An action camera is tiny, lightweight, rugged, waterproof, mountable, portable digital camcorders applicable to most outdoor sporting activities or underwater excursions. These features are useful so that you can mount them on anything from bicycles, helmets, body parts, skateboards among similar gadgets and bodies. Usually, the best action camera under $200 as discussed here will deliver to your expectations.

However, there are various budget action cameras on the market; hence settling for the best can be a bit hectic. Before buying an action camera, you have to figure out the features you want as they all have their ups and downs. Some may have a low resolution and, on the other hand, a poor battery life and such contrasts. Hence, it’s important to know the exact feature you want in an action camera.

When looking for the best action camera, price is always the determining factor. It doesn’t always mean that you have to spend huge amounts to get the best product. However, there are digital cameras under $300 you can get with amazing features that rivals the most expensive ones. Otherwise, features like relation, size, and weight, wireless connectivity, waterproof certification, video, and image quality constitute the best action camera.

What Are The 8 Best Action Cameras Under $200?

1. GoPro Hero5 Black

This action camera captures stunning 4K video and 12MP photos in single, burst, and time-lapse modes. Besides, the videos are smooth with crystal clear audio and pro-quality combine with voice control and GPS, making this camera the most impressive GoPro ever. You can share and edit plus automatically upload footage to your GoPro account for easy access to any advice.

However, the camera has a built design that is waterproof; hence you can comfortably enjoy underwater sporting adventure, worry-free. It can withstand a depth of 10 meters without housing. The camera also features an advanced wind noise reduction feature, voice control, video stabilization, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity.

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2. Xiaomi YDXJ01FM Mi 4K Action Camera

The YDXJ01FM has a built-in 2.4″ high responsive LCD touchscreen with 960×480 high resolution for easy setting, previewing, and shooting. Besides, the touchscreen is made with Gorilla Glass Retina to resist scratches and physical impacts.

The electronic image stabilization can capture super-smooth footage at 4k/30fps to ensure excellent experience in shooting fast-moving objects. On top of that, YDXJ01FM is one of the cheapest action cameras under $100.

However, the high capacity 1450mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery records up to 120mins of 4K/30fps video with a single charge. Additionally, without the battery, you can use Mi Power Bank Pro 10000mAh to power the camera via USB port.

The high performing cooling system protects Mi 4K Action Camera of overheating and enables stable video recording. The built-in 4. 1 Bluetooth and high-speed 5GHz/2. 4GHz Wi-Fi support for wireless remote control.

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3. GoPro Hero7 White + 32GB SD Card

Get ready for any outdoor adventure sporting activities with the 1080P Full HD video and 10MP photos camera. Besides, shooting a stunning 4K video that’s as amazing as the moment itself is easy. You can also shoot time-lapse videos to turn longer events into short, shareable moments.

On the other hand, you can get 15 photos in one second, capturing every beautiful moment. The video stabilization feature enables HERO7 White records smooth, steady video whether you’re skiing, snorkeling, or chasing your dog around the yard.

The GPS feature helps you track how fast, high, and far you went during your sporting game. Amazingly, you can transfer speed of up to 100MB/s, so that you are always ready for the next video or photo, no more buffering, no more waiting.

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4. AKASO V50 Pro Native 4K30fps 20MP Wi-Fi Action Camera

AKASO V50 Pro is an action camera with an external microphone that captures sound from all directions with crisp details. You can capture a stunning view underwater since the waterproof case can endure immersion up to 30meters depth.

Besides, you can turn on the dive mode to filter the red light underwater. Your AKASO V50 Pro action camera can seamlessly connect to your smartphone, via the built-in WIFI technology.

However, featuring 4K/30fps and 20MP image, your AKASO V50 Pro action camera can record every detail of your wonderful outdoor adventures and present an immersive footage of you and your world. Besides, the built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS) with a 6-axis gyroscope detects position and motion changes.

Plus, when the camera tilts, moves, shakes, or experiences impact, this action camera can still produce stable videos. The built-in 2-inch intuitive IPS touch screen makes the control of this tiny but powerful action camera super easy.

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5. GoPro Hero4 Silver Edition Action Camcorder

This device is a renewed video camera with a microphone. The fast and powerful action camera captures high-quality 12MP photos at speeds of up to 30 fps. Besides, built-In touch display with an aspect ratio of 16:9 helps you frame your shots, easily adjust settings, playback videos and photos leading to an improved camera control.

The new dedicated button enables quick access to camera settings and simplified menus make navigating settings easier than ever. Besides, the camera is waterproof and can withstand a depth of up to 131 feet underwater.

TheInbuilt Wi-Fi + Bluetooth deliver enhanced connectivity to the GoPro App, smart remote, and quick sharing of videos and photos into your smartphone. Other features include cinema-quality capture and manual control of color, ISO limit, exposure, and more. The night photo lapse has a customizable exposure setting of up to 30 seconds for single and time-lapse photos.

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6. GoPro Hero7 Silver Action Camera

GoPro Hero7 is the second most advanced model in the HERO7 series and one of the most advanced action cameras. Besides, it records 4K video at up to 30 fps, 1440P at 60 frames per second, and 1080P at 60 frames per second.  Shoot brilliant shots with a 10MP lens at 15 frames per second and store them in the provided 32GB memory card.

Indeed, it’s the best professional camera for beginners with powerful features including include digital stabilization for smoother video, voice control allowing for hands-free commands, a photo timer for individual and group selfies, and a GPS function that tracks your speed, distance, and other factors and lets you document these in the included GoPro app for iOS and Android.

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7. GoPro HERO6 Black 4K Action Camera

HERO6 Black delivers 2x of its performance compared to HERO5 with 4K60 and 1080P240 video recording modes. Besides, with an all-new GP1 chip optimized for GoPro capture, this action camera delivers vastly improved image quality.

Featuring touch control and an updated UI, the 2-inch display makes it easy to frame shots, playback footage, and change settings. However, HERO6 Black automatically sends your footage to your phone, where the app turns it into a Quik Story as an awesome edited video.

Besides, the most advanced video stabilization helps HERO6 Black captures super smooth footage, whether it’s handheld or mounted to your gear. Interestingly, you can swim with the camera since its waterproof to up to 33ft without housing.

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8. GoPro Hero5 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera

GoPro Hero5 is one of the digital cameras that capture stunning 4K videos and 12MP photos in single, burst and time-lapse modes. Besides, with an optional GoPro Plus subscription, HERO5 Black can auto upload footage directly to the cloud for easy access.

Using the intuitive 2.0 touchscreen, you can preview and playback your shots, change settings, and trim your footage, all on your GoPro. Also, enjoy hands-free control of your GoPro using simple voice commands.

Interestingly, a single press of the shutter button powers this action camera on and starts recording automatically and captures stunningly smooth video, whether it’s handheld or mounted to your gear using the image stabilization feature. The design durability and waterproof qualities make this action camera ideal for underwater sporting activities to a depth of up to 33ft without housing.

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Bottom Line

If you are planning on getting the best action camera, keep your specific needs at the fingertips. However, not all cameras are suitable for every sporting activity, and some are better for specific activities. Video resolution is the most basic feature people look at.

However, if you are interested in underwater sports, the cheap action cameras are not always waterproof; hence you should consider getting a waterproof case. In other words, stick to the essential features that you think will work exceptionally well concerning your interesting sporting activity.