While there are plenty of action cameras that have a very high price, you don’t need to break the bank to purchase an action camera with good video quality.
No matter if you are looking for a camera for your next skateboarding, skiing, or dirt bike rally, there is a camera on this list that will be a perfect fit for your use case.
Let’s take a look at what makes these four cameras great, and why you should pick one up.
Contents
Who Should Get This
The first and most obvious person who needs these cameras are people who partake in action sports. Whether you like snowboarding or scuba diving, all the way to skateboarding and motorcycle racing, these cameras are going to get the job done. They can take a beating and keep on recording clear and beautiful footage.
The second great use for these cameras is for vlogging. If you want to record your daily life, but don’t want to carry around a big heavy camera, getting a good action camera is the perfect solution. They do have a bit of fisheye for the wide-angle shots they are made for, but a bit of editing can fix that right up.
Best Action Camera Under $200: Our Picks
Here are our top recommendations, along with a quick review of each action cam so you understand its pros and cons.
1. Polaroid Cube Act II
- Video Resolution: 1920×1080 (1080p)
- Megapixels: 6MP
- Image Stabilization: Yes
Polaroid created the original Cube action camera, and people loved it! It was a tiny camera, which included a magnet on the bottom.
This allowed you to stick it to anything magnetic, and take high-quality video. The Cube Act II doesn’t change the formula, still takes great video, and is capable of being stuck to any metal surface.
The one downside compared to other cameras on this list is the ability to only take 1080p video. It is noticeably worse than some others, but the quality for 1080p is still acceptable.
You are really buying this camera for its tiny size and ability to put it in places that other cameras simply can not go.
2. Yi 4k Action and Sports Camera
- Video Resolution: 3840×2160 (4k)
- Megapixels: 12MP
- Image Stabilization: Yes
Yi has slowly and quietly carved out a nice space in the action camera market. Their 4k action camera is a fan favorite, and for good reason.
It is extremely affordable, provides all the features of top-end cameras, and can rival them with their video quality as well.
As the name implies, the 4k action and sports camera take high-quality 4k footage. It is also capable of taking 12MP stills, but they are not the best quality compared to others.
The image stabilization, on the other hand, is quite good for a camera in this price range. Overall, this camera is as good or better than many cameras that are much more expensive.
3. GoPro Hero 5 Black
- Video Resolution: 3840×2160 (4k)
- Megapixels: 12MP
- Image Stabilization: Yes
The biggest name in all of the action cameras is GoPro, but their camera options are quite expensive.
The way to get around that is to buy an older model GoPro, which will still give you ultra-durable quality and beautiful video.
While it may not have some of the newer features, it will still beat out most cameras in this price range.
The Hero 5 Black has a sensor capable of taking 4k video, and 12MP stills. This will give you the beautiful GoPro footage you have come to know, and also allow you to take decent still images.
The best part about this action camera is the fact that it is waterproof. No case needed, simply take it diving with you and get the footage!
4. AKASO EK7000 PRO
- Video Resolution: 3840×2160 (4k)
- Megapixels: 16MP
- Image Stabilization: Yes
While you may not have heard of AKASO before, their EK7000 line of action cameras are great cameras at unbelievable prices.
The Pro version we have selected here is still extremely affordable, and also is quite durable. The inclusion of a waterproof case and some accessories really sets it apart.
Here you get nice 4k video, and a sensor capable of taking 16MP images. This makes it a great choice for a vlogging camera for your next vacation, as you will get that high-resolution video footage while still being able to take epic selfies when needed.
Best Action Camera Under $200: What to Consider
Resolution
While 1080p used to be the normal acceptable level of video resolution, 4k is starting to become the new normal. While there is nothing wrong with 1080p, just having those extra pixels for editing purposes makes 4k a much better option.
Size
Action cameras by nature are small devices. However, some are definitely smaller than others. If you are looking to squeeze one into small spaces, or don’t want to be hindered by size, there are a few that are on the smaller size compared to the normal “GoPro size.”
Brand
A lot of people have brand loyalty. In the action camera space there are two huge players, GoPro and Sony. They are the brands people are drawn to, and if you are, go for it! But don’t discount the other lesser known brands, because they definitely can surprise you.
Other Tips and Resources
If you plan on using your action camera handheld, picking up a good gimbal stabilizer is something you should think about. This will ensure that your video is not shaky, but rather silky smooth and pleasing to look at.
Another great thing to pick up when you buy your new action camera is a good accessory kit. These come with a ton of helpful clips and mounts for your new camera, allowing you to get the absolute most out of it.
Final Words
Action cameras are plentiful in the world today, but buying one that is of high quality and under $200 is a hard task.
However, the four we listed above are all fantastic choices that will get the footage you need without needing a ton of money. They simply perform, and often as well as their more expensive competition.
Are you a fan of GoPro? Have you ever heard of other brands of action cameras? Let us know below!