The Apeman A100, also sold as the TRAWO A100, was one of the more ambitious affordable action cameras of its generation. Its headline features included 4K recording at up to 50 frames per second, electronic image stabilisation, a wide-angle lens, Wi-Fi and a waterproof housing.
Quick verdict: the updated A100 can still produce respectable daylight footage, especially at 4K/50fps or 1080p/60fps. In 2026, however, it is an ageing and discontinued model. Different hardware and firmware revisions exist, mobile-app support is uncertain, and used batteries or waterproof seals may no longer perform as they did when new.
This article contains an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy through it, GottaPics may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Check Apeman A100 availability on Amazon
Apeman A100 review: key features
- Video recording up to 4K at 50fps on updated versions
- Electronic image stabilisation
- 20MP advertised photo resolution
- 2-inch IPS rear screen
- Wi-Fi control and file transfer
- Removable 1,350mAh battery
- Waterproof housing rated to 40 metres when new
- H.264 and H.265 video options on supported firmware
- Support for Class 10 microSD cards up to 128GB
Several A100 versions exist
Specifications found online do not always describe the same camera. Apeman revised the A100/TRAWO during its production life, adding 4K/50fps and making other firmware or hardware changes. This explains why some sources list different sensors, recording modes, controls and photo formats.
Check the firmware information and supplied manual for the individual camera rather than relying solely on an old retail listing. The comments below mainly describe the later version that offers 4K/50fps.
Video quality and frame rates
The updated A100’s main attraction is genuine 4K recording at up to 50fps. Other commonly listed modes include 4K/30fps, 2.7K/30fps, 1440p at 30 or 60fps, 1080p at 30 or 60fps, and 720p at up to 120fps. Available combinations can change when stabilisation or slow-motion recording is enabled.
In bright conditions, the camera can record detailed, colourful footage that is noticeably better than the interpolated “4K” produced by many cheap action cameras from the same period. A higher frame rate also gives action footage smoother movement. For UK users combining clips with PAL footage, 50fps is particularly useful.
Image quality drops in dull weather and low light. Noise increases, fine detail becomes soft and stabilisation can introduce visible wobble. For many situations, 1080p/60fps provides a practical balance between quality, smooth motion, file size and processing demands. Our guide to camera shutter speed explains why frame rate and available light matter when recording movement.
Electronic image stabilisation
The A100’s electronic image stabilisation can smooth walking, cycling and handheld footage when there is enough light. It works by cropping the image and using part of the sensor area to compensate for movement, so enabling it narrows the field of view.
The system was effective for an affordable camera of its era, but it is not comparable with stabilisation in current premium action cameras. Rapid running, rough trails and darker scenes can expose warping or sudden corrections. A secure mount and careful camera placement still make a significant difference.
Photo quality and RAW support
The camera advertises photographs up to 20MP and offers exposure compensation, white-balance options, burst shooting, timers and scene modes. JPEG images can look pleasing in good daylight, but the selected output resolution should not be treated as a direct measure of real sensor detail.
Some later firmware versions also provide DNG RAW files, contradicting early descriptions that said RAW was unavailable. If RAW capture matters to you, confirm that the option appears on the specific camera. The small sensor still limits shadow recovery and low-light performance, even when a DNG file is available. For an introduction to balancing ISO, shutter speed and aperture, see our exposure triangle guide.
Build, screen and controls
The A100 is compact and light, measuring approximately 61 × 45 × 30mm and weighing about 73–76g with a battery. The plastic body feels less substantial than a premium camera, but the low weight is helpful on a helmet, bicycle or small grip.
The rear display is a 2-inch IPS screen, but the tested updated model does not use a touchscreen. Physical buttons control the menus and recording functions. This corrects the earlier version of this article, which incorrectly described the screen as touch-sensitive.
Physical controls are an advantage inside the waterproof housing because they remain accessible, although the housing buttons may require a firm press. Always check the recording indicator before starting an activity.
Lens and field of view
The wide f/1.8 lens captures a broad view suitable for action footage and close-mounted cameras. Wide, medium and narrow field-of-view settings may be available, but the narrower options are digital crops rather than changes to the physical lens.
