It’s exciting to see new competition in the action cameras arena. It's especially exciting to see some useful new features such as the GPS and handy sensor data used by the TomTom Bandit and Garmin Virb Elite, as they introduce new possibilities. Then there are other innovations, such as EE's 4G streaming, that we’re not so sure about. But GoPro has been doing this, and only this, for a long time - and it shows. The Hero4 has abundant mounting options and a focus on image quality and versatility that means it’s still the one to beat. Its free editing software is just as powerful, helping you to get carefully ­crafted action vids up in double­quick time. Having said that, £410 is a lot to spend, so we’d recommend looking at its cheaper cousin the Hero4 Silver (£330) to see if your needs can be satisfied for less of an outlay. It can only record 4K video at 15fps rather than 30fps, but does have a built­-in live-view screen. And if you don’t need 4K videos, the smaller Hero4 Session could yet prove to be your best bet. After that we’d consider the Garmin Virb Elite. Its video quality and editing package with G­-Metrix overlays are just brilliant, but most attractive of all is the price - it's practically half the price of the Hero4 Black. It's the TomTom that comes in third - it's overall design is really well thought out, and while it's automatic video editing isn't perfect, the innovation is to be applauded. And then there's the Sony FDR-X1000V - it comes second on the video quality front, but the usability is just a little too compromised. Finally, while novel and unique, the 4GEE’s focus on standalone streaming feels like a slightly misguided concept to us.

Its menu system is rather fiddly, but the Sony FDR-X1000V is top-notch 4K action camera

This action Cam blows away the competition! Ease of use, functionality, picture and video quality. The remote is awesome. Forget about wondering if your video is turned on or if you have the shot you want.

Has all the features you need. Superior quality Well thought out product for what it is intended to do. Remote viewing !!! Remote control of camera

Wish it was less expensive

Awesome.It was delivered within 3 days.The product is very good.The video clarity is almost unbelievable. If you planning to buy,don't think much and buy this.it is a superb product

Had this camera only for a short time but can say with comfort that it's a amazing piece of kit. I use as a dash cam in my car and also at use on a selfish stick at my sons party.

Bought this in preparation to go to Florida next year, was going to buy a GoPro but reading reviews this camera came out top. Glad I did as camera is easy to use, has great accessories (the underwater housing will come particularly handy when swimming with the dolphins).

I guessed I can rely all the time on Sony product, even I have a hard time on learning how to used it.

Good camera

For those of us of a certain vintage, it's almost impossible to believe that Sony could be described as an underdog when it comes to video cameras. But in the world of professional action cameras, it's fallen to Sony to play David to GoPro's Goliath.

Splash-proof without a housing; easy operation; image stabilization; GPS

Waterproof housing not rated for depths as low as the competition; colors can appear oversaturated; fewer resolution/frame rate options than the competition

Sony added its new Action Cam camera with 4K video recording to its Action Cam wearable camera lineup at CES 2015. The Sony FDR-X1000V 4K Action Cam has a similar form-factor as the previous Action Cam models and will cost $499 and $599 with the Sony Live View Remote, a utterly useful accessory when...