that you buy a budget Akaso camera like the Akaso V50X.

By doing that, you don’t have to break the bank again to get a second action camera.

Aside from that, if you are generally on a tight budget, there are good action cameras you can get with a price tag of below 100 dollars.

Some of the companies that make these cameras may not be well known and that is exactly why they have to start low while offering more.


Buyers’ Guide – What to Look for in an Action Camera

Before going ahead to get an action camera, there are certain things you need to consider first.

At the end of the day, you will use your camera to shoot videos and snap some photos hence my guide will follow along those lines mainly.

With advancements in technology, it is important to also consider other added features like Wi-Fi which normally gives your camera an added touch in specific situations.

Video

The first thing I always check on before going for an action camera is video resolutions and qualities.

Video Resolutions

I would strongly recommend that you choose a camera with a real native resolution of 4K.

Since we are on a budget, it is very common to encounter cameras with interpolated/polarized 4K which does not match up the quality of a native 4K.

If you cannot find a camera with 4K resolution, then stick to Full HD which is 1080p. It also produces good quality.

Frame Rates

As you might well know by now, a good range of frame rates will give you more usability when it comes to the quality of the video you want.

Higher frame rates indicate that the camera can shoot videos in slow motion.

I especially use the 120 frames per second option when shooting in slow motion. It produces footage that is 4 times slower and that is an impressive slow-motion option.

Video Encoding

There are two codecs now available for action cameras; H.264 and the newer H.265.

The latter is good to have although when you are paying less than 100 dollars for a camera, it should not be something on your must-have list of specs.

H.264 codec is good enough for what you will be paying for.

Field of View

The Field of View (FOV) generally refers to how much your camera lens can see. Some companies call them Angles but it is the same thing.

Having a high angle FOV is good for many reasons among them getting a good scenic view of your background in your footage.

But most importantly, a high FOV is good because it will give more room for Electronic Image Stabilization to do the cropping that will eventually result in stable footage.

Photo

Alongside the video quality and properties, I also look at what the camera has to offer in terms of photos.

Photo Resolution

This refers to how much pixels your camera lens will capture in an image. Pixels are good at ensuring you get many details in an image.

Most image sensors have an effective resolution of 12 megapixels which is a good option to have.

Photo Formats

Most cameras provide a JPEG option for photo savings. I prefer having one that can provide both RAW and JPEG.

When on a budget, it is not easy to get a camera that will support RAW format because of the price.

This should definitely not be a deal-breaker in the budget action camera space.

For less than 100 dollars, JPEG is good enough for what you will be paying for.

Photo Modes

This will now boil down to the company that makes the camera. Photo modes should be interesting and enticing to use.

The modes I use the most are; Photo Lapse, Burst photos, and Night photos.

Having many modes in a camera means that you never get bored in your adventures.

Exposure control

This setting determines how dark/light your images will appear.

This setting is ultimately determined by Lens aperture, ISO, and shutter speed, these three settings are also known as the ‘exposure triangle’.

Time Lapse

This is where frames are captured at a time interval by the camera and stitched together.

When viewing a video taken in this mode, the sequence seems to be moving faster hence referred to as lapsing.

In this feature, it is important to get a camera that supports both photo and video lapse.

Good cameras out there also have a dedicated night lapse mode which is very important especially when filming the stars at night.

Other Video/Photo Settings

There are some other settings that when included in a camera will give you more control of how you would like your footage/image to appear.

GoPro calls this the Protune. Features like ISO, Shutter speed, and EV Compensation are nice to have in a camera.

Other Camera Features

As I mentioned earlier, Video/Photos should form the primary categories when looking for an action camera to purchase.

However, some other features are interesting to have in a camera that improves the convenience of using it.

Touchscreen

Having a back screen display that doubles up as a touch screen is a cool thing.

Gone are the days when we used to control cameras with numerous buttons located all around it.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi connectivity will allow you to link up your camera to your phone through a proprietary app made by the camera company.

This is important as it will let you use your phone as a live monitoring screen, control the camera remotely, download videos and photos to the phone as well as sharing the files to social media platforms.

Waterproof

Having this feature is great even if you are not planning to shoot any underwater footage.

A waterproof rating will get you covered when you get accidental splashes or rain on your camera.

There is no need to worry about spills anymore.

Voice Control

This feature is great when your hands are busy e.g. when cycling and you would like to control your camera.

