Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera Review: The Budget 4K Contender That Punches Above Its Weight

I remember standing at the top of a trail in the Peak District, the wind whipping around me, looking down at a path I was about to descend on my mountain bike. The view was breathtaking, a panorama of rugged hills and heather. My first thought was, “I need to capture this.” My second thought was a familiar pang of regret—my high-end action camera was sitting at home, its battery dead from the last trip. More than that, the fear of crashing and destroying a £400 piece of kit often made me hesitant to push the limits. This is the adventurer’s dilemma: the desire to document our most thrilling moments is often at odds with the high cost and fragility of the equipment required. For years, the market has been dominated by a few big names, creating a barrier to entry for casual enthusiasts, families, or anyone who just wants a reliable, capable camera for their holiday without taking out a small loan. The search for a solution—a camera that delivers quality without the anxiety-inducing price tag—is what led me to explore the burgeoning world of budget-friendly alternatives.

What to Consider Before Buying an Action Camera

An action camera is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for capturing life in motion, from a first-person perspective. Whether you’re snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, navigating a bustling city on a bike, or simply recording a family day out at the park, these compact powerhouses are designed to go where traditional cameras and smartphones can’t. Their main benefits lie in their ruggedness, portability, and wide-angle view, allowing you to immerse your viewers in the action. They solve the problem of shaky, poorly-framed footage from a phone and the bulkiness of a DSLR, offering a simple, set-and-forget way to document your experiences.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the need for a durable, hands-free recording device. This includes athletes, travellers, vloggers, motorcyclists, and even parents who want to capture their kids’ adventures without worry. However, an action camera might not be suitable for those who prioritise cinematic depth of field, optical zoom, or professional-grade audio capture out of the box—a mirrorless or DSLR camera would be a better fit for that. For those who simply need quick, stable video for social media in controlled environments, a modern flagship smartphone with advanced image stabilisation might suffice. The key is to match the tool to the task.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Video Resolution & Frame Rate: This is the headline feature. 4K resolution offers incredible detail, but the frame rate is equally important. 60 frames per second (FPS) provides silky-smooth motion, ideal for fast-paced action, and allows for clean slow-motion effects in post-production. For most users, 4K at 30FPS is excellent, but 60FPS provides a significant step up in quality and versatility.
• Image Stabilisation: Action cameras are subjected to a lot of vibration and movement. Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) is a crucial feature that digitally smooths out shaky footage. While budget cameras may not have the advanced, gimbal-like stabilisation of premium models, the presence of any EIS is a massive advantage over none at all.
• Durability & Waterproofing: An action camera needs to be tough. Look for a robust build and, critically, a high-quality waterproof housing. Most models require a case for deep water submersion, so check the rated depth (e.g., 40 meters) to ensure it meets your needs for diving, surfing, or snorkelling.
• Battery Life & Accessories: A camera is useless with a dead battery. Check the battery capacity (measured in mAh) and, more importantly, whether the package includes spare batteries. A comprehensive accessory bundle with various mounts, a remote control, and a memory card can save you a significant amount of money and hassle, turning a simple purchase into a complete, ready-to-go kit.

Making an informed decision means balancing these features against your budget. While premium brands offer cutting-edge technology, the gap in quality is narrowing, and many affordable options now provide incredible value for the money.

While the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Complete Adventure Kit in a Box

Unboxing the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera was, frankly, a surprising experience. In a market where even premium brands often charge extra for essential accessories, Apexcam has taken the opposite approach. The box isn’t just a camera; it’s a complete starter ecosystem. We were immediately struck by the sheer volume of included gear: a robust waterproof case, a wrist-mounted remote control, an external microphone, a dual-battery charger, a pre-installed 64GB MicroSD card, and a bewildering array of mounts, clips, and straps. As one user noted, “all you’d need to buy is a case to carry it all.”

The camera itself feels impressively solid for its price point. It’s lightweight and compact, fitting comfortably in the palm of one hand. The body has a tactile, slightly rubberised finish that aids grip. The rear touch screen is bright, responsive, and surprisingly intuitive, making navigating the menus far less complicated than the button-only interfaces of older budget cameras. This is a device designed for immediate use, a philosophy confirmed by the inclusion of two 1350mAh batteries, ensuring you can head out for a full day of shooting without worrying about running out of power. The initial impression is one of overwhelming value and thoughtful packaging.

A Deep Dive into the Apexcam M80’s Real-World Performance

A great unboxing experience means nothing if the camera can’t deliver where it counts. We put the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera through a series of tests, from bumpy bike trails to underwater experiments, to see if its performance lives up to its promising feature list. We focused on the core elements that matter most to users: image quality, the practicality of its all-inclusive kit, its day-to-day usability, and its resilience in the field.

Video and Photo Quality: Is It Truly 4K at 60FPS?

