Gone are the days when there was only one manufacturer in the video equipment market for extreme recreation. Action cameras quickly found their fans, so it is not surprising that many manufacturers are interested in this market segment. For the end user, this was a real gift, because he althy competition always leads to improved functionality and a significant reduction in the market price.
The focus of this article is the SJ4000 SJCAM WiFi extreme recreation camera. Characteristics, review and feedback from the owners will introduce the reader to a wonderful product created by Chinese craftsmen. A potential buyer will get acquainted not only with the original device, but also with a fake, which is very common on the domestic market and slightly different from the certified product.
Market Features
It is worth noting right away that there are two modifications of the action camera on sale, which, having the same marking, differ significantly in price. The fact is that there is an original version of the SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi product, the price of which is within 7000 rubles, and there is alsofake, having a cost of about three thousand rubles. In fact, these are two different devices, since there are significant differences between them both in quality and functionality.
Both options for action cameras are in demand among potential buyers, and it's not about the price at all. In their reviews, many owners assure others that the non-original modification is more advanced in terms of functionality, albeit in terms of security damage. But first things first.
First meeting
It is quite difficult to please potential buyers, especially when it comes to packaging. So, fans of the Hero GoPro gadget complained that there were too many mounts in the box, which many remained unclaimed. But as soon as the Xiaomi Yi camera appeared on the market without a mounting tool, users attacked the manufacturer with accusations.
The Chinese manufacturer did not disappoint future owners and provided all the necessary accessories for shooting. For SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi, this is a nice addition, since the installation kit, including the underwater box, costs more than one thousand rubles. Accordingly, the user has a chance to save a lot.
Original packaging
In addition to the camera itself, the owner will find a lot of interesting things in the nondescript box at first glance: a charger, a small manual and a large assortment of all kinds of fasteners. Plastic box for underwater shooting, clamps, mounts, straps - everything for the convenience of working in extreme conditions.
Confusedonly included with the SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi device manual. It is written in Chinese. Yes, the manual has color pictures and all kinds of diagrams, having studied which, you can easily perform the necessary actions, but the lack of translation raises many questions. The fact is that in the US market, action cameras are supplied with manuals in English, so why should the Russian market be provided with Chinese instructions?
Interesting fake
No one calls for buying non-original products on the domestic market, but it's still worth getting acquainted with the package. In the box, the owner will find the same mounts that are present in the original version. The manufacturer did not save on this, providing the user with a full range of accessories for SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi. Fakes are supplied with an additional battery, which pleases all buyers.
There are modifications with 32 GB memory cards - this is also considered a nice gift from the manufacturer. But with the instructions, the Chinese are failing Russian-speaking users here, which looks very strange from the outside.
Certified Device Build Quality
The original SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi looks like a solid plastic brick, which has no assembly defects. Without a magnifying glass, even the joints of the faces cannot be detected, and this really pleases all users, judging by their reviews. You can find fault with the battery compartment, which is much larger than the battery. Charge,certainly not lost when shaking, but the rattling itself is disturbing.
But accessories can cause dissatisfaction with the owner. For example, the charger is pulsed and during operation it seems that it is about to crumble. Plastic fasteners are also embarrassing - it is not easy to break them, but when deformed they emit strange squeaks. Only the plastic box for underwater shooting is made soundly and does not cause negativity.
Camera Specifications
While reviewing the SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi camera, I would like to note the excellent functionality of the installed components. The 12-megapixel Aptina AR0330 1/3 CMOS sensor is equipped with a fast lens (F=2.8) with a 170-degree field of view. Such indicators already guarantee excellent quality shooting in low light.
But the exposure mode failed a little - ISO within 100-400 units looks very poor. At least you can forget about night shooting forever. The 1.5-inch liquid crystal display also looks very strange, but its presence causes positive emotions among users.
As for the shooting itself, there are no questions here: adjustable self-timer, continuous shooting, the ability to change the resolution - everything is like in a digital camera from an expensive class. Even autofocus is able to detect faces and copes well with a large number of objects in the frame.
Working with video
Most buyers are interested in video capabilitiesSJCAM SJ4000 WiFi devices. The performance of the camera is respected even by demanding users. Video can be shot in three modes:
- FullHD (1920 x 1080 dpi), 30 fps.
- HD (1280 x 720 dpi) with a choice of recording speeds of 30 or 60 FPS.
- Easy (848 x 480) at 60 fps.
It is worth noting that these indicators are quite enough for most types of shooting. Yes, there is a negative in the reviews regarding the lack of a 120 FPS mode, as implemented by competitors, but there are not so many videos in the media with such characteristics. Users prefer to shoot in good resolution at the expense of speed. And you should not forget about saving space on a removable drive, because the higher the recording speed and resolution, the more footage takes up space.
Device functionality
It's not for nothing that the action camera has the symbols "WiFi" in its marking. This is a clear hint that the device has a built-in wireless module. Naturally, the owner has many opportunities that are definitely worth talking about. It is better to start with the built-in motion sensor, which can be configured at your own discretion. Some users prefer to turn on the camera on their own when moving, while others use the device as a surveillance camera.
