I love GoPro cameras, but I’ve not yet been able to justify the cost to get one for myself. I wrote about their most recent release in GoPro HERO5 Adds Touch Screen, Native Water Resistance. As part of that post, I mentioned getting a chance to spend time (underwater) with a friend’s GoPro.

That same friend came to me recently and said I should go to Home Depot to see the inexpensive action camera they were selling. I researched it and the price was indeed nice. But the camera still seemed like a waste of money because it was of such poor quality. This got me to looking for a GoPro alternative that delivered reasonable quality at a bargain price. While I found a great answer, I have not used it myself. The links provided below to Amazon will earn me a small commission if you choose to order.

The AKASO Sports Action Camera is not as inexpensive as the Home Depot choice, but it delivers far better value and still comes in easily under $100. I also consider it reassuring that it is an Amazon #1 Bestseller with a 4.5/5 rating with hundreds of reviews. Is it as good as a GoPro? I seriously doubt it. But the price is only a fraction of the GoPro’s price.

It shoots 12 megapixel stills and up to 4K video at 25 frames per second. For reference, the Home Depot model was 5 megapixel and 720 video. I was pleasantly surprised to see it even includes a 2″ LCD screen which is a new addition to GoPro cameras. It even comes with a waterproof box rates to depths as deep as 100 feet (33 meters). Perfect if you want to take it scuba diving.

No surprise to find it is also compatible with the hundreds (thousands?) of available GoPro mounts. The kit offered at Amazon even includes a bunch of accessories that wouldn’t be included with the Home Depot camera. Heck it even has a remote you can wear on your wrist to either snap a picture or start/stop video recording.

While this may not be as good as a GoPro, it seems pretty darned close. It is also a far more affordable option for most users where the really high-end features on the GoPro likely don’t matter. I’ve not pulled the trigger and ordered one for myself yet, but it’s under serious consideration and I’m not sure how much longer I can put it off.