I had been meaning to buy a digital trail camera for ages. We live in an apartment on the edge of town – and although the garden is small, we are surrounded by a park and allotments. So I suspected that there is nocturnal wildlife that visits after dark.

But it was watching the latest series of Springwatch on the BBC that made me realize that I didn't need a trail camera at all. What I actually needed was lots of trail cameras to do the job properly.

Springwatch, for those not in the know, is an annual miniseries that presents nightly programs showing all the wildlife the hosts can find in a location. They set up cameras in multiple nests and bird boxes so that you can see dozens of avian species hatch and fledge.

This year the team, fronted by Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan, was based at a country estate on the edge of the Peak District National Park in England. But as one of the segments of the program, they ventured to the nearby industrial city of Sheffield.

Here, in a row of terraced houses, the camera teams installed multiple cameras in the gardens of the residents who had been doing their best to attract wildlife for their backyards.

The results were outstanding. A delighted woman was given visible proof that there were foxes, badgers and hedgehogs active behind her home. The BBC crew had recorded some 12,000 clips in the couple of months before the show aired.

Spurred on, I ended up buying two trail cameras in the Amazon Prime Day sale to get the ball rolling in my own little green space (I could always add more later).

I chose a pair of Wolfang WT02, which were discounted to under $40 / £40 apiece. I could have spent more, but the BBC had taught me that they use trail cameras to prove the existence of nightly visitors and to identify the paths they use. I could always enhance my setup if I needed better quality later on.

Mind you, I was impressed with the specs of these camera traps. A 48MP sensor is at the heart, with a built-in color screen for set-up. But what I really liked is that they had built-in solar panels and rechargeable power packs – so I didn't need to fork out for batteries. When summer ends, I have the option to put in a set of AAs to keep it running through darker days.

So, how has my filming gone so far? It has been less than a week since the cameras were installed, but already we too have decent footage of foxes and badgers – showing us the existence of wildlife we had never seen at the bottom of our garden before.

Check out our guide to the best trail cameras – and if you want to watch the footage remotely, also see our rundown of the best cellular trail cameras

If you’re after an affordable alternative to the best GoPro alternative then you will almost certainly have come across the Wolfang brand. In an exhaustive range designed to cater for all needs and budgets, the Wolfang GA300 action camera ($79.99 / £79.99) sits in the middle. It captures up to 4K 60fps video and stills in all kinds of resolutions up to 20 megapixels and comes with a vast collection of accessories. It’s a massive cost saving on a GoPro, that’s for sure, but is it really a challenger when it comes to quality? Here’s how we got on with the GA300…

Key features

In many ways the GA300 is a mix of the build quality of the brand’s most basic action camera, the Wolfang GA100 and the software and many of the features of the higher-end Wolfang GA400. Its similarities to the latter begin with its resolution. 

Though the flagship brands have moved on to 5.7K resolution, this budget action camera’s 4K 60fps resolution video capability is designed to get it next-best-thing status. It actually shoots in a wide choice of higher frame rate resolutions including 720p@240fps for slow motion, though it doesn’t capture in 24p or 25p frame rates.. It performs H.264 video encoding and has some basic electronic image stabilization (EIS), with shooting modes including slow motion, time-lapse and loop recording. It shoots stills in up to 20 megapixels and features 8x zoom, so you’re not just limited to slightly warped-looking images through its 170º wide-angle fisheye lens. For stills, it can capture burst photos and time-lapse photos. 

Physically the GA300 is more basic. It’s got an on/off switch on the front, a shutter button on the top, and two rockers on the side for manually navigating its on screen menus, Thankfully they can also be navigated using its 2-inch touchscreen, which makes it much easier to use than the GA100. 

Unlike the GA400, the GA300 is not waterproof. Instead it comes with a dive case that enables it to go down to 40 underwater without problems. In the box is also a remote control, but that’s not waterproof. So the only way to use the GA300 underwater is to set it going before you go under the waves. Its ‘diving mode’ corrects for true color.

If you are considering buying the GA300 in place of the GoPro Hero 11 Black then consider that the latter captures in 5.3K 60fps, takes 27 megapixel stills and has a 10-bit sensor. The GA300 can’t match any of that, but as well as selling for a fraction of the price includes a huge selection of accessories. In the box is that waterproof case, an external lapel microphone with a micro USB connector, some Velcro straps, tethers and sticky pads, a tripod case with threads on either side, a remote control, bicycle mount, J-hook mounts and two 1,350mAh batteries, which recharge in-camera.

