* Waterproof for shooting in the sea (summer in Egypt ;-)
* Good recording quality.
* Control when possible over the phone.
* Lapse photography (he makes Lego movies)
* Cheap they must be
What he wanted was therefore a panacea. After some research, and direct comparisons of the GoPro Hero 3 with the SJ4000 (Thanks to my colleagues that their cams borrowed me, so I can compare), I advised my son so for SJ4000.
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What we have seen in testing earlier:
* The picture quality has proved in the comparison video as quite similar. Only the white balance is likely to Hero 3 really hammer out better because the videos of SJ4000 have a fairly strong blue cast. The conversion of the white balance on Outdoor brings as not really an improvement since then the recordings are pretty rotlastig. Then rather a cool blue tint.
* In terms of resolution, the two cams on the same.
* The SJ4000 has a slightly lower battery life. So it pays to buy a second battery. Especially if the phone is used via WiFi to control.
* The pressure point of the buttons is in the Hero 3 for children more likely. When SJ4000 my son has done something sometimes hard to push in the buttons properly. Especially with ski gloves which is quite a Challenge
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What tipped the scales for the decision?
* Honestly say it was mainly the price. The SJCam was included 2.Battery, charging cradle and 32GB SD card 97, -. Euros cheaper. Finally, my son must pay the Cam yes.
* The integrated LD display was another reason for the SJ4000. So my son and his friends to the Clips and Pics at the ski lodge view without the cell phone to use.
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What can we say to the camera?
So first time the lightning delivery Amazon must be mentioned. Two working days for the Prime Standard shipping is already pretty good.
The camera itself comes in a relatively small box. Knowing about these open times, so it is difficult to close the box again, because all the accessories braces pretty contrast.
We had ordered the set with an additional battery, charger and SD card. When you first open I thought we would not get the correct delivery since BOOK YOURS just the SD card and the charger with the battery accessory designed to do so. This we realized only after all parts lying on the table :-)
The batteries are pre-charged about 50%. Just as it should be, so that things keep as long as possible.
As a first step I loaded the latest firmware (from 01.26.2015) on [...]. There you will find the Support / Firmware the corresponding ZIP files. The firmware BIN had simply copied to the SD card and the camera are plugged into the mains. Even the firmware was up to date.
The camera menu can be operated quite simply, offering (for my son more comfortable) also a German-language menu. Here you can then fairly comfortable make all camera settings. This is of course also about the app on the phone, but I changed first times SSID and PW directly on the camera.
The connection with the app is quick and easy. Download SJCam app, enable WiFi on the camera by pressing the 'up' button and connect phone with the camera-Fi. You've got the picture on the phone and can make all the settings in the app.
By transferring the video image to the mobile phone you have about one second delay on the mobile phone display.
At no time there were ambiguities in the operation or problems with the device. That's pretty rare, because the devices yes a plethora of functions have to be controlled by fewer and fewer buttons.
The time-lapse recording is my son, moreover, like a Lego for his movies. The cam is located on a small tripod and takes every 5 seconds a picture. This is enough time to change the scene. What comes out is a great stop-motion movie.
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Our impressions:
+ Very good image quality in photos and videos that are made in daylight.
+ Super easy to use despite extensive menu.
+ Settings can also via the integrated display.
To view + no need to phone the shots made (quite handy if you'd like to see under water or what change the settings).
+ Unbeatable price for the performance offered.
+ The mounting accessories the GoPro cams should be used consistently for the SJCam, at least fit the SJCam my son in the Mounts of GoPro a friend. Here we have but still far not tried everything :-)
+/- Fairly strong pressure point on the keys. For children fingers sometimes very stiff.
+/- White balance could be better implemented. Photos tend to have a blue tint when using the automatic mode. Conversely, one obtains a strong shade of red in the use of other modes (eg. Sunlight)
+/- As probably in almost all action cams only the necessary mounting equipment here. However, one should let his claims on account of the price at the bottom. It's at least all the helmet assembly and attachment to the handlebars of the bike there.
+/- Battery life is shorter than in the Hero 3. Nevertheless, we came with a charge loose 70-80 minutes. Only the WiFi should be used sparingly, because that is the battery for approximately 30 minutes have been empty.
- The camera has obviously no built-in backup battery, because the battery change, the date and time is always set on the 1.1.2014 at 00:00. All other settings remain stored fortunately. Just stupid when recording with time stamp and then are incorrect values in the recording.
Something really bad has not noticed us with this camera.
All in all, the camera is definitely worth the money, and for people not using the euro so is loose to buy a comparable GoPro, certainly a very good alternative. My son is satisfied with his purchase.
I share my experiences like. Was this review helpful, then I would be happy with a click on YES. If there is no information, then leave just a comment I read all :-)
