Tech Explained: How action cameras work even with low megapixels, and why smartphones are outperformed...

Today, smartphone companies tout 108MP and 200MP camera lenses as their biggest strength. Yet, action cameras like the GoPro and Insta360, with just 12 to 20 megapixels, achieve feats that even expensive smartphones can't. The answer lies not just in megapixels, but in the camera's technology, lens quality, and sensing capabilities. Let's explain this simply...

Megapixels aren't everything.

More megapixels simply means higher resolution, meaning more detail in photos. However, if the sensor is small or not of high quality, noise and low-light performance remain poor despite the high megapixel count. Action cameras like the GoPro or Insta360 only have 12MP to 20MP megapixels, but their sensors and lenses are professional-grade, capturing more information (light and color detail) from each pixel.

Sensor Quality and Large Size

The sensors used in action cameras are larger and more light-sensitive, producing clear and sharp images even in low light or fast movement. Smartphone cameras, while having higher megapixel counts, can result in dull or grainy images in low light due to their smaller sensors.

Action Cameras Capture More Detail

Action cameras come with wide-angle, high-grade glass lenses that capture more area and detail in each frame. Their aperture (f/2.8 or lower) is often fixed, ensuring sharp focus and stable images. Smartphones have multi-lens setups, but they are more prone to light distortion and digital processing.

Image Processing and Color Tone

Action cameras typically have chips that adjust motion, light, and color in real-time. Chips like GoPro's GP2 or Insta360's FlowState processor handle HDR and video stabilization brilliantly. Whereas smartphone photos are often processed by software, which takes away the naturalness.

Designed for Stabilization and Dynamic Shooting
Action cameras are specifically designed for fast movement, vibration, and outdoor shooting. Therefore, they feature HyperSmooth stabilization, gyro sensors, and the ability to shoot in RAW mode, which ensures quality is maintained even after editing.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.