Dash cam vs action camera: Which one to buy?

The rise of smartphones as our primary camera has also breathed a fresh lease of life into portable cameras. The availability of affordable and high-quality portable cameras have given consumers a lot of choices when it comes to recording on the go. However, there are two types of portable cameras that dominate this segment: dash cams and action cameras.

While some interchangeably use these terms or use one for the other, each camera type serves a distinct purpose. Both dash cams and action cameras come with features tailored to a very specific need and understanding the difference between them makes it easier to make the right choice.

Action camera: Designed to be rugged and versatile

An action camera is a camera designed to capture dynamic, high-energy action and is often used to shoot from the first person perspective of the user. They are designed to be compact and rugged so they can be used for varied activities such as skydiving, surfing, or mountain biking. An action camera is more widely used to record videos than for shooting still images.

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They are often waterproof, shockproof, and ready for any adventure and can be mounted on helmets, bikes, or surfboards. Whether mounted on sports equipment or the surface of the human body, an action camera captures a wide-angle view to record the full scope of your activity. They really stand out for their image stabilisation feature that helps record smooth footage even during activities involving a lot of moving around.

Dash cam: Designed for the road

Dashcams are among the most purpose-driven cameras in the market since they are designed primarily to continuously record everything happening in front of your vehicle while you drive. The footage from a dashcam is increasingly being used not only to record every detail of your journey but also as a witness in case of accidents or unexpected events on the road.

The biggest advantage of using a dashcam is its continuous recording feature where the camera starts recording automatically when the car is turned on and stops when the car is turned off. They also support loop recording, meaning they overwrite old footage with new content to ensure you never run out of space. Some dash cams also come with G-sensors that detect sudden collisions and secure the relevant footage to prevent it from being overwritten.

Furthermore, some dash cams also act as surveillance cameras when the car is parked. With parking mode, the camera records any incidents that occur while you are away and helps capture potential vandalism or hit-and-run incidents. They also use their GPS modules to log the vehicle’s speed and location for additional context.

Dash cam vs action camera: Choosing the right camera

While there are cases where people tend to use their action camera as a dashcam, the decision between the two boils down to your primary use case. If you are looking for a reliable device to record your daily commute and offer additional safety on the road, a dash cam is the best choice. It offers features that are meant to aid your driving experience.

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Its features like constant and automatic recording with little or no input from the user show its driver-first design DNA. However, if you are looking for a camera to record dynamic and high-quality footage of your adventure then look no further than an action camera. They are sturdy, durable, and record videos that are second to none in terms of quality.

Their ability to be mounted in various ways makes them the default camera for recording a wide range of outdoor activities. If you are thinking of using them interchangeably then it might not yield the intended result. In an ideal scenario, it makes sense to own both devices with the dash cam capturing your drive, and the action camera recording all your adventure and extreme sports activities.