Action Cams TestPhoto: Stephan Gölnitz
Action Cams Test
Action cams on board are your digital declaration of independence. You keep more friends because they don't have to stay on the beach with their camera in the best conditions and then take blurry pictures of you. With the lens on the mast, boom or board, you are your own star - in front of and behind the camera.
It's not a trick - here the Rollei Bullet 5S has photographed the GoPro while filming. The photo is only a detail, the original is about twice as large in landscape format.Photo: Stephan GölnitzIt's not a trick - here the Rollei Bullet 5S has photographed the GoPro while filming. The photo is only a detail, the original is about twice as large in landscape format.

There's nothing you can't film. I realised this the other day when a hunter asked me which camera he would be best served with for wild boar hunting. There are no hide hunters in loden coats, but "action hunters" out and about through the undergrowth with full-face helmets and boar shotguns drawn.

Camera adjustment via WLAN and smartphone.Photo: Stephan GölnitzCamera adjustment via WLAN and smartphone.

During the freeride test in Dahab, we tested the cameras in a less martial way, specifically for their suitability for windsurfing. There are basically two design ideas: Firstly, cameras in an external housing modelled on the GoPro. The cameras themselves are usually quite dainty and not particularly robust, and are only protected by the housing, but then properly - 50 metres diving permission is the rule. The second type of camera relies on sufficient self-protection, all flaps and buttons are sealed, making more compact dimensions possible, especially for mountain bikers and snowboarders - but with a diving limit of one metre. This is already tricky for skidding or washing. Contour and JVC also offer additional housings. Sony, Contour and JVc for the helmet. If you want to use the camera not only for windsurfing but also for snowboarding, skiing or biking - and don't want to look like a remote-controlled R2D2 with the GoPro and base on top of your helmet - the flatter housing designs, which can be inconspicuously attached to the side of the helmet, are ideal. A Contour can even be used as a helmet lamp at best.

As with normal photos, the action has to be right. With a maximum frequency of 2 frames per second, surf tester Frank only needed around ten loops to get the timing right for this shot. Meanwhile, the JVC flies along on the fork.Photo: Stephan GölnitzAs with normal photos, the action has to be right. With a maximum frequency of 2 frames per second, surf tester Frank only needed around ten loops to get the timing right for this shot. Meanwhile, the JVC flies along on the fork.

Two models are already "splash-proof" without an additional water housing. The Sony comes with a proper submersible housing as standard. Another interesting feature for different applications is a variable viewing angle. At least 170 degrees is useful for mounting on a board or rig, while on a bike you may want to look more "forwards", where 120 degrees often works better. Most cameras offer both viewing angles, but not always "full HD" at maximum wide angle. For the widest possible vertical viewing angle (important when windsurfing), the resolution in 960p is often useful in 4:3 format. Operation on the beach or only at the desk While GoPro, Rollei, X-Game and Infinity (all only waterproof with the additional housing) rely on full operability even on the beach in the housing - for every button on the camera there is also one on the water housing - other models look more spartan. Sony only has the start/stop button on the water housing - at least you can remove the camera and find all menu items via a small LCD display, and Sony also has WLAN on board.

Use the screwdriver to tighten the toggles more firmly than with finger force alone - then the joint will hold even with the most vigorous action.Photo: Stephan GölnitzUse the screwdriver to tighten the toggles more firmly than with finger force alone - then the joint will hold even with the most vigorous action.

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