Specifications

Aperture: f/2.8

35mm equiv. focal length: N/A

Photo resolution: 20MP, 16MP, 14MP, 10MP, 8MP 5MP

Video resolution:  4K@60fps, 4K@30fps, 2.7K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, 720p@120fps, 720p@60fps

Weight: 67g

Dimensions: 56x40x23mm

Run time: 80 minutes

Build and handling

Design-wise the GA300 is nothing special. In fact, it’s about as basic as it comes and feels very lightweight and plasticky. On one side is a connection panel with micro USB slot or recharging (which also doubles as an external microphone slot if you use the included lapel mic) alongside a mini HDMI for putting 4K to a HDTV. There’s also a microSD card slot here. This panel does not have a cover, so everything is open to the elements. So if you’re planning any mind off outdoor activities it’s best to use the case. Ditto for the battery compartment which is accessed under a flap on the GA300’s undercarriage, Except that the cover has to be prized off with a fingernail. It’s not attached to anything so has to be carefully replaced. It all seems very precarious. The lens itself is not set behind a glass cover so is prone to scratches. 

Luckily the GA300 does come with a good quality waterproof case, though if you want to use the GA300 on a tripod there is one on the chassis itself, which is a nice touch (and something GoPro cameras lack). 

Although the GA300 can be operated perfectly well using the touchscreen there’s also an option to use the iSmart DV 2 app. It’s very simple and gives the user remote access and a live view as well as access to all of its internal settings such as resolutions, exposure compensation and color modes. A smartphone can connect to the GA300 via its WiFI network, which was stable and fast during our review.

Overall the GA300 is very easy to use yet lacks an impressive build quality, though that can be overcome by using its waterproof case. 

Performance

Video samples shot with Wolfang GA300

The GA300 is an impressive stills camera. When used at 20 megapixels its JPEG images look sharp, and colorful and don’t suffer from over-exposure or grain. They’re almost HDR-like, with plenty of contrast and color. The fisheye lens naturally creates distortion and its fixed focus design means you have to stand a few a metres or so back from your subject, but that’s no different to even top-end action cameras. 

The GA300 also performs well with video. We didn’t expect the silky-smooth creations of the latest GoPro and Insta360 action cameras, which use advanced motion processing. The GA300 merely has electronic image stabilization (EIS) to lessen judder during camera pans and movement. It works to a limited extent, and at all resolutions, though it can’t be used on time-lapse, slow-motion or fast-motion. The latter, a kind of hyper-lapse that speeds up a sequence, works well though the results do look rather blocky. 

Where the GA300 doesn’t compare well to the pricer GA400 is with that EIS. Footage, while colorful and detailed in 4K resolutions, lacks smoothness. It’s rather jumpy and uncomfortable to watch, at least in comparison to pricier rivals, but it’s always watchable and well-saturated. 

Wolfang GA300: Sample stills

Wolfang GA300: verdict

A back to basics action camera with plenty of accessories – including a waterproof case – the GA300 produces reasonably detailed and colorful 4K video. It suffers from motion issues so is best used either on a gimbal or for vlogging, though with a responsive touchscreen and a decent app it’s a good value introduction to the world of action cameras for casual users. 

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If you’re looking for one of the best GoPro alternatives for all-round basic use then the Wolfang GA400 action camera (US$119.99 / £119.99) should be on your radar. Boasting 4K 60fps video and up to 20 megapixel stills, it appears to match its much pricier rivals both on resolution and by having a natively waterproof chassis. It’s loaded with accessories and easy to use yet it lacks some crucially important characteristics that flagship action cameras alone offer. Here’s what you need to know about the GA400…

Specifications

Aperture: f2.8

35mm equiv. focal length: N/A

Photo resolution: 20MP, 16MP, 14MP, 10MP, 8MP 5MP

Video resolution: 4K@60fps, 4K@30fps, 2.7K@30fps180p@120fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, 720p@120fps, 720p@60fps

Weight: 130g

Dimensions: 63x42x28mm

Run time: 60 minutes

Key features

The GA400 is close to the top of Wolfang's range of budget action cameras. Like the others it’s designed to reach as low a price as possible, but it’s noticeably better quality than most of its brethren throughout both features and core quality. 

The basic features are all here, from a 170º wide-angle fisheye lens to a 2-inch touchscreen on the reverse. It’s able to create 4K 60fps with H.264 video encoding and adds some basic electronic image stabilization (EIS) amid a plethora of resolutions. However, it can’t do cinematic-style 24p or 25p frame rates. It can capture stills in various resolutions up to 20 megapixels, with both burst photo and time-lapse photo modes. 

As well as straight video the GA400 offers slow motion, time lapse, loop recording and a driving mode, the latter for using the GA400 as a dashcam. Able to go 8m underwater without a case, in the box is a waterproof diving case for 40m plunges. Other accessories in the box include a silicon lens cover, remote control, bicycle mount, J-hook mounts, tripod adaptor, helmet mount, extension mount, as well as various screws, tethers and adhesive pads. 