The headline claim is 4K video at 60 frames per second, a spec once reserved for top-tier cameras. We were sceptical, but our tests confirmed that the Apexcam M80 delivers on this promise. In bright daylight, the footage is genuinely impressive. We mounted it to a bike’s handlebars and recorded a ride through a local park. The video was sharp, with vibrant colours that felt true to life without being overly saturated. The 60fps frame rate made a noticeable difference, rendering the fast motion incredibly smooth and free of the jitteriness you sometimes see at 30fps. This smoothness also provides excellent flexibility for creating cinematic slow-motion sequences in editing. As one happy user put it, the video quality is “excellent — I love it,” a sentiment we wholeheartedly share after reviewing our test footage.

The 170° wide-angle lens does an excellent job of capturing an immersive, expansive field of view, perfect for action sports or scenic shots. While some ultra-wide lenses can suffer from extreme “fisheye” distortion, we found the M80’s automatic image correction manages this well, keeping lines relatively straight at the edges of the frame. The 48MP still photos are equally capable, producing crisp and detailed images that are more than good enough for sharing online or even for small prints. The camera’s 6-layer glass lens system clearly contributes to this clarity. While its low-light performance is adequate, this is where you see the difference between a budget sensor and a premium one; in very dim conditions, some grain becomes apparent. However, for its intended use in daylight and well-lit environments, the image quality of the Apexcam M80 is a feature that truly sets it apart from its price-point peers.

The All-Inclusive Kit: Unpacking Unbeatable Value

This is arguably the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera‘s greatest strength. The sheer number of included accessories transforms it from a simple camera purchase into a comprehensive action-ready package. Let’s break down what this means in practical terms. The waterproof case is rated to 40 meters, and in our submersion tests (in a local swimming pool, not the deep sea!), it remained perfectly sealed and bone dry inside. The buttons on the case are tactile and easy to press, allowing full control even underwater.

The inclusion of a 64GB MicroSD card is a huge bonus, saving you an immediate £10-£15 and allowing you to start recording straight out of the box. The dual 1350mAh batteries and external charger are a game-changer. During a long hike, we were able to shoot for several hours, and when the first battery died, we simply swapped in the fresh one. This effectively doubles your recording time, a benefit many users highlighted as a “big plus.” Furthermore, the vast array of mounts—for helmets, bikes, and various flat or curved surfaces—means you’re equipped for almost any activity without spending extra. The wrist-mounted remote is particularly useful for starting and stopping recordings or snapping photos when the camera is mounted out of reach, a feature one motorbiking user called “the best feature” for on-the-move control. When you check the latest price and availability, factoring in the cost of these accessories if purchased separately makes the M80’s value proposition almost unbeatable.

Usability and On-the-Go Features

A powerful camera is useless if it’s a pain to operate. Thankfully, Apexcam has made the M80 remarkably intuitive. The rear touch screen is the primary method of control, and its menus are logically laid out and easy to navigate. Swiping between modes—video, photo, time-lapse, burst—is fluid and responsive. For those wearing gloves or when the camera is in its waterproof case, the physical buttons on the body provide redundant control for all essential functions.

Connecting the camera to a smartphone via Wi-Fi using the ‘Live DV’ app was straightforward. The app allows you to see a live preview from the camera, start and stop recording, change settings, and download footage directly to your phone for quick sharing. This is perfect for framing your shot when the camera is mounted in an awkward position. We also found the specialised modes to be genuinely useful. ‘Driving Mode’ automatically starts recording when it detects power (via USB), turning it into a capable dash cam. One user specifically bought it for this purpose and praised its compact size, which “doesn’t obscure my vision but captures the road perfectly.” The ‘Pre-recording’ feature, which continuously buffers 5 seconds of video, is brilliant for capturing unpredictable moments, ensuring you never miss the start of the action because you were a second too late hitting the record button. These thoughtful features elevate the Apexcam M80 from a basic recorder to a versatile tool.

Durability, Stabilisation, and Battery Performance

An action camera needs to withstand abuse. The M80 feels well-constructed, and inside its protective case, it’s a veritable tank. We had a few minor tumbles during our testing, and the camera emerged without a scratch. Users who have put it through robust use, such as recording hockey games, have noted that it has “stood up to the robust requirements.” The digital image stabilisation (EIS) is a welcome feature and does a decent job of smoothing out minor vibrations and jitters, like those from walking or light cycling on a paved path. As one observant user noted, it seems most effective for horizontal movement. It won’t compete with the gimbal-like smoothness of a GoPro’s HyperSmooth, especially during very high-impact activities, but it makes a significant difference and results in far more watchable footage than a camera without any stabilisation at all.

