While the best body cameras have certainly gained popularity with law enforcement agencies, there are also many good options available for the civilian market. Many states and cities have laws that allow body-camera images to be allowed in court, making them popular with anyone who needs to document their version of events. Body cameras can also be used for general recording and streaming.
The best body camera should have a durable and compact design, good video resolution, and long battery life so it doesn’t need frequent charging. Since body cameras are often used by outdoor adventurers, sports enthusiasts and law enforcement officers, durability is especially important and it is important to consider water and shock resistance. If you’re in a car, check out our roundup of the best dash cams. Read about the best body cameras for every purpose here.
The Best Package: MIUFLY 1296P HD Body Camera
The MIUFLY 1296P is definitely the best portable camera out there, thanks to its durable design, powerful audiovisual data recording capabilities and much more. Equipped with a 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, MIUFLY enables high quality video recording at various resolutions between 848 x 480p (30/60 fps) and 2304 x 1296p (30 fps). The camera lens has a viewing angle of 140 degrees and a digital zoom of up to 16x.
Thanks to the motion detection function, the wearable camera can automatically record video when activity is detected. The 2-inch LCD screen (resolution of 240 x 320 pixels) allows you to view captured videos and set a password to prevent theft/deletion of recorded data. The device has four infrared LED lights for low-light video recording. The MIUFLY 1296P is equipped with a 2,900 mAh rechargeable battery that allows you to record up to 10 hours of footage simultaneously.
Best Resolution: AKASO EK7000 Pro 4K Action Camera
In general, the bodycam category is not that different from the more general action camera category. Buyers of both want good performance no matter what activity they participate in, be it for safety reasons or simply to document the walk. Of the affordable action cameras, the AKASO EK7000 is one of the most affordable, and best of all, you don’t have to sacrifice many features in the process. In 4K, for example, it can record video at 25 fps and up to 30 fps at 2.7K (still a great resolution). These numbers are leaps and bounds compared to hyper-spec body cameras.
The EK7000 also has built-in electronic image stabilization, although according to our reviewer you probably get better performance if you choose a camera with optical stabilization. However, it can shoot submerged up to 131 feet underwater, meaning it doesn’t have to be relegated to the landscape. One drawback for bodycam users, however, is the movie limit of approximately 90 minutes. Everything, and you hit the charger. But considering it only weighs about two ounces, it comes with plenty of accessories right out of the box. And if you look at its streaming and Wi-Fi sharing integrations, it turns out to be a major contender for the title of best body camera of 2019.
Best Splurge: GoPro Fusion
Action cameras can be considered as body cameras for special purposes. They allow users to record their outdoor adventures while immersing themselves in them. When it comes to action cameras, GoPro is a name that needs no introduction. If money isn’t an issue, the Fusion is the best body-worn action camera you can get.
GoPro Fusion lets you capture immersive 360-degree video at an incredible 5.2K (30fps) resolution. You can record 3K resolution videos at 60 fps and capture 18 MP spherical photos (up to 30 fps in burst mode). Spherical videos can be played in VR, and the “Over capture” feature lets you convert 360-degree footage to standard 1080p video from any angle using the GoPro app. Speaking of the app, it can create short clips from captured images, post your favorite photos and videos directly to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and even update the Fusion’s firmware. With a total of four microphones, the GoPro Fusion can record crystal clear sound.
The most compact: Serene Life portable camera with stand
If you are looking for a compact camera that clips directly to your body, the Serene Life clip camera is the solution. Measuring just 2 x 0.6 x 2 inches and weighing just 1.44 grams, there is no doubt that this camera is compact. Fortunately, its small size betrays its characteristics. Shooting Full HD 1080p video, the recording quality of the camera is amazing. Video may be the main focus, but there’s also room to take 12-megapixel photos. Both photos and videos are stored on a separately purchased microSD card. The length of each image is determined by the size of the card, but the camera supports the AVI format, which compresses the video to a smaller size for maximum storage.
For fast playback, you can view photos and videos in real time on the 1.8-inch screen. You can also watch videos via the downloadable application on your mobile device. Just attach the camera to your clothes with the included clip and start recording.
Best for law enforcement: Reign P1 Body Camera
The Reign P1 is a rugged camera ideal for law enforcement. It has a 1080p FHD camera and 21x optical zoom which supports night vision functions. It can take razor-sharp photos up to 15 meters away, even in low light conditions. There is 64GB of built-in storage for storing videos, photos and audio. Battery life is stable, as the 3000mAh battery allows 10 hours of video recording, more than 11 hours of audio, or 20 hours of standby time. This should allow you to use the camera for an average working day without recharging.
Other features include password protection, which encrypts files so they can’t be stolen or deleted. The only way to delete files is to connect via a computer with a USB cable. Perhaps its biggest selling point is its IP67 waterproof rating, which means the camera can fully survive submersion under water. It is also shockproof, so it can withstand drops, bumps and scratches.
Final judgement
The best bodycam is the MIUFLY 1296p HD (see Amazon). It is a durable body camera that can record up to 10 hours of high resolution video. It can also incorporate a variety of useful information when taking photos, such as GPS location and the time and date. For sporty users, we like the AKASO EK7000 Pro 4K Action Camera (see Amazon). It shoots 4K video at 25 fps and has great image stabilization.
FAQ
Can you register other people with a body camera?
While there is technically nothing stopping you, it’s often best to get permission before shooting someone’s video? However, if you are in a public place, you have a lot of rights to take photos or videos of your surroundings. Body camera laws vary from state to state, so if you are concerned about the legality of continuous video recording, we recommend that you check the NCSL database of body camera laws.
Can you register law enforcement with a body camera?
Things get a little more confusing when body cameras are used to record law enforcement. Although recording by law enforcement is technically allowed, some states have attempted to regulate audio recording under eavesdropping laws. We recommend that you check this ACLU primer on police video recording before proceeding.
Are the police cameras always on?
Although more and more police forces are forced to wear and use body cameras, they are not always on or film. In most cases, officers can check when they are wearing a body camera. Officers can turn on the body camera before the match (or turn it off in reverse). Furthermore, even when the body camera is turned on, the images are not easily accessible to civilians.