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It would seem that just about everybody is looking to buy an action camera at the minute, and we don’t blame them!

You don’t have to be into hardcore adventuring, or even take part in extreme sports, they are just really cool gadgets to own. They are also must-haves for travel photographers, so whether you are going to use your action cameras in Australia, or sailing down the Nile, here is our guide to finding the perfect camera for your needs.

Video Resolution

This is the biggie with any action camera. Currently, 4K is the highest quality available on top of the range cameras, followed by the standard 1080p and the one we all know; 720p. Knowing what you want it for will make getting the right resolution much easier. Also, consider what device/s you will be viewing your footage on. If you don’t have a TV or computer monitor that is 4K there is no point in getting such a high spec action camera.

Shape Matters

So does size and weight! Some shapes lend themselves to certain applications more than others. The majority of action cameras have a box shape, which makes them ideal for mounting on your chest. There are also those which are designed in a bullet shape, and many people prefer these for mounting to a helmet. In terms of size and weight, the lightest, most compact camera is always a winner when it comes to portability.

Durable

If you intend on using your new action camera underwater, or in the snow or rain, the terms ‘weatherproof’ and ‘waterproof’ are must-haves. Watch for the wording as whilst some cameras boast an exterior that is water-resistant, others only become so when placed in a waterproof case.

Field of Vision

Also called field of view, or FOV, this is that area which your camera captures at any given time. Most of today’s action cameras will boast a wide-angle FOV, but many will let you choose if you want narrow, medium or wide. The FOV may not be a deal-breaker when it comes to choosing your action camera but bear in mind that wide-angle footage can appear a little distorted and have a fisheye effect.

Image Resolution

If you also intend to take still photos with your action camera the image quality will be something to consider. As with all cameras, the higher the MP the better quality the resolution will be.

Memory

To get the best possible performance from your new action camera you will need to buy the fastest memory card within your budget. A slow card will not have a write speed fast enough to deal with your snapping, resulting in dropped frames and jerky footage.

Battery Life

You will get around 1-3 hours of continuous usage from an action camera before their juice runs out. This does, of course, depend on that usage. Shooting high def videos will drain your batteries much faster, and having Bluetooth, WiFi etc switched on in the background will accelerate this further. While battery life is important it shouldn’t take precedence. Many have made the mistake of paying a small fortune for a camera with a long battery life only to discover it was missing other features that they really wanted. You can get around this problem by buying a spare battery.