An action camera with lots of extras
Trademark lawyers hate it when you use brands to reference a whole category of products. But we still do it. Most of us have a Hoover, possibly made by Zanussi. Or maybe a ‘Dyson’… with ‘Vax’ written on the front. Some names just stick in the mind, and almost anything is better than ‘vacuum cleaner’.
So it is with ‘action cameras’. You’ll see these strapped to bikes, helmets, canoes, snowboards and anything else that moves. Their owners call them GoPros, but GoPro isn’t the only company that makes them. This one is from Veho, whose name you might recognise from the Southampton football strip.
The Muvi K2 shoots Full HD video and, unusually, 16-megapixel photos. Like other action cameras, it can be controlled from your iOS or Android phone or tablet, but it comes with a little LCD screen that clips on to the back, so you can check what you’re filming. You can find the K2 for as little as £130, which is great value. We tested the K2NPNG bundle, which includes an impressively chunky rugged case that’s fully waterproof.
The case is big and fiddly, with mysterious buttons and replaceable mist filters, but it does a good job. A whole array of mounts is provided to attach to almost anything, and you can use GoPro mounts, too. The whole lot comes in an even bigger box with a carry handle.
Once you learn the controls, the K2 is straightforward to use, and it’s easy to switch between still and moving pictures. The results are more than good enough for casual and semi-pro use. Video goes up to 60 frames per second (fps), allowing 2x slow motion, or 120fps at a lower 720p resolution. You can set a gravity sensor to start shooting when the camera moves, so you don’t miss anything. The 8GB microSD card will only store 90 minutes of footage, but extra 32GB cards in this format cost under a tenner. The rechargeable battery, rated at four hours, lasted us two and a half, which is actually very good; it’s not sealed in, so you can carry a spare.
Inevitably, competition comes from GoPro. The Hero+ LCD – with its built-in rugged case – is more compact, though not quite as waterproof. At the time of writing, Currys is selling it with a carry case and a 32GB microSD card thrown in for £199 (www.snipca.com/18798). Both cameras are great buys.
VERDICT
If you don’t need the smallest camera, the Muvi gives you a good-value comprehensive outdoorshooting kit.
SPECIFICATIONS
1080p Full HD video • 16-megapixel photos • 2in screen • microSD card slot • Wi-Fi • Mini USB port • Mini HDMI port • 40x60x23mm (HxWxD) • 84g • One-year warranty