You simply speak to your camera following a predetermined voice command and the camera will do just that.

Most cameras that have voice control can start/stop recording which is nice to have.

Bluetooth

Having Bluetooth connections in your camera means that you can connect it to a remote control device.

The device will help you control your camera from a distance.

Battery Life

This is a feature that needs to be considered especially if you do a lot of vlogging or make YouTube videos with your action camera.

Most cameras have a battery capacity of 1200mAh which is not a bad rating.

That capacity can easily take you for 80 minutes while recording in Full HD.

Memory Card Capacity

I prefer choosing a camera that supports a minimum of 64GB memory card.

If you regularly take photos/videos on your trips then you might as well put more consideration on the memory card capacity.

Having many memory cards is not always the best idea since they easily get misplaced especially outdoors.

So you’ll want that one huge memory card that you rarely remove.

Having given you the guide to check for action cameras, let me jump in and give you a rundown of my pick for the budget camera category.


1. Akaso V50X

Akaso V50X alternative to GoPro

Akaso released the V50X in the summer of 2019 and it is by no chance an old camera.

Akaso V50X is graded at a native 4K resolution @ 30 frames per second.

This camera was released in succession with the V50 Elite and V50 Pro.

The Elite and Pro were a bit on the higher side and so Akaso released a more affordable entry-level camera into that line-up.

Video Resolution and Frame Rates

As mentioned earlier, this camera can shoot at a maximum of 4K resolution which is native. Other resolutions available for this camera are; 2.7K, 2K, 1080p and 720p.

120 frames per second is the maximum shooting frames for this camera which can only be used in 720p. 120fps is very ideal in shooting slow-motion footage because it will produce up to 4 times slower video.

The other frame rates available in the V50X are 90fps, 60fps, and 30fps. 90fps is compatible with 1080p, 60fps with 2K, 1080p and 720p. 30fps can be used with all resolutions.

Field of View (FOV)

There are four angles of view available to use in the V50X, they are 170, 110, 90, 70 degrees. This is a good choice of angles for a budget camera.

Photo resolutions

The Akaso V50X has a SONY CMOS image sensor with a maximum effective resolution of 13 megapixels.

The default is set at 12 megapixels which is the industry standard.

You also get the option to downsize the pixels count to 8, 5 or 3 megapixels.

This camera does not support RAW format, all photos files will be saved in JPEG which is not bad for what you are paying for.

Time Lapse

In this setting, the camera captures frames at set intervals and then stitches them together to form a video file.

This camera supports both Time Lapse video and photos.

Time Lapse Video

The following time intervals are available for shooting Time Lapse videos; 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 (default setting), 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds.

Time Lapse Photo

In this mode, the camera captures images at a set interval of your choice. The available time intervals are; 3, 5, 10, 30, or 60 seconds.

One thing I like about Time Lapse Photos is the ability to preview each photo after capture, there is an ability to discard the ones that are not impressive.

Is the Akaso V50X Waterproof?

This camera is not waterproof on its own. Luckily enough, there is a waterproof housing included in the retail box.

If you intend to do scuba diving, the housing will get you covered since it can withstand water up to depths of 41 meters / 131 feet.

Voice Control

The Akaso V50X does not support voice control. However, you can use a remote control device which is also included in the retail box.

Memory Card

On the left side of the camera, there is a microSD card slot that supports class 10 cards of up to 64GB.

I prefer using the SanDisk card which matches well with my Akaso cameras.

If you are a heavy user, then this capacity is a huge hit for you. Otherwise, it is still fine for an average person.

Battery

The Akaso V50X includes two rechargeable batteries in the retail box with a capacity of 1350mAh each.

You can charge both batteries simultaneously thanks to the dual charger also supplied in the box.

The battery door is found at the bottom side of the camera.

Shooting in 4K will last you an hour before the battery depletes. On 1080p, you should get a battery life of 80 minutes.

Pros

  • Amazing video quality
  • Decent build quality

Cons

  • Image stabilization does not remove minimum shakes.

Check my Akaso V50X review!


2. Akaso Brave 6

Akaso Brave 6 best action cameras under 100

When it comes to making budget cameras, Akaso is truly a market leader. The Akaso Brave 6 is a direct successor to the Brave 4 camera.

Akaso said that this camera can shoot in 4k at 24 frames per second.