Its 1,350mAh battery might seem a little under-powered when compared to GoPro’s 1,720mAh, but for a budget action camera that’s actually large. Two are provided, which recharge in-camera. 

Build and handling

The GA400 is particularly tough for a budget action camera. It’s a little heavier than most at 130g, which does become noticeable when mounted on a helmet, though overall it adds toughness. The design has been well thought through, with curved edges and ridges to add grip. The lens itself is set behind a glass cover to prevent scratches. 

There are two flip-out covers on the GA100, one on the bottom that reveals the battery and a microSD card slot, but no input for an external microphone. There’s a smaller hood on the side that covers a mini HDMI slot for outputting video to a TV as well as a micro USB slot for recharging. The latter is not something we want to see on modern electronics because having to schlep a micro USB cable around is a pain in these days of USB-C. However, it’s no surprise to find it on a product that’s trying to challenge the competition on price. Unlike many low-priced action cameras the GA400 does have a tripod thread built into its base, which means no fussing with add-on tripod cases. 

The GA400 can be remotely controlled by the iSmart DV2 app, an off-the-shelf app we’ve seen before when reviewing other budget action cameras. Rather annoyingly the front page of this app contains advertising, though once it gets through to the remote control pages it’s clean. We had a few problems getting the GA400 to consistently spit out a WiFi network, but when it did the app connected easily and worked well. It essentially repeats a lot of what you can very simply do onscreen thanks to the GA400’s responsive touchscreen. The app is entered around the live preview screen, from where it’s possible to toggle resolutions and swap between video and photo mode. You can also access all of the settings, from white balance and exposure compensation to image stabilization and wind noise reduction. However, it didn’t find any videos on our GA400, only photos. It also freezes the camera’s onscreen menus, so you have to choose which way you want to control it. 

With its plethora of features and settings usable both in camera and via the app, overall we found the GA400 very easy to use. 

Performance

Sample video footage shot with Wolfang GA400

The GA400 is not a device that aspiring film-makers should purchase. Instead it’s one for vloggers and anyone wanting something affordable to film their next adventure. We say that because the GA400 is really easy to use, produces some colorful and smooth-looking video and yet lacks ultimate 4K detail and filmmaker-style options. 

The 4K 60 frames per second MOV videos it produces using the H.264 are rather large files. It’s immediately obvious during playback that the boosted frame rate on the GA400 compared to Wolfang's even lower-priced action cameras is worth the investment, but its low bitrate ensures it never approaches GoPro or Insta360 in terms of 4K detail. Although there is minor blocking if you zoom in, the 4K60fps footage remains very watchable. 

It’s possible to introduce more smoothness by toggling-on EIS (electronic image stabilization), which helps get rid of judder during camera pans and movement, thus producing smooth-looking video that’s worth using for action sequences. You won’t get the dream-like smoothness of GoPro’s HyperSmooth and Insta360’s FlowState motion processing, but considering the low price the GA400 does reasonably well. With just enough contrast and well-matured colors, 4K video isn’t as clean or as sharp as on rival action cameras, but that’s nit-picking. There’s more than enough basic quality here for basic vlogging and outdoor adventures. 

Sample stills images shot with Wolfang GA400

The GA400’s photos also impress. Image features plenty of contrast and just enough detail. That helps boost the boldness of colors, which are well saturated and natural-looking. 

Wolfang GA400: verdict

With good quality if imperfect 4K video and good 20MP stills, the GA400 makes a great alternative to one of the big brands of action camera if you’re after results a level below the cinematic quality offered by the leading action camera brands. At this mid-range level the build quality is excellent and the touchscreen is responsive while the onscreen menus are intuitive and easy to use. From a pure photography point of view it’s good to see a tripod thread built-in to the core device, though equally as impressive is the included diving case and accessories. 

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Are you looking for a budget action camera to take on outdoor adventures like skiing, mountain biking and sailing? Occasionally a product comes along that looks too good to be true. The Wolfang GA100 (US$59.99 / £49.99) is one of those products, not just for its low price but for the multiple accessories in the box. Amid dozens of clips, straps and mounts there are two batteries, a lapel microphone and even a waterproof casing that allows the GA100 to go 40m underwater. However, there’s much to be aware of about the GA100 before you take the plunge.

Specification

Aperture: N/A

35mm equiv. focal length: N/A

Photo resolution: 20MP/16MP/12MP/8MP

Video resolution: 4K@30fps, 2.7K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps

Weight: 60g

Dimensions: 56x40x23mm

Run time: 60-90 minutes

Key features

The GA100 is among the lightest action cameras we’ve ever tested. Weighing just 60g and measuring 56x40x23, it’s got a 170º fisheye lens and a 2-inch screen. It reaches 4K 30fps with a basic electronic image stabilization system and can be operated remotely either using a small wrist remote in the box or via Wolfang's Live DV app. 

