6 Best GoPro Alternatives For 2015

Updated: June 4, 2015

GoPro Cameras, the new of way of capturing — did not, actually, take that much time to become popular! While a lot of other cameras offered Full HD and 4K recording with their heavy make and hard-to-handle design, GoPro was the one to come with portable HD Camcorders that can conveniently be used for action & adventure video recording and capturing. When you want to record your cycling adventure or surfing, you can just mount a GoPro and it will be there to record everything in 4K, 2K or Full HD (Depends upon the model of GoPro you choose).

Following the success of GoPro, there was rise of a number of action-recording cameras that offer full HD, 4K and 2K videos despite the lightweight, easy-to-use design. Thanks to those efforts, we now have a few GoPro alternatives to choose when GoPro seems to be an expensive solution for you! Not only the affordable price range, some of GoPro alternatives can offer you enhanced features like advanced connectivity options or support for using as wearable.

To help you do that, we’ve created a list of top 6 GoPro alternatives that can be used for action-adventure capturing, in a convenient manner. Here, you can find GoPro alternatives as well as some serious rivals that stay ahead! Well, in the long run, it’s your convenience, requirement and budget that decide your buddy for action video photography.

Sony HDR AS30V

The first GoPro alternative in the list comes from Sony and the device comes with a really convenient design that will help you mount the camera easily. When used with the waterproof case that is provided, Sony HDR AS30V would be a waterproof solution for adventure-based video photography. It has to be noted that the handy camcorder does not support 4K video but is limited to Full HD videos only. Talking of the specifications, Sony HDR AS30V comes with one Exmor CMOS Image Sensor, which is impressive enough. Along with the smaller design, Sony HDR AS30V offers some other features too.

While support for Wi-Fi and NFC makes content sharing available in single tap, GPS support will be useful when you’ll love to have GPS data overlay on video output, such as speed, displacement, time etc. Also, Sony HDR AS30V offers a number of Post-shooting features like Multi-view video merge and map view. At the same time, Flip Mode will be an extremely useful one when you want to mount the device upside down — video recording will be normal, though. In addition, SteadyShot Image Stabilization will bring you non-blurred videos and images, however rough the recording environment is. And, you have several accessories to choose from, such as the Live View remote.

So, if you need a GoPro alternative that offers enhanced connectivity features and post-shooting facilities, it’s a good decision to go with Sony HDR AS30V; on the other hand, if you need an affordable alternative, you’ve to check other.

Price: $198
Where to Buy: Amazon

Garmin VIRB

Garmin offers a couple of adventure photography cameras — Garmin VIRB X and VIRB XE — that seem to be worth-noting GoPro alternatives for common users and professionals respectively. While the former gives importance to its portability, waterproof usage etc, the professional version is meant for enhanced recording features like stabilization of images, Pro mode etc. However, there are some factors that make Garmin VIRB cameras different from GoPro or other GoPro alternatives mentioned here — it’s about activities and data! You can capture superb shots and footage using the 12MP camera but Garmin VIRB then blends it with data such as speed, distance etc to make the footage an amazing one.

Being an activity-oriented adventure camcorder, Garmin VIRB X and Garmin VIRB XE offers deep support for storing & using different kinds of data, depending upon the situation. For instance, VIRB will record aircraft velocity and the altitude whereas in automotive, the sensors record Engine RPM, Fuel Rate, Vehicle speed etc. Plus, various types of mounts are available so that you can choose the one that meets your requirement. When it comes to VIRB XE, you’ll have support for 60fps recording and advanced camera controls like exposure and white balance. On top of all, VIRB can work using remotes — you can make remotes through corresponding apps, given support for WiFi & Bluetooth.

Considering all these, Garmin VIRB X and VIRB XE are great solutions when you need a rugged action camera that has enough features to make your video data-rich! Not that affordable, by the way.

Price: $299.99 for VIRB X and $399.99 for Virb XE
Where to Buy: Amazon

Xiaomi YiCamera

After giving a power-pack entry to Smartphone industry, Xiaomi is there with a quite affordable GoPro alternative, in combination with impressive features and capabilities — Xiaomi YiCamera. Though its minimalistic design may make you think YiCamera is a sort of toy cam, you will be astonished to see the features this tiny camcorder has, including full HD recording, that too available at half the price range of GoPro basic version. Xiaomi YiCamera comes with a 16 Megapixels sensor with full HD recording at 60 fps. Talking of the sensor, it is a Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor that’s powerful enough to give you stunning shots.

