Action cameras are getting smaller, smarter, simpler and cheaper, and this Nautilus Nemo’s Eye camera is one of the cheapest we’ve come across.
It normally retails for $US70.39, but if you click on this Gear Best link and use the coupon code GBHetal, it’s only $68.99 with free flat-rate shipping just about anywhere in the world.
The camera is made by Chinese company Hetal Digital Technology and it’s named Nautilus because it’s waterproof to 5m without an extra case which means it will be fine on your bike, helmet (if the law permits in your jurisdiction) or just held in your pillion’s hand as we did for the “Hipsters” video above.
The 120-degree lens does not cover as much field of vision as some cameras, but then it doesn’t distort as much on the edges.
Video quality is quite good and selectable between 720P (1280 x 720) and full HD 1080P (1920 x 1080) on NTSC or PAL with a frame rate of 30fps or 60fps.
We made the video below using the Nautilus action camera. It is not as steady as a GoPro or a TomTom Bandit, but still pretty good considering the price.
You can use it for recreational reasons or simply turn it on to collect evidence in case of an incident since it has loop recording and a motion detector for sudden impacts.
It is wifi capable so you can conveniently control it through the iSmart DV smartphone app and download the video directly to your phone to instantly share with your social media friends.
Operation is via three small buttons on the top which are difficult to use with gloves, but the operation is simple.
There is a power button, a shutter button and a mode button. You can see what mode you’re in via coloured LED lights or via the smartphone app.
The built-in 600mA PLi-ion battery charges off a USB and it comes with double-sided tape to mount it on a flat surface, or there is a range of accessory mounts.
It stores video on a mini-SD card which is not included.