SJCAM C300 4K Action Camera Review

The SJCAM C300 is an reasonably priced 4K motion digital camera that packs some spectacular specs and contains a distinctive design that means that you can convert it right into a small wearable digital camera or a bigger dual-screen handheld digital camera.

With the power to shoot crisp 4K video at 30 fps and 20MP nonetheless pictures, it gives wonderful high quality for the value.

Specs

• Video Decision: 4K 30FPS, 2K 60/30FPS, 1080P 120/60/30FPS, 720P 120/60/30FPS
• Image Decision: 20MP, 16MP, 14MP, 12MP, 10MP, 8MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2M
• Video Modes: Gradual movement, Movement detection, Video lapse, Automotive mode
• Picture Modes: Burst mode, Timed taking pictures, Fast taking pictures, Picture lapse
• Digital Zoom: 8x
• Display: 1.3″ HD touchscreen
• Secondary Display: 1.3″ HD show
• Digital camera Angle: 154 levels
• Microphone: Built-in
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz / 5GHz Wi-Fi, USB-C
• Stabilization: 6-axis gyroscope
• Encoding Format: H.264 (MP4)
• Reside Streaming: Sure
• Distant Management: Sure
• Battery: 1000mAh (swappable)
• Prolonged Battery: 2800mAh (gives as much as 6 hours)
• Storage: Micro SD as much as 128GB
• Measurement: 130 x 32 x 22.2 mm
• Weight: 55g

Design & Construct

The stand-over function of this digital camera is the distinctive modular design. The principle half is the digital camera which additionally has a small 1.3″ HD touchscreen beneath it. You then have a small battery module, which is good for mounting with one of many equipment. You then have a bigger 2800mAh battery, which features a second display, and this mode is handy for handheld use.

For the smaller battery, the clips onto the again of the digital camera, and also you cost the digital camera utilizing the USB-C port on the bottom of the digital camera.

The bigger battery slots onto the again of the digital camera and has a USB-C male port, which matches into the port of the digital camera. You then cost this through the USB-C on the battery. This might then imply you possibly can cost the bigger battery whereas utilizing the digital camera, however not the opposite manner round.

The bigger battery additionally has a 1/4 threaded screw for simple mounting to equipment corresponding to a tripod.

The digital camera with the smaller battery is extraordinarily compact, weighing simply 55 grams and measuring 130 x 32 x 22.2mm, making it simple to mount or maintain throughout use. The outer casing, constructed from plastic, feels sturdy and sturdy.

The 1.3” touchscreen show on the again is vibrant and responsive. You’ll be able to simply navigate by means of menus and preview photographs. A secondary 1.3″ show sits on the entrance for framing selfie photographs.

Buttons for energy, shutter, WiFi, and mode switching sit on the highest and aspect for fast entry. The underside homes the battery and micro SD card slot.

For audio, an built-in microphone captures first rate sound. The USB-C and HDMI ports sit underneath a protecting flap on the aspect.

General, the considerate design makes the C300 a extremely moveable and user-friendly motion cam. The compact physique is straightforward to mount whereas nonetheless offering a vibrant touchscreen and bodily buttons for management.

Equipment

The C300 comes bundled with a stunning variety of helpful equipment. Contained in the field you get:

• Waterproof case (waterproof to 30m)
• Mounting buckles
• Mounting base
• Curved and flat adhesive mounts
• USB cable
• Lens fabric
• Further Battery

It’s nice that SJCAM features a waterproof housing as an alternative of promoting it individually like some manufacturers. You can begin utilizing the digital camera underwater instantly.

The mounts, buckles, and bases present stable mounting choices. Stick the adhesive mounts to helmets, autos, gear, and many others. Then snap the digital camera into the mounting buckles for a safe maintain.

Having an additional swappable battery is extraordinarily handy for longer shoots. Pop it in when your preliminary battery runs low.

App & Setup

Connecting your telephone to the C300’s WiFi community is usually fast and easy utilizing the SJCAM Zone app (out there for iOS and Android).

It’s essential swipe down on the show after which allow WiFi. You’ll then have to attach your telephone to the SSID of the digital camera. The app additionally warned me that I needed to disable cell knowledge.

The reside view from the digital camera streams easily with minimal lag. You’ll be able to change settings, begin/cease recording, shoot photographs, playback media, and extra.

Diving into the onscreen menu reveals plentiful choices for tweaking picture, video, and system settings. It’s simple to navigate utilizing the responsive contact show. Useful tooltips present steerage for sure features.

