Best Action Cameras for Vlogging with External Microphone Compatibility

SJCAM brand products are in demand in the mid-budget price league of action cameras. The SJ8 Dual model is perfect for a wide variety of shooting conditions.

The camera confidently copes with video recording of all sorts of activities and will not let you down when shooting vlogs. So, it is equipped with a front screen with a diagonal of 1.3 ", which will serve for the convenience of viewing in the "selfie" mode. And the model also got a USB type C port for connecting an external microphone, so that a high-quality picture is supported by excellent sound. The main screen of the action camera extends diagonally by 2.33 " and supports touch control.

The camera is equipped with a Sony IMX335 sensor. The model is capable of capturing video in resolution up to 4K at 30 fps with effective compression using the H.265 algorithm. In the Full HD frame format, the frame rate can be increased to 60 fps, or even 120 fps (for shooting in slow-mo). A separate line in the camera notes the Starlight night vision mode, which allows you to get high-quality images when shooting in poor ambient light.

SJCAM SJ8 Dual is equipped with wide-angle optics (170°), electronic image stabilization system EIS, wireless Wi-Fi module and removable battery of 1200 mAh(battery charge is enough for about 120 minutes of recording in 4K). The action camera is supplied together with a waterproof case (up to 30 m) and several mounts for various surfaces.

The ProCam X model, created according to the GoPro template, belongs to the category of confident mid-range action cameras. And it was released by the Ukrainian electronics brand AirOn.

The camera is positioned as a suitable solution for shooting active recreation and vlogs. The merit of the latter is two screens in the ProCam X design. The main display is on the back panel of the case, the auxiliary one is to the left of the lens on the front end of the case. The front screen will come in handy for easy viewing when shooting yourself.

The camera records video footage in a maximum resolution of 5K — 5120x2880 pixels at 30 fps. The frame rate can be increased to 60 fps in 4K frame format (3840x2160 pixels). The model has wide-angle optics with a field of view of about 170°, a built-in digital image stabilization system, and a WDR function for automatic exposure alignment in scenes with complex lighting changes.

The action camera is powered by a removable 1350 mAh battery. A fully charged battery is enough for a one and a half hour video recording marathon. The rich configuration of the model deserves special respect, which consists of many options for fastenings, an external remote control and usually includes a lapel microphone. Of the minuses, the ill-conceived design of the frame-mount is often mentioned. But in general, the camera successfully works off every penny paid.

At first glance, the DJI Osmo Action 4 action camera can easily be confused with its predecessor. And indeed, the cameras are as similar as two peas in a pod.

The main innovation in the 4th generation model is the increased size of the image sensor, which has grown from 1/1.7” to 1/1.3”. Thus, the sensor captures more light and produces better quality when shooting in low light conditions. The camera still records in the maximum frame resolution of 4K at a speed of up to 120 fps. A similar frame rate can be squeezed out in the 2.7K shooting format, and in Full HD resolution it grows to 240 fps.

When shooting in maximum quality, the operator has access to advanced RockSteady 3.0 image stabilization algorithms. If you lower the resolution to 2.7K, the proprietary HorizonBalancing and HorizonSteady systems become available, which reliably keep the horizon level with significant rotations of the action camera body. Also new is the 10-bit D-Log M color profile, which allows you to squeeze out the maximum dynamic range for flexible post-processing of the footage.

The camera is equipped with a wide-angle lens with a field of view of about 155 °, a main screen with a diagonal of 2.25 " and a front display with dimensions of 1.4 ". Both screens support touch control. An external microphone input will come in handy for shooting vlogs, and the built-in microphones on board the model recognize voice control commands. The body of the action camera can easily withstand immersion to a depth of 18 m. Finally, the DJI Osmo Action 4 battery can be charged at an accelerated pace (from zero to 80% in about 18 minutes). In the Adventure Combo package, the camera comes with three batteries, a case for storing and charging them, as well as a convenient telescopic handle Osmo 1.5m Extension Rod.

The American company GoPro is a trendsetter in the arena of action cameras. In the fall of 2024, its portfolio was expanded with the flagship model HERO13.

The top action camera from GoPro records high-resolution video up to 5.3K — 5312x2988 pixels at 60 fps in traditional pixel grid. However, more traditional frame formats are also available: 4K (3840x2160 pixels), 2.7K (2720x1530 pixels), Full HD (1920x1080 pixels), HD (1280x720 pixels). The latter option allows you to shoot ultra-slow motion videos with a frame rate of 400 fps. The operator is kindly provided with the HyperSmooth 6.0 and 360° Horizon Lock electronic stabilization systems.

The model has a dual-screen layout with the main display on the back of the case (2.27 " diagonally) and an auxiliary one on the front panel (1.4 "). Support for voice control commands frees your hands during filming - the camera understands 11 languages. In parallel, it is possible to connect an external microphone and wireless headphones for better control of sound recording. And according to the GPS module, the current coordinates are linked to the video sequence.

For vloggers and advanced video makers, the camera is designed to shoot 10-bit video in G-Log with LUT. The model is also used for shooting photos in RAW format. Without a proprietary aquabox, the action camera can be submerged to a depth of 10 meters under the water. The camera is powered by a 1900 mAh Endure Battery, which now supports convenient magnetic charging. In the Creator Edition Bundle, the model comes with a Volta Battery Grip battery monopod, a Media Mod media block, and a Light Mod LED backlight - all of which will be useful for bloggers and professional content creators.

Insta 360° X4 is an all-seeing camera for experienced bloggers, which takes video production capabilities to the highest quality level.

Let's start with the fact that the model is capable of capturing everything that is happening around it - its field of view is 360°. The camera records in resolution up to 8K (7680x3840 pixels). Then the best angles are selected from the captured video sequence thanks to intelligent video processing algorithms. During post-processing, you can flexibly reformat and resize the image. To import videos into, say, Adobe Premiere, the Insta360 Reframe plugin is used.

The camera is housed in a compact case measuring 123.6 x 46 x 37.6 mm and weighing about 200 g. The lion's share of the space on the front panel is occupied by a 2.29-inch touch screen, which is "under cover" of tempered Gorilla Glass. The model has a system of four built-in microphones with noise reduction for recording ambient sounds and perceiving voice control commands. And an external microphone can be connected to the camera via a special adapter.

When shooting with a camera, the proprietary FlowState stabilization will come in handy, along with the HorizonLock horizon-holding function. Of course, the model couldn't do without Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications, and it also received a capacious 2290 mAh battery. The battery is removable and can be easily hot-swapped during shooting. Its full charge provides over 2 hours of video recording.