Cameras Like GoPro

GoPro hands-free cameras have become popular with sports enthusiasts who want to capture point-of-view (POV) action as they shred down the mountain, catch a wave on their surboard or get airborne on their mountain bikes. But GoPro isn't the only game in town. Other manufacturers also make wearable and mountable cameras suitable for capturing all the action. Here are four other popular cameras like GoPro that you might want to consider before selecting the action cam that's right for you.

(Photo by Lisa Howard)

Although they may not have quite the same name recognition as GoPro, Contour is one of the leading brands in the action camera market. The ContourHD was the first hands-free video camera to offer 1080p HD recording, and their cameras continue to be popular. One of the advantages of a Contour camera over a GoPro is the design, which is more aerodynamic and not quite as conspicuous when mounted on a helmet.

The newest Contour models are the ContourROAM2 and the Contour+2. The ROAM2 is shown below. (You can also read more about this camera in my article "Why the Contour ROAM is Great for Moms".)

Sony entered the hands-free market in 2012 with their new Action Cam series, offering two models. The HDR-AS10 and the HDR-AS15 offer similar features, but the HDR-AS15 also offers Wi-Fi.

Like GoPro models, the Sony Action Cams offer 170-degree view and are waterproof to 197 feet. They offer one-touch recording in 1080p video. One advantage to the Sony models is that they offer a built-in stereo mic, rather than the monoaural microphone in the GoPro cams.

Liquid Image's first action cams were integrated into sports goggles and snorkeling masks. Like GoPro cameras, Liquid Image's tiny camcorders were designed to capture POV action during a variety of sports. Having a camera built right into your goggles is convenient because it doesn't require any separate mounts or straps. So the company came up with another action cam, the Liquid Image Ego. This small, hands-free mountable camera has Wi-Fi can shoot full 1080p video and 12 MP still photos.

Oregon Scientific isn't going to bump GoPro off the top of the action cam market any time soon, but this hands-free POV camera does offer some nifty features you won't get on a GoPro. For instance, it includes a G Force sensor to capture the force of gravity while you're engaged in extreme sports, and it has a color LCD screen for immediate playback. Also, the camera doesn't require a separate underwater housing; it's water resistant to 20 meters with no additional casing.

Didn't like any of the options above? Then be sure to check out some of the action cameras below.

If you ultimately decide to go with GoPro, you can save money by looking for older models (GoPro Hero2), used cameras, or new models on eBay. You can often find great prices here from very reputable sellers. Just look for merchants with a lot of positive feedback and you could walk away with a great deal.

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