I needed an action camera that would not be too pricey like a flagship GoPro, but which would offer footage that I’d be proud of showing. After many weeks of research and comparing with cameras I’ve previously used, I made up my mind to try the LUMOS DOMINATE Action Camera. My question was simple: Would the camera be able to stand a chance against the industry leaders or was it just going to be yet another budget camera that offers a lot on paper, but disappoints in use?
In this review, I will share my experience with this camera from unpacking it and setting up all the way to the video and photo recording and editing process.
At first, when I took up the LUMOS DOMINATE, the thing that struck me about the device was its sturdy construction. Indeed, I assumed the camera to be cheap in both design and performance, given the price, but surprisingly enough, the feel of the device is much better than that of any budget action camera. I appreciated that the matte finish and small size added to the premium feeling of the device and even that the buttons were not squishy, unlike the buttons of other budget action cameras. However, the first thing that caught my eye was the dual screen functionality. I must admit that this was something that I did not even think I needed until I tried the camera. The possibility to record videos with me on the screen without guessing my frame made a huge difference from the very beginning.
Unboxing & Accessories
The process of unboxing this particular device turned out to be rather generous keeping in view its price. The box includes a camera, waterproof case, some mounting equipment, additional battery, charger, and remote controller. The action cameras that I used in the past lacked half of the accessories listed above. Therefore, I felt that this bundle gave me a very good deal because of all the accessories that came with this camera.
Another advantage of this bundle was the travel case. In fact, it was my travel mate because now I was able to store all the necessary accessories in one place instead of carrying them all separately in my backpack.
Installation Process
Setting up my LUMOS DOMINATE was not hard at all. I just had to fully charge the camera using the USB cable and insert my SD card into the SD card reader of the camera, and then I was ready to use the camera after about 20 minutes, even with the firmware installation process included. It was easy because of the on-screen instructions provided to me.
Connecting it to the accompanying mobile application using Wi-Fi connectivity was easy, and once it was successfully connected, it stayed that way without breaking the connection. If you find yourself struggling with unstable camera applications, this would be a nice change.
Design and Portability
Among some of the features I liked about the LUMOS DOMINATE is how easy it was to transport. It was small enough to be easily carried in my pocket and used in my hiking expeditions in place of the heavy camera I normally left at home. The rectangular shape made it easy to fit in helmets, handlebars, and chest straps.
Portability has always been the deciding factor in whether I will bring along the camera or not, and I must say this particular camera passed the test.
Video Quality
This is where the LUMOS DOMINATE really impressed me. The 5K video resolution gave clear and sharp videos even when zooming during the editing process. With videos taken in bright lights such as outdoors during daytime, the color reproduction was lively and realistic, in contrast to many cheap cameras that have oversaturated colors, compensating for the poor sensors. One useful thing about the 170° wide-angle lens was the possibility to capture more of the scene visible in front of you, whether you were shooting a mountain trail or a busy street in the city. The video quality was unexpectedly good even in bad lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
As far as photographs go, the 48-megapixel camera produced pictures that truly amazed me. It allowed me to take landscape photos and pictures of detailed subjects during the weekend excursion and the photos were of such quality that they looked good even when I cropped them for my social media posts.
And although low light photography is not the camera’s strength, those photos did not disappoint me either.
Stabilization
In my daily life experience, I checked out how stabilized the EIS of the camera was. Regardless whether I walked, ran, or rode my bike, the footage was stable enough. Although there was some vibration in case of intense moves, still, the results were much better than in case of hiking and cycling.
Audio Quality
The built-in microphone gave me hope of nothing special, but it worked unexpectedly well and provided me with sufficient sound quality for vlogs and travel videos.
Battery
One concern I had regarding this camera before trying it out has been overcome thanks to an additional battery that was included in the package. In one charge, I was able to shoot 5K video for 60-75 minutes, and it is perfectly normal for such a compact camera. So, due to the extra battery pack, I was able to shoot without stopping to charge the camera while being on a full day trip.
Connectivity Features
Wi-Fi feature made the process of transferring my video materials to my smartphone much easier. It became possible for me to quickly go through the recorded clips, cut some parts, and post my videos on the social media websites without extracting the SD card.
Waterproof Mode
During my swim session, the waterproof feature of the case showed no sign of leakage or fogging problem. It allowed for a perfect recording of clear videos under water and through splashes which made me feel comfortable to take pictures of such situations where I wouldn’t use a normal camera. For occasional swimming and beach time, this feature comes in handy to avoid damage to the gear.
Different Modes of Shooting
I spent some time experimenting with the modes of shooting and tried slow motion, time-lapse, and looping. Among all of them, I would say the vertical shooting mode is the best, considering the fact that I post most of my pictures on Instagram Reels and TikTok, and it does save time cropping the images I shoot horizontally.
Talking about time-lapse mode, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the video turned out for sunset or cityscapes. Also, it was quite convenient to switch the modes while recording.
Performance in Real Life
The performance of the LUMOS DOMINATE Action Camera in different types of usage – commuting, hiking, mini trip, and even at home recordings – is rather dependable. There were no such issues as overheating and unplanned shutdowns, which I experienced using other budget cameras before. The remote switch became especially useful when starting the recording hands-free, for example, while biking.
What Stood Out Most
In retrospect, after all my testing, the following are some of the biggest pros I found about the LUMOS DOMINATE action camera:
● High quality 5K videos and very detailed 48MP pictures
● Useful EIS stabilization for day-to-day actions
● Two screens make vlogging and composing much easier
● Great accessory pack that includes case, remote control, extra battery
● Waterproofing is consistent
● Vertical shooting mode designed for social media
Who This Camera Is For
In my opinion, the LUMOS DOMINATE Action Camera is a perfect choice for casual filmmakers, vloggers who roam about, and adventurers who want to record some high-quality videos without paying any extra money for an expensive action camera. In the case of a professional movie director who demands high-quality performance especially in low-light conditions, such an action camera may not be suitable for him.
From my personal experience of having used the LUMOS DOMINATE Action Camera, it definitely gives you a good return on your investment. The picture and video quality surpassed my expectations, the stability was simply superb at all times, and the additional accessories were definitely an icing on the cake.
In my opinion, it is definitely one of the best action cameras I have ever used before. If someone wants to get high performance while being on a trip or doing some outdoor activities without investing in high-end action cameras, then LUMOS DOMINATE Action Camera would be an ideal choice for them.
If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, you can purchase it directly from https://www.lumosprojector.my/actioncamera. At the moment, they only ship within Malaysia, and the product comes with a 1-year local warranty. So, if you encounter any issues, you can easily reach out to their dedicated support team at [email protected] for assistance.
Valerie, Malaysia Blogger
Valerie is an emerging Malaysia blogger in the city of KL. Explore her blogs as she share more interesting things revolving lifestyles like a cool mattress, cafes & attractions!
Follow her @valerie.seow on Instagram.
