Zero-X ZX-40 Action Camera

A Very Average Camera at a not so Average Price – First thing first, the 90-minute battery is a lie, it will last you 20 minutes at best. Even on 1080p×24fps it will only last 20 minutes. You can change video and still modes by swiping the rear screen, but there is no need because it will change modes for you even when you transfer the screen to the front smaller one. This is so infuriating because half the time you don't notice and ruin your video at 2 x speed or slow motion. I tried halving the speed in the video editor but that doesn't work whatsoever. So, your video is wasted and you have to start again but, the battery will be flat so you'll need to charge it once more.

Irritatingly, the camera automatically turns on when you plug in a charger because the camera cannot tell whether you have plugged it in to charge it or to extend the battery. Why not just let the user turn it on if they require it? I turned mine off but, I still ended up videoing the inside of my car for over an hour for no reason except to fill up the memory card with a video of my roof.

If you want to use the waterproof case, don't bother if audio is important. The sound is like the video is being filmed in an old bean can. Furthermore, because the case is waterproof, you'll be charging it up quickly because there is no external power in a waterproof case. The camera desperately requires an external Bluetooth microphone. It does come with software, in the form of a phone app, but even after 25 years in the IT industry, I still struggled to make it work correctly. Okay if you want basic functionality but try to do anything challenging, I'd give up.

The front portrait screen is a good feature, not groundbreaking but a good feature nonetheless. Well, it would be if it didn't randomly change the video settings occasionally. I cannot count how many times I've gone to edit the video and it has been in slow motion mode or at 2 x speed and ruined. There is no editing that will get it back because 2 x speed doesn't halve to get it back to normal. You have no option but to go shoot it again but, don't forget to charge the camera first.

Overall, it is a very average, 'that'll do' type camera for a not that average a price, the battery is terrible and a lie and it needs to be bigger. If you are going to buy one of these cameras then, get a battery bank as well, you'll need it. Furthermore, make sure you have a micro USB plug and cable, no modern USB-C stuff here. It comes with a few necessary tools, but the ones you'll need are an additional cost. It looks good on paper but in reality, it is quite ordinary.

Do yourself a favour and buy a better camera than this one, it is a cheaper camera but you'll regret it. I got lucky and was given mine, however, would I now buy one, not a chance. There is a reason GoPro's cost so much because they are that much better.