Hands-On Review: A Budget 4K Action Camera That Surprised Me
When looking for a new action camera recently, I wasn’t expecting much from something that cost significantly less than a GoPro. But after spending a few weeks with the Hiicam Speed60, I have to say: I’m genuinely impressed. Whether you’re a weekend adventurer, a beginner content creator, or just someone looking to document your travels in high quality, this camera brings a lot to the table for its price. 🧪 Real-World Performance: 4K/60FPS Actually Delivers One of the first things that stood out was the video resolution. The Speed60 really does shoot in true 4K at 60fps, and the footage is surprisingly smooth — thanks in part to its built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS). It’s not quite GoPro-level stabilization, but for mountain biking and hiking shots, it held up better than expected. 📷 Image Quality: More Than Just Specs Specs say 52MP photos, but we all know raw numbers can be misleading. Still, I found the photo quality to be solid. The camera handled daylight and well-lit environments very well, with accurate colors and decent sharpness. Low-light performance was acceptable for this price range — good enough for casual use, though not cinematic. 🔋 Battery Life: Surprisingly Strong This is one area where the Speed60 exceeded my expectations. With two 2150mAh batteries included, I was able to get about 2.5 hours of 4K recording per charge, which is better than some mid-range models I’ve tested. If you’re planning a day trip, both batteries together will easily carry you through. 🌊 Waterproofing & Build Quality: Feels Durable Out of the box, the Speed60 is waterproof to 10m (33ft), and with the included housing, you can go down to 40m (131ft) — which I tested while snorkeling. No leaks, no fogging, and the camera held up to some accidental knocks and sand. For anyone who wants a camera to take into rough environments, this one feels like it can handle it. 📱 App & Connectivity: Basic But Functional The Hiicam app is available for both Android and iOS. Pairing via2.4G Wi-Fi was easy, and I was able to control the camera remotely and preview footage on my phone. File transfers were quick, and the UI was straightforward, if not particularly advanced. 🧩 Favorite Features Front Screen – Makes vlogging and framing selfies much easier Touchscreen Rear Display – Responsive and intuitive External Mic Support – Audio is passable by default, but with an external mic, it’s much better 8x Digital Zoom – Handy for framing distant subjects Ultra-Wide Lens – The 170° fisheye view captures a lot of scenery 🔄 What Could Be Better? The camera doesn’t support RAW photo capture or LOG video, so advanced editing is limited. EIS works well, but isn’t quite action-sport level. The interface, while usable, could be a little smoother. But again — we’re talking about a camera that costs a fraction of flagship competitors. These are trade-offs I can live with. 🎯 Final Thoughts: Who Is the Hiicam Speed60 For? The Speed60 is ideal for: Travelers looking for a compact and capable camera YouTubers and vloggers on a budget Sports enthusiasts who want a tough, waterproof recorder Anyone who wants 4K/60FPS video without spending $300+ If you’re looking for an affordable GoPro alternative that punches above its weight, the Hiicam Speed60 is absolutely worth considering.