I will give more details about that in the video section of this camera, we will find out whether it’s native or interpolated.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

The Akaso Brave 6 4K resolution is not native, it is interpolated. This camera rocks a Novatek chipset which is a relatively old processor that cannot support real 4k resolutions.

The 4k resolution in this camera has pixels width and height of 2880 x 2160 pixels. A native 4K width and height should be 3840 x 2160 pixels

Other resolutions and frame rates available are; 2K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and 30fps

Field of View (FOV)

There are 4 angles of view to choose from in this camera. They are; 170, 110, 90, 70 degrees. The super wide-angle is big enough to capture all your background effectively.

Photo Resolutions

The Akaso Brave 6 has a Panasonic Image sensor with an effective resolution of 14 Megapixels.

Akaso claims that the maximum resolution for images is at 20 megapixels.

Surprisingly enough, the Image qualities of this camera are impressive for its price.

You can downsize the photo resolution to; 16M (default setting), 12M, 10M, 8M, 5M, and 3M

Time Lapse Video

With this camera, you only have the option to shoot time lapse in video mode, there is no photo time lapse.

Time Lapse video will create a video from frames that have been captured at a set interval of time.

The available intervals are; 100 ms, 200 ms, 1 Second, 3 Seconds, and 5 Seconds. The default setting is put to off.

Is Akaso Brave 6 Waterproof?

The camera is not waterproof without a case. Akaso included a waterproof housing in the retail package.

The waterproof housing can protect your camera for up to a depth of 30 meters / 98.5 feet. This rating is good enough for a scuba dive.

Please note that you will not be able to record audio when the camera is housed in the waterproof case.

Before using the waterproof case, make sure you test it first. Always rinse and dry your case after every underwater filming.

Voice Control

With the Akaso Brave 6, you can use your voice to control the camera following a set of predetermined voice commands.

Voice control cannot be used when the camera is off. This means that there is no specific command to power on the camera like what we see with expensive action cameras like GoPro Hero8 Black.

The following are the voice commands available:

  • Start / stop recording
  • Turn Wi-Fi on / off
  • Take a photo
  • Turn off the camera

Memory Card

The right side of the camera has a door that encloses both the battery compartment and memory card slot.

The camera can support a microSD card up to a storage of 64GB.

Battery

The Akaso Brave 6 has a small rechargeable and removable battery with a capacity of 1050mAh.

Luckily enough, the retail packaging comes with two batteries of similar specs in the box.

The battery is barely usable for an hour, I recommend carrying around both batteries and a charger.

Pros of Akaso Brave 6

  • Huge upgrade from the previous Brave 4
  • Great FOV choices
  • Video stabilizer does an expected job

Cons

  • Menu navigation is not that smooth
  • Poor battery performance

3. Campark V30

Campark V30 best action cameras under 100

For the majority of budget cameras under 100 dollars, Campark V30 offers a good touch for a relatively low price point.

Check my detailed Campark V30 review.

The camera has a decent build and can shoot videos in a native 4k resolution at 30 frames per second.

Navigating through the menu and settings of this camera is very swift.

Video Resolutions and Frame rates

As pointed out earlier, this camera shoots in a maximum of 4k resolution which is native.

All the video resolutions with frame rates combination is as follows: 4K30fps, 2.7K30fps, 2K60fps, 2K30fps, 1080P90fps, 1080P60fps, 1080P30fps, 720P120fps, 720P60fps, and 720P30fps.

The video resolutions settings can be adjusted in the menu section of the camera.

As you well know, higher resolutions will result in clearer videos but will take a hit on your battery life.

120 frames per second means that you can record your videos in 4 times slow-motion. That frame rate is only available for 720p resolution.

Video Codec

Surprisingly for this camera, you get two video encoding formats, the H.264, and the newer H.265.

Having both of these is a great deal especially if you need to do post-production to your videos.

Field of View (FOV)

The Campark V30 also rocks 4 angles of view, they are; 70°, 110°, 140°, and 170°.

It’s a good range to have in an action camera. Each angle has its most suitable use.

Photo Resolutions

The Campark V30 has a Sony CMOS Sensor with a maximum effective resolution of 20 megapixels.

You can downsize the resolution to 12MP, 8MP, 5MP, and 3MP.

Choosing higher resolutions will give you a clearer image because of the many details captured in the photo.

All photos are saved in JPG, there is no RAW format in this camera. This is pretty much expected for its price point.

Time Lapse

The Campark V30 supports both video and photo Time Lapse. Time Lapse is so ideal for shooting scenic views like sunrise/sunset, clouds, and flowers sprouting, etc.