The footage can not only be recorded to removable media, but also transferred to a mobile device via Wi-Fi. USB and HDMI connectors present onbody of the device perfectly complement the functionality of the camera. When connected to a computer, the gadget turns into a WEB-camera, and a TV connected via HDMI becomes a full-fledged monitor for a miniature device. In general, the manufacturer guessed with the functionality of the device - many useful functions open up new opportunities for the owner to use the action camera.
When it comes to quality
After studying the specifications of the device, many users imagine unsurpassed shooting quality with such interesting equipment. Imagine their disappointment when, on the very first day of video recording, oddities in the operation of the SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi are discovered. 1080p (FullHD) format looks unnatural on a huge TV screen. Moreover, under different lighting, the color gamut of the image completely changes. Photographing is also subject to the same problem, regardless of the selected resolution.
It's all the fault of the white balance, which in automatic mode tries to give the image natural halftones. In fact, this is a factory defect that was ignored by the manufacturer. Manual mode will help fix the problem - the user must select the desired lighting in the camera settings (day, cloudy, incandescent lamp). Included with the device is a special cloth for wiping the lens. In their reviews, many users recommend using it constantly, eliminating contamination of the optical device.
Don't stop there
The problem with the quality of shooting can be eliminated by the firmware of the originalSJCAM SJ4000 WiFi devices. Feedback from the owners, present in the media, recommends that all users, without exception, get to know the possibilities of updating the software closer. The fact is that the firmware produced by the manufacturer is a real constructor - the owner can assemble the modules he needs and upload them to the device in the form of a standard firmware.
The range of modules is large. Every day, users create and post on the forums new solutions for owners of action cameras. Thus, many enthusiasts have expanded the capabilities of the camera in working with white balance - additional settings are available in the menu (tungsten, twilight, and similar types of lighting). Thanks to the programmers, the problem with the Wi-Fi range was solved - the signal strength increased significantly (albeit in proportion to the battery consumption).
Handmade camcorder enhancement
There is no such thing as everything going well. The original SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi camera has microphone sensitivity issues. Needless to say, in underwater boxing, it does not work at all as it should. The problem is known, and many users will find out about its elimination even before buying an action camera. True, to upgrade the microphone, the owner will have to completely disassemble the miniature device.
Enthusiasts suggest taking the built-in sound sensor outside, providing it with a directional mechanism. From the outside, it looks more like a plastic tube that covers the microphone.one end on the chip, and the second edge is displayed on the front of the device. Yes, you will need to drill a hole in the lid. To prevent moisture from entering the tube, the hole must be closed with plexiglass, which is easily glued to the plastic case.
Removing the protective cover is easy, but getting to the controller itself is problematic. Chasing compactness, the Chinese fit in a small box of circuits mixed with cables and loops. Therefore, it is better to accompany the entire disassembly process with photography, otherwise it will be problematic to assemble the device.
Problems and Solutions
One of the reasons why users prefer to buy non-genuine version of the SJ4000 SJCAM WiFi camera is the lack of support for large memory cards. The original device has a 32 GB limit. Today, this is a very small amount. But the fake, in addition to a spare battery, makes a gift to the user in the form of a modern card reader that supports 128 Gb microSD memory cards.
Only many potential buyers overlook the possibility of flashing the original action camera. Enthusiasts have long found a solution to this problem. By installing the necessary module in the firmware, you can make the device work with 64 gigabyte drives. Yes, this is two times less than that of a fake, but also 2 times more than the factory version of a certified device. There is a possibility that the manufacturer itself will fix the problem with the release of a new firmware, because this is a mistake not at the hardware level, but atsoftware.
The pursuit of happiness
Don't think that non-original SJ4000 SJCAM WiFi camera has no problems. In the media, users often discuss the solution to the problem of liquid crystal peeling in the body of a miniature device. Apparently, the problem is not in the quality of the assembly, but in the component itself, which is responsible for displaying the image. You can fix the problem with improvised means, but this will be a temporary solution, since the air that has got inside the matrix will continue to exfoliate the screen.
And you can leave everything as it is. After all, in fact, the image on the screen does not disappear, but only the color rendition changes and the brightness worsens. For setting up the device, the quality is quite acceptable. You should not count on a screen replacement under warranty, since the manufacturer of non-original products is not certified in the CIS countries.
Owner Reviews
Most of the reviews refer to the action camera as a brand new device, with no comparison to other competitors on the market. This is what worries many potential buyers, judging by their reviews. Indeed, in the world of electronics, it is customary to compare a new gadget with some legend.
The advantages of all users include, first of all, low cost (7000 rubles) and rich equipment. Judging by the numerous reviews in the media and reviews of the owners, even the Hero GoPro cannot boast of such an abundant number of accessories (we are talking about cables, adhesive tape and other elements to strengthen the mounts). ToUsers attributed the advantages to ease of setup - the menu is really small, but its functionality is enough to complete all tasks during the shooting process.
But the negative is more related to non-original devices - monitor delamination, weak batteries (primary and secondary), difficulties in control and poor quality of the microphone. Therefore, it is not always clear where the buyer won, who decided to save money on buying a fake.
In conclusion
Inexpensive action camera with a decent set of mounts and simple functionality - that's how the SJ4000 SJCAM WiFi device can be briefly described. And then everything depends directly on the buyer, who decides what is more important to him - the price or ease of use, functionality or the ability to modify the software part of the gadget. There is currently no ideal device in the extreme camera segment. The user has to choose, constantly looking for criteria that are important to him.
