Top 10 action / 360-degree cameras for adventure junkies

Cameras are the ultimate tools to capture our best moments, but when you are in full motion, you need to add the prefix 'Action' before it. Action cameras have gained brisk popularity lately owing to the adventure junkies desiring to treasure their fun-filled, adrenaline-pumping activities.

Action Cameras are nothing new, and thanks to the popularity of GoPro there's a benchmark for the competitors out there. While these puny, feature-loaded action cameras are quite a wonder in themselves, 360-degree action cameras take the fun factor a notch higher owing to their all-side recording capabilities. However, no matter which camera you wish to buy, the variety of options might leave you pondering over choosing the right one. To assist you in making a wise decision, here are 10 best action and 360-degree cameras you can grab from the market today.

Sony FDR X-3000: To start with, the Sony FDR X-3000 is one of the most expensive action cameras available out there. So if you are not budget restricted, you can see your videos on a touchscreen wrist accessory while they are being recorded on the camera. It records 4K videos @30fps and its main USP is the steady shots captured which are smooth — thanks to its Balanced Optical SteadyShot feature. Moreover, it’s waterproof up to a staggering 60 meters underwater and you get all this for Rs 39,990.

GoPro Hero 7 (Black): GoPro carries the title of making one of the best action cameras and the latest addition of 7-series make things more interesting. The Hero 7 Black is the latest flagship offering which is priced at Rs 37,000. Apart from the capability to record 4K videos at 60fps, you also get commendable features such as Ultra Slo Mo (8x slow motion at 1080p), waterproofing up to 10 meters and the claimed gimbal-like stabilisation which the company calls HyperSmooth stabilisation feature.

GoPro Hero 7 (White): In case you are not willing to pay the hefty asking price of Hero 7 (Black) but desire to possess the same sturdiness and relaibility of the GoPro, then the Hero 7 (White) makes for a great option. For Rs 19,000. you get a 10MP sensor for capturing stills and highest videos quality stands at 1080P @60fps. While you loose out on the support for GPS, live streaming and HyperSmooth video feature, you still receive the 2x Slo Mo along with the convenience of voice control.

Yi 4K+: Coming further down in the budget range, Yi 4K action camera is one of the most popular and intuitive tools available in the market. The reason enthusiasts go for this is its support for 4K videos at 60fps at the mere price tag of Rs 16,490. Yes, that’s half the price of GoPro Hero 7 Black with the same video recording capability and the results have been found impressive. Moreover, you get a large touchscreen along with the super easy interface to use it on-the-go.

Mijia Xiaomi 4K: Xiaomi has been kind-of ruling the budget to midrange smartphone segment with its affordable yet feature-packed devices and the Chinese brand offers the Mijio 4K action camera with similar traits. Priced at Rs 11,998, you get 4K video recording at 30fps frame rate along with support for time-lapse and slow-motion recording. For making it easy to use, the company has stacked in a 2.4-inch touchscreen display which is impressive.

Go large: 360-degree cameras

Garmin VIRB 360: When you wish to record videos covering 360-degree of your surrounding, you have to be ready to shell out a higher price as these cameras don't come cheap. The Garmin VIRB 360 demands a whopping Rs 71,590, but for that hefty price tag, you get the power of recording 360-degree videos at a mind-blowing 5.7K resolution @30fps. That gives it an edge over competition. Apart from the gyroscope and accelerometer, you have four microphones at your disposal for recording all the sound in the ambience.

Yi 360 VR: Priced at steep Rs 59,499, the Yi 360 VR is yet another action camera which can lend you 5.7K resolution videos @30fps. With the support for Wi-Fi, you can also live stream you 360-degree videos but at 4K resolution. With 24fps recording mode and waterproof body, a novice looking for a 360-degree action camera can end up here.

GoPro Fusion: Apart from the standard action cameras, GoPro rules it even in the 360-degree territory with its sturdy and powerful GoPro Fusion camera. You can either record a 360-degree video in 3K resolution @60fps or in 5.2K @30fps. The highlight of this camera is the ‘over capture’ mode which, after filming the 360-degree video, allows you to select a particular 16:9 aspect ratio frame area which you want to show. With the 18MP lens, the GoPro Fusion offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth along with compass, gyroscope and accelerometer. It is priced at Rs 57,000.

LG 360 Cam: At just 77gm, the LG 360 Cam is the lightest you can get your hands on which makes it extremely convenient to use. Sporting two 13MP wide angle lenses, it can capture 360- and 180-degree images along with videos in mere 2K resolution at 30fps. The 5.1-channel surround sound recording support grabs audio decently while the protective casing keeps it from wear and tear.

Samsung Gear 360: Samsung’s Gear 360 comes in a compact and rounded package and it looks unconventional. It is light at 130gm and comes with splash proof features while not being completely waterproof. The camera captures images at 15MP resolution and videos are recorded in 4K @24fps. The maximum battery it delivers is around 130 minutes which could be problem for some. However, the elegant looks and the highly competitive price tag of Rs 15,999 makes the Samsung Gear 360 a superb choice for those on a tight budget.