I’ve published a complete 360 Action Cam Comparison, with all three leading action cam companies having released new models this year, I dug into more than 45 features that differentiate them (or, in some cases, don’t). Given this is a video-related topic, it’s best watched on YouTube. Below are all the chapters in that video, for quick skipping/reference:
0:00 Quick Overview
0:56 Pricing & USA Notables
1:32 Sizing & Weight
2:16 Screen Sizes & Features
2:58 Replaceable Lens/Dome
4:06 ND Filter Support
4:13 Underwater Usage
4:53 Mount Compatibility
5:45 Batteries Tested
6:32 Overheating Issues
6:58 Battery Charging Slowness
7:45 Real 8K or Not?
8:45 Video Comparisons
9:15 Single-Lens Mode
9:42 Concurrent 360 & Single-Lens
10:15 Slow-Mo Cannonball Tests
11:00 Night/Low-Light Performance
11:31 Special Night Effects/Star Trails
12:13 LOG & 10-Bit Support
12:31 TimeCode Support
12:45 Photo Modes
13:08 Audio – Internal Mic Tests
14:00 Audio – Bluetooth Mics
14:11 Audio – Dedicated Mics
14:38 Apps – Smartphone
15:05 Apps – Desktop
16:40 GPS
16:55 Data Overlays (Sports)
17:27 Cloud Upload
17:50 Final Recommendations
As for other camera comparisons, there are more coming up, including the ‘tiny’ action cam comparison of the new GoPro Hero LIT, DJI OSMO NANO, and Insta360 Go Ultra. All of which are new options released over the course of the last 6 weeks, and all of which I’ve been out putting them through their paces.
With that, thanks for watching!
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Hopefully you found this review/post useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.
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Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!
Ray, spotted a typo in the intro: “and all of which I’ve been out putting them their their paces.” Probably should be: “and all of which I’ve been out with putting them through their paces.”
Thanks!
Any plans to test the new DJI Osmo Nano?
Yup!
useful information!
trying to figure out whether these work well as “safety” cams – to document accident events fore and aft, or whether you review those kinds of cams under a different heading. Thanks.
They’re not meant to be “safety” cams. I have a Max 2, and previously used a Garmin VIRB 360. On the plus side, when they’re mounted where a 360 camera should be, on top of your helmet, you record everything around you with the exception of the FOV that your helmet blocks, which is usually not relevant for “safety”. I’ve never tried, but I’m sure you can read plate numbers, get the color and make, etc., from the video. There’s also a certain deterrent effect from wearing what’s obviously a camera where it’s easily visible.
But the problems will be your card filling up, and how to power the camera. I’ve never owned a safety cam, but from reading reviews my impression is that they’re continually tossing old footage to make room for new footage. An action cam won’t do that. My Max 2 lasts about 1 1/2 hours in my favorite mode, 360 Time Warp, using the internal battery. It’ll be less for regular 30 fps video. GoPro does make a replacement battery door with a hole in it where the charging port is and a custom cable that snugly fits the hole, so you can power from an external battery. That works well, but it can be a little annoying trailing a cable off your helmet. So a 360 camera will work for this, but that’s not what they’re made for.
Thanks – you pretty much confirmed what I was thinking, which leaves open the question – did Ray review safety cams at some point, and I just haven’t found the review, or is this something that just isn’t on his review radar? Ray is the “Consumer Reports” of all gadgets for cycling and would be nice to get his take on this kind of item.
He’s certainly reviewed the Garmin Varia RTL 715 when it came out. I remember that because he didn’t like the Garmin app they have to review video from the camera. I believe he’s also reviewed the camera that I’m always seeing ads for but can’t remember the name (Cycliq?), but I’m not sure about that.
Thanks. The Varia RTL 715 was a painful review to read. :-(
I’ll poke around and see if I can find his Cycliq review (that’s the one I keep seeing ads for on my FB feed, and what prompted this search in the first place)
Yeah, I’ve got the Cycliq here as well, and been using it occasionally.
The kinda-simple answer is that Cycliq sorta went backwards in their tech. It was better before, then the company changed hands, [insert blah blah blah here], and after that, it was never really the same. For example, they removed WiFi from it, so you can’t actually preview the footage from your phone without wires/etc…
Even more simple answer is all these solutions sorta suck, at least in terms of tech accessibility, and grabbing footage more frequently. Whereas, they are all perfectly fine in a purely safety realm if you just want to leave it there and only grab footage when something really bad happens.
Thanks Ray. Yes, the main driver for this is as a documenting “safety” cam, as I had a bad accident a year ago and certain family members (like ALL of them) would be much happier if I had fore and aft cameras to catch whatever it might be that causes my next visit to the hospital and operating room. But if “action” cams can do the same thing, then it would be fun to also be able to make use of that aspect and take care of two needs with one system. FWIW, looking at the dates of your reviews of the Varia and Cycliq, seems odd that there haven’t been any real advances (at least that you’ve had a chance to review) since 2022 (date of the Varia review).
Yeah, I’ve got the latest models here. Even all mounted up. I’ll charge and update and take them on my next ride. As usual, I often overthink the reviews with far too long a testing period.
Thanks!! That would be very nice!