Time Lapse Video

The video time lapse intervals available are; 0.2s, 0.3s, 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s, and 60s. After your preferred set interval, the camera will capture a video frame.

Time Lapse Photo

The photo lapse intervals available for this camera are; 3s, 5s, 10s, 30s, and 1 min. The camera will take a photo after your set interval and save it.

Is the Campark V30 Waterproof?

This camera is not waterproof without a case. You are required to put the camera in the waterproof case provided in moist environments.

When the camera is housed with the waterproof case, you can use it underwater for up to a depth of 30 meters / 98 feet. This rating is good enough for scuba diving.

Always test the case before diving in water. After every underwater filming, rinse the case in clean water and dry it to prevent saline water effects.

Voice Control

Unfortunately, the Campark V30 does not support voice control. If you are cycling, it’s important to place your camera in a place where you will control it seamlessly without compromising your concentration on the road.

Memory Card

The Campark V30 has a memory card slot that supports microSD cards of up to 128 GB of size.

This is an impressive capacity since most budget cameras stick to 64GB.

I recommend using a high-speed UHS 3 rated memory card for optimum performance.

Battery

The Campark V30 is powered by a 3.7V / 1350mAh rechargeable and removable battery. That’s a pretty good battery capacity for a budget action camera.

The retail packaging includes two batteries with a dual charger that can juice up the batteries simultaneously.

Campark claims that the two batteries can give you 3 hours straight of 4K recording.

That is about an hour and a half for each battery. According to my testing, the battery life jolted around that timing. This is one of the best action camera batteries I have seen.

Pros of Campark V30

  • Good video quality from the native 4K resolution.
  • Battery life is excellent.
  • Swift in usage, plenty of buttons available.

Cons

  • Lack of Voice control
  • Image stabilization is poor in corners and more rugged activities.

4. Apeman Trawo A100

Apeman Trawo A100

Apeman Trawo A100 was released early in 2019 and is the successor of the Apeman A80 action camera.

This camera can shoot videos in real 4K resolution at 30 frames per second.

One thing I like about this camera is the availability of an HDMI out port, this will enable you to connect to a bigger display for playback.

The camera body is tiny but the display is incredible for its price.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

As you might have known, the Apeman A80 camera had an interpolated 4k resolution.

Apeman did a nice upgrade and now with the Apeman Trawo A100, we have a real 4k recording compatible with 30 frames per second.

There is an upgraded Trawo version that can shoot 4k in 50fps.

Other resolutions and frame rates combo include; 2.7K @ 30fps, 1440p @ 60 and 30fps, 1080p @ 60 and 30fps, 720p @ 120 and 60fps.

120 frames per second means that the camera can shoot footage up to 4 times slower.

Something nice also is that you can shoot 1080p @ 120fps meaning you will get a higher quality slow-motion footage unlike what other budget action cameras can deliver.

Field of View (FOV)

The camera has a maximum super-wide angle of view at 170°. The lens is adjustable to other views

Photo Resolutions

The Apeman Trawo A100 has a SONY IMX458 Image sensor with a maximum effective resolution of 20MP.

You can downsize the pixel count to 16MP, 12MP, 5MP, and 3MP.

Time Lapse Video

You can shoot time lapse videos with the Apeman A100. The available time intervals are 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s, and 60s.

Is the Apeman Trawo A100 Waterproof?

The camera is not waterproof without a case. In the retail packaging box, there is a waterproof case supplied in the box.

With the camera housed in the case, you can use it underwater for up to 30 meters / 98 feet. That is a good rating for scuba diving.

Voice Control

The Apeman Trawo A100 supports voice commands that can be used to control your camera in hands-free.

Memory card

Unlike other action cameras, the Apeman Trawo A100 comes with a memory card in its retail packaging. It supports a memory card up to a maximum storage capacity of 128GB.

Battery

The camera comes with two rechargeable and removable batteries each with a capacity of 1350mAh.

Unlike expected, you can shoot in 4k for up to 80 minutes on a single charge. 1080p will give you around 130 minutes.

This performance is not at par with Campark V30 which has similar battery performance. I suppose it has to do with the chipset and firmware.

