SJCAM is getting ready to release their best action camera so far: SJCAM SJ8! It will feature native 4K with 60fps and image stabilisation, EIS, up to 4K and 30fps. SJCAM’s current top of the line product SJ7 Star can do 4K 30fps max, whereas image stabilisation is limited to 1080p and 60fps max. Most comparable cameras are YI 4K+ Action Camera with similar Specs and as GoPro Hero6 which is expected to be announced early September 2017.
SJCAM SJ8 – 4K 60fps – 2,33″ Touch Screen
Image Sensor:
SJCAM SJ8 will use the 12,35 MP Sony IMX377 sensor (1/2.3″ CMOS) known from YI 4K+ and YI 4K Action Camera. SJ7 Star offers the 12 MP Sony IMX117, known from GoPro Hero4.
Chipset:
Chipset will be an Ambarella H22, which is a little downer forme. YI 4K+ and – as rumoured – GoPro Hero6 feature the more powerful Ambarella H2 processor. Even though H2 allows 4K 120fps, YI 4K+ “only” offers 4K 60fps. H22 is stated with 4K 60fps, so I hope SJCAM SJ8 is not pushing the processor too much.
Ambarella Processor Family
Contents
Frame Rates:
Besides the info on 4K 60fps no info on resolutions and frame rates is known so far. My guess, it’s similar to YI 4K+. With 4K+ also only 4K was pushed to 60fps whereas the other resolutions stayed the same compared to YI 4K Action Camera.
- 4K (3840 x 2160) – 60 fps
- 2.7 K – 60 fps
- 1080p – 120 / 60 / 30 fps
- 720p – 240 / 120 / 60 / 30 fps
Recording Format:
.mp4, h.264 codec – could be that the new processor also enables h.265 codec.
Image Stabilization:
One of the new features will be image stabilisation in 4K with 30fps, similar to YI 4K+. SJCAm Sj7 Star’s image stabilisation works up to 1080p with 60fps.
Photo Resolution:
Based on the 12 MP sensor, that will be the max. photo resolution which will be available as .jpg and RAW.
Connectivity & Ports:
Wifi (2.4 & 5 GHz) is built-in to connect with the app (iOS / Android)
SJCAM SJ8 also offers microHDMI port for HD video output,
as well as a USB-C port, similar to YI 4K+ and GoPro Hero5.
USB-C allows the use of an external microphone with adapter.
Display:
On the backside of SJCAM SJ8 you will find a large 2,33″ live-view Touch-display, which is larger than YI 4K (2,19″) and GoPro (2″)!
There will also be a 0.96″ front display to check the settings.
Battery:
There’s no info on battery so far, I do hope the capacity will be increased from SJ7 Star (1000 mAh) compared to YI 4K (1400 mAh) and GoPro Hero5 (1120 mAh).
Remote Control:
There’s also no info on that, but I hope SJCAM SJ8 will support the remote control introduced with SJ7.
SJCAM SJ7 Star – Remote Control
Features
Now let’s take a look at the features:
- EIS 4K 30fps – As already mentioned, image stabilisation will be available in 4K resolution with 30fps!
- Voice Control – Similar to GoPro and YI 4K+, SJCAM SJ8 will also feature voice control – pretty convenient for selfies!
- GPS recording – I really like to record GPS data, to display speed and roadmap within the recordings. One downer for SJCAM SJ8, you need an external device for recording, whereas GoPro has GPS built in. With Hero5 the data is recorded and you got the option to display it afterwards when using GoPro Studio.
- Live Streaming – Similar to YI 4K you can live stream directly from the camera to Facebook.
- Distortion Correction – If you don’t like the fisheye effect there will be a distortion correction. If that is done electronically I hope SJCAM provides a great firmware, when using EIS and distortion correction on YI, the image shows a jello effect.
SJCAM SJ8 – Specs & Features
Retailer / Price
- Banggood: pre-order
- Gearbest: arrival notice
- Geekbuying: n/a
- TomTop:: n/a
- Aliexpress: n/a
Conclusion
Basically SJCAM SJ8 is not bringing any new features to the table, we’ve seen most of them in YI 4K+ already, and some already earlier with GoPro Hero5. Well the 2,33″ Touchscreen is the largest among comparable action cameras, that’s definitely a big plus. So I think the price of SJCAM SJ8 will be crucial, if they can sell it for under 300 USD, it will be a very interesting camera. YI 4K+ Action Camera, that is currently available for 319.99 USD (Coupon Code: MIYI4KP including the underwater case. GoPro Hero6 will launch soon with a similar spec upgrade. But both of them feature the more powerful (and more expensive) Ambarella H2 processor. These are just the first rumoured specs of the prototype, lets wait for the final production series – so stay tuned!
