New Delhi, Jan. 9 -- Ever spotted a weird looking 'action camera' and wondered what it's used for? Usually, it can be spotted hanging off a helmet, clipped to a backpack strap, or sitting on a car dashboard with a slightly scratched lens and a story behind every mark. And yet, ask most people what an action camera is for and you'll hear the same answer - "extreme sports." As if you have to jump off cliffs on weekends to justify buying one.

The truth is much simpler. These cameras weren't designed around adrenaline and are designed around situations where phones stop being practical. Tiny body, big field of view, aggressive stabilisation, and the ability to take a hit without complaining. That's it. Everything else (the marketing, the foo...