Pros of Apeman Trawo A100

  • Good quality native 4k recording
  • 128GB microSD card support
  • Good stabilization for its price

Cons

  • Battery life is not that impressive
  • Bugs at launch

Read my full Apeman Trawo A100 Review


5. Campark X20

Campark X20

At the time of writing this review, the Campark X20 is one of the least priced action cameras on my list.

This camera is Campark’s upgrade to the Campark ACT74 and ACT76.

Campark X20 rocks a good specs list for its price, it shoots in a maximum resolution of 4K and also has a decent image stabilization technique.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

The Campark X20 can record in native 4k resolution which is so impressive to have.

The resolutions and frame rates combo are as follows; 4K30fps, 2K60fps, 1080P60fps / 30fps, 720P120fps / 60fps / 30fps, and VGA.

The Campark X20 has a variety of video settings to ensure you get your exact taste for what you are looking for in a particular scene.

120fps indicates that the camera can shoot slow-motion up to 4 times slower.

Field of View (FOV)

The camera has a lens that can capture a maximum of 170° in wide-angle. You can adjust your desired FOV to middle or narrow.

Photo Resolutions

The Campark X20 has a Sony sensor that can capture a maximum of 20 megapixels.

You can adjust the resolution to the available options which are; 16MP, 12MP, 8MP, 5MP, and 3MP.

Time Lapse

The Campark X20 supports both video and photo Time Lapse. Time Lapse is so ideal for shooting scenic views like that you would love to see in a fast motion later on.

Time Lapse Video

The video time lapse intervals available are; 0.2s, 0.3s, 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s, and 60s.

Time Lapse Photo

The photo lapse intervals available for this camera are; 3s, 5s, 10s, 30s, and 1 min.

Is the Campark X20 Waterproof?

The camera is waterproof without a case for up to 30 meters. The waterproof housing is supplied in the retail package.

With the case on the Campark X20, you can go underwater for up to 30 meters / 98 feet.

Voice Control

The Campark X20 supports voice control. You can use the predetermined voice commands to control the camera.

Memory Card

The Campark X20 supports microSD cards for a maximum size of up to 64GB.

Battery

The Campark X20 is packed with two rechargeable Li-ion batteries each with a capacity of 1050mAh. This rating is not the best in the action camera world.

Recording in 4K will take you 60 minutes before depleting the charge while 1080p will record for close to 2 hours.

Pros of Campark X20

  • Good native 4k recording
  • Stabilization is good for its price
  • Affordable among the budget cams

Cons

  • The Battery is not that good.

6. Akaso EK7000 Pro

Akaso Ek7000 Pro

In my selected list for the best action cameras under $100, this is the only camera with a ‘pro’ in its name, the Akaso EK7000 Pro.

It is an upgrade from the already good Akaso EK7000.

One thing that stands out in this camera is the swift user interface that is fairly easy to use.

Switching between modes and settings is such a straightforward task.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

The following is a video resolution and frame rates combo available for this camera; 4K@25fps, 2.7K@30 fps, 1080p@60 fps, and 720p@120 fps.

120fps means that you can shoot slow-motion videos up to 4 times slower.

Field of View (FOV)

This camera lens allows an adjustment to the angle of view. There is the super-wide which is 120°, wide, medium, and narrow.

Photo Resolutions

The Akaso EK7000 has an OV4689CD image sensor which supports a maximum effective resolution of 16 megapixels which measures 5376 by 3024 pixels.

This is an upgrade from the Akaso EK7000 which only supported a maximum resolution of 12 megapixels.

You also get the chance to adjust the resolution but will result in low image quality and file size. The other resolutions are; 14MP, 12MP, 8MP, 5MP, and 4MP.

Time Lapse

This camera supports both video time lapse and photo time lapse.

Time Lapse Video

In this mode, the camera will capture frames at specific intervals and stitch them together to form a video.

The available time intervals are; 1S, 3S, 5S (default setting), 10S, 30S, and 60S.

Please note that you cannot use Time Lapse video with a resolution of 4K@25fps or 2.7K@30fps.

Time Lapse Photo

In this mode, you can use the camera to capture images at a set time interval. The available intervals are; 2S, 3S, 5S, 10S, 20S, 30S, and 60S. The default setting is placed at unlimited.

Is Akaso EK7000 Pro Waterproof?

The camera is not waterproof without the extra waterproof housing. Getting the housing for your camera will guarantee you an underwater adventure for up to 40 meters / 131 feet.

Voice Control

The Akaso EK7000 Pro does not support voice control.

