Features of SJCAM Action Cameras

The advent of the GoPro changed the camcorder market forever and provided many new opportunities for extreme sports enthusiasts, video enthusiasts and even filmmakers. Unfortunately, the products of the American company are quite expensive, which makes many fans of action videos look for more affordable alternatives to this technique. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the main features of SJCAM action cameras and familiarize yourself with the rules for their selection and use.

The rights to the SJCAM brand belong to the Chinese conglomerate Shenzhen Hongfeng Century Technology, which unites major electronics manufacturers. Let's describe the main advantages of SJCAM action cameras.

• Low price. SJCAM cameras are much cheaper than GoPro models of similar functions and equipment. So, the GoPro Hero 6 will cost almost twice as much as the SJ8 PRO, while the characteristics of these devices are almost the same.
• High reliability technology and quality of video and sound recording in comparison with the products of other Chinese companies. SJCAM technology has taken a leading position in the market of budget camcorders, which has even led to the appearance of counterfeits.
• Wide choose accessories.
• Compatibility with accessories from other companies (e.g. GoPro).
• Possibility to use instead of a DVR.
• Ample opportunities and firmware reliability.
• Frequent exit firmware updates that greatly expand the capabilities of devices.
• The presence in the Russian Federation of an official representative office of the company and a wide dealer network, which greatly facilitates the repair of equipment and the search for branded accessories for it.

SJCAM products also have several disadvantages.

• Lower reliability and quality of shooting than GoPro. The flagship models of Chinese technology before the appearance of the SJ8 and SJ9 series were noticeably inferior to the premium versions of American technology. Nowadays, the difference in quality and reliability is almost imperceptible, but it is still present.
• Problems with some models of SD cards. The manufacturer guarantees the performance of its cameras only with drives from well-known manufacturers such as Silicon Power, Samsung, Transcend, Sony, Kingston and Lexar. Using cards from other companies may cause shooting problems or even loss of data.
• The presence of counterfeit products on the market. SJCAM products have gained such high popularity in the world that some companies from the "gray" and "black" market segments have started to produce fake cameras.

Consider the features and characteristics of the current series of action cameras from the Chinese concern.

This series combines budget cameras, which at one time brought the company worldwide popularity. It currently contains the model SJ4000 with a 12 megapixel sensor, capable of shooting at resolutions up to 1920 × 1080 (Full HD, 30 FPS) or 1080 × 720 (720p, 60 FPS). Equipped with 2 "LCD-display and without additional accessories can shoot underwater at a depth of 30 meters. The battery capacity is 900 mAh. The maximum size of an SD card is up to 32 GB. Product weight - 58 grams. Also in the series there is a model SJ4000 Wi-Fi, which differs from the base one by the presence of a Wi-Fi module.

This line includes budget models that differ from their counterparts from the SJ4000 line in support of SD cards up to 64 GB, as well as a slightly larger camera matrix (14 MP instead of 12 MP). This series also includes the SJ5000x Elite semi-professional camera with built-in gyro stabilizer and Wi-Fi module. Also, instead of the Novatek sensor installed in cheaper models, a better sensor is installed in this camera. Sony IMX078.

These series include state-of-the-art touchscreen cameras that provide 4K resolution interpolation. We should also mention the model M20, which, due to its compact size, reduced to 64 grams of weight and bright colors (yellow and black options are available), looks like a child's, but at the same time boasts the ability to record video in 4K resolution with a frame rate of 24 FPS, installed with a stabilizer and Wi-Fi -module and Sony IMX206 matrix of 16 megapixels.

This line includes flagship models with Wi-Fi-module, touch screen and honest shooting at 4K resolution. Some of these cameras (for example, the SJ9 Max) are equipped with a bluetooth module, are waterproof and support storage up to 128GB. The battery capacity of most devices in this series is 1300 mAh, which is enough for 3 hours of shooting in 4K mode.

In addition to video cameras, the company offers users a wide range of accessories.

