Best Budget Action Camera for Mountain Biking

Believe it or not, it doesn’t take a lot of money or equipment to make an awesome MTB edit.

In fact, with a little creativity and determination, you may already have everything you need to make a quality video.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s make sure you have the tools to get started filming.

Here are the best budget cameras for Mountain Biking, from least to most expensive.

1. Your Smartphone

Camera: 12MP Wide| Video: 4k/60fps | Battery: up to 20 hours | Waterproof: 4m

Low cost if you have one
Superior image and video quality
Long battery life
Portability

Not as versatile as a GoPro
Limited angles and lenses

Starting things off, the most budget-friendly camera you have is your cellphone.

Add a Gimbal and you have quite the setup on your hands.

And unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last decade, there’s a good chance you have a pretty capable device on your hands.

In fact, smartphone cameras have virtually eliminated the need for a digital camera, beyond those for professional use.

This is the best camera for Mountain Biking, as there’s a good chance you already have one, and there’s no need to spend any more money than you have to.

Smartphones are being manufactured with 12MP cameras, capable of shooting 4k video at 60fps and slo-mo video at 1080p and 120fps.

And don’t worry if you have an older model phone, you only really need to shoot at 1080p and 24fps to get a quality video.

The only drawback with smartphones is that they are not as portable as the smaller action cameras, meaning there is no real way to get POV shots.

But don’t count them out just yet, you can still get a good MTB video with external shots only, just check out this one:

The real benefit of a smartphone camera comes in the fact that it’s a great way to get started with little to no costs.

This way, you can work on your photo and videography skills while you save up for the tools you need.

For cameras that better fit the bill for Action Cameras, check out these budget-friendly options below.

2. AKASO EK7000 PRO 4K

Affordable
Great Video and Image Quality
Good Battery Life
Wide Filming Angle

Doesn’t come with Memory Card
Sound Mic picks up quite a bit of wind noise

Features – Wireless remote, 2 extra batteries, Built-in WIFI and HDMI, tons of accessories

With some action cameras costing up to $500, there are still a few manufacturers working to make them affordable. One such company is Akaso, who, offering budget action cameras as low as $50, is helping redefine affordability.

One of their best budget action camera models is the Akaso EK7000 4k, a $50 action camera that can shoot up to 4k at 24fps.

And the package from Amazon comes with over 20 accessories, including 2 extra batteries and a fast charger.

You may still need to shell out a few bucks for the SD card and mounts, but the total cost is significantly less than most action cameras.

3. AKASO V50 X

Affordable
Great Video and Image Quality
Adjustable Wide Filming angles
Good Battery Life

Doesn’t come with Memory Card
Sound Mic picks up quite a bit of wind noise

Features – Wireless remote, 2 extra batteries, Built-in WIFI and HDMI, tons of accessories

Quite the upgrade from the previous model, the Akaso V50X is a great option for an entry-level action camera.

This model comes with a 2-inch touchscreen and electronic Image stabilization. Something that comes in handy on bumpy trails.

And just like the cheaper models, this action camera has WIFI and HDMI built-in for seamless communication.

4. YI 4K+ ACTION CAMERA

Good Build Quality
Better Video Quality
12 mos. Warranty
Adjustable Wide Filming Angles

Doesn’t come with Memory Card
Almost as pricey as a budget GoPro

Features – Adjustable Video settings, built in WIFI and Bluetooth

While some budget action cameras claim to shoot at genuine 4k, the Yi 4k+ action camera really does provide the quality you expect when shooting at 4k.

Couple that with superior build quality and image stabilization and you have a really great action camera for the money.

The Yi 4K+ has plenty of good reviews on Amazon, with some even citing this device as the GoPro killer.

It even has its own app!

5. Older GoPro Models

Best Video Quality
Best Build Quality
Huge Community and User base
Adjustable Wide Filming Angles

Pricey
Only newer models have Stabilization

Features – Adjustable Video settings, built in WIFI and Bluetooth and a huge community of users.

Although GoPro’s aren’t really known as budget action cameras, they’re definitely the most popular action camera on the market.

With GoPro recently releasing their 8th Hero model, the previous years models have seen significant price cuts.

And with the Hero 4 shooting at 4k/30fps, you can probably get a cheap used GoPro that does just as well as the newer models. Make sure you check out this article on GoPro settings before you start filming.

In fact, I saw a Hero 4 package for $120 on Ebay the other day, and I’m sure I could find a few on Varagesale or Craigslist.

In these instances, I would recommend saving up for a GoPro, as they really do set the industry standard when it comes to action cameras.

6. Insta360 Go

Affordable
Very Lightweight and Portable
Great Stabilization
Easy Editing App

No Screen or Interface
Only shoots up to 60 second clips

Features – Super simple setup, editing app, minimalist design

Growing in popularity recently, and for good reason, Insta360 cameras offer amazing features at a fraction of the cost of most GoPro’s.

This budget action camera is the perfect blend of quality and affordability, with the focus on short 15-60 second clips as opposed to long shot videos.

Taking the minimalists approach even further, there is even a quick and easy to use app for editing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best budget action camera can be as easily accessible as the one in your pocket or just a few bucks away. I would still recommend saving up for a GoPro, as quality does really make all the difference. But don’t feel bad if you have to start with a cheaper action camera, the main thing is to start filming and having fun!