Battery life is a common pain point for action cameras, but the M80’s dual-battery setup mitigates this concern effectively. We found a single 1350mAh battery could provide approximately 90-110 minutes of continuous 4K recording, depending on Wi-Fi usage and screen-on time. Having a second, fully charged battery ready to go means you’re equipped for over three hours of potential recording, which is more than enough for most day trips or sporting events. Users consistently praise this, with comments like “battery life lasts through long sessions” and “its a big advantage getting 2 batteries” appearing frequently. This thoughtful inclusion demonstrates that Apexcam understands the practical needs of its users in the field. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to confirm just how well-received this aspect is.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user sentiment for the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera is overwhelmingly positive, centered on one key theme: exceptional value for money. Many buyers, some of whom own premium GoPro cameras, express being “genuinely surprised at the level of quality” for the price. One user bought it as a second camera for their son and found it had “very similar functions” to his much more expensive model. The comprehensive accessory kit is a consistent point of praise, with reviewers repeatedly highlighting the convenience of receiving two batteries, a 64GB card, and all necessary mounts in one package.

The positive feedback frequently mentions the sharp 4K video and the ease of use, with one person calling it a “no brainer at the price.” The camera’s versatility is also commended, with people using it successfully for everything from snorkelling and diving holidays to recording football games and even as a dash cam.

While negative feedback is scarce, a few nuanced observations align with our findings. One reviewer noted that the image stabilisation seems primarily for horizontal movement, which is a fair assessment of its capabilities. This isn’t a flaw so much as a limitation compared to market leaders, but it’s an important distinction for users who require flawless stabilisation for extreme sports. Overall, however, the consensus is clear: the M80 “easily blows away its far more expensive counterparts” when it comes to the total package and value delivered.

How Does the Apexcam M80 Compare to the Competition?

The Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera carves out a powerful niche in the budget market, but how does it stack up against the big names and other specialised alternatives? Understanding the trade-offs is key to making the right choice for your needs.

1. Insta360 X3 Waterproof 360 Action Camera

The Insta360 X3 operates in a different league, focusing on creative flexibility through 360-degree video capture. Its dual lenses record everything around you at once in 5.7K resolution, allowing you to “reframe” your shot later in the app—essentially pointing the camera wherever you want after the fact. It also boasts superior “FlowState” stabilisation and clever AI editing features like the “Invisible Selfie Stick” effect. However, this advanced technology comes at a price that is many times higher than the Apexcam M80. The X3 is for the dedicated content creator who prioritises unique angles and editing freedom over the straightforward, point-and-shoot simplicity and all-in-one value of the Apexcam.

2. GoPro HERO10 Black Action Camera

The GoPro HERO10 Black, while a slightly older model, is still a benchmark for action camera performance. Its main advantages lie in its industry-leading HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilisation, superior low-light performance thanks to its advanced GP2 processor, and a more polished software ecosystem. It can shoot at higher resolutions and frame rates (5.3K/60fps). The trade-off is, again, significant cost. Furthermore, the base GoPro package is spartan; a waterproof case (for deep diving), spare batteries, and mounts are all expensive add-ons. The Apexcam M80 is for the user who wants 85% of the GoPro’s core functionality for 20% of the total cost, with all accessories included.

3. GoPro Max Lens Mod 2.0 HERO12 Black

It’s crucial to understand that this is not a camera, but an accessory for the GoPro HERO12 Black. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 enhances the HERO12 by providing an ultra-wide, 177-degree field of view and enabling Max HyperSmooth stabilisation for incredibly steady footage. This is an upgrade for someone already invested in the high-end GoPro ecosystem who wants to push their camera’s capabilities even further. It’s irrelevant for a first-time buyer and serves to highlight the Apexcam M80’s core appeal: it’s a complete, self-contained solution that doesn’t require any additional purchases to get started.

Final Verdict: The Best Action Camera for the Smart Buyer?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera is a truly remarkable package for its price. It successfully challenges the notion that you need to spend hundreds of pounds to get high-quality, feature-rich action footage. While it doesn’t dethrone premium models from GoPro or Insta360 in terms of raw stabilisation prowess or low-light performance, it’s not trying to. Instead, it offers a phenomenally well-rounded and accessible alternative that delivers where it matters most: crisp 4K/60FPS video, user-friendly operation, and an unbeatable all-in-one accessory bundle.

We recommend the Apexcam M80 4K Action Camera without hesitation to beginners, families, budget-conscious adventurers, or anyone looking for a reliable and capable “B-camera” to supplement their main gear. The value proposition is simply off the charts. You get a camera that’s more than capable of capturing your travels, sports, and daily life in stunning detail, all without the financial worry. It’s a smart, practical, and powerful tool that proves you don’t need the most expensive gear to create amazing memories. If you’re ready to start capturing your adventures with a camera that offers incredible bang for your buck, we highly recommend you grab the Apexcam M80 and see for yourself.