Electronic distortion correction can reduce the curved “fisheye” look, although correction and stabilisation both crop the edges. Use the wide setting when coverage matters most and a narrower view when straight lines are more important.
Waterproof housing
The A100 body is not waterproof by itself. Apeman supplied a separate case rated to a maximum depth of 40 metres when new. The housing also protects the camera from dust, splashes and impacts, but it reduces sound quality considerably.
Age changes the risk. Inspect the latch and rubber seal, clean the sealing surface and test the empty housing in shallow water before inserting the camera. Do not assume that an old case remains safe at its original depth rating. Our underwater photography guide covers additional preparation and shooting considerations.
Battery life
The A100 uses a removable 1,350mAh lithium-ion battery. Original estimates were approximately 60 minutes at 4K and up to 120 minutes at 1080p, depending on Wi-Fi, screen use, temperature and other settings. Many packages included a second battery, but bundle contents varied.
Battery age is now more important than the original specification. Test how long each battery records, make sure it charges normally and never use a swollen cell. The camera can become warm during long recordings or when powered externally, so allow ventilation whenever the waterproof housing is unnecessary.
Wi-Fi and mobile-app support
Wi-Fi allows a phone to preview the image, change supported settings and transfer files. The original YUTUPRO app listing linked from this article can no longer be verified reliably, and compatibility with current Android and iOS releases is uncertain.
The camera records normally to a memory card without an app. If remote phone control is important, ask a seller to demonstrate the connection using your phone before buying. Otherwise, files can be transferred with the microSD card or USB connection.
Storage, ports and accessories
The later A100 supports a Class 10 or faster microSD card, commonly listed up to 128GB. Format the card in the camera and record a long test clip before an important trip. A counterfeit or slow card can cause stopped recordings and corrupted files, particularly at 4K/50fps.
The body includes micro-USB, micro-HDMI and a microSD slot. Many kits contained a waterproof housing, an open frame, adhesive mounts, bicycle or helmet fittings, a USB cable and two batteries. A wrist remote was not included with every version, so judge a used listing by its actual photographs and description.
Independent test results
An independent hands-on Apeman A100/TRAWO review and comparison confirmed 4K/50fps recording on the updated model, effective stabilisation in good light, two 1,350mAh batteries and the non-touch IPS screen. The same testing found noisy low-light footage, weaker audio and inconsistent stabilisation in difficult conditions.
Apeman A100 pros and cons
Pros
- Real 4K/50fps recording on updated versions
- Respectable daylight image quality
- Useful electronic stabilisation in suitable light
- Lightweight body and familiar mounting system
- Removable battery, often supplied as a pair
- H.264 and H.265 recording options
- Waterproof housing and useful mounts in many bundles
Cons
- Different revisions make specifications difficult to generalise
- Poorer results in low light
- App compatibility is uncertain in 2026
- The camera body is not waterproof
- Audio is weak inside the housing
- Old batteries and seals may require replacement
- No autofocus or adjustable optical focus
What to check when buying an A100
- Confirm that the camera offers the expected 4K/50fps mode.
- Record and play back a long clip with stabilisation enabled.
- Check the firmware menu for RAW/DNG and other required features.
- Test both batteries and inspect them for swelling.
- Inspect and water-test the empty housing.
- Confirm the microSD card capacity supported by that revision.
- Test Wi-Fi with your own phone if you need the app.
- Check which mounts, cables and spare batteries are actually included.
Is the Apeman A100 still worth buying in 2026?
The later Apeman A100/TRAWO was a capable budget action camera for its time. Its 4K/50fps mode, removable batteries and stabilisation can still produce useful outdoor footage when the camera is in good condition.
It is worth considering only at a low used price and after testing the exact unit. A newer action camera is the better choice when dependable app support, stronger low-light quality, modern stabilisation or waterproofing without a case matters. The A100 makes most sense as an inexpensive spare, a learning camera or a complete bundle for occasional daylight recording.
Discover more from GottaPics
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
condruzmf