Video and Action Cameras For Sale Online
Having a vlog seems to be the norm these days. The allure of jumping into the social media fray, vying for views on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with the hopes of attracting likes and subscribers, is hard to resist. Shop Scanner is where your online purchasing experience will truly sparkle.
Types of Cameras
DSLRs and Mirrorless: Adaptable and Small
The most popular and flexible camera kind is DSLR. The light that travels through a DSLR camera’s lens bounces off an internal mirror and returns to its viewfinder and sensor. Some DSLRs lack internal mirrors. Mirrorless cameras are lighter and smaller than mirror-equipped ones. Mirrorless cameras directly feed light to their sensors. They create excellent low-light footage.
Camcorders: Reliable and User-Friendly
The easiest and most reliable video cameras are camcorders. This camera was popular among amateur videographers and news sources due to its portability and usability. You probably think of camcorders when you think of home movies, wedding videos, and other amateur material. The latest camcorders support 4K and have built-in stabilisation. These cameras are cheaper than mirrored and mirrorless DSLRs and some point-and-shoots, but they are quite sturdy.
Cinema Cameras: Professional Touch
Film or cinema cameras are for film professionals. These powerful cameras cost a lot. They’re less user-friendly than camcorders or DSLRs. Cinema cameras have superior image quality, making them expensive and preferred on Hollywood film sets. Content creators should rather use a cheaper solution.
Action Cameras: On the Move
Action cameras are made to be used in the great outdoors. These cameras have lightweight bodies, shielded sensors, and durable, waterproof casings, like the familiar GoPro. Common uses for these include filming extreme sports like skydiving, professional cycling, and even underwater snorkeling. These cameras stand out for their portability. Small enough to be held or affixed to a helmet for first-person POV shots. Since action camera users move around while shooting, they usually have good picture stabilisation.
Understanding Video and Action Camera Specification
Sensors
The sensor is a crucial portion of a camera since it records light information and preserves it as an image file. Photographic sensors are digitised versions of film rolls. Camera sensors vary in size. Note that this refers to sensor size, not megapixels. Smartphones and compact cameras have smaller sensors than mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
The sensor size affects camera performance, especially in low light. A small sensor won’t function well in low light, so your smartphone may capture poor nighttime images. Action camera sensors are crucial. Action photography demands fast shutter speeds to freeze action. Faster shutter speeds let less light in, so the sensor must be able to capture a good image with less light. Larger one-inch sensors in some action cameras allow for greater low-light performance and spectacular photographs and videos at higher shutter speeds.
Size of Aperture
Light enters the camera lens through the aperture. For maximum light transmission, most action cameras have fixed apertures. Everything else being equal, a bigger aperture lets in more light and improves camera performance. Aperture is denoted by a “f/”, such as f/4 or f/1.8. Smaller “f/” numbers indicate wider apertures. Most action cameras have f/1.8–f/4 apertures. For more light, choose wider apertures.
Video Modes
Get to know your action camera’s shooting options. Start with an action camera’s megapixel rating. This shows image resolution. Minimum 12MP is recommended. Higher doesn’t mean better, but it lets you crop more. The camera may have several photo modes. This could include time lapses and high-speed bursts. These modes are important depending on whether you want to capture time lapse or high-speed burst shots.
Most action cameras now shoot 4K. Lower resolutions like 1080 and 720 may be supported. A camera that supports 4K/60 can record high-resolution video at 60 fps. This will produce smooth results and allow you greater freedom for slow motion sequences. Many cameras offer slow motion video at high frame rates. Since this demands a lot of computing power, most cameras shoot high-frame-rate video at lesser resolutions. If you need slow motion action footage, ensure the camera can shoot high frame rate video at a resolution you can use.
Focal Length
All camera lenses have focal lengths. This applies to action cameras, small cameras, and smartphones. The focal length determines how much of the scene the camera can catch. In mm, smaller numbers catch a broader field of view while larger numbers capture less. A zooming camera lets you vary the focal length to make objects appear closer or farther away.
Most action cameras lack zoom due to their fixed focal length. Usually wide, this captures a lot of the scene. Since you usually mount the camera near to what you’re capturing, a larger field of vision allows you to capture more. Action cameras may have digital zoom. It usually only crops the focal length by digitally zooming in on a section of the sensor to imitate zoom. The results are lower-quality and less useful.
Overly wide-angle lenses can cause “fish-eye” distortions, when the horizon curves inward. This style isn’t for everyone, but lens correction software can repair it in post-processing. Action cameras commonly list the field of vision in degrees instead of mm. 180 degrees captures everything in front of the camera, whereas smaller numbers catch less of the image. To capture all the action, an action camera should have a broad field of view. Preferably 140 degrees or wider.
Connectivity
Most action cameras today have wireless communication, either Bluetooth or wireless. This connectivity allows remote camera operation, setting changes, image evaluation, and wireless image transfer to your phone. If this capability is crucial to you, verify if a companion app is available.
When looking for the top video and action cameras for sale, Shop Scanner will provide all your needs.
Video and Action Cameras for Sale: How to Choose Which to Buy
- Stick to your budget and don’t go overboard. Not everything that costs a lot is better.
- Find a camera that can switch between different frame rates. For slow motion, a frame rate of 60 or 120 frames per second is ideal.
- Think about what you’re filming before deciding on a high resolution, as it will result in a sharper image. You might not always require the maximum resolution.
- Obtain a camera with a wide-range zoom lens if you’d want greater leeway in capturing both distant and close-up shots. A larger number, such as 28mm-75mm, indicates a greater degree of magnification than a lesser number, such as 10mm-18mm.
- If you wish to shoot in dim light or make interesting use of backgrounds, a bigger sensor is the way to go.
- Optimal video recording capabilities include support for multiple file formats, such as MP4 and AVI.
- The audio input must be of high quality. For optimal sound quality, go for a camera that has XLR inputs if at all possible.
- Invest in a more costly camera if you want one with a longer battery life, or invest in spare batteries or a portable charger.
Why Buy a Video and Action Camera from Us?
At Shop Scanner you will find a variety of video and action cameras for sale that will unleash your inner adventurer. A variety of safe payment methods are at your fingertips, so you can make a worry-free selection. Have fun perusing a wide selection, backed by helpful customer service that answers all your questions. Quick delivery choices will have your action camera at your door in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Consider image stabilization, waterproofing, video resolution, battery life, and connection when choosing an action camera. Understanding individual needs and preferences helps users choose a camera that fits their budget and usage.
Both the GoPro Max and Insta360 are reliable, affordable solutions. GoPro Max is perhaps greater value because it is an action and 360 camera.
Many professional photographers carry GoPros. When you’re comfortable holding a camera, it’s pleasant to use, and its near-fish-eye vision enables you be creative with stills and video.
Wide view lenses from GoPro capture a wide view. Since their lenses have slightly warped edges, they are good for fisheye photographs of landscapes, cityscapes, and other wide-angle views.
If you like our range of Video and Action Cameras, you might also be interested in our selection of Power Banks