Best 4K Video Camera

4K has been on on the market for a few years, but 2015 finally brings multiple options that don't come with a $4K price tag.

What is 4K? 4K has a resolution of about 4,000 pixels at the widest point, which offers about 4x the resolution of traditional high definition. 4K footage is exceptionally detailed compared to HD. Not all screens are compatible with a 4K camcorder though, you'll need a 4K TV or monitor to actually view the footage in 4K. Both 4K TVs, monitors and video cameras are becoming increasingly available, however.

4K is slowly making its way into camcorders, and it's now available in a few different types, including action cams. Here are the best 4K video camera options on the market right now.

Panasonic HC-VX1

The Panasonic HC-VX1 boasts both big zoom and big resolution.Sporting a 1/2.5 inch sensor, the HC-VX1 records in 4K resolution. If you don't need those details, the camera can use the extra resolution to add effects while cropping down to stan...

Grade: A- Price: $698.00

Garmin Virb 360

Following up their successful action camera the Virb 30, the Garmin Virb 360 brings immersive content to the manufacturer's line-up. Garmin is known as a GPS company, and the Virb 360 has five different sensors that work together to embed data...

Grade: A- Price: $700.00

Sony X3000R

Sony is bringing optical image stabilization to action cameras with the X3000R — and it’s a pretty big deal. Image stabilization is hard to come by in the tiny cameras, yet action cameras are the most prone to getting bounced around.Al...

Grade: A Price: $368.00

GoPro Hero 5 Black

GoPro promised their best action camera yet -- and they certainly delivered with the GoPro Hero 5 and the addition of several new features.The GoPro Hero 5 Black ditches the typical GoPro housing, waterproof to 33 feet without it. While not the fi...

Grade: A Price: $240.00

Olympus TG-Tracker

If Olympus' first action camcorder is anything like their tough cameras, the TG-Tracker should be an excellent performer. Taking the "TG" name of still cameras like the TG-4, the TG Tracker is named for the load of equipment it carri...

Grade: A- Price: $199.00

Panasonic WX970

4K is gradually becoming more and more accessible to the average consumer. Where 4K meant about $4K just two years ago, the Panasonic WX970 is one of two $1K 4K camcorders introduced in January 2014, alongside the Sony AX33.The Panasonic WX970 rep...

Grade: A- Price: $900.00

Panasonic VX870

Panasonic introduced two 4K camcorders at the beginning of 2015--the WX970 and the VX870. The difference between the two is simple: the WX970 has a built-in secondary camera while the VW870 does not. Opting to forgo the extra camera will save cons...

Grade: A Price: $595.00

Sony 4K Action Cam (FDR-X1000V/W)

Sony has been leading the industry in 4K resolution--and while the Sony FDR-X1000 isn't the first mountable camcorder with 4K, it's certainly set up to compete with the likes of the GoPro Hero 4 Black.At just four ounces, it certainly does...

Grade: A Price: $498.00

Sony AX33

Sony has long been at the forefront of 4K camcorder technology--in 2015, they're continuing to expand the technology while simultaneously lowering the price, making 4K a bit more accessible to the average consumer. The Sony AX33 offers 4K for ...

Grade: A- Price: $595.00

GoPro HERO4 BLACK

The GoPro HERO4 BLACK is likely the best mountable camera on the market in terms of video quality--though, albeit, the most expensive. Introduced with the GoPro HERO4 SILVER, which is the only GoPro to include a touchscreen, it has the highest vid...

Grade: A- Price: $340.00

Panasonic HX-A500

4K has taken the world by storm--and now it's coming to wearable camcorders. The Panasonic HX-A500 shoots in 4k video at 30 fps (The Go Pro Hero 3+ shoots at just 15 fps in 4K). But perhaps even more exciting (especially if you don't own a...

Grade: A- Price: $620.00

Sony FDR-AX100

When Sony released their first 4K Handycam last year, we were pretty impressed with the video quality, but the AX1 is huge and it doesn't just have a 4K resolution, it has a 4K price tag too. Now, the power of 4K resolution comes in a much sma...

Grade: A- Price: $1,298.00

Sony AX53

Last year, Sony introduced a 4K camera for under $1,000. In 2016, the price point is staying put, but the sensor and lens sees big improvements for the manufacturers 4K prosumer model.The Sony AX53 uses a 1/2.5" backlit sensor. That's sli...

Grade: A Price: $848.00

Panasonic HC-VX981

The Panasonic VX870 was well received for its video quality--along the lines of don't-fix-what's-not-broken, Panasonic introduced very small adjustments with the 2016 VX981.Like the previous version, the VX981 can shoot in 4K at 15 fps. Wh...

Grade: A- Price: $648.00

Panasonic HC-WXF991

When Panasonic offered their first set of 4K prosumer camcorders last year, the chief difference between the two was a second camera for picture in picture recording. The $899 and $999 models scoot a bit further apart in 2016--along with offering ...

Grade: A Price: $798.00

Canon XC10

Canon's basic consumer camcorder updates have been disappointing so far this year, but the camera giant seems to be focusing instead on creating multimedia products, gear that can perform well for both stills and video. While the Canon XC10 is...

Grade: A- Price: $2,434.00