Memory Card

The camera supports microSD cards up to maximum storage of 64GB.

Battery

The Akaso EK7000 Pro has two batteries included in the retail packaging each with a capacity of 1050mAh.

The battery performance should easily set you for 90 minutes shooting at 1080p at 60 fps.

Pros of Akaso EK7000 Pro

  • Has a good body design for its price range
  • Upgraded photo resolution from the EK7000 earlier model

Cons

  • Video quality is not the best considering what Akaso can offer

7. Crosstour CT8500

Crosstour CT8500

Crosstour is an action camera brand that is so unfamiliar with many people.

That does not mean that they make sub-standard products, on the contrary, they are doing all the right moves in this space.

The Crosstour CT8500 action camera supports external microphone connections thanks to the 2.5mm audio jack available.

The external microphone also comes in the retail box. That is a very nice unboxing experience for a camera in the sub $100 category.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

The Crosstour ct8500 has a maximum resolution of 4K which can be used with 30 frames per second.

The 4K resolution quality on this camera actually seems to be very clear and gives the impression that it is native.

Other resolution and frame rates combo are as follows; 2.7K30fps, 1080P60fps/30fps, 720P120fps/60fps/30fps.

You can shoot up to 4 times slower videos in slow motion mode using the 720p120fps combination.

Field of View (FOV)

The camera has a super wide-angle lens with an aperture of f1.8 capable of capturing a massive 170° in the widest FOV.

You can choose other lower angles in the camera’s settings.

Photo Resolutions

The camera is capable of capturing images with a maximum resolution of 20MP.

Other lower resolutions available are; 16MP, 14MP, 10MP, 8MP, 5MP, and 2MP.

Having a higher resolution will capture images with more details to it and hence larger file size.

Time Lapse

The Crosstour 8500 supports both Time Lapse Video and Photos.

Time Lapse Video

This mode allows you to have a quick watch on videos for a relatively long time. The camera will capture frames at the set interval of time and stitch together to form the video.

Time Lapse Photos

This feature found in the photos mode will allow you to capture images at the set interval of time. The available intervals are; 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 60s,

Is the Crosstour 8500 Waterproof?

The camera is not waterproof without an extra waterproof case on it. Using the case, you will be able to go underwater for up to 40m / 131 feet.

Voice Control

You can control this camera in a hands-free mode following a set of predetermined voice commands.

Memory Card

The camera supports Micro SD, SDHC card with a maximum capacity of 32GB. Some models have maximum support of 65GB. Nevertheless, the memory card capacity for this camera is very low.

Battery

Like most action cameras in the budget category, this camera also comes with two rechargeable and removable batteries each with a capacity of 1050mAh.

The battery rating is good enough to take you for an hour when recording in Full HD.

Pros of Crosstour 8500

  • External microphone support
  • Decent build quality

Cons

  • Low battery life
  • No Touch screen

8. Eken H9R

Eken H9R

The Eken H9R has made it to this list. The low price tag for the Eken cameras has helped the company to maintain a loyal customer base.

This camera offers a Facebook and YouTube live-streaming option but only available for Apple users.

Although not top-tier, Eken makes good cameras that can compete with the industry-leading cameras.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

The camera offers an interpolated 4K resolution which is compatible with 30 frames per second.

Other resolutions and frame rates combo are as follows; 2.7K30fps, 1080p60/30fps, 720p120/60fps.

I prefer shooting in Full HD than interpolated 4K.

Field of View (FOV)

The camera lens supports a maximum of 170° in the angle of view. You can adjust to the preferred angle for your background scenic capture.

Photo Resolutions

The Eken H9R has an OV4689 CMOS Image sensor that can capture images with a resolution of 4MP.

The Sunplus 6630 chipset will then interpolate the resolution to a maximum of 12MP. Other resolutions available are; 8MP, 5MP, 4MP, and 2MP.

Time Lapse

The camera supports photo time lapse photography. In this mode, photos will be captured continuously at a set time interval.

The available intervals for capture are 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 30s, and 60s.

Is the Eken H9R Waterproof?

The camera is not waterproof without a case. The case can take you underwater for up to a maximum depth of 30 meters / 98 feet.

Voice Control

This camera does not support voice control

Memory card

The Eken H9R supports MicroSD with Class 10 and SDXC cards, up to maximum storage of 64GB

Battery

The camera has a removable and rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1050mAh. The rating is good enough to last you 45 minutes while recording in Full HD.

