Recording your commute or rough-terrain rides doesn’t have to burn a big hole in your wallet.
Buying a cheaper cycling camera may mean foregoing some of the most up-to-date features of the latest tech, but you can still get great 4K-quality footage and a gadget versatile enough to attach onto handlebars or fit subtly under your saddle.
Budget action camera under £50
GoXtreme Pioneer 1080P Action Cam
The GoXtreme Pioneer 1080P Action Cam is a small and simple 12MP camera that captures video at resolutions up to 4K/10fps.
The camera takes both micro SDHC and microSD memory cards and has a 2in screen for framing and playback.
What’s useful is the built-in WiFi, which connects to an app on your smartphone and can be used to transfer files without the need for a laptop – ideal for days when you’re off the beaten track.
This cycling camera also comes with a range of mounts and a waterproof housing for up to 30m that will fit to your bike.
AKASO EK7000 4K Sport Action Camera
Despite being under £50, the AKASO 4K Ultra HD camera is wireless and waterproof up to 30m.
It comes with a wireless remote control to wear on your wrist, and could be a particularly useful cycling camera for road riding if mounted under your saddle.
Fully charged, it will shoot for up to 90 minutes, but helpfully there are two rechargeable batteries and a USB dual-battery charger. A good choice if you just need something for your commute.
VanTop Moment 4 Action Camera 4K
For under £50, the VanTop gives you 20MP worth of image-quality for pictures and 4K/24fps for shooting video.
Frames are stabilised by an internal gyroscope with electronic image stabilisation to reduce wobbling when shooting over mountainous terrain. With a zero shutter speed lag guarantee, it sounds like a lot for your money here.
Budget action camera under £100
Ezviz S2 Lite FHD 1080P 60FPS Sport Action Camera
Ezviz specialises in durable outdoor security cameras, so the 8MP touchscreen sports action camera should be able to deal with a range of elements.
Waterproof up to 40m, it also has a low-light mode that adapts the frame-rate for optimal lighting – useful for early morning commutes or evening road rides.
AKASO EK7000 PRO 4K
This is a versatile action camera for the price. At just under £80, you get a 16MP photo capacity with image-stabilisation for capturing fast-moving videos on rough mountain routes in crisp 4K.
The capture angles are adjustable from super-wide to narrow, while other features include a 2in IPS touchscreen and an upgraded case waterproof up to 131ft. This camera can also be controlled remotely from a watch on your wrist.
Budget action camera under £150
Drift Ghost X
It’s always nice to have some variety when choosing a camera. The Drift Innovation Ghost is a 12MP weather-resistant modular sports-action camera that is claimed to shoot five hours of 1080p video in full HD.
Although it’s above the £100 price point, the Drift is a 300-degree rotatable lens, which should be good for awkward mounting angles.
Also, among its different functions is a clone mode that allows for simultaneous recording from linked cameras to enhance the production of your videos.
Olfi one.five Black
If you like your slow-mo shots, the Olfi one.five has the option to shoot 720p/120fps video to capture all the fine detail of the action but slowed down.
It also has a camera that provides 16MP-quality shots of your adventures, and it's all stored on a 64GB SD card that’s included in the price.
Budget action camera under £200
VEHO MUVI KX-1 4K
The UK-designed VEHO action camera arrives in a rugged protective carry case, immediately giving the impression that it’s good for a rough ride.
The 12MP camera shoots in a range of modes including high-speed for fast downhill riding. But when it comes to video, you can share its 4K-high footage live through social media and make your mates jealous.