Well, it is to be noted that Xiaomi YiCamera is not the best GoPro alternative you can get, but it is definitely one that is worth considering, given the price range. For instance, reviews say that image stabilization sector of YiCamera isn’t that impressive and; you may face bad quality output if your pace is beyond limit. Nevertheless, despite its relatively lower pricing range, YiCamera offers dedicated app for Android Smartphones, for content sharing purposes. And, do not worry, iOS users, an app for iOS is coming soon.

So, Xiaomi YiCamera is a great deal when you just have less than $100 to spend on Full HD action camera! If you are ready to keep aside the mentioned issue, it’s a nice GoPro alternative, indeed.

Price: $86.16
Where to Buy: Amazon

Panasonic HX-A500E

Rather than a typical GoPro alternative, Panasonic HX-A500E can be called a wearable camera that has an impressive set of features, including 4K video recording. When compared to GoPro, Panasonic HX-A500E has a different design, which consists of two sections that are connected together using a cable. While the sensor section can be mounted as per your requirement and convenience, the other section consists of efficient controls as well as a small screen to view your videos as you capture them. Talking of connectivity issues, Panasonic HX-A500E comes with NFC and Wi-Fi that can be used for sharing content with your Smartphone or other devices.

Despite these features, Panasonic HX-A500E offers resistance towards water and dust, so that you shall get under-water shots and place your camera wherever you want without being afraid of dust. The most important thing that we found in Panasonic HX-A500E 4K cam is its comfortable design that lets the user have the best viewing angles, by mounting it the right way. To enhance the capturing experience and thus the quality, there are a variety of optional accessories available, like the Clip mount and Tripod Mount etc.

Of course, you cannot go for Panasonic HX-A500E if you are looking for a cheaper GoPro alternative, as the budget is around $300. Nevertheless, when you want 4K recorder in a convenient design, you can check this out and you will be impressed.

Price: $319
Where to Buy: Amazon

Toshiba Camileo X-Sports

Toshiba Camileo X-Sports is a good GoPro alternative when you need it to be as rugged and impressive as GoPro! It is not a matter how adventurous your tasks are, Toshiba Camileo X-Sports will be able to provide best full HD output as a variety of accessories are available from the firm, letting you place the camera quite safely. Talking of the sensor, it consists of a 12MP CMSOS sensor that can let you capture 1080 videos at 60 fps and the ultra-wide-angle lens will be enough ensure every part of the screen. When you use the rugged casing that is provided, Toshiba Camileo X-Sports will be a tough camera.

When it comes to the connectivity section, Toshiba Camileo X-Sports has Toshiba Wi-Fi Connect, which can be used by installing corresponding apps in your device. Also, the 2-inch screen lets you play videos you’ve captured while its wrist-based remote will be helpful in managing your Toshiba Camileo X-Sports when you are amidst adventures. In addition, Toshiba Camileo X-Sports has a compact design as well. It has to be noted that Toshiba Camileo X-Sports is having some shooting-based features as well.

Recalling what we said, Toshiba Camileo X-Sports is a great GoPro alternative when you need impressive features as well as an affordable price range.

Price: Around $100 (Amazon)
Where to Buy: Amazon

FLIR FX

As the company itself says, FLIR FX is perhaps the most versatile monitoring camera that allows recording in full HD! It is versatile from many aspects. For instance, you can connect it to the wall socket and place it in your room if you’d like to monitor the room all the time, getting up-to-date footages on your Smartphone quite instantly. When you are home, you can use the WiFi Direct-based connection whereas you can depend upon cloud servers when outside. So, if you were planning to get a GoPro for monitoring process, you should check out FLIR FX.

Coming to the monitoring aspect, FLIR FX has a number of features. RapidRecap technology of FLIR FX helps you to have a brief idea about happenings in the society by creating a clip that includes timestamps. On the other hand, the SmartZone feature will notify you when the targeted object enters a particular area. Plus, various versions of FLIR FX — Indoor, Outdoor, Sport Case and Dash Mount — are available and you can choose accordingly.

FLIR FX is not a typical GoPro alternative. But it is an alternative when you need the GoPro to monitor things in full HD.