Review: Drift Stealth 2

Sleeker than a GoPro, but does it have what it takes to unsettle the top dog?

£249, driftinnovation.com

The Drift Stealth 2 is the latest excitable upstart to enter the action-cam arena.

Video 1920x1080 at 30fps

Screen 1.3” LCD Battery life 3 hours

at 1080p Waterproof? Weather-resistant (waterproof case available) Wifi connectivity Yes Mobile app iPhone

and Android Mounts Curved, flat, goggle

Size/weight 80x42.6x27.4mm/97g

Far smaller, lighter and smarter than previous cams, it opts out of the resolution arms race, shooting at 1080p and 30 frames per second (fps). It’s by far and away the smallest, lightest camera the company has made. Though similar in size and weight to the GoPro HD Hero 3+, the Stealth 2 is long, low and sleek, rather than upright and ugly.

It’s splashproof without a case, but not waterproof – the same as the GoPro. Where it outdoes its rival, however, is with its 1.3-inch LCD screen and a 300° rotatable lens. Mounts are tough and well-designed, as is the main unit. The only real concern is the rotating lens lip, which could get caught in a tumble.

In good conditions, the camera produces stunning video. The decision to restrict field-of-view from the usual 170° to a mere 135° pays off – videos look noticeably less fisheyed at the edges. Colours are crisp, capturing detail and movement even in rattle-and-roll conditions. However, lowlight performance doesn’t match that of the GoPro, and the camera succumbs to chatter as wind noise increases.

Yes, the Stealth 2 has downsized, and is lighter and smarter than before, but it still doesn’t quite manage to fell its biggest competitor.