pictures found on posh gadgets
Comparison
Here’s a chart of Action Cameras so you can compare their specs:
| GoPro Hero6 black | YI 4K+ Action Camera | GoPro Hero5 black | Sony FDR-X3000 | YI 4K Action Camera | Xiaomi Mijia | SJCAM SJ7 Star | Firefly 8S | THIeye T5 |
| Sensor | 12 MP
? |
12 MP Sony
IMX377 |
12 MP Sony
IMX ? |
12 MP Sony
IMX317 |
12 MP Sony
IMX377 |
8 MP Sony
IMX317 |
12 MP Sony
IMX117 |
12 MP Sony
IMX 117 |
12 MP Sony
IMX 117 |
| Processor | GP1 | Ambarella H2 | Ambarella A9 | BIONZ X image processor | Ambarella A9 | Ambarella A12 | Ambarella A12 | Ambarella A12 | Ambarella A12 |
| Lens | F/2.8, 170° FOV | F/2.8, 155° FOV | F/2.8, 170° FOV | f/2.8, f=17 mm | F/2.8, 155° FOV | F/2.8, 145° FOV | F/2.5, 166° FOV | F/2.8, 170° or
F/2.8, 90° version |
F/2.5, 170° FOV |
| 4K Resolution | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps | max. 30fps |
| Bitrate in 4K | 78 Mbps | 120 Mbps | 60 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | ? | 70Mbps | 70Mbps | |
| 2.7K Resolution | max. 120fps | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | max. 60fps | –
(2.5K in 30fps) |
max. 30fps
(2.5K in 60fps) |
max. 30fps
(2.5K in 60fps) |
max. 30fps
(2.5K in 60fps) |
|
| 1080p Resolution | max. 240fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 100fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps | max. 120fps |
| 720p Resolution | max. 60fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps | max. 200fps | max. 200fps | max. 240fps | max. 240fps |
| Photo Resolution | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 8 MP | 12 MP | 8 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| RAW photo | yes
GPR Format |
yes
DNG Format |
yes
GPR Format |
no | yes
DNG Format |
yes
? Format |
no | no | no |
| Display | 2″ Touchscreen | 2,19″ Touchscreen | 2″ Touchscreen | data only | 2,19″ Touchscreen | 2,44″ Touchscreen | 2″ Touchscreen | 2″ live view | 2″ live view |
| Battery (Capacity) | 1220 mAh | 1400 mAh | 1220 mAh | 1240 mAh | 1400 mAh | 1450 mAh | 1000 mAh | 1200 mAh | 1100 mAh |
| Image Stabilization | yes
up to 4K 30fps |
yes
up to 4K 30fps |
yes
up to 2.7K 60fps |
yes (optical)
up to 4K 30fps |
yes
up to 2.7K 60fps |
yes
up to 1080p 60fps |
yes
up to 1080p 60fps |
yes
up to 1080p 60fps |
yes
up to 1080p 60fps |
| Wifi | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bluetooth | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Remote Controller | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra | yes, optional extra |
| App | GoPro App
iOS, Android |
Yi Action App
iOS, Android |
GoPro App
iOS, Android |
Action Cam App
iOS, Android |
Yi Action App
iOS, Android |
Xiaomi App | SJCAM Zone
iOS, Android |
Firefly Cam
iOS, Android |
Thieye HD
iOS, Android |
| Storage | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 64GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) | microSD (up to 128GB) |
| USB Port | USB-C port | USB-C port | USB-C port | micro USB port | micro USB port | micro USB port | mini USB port | mini USB port | micro USB port |
| A/V Output | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | ? | yes | yes | yes |
| external Microphone | yes
via USB-C |
yes
via USB-C |
yes
via USB-C |
yes
via 3,5mm |
no | no | yes
via mini USB |
yes
via mini USB |
yes
via 2.5mm plug |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | no | micro HDMI | micro HDMI | no | no | micro HDMI | micro HDMI | micro HDMI |
| Voice Control | yes | yes | yes | no | might be added | no | no | no | no |
| Special Feature | GPS recording | Facebook Live Broadcasting | GPS recording | GPS recording | Facebook Live Broadcasting | Aluminum Frame Body | |||
| Mounts | GoPro System on frame/case | 1/4″ thread on body
GoPro System on case |
GoPro System on frame/case | 1/4″ thread on body
1/4″ thread on case |
1/4″ thread on body
GoPro System on case |
1/4″ thread on body
GoPro System on case |
GoPro System on frame/case | 1/4″ thread on body
GoPro System on case |
1/4″ thread on body
GoPro System on case |
| Waterproof | 10m without case
60m with case |
40m with case | 10m without case
60m with case |
splash proof without case
60m with case |
40m with case | with case | 30m with case | 30m with case | 30m with case |
| Included Accessories | Frame | Many offers include case | Frame | Underwater Case | – | –
kits will be available later |
Case & Mounts | Case & Mounts | Case, 2nd battery |
| Best Price | Amazon: $499.00 | Amazon: $299.99 | Amazon: $389.00 | Amazon: $398.00 | Geekbuying: 179.99 USD | Gearbest: 113.99 USD | Gearbest:
159.99 USD Coupon Code: GBCE1331 |
Gearbest: 102.99 USD | Gearbest: 105.99 USD |
| Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
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