Quad HD
The ability of the camera to shoot QuadHD video.
This standard includes an extensive set of resolutions — from 1440 to 3456 pixels horizontally and from 1440 to 2160 pixels vertically, with almost two dozen intermediate options. It is a rather specific transitional option between the relatively inexpensive FullHD 1080p and the demanding UltraHD 4K, allowing you to shoot higher resolution video than 1080p without significantly increasing the cost of equipment. Note that pure QuadHD resolutions are rare in TVs and monitors, but modern technologies make it possible to comfortably watch videos of this format on any high-resolution screen.
Another important parameter given in this paragraph is the frame rate. The higher it is, the smoother the movement in the frame will be, and the details in dynamic scenes will be visible clearly. For example, a filming speed of
25 fps or
30 fps approximates the standard frame rate in film and television; such an image is quite viewable, but fast-moving objects in the frame will look blurry. With an increase in speed to
60 fps, this effect becomes almost imperceptible. The highest QuadHD frame rate found in modern action cameras is
120 fps; this frequency is used when shooting slow-motion video (as well as models with a frequency of
100 fps) because at a n
...ormal playback speed, 60 fps is enough.Ultra HD (4K)
The ability of the camera to shoot Ultra HD 4K video.
This format covers several resolutions in which the horizontal frame size is approximately 4K pixels. The most popular in action cameras is 3840x2160 (twice the FullHD frame on each side), but there are other options — for example, 3840x1920, corresponding to an aspect ratio of 2:1. In general, 4K is a kind of successor to Full HD: among HD standards that surpass Full HD, UltraHD is the most popular, in particular, many advanced TVs are produced with 3840x2160 screens. On the other hand, this format is quite demanding in terms of processing power and memory, so it is relatively rare in action cameras, mainly among premium models.
Another important parameter given in this paragraph is the frame rate. The higher it is, the smoother the movement in the frame will be, and the details in dynamic scenes will be visible clearly. However, in UltraHD mode, most modern action cameras produce a very low frame rate — most often
30 fps, and in some models
24 fps or even
15 fps. This video is quite viewable, but fast movement in the frame may look blurry. There are cameras capable of shooting UltraHD at a solid speed of
60 fps — the blurring effect during such shooting is almost imperceptible. However, such a model cost is high.
Slow motion
Frame rate supported by the camera when
shooting in slow motion.
In general, such shooting is called “high-speed” because it is carried out at an increased frame rate (more than 60 fps). As a result, when played back at normal speed (60 fps and below), the video looks slow hence the name. This kind of slow-motion can be used just for fun, as an artistic technique, and even for scientific purposes — to capture movement that is too fast for the human eye. In any case, the higher the slow-mo frame rate, the more you can slow down the video and the more advanced the camera is in this regard. On the other hand, the higher the frame rate, the more performant the graphics part should be; and this, in turn, affects the price of the device, sometimes quite noticeably.
We also note that slow-mo shooting may be available only at certain resolutions, not always at maximum. These points can be directly specified in the specs of the action camera.
Display
— Diagonal. The larger the screen, the more convenient it is to watch (and also to control if the display is touch-sensitive). On the other hand, the diagonal of the
built-in display directly affects the size of the case, and action cameras should be quite compact. Thus, there are practically no screens larger than 2.5" in modern action cameras.
— Resolution. Theoretically, the higher the resolution, the clearer and better image the screen produces. On the other hand, displays in action cameras are designed mainly for menu operation and footage preview — and for these purposes, especially high resolutions are not needed. For models with two screens, the rear display is considered the main display.
— Touch screen. Display equipped with a sensor and responsive to touch like in smartphones/tablets. Control through such a display is simpler and more intuitive than using buttons, rotary knobs, etc. On the other hand, for more or less convenient control, the
touch screen must be quite large, which affects the dimensions of the entire camera.
Max. memory card capacity
The largest memory card capacity supported by the camera model.
This limitation is due to two points. First, the larger the drive, the more computing power is required to use it. Secondly, each type of memory card has its maximum capacity. For example, the capacity of an SD HC card cannot exceed 32 GB, larger drives already belong to the SD XC standard, and if it is not supported, the maximum card capacity cannot exceed 32 GB.
