7 Cheaper Alternatives to GoPro in PH

When talking about action cameras, GoPro is undeniably one of the (if not THE) first name to pop in your head. Their brand has been established to be synonymous to outdoor adventures and recording exhilarating activities, but, for those that are on a tight budget, there are other sports cameras available in the Philippines that would cost less than GoPro’s shooters (the Hero 4 Silver ranges from Php16-20K).

Below are 7 cheaper alternatives to GoPro arranged in descending order. Some have the official prices, but some are priced after online retailers.

7. HTC Re

This periscope-looking action camera is a fun, nice-looking and easy to use device that should win the hearts of solid HTC fans. It sports Sony’s CMOS sensor with Wi-Fi connectivity and IPX7 certification that makes it water resistant. Although the Re lacks included accessories, it gets the job done –performance-wise. It is available online for Php9,878.

HTC Re specs:
16MP, 1/2.3-inch Sony CMOS sensor
Bluetooth v4.0 LE
WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n
WiFi Direct
5-pin micro-USB
microSD card slot
Tripod Hole
1080p, 30fps FHD video
720p, 4x slow motion video
Android 4.3, iOS compatible
IPX7 water resistance
820mAh battery
66.5 grams (weight)

6. Playground Cam100

The Cam100 might not have anything really special to boast in terms of specifications, but what we liked about it was the package comes with a handful of accessories like mounts and thumb screws so you can use the action cam in numerous activities, and make your video-shooting experience more enjoyable. It has an SRP of Php5,990.

Playground Cam100 specs:
12MP camera
1080p video @ 60fps
1.5-inch LCD display
170-degree wide angle lens
900mAh battery

5. Xiaomi Yi

An entry from the Chinese company Xiaomi is its Yi Sport Camera. The Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor is partnered with a 155-degree wide-angle lens so you see more of what’s happening in front of the device. It also has an algorithm that minimizes digital noise when shooting in dimly-lit areas. You can find one online for Php4,879.

Xiaomi Yi Sport Camera features:
72 Grams and made from PC + ABS and metal composite materials
Ambarella A7LS Processor
Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS 16MP Sensor
155° (Mobile Phone 89°) Wide Angle Lens
3D Noise Reduction
WiFi Connectivity (up to 100 meters)
BLE Ultra-low power consumption
Bluetooth and Remote App control
4 Operating modes include; Photo, Time-lapse photo, Timed photo and Video
Share to social media within 10 seconds using the smartphone APP.
Video support: 1080p 60 FPS, 1080p 30 FPS, 720p 120 FPS, 720p 240 FPS
H.264 Video encoding with Sport level image processor providing ultra high-fluency
Urban White and Jungle Green colors
Price: Php4,879 (online)

4. Qube X-Cam Action Camcorder

The Qube X-Cam touts a 12-megapixel shooter with OV2710 image sensor. It can record Full HD videos at 30fps and HD videos at 60fps. It also repels water so you can use it in more of your outdoor treks. Connectivity-wise, it can preview and send photos and videos via Wi-Fi. It retails locally for Php4,229 or Php3,990 for Qube members.

Qube X-Cam Action Camcorder specs:
12MP OV2710 Image Sensor
170-degree Lens
Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @30fps, 1280 X 720 @60fps
Audio: Wave Format @176kbps
LCD Display: 1.5-inch LCD
IP68 Waterproof rating
Wifi: 802.11 b/g/n, 15m range
Micro-USB 2.0
HDMI
900mAh battery
Dimensions: 41 x 59 x 24.5mm

3. Cherry Mobile Explorer

The Cherry Mobile Explorer is a decent entry-level action cam designed for casual users. It has a good build, decent camera, WiFi connectivity, built-in display, and comes with a lot of accessories including a waterproof case. Although we had some gripes during our review, we still think it’s not a bad device for Php3,999.

Cherry Mobile Explorer Action Cam specs:
12 megapixel camera
170-degrees HD Wide Angle Lens
1080p. 30fps & 720p, 60fps, 30fps video recording
Loudspeaker
Microphone
WiFi
Built-in Monitor
1,000mAh battery
Supports iOS & Android

2. CD-R King Action Camcorder

Of course, CD-R King has its own version of an action cam. The package includes a waterproof shell so you can go swimming or surfing with it. An HDMI port is also present for hooking it up straight to a bigger screen, while a 900mAh battery keeps the device alive. You can buy one on their stores for Php3,380.

CD-R King Action Camcorder specs:
1080p camera with 170-degree Lens View Angle:
LCD Display: 1.5-inch LCD
Image Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 2560 x 1920, 3264 x 2448, 4000 x 3000
Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 30fps, 1280 X 720 @60fps
IP68 Rating (waterproof/dustproof)
Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
Mini USB 2.0
HDMI
up to 32GB microSD support
900mAh battery

1. SJCAM SJ4000

One of the most affordable sports cameras available right now is the SJ4000. In terms of aesthetics, it looks the same as Playground’s Cam100 and CD-R King’s, while also having slightly similar specs. It is available online for Php2,799 for the non-Wi-Fi version and Php3,499 if you want a wireless connection.

SJCAM SJ4000 specs:
12MP Full HD camera
4x digital zoom
LCD Display: 1.5-inch LCD
900mAh battery
up to 32GB microSD

Do you have any other recommendations for cheaper GoPro alternatives? Feel free to share them with everyone on the comments section below.