The best body cam should have a durable, compact design, good video resolution, and long battery life so it doesn’t need to be frequently recharged. Since body cameras are frequently used by outdoor adventurers, sports enthusiasts, and law enforcement, durability is particularly important and a waterproof and shock resistance rating is important to consider. If you’re in a car, take a look at our roundup of the best dash cams. Here, read on to see the best body cams to get for any purposes. Thanks to a motion-detection feature, the wearable camera can automatically start video capture on detecting activity. A two-inch (240 x 320 pixels resolution) LCD lets you view captured videos, and you can set a password to prevent recorded data from being stolen/deleted. The device has four infrared LEDs for capturing videos in dark environments. MIUFLY 1296P comes with a 2,900mAh rechargeable battery, allowing up to 10 hours of footage to be captured in one go. Resolution: 5MP | Video Resolution: 480p, 1304x1296 | Waterproof: IP65 | Zoom: 16x | Connectivity: Cable The EK7000 also has electronic image stabilization built-in, though according to our reviewer probably get better action performance if you go for a camera with optical stabilization. That said, it can still shoot while submerged up to 131 feet underwater, meaning it doesn’t have to be relegated to landscapes. One drawback for body cam users, however, is its roughly 90-minute footage cap. Anything over that and you’ll be reaching for the charger. But because it only weighs about two ounces, it comes with a ton of accessories right in the box. And when you consider its Wi-Fi streaming and sharing integrations, it turns out to be a leading contender for the title of best body cam 2019 has to offer. Resolution: 5MP | Video Resolution: 4K, 2.7K | Waterproof: To 131 feet | Zoom: 16x | Connectivity: Cable, Wi-Fi, SD card, Bluetooth GoPro Fusion lets you capture immersive 360-degree videos in an astounding 5.2K (30fps) resolution. You can record 3K resolution videos at 60fps, as well as take 18MP spherical photos (at up to 30fps in burst mode). The spherical videos can be played back in VR, and the “Overcapture” feature makes it possible to convert 360-degree footage to standard 1080p videos from any angle, using the GoPro companion app. Speaking of the app, it can be used for creating short clips from the captured footage, posting your favorite photos and videos directly to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and even update the Fusion’s firmware. With a total of four microphones, GoPro Fusion can record crystal clear audio. It also has advanced video stabilization capabilities. For connectivity, GoPro Fusion features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. GPS is also included in the mix. Resolution: 18MP | Video Resolution: 5.2K | Waterproof: Yes, 16 feet | Zoom: N/A | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD card For quick playback, a 1.8-inch display will let you view real-time picture and video. You can also review videos on a downloadable app on your mobile device. Just attach the camera to your clothing using the included clip and start recording. Resolution: 18MP | Video Resolution: 1080p | Waterproof: No | Zoom: N/A | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, SD card Other features include password protection, that encrypts files so they can’t be stolen or deleted. The only way to delete any files is by connecting through a computer with a USB cable. Perhaps the biggest selling point is the IP67 waterproof rating, meaning the camera can survive complete submersion underwater. It’s also shock-resistant, so it can withstand drops, bumps, and scrapes. Resolution: N/A | Video Resolution: 1080p | Waterproof: IP67 | Zoom: 21x | Connectivity: Cable James Huenink has been writing for Lifewire since 2019, covering a wide range of consumer tech including action cameras and accessories.
What To Look For in Body Cams
Resolution/Video Quality
The key things you’ll want to have in a body cam is a resolution and video quality that’s crisp and smooth. The most standard resolution is 1080p at 30fps, which should give you good, smooth recording without breaking the budget. You can step up to 60fps if you want even smoother recording (or slow down to 24fps for slow motion effects). Above that, you get 4K usually at 30fps, which is much sharper, but that results in a corresponding increase in price.
Durability/Waterproofing
As with anything that gets worn and carried around with you all the time, durability is hugely important for a body cam. If you’re in law enforcement, you’ll want something that’s MIL-STD 810G, a certification that promises lab-tested shock resistance, drop resistance, and more. A waterproof rating is also important, with IP65 meaning the device is protected against submersion in water up to 5m and also resistant to dust. There are higher and lower IP ratings, with IPX ratings meaning no dust resistance and just water.
Battery Life
A body cam can’t be easily recharged if you’re wearing it around all day, so battery life is important. The size of the built-in cell can vary, with 1,000mAh to 3,000mAh being standard. Ideally, you’ll want a device that can take you through an 8-hour workday. Most body cams likely won’t be able to last a full 24 hours, since the size of the battery needs to be balanced against the compact and lightweight design. One option is to get a body cam that has more than one battery so you can swap them out when one runs out of juice.