It is strongly not recommended to exceed the maximum allowable capacity: even if the card is recognized by the device, its normal operation is not guaranteed.
In box
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Protective case. A special container that provides additional protection from dust, moisture, impacts, extreme temperatures and other similar "troubles". The specific level of protection in each case should be specified separately. In order not to interfere with filming, the box is made of transparent materials. In addition, we note that some cameras can only be mounted on mounts in a box (or in a mounting frame - see below), since the body itself may not have space for this.
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Mounting frame. A device designed to install a camera on various mounts — helmet, steering wheel, etc. The camera body itself often does not have "landing sites" for such mounts, which is why additional equipment has to be used. Note that a protective box (see above) often performs a similar function; the mounting frame, in contrast, provides almost no protection, but the camera body remains maximally open in the frame. This provides additional opportunities — in particular, it allows you to connect various cables and effectively use the built-in microphone, which is impossible when using many boxes.
—
Helmet mount. A mount designed to mount a camera to a helmet or other curved surface. The design of such a mount is based on a curved platform with an adhesive layer or Velcro, the shape of which roughly matches the shape of the helmet surface. Such a device can provide a more s
...ecure hold than a classic flat platform (see below).
— Flat mount. One of the main and simplest mounts used to fix an action camera to almost any uniform surface: snowboard, skateboard, car hood, etc. It is a small flat platform, to one side of which the camera is attached, while the second is fixed to the desired surface (using Velcro, special glue, etc.). Note that flat mounts are often used for installation on a helmet, but for this purpose there is a separate type of mount, with a curved platform (see above).
— 3-axis mount. This differs from other types of mounts by the presence of three movable units that allow you to rotate the camera at an angle of up to 90 degrees in three axes. In practice, this allows you to choose the most interesting or successful shooting angle - on the side of the helmet, for example. Such solutions are usually compatible with many other mounts, so they can be used together with a steering wheel, curved, etc.
— On the handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle (pipe). A mount for installing a camera on a small pipe — for example, the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. As a rule, it works on the principle of a clamp, and the size of the mount can be adjusted within a fairly wide range, adjusting it for pipes of different diameters.
— Suction cup(on glass). A camera mount that is fixed in the desired location using a suction cup. Allows you to install the device on flat and slightly curved surfaces. It is worth considering that such mounts do not hold as securely as flat or curved ones (see the relevant points). On the other hand, the suction cup is easy to attach and remove and leaves no marks. Therefore, mounts of this type are mainly used for installation on car glass when the camera operates as a video recorder.
— Clamp (clip). The clip-type mount is quite universal, since it allows you to hang the camera on almost any suitable piece of equipment (backpack strap, unloading belt, belt, etc.). However, it is not very suitable for extreme shooting due to its relatively low reliability.
— Head mount. A device for fixing the camera to the head — usually on the forehead, like a headlamp. In addition to freeing up your hands, this placement has another advantage: the camera lens looks in the same direction as the customer. The mount itself is usually a system of elastic straps and is designed to be worn directly on the head, as opposed to a curved helmet platform. However, some models allow the possibility of wearing it over a helmet.
— Chest mount. This mount is a system of elastic straps that allows you to fix the camera on the customer's chest, shooting slightly lower than "from the eyes". Like the head mount (see above), it is easily adapted to the desired size.
— Monopod(selfie). A device commonly known as a “selfie stick”. It is a rod, usually foldable and sometimes adjustable in length; at one end of the rod there is a mount for the camera, at the other - a handle for holding in the hand. In accordance with the name, such a monopod is intended mainly for filming yourself - thanks to the length of the rod, the camera can be held at a comfortable distance. However, other ways of using it are possible: for example, with the help of a monopod you can “look” quite far over the edge of a cliff or around a corner. The main disadvantage of such a device is that one hand is constantly occupied.
In addition to those described above, the delivery set may also include other types of fastenings - for example, for musical instruments (on the neck of a guitar, on the bar of a drum kit, etc.), on a surfboard, etc.
