Runcam 5 Review: My first proper FPV HD Cam

The Runcam 5 is the latest HD cam suitable for FPV quadcopters released by renowned FPV camera manufacturer Runcam. It is a cube form factor following on from the shape made popular by the now discontinued GoPro Session 4 and Session 5 cameras. It measures 38mm x 38mm x 36mm which is nearly identical to the Session meaning it fits easily in to the commonly available 'GoPro' mounts. My Runcam 5 was ordered from Banggood and can be found at the link here: RunCam 5 12MP 56g Smallest 4K Cam HD Recording. It retails for $99 and can be had on special for a little as $87 - see my coupons page for up to date discount codes. 

RunCam 5 12MP 56g  4K Cam HD Recording 145 Degree NTSC/PAL 16:9/4:3 Switchable FPV Action Camera Bulit-in Battery for RC Racing Drone

History
Runcam have been making HD cams specifically for RC for sometime now. The runcam 1 and 2 are both in the matchstick-box style form factor and although well liked never really took off for FPV drones. The runcam 3 "took inspiration" from the GoPro session series which have become the most popular form factor for FPV drones given there small size, light weight and robustness. Because of the strict patents on the session cameras Runcam had to pull the runcam 3 from the market in North America and ultimately worldwide which was a shame - it was a good camera at a much more competitive price than the higher specced GoPro sessions. Runcam then went away and came back with the runcam 3s - same form factor but with larger dimensions which meant it wouldn't fit the raft of mounts that are out there in the wild for the session cameras. A lot of reviews also stated inferior lens performance to the deleted runcam 3 and so it was not successful to runcam.

The Runcam 4 was released in the same form factor as the 1 and 2 mainly but predominantly for airsoft guns and was not widely promoted for FPV due to the smaller lens angle. Runcam have done their homework with the Runcam 5 and although it is essentially the same dimensions as the GoPro session series, they have not run foul of the patented design aspects of the session that they ran into trouble with on the Runcam 3.

Why the big spiel? The Runcam 5 can be used in the now ubiquitous session mounts and has a video quality comparable to the earlier session cameras but at a much more palatable price. Besides the GoPro sessions have been retired and the struggling GoPro does not look interested in resurrecting this form factor - the Runcam 5 looks like the most robust and particularly beginner friendly HD cam to have at this point in time.

Runcam (1) HD

Runcam 2

Runcam 3 - pulled from market

Runcam 3s

Runcam 4

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