VN-09

Most action cameras settle on 4K. The VN-09, a Kickstarter project aimed at people who film in rough conditions, goes to 5K, and the maker says that extra resolution leaves more room for cropping and editing afterwards with less loss of image quality.

What the maker promises

• 5K video recording
• 145° wide-angle lens for landscapes, action sports and climbing footage
• Voice control in 7 languages for starting and stopping recording and changing settings hands-free
• IP67 water and dust resistance, described as working at depths of around 1 meter
• Up to 5 hours of continuous use
• Night vision for low-light scenes such as caves or night rides
• Built-in flashlight that can light subjects or double as a general-purpose light

Voice control is positioned as the practical centerpiece: according to the campaign, being able to operate the camera without touching it is meant for situations like climbing, cycling and diving, where hands are otherwise occupied.

Built for low light

The VN-09 combines night vision with an onboard flashlight, a pairing the maker frames as useful for camping under the stars, cave exploration and night hikes. The light is also intended to work on its own, outside of filming.

The campaign also notes that further development could follow if funding succeeds, floating ideas such as more advanced stabilization, AI scene recognition and wireless charging. These are described as possibilities, not confirmed features.