One helpful function is the power to replace the digital camera’s firmware straight inside the app. This ensures you get any enhancements and fixes SJCAM releases sooner or later.

Picture High quality & Video Efficiency

The C300 has a number of modes, together with taking stills or taking pictures in 4K, slow-mo, automotive mode, fishing mode, starry sky delay and diving shell mode. You can too do reside broadcasts both to YouTube or through RTSP.

Given its reasonably priced worth level, the C300 delivers impressively good picture high quality and video efficiency.

The digital camera has a 20MP sensor. SJCAM doesn’t state any specifics of the digital camera however bhphotovideo.com record it as having a 1/2.8″-Sort CMOS sensor. That’s smaller than the GoPro Hero10 Black with a 23MP – 1/2.3 CMOS Sensor and the 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor on the DJI Motion 2 however bigger than the 1/3-inch sensor on the price range Akaso Courageous 7.

You then get a 6-axis gyro electrical picture stabilisation to make sure clean video.

The footage is sharp and vibrant with correct publicity. The huge 154° discipline of view creates an immersive perspective. It’s price noting that its low-light efficiency might be considerably grainy and struggles a little bit with white steadiness. That is usually the problem with price range cameras which have smaller sensors.

4K 30fps video reveals wonderful element and readability. You’ll be able to seize quick movement easily due to the excessive body price, which is spectacular for the value. Gradual movement choices (1080p 120fps or 720p 240fps) allow you to creatively play with pace.

The built-in 6-axis stabilisation produces surprisingly regular and shake-free footage – even throughout quick actions like operating or biking. This leads to skilled wanting video that belies the digital camera’s price range price ticket.

I examined the digital camera on a brisk stroll down the promenade on a windy day and in contrast it to footage shot on my Pixel 8 Professional. I’d say the C300 dealt with movement higher when taking pictures in 4K, however if you happen to dial down the decision on the Pixel, you need to use the next stage of picture stabilisation, and the Pixel was maybe barely higher on this state of affairs.

Underwater footage appears to be like vibrant, with the included waterproof housing permitting diving right down to 30 meters. The C300 additionally handles low-light environments properly by boosting ISO sensitivity as an alternative of overly amplifying noise.

Battery Life

The included 1000mAh battery gives round 70 minutes of document time. For longer shoots, the bundled 2800mAh prolonged can present as much as 6 hours of life. With the ability to hot-swap batteries on the go is tremendously handy.

Charging each batteries totally takes about 2-3 hours through USB-C. Fast cost assist juices as much as 80% capability in round 40 minutes.

Value & Different Choices

The SJCAM C300 4K Motion Digital camera is offered on Amazon with two choices.

The mannequin I reviewed with the small battery and the massive battery is listed at £130, however on the time of writing, it had a £15 off voucher.

Then there’s the C300-Pocket mannequin, which swaps out the bigger battery for a second, smaller one. That is listed at £107 and in addition has a £15 off voucher.

If you would like a extra conventional formed motion digital camera, SJCAM has the SJ6Pro priced at simply £87 on Amazon which has a 24MP digital camera and might shoot at 4K/60FPS.

You’ll be able to’t write an motion digital camera assessment with out mentioning the market chief, GoPro.

The GoPro Hero10 is obtainable for £250 and might document at 5.3K60 + 4K120, then the Hero11 is £300 and the most recent Hero12. The Hero11 and Hero12 have very comparable specs. These are all clearly higher cameras than the C300, however they price greater than double, so it’s anticipated.

Osmo has both the Motion 4 priced at £379 or the DJI Motion 2 Twin-Display Combo priced at £271, which is maybe a bit nearer to the SJCAM design with a twin show.

The AKASO Courageous 7 Motion Digital camera priced at £160 (£140 after voucher) or Courageous 7 LE priced at £112 look like the preferred price range motion cameras on Amazon. They each can do 4K30fps with a 20MP sensor and EIS 2.0. The has a extra sturdy design with IPX8 whereas the LE requires a case to make it IPX7.

Conclusion

For budget-minded customers wanting nice options and not using a premium worth, the SJCAM C300 is an excellent selection. It punches far above its class with a formidable 4K video, stabilisation, waterproofing, and an intensive accent bundle.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the artistic thoughts behind Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Captivated with all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking, to cell, wearables, and good house gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to convey a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech developments.

In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.

Final replace on 2024-01-04 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API