• Adapters and mounts, allowing you to mount action cameras on different types of vehicles and all kinds of surfaces, as well as ensure their use in combination with other SJCAM cameras and even products from other manufacturers. The range of mounts includes tripods, adapters, clamps, suction cups for mounting on the windshield and special adapters for installation on bicycles and motor vehicles. The company also offers several types of shoulder, helmet and head mounts.
• Portable tripods and monopods.
• Adapters for charging from the cigarette lighter.
• Charging device and adapters.
• Spare accumulators.
• SD cards.
• Cables FPV for remote control of the device.
• Wrist remote controls.
• TV cords to connect the camera to video equipment.
• Transparent protective boxes, including shockproof and waterproof.
• Protective covers and shockproof bags.
• Various filters for the lens, including protective and coated, as well as special filters for divers.
• External microphones.
• Floats-holders for overwater photography.

Choosing a suitable model of equipment, it is worth considering the main considerations.

• Shooting quality. It is important to find out what maximum shooting resolution the model you are interested in supports, what filters its firmware supports and what matrix it uses. The 720p options are cheap, but the picture quality is not very high. Full HD models will satisfy all the needs of amateurs and semi-professionals: athletes, video bloggers and travelers. But if you plan to do journalism or filming, you will have to fork out for a 4K camera. For filming in Full HD, a matrix of more than 5 megapixels will be enough, but for high-quality night shooting, you will need cameras with a matrix of at least 8 megapixels.
• Protection from external influences. You can immediately purchase a shock- and water-resistant model or buy an additional protective box for it. Depending on the model and configuration, any of these options may be more profitable. Just keep in mind that when buying a box, you will most likely have to use an external microphone or come to terms with the noticeably deteriorated quality of the recorded sound.
• Compatible with other devices. It is important to immediately find out whether the camera is equipped with a Wi-Fi module, whether it supports a direct connection to a TV or PC, and whether a remote control can be used with it. Also, it will not be superfluous to find out in advance the maximum size of the SD-card supported by the device.
• The duration of the battery life. For occasional action shots or webcam mode, batteries are enough to provide up to 3 hours of battery life, while if you plan to use the device on long journeys or instead of a DVR, then you should look for an option with a larger battery.
• Viewing angle. If you do not plan to use panoramic mode, then it is enough to choose a model with a view from 140 to 160 °. A larger view, especially on budget camera options, can lead to noticeable distortions in the proportions of objects. If you need a full panoramic view, then you should look for models of the middle price segment with a 360 ° view.
• Equipment. Cheaper models usually come with a very limited set of accessories, while more expensive devices often come with everything or almost everything you need to comfortably use the camera in different conditions.

If you are going to use SJCAM devices as an action camera, then all of their models will be ready to use after installing the SD card and securing in the bracket. The nuances of setting up individual shooting modes and using different accessories set out in the operating instructions, with which all cameras of the Chinese concern are completed. To view and edit the captured video, simply connect the camera to a PC via a USB cable or remove the SD card and insert it into the card reader. Also, some models are equipped with a Wi-Fi module, so you can upload videos to your computer or stream them directly to the Internet.

To connect the camcorder to a mobile phone you need to use the SJCAMZONE app (or SJ5000 PLUS for the corresponding camera line). After installing the application on your smartphone, you need to launch it, press the Wi-Fi button on the camera, after which you need to connect to Wi-Fi from your phone and establish a connection with a signal source corresponding to your camcorder model. For all camera models, the default password is "12345678", you can change it using the application after the connection is established.

Most SJCAM buyers believe that in terms of reliability and quality of video recording, modern models of these cameras are almost as good as GoPro equipment and noticeably surpass the products of other companies on the market.

Users consider the main advantages of this technique its low price and a huge selection of accessories and shooting modes, and the main drawback is the unstable work with phones and some SD cards, as well as the limited amount of storage devices supported by the cameras (only a few models work with cards larger than 64 GB).

For what the SJCAM SJ8 PRO action camera is capable of, see the next video.