A small panel of ins and outs on the camera’s side includes a micro USB slot for recharging its removable 1,050mAh battery (two are included in the box), a mini HDMI output, an external microphone slot, and a micro SD card slot. A micro SD card is one of the few things not included in the package, so you’ll need to supply your own. We’re also not too keen on its reliance on micro USB, but we’re not surprised to see this now-defunct connector on a product this affordable. 

What the GA100 physically lacks is a tripod thread. That’s reserved for a dedicated tripod case that wraps around the chassis. The waterproof case in the box that allows the GA100 to go 40m underwater. It blocks sound and remote controls from getting to the GA100’s microphone, but there’s an extra door with gaps in the box that can be swapped-out. Also in the box are a small lapel microphone, a remote control, helmet mount, extension mount, J-hook mount, a bicycle mount, a dust cover, a frame, various screws (long, short and 360º rotating), a backpack clip, a tether, four bandages and a bunch of adhesive pads. 

As well as being able to shoot in a plethora of resolutions right up to 4K 30fps, the GA100 can shoot in slow motion in 720p and 1080p quality, shoot time-lapses (taking a photo every 1s/5s/10s/30s/60s), and has a shutter delay of two and ten seconds. 

As is becoming a trend lately, this action camera can also be used not only as a webcam, but also as a dash cam thanks to its loop recording function (for 1/3/5 minutes).

Build and handling

The GA100 has a rudimentary user interface. It’s not the on-screen graphics and menus that are particularly basic, but the way they’re operated. Without a touchscreen to help a dizzying combination of the ‘OK’ button on the top, the standby button on the front and two up/down buttons on the side of the GA100 have to be  employed to navigate menus and change settings. It takes a while to become proficient. 

The GA100 also has a basic build quality. In some ways its lightweight nature makes it perfect in some scenarios – such as when fastening to a helmet, if you want to take those kinds of risks – but we’re not convinced it’s going to take much to get damaged. The chief worry is a small plastic cover that sits across the ins and outs panel, that appears to be tethered only at one corner and already doesn’t sit neatly. Both the tripod mount and the waterproof case add a much-needed layer of protection. 

The Live DV app is very basic yet does everything you need. After connecting to the GA100’s WiFI network via a smartphone, the app presents a live preview. As well as initiating recording of the taking of stills from this app it’s possible to tweak the resolution, white balance and exposure compensation, or format the in-situ micro sD card. It can also playback and download to your phone any of the videos or photos. That’s it. However, it’s intuitive and during our review the app was both reliable and fast. 

Performance

The 4K 30 frames per second video coming out of the GA100 is some of the most basic it’s possible to produce. Using the H.264 codec, the MOV files are about the half the size of those produced on higher-end action cameras, which indicates a small slow bit-rate. That’s obvious immediately upon playback. Colours and contrast are actually rather impressive. They’re not as rich as on more expensive action cameras, but they’re surprisingly good considering the low price. However, the GA100 suffers badly from judder and motion blur. Any kind of movement during 4K video produces virtually unwatchable results, with a distracting amount of judder as the camera pans across a scene. There is some basic electronic image stabilization (EIS) that makes video slightly smoother, but it can only be used in less-than-4K resolutions.

Sample video clips shot with Wolfang GA100

The GA100 also fails to impress with photos. Just 4 MB in size despite being 19.6 megapixels, still images badly lack color and contrast, with shadowed areas looking grayish and a generally washed-out look. Most of that can be improved upon in post-processing if you can be bothered, though they also feature a distinct lack of detail and some picture noise. 

Sample stills shot on Wolfang GA100

Battery life is as you might expect on the GA100, with around an hour’s 4K recording possible on one battery. You can stretch it out a little if you shoot in 1080p, but either way the provision of an extra battery is a nice touch. There’s no external charger supplied with the GA100, so both batteries need to be charged while in the camera. It takes about three hours to charge an empty battery. 

Verdict

The GA100 is a tempting package with an excellent app, but this is not an impressive camera. With so many mounts, clips and accessories in the box it will persuade many into investing, but the results it gets are very basic. Its 4K 30fps video is too juddery to be unwatchable, which means having to rely on its drop-down resolutions for their higher frame rates and basic image stabilization. With lacklustre stills photos too we advise you to stay away from the GA100 if you need 4K and invest in something at least double the price if you want to capture outdoor adventures in anything approaching archive quality. However, if you’re after an action camera for vlogging and simple pieces to camera – or you like the idea of an action camera that doubles as a dashcam – then the GA100 may do what you need. 

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