There was a time when people spoke of action camera and up popped brands like GoPro and... Wait, it was just GoPro!
Today, the arrival of a plethora of Chinese players has given the avid video maker plenty of options to choose from which not only satisfy their need for good quality video, but also doesn’t take a toll on their pockets.
I am not saying GoPros have lost their spark, but with more economical options in the market which are worth almost one-fourth the price of a GoPro, why wouldn’t people swerve that way?
To see whether there’s really is a big difference in quality and aesthetics, I got hold of a GoPro Hero 7 Black that costs almost Rs 40,000 and a Chinese brand action camera, the SJ Cam SJ5000X, which costs near Rs 10,000 online. Here’s the comparison.
Design & Ergonomics
In terms of the design, the SJ Cam comes with a plastic body with rubberised edges to enhance grip. It sports a button on the front to toggles modes and one on the top to start/stop the recording. There is an additional set of buttons on the right to move up or down the interface.
There is a compartment on the bottom for the 900mAh battery which is removable and you can also charge it via USB. There is a microSD card slot on the right which is exposed if not put in the case. Overall, a very basic setup.
The Hero 7 Black is a premium action camera and looks the part. The removable 1,200mah battery is snugly fit into a sealed compartment beneath while the charging port and the microSD card slot too are on the right in a sealed area. As far as functionality is concerned, the Hero 7 Black comes with a 62mm touchscreen using which you can control most of the camera’s functions.
Feedback wise, there is a record button at the top and a power on/off button on the side. The entire casing is rugged hence can withstand the occasional drop and plunge (it’s waterproof up to 10m without the case).
Video Quality & Resolution
The SJ Cam shoots pictures thanks to a 12-megapixel lens which is capable of shooting videos at 4k. The only flip side is the frame rate which is just 24fps (frames per second). The GoPro offers a frame rate of 60fps on 4k resolution and a whopping 240fps on full HD 1080p resolution. Clearly, there is no ambiguity which of the two will provide better output.
The Hero 7 offers some additional video enhancing features like HyperSmooth Video Stabilization which works like a charm even if you mount the camera on a motorcycle. It’s perfect for action shots and shooting videos on moving vehicles. Because of the higher frame rate, the Hero 7 Black is capable of offering super slo-mo video recording. You can also live stream via the camera thanks to the on board wi-fi and it also supports Bluetooth.
The SJ Cam too offers video stabilisation, but it struggles under low light. Else, in brightly lit conditions it’s pretty good. It comes with wi-fi but does not offer live streaming nor Bluetooth. That’s a big minus.
Both come with a wide angle lens hence capturing landscapes won’t be a problem.
Audio Quality & Battery Life
The is a stark difference in the audio quality of both these action cameras. The quality via the SJ Cam SJ5000X is a bit muffled and tends to filter out treble to an extent. Since it’s mostly going to be in a waterproof case you cannot expect the camera to capture audio, which works against people who require an audio track to go along with their video.
The same is not the case with the GoPro Hero 7 Black as it can record crisp stereo quality audio and also supports a option to attach a 3.5mm jack to record audio via a mic. It is definitely a much superior camera in terms of audio quality.
In terms of battery life, the GoPro Hero 7 Black comes with a removable 1,220mAh battery which is capable of giving the users almost 50 minutes of record time. The SJ Cam comes with a 900mAh battery that can last up to 40 minutes on a full charge. It’s a no-brainer which one will last longer.
Remember, the back up depends on what resolution you’re recording and also the temperature outside. So keep those factors in mind.
Which One to Buy?
The pros have sworn by the name of GoPro and nothing can change their mind. The Hero 7 Black is a premium action camera which comes with a bevy of features and is one of the best action cameras in the market. It costs Rs 34,000 online and for that price I feel it’s a good option. It beats the SJ Cam in terms of video and audio quality so it’s obvious what the pros are going to go for.
The SJ Cam SJ5000x is a brilliant camera for its price and is perfect video capturing equipment for the budding bloggers and people starting in the video production field. At Rs 7,990. It’s the best budget-friendly action camera in the market. Sure, you’re missing out on top quality content, but I am sure you wouldn’t complain once you see the output and the price tag.
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