Pros of Eken H9R

  • Good design and build quality
  • Good image quality for its price

Cons

  • Poor battery performance

9. Apeman A80

Apeman A80

The Apeman A80 action camera comes with an interpolated 4k resolution. Is that something that can bother you much in a camera?

Well, for me I honestly do not prefer this type of resolution.

However, if you find other cool features that will convince you to buy this camera, I recommend that you stick to Full HD recording since I find that much better.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

Apart from the maximum interpolated 4k recording, the Apeman A80 rocks other resolutions that might be more useful.

4K recording is compatible with 24 frames per second.

Other resolutions and frame rates combination is as follows; 1080p @ 30/60fps, 720p @ 30/60/120fps, and WVGA at 30 fps

Field of View (FOV)

The camera lens supports up to four angles of view. The angles are; 70, 110, 140 and 170 degrees

Photo Resolutions

The maximum image resolution that can be captured with this camera’s Sony sensor is 20MP.

Other resolutions available for choice are; 16MP, 12MP, 10MP, 8MP, 5MP, 3MP, and VGA

Choosing a higher resolution will give you a clearer image with bigger file size.

Time Lapse

This camera supports both photo and video time lapse. The time intervals available to choose from are; 100ms, 200ms, 500ms, 1Sec, and 5 Sec.

Voice Control

The Apeman A80 does not support Voice Control.

Is the Apeman A80 Waterproof

The camera is not waterproof without a case. When using a case, you can go down to 40 meters / 131 feet.

Memory Card

The Apeman A80 support microSD card with a storage capacity of up to 128GB.

Battery

Like most of the budget action cameras in the market, the Apeman A80 has two batteries included in the retail packaging.

Each battery has a capacity of 1050mAh. This rating can take you for 50 minutes of recording in Full HD.

One thing to note is that the camera does not have a charger included in the box.

Pros of the Apeman A80

  • Relatively good value for its price tag
  • The 1080P video is good

Cons

  • Interpolated 4K recording
  • Low battery performance

10. Dragon Touch 4K

Dragon Touch 4K

From the name, we can already see that this camera has a touch screen and can record videos with a 4K resolution.

This camera also features a built-in Wi-Fi which will enable you to connect to your smartphone for live monitoring and controlling the camera.

The Dragon Touch 4K camera offers a very exciting unboxing experience that you might want to check out.

Video Resolutions and Frame Rates

The camera has a maximum resolution of 4K which is compatible with 30 frames per second.

Other resolutions and frame rates available are; 2.7K30FPS, 1080P60FPS, 1080P30FPS, 720P120FPS, 720P60FPS, and 720P30FPS

Field of View (FOV)

The camera lens can capture a maximum angle of 170 degrees which is wide enough for your shots.

Photo Resolutions

The camera has a Sony sensor tech that can capture images with a maximum resolution of 16MP.

The other resolutions available are; 12MP, 8MP, 5MP, and 2MP.

Time Lapse

The camera supports both Time Lapse Photo and Video.

Time Lapse Intervals; Close, 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s, and 60s.

It’s important to note that Time Lapse Video will not record audio.

Is the Dragon Touch 4K Waterproof?

With the case only, you can go underwater up to 30 meters / 98 feet.

Voice Control

The Dragon Touch 4K does not support Voice control.

Memory Card

The camera supports microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC up to 64GB.

Battery

The Dragon Touch 4K includes two batteries in the box each with a capacity of 1050mAh.

The rating can take you for 50 minutes of recording in Full HD.

Pros of Dragon Touch 4K

  • Good quality videos and photos
  • Decent build and size

Cons

  • Battery life is average
  • Stabilization issues

Conclusion

Which of the above-discussed cameras should you consider buying?

From this review, it is evident that the market is flooded with action cameras that most people can afford.

One thing I liked about these budget cameras is that they usually include two batteries in the box, which is amazing.

For me, I will not choose a camera that has interpolated 4K recording simply because I will not use it.

However, this doesn’t mean that those cameras are bad. We have to keep in mind that they are at a fraction of the price of a GoPro.

Other than the video and photo specs and quality, all other features in a budget action camera are a sort of bonus.

Going with my review on the Best Action Cameras under 100$, I will choose the Akaso V50X because of the photography quality and added features.

Thanks for reading through my review on my top ten budget action cameras.

If you have questions or comments about any of the cameras, drop a comment below and I will get back to you!